3 Common French Bulldog Behaviour Problems (And How To Fix Them)

Remember: French Bulldogs are charming, affectionate little characters who were bred purely for companionship. With patience and understanding of their unique needs, these lovable dogs become wonderful urban companions.

Where Do French Bulldogs Come From?

French Bulldogs were developed in 1800s France from miniature English Bulldogs. Nottingham lacemakers fleeing the Industrial Revolution brought these small bulldogs to France.

Parisian society, particularly artists and bohemians, fell in love with these dogs and began selectively breeding them. The signature "bat ears" were refined in France, distinguishing them from English Bulldogs.

The breed was developed purely for urban companionship.

What were they bred to do?

French Bulldogs had a very specific purpose:

• Be companion dogs for city-dwelling Parisians
• Live comfortably in small apartments
• Require minimal exercise
• Be portable and quiet enough for confined spaces
• Lounge and provide company

They had no working function. Their purpose was companionship, not work.

Key breeding traits:

French Bulldogs have flat faces (brachycephalic) which cause breathing difficulties. They have compact bodies requiring minimal exercise and a stubborn temperament from their bulldog heritage.

They struggle with heat due to breathing issues, tend to snore, and have difficulty with temperature regulation. Despite their size, they have surprising strength. Their independent nature means they're not eager to please - they were bred to be pampered, not trained.

Why Do French Bulldogs Have These Behaviour Problems?

Your French Bulldog isn't being difficult on purpose. These dogs became extremely popular as urban companions, but extreme breeding for flatter faces has created severe health problems.

Many cannot breathe properly, overheat easily, and require expensive surgery to function normally. Their health issues directly impact behaviour - dogs in constant discomfort develop behavioural problems.

Unlike working breeds, Frenchies were never bred to take direction. They were bred to be pampered companions who received everything freely, not dogs who work for rewards.

Problem 1: Stubbornness & Training Resistance

What's happening: Your French Bulldog ignores commands, refuses to comply, or simply sits and stares at you when asked to do something.

Why it happens: Unlike working breeds, Frenchies were never bred to take direction or work for humans. Their bulldog heritage provides tenacity, but without a job to apply it to, they simply dig in their heels when asked to do something they don't want to do. They were bred to be pampered companions, not dogs who work for rewards.

The fix: Accept this breed will never be eager-to-please - adjust your expectations. Make training worth their while using extremely high-value food rewards (real chicken, cheese, hot dogs - not just kibble). Frenchies are very food motivated despite being lazy.

Keep training sessions under 5 minutes maximum. Never physically manipulate them into positions - this triggers stubborn refusal. Show them once with a lure, then wait. If they don't respond within 5 seconds, the opportunity passes and you walk away.

Practice before meals when they're hungry, using part of their daily food as training rewards. Everything valued must be earned: before going outside, ask for sit. Before meals, ask for sit. Before toys, ask for sit.

Struggling with a stubborn Frenchie? Training this breed requires specific techniques. Join our free Skool community to learn high-value reward systems and get advice on working with stubborn breeds during weekly Q&As.

Problem 2: Possessive Aggression (Resource Guarding)

What's happening: Your French Bulldog growls, snaps, or shows aggression when you approach their food, toys, or other valued items.

Why it happens: Their brachycephalic breeding made eating and breathing simultaneously difficult, creating anxiety around resources. Combined with bulldog tenacity and the fact they're often spoiled by owners who give them everything freely, they develop strong resource guarding tendencies. As companion dogs often treated as "babies," they learned to control access to valued items through aggression.

The fix: Practice "trade-up" protocols religiously - never take things away, always trade for something better. Do not leave items out and constantly rotate items they could get obsessive over (put everything else away).

Teach "drop for access": ask "drop," and when they release, immediately give it back. This teaches that releasing doesn't mean losing.

Do not leave any food out. If they choose to ignore their food, pick up the bowl and put it away. Never play keep-away or tease with items as this intensifies guarding.

Don't chase them for any items. If they won't give something back, take their collar or short line and move them calmly to a separate space.

Resource guarding getting serious? This can escalate to biting if not addressed. Inside our Skool community, you'll find detailed trade-up protocols and can get immediate advice if guarding behaviours worsen.

Problem 3: Overheating & Exercise Intolerance Leading to Behaviour Issues

What's happening: Your French Bulldog becomes frustrated, destructive, or develops behaviour problems despite not getting much exercise. They seem to have energy but overheat easily.

Why it happens: Their flat faces cause severe breathing difficulties, limiting their ability to cool down or exercise safely. Dogs cool through panting - Frenchies cannot pant effectively due to narrowed airways. This creates pent-up mental energy without any safe physical outlet, leading to frustration behaviours. They have energy but no way to burn it off safely.

The fix: Focus on "mental marathons, not physical." Only walk early morning (before 7am) or late evening (after 8pm) at coolest temperatures, keeping walks to 10-15 minutes maximum with frequent breaks in shade.

Practice short training sessions (2-3 minutes) multiple times daily focusing on trick training (spin, touch, bow, paw) that engages their mind without physical strain.

Provide frozen enrichment: Kongs stuffed with wet food or broth frozen solid take 30+ minutes to consume and provide cooling relief.

Monitor closely during any activity as many Frenchies don't self-regulate well. You must stop activity before they show distress (excessive panting, purple/blue tongue, unsteady gait are emergencies).

Worried about safe exercise? French Bulldogs need special care in warm weather. Join our Skool community for mental stimulation ideas and safe exercise protocols, plus emergency signs to watch for during our Q&As.

Is a French Bulldog Right for a New Owner?

A French Bulldog might be perfect for you if you're looking for:

An ideal apartment dog - French Bulldogs are perfectly suited to small living spaces. They have low exercise needs (30-45 minutes daily in short sessions) and are relatively quiet, making them excellent for urban living.

A charming, affectionate companion - These dogs are loving, playful, and form strong bonds with their families. They're excellent with children and make wonderful family pets.

A low-energy friend for less active lifestyles - If you're not a runner or hiker, Frenchies are ideal. They're content with short walks and lots of lounging, making them perfect for people who prefer a relaxed lifestyle.

A dog with minimal grooming needs - French Bulldogs require only weekly brushing and facial fold cleaning. Their short coats are easy to maintain, though they do shed moderately.

A sociable dog that gets along well - Frenchies are typically good with other pets and friendly with people. They're adaptable and fit well into various household situations.

If you can provide air conditioning, are prepared for potential health costs, and want a loyal, entertaining companion who doesn't need intense exercise, a French Bulldog will bring endless personality and love to your life.

Get the Full Support System for Your French Bulldog

This guide gives you real solutions you can start using today. But raising a well-behaved French Bulldog is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix.

That's why we created our free Skool community - to give you continuous support every step of the way.

Inside the community, you'll get:

• Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about YOUR specific French Bulldog and get personalised advice from experienced trainers
• Full breed-specific courses covering everything from puppy raising to advanced behaviour modification
• A supportive community of other French Bulldog owners who understand exactly what you're going through
• Video demonstrations so you can see techniques in action, not just read about them
• Troubleshooting help when things don't go to plan (because they won't always!)
• Updated resources as we add new courses and training blueprints

Best part? It's completely free. No subscription. No catch. Just dog owners helping dog owners.

Join The Toe Beans Co community today and get the ongoing support you need to build the best relationship with your French Bulldog.