Archive for the 'French Bulldog Training' Category

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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Ask the French Bulldog Trainer - Sneaky Piddling Frenchie

admin June 20th, 2008

Dear Hope,

My husband surprised my boys and I with a French bulldog puppy we had
all been looking at for about a week back on December 27th. He has
been a wonderful dog for our family. He is sweet, smart, fun and my
boys absolutely adore him! My husband and I do as well except for 1
little thing… he is a piddler (our term for just randomly urinating
all over our house..) I do not believe that it is a medical problem
because he has been going all night without messing his crate since
January/February. He knows to go to the door if he needs to go
outside and does it. We have noticed that his “piddling” increases
whenever he is not being played with or loved on. I think his
“piddling” is his reaction when he is not the center of attention.

What are your thoughts and recommendations on how to get him to stop?
Thanks for your help!

Hope writes -

Dogs aren’t people! Dogs are not spiteful, sneaky, sulky or secretive. If a dog wants attention, he comes up to you and barks, jumps, wiggles, brings a toy, tugs on you, or other direct means of drawing your attention. He doesn’t go off and piddle somewhere just to “show you” he’s neglected.

The reason he piddles when you’re not paying attention is because - you weren’t paying attention and missed his signals he had to go out! He truly isn’t securely housebroken - he doesn’t know the rules yet.

Go back to the beginning. If no one is actively watching him - he’s in his crate. When he earns a bit of trust, put on his harness and leash and attach him to your belt loop while you’re going about your daily life. As soon as he starts sniffing around, indicating a need to go - take him out and praise him when he “does his business.”

Your pup just needs reinforcement of his training. He’s not being headstrong or willful - he’s letting you know he’s not sure of the rules.

-Hope

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Ask the French Bulldog Trainer - Hyperactive Frenchie Puppy

admin June 19th, 2008

We are having some issues with our French Bull pup we got last month.

We admit we didn’t do the best research in buying her from a pet store but
as soon as we saw her little face in the window we were smitten. I just
couldn’t leave her sitting there.

Leticia has had some issues since we adopted her. She is very, very hyper
active. We walk her in the morning, then our pet sitter comes in mid morning
and mid afternoon. We walk her twice more in the evening. You would think
this would be enough but no! She runs around the house like a mad dog
all evening between walks. She rarely sits still. As well she has chewed up
several items including a carpet, a chair and some shoes. She is very clean
in the house however, which is a surprise as we were told Frenchies can be
dirty. We did not expect the chewing but I guess its better than peeing on
everything.

We have been told that Leticia’s problems are likely being caused by her
food, in much the same way that some children become hyperactive from
diet. We switched her from soft canned food to a very good organic kibble.
This didn’t change anything. We have now put her on a grain free diet.

Would putting her on raw help, do you think? I think raw meaty bones
would give her something safe to chew on. My partner says the idea of
her carrying raw bones all over the place is repulsive. I think better
repulsive than chewed up furniture. Help!

Also we think that she had some trauma before she arrived at the pet
store. How do we find that out for sure?

Hope writes:
Congratulations on the new puppy! It sounds like you have a dynamic bundle of fun in your life - one that needs a little focus for her energy! Although it may be a food issue, it sounds more like a very normal, active puppy!
Puppies are very time-intensive, as you’ve discovered. They are selfish creatures, wanting all of your time and attention. Most puppy training involves teaching them appropriate behavior, the rules of the house, and emotional control.
In addition to walks, Leticia needs playtime! Walking is excellent for socialization and exercise, but she needs to interact directly with both of you. Set a timer for about 10 minutes, pull out a “special” toy she sees only during this time, and play tug, play fetch, wrestle with her - have fun! When the timer goes off, say “that’s all” happily, put the toy back up on a shelf. Let her get a drink of water and take her for a “potty” break.
When you come back inside, it’s time to “chill.” The exercise is called “Sit and Accept Praise” and describes it exactly. Tell Leticia it’s time to “relax” or “chill” - use any word you want. Sit with her on the couch (or on the floor if she’s not allowed on the furniture). She should be at your side, sitting or lying down. If she doesn’t want to stay, tuck her between your arm and your body and keep her in place. Talk to her calmly, pet her, and give her an occasional treat when she’s quiet. Do this for at least a couple of minutes and build up the time. She has to learn to sit quietly with her family and relax.
At first she may fuss - trying to escape or chew on your fingers. Just say “eh” and keep her in place. She gets lots of praise for even a momentary lull in the activity.
A couple of “chilling” sessions a day aren’t too much to ask of her. Letitia needs to learn how to control herself - this will help.
As for chewing - it’s the number one lesson people have to learn. If you’re not actively watching your puppy, she should be in the crate. She should have no opportunity for inappropriate chewing because you are there watching her. When she reaches for something you don’t want her to chew on - trade her for a dog-appropriate chewie.
The key to puppy training is to be in control. Dogs don’t get into trouble when they’re being watched, or safe in their crates.
-Hope

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