The best part of my day is coming home from work to be greeted by my French Bulldog. But if you can’t get past the separation anxiety, what then? What if your French bulldog greets you at the door with torn-up toilet paper and the remains of your favorite throw pillow? French bulldogs can be destructive, which is why you need to take steps to correct them.
French bulldogs can be a lot of fun, but they are not the most well-behaved dogs. Frenchie’s are highly energetic. Many people think of them as lazy sloths, but this is far from standard for this breed. French bulldogs can be just as energetic and enthusiastic as any other dog, especially when they’re young. Frenchie’s also get attached to their owners. They’re sometimes referred to as “Velcro dogs” or “little shadows” because of their tendency to stay underfoot. This makes them prone to separation anxiety, which can cause major issues if you have to leave them home alone for long periods of time.
The following are the main reasons why your lovely little pup drives you to madness with their messy habits:
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Separation anxiety. Frenchie’s are very sweet dogs who love being with people and hate being left alone. You might find that their destructive habits are worse after you’ve been gone all day.
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Boredom. French bulldogs are a high-energy breed. They need plenty of exercise and stimulus or they will act out on their own. Especially when they are young.
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Poor socialization. French Bulldogs rescued from shelters tend to have behavioral issues that include biting, barking, chewing, and licking.
A common issue that comes with small bladders is the frequency of needing to potty. Since your Frenchie has a small bladder, it probably has a difficult time holding it as long as he needs to and will feel uncomfortable most of the time if you aren’t able to take him out frequently enough.
If you want to leave your French Bulldog alone, you must train them first. If not, they will be very anxious. Get a camera and hook it up at home. If your dog gets anxious when you’re not there, you can learn a lot about them by seeing what triggers anxiety for them and how long they’re anxious before they start causing trouble.
You do not need to give up on having a well-behaved French Bulldog. With some experimentation and patience, you can teach your Frenchie to voluntarily obey commands.
Here are some tips you can use to train your French Bulldog:
Identify the Source of the Problem
Did they have a hard life before they came to you? Did they have previous owners who didn’t take proper care of them? You won’t be able to fix the problem until you properly diagnose it.
Invest in the Right Toys
Chew toys channel the nibbling urges of chewers and gnawers. Interactive toys give bored dogs something to do while you’re not home. Soft, comforting toys bring tranquility to anxious dogs; teething toys can provide relief for a pup in pain.
Use Positive Psychology
Reward your dog when they do something you like, not punish them when they do something you don’t. Reward them with a treat for going into their crate or kennel. This will help your dog enjoy being in the crate rather than hate it because of loneliness from separation from their owner.
It can be hard to train your Frenchie to stop chewing on shoes and other household items, but with the right techniques and a lot of love, you can avoid having a messy house.
