French Bulldog puppies must be taught how to go outdoors for bathroom breaks as part of maintaining a clean and odor-free home environment. This step must not be neglected.
Take your pup outside immediately upon awakening, playing and feeding or drinking, keeping an eye out for any unusual behaviors such as pacing in circles, whining loudly or staring directly at you. Watch for any warning signs such as pacing back and forth or staring straight ahead as early warning indicators of anxiety.
how to train a french bulldog Not to Bite
Set Up a Potty Area in the House
Frenchies typically respond well to house training as young puppies; 8 or 9 weeks is generally when this process should start as that's when their bladder can hold out longer periods.
Step one is creating a designated potty area in your home for your Frenchie. Choose an out-of-the-way spot without sensitive plants nearby so they won't be tempted to use this spot as their toilet instead of using their designated spot as intended.
When taking your pup outside for their bathroom breaks, use a leash to lead them directly to their potty area and tell them "go pee." As soon as they relieve themselves, provide lots of praise and treats as a reward; eventually they'll associate this spot with relieving themselves and want to go there every time! Eventually they'll associate this spot with relieving themselves and will want to go there every time!
If your Frenchie starts lifting their tail, sniffing around, pacing or whining it's an indicator they need to go outside. Take them outside as often as possible - especially after playtime, eating or before bedtime - in order to keep their bladder full and prevent accidents from occurring. Also keeping them hydrated with plenty of fluid will keep their bladders fuller for longer and reduce accidents that might happen as a result of not enough liquid being in their system.
Make Treats Your Good Friend
Puppies are more likely to respond positively when they know they will get something in return, so make sure your French Bulldog understands they will receive a treat whenever they do what's expected outside.
Use treats to teach your pup to associate the spot you have selected as his toilet with the word "potty," such as saying "go potty" before taking him or her there and giving a treat as soon as they relieve themselves there. This will help them learn quickly and be successful during training.
Once your pup has learned this technique, you can start taking them more frequently to their outdoor toilet area in hopes that no accidents occur inside. If an accident does happen inside, be sure to clean it up as quickly as possible before they return back there and repeat their error.
As long as you remain consistent in your schedule and ensure your dog understands what's expected of them, they should become housetrained within several weeks or less. Bear in mind that puppies need time to establish habits; therefore be patient and persistent with your housebreaking efforts.
Take Your Pup Outside at the Same Time Every Day
If you're training a Frenchie puppy, be sure to establish a regular schedule for potty breaks. Take them outside first thing in the morning after eating and drinking as well as after spending time in their crate/room and before bed each day to establish habits and remind them when it is bathroom time. Doing this will create habits so your Frenchie knows when it is bathroom time!
Midnight can also be an ideal time to wake your puppy and take them outside for a potty break, especially if they need to eliminate. Be sure that all waste has been eliminated completely before returning them indoors to avoid any accidents from occurring later.
Once your Frenchie has relieved themselves, be sure to praise and reward them by saying "go potty". This will serve as a verbal cue that means the same as peeing; over time they'll start associating this phrase with going into the bathroom, giving them an easier way to communicate when they need a bathroom break!
Do not rub or shout at your puppy's waste, as this could harm their relationship and impede potty training in general. Instead, when an accident does happen simply clean it up quickly before offering them another verbal cue to go outside again.
Don’t Bring Your Pup Inside Right Away
After taking your French Bulldog out to pee, it is best not to bring them immediately back inside as this may cause their bladders to retain urine for too long, leading them to believe they can only go outside when necessary. Staying outside for longer will teach your pup that indoors is off-limits for peeing.
When you want your French Bulldog to pee, take them to their designated potty area. Watch for any signs that they need to relieve themselves such as sniffing the ground, pacing around, or whining; as soon as these occur take them outside with verbal cues (e.g. "potty time") and take them directly outside to relieve themselves at that spot. Provide treats and praise lavishly when they do indeed relieve themselves in that location.
Repeat this procedure every time your puppy needs to use the bathroom. Over time, you should be able to extend their potty breaks. Beware though; trying too fast could overwhelm their systems and result in accidents!
Your pet might also benefit from using a small dog urination spray or neutralizer to clean up accidents that happen accidentally, though do be careful to not spray directly over where they have an accident as that could make their area smell unpleasant and may teach them that this place should be where they should pee!