How To Potty Train A French Bulldog

Want to learn how to potty train a French Bulldog?

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The months-long process of potty-training your French Bulldog can be initially frustrating but equally rewarding once achieved. However, if you happen to be a new owner of a French bulldog, then you’re quite lucky. French Bulldogs are a generally clean breed with a tendency to avoid accidents. Your pet will learn to do his business outside in just a matter of weeks, so long as you follow the following tips on potty training for your French bulldog.

1. Feeding your Frenchie at regular intervals is a good start to creating an equally regular potty schedule. Avoid feeding him snacks in between meals so that he’ll get into the habit of eating only during the right time, simultaneously regulating his bowel movement. (Make sure to check out the best dog food for French Bulldogs). The Humane Society strongly advises taking your pet outside every morning as soon as he wakes up, after playtime, as well as after every meal or drink. And do remember to restrict your Frenchie’s access to his water bowl preferably two hours before his bedtime.

2. If you can’t afford the time to supervise potty training for your French bulldog full-time, best if you have your dog confined until he’s successfully housebroken. You can either use a crate for your petite companion, or a pen to limit its access to the house by sectioning off a small area, such as the laundry room, the mud room or the kitchen. Being a clean breed, the French Bulldog finds it queasy to eliminate in his sleeping area. However, Frenchie puppies 12 weeks old or younger still have poor bladder control and are thus expected to have accidents. They must be taken outside every two hours.

3. Be more observant of telltale signs that your Frenchie needs to go, such as restlessly pacing from one room to another, going around in circles in the same room, staring, whining, sniffing or barking. If you notice anything else odd in your pet’s behavior, take him outside ASAP!

4. Introduce the command words: “Go potty.” Every time your dog does his business outside, say “go potty” loud and clear. Once he’s done, reward his good habit with a treat, a toy, a word of praise, a caress or whatever. And wait for him to finish completely, lest he finishes his business inside. Over time, your dog can associate the command words “go potty” with taking his business outside.

5. Accident spots inside your home should be thoroughly cleaned, scrubbed and stripped of any lingering stench. Dogs have a tendency of frequenting the same spot that smells of his poop or urine. Never use bleach (which produces a toxic gas when combined with pet urine) or cleaners that contain ammonia (which only adds to the strong stench of urine). Instead, neutralize the ammonia odor using a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and warm water. Afterward, deodorize by sprinkling baking soda over the spot in question.

To make potty training for your French bulldog successful, the secret is treating your pet humanely and with loads of patience. Never ever resort to physically abusing your dog for accidents. Violence will not only traumatize him, it will also make him more aggressive and less eager to be trained.