With their endlessly charming personalities, French Bulldogs know how to win hearts — even when they’re being a bit cheeky.
While their compact size and affectionate nature make them great companions for apartment living, Frenchies can be strong-willed when it comes to training. From house training hurdles to attention-seeking antics, understanding their unique temperament is key to bringing out their best behaviour.
In this guide, we’ll unpack top tips on how to train a French Bulldog, covering everything from their natural trainability and common behavioural quirks to the role of real food in supporting focus and learning.
Read more: French Bulldog breed insights: care, personality & expert tips
French Bulldog temperament and trainability
Playful and people-oriented, French Bulldogs thrive on human interaction — but their independent streak can make training a little more challenging than with other breeds.
Stubbornness is the most common behavioural trait Frenchie parents encounter. They’re intelligent and quick to learn, but they’re not always eager to follow — especially if they’re not in the mood. Toilet training can also take time, particularly due to their smaller bladder size and occasional sensitivity to routine changes.
But don’t let that put you off. With consistency, positive reinforcement, and a good understanding of what motivates them (spoiler: usually food), your Frenchie can learn and thrive.
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Health considerations that can affect training
French Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed, meaning their flat faces and short noses can impact breathing and exercise tolerance. Overheating is a serious risk, especially in warm or humid climates, so keep training sessions short and avoid overexertion.
They’re also prone to:
Sensitive stomachs, which can cause discomfort and motivation to learn
Joint conditions, such as hip dysplasia and luxating patella, which can impact their mobility
Skin allergies, which can cause irritation and may affect their focus
If your Frenchie seems unmotivated, unusually reactive, or easily distracted, it’s worth checking in with your vet to rule out any underlying issues.
Read more: Understanding your French Bulldog health conditions: how real food can help
How real food fuels your Frenchie’s focus
Just like us, dogs learn best when they’re feeling healthy, balanced and energised. Diet plays a big role in your pup’s ability to focus, stay calm, and retain information.
Frenchies benefit from:
Steady energy sources like butternut squash and purple sweet potato, have a low glycaemic load and help release energy slowly.
Essential fatty acids like DHA and EPA (omega-3s from fish, mussels, or fish oil), support brain health and development, memory, and learning
Fresh, bioactive nutrients to support immunity, skin health, and overall wellbeing
“A fresh food diet packed with brain-boosting nutrients supports your dog’s ability to learn and adapt. Omega-3s, especially DHA, are critical for memory and cognitive function.”
– Dr Alex England, Lyka Veterinarian, BVetMed MANZCVS (Small Animal Veterinary Practice)
Learn more about Dr Alexander England and his veterinary experience.
All Lyka meals are formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists to provide complete and balanced nutrition for learning, growth, and everyday health.
Read more: Fuelling your dog’s focus: how nutrition impacts your dog’s training
Exercise first for improved focus
Exercising your Frenchie before a training session allows them to release some energy to enable better concentration.
Frenchies aren’t high-endurance dogs, but they still need daily exercise and mental stimulation. Their short noses make heavy activity risky, so go for:
Short, gentle walks (ideally during cooler times of day)
Indoor playtime, like tug or fetch in the living room
Training tips for French Bulldogs
Training a Frenchie can be equal parts comedy and chaos — but with patience and a playful approach, it’s incredibly rewarding.
Keep sessions short, sweet, and full of positive vibes. Here’s what works best:
Positive reinforcement
This is the gold standard for training. Marking good behaviour with rewards like praise, affection, treats, or continued interaction, teaches your pup how to behave and supports a strong and positive relationship.
Double up on rewards to mark excellent responses from your Frenchie, like praise and a pat, or praise and a treat.
Find their favourite motivator
Discovering your pup’s hierarchy of high-value rewards is a great way to keep your French Bulldog motivated. Is it a nibble of roast chicken, their favourite squeaky toy, or playtime with you?
Train at the right time
Sometimes dogs don’t have the energy or desire to learn, especially if they’re too tired, too full, or hot and bothered.
Mental enrichment through training can be tiring for dogs, so find the right time to train and stop if you notice your dog starting to lose focus or fatigue.
Stay consistent
Consistency is key to training. Not just in setting your expectations, but in using the same verbal and non-verbal cues.
Be playful and engaging
Dogs are sensitive souls that can pick up on your mood. Keep your sessions fun and your positive energy will be contagious.
Watch their body language
If your pup starts to show signs of stress or tiredness, give them a break. If they’ve reached saturation point, it can be counterproductive to persevere. You can always come back to the training at another point.
Training your French Bulldog puppy
Frenchie puppies are delightfully cheeky and full of curiosity — but don’t expect instant results. House training is usually top of the list, followed closely by socialisation and basic obedience cues like sit, stay, and leave it.
What works?
A regular toilet routine
Positive crate training for safe sleep and downtime
Early and controlled socialisation with people, dogs, sounds, places and situations
French Bulldogs are especially sensitive to harsh corrections, so stick with force-free methods that build trust and confidence.
Read more: Force-free puppy training: what the experts want you to know
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Training your adult French Bulldog
Just because your Frenchie’s out of puppyhood doesn’t mean the training stops. In fact, ongoing mental stimulation is essential to keep their mind sharp and behaviour balanced.
This might look like:
Reinforcing polite greetings at the door
Learning new tricks or games
Adjusting to life changes, like moving house
Training for mobility support, like using a ramp in senior years
Dogs have neuroplasticity, meaning they’re capable of learning at any age. Keep training light and engaging, and celebrate progress — no matter how small.
Read more: Training adult dogs: expert tips to boost learning, brain health & bonding
Real-life insight from pup parents
Training French Bulldogs can be as much fun as it is challenging! For real insight into the world of Frenchie parenting, hear from Jaz about her experiences with Wilma and Lulu.
'Having two frenchies with big personalities has its challenges, but with Lyka treats on hand - we’re unstoppable! My girls have grown into such obedient and well-mannered dogs thanks to consistency and the high-value treats in Lyka’s range."
— Jay, Wilma and Lulu (they're both on Lyka)
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When to call in a trainer or behaviourist
Not sure if your Frenchie’s quirks are just stubbornness — or something deeper?
A trainer is your go-to for obedience, manners, and routine behaviours. A qualified behaviourist, on the other hand, is best for issues like:
Reactivity
Anxiety or phobias
Aggression
Resource guarding
They work closely with your vet to address underlying causes and create a tailored plan. The earlier you seek support, the easier it is to create lasting change.
“If training your dog is very challenging, it may be worth considering a trainer or a behaviourist. A trainer can help you identify what may be triggering their behaviour and show you how to help your dog cope in those situations. The solution may be as simple as reframing what we expect from our dogs and our behaviours around them.”
– Laura V, qualified dog behaviourist
New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together
Training your French Bulldog is a journey — one that requires consistency, creativity, and compassion. Whether you’re navigating house training with a stubborn puppy or teaching your senior dog new routines, every small win is a step toward a calmer, more connected life together.
And remember, a well-fed brain is a trainable brain. Supporting your Frenchie’s learning with fresh, real food meals helps unlock their full potential.
Lyka nourishes hundreds of French Bulldogs across Australia – from energetic pups to seniors in their golden years – they’re all thriving on Lyka.
