Training a French Bulldog: what works and what to expect

Frenchies are bright and food-motivated, but they also hold firm opinions about whether a task is worth doing. Sessions of 5 minutes, two or three times a day, beat one long lesson every time. Mark the behavior the moment it happens, keep your tone light and finish while your dog still wants more.

House training often takes 4 to 6 months, longer than many owners expect, so take your puppy out after every meal, nap and play session. Use a harness rather than a neck collar for lead work to keep pressure off the throat. Many Frenchies find being left hard, so practice short absences of a few minutes from the first week and stretch them slowly.