Thinking about getting a French Bulldog and crate training it?
Congratulations! Your new dog is a fantastic watchdog and companion, and this is probably why it managed to become the most popular dog in the US, overtaking the positions of the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd.
There are a lot of reasons why we love Frenchies. They’re adorable, smart, sincere, and love to snuggle next to you when you don’t feel like doing much.
But every new owner overthinks about creating the best life for their new dog, and crate training should be part of it. This is why we’ll explain everything you need to know about French Bulldog crate training to provide your pup with a private and secure space.
Keep on reading to create the perfect spot for your new best friend.
Can French Bulldogs Be Crate Trained?
Yes, and fortunately, the dog will help you throughout the process.
A crate is a private and secure spot where they can rest when they don’t want to interact with others. Moreover, the crate will be a cozy den where your dog can sleep and relax at the end of the day.
Frenchies are intelligent and curious dogs, so they will be tempted to explore toys and other interesting objects that you put in the crate. Using these toys, you can make the crate appear more appealing.
There are lots of items that you can use to lure a French Dog into a crate. These include stuffed animals, a comfortable cushion, a fluffy bed, and treats. These items will work for a young puppy and an older dog, but crate training an old French Bulldog will take more time, effort, and patience.
Should I Crate My French Bulldog Puppy?
Training a French Bulldog puppy is actually easier than training an older dog. Crate training a puppy will be a great option when you can’t supervise an enthusiastic puppy that wouldn’t stay in one spot.
The crate will satisfy several needs as it’s a safe spot for your little puppy, guarantees that your puppy won’t go where it shouldn’t, and will help your little canine cope up with your absence if you’re not around. It also teaches your dog to relieve themselves in the right area.
The whole idea starts with establishing a daily routine that starts as soon as the puppy wakes up. You should tell them that it’s potty time and take them outside where they should relieve themselves.
Your French Bulldog might be eager to play, but you should be firm with your instructions and allow them to focus on the right task. If your dog doesn’t go, you can take them back to the crate, then repeat the process after 10 minutes.
Doing this repeatedly will teach your young puppy about the right spot to “go potty.” This routine should be repeated after every meal and right before bedtime.
Now that your French Bulldog puppy has relieved themselves, they can sleep comfortably in the crate. Dogs will relieve themselves while they’re sleeping if you’re not careful. If an accident happens, move your dog outside and show your dissatisfaction, but give them a treat if they can successfully do the job.
Remember that a puppy has a small bladder and needs to go every 2 hours. A puppy shouldn’t be left in the crate for more than 4 hours at the most, especially in the beginning.
If you find an accident that happened when you’re not present, don’t scold your dog because this will confuse them. You should be present to show your puppy that they did something wrong.
How Big Should A Dog Crate Be For a French Bulldog?
A 30-inch crate is a suitable choice for a French Bulldog. Frenchies are not big dogs, so this size will be appropriate, as it can accommodate your dog and everything it will need.
Think of a crate that can accommodate your Frenchie when it becomes an adult dog. You should also be able to fit a comfy bed, a fluffed blanket, toys, and treats while leaving room for free-roaming.
You should also install a pad or wall-to-wall carpeting. Don’t add too many items, but make sure that the crate is comfortable and appeals to your dog. Consider a bigger crate if the current one seems too crowded.
How Long Does It Take To Potty Train a French Bulldog Puppy?
French Bulldogs aren’t the most challenging breeds to potty train, but they’re not the easiest to train either. On average, potty training a puppy can take up to 8 months. Some puppies can reach that milestone earlier, but others might struggle.
While this long period might be frustrating, especially for novice dog owners, you need to stay persistent and stick to the routine. Here are some tips to help you potty training your French Bulldog puppy successfully.
- Pay attention to your puppy’s behavior. Puppies have individual traits, so they might show different signs that they need to go. Some puppies might start barking, while others might scratch or move in circles.
- Be consistent and take your puppy outside every 2 hours. If your puppy doesn’t go when you take it outside, repeat the process after 10 minutes.
- Avoid being too harsh with your puppy. Remember that your puppy isn’t stubborn, but it just doesn’t know what to do. This is why you should use positive reinforcement and avoid punishment. If your puppy misses once, draw its attention to the mistake and repeat the process.
- Puppies won’t understand if you punish them for an accident that happened a long time ago. Frenchies don’t have a long memory, so you should only draw their attention to an accident once.
Why is Crate Training Your French Bulldog a Good Idea?
French Bulldogs are den animals, and the crate provides them with a safe, private spot where they can rest away from everyone else. This is true whether your dog spends most of its time inside or outside the house.
The crate plays a crucial role in the dog’s potty training because dogs usually don’t go potty where they spend more of their time. It also helps them feel safe in their own spot when you’re away from home, as it can help them cope with separation anxiety.
Preparing the Crate For Your French Bulldog
A French Bulldog might not be that excited about spending time in the crate. However, there are a few things that you can do to prepare the crate and make the training process more successful.
- Make sure that you’ve picked the right crate size. A crate that feels too small won’t suit your dog, especially when it grows bigger. French Bulldogs aren’t very big dogs, but there should still be enough room for the dog to move freely.
- Choose a high-quality crate that can be a safe spot for your puppy or older Frenchie. Avoid a flimsy model that can accidentally break or a crate that has sharp corners that might hurt your dog’s body.
- Pick the right spot to place the crate. The perfect location would be a quiet spot away from the heavy traffic in the house, so your dog can enjoy its peace and quiet. At the same time, it should be in a room where the rest of the family spends most of its time because dogs are pack animals and want to spend time with the family.
- Remember that you can’t make dogs share crates. The idea of buying a crate is to create a safe and private spot for your dog, so they can’t share this spot with another dog. This will eliminate the purpose of the crate training, especially when a younger puppy is sharing the crate with an older dog. Even small puppies of the same age shouldn’t share a single crate.
- Understand that crate training is not always the easiest task. You should have the time and the patience to work on this process with your dog. Even if you have trained another dog successfully, things might be different for a new puppy.
- Check out your dog. The crate training shouldn’t turn into a traumatizing experience. If you feel that your French Bulldog is scared or not relaxed, this might not be the right time to start the crate training. Training a puppy is usually easier and less consuming than training an adult dog.
Helping Your French Bulldog Like The Crate
After buying a good crate, it’s time to make it appeal to your dog. There are a few things that can help your dog fall in love with the crate.
- Make the dog as comfortable as possible. Choose a piece of your clothing and keep it inside the crate. Sniffing on your scent will help make your dog more relaxed when you’re not around.
- Pick a cozy or fluffed blanket and keep it inside the crate. Allow the dog to explore the crate on its own, but if it seems hesitant or scared, then you might need to postpone the training to another day.
- Use food and treats to make the crate look more desirable. Food is a successful tool that can be used in motivating your dog.
- Add other interesting items to the crate to make it more desirable. Choose stuffed animals, toys, and a cozy bed to create a relaxing spot that your dog will enjoy spending time in.
Feeding toys are also amazing because they satisfy two needs at the same time. Pick a chew toy for a puppy as it’s good for the dog’s health and will also keep it occupied when you’re not around. Toys will keep your dog entertained and help it enjoy its time in its den.
How To Crate Train Your French Bulldog
Now that the crate is ready, it’s time to start the training process. Here are the right steps to complete the crate training process successfully.
- Make sure that both you and your dog are ready to start the training process. If your dog has recently gone through a traumatizing experience, like a fight with another dog, you can postpone the crate training until your Frenchie has fully recovered.
- Maintain a patient attitude and use positive motivation words to help your puppy or adult dog overcome its fear. Remember that your French Bulldog wants to please you, so they will try to follow your instructions.
- Avoid pushing the dog too hard, especially if it doesn’t seem comfortable. You know your dog best, so if it feels scared or hesitant, then it is not ready for crate training.
- Keep an eye on the dog’s body language. If it seems too scared, then you need to spend more time getting them familiar with the crate or adding other items to make it appear more desirable and comfortable.
- Allow your dog to spend one minute or even two in the crate before asking them to join you. Praise your dog and give it a treat. This will help your Frenchie associate spending time in the crate with a positive outcome.
- If the dog starts barking, let it stop, then take it out of the crate. If the dog keeps on barking, take it outside, as this can be a crucial part of its potty training.
- Gradually increase the time the dog spends alone in the crate. Leaving the dog in the crate for too long can cause panic because French Bulldogs suffer from separation anxiety when they’re left alone.
- Make sure that the dog has access to the crate when you’re at home. This will allow them to take a nap while you’re around, so they can get more familiar with the crate.
- Repeat the crate training sessions several times per day. Always encourage your dog and reward it if it goes to the crate as instructed.
Summary
Seems like a big fuss?
Crate training isn’t the most straightforward task, but it’s a rewarding one. All the time you spend getting your French Bulldog familiar and comfortable with the crate will eventually pay off.
By choosing the right crate, the adequate spot to set it up, and maintaining a positive attitude throughout the training process, you can do the job. Use stuffed animals, food, and positive affirmations to encourage your Frenchie. The crate can be the perfect den and the dog’s sanctuary when you’re not around.
