Best Training Tips For Stubborn French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs are cute, affectionate, and full of personality, but let’s not sugarcoat it—they can be stubborn as hell when it comes to training. If you don’t start early, set clear boundaries, and stay consistent, you’ll end up with a dog that ignores commands, refuses to walk, and does whatever it wants.
As a veterinarian with ten years of experience and someone who runs a sanctuary for stray dogs and cats, I’ve worked with plenty of stubborn Frenchies. The good news? They’re not untrainable—they just need a different approach than more eager-to-please breeds like Labs or Golden Retrievers.
If you’re dealing with a Frenchie that looks at you like you’re speaking another language every time you give a command, don’t worry. Follow these training tips, and you’ll turn that stubborn little gremlin into a well-behaved companion.
1. Use Food as Motivation—Frenchies Work for Snacks
French Bulldogs aren’t people-pleasers by nature, but they are food-driven. If you try to train them without treats, good luck—they’ll just stare at you and wait for something better to happen.
👉 How to do it:
- Use high-value treats – Forget dry kibble; use chicken, cheese, or freeze-dried liver.
- Keep treats small – Frenchies gain weight easily, so use tiny rewards.
- Reward immediately – The second they do something right, give the treat.
💡 Pro tip: If your Frenchie isn’t responding, you’re not using a treat they care about. Find their favorite, and you’ll see a difference.
2. Keep Training Sessions Short—They Lose Interest Fast
French Bulldogs have short attention spans, and if you push too long, they’ll stop listening.
👉 How to do it:
- Stick to 5-10 minute sessions—quality over quantity.
- End on a high note—always finish with success and praise.
- Train multiple times a day—several short sessions work better than one long one.
💡 Pro tip: If your Frenchie walks away in the middle of training, you went too long. Keep it short and engaging.
3. Be Firm, Not Harsh—Frenchies Shut Down with Harshness
French Bulldogs have attitude, but if you yell or punish them, they’ll get stubborn just to prove a point. They don’t respond to force—they respond to clear, consistent rules.
👉 How to do it:
- Use a firm, confident voice—not yelling, but not baby talk either.
- Correct bad behavior immediately—don’t let it slide.
- Ignore stubborn behavior instead of punishing—Frenchies hate being ignored.
💡 Pro tip: If they ignore a command, don’t repeat it over and over—this teaches them they don’t have to listen the first time. Instead, use a treat or toy to get their attention back.
4. Be Consistent—Frenchies Will Test You
French Bulldogs are smart, and if they realize they can get away with something once, they’ll keep pushing.
👉 How to stay consistent:
- Stick to the same commands—don’t say “come” one day and “here” the next.
- Make sure everyone in the house follows the same rules—if one person lets them on the couch, the training fails.
- Never let them ignore commands—if they don’t respond, go back to basics.
💡 Pro tip: If you let them pull on the leash today, they’ll be dragging you down the street tomorrow.
5. Crate Train Early—Frenchies Need Structure
French Bulldogs love to nap, and a crate gives them a safe space while helping with house training and separation anxiety.
👉 How to crate train:
- Make the crate cozy—use a soft bed and a toy.
- Feed them inside the crate—this builds positive associations.
- Never use the crate as punishment—it should be a happy place.
💡 Pro tip: If your Frenchie whines in the crate, don’t let them out immediately. Wait for a moment of silence, then open the door—otherwise, they’ll learn whining gets them what they want.
6. Leash Train Early—Frenchies Love to Pull
French Bulldogs can be stubborn walkers, stopping randomly or pulling like a freight train.
👉 How to fix it:
- Use a front-clip harness—this gives you more control.
- Start indoors—teach “heel” before hitting busy streets.
- Use treats for loose leash walking—reward when they walk next to you.
💡 Pro tip: If your Frenchie refuses to move, don’t pull—turn in the opposite direction and encourage them to follow.
7. Socialize Them Early—Frenchies Can Get Sassy
French Bulldogs are naturally friendly, but if you don’t expose them to new experiences early, they can become reactive or anxious.
👉 How to socialize properly:
- Introduce them to different people and dogs before 16 weeks old.
- Take them to different environments—parks, pet-friendly stores, etc.
- Make every experience positive—use treats and praise.
💡 Pro tip: If they start barking at strangers, don’t comfort them—this reinforces the fear. Instead, stay calm and redirect their focus.
8. Teach “Come” Like Their Life Depends on It
French Bulldogs love to do their own thing, which means if you don’t teach a strong recall, they’ll ignore you when it matters most.
👉 How to train recall:
- Use high-value treats—make coming to you worth it.
- Start in a quiet area—build success before adding distractions.
- Never punish them for coming back—even if they took their time.
💡 Pro tip: If they ignore you, don’t chase them—run the opposite direction, make noise, and get them to follow you.
9. Reward Independence—Don’t Let Them Become Velcro Dogs
French Bulldogs love attention, but if you don’t teach them to be okay alone, they’ll develop separation anxiety.
👉 How to encourage independence:
- Give them alone time daily—even when you’re home.
- Don’t make a big deal about leaving or coming home—stay neutral.
- Use puzzle toys to keep them busy when alone.
💡 Pro tip: If they follow you everywhere, start teaching “stay” and rewarding calm behavior.
Final Thoughts: Train Smart, Not Hard
French Bulldogs are stubborn, but they’re also incredibly smart. They just need motivation, structure, and patience.
✅ Use food as motivation—Frenchies love to eat.
✅ Keep training short—they get bored fast.
✅ Be firm but not harsh—yelling won’t work.
✅ Stay consistent—Frenchies test boundaries.
✅ Leash train early—don’t let them pull you.
Follow these tips, and you’ll have a well-trained, happy Frenchie that listens. Ignore them, and you’ll have a stubborn little dictator running your house.
The choice is yours.
