Best Training Methods For French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs are adorable, affectionate, and full of personality. But let’s not sugarcoat it—they can also be stubborn. If you don’t train them properly from the start, they’ll do whatever they want, and trust me, that’s not a situation you want to deal with.
As a veterinarian with ten years of experience and someone who runs a sanctuary for stray dogs and cats, I’ve seen too many small dogs with big attitude problems. The issue? Owners who didn’t train them correctly. Frenchies need structure, patience, and consistency. They’re smart, but they’ll test your limits. So, let’s go over the best training methods to ensure your French Bulldog listens without making every session a battle of wills.
1. Positive Reinforcement – The Only Way That Works
If you try to dominate or use harsh punishment with a French Bulldog, you’re in for a frustrating ride. These dogs respond best to rewards—not force. Use treats, praise, and playtime to reinforce good behavior.
👉 How to do it:
- Give a treat or praise the second they do something right.
- Keep your tone upbeat—they love encouragement.
- Use small, high-value treats (chicken, cheese, or dog-friendly peanut butter work best).
💡 Pro tip: Frenchies can get bored fast, so mix up rewards—sometimes a treat, sometimes a favorite toy.
2. Keep Training Sessions Short and Fun
French Bulldogs have short attention spans. If you try to drill commands for an hour, they’ll shut down and start ignoring you. The key is to keep sessions brief and engaging.
👉 How to do it:
- Train for 5-10 minutes at a time, a few times a day.
- End on a positive note—never when they’re frustrated.
- Use a happy, energetic voice to keep them interested.
💡 Pro tip: Make training part of everyday life. Reinforce commands when feeding, walking, or playing.
3. Be Consistent—No Exceptions
Frenchies are smart enough to figure out when you’re being inconsistent. If you let them jump on the couch one day and scold them the next, they won’t take you seriously. Set rules and stick to them.
👉 How to do it:
- Use the same words for commands—don’t switch between “down” and “off.”
- Make sure everyone in the house enforces the same rules.
- Don’t give in to their stubbornness—if you say “sit,” wait them out until they do it.
💡 Pro tip: Frenchies will try to charm their way out of rules. Don’t fall for it.
4. Socialization – Don’t Skip This Step
A poorly socialized French Bulldog can become nervous, aggressive, or overly clingy. Start introducing them to new experiences as early as possible.
👉 How to do it:
- Expose them to different people, dogs, and environments (but do it gradually).
- Take them for short walks in busy areas to get used to sounds and sights.
- Let them interact with calm, well-behaved dogs—not just any dog at the park.
💡 Pro tip: Frenchies can be territorial. If you don’t socialize them young, they might start guarding their home or food aggressively.
5. Crate Training – A Must for Housebreaking
Crate training is one of the fastest ways to house-train a Frenchie. They don’t like to mess where they sleep, so a properly sized crate teaches bladder control.
👉 How to do it:
- Make the crate comfortable, not a punishment—add a soft bed and a favorite toy.
- Use it for short periods at first, then gradually increase time.
- Always take them outside immediately after letting them out.
💡 Pro tip: Never leave a puppy in a crate for too long. A good rule of thumb: 1 hour per month of age (so a 3-month-old puppy shouldn’t be crated for more than 3 hours).
6. Leash Training – Start Early to Avoid Problems
French Bulldogs can be pullers if they aren’t taught proper leash manners. Start leash training the moment you bring them home.
👉 How to do it:
- Use a comfortable harness—Frenchies have delicate necks, so collars can be risky.
- Start indoors or in a quiet area before heading into distractions.
- Reward loose leash walking and stop moving if they start pulling.
💡 Pro tip: Frenchies are stubborn, so expect to stop and wait a lot at first. Be patient, and they’ll get it.
7. Teach “Quiet” Early – Frenchies Can Be Noisy
French Bulldogs can get loud—whether it’s barking at the door or making their hilarious grunts and snorts. Teaching “quiet” early saves you from unnecessary noise problems later.
👉 How to do it:
- When they bark, say “quiet” in a calm, firm tone.
- The moment they stop, reward with a treat.
- Be patient—it takes repetition for them to connect the word with the action.
💡 Pro tip: Never yell at them to stop barking—they’ll think you’re joining in.
8. Potty Training – Stay Patient and Predictable
French Bulldogs can take a little longer to house-train than some breeds. You need to stay consistent and expect accidents in the beginning.
👉 How to do it:
- Take them out every 2-3 hours, especially after eating, playing, or waking up.
- Use the same potty spot to help them learn faster.
- Praise immediately after they go outside—not after coming back inside.
💡 Pro tip: If they have an accident, clean it thoroughly. Frenchies will go back to the same spot if they can still smell it.
Final Thoughts
Training a French Bulldog takes patience, consistency, and a little sense of humor. They’re smart, but they’re also stubborn, so you need to make training fun, rewarding, and short to keep their attention.
🔹 Use positive reinforcement—they don’t respond well to harsh training.
🔹 Keep sessions short and fun—5-10 minutes at a time.
🔹 Be consistent—don’t let them get away with bad habits.
🔹 Socialize them early—so they don’t become territorial or anxious.
🔹 Crate train and house-train properly—predictability is key.
🔹 Teach leash manners and “quiet” early—you’ll thank yourself later.
Frenchies will test your patience, but if you stick with it, you’ll end up with a well-behaved, affectionate, and charming little dog. Put in the work now, and you’ll enjoy a lifetime of good behavior.
