Mary Allen
Appearances can be deceiving.
Learn about French Bulldog temperament, behavior problems, and how to fix behavior problems.
At first glance they might look a bit scary and menacing, they are bulldogs after all!
But if you’ve ever met a Frenchie, you know this couldn’t be further from the truth.
French Bulldogs are one of the most playful, affectionate, and hilarious dog breeds out there.
They love to be the center of attention and will always find a way to steal some attention!
French bulldogs have big personalities and definitely make one of the best companion dogs in the world!
If you’re looking for a lap dog that will watch TV with you and then run outside in the park, a Bulldog is for you!
If you’re curious if a French Bulldog is right for you, check out our pros and cons of owning a French Bulldog.
Pros and Cons of French Bulldogs
A little clingy
The French love their owners more than anything else in the world.
They don’t tend to do well when left alone for long periods of time and are prone to separation anxiety. Some bulldogs are also quite attached to their owners and will follow you around the house.
If you work late hours and are away from home most of the day, consider another breed. Your dog will not be happy sitting at home alone all day!
A little noisy
If you are planning to buy a French bulldog, you better get used to all the weird noises they make!
They snort, snore, fart, and talk in their own little language all the time. Love it or hate it, those sounds are what makes the French Bulldog such a unique breed!
Separation anxiety
Without a doubt, one of the most common behavioral problems in French bulldogs is separation anxiety.
Left alone, they could wreak havoc on the house!
Dogs that are very attached to their owners become distressed when left alone, especially for long periods of time.
Separation anxiety in dogs is characterized by their extreme distress when you leave the house. They will do ANYTHING to find you, even if it means getting hurt in the process.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety:
- urination and defecation
- barking and howling
- chew, dig, and destroy
- escape
- tempo
- eat their poop
Your French bulldog may develop separation anxiety after developing an attachment to one person. If that person isn’t present, the dog will panic.
Separation anxiety is no joke; It’s best to treat the behavior early before it gets worse. They cannot allow themselves to “outgrow” this behavior or “work it out” themselves.
Fortunately, there are some treatment options for dogs suffering from separation anxiety. However, you may need the help of a professional dog trainer to manage the condition.
What to do with an anxious Frenchie?
Treatment for separation anxiety usually involves a process called counterconditioning.
This works by associating something the dog doesn’t like with a positive experience, like toys or treats.
If your dog is clingy, read our post on attachment and separation anxiety and what you can do to stop it.
Clingy behavior
Does your French bulldog follow you around the house?
Can’t they take their eyes off you?
If so, your dog could be what some call a velcro dog.
Best friends
Affectionate dogs, sometimes called velcro dogs, follow their owners everywhere. This behavior is also known as “Velcro Dog Syndrome”.
Just as French bulldogs are prone to separation anxiety, they also often exhibit clingy behaviors. They really love their owners! French bulldogs were selectively bred to be dependent on their owners.
Burdock dog syndrome is often confused with separation anxiety because of its similarity, but there are some key differences. It should be noted that clingy dogs are more likely to develop separation anxiety.
While you might think that this clingy behavior is cute and loving, it can be caused by emotional or physical distress.
Sudden onset of attachment can mean that something health-related is going on. Check with your vet, but there’s no need to worry if this is typical behavior.
Barking or whining
Barking and whining are just a few examples of how your dog expresses his feelings. It’s her way of talking to us.
If barking becomes excessive, it’s important not to ignore it – it could be a sign of a more serious health issue.
Why do dogs bark and whine?
Dogs don’t usually bark without a reason. “Toy breeds” like Yorkies and other terriers are notorious for their excessive barking, but thankfully, French. Bulldogs are not known for their continuous barking.
Not only is this behavior extremely annoying and disruptive to you and your neighbors, it can also be a sign that something else is going on.
It’s pretty unlikely that they bark just to bark – there must be a reason.
- pains
- fear
- alarm (barking when the doorbell rings)
- territorial
- attention seeking
- emotional stress
- genetics
Begging
Begging is one of those problems that is usually the fault of the owner.
Giving in to a dog begging for food will only reinforce that bad behavior.
It’s just bad manners, there are also many health reasons not to share food with your dog. Of course, this applies to all dog breeds.
If your dog is begging, there are steps you can take to stop this behavior.
Don’t give in when your dog is begging.
It’s hard to resist those puppy eyes, but sharing your food only makes the begging worse.
They only stop begging for a few seconds while wolfing down their food, only to come back with a vengeance and beg again. They know they can get food out of you now!
Completely ignore your dog
A good way to stop many of your dog’s negative behaviors is to ignore them completely. They will soon learn that begging does not bring them food or attention.
If you yell at your dog to stop begging or give them any reaction, they will keep on begging.
Patience is the key
It may take a while for your dog to stop begging altogether. This is to be expected.
Be persistent in your training, your dog will eventually learn that begging is a waste of time.
Chew
It is perfectly normal for puppies and dogs to chew on things. it is in their nature.
But why do dogs chew?
Dogs chew for many reasons. Chewing is a great stress reliever, loads of fun and just feels good for our pups!
Puppies chew to relieve the pain caused by their teeth growing. This is commonly referred to as “teething.” This is why it is so important to give puppies plenty of things to chew on.
While some chewing is normal, in some cases it can become destructive and excessive.
Have you tried to break your dog from a bad habit without success?
French bulldogs can be stubborn little guys.
Anytime you catch your Bulldog doing something bad, make a loud, uncomfortable noise, such as slapping or banging on a table.
It always surprises her and makes her jump a bit. She also stops doing what she knows she shouldn’t be doing.
You may be wondering what does this do. their bad behavior is associated with an unpleasant outcome.
They will learn that continuing on their naughty ways will get them nowhere, and they might be startled by your loud noise.
It is important to note that this is not a good training technique to try and break your Bulldog from behaviors such as anxiety, separation anxiety, etc. This will only make things worse.
This has been found to work best when used for behaviors such as jumping up on people, excessive barking, stealing food, jumping on furniture, or chewing on things.
Tenacious and adaptable
One problem I’ve encountered with this technique is that my Frenchie seems unfazed by my mindless slapping and slapping. You may just not get their attention or startle them by clapping harder and more.
If you’re having trouble kicking your bulldog out of a bad habit, you can try a dog training aid. These devices help not only with unwanted barking but also with other negative behaviors of your dog.
It’s amazing how quickly you can stop these stubborn bad behaviors.
Pull on the leash
This is an issue I’ve been dealing with lately. A bulldog can get very excited and then constantly pull on the leash. This is quite frustrating for many mistresses and masters.
If you are lucky, you will have a puppy that walks alongside you from the start without any training. Unfortunately, most dog owners are not so lucky.
A common misconception is that dogs pull on the leash and try to “lead the pack” or be dominant. This is usually not the case.
Nature is much more interesting to your dog than you are; Your dog would rather be chasing bunnies than listening!
The most common reason for dogs pulling on a leash is simply the fact that they aren’t trained.
Reduce the strain of pulling on the leash
It shouldn’t surprise you that years of leash pulling can result in serious spinal, neck, and windpipe injuries.
It is recommended to use canvas with shock-absorbing technology.
Your Bulldog will love to tug on the leash if something catches his eye. It is reassuring to know that the leash reduces the stress on the dog’s body.
The same applies here: zero tolerance!
As with any other negative behavior, if you allow the behavior they will keep doing it because they know it will work.
You don’t have to have a tolerance for leash pulling if you want them to stop.
No-pull straps are great ways to prevent them from pulling on the leash. They are typically used in cases where other methods you have tried to stop the behavior have not worked.
Personality Differences Between Male and Female French Bulldogs
You’ll notice a variety of differences between male and female French Bulldogs, and in general one rule of thumb applies: males tend to be more wild, playful, and assertive.
Female dogs, on the other hand, are often a bit shyer but incredibly loving between the two. They are also said to be more docile, while male dogs (male dogs) take longer.
As well, female dogs tend to be a lot livelier. They tend to be aggressive more quickly and are often a bit more temperamental in their early youth, but become calmer as they get older.
Male dogs can have the same problem, which is mostly curbed with proper training, but they tend not to become as aggressive.
French Bulldog: pros and cons – FAQs
Who is a French Bulldog suitable for?
The French bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds and is absolutely suitable for everyone. No matter whether for families, single people or seniors – the intelligent dogs feel comfortable with everyone.
What speaks against French bulldogs?
French bulldogs are a torture breed. Most French bulldogs suffer from shortness of breath, conjunctivitis, otitis media, a crippled spine, and intestinal disorders. Holders face high veterinary costs.
What can a French bulldog not eat?
With some foods, you already know that your Frenchie cannot tolerate them. These include chocolate/cocoa, caffeine, hops, alcohol, easily splintering bones, or various sweeteners. But some types of fruit and vegetables are also not tolerated by your dog.
How Often Should You Feed a French Bulldog?
Feeding an adult French bulldog should be limited to one, two meals at the most. High-quality and, above all, easily digestible ingredients for a dog’s stomach, with sensible mineral and vitamin additives, are criteria for the selection of good ready-to-eat dog food.
How often do you have to walk a French bulldog?
But autumn and spring also allow the French bulldog to be walked and trained outdoors, but only if the temperature has not risen above 20 degrees. Then you should go for a (short) walk at least 3 times a day.
How long does a French bulldog have to walk?
Three walks a day is ideal for adult bulldogs. Also more. Depending on your physical condition and the temperature of the day, it can be long, extensive walks. A walk should therefore be at least 1 hour long.
How Much Exercise Does a French Bulldog Need?
Almost anything goes with the French bulldog: they will happily romp around for hours and laze around with the same enjoyment. Overall, this dog’s need for exercise is not excessive, but of course, you shouldn’t deny him a daily walk of at least one hour.
Are French Bulldogs difficult to train?
Compared to other dog breeds, this small dog is a very easy-to-train four-legged friend. The French bulldog is generally very willing to obey its owner. However, one should not forget that every dog can be very individual.