JohnnyFrench bulldogs are dogs that love their families and are generally perfect companions. But your Frenchie is still a dog – and like any other dog, it could show some signs of aggression at times.
The question is:
How to eliminate Frenchie aggression?
Well, one thing’s certain – if your dog displays signs of aggression, the sooner you figure out the reason behind this problematic behavior, the sooner you can work towards eliminating it.
In this article, we’ve covered some of the most common reasons why your French bulldog can show aggressive behavior, as well as methods on how to deal with it – and ultimately eliminate aggression.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
Why Do Frenchies Get Aggressive?
French bulldogs aren’t known for uncontrolled aggressive outbursts. However, just like any dog breed, Frenchies can display such unwanted behaviors under certain circumstances.
To address aggressive behavior in your French bulldog, you first need to figure out the reason behind it. Once you’ve successfully managed to do that, you can proceed to find a solution to the problem.
With that said, let’s look at some of the most common reasons for aggression in Frenchies – from fear and pain to boredom.
Pain
Underlying health conditions and injuries are some of the most commonly overlooked causes of aggression. If your French bulldog has recently started showing aggressive behavior, they might be lashing out in pain.
If that’s the cause, you might also notice other unusual behaviors such as weight loss, lethargy, change in sleeping and eating patterns, alopecia, and even convulsions.
Older dogs can also experience vision and hearing loss, arthritis, or cognitive problems – all of which can lead to confusion and out-of-character behaviors.
Fear
If your French bulldog has had a frightening encounter or has developed negative associations with certain things, they might be showing aggressive behavior out of fear.
When your dog perceives something as a threat, its fight or flight mode will kick in. And if your pup is unable to escape the thing that’s frightening it, it’ll resort to aggression in an attempt to make the thing go away.
Puppies that haven’t been socialized tend to develop fears more easily as they grow older.
Separation Anxiety
French bulldogs love being in the center of attention. They love companionship, and if they don’t receive it, they could become lonely – and, in some cases, develop aggressive behavior patterns due to loneliness.
If you’re away from home for extended periods, your French bulldog could become stressed. Once your Frenchie develops separation anxiety, you can expect all kinds of aggressive and destructive behaviors.
Territorial Instincts
Frenchies may seem cute, but like all dog breeds, they’re capable of experiencing some intense emotions – such as territorialism. Usually, this extends to barking at anyone who dares to invade their personal space.
Frustration
If your Frenchie sees something they want and can’t get it, they can get frustrated.
When something like that happens, French bulldogs will often take out their frustration on the nearest target – and that will usually be family members or other dogs in the household.
Adolescence
When a French bulldog hits puberty, all hell breaks loose. Parents of teenagers will know what we mean.
Your previously cute and happy pup can get moody and prone to temper tantrums. Male French bulldogs will start to see other male dogs as competition, while females can get a bit grumpy.
Boredom
Despite their small size, French bulldogs still need plenty of mental and physical stimulation – and without it, Frenchies can become bored and frustrated.
If you don’t provide your Frenchie with proper “energy outlets,” they’ll likely exhibit that built-up energy in ways you hadn’t expected – such as aggression.
Stress
French bulldogs are creatures of habit like other dog breeds – they thrive when they have a proper routine. But life can sometimes ruin even the most carefully laid plans.
If your working schedule has changed, you’ve welcomed a baby or another pet into your home, or if you moved houses, your Frenchie might be feeling off-balance.
And when your dog becomes anxious and stressed, it can start acting aggressively.
How To Stop Aggressive Behavior In French Bulldogs
Without proper intervention, even minor displays of aggressive behavior could quickly escalate into something much more severe – and potentially dangerous.
As we’ve explained earlier, the first step in tackling aggressive behaviors in French bulldogs is to work out the cause. And once you find out the reason for your Frenchie’s aggression, you can think of a solution accordingly.
One thing you should start working on straight away is emotional control. Regardless of the actual cause for aggression, introducing new training techniques will be much easier if your Frenchie’s calm and focused.
In addition to exercises, the following methods can all make a massive difference in your French bulldog’s behavior.
Visit Your Vet
If you suspect that a health-related problem is the cause of aggressive behavior in your French bulldog, be sure to take it to your vet:
Dogs usually tend to keep their aches to themselves for as long as they can. If those pains are causing behavioral changes, you need to take action as soon as possible.
Be sure to share any physical and behavioral changes you’ve noticed in your Frenchie to help the vet reach a diagnosis sooner.
Socialize Your Frenchie
A puppy goes through two fear periods – the first comes when the puppy is about two months old, and the second comes at around the fifth month.
During these periods, your Frenchie might start reacting anxiously, which could escalate into aggression around the people and things they earlier took in their stride.
It’s crucial to socialize your French bulldog properly during these periods to prevent fears from taking over. Introduce the pup to new environments, new animals, and new people, or, in short:
Teach your Frenchie the world isn’t a scary place they might think it is.
Even though puppyhood is the perfect time for socialization, a dog is never too old to learn new stuff.
Avoid Triggers
Dog aggression is often a sign of anxiety. You could reduce their fears through desensitization methods over time – but for now, reduce exposure to triggering situations as best as you can.
For instance, if your Frenchie’s alarmed by other dogs, avoid walks in busy areas. And if loud noises scare your French bulldog, keep your home as quiet and calm as possible.
You get the idea.
Wear Your Frenchie Out
When you fail to meet your dog’s requirement for exercise and playtime, it’ll look for other ways to release that built-up energy.
If you’re lucky, this could simply mean digging a hole in the garden. What if you’re not?
Well, it could mean barking and growling.
Despite being relatively small, French bulldogs still require some exercise. Aim for an hour of various activities a day.
In addition to walking, games are also a great way of burning some energy off – and having fun in the process.
How To Eliminate Frenchie Aggression – Final Thoughts
Aggressive behavior is always worrying – even in smaller dog breeds, such as French bulldogs. So, how to eliminate Frenchie aggression?
There isn’t a magic trick that’s going to solve this behavior problem overnight. But don’t despair:
With a proper strategy, almost every issue is easily solvable.
By keeping calm, patient, and consistent, you can address the reason for aggression and move towards the solution by utilizing the methods outlined in this guide.
Let us know how it goes!
