First bred by the English and later popularized by the French, the French Bulldog has won the hearts of millions across the world.
French Bulldogs are the world’s English Toy Bulldogs. They’re small, sassy, and perfectly cute. Nothing is cuter than watching a French Bulldog’s bottom wiggle as it walks.
This breed of dog makes for a wonderful companion, but they are a bit stubborn at times. It’s important to train them when they’re a puppy to ensure obedience as they age.
Are you inexperienced in training a puppy? Read the guide below. We’ll teach you all of the do’s and don’t’s.
Start Your Training
We’ll first show you what you should do when training a puppy. It’s not always easy being a dog owner, especially during the training period, but the reward is worth it.
Let’s get into the do’s of puppy training.
Start While They’re Young
It’s not impossible to train an older dog, but it’s best to start training them while they’re young. Young dogs are more eager to learn and practice new tricks, much more so than older pups.
Most people purchase their French Bulldog from a dog breeder. Dog breeders are often knowledgeable about the breed they specialize in. Chat with your breeder about the characteristics of young French Bulldogs to get better insight into when to begin training.
Find Their Motivation
Much like kids work well for small pieces of candy and other gifts, puppies are motivated by their preferred treats. Find what works best for your puppy.
It’ll take some trial and error to discover what reinforces their training. Keep a variety of toys around you while training as encouragement for your furry pal.
Some dogs even prefer belly rubs or cuddles over playing with toys. Make sure to always give your dog some tender love and care after a training session.
Keep It Quick & Exciting
French Bulldogs are packed with personality and often need plenty of excitement and stimulation. Because of this, it’s best to keep your training upbeat.
For example, have a list of commands ready to go in your head. Call them one after the other without too long of a pause in between.
And never wait too long to reinforce your puppy after it obeys! Hand them a small piece immediately after they demonstrate compliance, especially in earlier training stages.
When voicing your commands, sound enthusiastic yet firm. Sounding tired and groggy will only confuse them.
Be Consistent
As tiring as it can be working with a puppy, you must always be consistent.
Each time they listen to you, reward them. Rewarding them doesn’t always have to mean giving them food. It can be a quick scratch on the back or a verbal, “Good job!”
On the other side of the coin, be consistent about reprimanding them when they don’t listen. Letting them get away with naughty behavior will only reinforce bad habits in the future.
Set boundaries and rules like you would with a human child.
Things to Avoid
Just like there are things you want to do while training a puppy, there are also many things you should avoid. We’ll get into those things now.
Don’t Leave Your Puppy Unsupervised
Puppies are silly creatures who often create chaos. While they usually aren’t creating chaos with bad intentions, leaving your dog unsupervised can lead to a mess you won’t want to deal with.
Always have a close eye on your puppy. Supervise them as they potty train, play with kids and other dogs, and run around your home.
Put away any small items they could choke on, and hide articles of clothing and shoes. If you discover they tend to seek out a certain type of item to chew on, reduce access to that item within your home as much as possible.
Don’t Overwhelm Your Dog
Do you remember times in school when your teacher expected too much from you? Avoid being the dog owner that expects too much from their puppy.
Work on 1 or 2 commands at a time. Start with more useful commands at first, such as those for sitting or heeling. You can move on to more playful tricks after they learn the basics.
Keep in mind throughout your training that your puppy is, well, a puppy. Just like a little kid, they’re going to do things they shouldn’t or act silly during training from time to time. You can also expect French Bulldogs to be stubborn as well.
Roll with the punches as you train. If they seem unfocused during training, try playing fetch instead. They may just need to get some energy out!
Don’t Use Harsh & Negative Emotions
Puppies don’t know English so they rely a lot on emotions and tone of voice when communicating with their owner. Avoid using harsh and negative emotions while training your pup.
Speaking harshly to your dog can cause it to become afraid of you. The dog might also become more resistant to your commands.
As mentioned above, use an encouraging tone to reward your puppy. If they aren’t listening to you, be firm, but avoid becoming angry.
Raise ’em Right: Training a Puppy
Being a dog owner is much like being a parent. It comes with plenty of responsibilities, but it comes with even more love.
If you’re planning on training a puppy, do your research before buying or adopting a furry pal. Being educated on the topic before taking on the responsibility will make the journey a whole lot easier for you.
Are you searching for a French Bulldog breeder you can trust? We’re an experienced breeder that’s knowledgeable and always available to help you. Explore the pictures on our site, and meet your new best friend today.
