Danielle DeGroot
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Hi Sarahrox, this is a great question. Know that you’re not alone when training a stubborn Frenchie. These dogs are known to be a bit tricky to train. French Bulldogs are known for their playful and sometimes stubborn nature, which can make training a bit of a challenge. However, with the right approach, you can improve engagement and make training sessions more effective. Below are some tips to help you work with your Frenchie’s independent streak. I’ve also linked to some helpful articles our dedicated team has written to help with all kinds of dog training.
1. Make Training Sessions Short & Fun
Frenchies can get bored quickly, so keep training sessions brief (5-10 minutes) and engaging. If your dog starts to lose interest, switch things up with a game or a different command.2. Use High-Value Rewards
Some dogs are less motivated by standard treats, so experiment with different high-value rewards such as small pieces of chicken, cheese, or freeze-dried liver. If your Frenchie sometimes takes the treat and walks away, she may not be very food-motivated at that moment. Try training when she is a little hungry (before mealtime rather than after) to increase interest.3. Mix in Praise & Play
If your dog only responds when treats are involved, she may have learned that treats are the only incentive for obeying. Start incorporating verbal praise, petting, and play as rewards. Some Frenchies respond well to an excited tone of voice or a quick game of tug as a reward for good behavior.4. Use a Clicker or Marker Word
A clicker or a consistent marker word (like “Yes!” in an upbeat tone) helps reinforce good behavior instantly. When she performs the desired action, mark it immediately and reward her. Over time, she’ll associate the marker with doing something right, even if a treat doesn’t follow every time.5. Reward Compliance, Not Just Attempted Bribery
If she stares at you and refuses to sit, don’t give in by showing her the treat first. Instead, show her that listening to your command is what earns the reward. Try using a lure only at first and then fading it out by rewarding her after she sits rather than before she does it.6. Build Patience and Persistence
If she ignores you or refuses to sit, don’t immediately give up or repeat the command multiple times. Instead, wait a few seconds. If she still doesn’t respond, reset the situation by walking away and coming back to try again. If she sits on her own, immediately reward her to reinforce the behavior.7. Avoid Overusing Treats
If she expects a treat every single time, start using intermittent reinforcement—sometimes giving a treat, sometimes just praise or play. This keeps her engaged and eager to obey because she doesn’t know when the next treat will come.8. Be Consistent & Set a Routine
French Bulldogs thrive on routine, so try training at the same time each day in a distraction-free environment. Also, ensure all family members use the same commands and rewards so she doesn’t get mixed signals.9. Increase Engagement with Movement
Some Frenchies respond better to movement-based training. Instead of standing still and giving a command, try taking a step back or making a quick movement to encourage her to follow. This can make training more interactive and engaging.10. Stay Positive & Keep It Lighthearted
If frustration creeps into your training, your Frenchie will pick up on it. Keep the energy positive and upbeat, and if she seems uninterested, take a break and try again later.By being patient and consistent and making training enjoyable, you’ll gradually see improvements in your Frenchie’s responsiveness. And if things do not seem to improve no matter what you try, consider bringing in a professional dog trainer. Sometimes, just a few sessions can make a huge difference. There are also some very helpful dog training apps. Keep us posted!
I am very sorry to hear about this, Gus Gus. It is always concerning when your pup starts to vomit, and you do not know why. Hopefully, things are going ok. It’s understandable to be concerned when your dog vomits, especially when it’s that striking yellow color. What you’re describing—your dog vomiting yellow liquid (likely bile) in the morning but then acting normal—is fairly common.
Bile vomiting often happens when a dog’s stomach is empty for too long. This is known as bilious vomiting syndrome and can occur overnight or in the early morning. It happens because bile, which helps digest food, builds up in the stomach and can irritate the lining, leading to vomiting. Since your dog hasn’t vomited again and is acting normally, you can likely just monitor him for now. However, here are a few signs that would warrant a vet visit:
Vomiting continues or happens frequently
He seems lethargic or refuses food/water
There’s blood in the vomit
He has diarrhea, bloating, or signs of painYou can try giving him a small snack at night to prevent an empty tummy and adjust his meals so he eats smaller portions more frequently. And be sure your pup has enough water to prevent dehydration. We cover this in more detail in our article on what causes dogs to vomit.
Hopefully, this was likely just a mild case of bile vomiting. But if it happens again or worsens, it’s best to consult your vet for guidance. Hope your pup stays happy and healthy. Keep us posted on how things turn out. You can learn more about what the different colors of dog vomit mean in our in-depth guide on the subject.
My dog is also very reluctant to let me trim his nails. I have started using a grooming hammock, which has helped. This allows me to control him and keep him still while I trim the nails. However, this method requires two people, so it requires some planning ahead. I also sometimes use a nail grinder instead of clippers, which he fights a little less.
It is possible your pup may have an injured paw or nail and be in pain. This could cause her to wince or refuse to let her nails be trimmed. You should examine the paw for any visible injury, and if this continues, check with your vet to be sure nothing is wrong.
This is a good question. Any sudden behavior change in your dog is worth paying attention to, especially when it is disrupting your and their sleep. There are a few reasons that dogs start barking at night. There may have been a change in routine, or they may be starting to develop anxiety. Or, they may be experiencing some sort of pain due to an underlying medical condition.
You may want to try walking your dog in the evening to try and tire them out. Keep your home calm, and play some soft music to cover any outside noises. You should also talk to your vet to rule out any medical issues. We have a few articles about why dogs bark, if they get tired of it, and how to help stop excessive barking. I hope this helps!
This is a great question. Older dogs tend to shed more as they age. This is due to the skin and coat weakening as they age. There are a few other things that can factor in, like allergies or an underlying skin issue. Unfortunately, older dogs can develop underlying health issues and diseases, such as thyroid disease, kidney disease, immune system disorders, cancer, alopecia, and mange, to name a few.
Due to your dog’s age, it might be a good idea to chat with your vet if you are concerned about any sudden changes in shedding. While it may simply be normal aging, it’s best to rule out any other kind of medical cause. Learn more about caring for your senior dog in our guide.
My dog barks at her own reflection in the mirror and also on our glass sliding door. At night, the door is basically a huge mirror, and I have to pull the curtains closed, or she will bark at herself. I have also found that when the light hits the mirror a certain way, it triggers her to bark. My solution has been to cover the window and move the mirror where she cannot see it. She does not do this as much now, but reflections were a big trigger for her when she was younger. Now, as she is getting older (she’s 14), I think her reflection truly startles her at times. It looks like another dog but has no scent, so I can understand why this might be confusing to her.
I can understand the frustration and need to find a remedy for this situation. Dogs and cats can live peacefully together, but this situation is slightly different. Your sister’s cat is likely stressed out from being moved around and may react this way to the dog out of fear. It’s wonderful that so far, the dog has not retaliated, as that could escalate things quickly.
Dogs and cats take time to get used to each other, and in this case, the cat is also in a whole new environment. Usually, a gradual introduction is best. Feeling out of place and territorial can cause the cat to act out and potentially put both pets and even people in danger of injury. To prevent this, it’s best to keep the dog and cat separate unless they are in a carefully controlled and monitored environment. Both animals need a safe place they can retreat to. Perhaps the cat can stay in one or two rooms while the dog can have the rest of the house. Your sister can also consider getting a crate for the cat and creating a safe space there, where the cat can be contained if need be.
Allowing them to be together for short periods of time with plenty of space to move about and gradually increasing the time will help. Another idea is to keep the cat or dog on a leash. Since the dog is not being aggressive, it makes more sense in this case to put the cat on a leash (I find my cats do better with a harness and leash rather than a collar). This will allow your sister to control them and pull them back when the cat starts getting too feisty with the dog. The process will require patience from both the dog and the people in the house. We cover this in more detail in our guide on introducing dogs to cats.
It may take a few weeks or even longer for the cat to fully feel comfortable and calm in this new space. Your sister may want to try some over-the-counter stress relief, like cat calming treats, to help her fur baby feel more comfortable. Giving the cat some toys to play with and working out some of that stress energy is also a good idea. Hopefully, with a little time, the cat will calm down and find a space they feel comfortable in while staying at your parent’s home.
Best of luck to everyone!
My sweet senior pup has had arthritis for a few years. One of the things I do is give her CBD chews and oil, which have helped her be more comfortable. We also live life at a slower pace. This means that she still gets her regular walks, but they are shorter and on an easier path. I also walk my younger dog separately. This helps my senior pup stay at a slower pace. High-impact stuff is off-limits. She loves fetch, so we have modified that game to be in a smaller area, with throws low to the ground, to avoid her jumping. I’ve increased her interactive toys to keep her entertained.
I have also started using a ramp for her when we get into the car to avoid extra stress on her joints. She can slowly walk up instead of jumping. My vet suggested adding joint supplements, such as fish oil. You can learn more about top joint supplements for dogs in this article and more about how to manage your pup’s arthritis here.
You may want to discuss diet with your vet. They can help you choose a food that offers extra support for your pup’s hips and joints. Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA are very beneficial to support joint health, and your vet can help you choose supplements and anti-inflammatories. This guide shares some of the top picks for dog food to support arthritis and joint health.
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What are the best options?Hi @SirBarksALot, We have reviewed several kinds of snow and winter boots for dogs. Personally, my dog likes snug booties, and I always get the kind with Velcro straps. My pups are very good at wiggling out of boots, so my biggest concern is picking ones that stay on. To get my dogs used to them, we start with two at a time, walking around the house. Once they get used to two, I add the other two. It helps to practice at home before heading out to the park or for a walk.
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are you sure? they look so aggressive to me@Finnnn Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known as being one of the most agreeable dog breeds around. I think they are very cute and do not look aggressive at all. But, of course, that is different for everyone. You can learn more about aggressive dog breeds in this article.
My dogs had a pretty hard time. They do not like the doorbell and start barking like crazy when people come in the yard. We are in a new house this year, so they were on extra alert. I tried keeping them in the back room, but they got too agitated. My older dog is starting to show signs of dementia, and the high activity was very disorienting for her. So, eventually, I just left a bowl of candy in the driveway with a note. My dogs are mixes; one is a Pit Lab mix, and the other is a Poodle-Beagle mix. I’m not sure if I will hand out candy next year; it was a bit too much for the doggies this year.
Hi, @GeorgieCKCS. Thanks for the update! I am so glad to hear that it is not anything serious and that you caught it early enough to treat it before it became a more painful issue. It’s also a good reassurance that you truly know your dog best and that you should follow your instincts when something seems off, even just a little bit. Our dogs cannot talk to us, so we have to pick up on these clues. It’s very easy to stress ourselves out and worry about our fur babies, and I’ve certainly done that myself a few times. I hope your Cavalier has a speedy recovery and is back to his usual self before you know it!
Hi, @GooseD. My pup also sits on my feet all the time. This happens daily, and to be honest, it’s always one of the high points of my day. My little guy likes to sit under my desk when I work, which keeps my feet warm. It works great for me! Plus, I love the cuddles.
Dogs like to sit on our feet for several different reasons. In large part, they are seeking contact and affection. They may also want to share our body heat. Part of it is instinctual. Dogs are pack animals. You are part of the pack, if not the pack leader. They want to be close to you to show respect but also to feel safe. Other times, sitting on our feet or laps is a way dogs try to show dominance over us. You can learn more in this guide on why dogs lay on our feet by Veterinarian Dr. Amber LaRock, DVM.
@GeorgieCKCS, I’m sorry to hear your pup is acting abnormally. A vet appointment is a very good idea with any sudden behavior changes. It’s always better to ensure there is no underlying injury or other medical issue. My own dogs tend to behave oddly after staying somewhere other than home. One is a very reactive pup who has separation anxiety. The last time I left him with a sitter was at a home with other dogs he was familiar with. Even though I supplied his regular food, he refused to eat much, which continued even after he was back home. My vet said it was his anxiety, and it took a couple of weeks to set him right. I hope your pup is starting to act himself again; please keep us posted!
CareCredit is a line of credit you can use for certain things like vet care. You can learn more about how it works and if it’s a good idea for you in our detailed CareCredit For Pets Reviews. As with any line of credit, there are pros and cons. CareCredit is different than many traditional credit cards, and many vets across the country accept it. It’s best to read all the terms and promotions before you sign up.
