Is your Frenchie pulling you to exhaustion on walks? You are not alone! The curious and sometimes spirited French Bulldog can be a handful on a leash. We specialize in training French Bulldogs and other strong pullers using positive reinforcement methods that will leave you both happy (and tired) in the end.
Your dog might be pulling on the leash for a variety of reasons:
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They’re curious or easily distracted. This is a very common problem because the puppies are simply distracted by squirrels. This typically happens to young puppies, as they get older, it will become less of an issue.
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They have lots of pent-up energy. French bulldogs are more energetic than people realize, and they need regular exercise to remain healthy. If they’re cooped up a lot, their pent-up energy makes them especially rambunctious when they finally do get a walk.
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They aren’t properly socialized. Does your dog pull on their leash when they see other dogs? Do they exhibit any aggressive behavior, such as growling or barking at the other dog? This could be a symptom of a bigger aggression problem.
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They haven’t been taught not to pull. This is the biggest mistake you can make. If they have not recognized your gestures, they might not understand what you are asking of them.
If you want to get your French Bulldog to stop pulling, figuring out the precise reasons for its behavior is essential. What triggers this behavior? In what ways do you respond? Is your dog in any particular mood when it happens? By getting to the bottom of this problem, you can solve it more easily. Training your French Bulldog to stop pulling might take some experimentation. Your dog won’t respond to just any training technique: each one responds in a slightly different way.
These are some of the recommendations:
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Take more walks. If you’re looking for a way to burn off your Frenchie’s extra energy and make them calmer, look no further – dog walking is the perfect solution.
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Invest in a no-pull harness. These harnesses attach your dog’s leash to its chest or back, meaning you can control its movements much more easily than if you had simply attached the leash to a collar.
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Stop walking whenever they pull. You have to be very patient when teaching a dog not to pull on the leash, but if you halt every time your dog pulls on the leash, (they) will eventually get the message that “pulling” means “stopping.
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Go for “practice walks” in your house or yard. This can be great for training dogs who have aggression problems, or who get distracted by outside stimuli. Teach them to walk on a leash in an environment that’s safe, comfortable, and private; then transition back into the real world.
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Offer treats as positive reinforcement. Use positive reinforcement on your French Bulldog. They’re highly food- and praise-motivated, so give them a treat whenever they don’t pull, and they’ll correct their behavior all on their own.
If you’ve tried these techniques and have still not achieved success, it might be time for an expert. The good news is that a competent dog whisperer does not need to come to your home; online companies such as the Pupford Academy offer digital training modules that you can use anywhere and anytime. While French bulldogs can be stubborn and hard to train, leash discipline is something that can be educated in them if you are consistent with your training efforts.
