Training a dog is always a difficult task, regardless of the breed. If you have a French bulldog, this job has many facets; since it is an intelligent dog, training should be relatively straightforward, but you may actually find that the animal is a bit stubborn. Fortunately, with a little patience, kindness, and practice, your loyal friend will soon become a well-trained companion dog.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Teaching the Use of the Bathroom
Step 1. Define a place you want to use for his personal bathroom
Don't get your pet used to toileting indoors if you want them to go outside instead. If you find a place in the garden where your dog can urinate and defecate, take him there immediately. before you even let him into the house, let him smell the yard until he starts to break free.
When he learns to behave properly, praise him and give him lots of attention, so that he associates using the bathroom with positive things
Step 2. Start training him early
If you want him to become a good member of the family, start toilet training as soon as you bring him home. If you wait or allow him to use the toilet mats around the house, it will take longer to teach him how to properly fulfill his needs and he will end up feeling confused about how and where to use the toilet.
You have to be very consistent and continually encourage him when he starts using the bathroom properly
Step 3. Look for signs that she needs to go to the bathroom
Most dogs let you know when to use the toilet, so watch your furry friend to understand his body language. you should also make it a habit to take him out often to get him to fulfill his needs. Among the signs that make you understand that he needs the bathroom you can note that:
- Panting;
- Walk back and forth or smell the house;
- Bark;
- Wander in a quiet area.
Step 4. Clean up any "accidents" now
If you can't catch his messages or your dog accidentally gets dirty in the house, you need to clean up very thoroughly right away. Use a specific product or enzymatic cleaner designed to remove pet urine to completely eliminate the odor and prevent your dog from using the same place in the future.
Don't scold him and don't beat him for it; the dog is unable to associate punishment with wrong behavior (littering in the house) and would learn not to trust you
Part 2 of 4: Using the Cage to Teach Him to Use the Bathroom
Step 1. Get a cage
Choose one that is large enough for the bulldog; he should be able to remain standing normally without hunching his back when inside. If the dog has not yet fully grown, get one that is large enough to accommodate him comfortably even when he is an adult; also make sure it can move and turn easily.
The use of the cage is one of the best ways to teach him to do his needs correctly; moreover, it must be a safe place where the dog can take refuge when he wants to be alone for a while
Step 2. Set up the cage
Assemble it (if necessary) and place a soft mat or blanket on the bottom. To encourage your pet to enter, include some tasty treats as well, but don't leave any food or water inside. organize it so that the dog feels safe and comfortable inside.
Put it in a quiet place, but from which the dog can also interact with people; he must not feel isolated or punished
Step 3. Get used to it
Leave the door open and encourage your dog to walk in alone. Let it go in several times a day and then close the door. Keep it inside for 10 minutes and sit next to the cage during this time; when it's quiet, you can let it out.
Never let him out if he whines or hits the door with his paw
Step 4. Extend the time he stays inside
Keep it in the cage for longer and longer periods. When you've trained him for half an hour, you can start leaving him in for even shorter periods. Adult specimens can stay there for up to 4 hours at a time (which is the maximum time they can control their bladder).
Never leave the animal in the cage for longer periods, otherwise it could experience it as a punishment; if you force him, he may resist and never want to go in again
Step 5. Train him to enter the cage at night
Put it in a quiet place where there is no movement of people. To get him used to using it to sleep, you must first play a lot with him, so that he gets tired and then put a candy inside the enclosure; once he's in, close the door and walk away. As long as the animal continues to cry, you must not go back into the room.
Remember that you will have to get up at night to get him out and go to the bathroom. If the puppy is not yet 4 months old, you need to bring him out every 2 or 3 hours; if he is an adult, he must go out at least every 4 hours
Part 3 of 4: Socialize it
Step 1. Introduce it to other family members
As soon as you bring the bulldog home, make him feel like a member of the family right away. Don't think you need to protect him from noisy activities or energetic family members; you just need to reassure him that such activities or noises pose no threat.
For example, you don't have to make fun of him by chasing him around the house with a broom or vacuum cleaner, otherwise he starts to fear you or the noises
Step 2. Take him on a road trip
The bulldog should feel comfortable in cars; in this way, if you have to take him to the vet, the animal will not be traumatized. Getting used to traveling by car, he also becomes familiar with the view of the streets and the noises he hears from the window. For both of you to be safe, you need to keep him tied up with a harness or put him in the crate while you drive.
Remember not to keep it alone in the car if it is a hot or very humid day; it could die if left for even a few minutes in the warm cabin
Step 3. Take him to the park
Choose one dedicated to dogs where your faithful friend can start playing with others of his kind and interact with people. Playing and running is also a great way for him to burn energy; just make sure he has already had his first two boosters for the distemper vaccine before taking him to a public place.
To prevent him from fighting with other dogs and to be able to control him, you must keep him on a leash
Step 4. Get used to other experiences
You should expose it as much as possible to a variety of different dogs, people, landscapes and sounds. If you find that he needs more stimulation and interactions, you can consider enrolling him in a socialization or obedience course; in this way, he spends time with other people and dogs, while also receiving important training.
You can find such courses at the local community, dog center, or pet shops; you can also ask your vet to recommend someone who is particularly qualified
Part 4 of 4: Teaching the Basic Commands
Step 1. Make lessons short and effective
If the bulldog is still young, you have to respect sessions of about 5 minutes, increasing the time as it grows; schedule 3-5 training sessions per day. Preferably choose times when the dog is not hungry or tired, so that he is more focused on the lesson; be consistent and patient.
Each lesson should be the basis on which to "build" the next one; you must therefore start with the simpler commands before moving on to others that require knowledge of the basic ones
Step 2. Teach him the command "No" or "Stop"
This is a very useful command when you have to educate him not to bite or chew on objects (a natural tendency of puppies). If he bites you, bites you or you see that he tends to gnaw at things, gently tap his nose and say "Don't bite" or "Don't chew"; then take your hand out of his mouth and give him a toy so he can gnaw on that.
By offering him an item that he can bite you distract him and he learns which thing he can bite properly
Step 3. Teach him to sit
Place it in front of you and hold a treat in your hand so that he can see it in your palm. Pronounce "Sit" firmly and firmly in a friendly tone as you push his hindquarters down until they touch the ground; at that point, immediately offer him the treat and tell him he behaved well. Repeat the process by moving away from him, then turn to the dog again and tell him to sit down again.
Keep pushing his butt down and praise him as you did before until he learns to sit on his own
Step 4. Teach him to lie down
Put him in a sitting position while holding a treat in one hand; make sure he sees it and bring your hand close to his nose. Then lower it to the floor as you say "Down" or "To bed". The dog should follow the hand towards the floor and begin to lower itself; as soon as he does (or tries) offer him the treat and praise him. Repeat the exercise until he learns to lie down on command.
If the puppy jumps on you to get your attention or while playing, keep him on a leash to correct this behavior. If he starts to do this, say the command "Sit" and then reward him; he must learn not to jump on people
Step 5. Train him to stay still
First, have him sit down and reward him when he obeys. Put a hand in front of its muzzle to block it and say firmly "Stop", retreating slowly; if he starts following you, repeat the command to sit down. Keep telling him to stay still and take a few steps back; repeat the exercise until he consistently obeys.
Always keep him on a leash until he learns the command and respects it promptly
Step 6. Train him to come to you
Start teaching him this command when he is playing or sniffing a fenced area. Lower yourself to the ground, tap your thighs and say "Come" in a friendly tone; this way, the dog thinks you want to play with him and will run towards you. Once he approaches, reward him with a treat and praise him a lot.
- Use this command when he is doing something potentially dangerous, so that he gets close quickly.
- Practice the exercise several times when you see that the puppy is distracted; this is a great way to check if it responds to the command.
Step 7. Teach him to calm down
If he starts barking and you need to shut him up, keep a bag of treats handy. When he barks, take a treat and say "Hush"; you have to get his attention and reward him as soon as he stops barking.
The fact of offering him a reward immediately helps him to associate the command "Silence" with a calm state of mind; it will take some time before he learns, but eventually he will understand what you expect from him when you say the command
Step 8. Consider training him with the clicker
Teach him to associate the sound of this instrument with a reward to make him execute a command. To proceed, activate the clicker and offer him a treat at the same time. Repeat the training several times; when the dog obeys, make the device ring and reward him. Eventually he will learn to associate the correct behavior with the clicker sound.
Once you become familiar with this tool, you can start not giving it the food reward anymore and just activate the clicker so that it responds only to the command and sound of the device
Advice
- Keep a bag of treats in your pocket or in a pouch tied to your hip; this way, you can train the dog whenever you get the chance.
- Don't scold him, don't hit him, and don't act impatient with him. If you find yourself in the middle of a training session and he doesn't obey you or understand well, you don't have to lose your temper and scold him; remember he is just learning. If you start feeling frustrated, walk away and try again later.
- If your dog starts to get tired or seems frustrated (growls or whimpers), end the lesson and let him play for a while to regain a good bond with him.
- Do not train your bulldog (or any animal with a short muzzle) outdoors on a hot, humid day; in these climatic conditions his health suffers due to breathing difficulties.
