❇️POTTY TRAINING 

French bulldogs favorite reward is ATTENTION! When they potty outside make sure to go overboard on the praise. GOOD BOY, GOOD GIRL, GOOD POTTY!!!  Praise them like they did the best trick ever.  Also be careful with scolding them if they do have accidents inside we recommend saying ‘No potty’ in a calm voice and take them outside where they are supposed to go. If you are too stern and sound scary to them after an accident they will not go potty around you which equals more accidents inside. Some frenchies can be potty trained easily and while others can take longer just remember repetition repetition and they will get it.

❇️TRAINING  

Getting your puppy used to car rides, nail trimming, people, other dogs and kids early on will teach them to be more comfortable with them in the future. They can be comfortable with anything as long as you introduce them to it positively and consistently!

Socializing your puppy is so important, but also remember to wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated to introduce them to any outside dogs. We recommend socializing with other dogs you are familiar with and that have good temperaments. Anywhere but a dog park. Dog parks are full of parasites, viruses and bacteria that your puppy can easily get sick from. Not to mention you want positive interactions with well trained dogs, if a dog randomly attacks your baby they could become dog reactive.

As far as basic tricks, remember repetition repetition and lots of praise. This breed is capable of learning all kinds of tricks. Be patient as some take longer than others but slowly and surely they will get there.

❇️BEHAVIOR 

We always breed the best temperaments. Our frenchies are the sweetest!! BUT bad behaviors can be taught so be aware of your dogs body language. If you think they are becoming territorial, dominant or reactive in any way feel free to reach out to us for advice, watch training videos or get your puppy into training immediately. 

Be careful a lot of dominant traits may be cute to you at first but it will continue to progress into really bad behavior that is very difficult to break.  Dominant behaviors like your baby guarding you from others (resource guarding) standing over you (dominance). Not listening to your commands (they don’t see you as the their pack leader). Try to always show little signs that you are the leader, I’ll list some ways below. 

They can have behavioral issues if they think they are in charge. Not to mention it’s stressful for them to be in charge. The earlier you spot the signs and start correcting those behaviors the easier it will be to getting them back on track. As long as you’re the pack leader and establish good behavior from your puppy they will be extremely well behaved. It’s so easy to let this breed become the head of the household by accident. Just remember what you say goes. Never hesitate to reach out for help.

❇️HOW TO SHOW THEM YOU ARE THE PACK LEADER

-Dogs want us to step up as the pack leader. Animals select pack leaders because they instinctually know who is strong and who can best lead them. A pack leader is concerned for the pack, not for himself. The pack leaders natural instincts are protection and direction for the entire pack. It’s an unselfish role and an instinctual role, just like human parenting. In return, the pack completely trusts the pack leader, the parent. You need to earn your dogs’ trust, loyalty, love, and respect before they will look to you as their leader and you do this by giving them clear boundaries, rules, limitations and conditioning good behavior.

-Do not let your baby take positions above you.

Dogs have a literal sense of hierarchy; if he is up on the couch looking down at you he will feel more dominant. In a social pack, the alpha dog would never let that happen unless it was during invited play.

-Take the lead: Go through doors, corridors, and gates first

-Set boundaries: Limit your dog's access to certain rooms and furniture.

-Do Not Allow the Dog to Lead the Walk

If you’re allowing your dog to walk ahead of you, you’re making the message very clear.  He is the boss, and you are his subordinate.  You are allowing the dog to choose where to walk, what to sniff, who to greet, and at what pace to walk

-Do Not Allow the Dog on the Furniture

If the dog is allowed on the bed or the couch with you, he is your equal.  A prudent rule of thumb to establish hierarchy is to expect all four paws on the ground at all times.  Provide the dog with his own space such as a crate, bed, or a pen.  Teach him to be independent and enjoy his own space.  I do want to add that if you aren’t experiencing any dominant behaviors we do allow our dogs on the bed and couch, it’s not all of the time it is good for you to pick and choose.  Please read the information about them jumping off furniture and injuring their backs in the IVDD section.

-Never Allow a Dog to Mount You. If a dog attempts to mount you, abruptly push him off “NO!”.  Spay or neuter your dog early to prevent these undesirable behaviors that can get him in trouble in canine social settings.

-A Dog Should Not Have Free Rein of the House Until He is Fully Potty Trained and Respects His Home.

Freedom to roam the house is a privilege of well trained dogs. If he is being destructive, claims the furniture or soils the home, basic obedience and crate training is highly recommended

-Ignore pushy behavior: Don't respond until your dog calms down or follows a command

We recommend neutering your male dog before 13 months. We recommend this age because when they get to maturity, they will start to mark and do what unfixed males tend to do, try to mate. They have one thing on their mind and can become more reactive because of that.