Brain Games For French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs may be small in size, but don’t let that fool you—they’re smart, stubborn, and full of personality. If you don’t keep their brains engaged, they’ll find ways to entertain themselves, and trust me, you won’t like it. Chewed-up furniture, barking for attention, zooming around the house like a lunatic—sound familiar? That’s what happens when a Frenchie gets bored.
As a veterinarian with over ten years of experience and someone who runs a sanctuary for stray dogs and cats, I know how important mental stimulation is for French Bulldogs. These little guys may not be marathon runners, but their minds need just as much exercise as their bodies.
1. The Cup Game – Get Them Thinking
French Bulldogs are stubborn, but they’re also problem solvers when you make it worth their while. The Cup Game helps them focus and think before acting—something every Frenchie needs to learn.
How to Play:
🥤 Take three identical cups and one treat.
🐶 Let your Frenchie watch you place the treat under one cup.
🔄 Shuffle the cups around and let them choose the right one.
🎉 If they pick correctly, reward them with the treat and some praise.
💡 Pro Tip: If they start pawing at all the cups like a lunatic, slow it down. Frenchies can get impatient, so help them focus instead of just knocking everything over.
2. Treat-Dispensing Toys – Make Them Work for Food
French Bulldogs love food, which makes treat-dispensing toys one of the best ways to engage their minds. These toys slow down fast eaters, reduce boredom, and make them think.
Best Treat-Dispensing Toys for Frenchies:
🦴 KONG Classic – Fill it with peanut butter or freeze yogurt inside to make it last.
🔄 Bob-A-Lot Treat Dispenser – A toy that wobbles and releases kibble.
🧩 Nina Ottosson Puzzle Feeders – Frenchies need to move pieces around to find treats.
💡 Pro Tip: Frenchies can get frustrated easily, so start with an easy puzzle toy before moving on to harder ones.
3. Hide and Seek – Teach Focus and Recall
If your French Bulldog gets distracted easily, this game helps them focus on you. It also teaches recall, which is important when training them to listen in busy environments.
How to Play:
👤 Have someone hold your Frenchie while you go hide.
🗣 Call their name and say “Come find me!”
🐕 When they find you, reward them with treats and praise.
📍 Make it harder by hiding in different rooms or behind furniture.
💡 Pro Tip: If your Frenchie doesn’t seem interested, use their favorite toy instead of a treat. Some Frenchies are more toy-motivated than food-motivated.
4. Tug-of-War – Teach Self-Control
French Bulldogs love a good tug-of-war session, but this game is more than just fun—it’s a mental workout. It teaches impulse control, making them think before acting.
How to Play:
🦴 Use a strong rope toy.
🛑 Teach “Take It” and “Drop It”—only let them tug when you say so.
🚫 If they get too rough, stop the game immediately and wait until they calm down.
💡 Pro Tip: Tug-of-war is a great pre-bedtime game—it tires them out both physically and mentally.
5. Name That Toy – Build Their Vocabulary
Believe it or not, French Bulldogs can learn the names of different objects. This game makes them listen and think, which is key to keeping their brains engaged.
How to Play:
🧸 Pick a toy and give it a name (e.g., “Bunny” or “Ball”).
🗣 Say the name every time you play with it.
🎯 After a few days, put two toys in front of them and say the name of the one you want.
🐶 If they pick the right one, reward them.
💡 Pro Tip: Start with one toy, then build up their vocabulary slowly. Keep it fun!
6. Scent Games – Give That Nose a Job
French Bulldogs have great noses, so use them! Scent work games tap into their natural ability to track smells, keeping them engaged and focused.
How to Play:
🍖 Take a strong-smelling treat (cheese, chicken, or liver treats work great).
🔍 Let them sniff the treat so they know what they’re looking for.
🛋 Hide the treat somewhere easy at first—under a towel or behind a chair.
🗣 Say “Find it!” and let them use their nose to track it down.
💡 Pro Tip: As your Frenchie gets better at this, make the hiding spots harder to really challenge them.
7. Puzzle Games – Keep Their Minds Busy
French Bulldogs love solving problems, but they get bored easily. That’s why puzzle games are perfect for them—they keep their brains engaged without overwhelming them.
Best Puzzle Games for Frenchies:
🧩 Nina Ottosson Dog Puzzles – Sliders, levers, and hidden compartments keep them thinking.
🐾 KONG Wobbler – Treat-dispensing toy that moves unpredictably.
🎾 Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel – A plush puzzle where they pull stuffed squirrels out of holes.
💡 Pro Tip: Frenchies can be lazy, so if they give up too easily, help them at first until they get the hang of it.
8. “Find It” Game – Easy and Fun Brain Exercise
If your Frenchie needs an easy but effective brain game, this one is for them.
How to Play:
🥎 Grab a toy or treat and let them watch you hide it.
🗣 Say “Find it!” and encourage them to search.
🎉 When they find it, celebrate with praise or a small treat.
💡 Pro Tip: Start with easy hiding spots and increase the difficulty as they get better.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Frenchie’s Brain Engaged
French Bulldogs may not be as hyper as some breeds, but they still need mental exercise to stay happy and well-behaved. Without it, they can get bored, destructive, and stubborn.
✅ Use brain games daily—mental workouts prevent boredom and bad behavior.
✅ Make training fun—if it’s boring, they’ll ignore you.
✅ Challenge them at their pace—Frenchies can be lazy, so keep them engaged.
✅ Reward effort—whether it’s a treat, toy, or praise, let them know they did a good job.
A mentally stimulated Frenchie is a happy Frenchie. Play these games every day, and you’ll have a calmer, more focused, and better-behaved dog in no time.
