Archive for the 'French Bulldog Training' Category

Ask the French Bulldog Trainer - When to start training?

gollygear July 5th, 2008

Hi, my question is: How early should you start training your french bulldog puppy? We’re getting our french bulldog soon (next week!) and were thinking about doing some private sessions at home as well as a puppy class as well. However, we weren’t sure if 8-9 weeks was too young.

Thanks!

Hope writes -

A new puppy! Congratulations!
Puppies are sponges. Like all other babies, they start learning from the moment they’re born. When the pup becomes yours, you automatically become its teacher. Your objective is to make sure it learns what you want it to know.
When you call your pup by its name - reward it for coming. Never, ever punish your dog for coming to you. The converse is also an absolute: never call your dog to punish or correct it.
Praise your dog for appropriate behavior - when he potties outside, when he chews on a toy instead of your fingers, when he sits. Name the good behavior while you do this “good go potty,” “good sit,” etc.
A puppy class is good for socialization and fundamentals. It’s also good to have a trainer right there who will answer all your questions and give immediate feedback, knowing you and your puppy. Please do your research on the class - observe before you bring your dog and make sure that the environment is safe your your little one.
Unless this is your first dog and you’re looking for help with basics: housebreaking, chewing, jumping, socialization, etc., there’s not much point to a private trainer at this age. Puppies are notorious for being brilliant in obedience, until it all falls out of their heads when they hit adolescence.
I would let your puppy be a puppy; teach the basics, including “sit and accept praise,” “come,” “sit,” “down,” walking nicely on lead, and the all-important “leave it.” It’s enough of a lesson plan for now. Babies have a limited attention span and Frenchies aren’t crazy about repetitive drills. There are some dogs who will endlessly “practise” a behavior, Frenchies aren’t among them. Training sessions for a puppy should be a couple of minutes, a few times a day, not counting the continuous training of daily life.
You can always add on and pursue further training - no dog is too old to learn new tricks. As always, when you are researching trainers and classes, don’t be shy about checking them out. You are your puppy’s advocate. Never allow anyone to do anything with your pup that you’re not comfortable with - and don’t let them convince you to, either.
Good luck with the baby!
-Hope

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Ask the Frenchie Trainer - Suddenly Agressive French Bulldog

admin July 1st, 2008

Note: this question was from the comments on another post. Please DO NOT post your questions in the comments section! We do not regularly check them, and chances are your question will go unanswered. Email your question to us directly, as noted above.

Does any one knows how to retrain my Frenchie female Tuffy who suddenly all over became very aggressive against the other fem Boston Terrier that we have? Tuffy is 18mo old and the other girl is 6yrs old.

Hope writes -

Without more information, I’m sorry to say that we can’t do more than suggest you find help in your area.

Do have your Frenchie checked by a veterinarian. If she’s in pain for some reason, it could cause her to be unusually grumpy and short-tempered.

If she checks out okay, please seek help from a professional trainer. Dog aggression should be addressed quickly and steps taken to correct it. You may find a referral from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers: http://apdt.com/

-Hope

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Ask the Frenchie Trainer - Boys Behaving Badly

admin June 29th, 2008

Dear Hope,

We are proud owners of two very handsome male (intact, 2 ½ yrs old) French bulldogs. Max and Maddox are brothers from the same littler and have only been separated once when Maddox underwent eye surgery last year. We have spoiled them rotten and they are very loved by everyone in the household.

The last eight months we have had aggression episodes between them when visitors come, when food is around (people eating snacks) or when by accident one of them is nudged. Max has always been the most dominant but Maddox (the runt) also has a little temper. It all started by them giving each other the eye in an intimidating manner. Once one got too close to comfort the fight began and we had to pick one up and separate them. It has become now more frequent and Max will start by giving Maddox the eye if I get too close to Maddox (or anyone that they wish their attention at the time). He will growl and then charge or he will walk right between Maddox and the person who is close to him! Maddox will fight back. We separate them, one goes to the kitchen and the other normally stays in another room until we think it has passed. Yesterday, it happened twice in about 30 mins and when I tried to spank Max on his bum be went at me. He did not bite but he was really mad at me for telling him off and the spank in his bum. I read today that this is not the right way to correct behaviors so we are in need of some guidance from you since we love them both and we do not wish to separate them.

We really do not want to neuter them but if this is the solution along with training then we are open to it. Any advice you may provide us with is greatly appreciated since they are like our children and we love them dearly. We just want to do what is best for them both.

Hope writes -

I admit that my dogs are also spoiled, indulged, adored and one of the greatest joys of my life. That doesn’t mean they get to run it. As the responsible adult in the family, I get to set the rules and everyone abides by them. Including the dogs.

Aggression is not to be tolerated. Neutering would certainly help your boys regain their equilibrium, as well as help them avoid health problems as they get older. Training is another crucial component in restoring peace to your household.

I do know some people who play “puppy shuffle” because their dogs won’t get along. I certainly wouldn’t want to live that way and I’m very glad you’re willing to put in the effort to train your boys so it won’t be necessary.

Max and Maddox need to know that you aren’t going to tolerate their aggression. It’s not okay, it’s not cute, and they have to stop. When you see either of them trying to “stare down” the other - get his attention by calling his name, squeaking a toy, saying “cookie” or whatever will work. If nothing else - slam a book down on the floor to get him to look. Praise him - “Good Watch!” and give him a treat. If his attention goes back to his brother - say “eh,” and praise him when he looks back at you.

Teach both of the boys to “leave it.” Without distractions, take one of the boys with you into another room and sit in a chair. Feed him delicious tidbits, saying “take it” as you give him each one. After he learns this wonderful new game (in about 10 seconds), say “Leave it” firmly, and hide the next treat in your hand. He may paw at it, or try to nibble it away. Don’t let him. As soon as his attention leaves your hand, say “Good Leave It!,” and give him a different treat. Repeat this several times, randomizing “take it” and “leave it.” It may take a few sessions to sink in, but it’s well worth it.

Once Max and Maddox know “leave it” you can apply it to every situation; each other, strangers, food, toys, other dogs, etc. You should praise them lavishly for doing as you want.

The other half of the equation is making sure that unacceptable behavior is not rewarded. If attention is what they want - don’t give it to them. Dogs don’t really distinguish between “negative” and “positive” attention - they just know they’re the center of the universe. Turn your back to them or crate them both.

Take back control of your boys. Both of them would benefit from obedience training. Try to find a good class in your area. They are the equivalent of teenagers, looking for ways to get into trouble, with hormones raging. Direct their energy positively and keep them occupied with acceptable activity. If they won’t play nicely - they don’t get to play at all.

-Hope

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Ask the Trainer - French Bulldog Puppy Won’t Potty Train

admin June 27th, 2008

I have a french bulldog who will be a year old in August.  We got him at around 5 months old, and he was used to going to the bathroom wherever he wanted.

We are having a very hard time potty training him. He is put in a crate, and does well for the most part, but still has several accidents in the house.

I know he knows he is supposed to go outside. He sometimes goes to the door, but not always.

Any Advice? Thanks!

Hope writes -

Potty training a Frenchie can be a long, tedious, frustrating process. Frenchies truly have to be convinced you’re serious about housebreaking.

You’ve started with a disadvantage - your little guy came with a bad habit and not only has to be trained to eliminate in the proper place - he has to be “untrained” not to go in the wrong place. You say that he “knows” he’s supposed to go out. I would suggest that, at this point, he knows that “out” is one of his options. He’s not convinced it’s the only one.

I’m sorry to say there’s no quick and easy fix. You’re going to have to go back to the beginning. When you’re not able to pay attention to him, he goes in his crate. If you can pay partial attention to him, he’s attached by a leash to your belt loop. If he tries to leave the room - you’re right on his heels, ready to take him out.

Establish a schedule for “potty breaks” and stick to it. If he doesn’t take advantage of a potty break to “do his business” he goes into his crate for 10 minutes to think about it. Then try again.

I know it’s not much fun, but once they get the routine firmly established in their hard little heads, Frenchies are capable of sticking to the house rules.

-Hope

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Ask the Frenchie Trainer - Jumping Bean French Bulldog!

admin June 24th, 2008

We have a very loving frenchie named Roxanne. She is one year old and loves
everyone.

The problem is her jumping. Especially on guests. I try to hold her down by
her collar and tell her “down” repeatedly and praise her when she’s calm
(which is not often) but then she just pops up again like a spring. She is
incredibly strong and knocks over children and sometimes frightens adults or
gets them dirty!

Walks are getting embarrassing!

Any ideas?

Hope writes -

Frenchies just love to jump, don’t they? It can be an annoying and possibly dangerous habit, as you’ve discovered. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy habit to break.

As with any training, stopping the jumping will take a bit of time and patience. Understanding why Roxanne is jumping puts the behavior in perspective. She’s a friendly, happy, loving girl who thrives on attention and wants to share her joy with everyone. It’s essentially saying “Hi! Look at me! Pay attention to me!” and it’s working. The attention she’s getting may be negative - you’re trying to stop the behavior, but it’s reenforcing the act.

Rather than trying to “correct” her for jumping - deprive her of the reward she’s after. Set up a situation with a family member or friend.  Have that person approach Roxanne. As soon as she starts jumping, have the person fold her arms and turn her back on Roxanne. When Roxanne follows and tries it again, have your friend keep turning away, arms folded, ignoring the jumping. As soon as Roxanne tries something else to get attention (most dogs will sit and try to figure out what’s going wrong) have the person praise her, reward her and tell her how wonderful she is. When she gets up, or tries to jump, go right back to the “fold arms and turn away.”

For a while, until she “gets it,” everyone is going to have to treat Roxanne’s jumping the same way. Reward her for behavior you want and ignore the behavior you don’t. Deprive her of the attention she craves when she’s misbehaving. Frenchies are pretty smart - she’ll figure out pretty quickly that being a “good girl” gets her what she wants.

Good luck!
Hope

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