Archive for the tag 'French Bulldog Training'

Ask the French Bulldog Trainer - Frenchie with Food Issues

admin August 5th, 2008

I am a proud french bulldog owner and live in Bogota, Colombia. There’s not much knowledge here about French Bulldog breeding or behaviour so I hope you or your collegues can help me with this question.

My male puppy is about 6 months old and is extremely picky with his food. Moreover, he has decided since the last couple of months to eat only when I’m not around. I’ve had to change his food several times as I’m unaware if he dislikes the food or if he is just manipulating me. Well, apparently the food is not the issue as he eats really well whenever I’m not around. The problem is that I spend most of the time with him and he has gotten really, really skinny and looks like if he was from another breed or something. I’ve tried every single method that has been suggested to me: leaving his food down for 15 minutes and then picking it up until the next meal, leaving him alone with his food for some time, warming his food, adding water, you name it! He will only eat when he is just extremely hungry and then go for a hunger strike until the next 24 hours or more (this is during weekends). During weekdays someone takes care of him for me and gives him his lunch but my puppy won’t eat at night or in the morning when I’m around. Incredibly enough he won’t even drink water for really long periods, sometimes even for a day. Even when I serve his food and have to bring him to it, he will just walk away.

He was really sick to his stomach when he was 3 months old (3 ulcers, ouch) and I might have placed too much attention on him, so he knows that his stomach problems really worry me. I guess that he is manipulating me and calling my attention by not eating, but simply haven’t found a way to get him to eat. Obviously as he is not eating correctly, he is getting sick constantly as his inmune system is not as it should be. By the way, he is a VERY active dog which makes this behaviour even stranger.

Oh yes, I have never fed him human food of any kind.

What should I do? Have you ever had a Frenchie that shows similar behaviour? Any tips?

All your help would really be appreciated as I am really worried for my puppy.

Hope writes -

At this point your pup’s food issues seem to be more related to behavior than health, so I’m jumping in to answer your question.

I agree that, at this point, it’s not the taste of the food that’s the problem. It’s also not your dog being manipulative. What he is doing is picking up on your stress. Dogs seem to know when their people are tense, his eating makes you tense, so he’s trying to fix it by not eating when you’re around.

I would forget about trying to set a bowl down and have him eat. Instead, make a game and training session out of his mealtimes. I know he will use calories as well as get some, but you’ll both have a better time and stop stressing about his food.

When you want to feed him, put his food in a small bag or bowl, and keep it up where you can reach it. Have your dog perform some obedience exercise or “trick.” Reward him with his kibble - one piece at a time, many pieces for each reward. Have a great time doing it - if he sits, tell him “good sit” and reward. If he lies down, say “good down” and reward. If he watches you, say “good watch” and reward him. Leave the room, call him and say “good come” when he shows up.

Your sessions will have a dual purpose, getting food into him and teaching him new things. Reward him for anything positive he does, ignore behaviors you don’t want. You and your dog will form a strong bond through training, you’ll stop being quite so tense about his food, you’ll have a good time with your dog, and, as an added bonus, you’ll have an extraordinarily well-trained dog, too!

You can teach any behavior you want - just break it down into the smallest possible increments and teach those, in any order. You can put it all together when he’s good at each piece separately. Training sessions should only last five to ten minutes, so be generous with your rewards to get the most food into him that you can.

Relax, have fun and play-train your dog. Please let us know how you do!
Hope

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Ask the Frenchie Training - Handling a Hyper French Bulldog

gollygear July 18th, 2008

i have a 5 month old frenchie and shes hyper as all get out,she also bites and chews she has a room full of toys i dont want to get rid of her what do u suggest i do

Hope writes -

Puppies don’t know how to “behave” - you have to teach her!

My first suggestion is that you find a good basic obedience class in your area. The best classes and trainers are the ones who teach you how to train your puppy. A good class will give you the skills to take home and practise with your puppy several times a day, a few minutes each time.

Many dog clubs have classes that are open to the public, check the American Kennel Club listing of obedience club to see if there’s one in your area:  http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cfm?action=obed&display=on

Alternatively, many park districts and dog day-care facilites offer basic obedience classes.

In the meantime, start teaching your puppy to “sit and accept praise.” After a fun play session and a potty break, sit with your puppy on the floor. She should be next to you, facing the same way. Have her sit at your side. If you have to hug her to keep her still, that’s okay. Talk to her calmly and pet her, telling her she’s a good girl, and “good chill” (or whatever word you choose to use). After a few minutes, release her, saying “good job.” Stay calm, and she may just stay next to you, relaxing.

Schedule a few “chill sessions” every day, until she learns that after playtime, it’s time to relax - for both of you.

-Hope

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Ask the Frenchie Trainer - Barking Bully Boy

gollygear July 17th, 2008

I have a 5 year old male frenchie who is very aggressive with other dogs.  I am having trouble with him even seeing another dog on walks in parks etc.    He will bark and lunge and get very upset.  It is really hard to stop this behavior  We live in the country  and he does not routinely play with dogs a lot but he does like dogs he knows a bit.   We travel a lot and so he does meet a lot of dogs and he is more and more aggressive toward them.      In every other way he is such a wonderful dog.

I am considering getting him a bark collar so he will at least not bark at dogs when he sees them but wonder if even that would work.

Thank you for any advice you can give me.

Hope writes -

From your description, it’s hard for me to tell if your boy is truly being aggressive, or just trying desperately to “meet” the other dogs. Either would fit the “barking and lunging.” Since you call it aggression, I’ll assume that’s what we’re dealing with.

There are several exercises you should practise with your boy. The first is “Leave it.” This one will apply to anything you want it to - delightful smells/trash on the ground, other dogs, people, etc. Sit with your dog in an area without distractions. Have a bunch of yummy treats. One at a time, give your dog the treats, saying “take it” as you give him each one. After a few, close your hand around the treat and say “Leave It.” He  will probably sniff, paw and perhaps nibble at your hand. Be patient. As soon as he looks away from the “cookie hand,” even if it’s just for an instant, tell him “Good Leave It!” and give him a different cookie. Randomize the “take its” and “Leave its” and practise a couple of minutes, a few times a day. When you’re sure he has the idea, you can broaden “Leave it” to anything he’s fascinated by. Be sure you do have a reward handy when he turns his attention away from the object, person, or dog.

Another good exercise is “watch.” Again, find a couple of minutes in a distraction-free zone with your dog. Have him sit in front of you. When he looks up at your face, say “Good Watch!” and give him a treat. We want him to learn that looking at your face will always be a good thing and deserves a reward.

When you’re out and about with your boy, try to be aware of your surroundings and situations that may trigger his aggressive behavior. Before he even knows there’s another dog approaching, have him sit facing you (away from the other dog) and watch! Be prepared with treats. Be sure that your dog is safe - you absolutely don’t want the other dog coming up behind yours. When you ask him to behave, you are asking him to trust that you’ll keep him safe.

The key is to be in control of the situation and to head off problems before they start. If you are fearful, nervous, or apprehensive, that emotion will travel straight down the leash and may cause your dog to become protective and aggressive. Know that you are in control and that your dog will behave. Make it happen.

If these simple, distractive techniques don’t work to control the situation, do seek help from a professional dog trainer in your area. Ask local dog clubs and dog professionals for referrals. Be sure the trainer is right for you and your dog - ask for references and, if possible, watch the trainer in action.

Good luck!
Hope

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Ask the Frenchie Trainer - Bully Boy French Bulldog

gollygear July 17th, 2008

I have a 10 month old neutered male Frenchie who is aggressive with other
dogs. He lives with a 7 year old spayed English bulldog, a 3 year old
neutered male Boston terrier and his spayed sister. The only dog he attacks
is Hannah the English bulldog.

He also attended daycare one day a week for
3 weeks and attacked a different dog each week until I removed him from the
class. The dogs don’t even have to be looking at him but you know when he
is going to do this unacceptable behaviour. He stands still, stares never
taking his eyes off of the other dog and then lunges at them growling and
biting. Even if you try to divert his attention to something else or pull
him back he is determined to get them regardless.

With humans he is very sweet and affectionate but I am not sure what to do with him. His siblings don’t have this aggressive trait. I don’t want to give up on him but he
certainly stresses the household with his behaviour.

Do you have any  suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hope writes -

Dog aggression is one of the issues that’s difficult, but crucial, to cure.

Because your boy seems to target a specific dog, you can closely monitor interactions between the two. You say that you are able to discern when he’s about to fire up. When you see that “look in his eyes,” intervene immediately to distract him. I understand that you have tried, but it seems a more interruptive distraction is necessary. When you see him go into the stare, try dropping a heavy book, a pot, or other loud, non-breakable item on the floor. When he turns to look, praise him for a “good watch” and get him to walk away from the other dog.

When he’s calm, teach him the “leave it” command. Without any distractions (including the other dogs around) sit in a chair with a pile of treats close at hand. Give them to him, one at a time, saying “Take it” with each one. After a few “take its” hide a treat in the same hand, saying “leave it.” He may try to get it by sniffing, pawing, nibbling or licking. As soon as he looks away from the hand with the treat, say “good leave it!” and hand him a different treat. It may take a while, but a secure “leave it” will apply to anything - icky stuff on the ground, bunnies, other dogs, etc.

If you are unable to control the aggression, do seek professional help from a trainer in your area. It doesn’t sound like your boy is incorrigible, just in need of discipline and control. For recommendations in your area, do ask your veterinarian, local groomers, or go to http://www.apdt.com for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers for a referral in your area. Please do interview trainers carefully, and ask if it’s possible to get references and see them in action.

Best of luck.
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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