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10 French Bulldog Behavior Problems (Stop Them NOW!)

If you’re the proud owner of a French bulldog, you know these cute little pups can be some of the most entertaining, funny, and loving family companions.

But no pup is perfect – and there can be some common French Bulldog behavior problems that every pet parent should become aware of.

In this guide, we’ll look at some of the most common issues owners or prospective owners encounter with their Frenchies – from barking to potty training to aggression.

This way, you can better understand your furry friend and learn how to deal with any potential issues before they arise.

Read on for everything you need to know about managing tricky Frenchie behaviors!

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What Is the French Bulldog’s Personality?

Before we go through the most common French Bulldog behavior problems, it’s worth talking about the French Bulldog personality.

Here’s a rundown of the French Bulldog’s temperament and personality:

  • Frenchies are an excellent breed choice for first-time dog owners because they require minimal exercise and can fit into various living situations. 
  • French Bulldogs’ sweet, gentle nature makes them great family dogs. They are easy-going, loyal, and love to be close to their owners.
  • Frenchies are kid-friendly and get along well with children of all ages.
  • They are independent and can be stubborn and mischievous at times.
  • Frenchies do well in various activities, such as outdoor games, agility courses, and obedience classes. 
  • French Bulldogs are also known for their intelligence and can be easily distracted by exciting smells or sounds.
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What Are the Most Common French Bulldog Behavior Problems?

While French Bulldogs are loving and loyal, they have some common behavior issues that can be challenging to manage.

Here are some of the most common French Bulldog behavior problems and how to fix them: 

Aggressive Barking 

French Bulldogs are vocal dogs and love to bark. However, excessive barking can be a problem for pet owners.

Aggressive barking is often caused by frustration or an attempt to assert dominance. Signs of aggressive barking include growling and lunging at people or other animals when provoked.

To help prevent this behavior, giving your Frenchie plenty of exercises and mental stimulation is important.

Try introducing them to new people, places, and toys. Give them positive reinforcement when they’re calm and quiet so that barking is not the only way for them to get attention. This will help keep their barking to a minimum.

Pulling On the Leash

French Bulldogs are strong-willed and can be stubborn regarding leash training. They tend to pull on leashes to get what they want.

This behavior is not only annoying, but it also puts them at risk of serious injury if they tug too hard.

Signs that your Frenchie is pulling on its leash include barking at other dogs, digging in its feet, or constantly trying to move forward.

To prevent this behavior, start the training process early and use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats or Praise when your Frenchie does something correctly.

Additionally, don’t let them get too far ahead of you during walks – instead, keep them at a short distance by your side. This will reduce their chances of pulling on their leash and help encourage better manners. 

Chewing Furniture

French Bulldogs are notorious for chewing on Furniture and other items. This behavior is usually caused by boredom, hunger, teething, or anxiety.

Signs of this behavior include chewing on carpets and fabrics or digging through your trash can looking for food scraps.

To prevent this behavior, it’s important to keep your Frenchie mentally stimulated with interactive toys and activities.

It’s also important to puppy-proof your home so you don’t leave anything dangerous lying around within their reach!

Additionally, providing plenty of chew-resistant toys that won’t break apart when your Frenchie gets frustrated can help redirect the chewing from Furniture to more appropriate items.

Finally, an excellent diet rich in protein, fats, and carbohydrates will keep your pup full and satisfied, making them less likely to seek out items for a snack. 

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Digging Up the Yard 

French Bulldogs are known for their strong instinct to dig. This natural behavior can do a lot of damage to your yard and garden.

Frenchies will often dig if they’re bored, stressed, or anxious. You may also see them trying to bury bones or other objects that they find interesting.

To help prevent this behavior, ensure your Frenchie gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. If they’re still digging, try setting up a designated area in the yard where they can dig without doing any damage.

You can also reward them with treats or Praise when they use this spot instead of other areas. Lastly, it may help to bury objects such as old toys in the designated digging area to encourage them to stay there.

With patience and consistency, you should be able to reduce or eliminate your French Bulldog’s digging behavior. 

Always Begging

French Bulldogs are known to have a popular behavior problem of begging, and 90% of the time, it is due to the owner’s actions.

While it’s true that Frenchies have cute faces and bold eyes that can be difficult to resist when they beg, giving in to their demands all the time reinforces this behavior.

This can lead to embarrassing situations in front of friends or family. Besides begging to be bad manners, sharing food with your Frenchie is unhealthy as well.

If your Frenchie is begging, there are a few things you can do to stop this behavior.

  • Don’t give in when your dog starts begging. Giving in to their demands reinforces the behavior and makes it more challenging to break.
  • Never share what you’re eating with them unless it’s vet-approved food.
  • Be consistent with their mealtime, and don’t change routine.
  • Just ignore them.
  • Be patient, as it takes time to break a bad habit. Over time, your Frenchie will learn that begging is not acceptable behavior.

Jumping on People

One of the most common behaviors among French Bulldogs is jumping on people. This can be due to a lack of proper socialization and training or simply because they are excited to meet new people.

It’s important to remember that when your Frenchie jumps up, it’s not necessarily an act of aggression but rather an expression of joy and excitement.

To discourage this behavior, teach the commands “sit” and “down.” Whenever your pup jumps on a person, firmly say “no” and guide them into the desired position. Offer treats as rewards when they obey your commands.

Additionally, socialize them early so they become comfortable and familiar with different people.

Finally, be consistent with your expectations and don’t reward jumping up – instead, redirect their attention to more appropriate behavior. With patience and dedication, you can correct this issue over time. 

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Clingy Behavior

It’s no secret that French Bulldogs are known to be incredibly affectionate towards their owners.

While this might seem like a positive trait, their need for human contact can become problematic.

In fact, it’s not uncommon for French Bulldogs to develop clingy or obsessive behavior, which can be unhealthy.

While this behavior might not be an issue for some owners, those who work long hours or travel frequently may find it challenging to care for a French Bulldog properly.

These furry friends are highly susceptible to separation anxiety, often following their owners everywhere they go like a shadow.

This can lead to a range of anxiety-related behaviors, such as accidents in the house, chewing, excessive barking, and pacing.

Separation Anxiety

French Bulldogs are highly social animals and can become easily distressed when left alone for extended periods.

Separation anxiety is a common problem with this breed, causing them to bark excessively or chew on other items to cope with the loneliness.

Signs that your Frenchie may have separation anxiety include excessive barking, howling, whining or crying, destructive chewing, and accidents in the house.

Creating a consistent routine for your dog when you’re away from home is important. For instance, please provide them with plenty of interactive toys or puzzles that will keep them engaged while you’re gone.

Additionally, ensure they can access plenty of water and food while waiting for your return. It’s also important to reward your pup for positive behavior every time you come home.

This reinforces good habits and helps them understand that being apart from you is not always bad. 

Potty Training Struggles 

Potty training a French Bulldog can be challenging, as they are notorious for being stubborn when following commands.

However, owners can effectively potty train their canine companions with patience and consistency.

Signs of potty training struggles include going to the bathroom inside the house, not responding to verbal cues or commands, and exhibiting signs of confusion when being taken outside.

Several methods help correct potty training struggles, including crate training, positive reinforcement, and providing ample opportunities with consistent reminders for your Frenchie to use the bathroom.

Additionally, it’s important to remember that French Bulldogs require a consistent potty training schedule to ensure success. One way to do this is by establishing and sticking to a routine. 

Marking Territory

French Bulldogs are known for their territorial nature, which can cause them to mark their territory inside and outside the home.

This behavior is caused by increased urine production when excited or scared. Signs of marking include urinating on Furniture, walls, and other objects in the house.

To prevent this behavior, it’s important to provide them with enough mental stimulation and exercise.

When they don’t mark their territory, use positive reinforcement. If you have not neutered or spayed your French Bulldog, do so as soon as possible. Also, providing a safe area to do their business outside can help limit indoor behavior. 

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How Do You Stop French Bulldog Behavior Problems?

Training your French Bulldog can be a challenging task. However, with patience and consistency, you will find the rewards worth it!

Here are some tips to help guide you through training your pup: 

Stay Positive

Use positive reinforcement when training your French Bulldog instead of negative consequences.

This means rewarding them with treats or verbal Praise when they do something correctly and ignoring them if they don’t. 

Patience is Key

As mentioned above, patience is essential when training any animal. Don’t get discouraged if your French Bulldog doesn’t understand a command the first time you give it. Keep at it; eventually, they will get the hang of it.

Be Consistent

Your pup needs to know that the rules will always be the same. If you keep switching up commands or punishments, your pup won’t understand what is expected of them and will become confused. 

Keep It Short and Sweet

Short and frequent training sessions are the best way to go when it comes to teaching your French Bulldog. These short bursts will help them focus better and understand commands quicker. 

Use Praise

As mentioned before, positive reinforcement is key in training your pup. Please ensure you give plenty of Praise and treats when they do something correctly. This will make them want to learn and understand commands even more.

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Wrap-Up: French Bulldog Behavior Problems

All furry friends have unique personalities, and French Bulldogs are no exception. They are lovable and loyal and make excellent pets for any home.

To get the most out of bringing one of these amazing animals into your family, it’s important to be aware of their common behavior problems and how to train them properly.

Despite their stubborn nature, they can be taught good habits with plenty of patience and a loving attitude.

It won’t happen overnight, but following simple tips can help alleviate any misbehavior or personality issues your French Bulldog may have.

Although this requires time and effort, the rewards far outweigh the initial inputs needed for successful training! So, take the time to get to know your Frenchie’s personality quirks — you won’t regret it!

FAQs About French Bulldog Behavior Problems

What are a French Bulldog’s personality traits?

French Bulldogs are affectionate, loyal, and playful dogs that love to be around their owners. They are also known for being stubborn at times.

Are French Bulldogs aggressive?

French Bulldogs are not typically aggressive dogs. However, like all dogs, they may exhibit aggressive behavior if they feel threatened or are not properly socialized.

Do French Bulldogs bark a lot?

French Bulldogs are not excessive barkers, but they may bark to alert their owners of potential danger or to express their excitement.

Are French Bulldogs clingy?

French Bulldogs have a strong desire for human companionship and love to be close to their owners. They may be considered clingy by some, but this behavior is a sign of their affectionate nature.

What are the most common French Bulldog behavior problems?

The most common French Bulldog behavior problems include separation anxiety, excessive chewing, destructive behavior, barking & whining, begging, pulling on the leash, jumping up on people, and being stubborn.

Do Frenchies pull on their leash?

French Bulldogs may pull on their leash, especially if they are not properly trained or if they are excited. Proper leash training can help reduce this behavior.

Are French Bulldogs hyper?

French Bulldogs are not typically hyper dogs, but they may have bursts of energy and playfulness. Daily exercise and playtime can help manage their energy levels.

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Lisemaine is a dog lover. She currently owns two Frenchies and enjoys working with and training them. She'll share her best tips with you to keep your Frenchie happy, healthy, and active.


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