▷ 5 Step Basic Obedience Training For French Bulldog Puppies

Table of Contents

5 Step Basic Obedience Training For French Bulldog Puppies

There is an enormous amount of long-term value for both you and your French Bulldog puppy when you commit yourself to regularly scheduled obedience training sessions. By having very clear goals and a process to follow, your young dog will become a willing learner and you will both enjoy the training. So, let’s consider some realistic objectives before we start the puppy training basics.

The key to successful training is to not rush the process. There is no prize for getting it done in record time! Focus on mastering one command at a time. Remember that these commands need to be practiced under a range of situations and while there are varying levels of ‘distractions’. Lessons learned at home, need to be reinforced when out in the street or park. When you feel that you have successfully mastered one command, then you may move on to the next. Lets now move on to the commands.

There are 5 basic verbal commands that all puppies should learn. These are:

Answering to Name
Come command
Sit command
Down command
Stay command

Note: If you feel unsure as to when to commence training, then please read this article first: Why Obedience Training For French Bulldog Puppies?

1. Answering To Name

It is important right from the start to be able to get you puppy’s attention by calling their name. When your puppy can respond to his or her name, then walks in the local park will get easier. Especially as parks are usually where you find lots of distractions! Remember that they are still puppies, so use a tone of voice that is firm but also gentle. We want them to understand and respond to the command without creating stress for them (and you).

Step 1. Reward your puppy for answering to his or her name.

Firstly, make sure you have a handful of treats in your pocket and your clicker.
Then say your puppy’s name. When you do this always be consistent with the tone and volume of your voice.
Click and provide a treat only if your puppy looks at you when you say his or her name once. Don’t reward if you have to repeat their name to get their attention.

Step 2. Repeat this command and reinforce the correct response across a range of situations in and out of the home.

What does success look like? It’s when your puppy looks at you when you call their name in any environment regardless of the surrounding distractions.

2. Come command

This command is the universal way to remove your dog from encounters or situations that may be threatening; When you puppy knows exactly what to do when you say ‘come’, you’ll be better able to control situations as they come up. In effect, your aim is to distract your dog from any unwanted behaviors; particularly around other animals.

Step 1. Reward your puppy for moving back towards you with a treat.

As with all training steps, make sure you have your clicker and some treats in your pocket.
Place a treat on the ground and let your dog eat the treat.
Walk a short distance away from your dog and put a treat in your hand. Say your dog’s name while you are holding out the treat.
When your dog is looking at you, say ‘come’ once only; and say it in a calm and clear voice.
If your dog moves toward you then ‘Click’ and offer some positive encouragement like ‘yes, good dog’.
On reaching you, do these two things. Give your dog the treat and touch your dog’s collar.

There is an important reason for touching your dog’s collar when they come to you. If you are ever in a situation where they may be danger, you can command your dog to ‘come’ and then take hold of your dog’s collar. This will be familiar to your dog and they will not resist you holding their collar.

For extra help in taking your puppy’s training to the next level check the no.1 online dog training course here.

Step 2. Practice responding to the command ‘Come’ without a treat in your hand.

Have your clicker and treats ready in your pocket.
Call your puppy’s name while holding out your empty hand as though you have a treat in it.
Say ‘come’ in a clear voice when your dog is looking at you. Remember to say it only once.
If your dog moves toward you, give one ‘click’ and offer lots of positive verbal encouragement.
On reaching you, give your dog a treat from your pocket while you touch your dog’s collar.

Step 3. Repeat this command and reinforce the correct response across a range of situations in and out of the home.

What does success look like? It’s when your puppy comes to you when outside of your home and surrounded by numerous distractions. A good way to practice this command in the park is to remove yourself from your dog’s sight. eg: hide behind a tree and then say ‘come’. This command requires time and patience to master, however it will be invaluable in the future if you encounter a dangerous situation for your dog.

3. Sit command

Fortunately, teaching your puppy to sit on command is one of the simplest commands for you both to master. What is more, this is one of the most useful commands for a variety of situations. For example, many Frenchies can get defensive and excitable when they hear the front door bell. Someone is there… Who could it be! To the person on the outside, the sound of an excited dog at the door can be a bit intimidating. This is when the sit on command can be helpful to distract your dog from unwanted behavior. Having your dog sit on command helps you to gain control in any given situation.

Step 1. Reward your dog for sitting

Have your clicker and treats ready in your pocket.
Say your dogs name to get their attention, and then ‘sit’. You may need to gently show them the correct position, and then click.
Offer a treat while your dog is still sitting. Then throw a ball or stick to get them up and going again.
Again, call you dogs name to get their attention. Then say ‘sit’ again. Click when your dog is in the correct position and reward with a treat.
Tip: Make sure that you only reward sitting when you have asked for it as a command. Frenchies are smart dogs. If sitting earns them a treat, they will sit next to you all day long!

Step 2. Repeat this command and reinforce the correct response across a range of situations in and out of the home. In time, treats will no longer be required (or expected).

What does success look like? It is when your dog responds immediately to the ‘sit’ command in any situation outside of your home with a high level of distraction around.

4. Down Command

Another way to effectively distract and calm your dog in situations where you need to regain control is to teach your dog to respond to ‘down’ by lying down.

Step 1. Reward your dog for lying down

As before, have your clicker and treats in your pocket.
Get your puppies attention and say the command ‘Down’. You may need to gently show them the correct position, and then click.
Offer a treat while your dog is still lying down and give them pats and words of encouragement. Then throw a ball or a stick to get them up again.
Repeat the 2nd part again until your puppy knows what to do when they hear the ‘down’ command and does not need your physical assistance.
Click when your dog is in the correct position and reward with a treat.

Step 2. Repeat this command and reinforce the correct response across a range of situations in and out of the home. In time, treats will no longer be required (or expected).

What does success look like? It is when your dog responds immediately to ‘down’ in any situation outside of your home with a high level of distraction around.

5. Stay command

The ‘stay’ command is the last of the basic training commands simply because it is often the most difficult one to master. For your dog to be obedient and ‘stay’ can often cause internal conflict with their natural instinct to stay close to their pack (family). It is worthwhile persisting with the training for this command as there will always be times when you need them to remain in position while you attend to other things (usually outside the home).

Step 1. Reward your dog for remaining in position

As before, have your clicker and treats in your pocket.
Call your puppy’s name and get their attention before you proceed.
Give your puppy either the ‘sit’ or ‘down’ command. When he or she obeys your command, don’t click straight away. Wait a couple of seconds before doing a ‘click’.
Maintain their attention and say ‘stay’. Then go to your puppy and reward with a treat. You don’t want them to break their ‘stay’ position.

Step 2. Varying the time and distance

Repeat Step 1 and gradually increasing the clicker time to around 10 seconds. During this process introduce a hand signal to reinforce the ‘stay’ command. Try using a flat hand, palm down, about two feet away from your dog’s face. You want them to make the association between the command and the hand signal.
Repeat the process, only this time gradually introduce a stepping away from your dog. Say ‘stay’ as you take one step away. ‘Click’ if your dog stays put. Don’t forget to praise your dog as you move forward to offer a treat.
Repeat again and just gradually increase the distance between you and your dog. Your aim at this stage is to still remain in your dog’s view. When you have been doing this for 10 minutes or so, it will be time to stop and just have fun.
The aim is for your dog to be comfortable staying in place for longer periods of time. Repeat the steps and practice to the point where your dog will ‘stay’ for at least two minutes.
Finally, practice slowly stepping away until your dog can’t easily see you. As I mentioned earlier the ‘stay’ command is not easy to train, however you will need it in many different circumstances such as leaving your dog outside a store while you are inside. You will want them to be relaxed in that situation and not fretting because they cannot see where you are.

What does success look like? It is when your dog responds to the ‘stay’ command in a range of situations outside of your home with a high level of distraction around.

Some final thoughts:

Remind yourself often that this whole process is a journey (not a race) for both of you. If you are feeling frustration, then probably you both are! Take a break and come back to the training again later in the day. In most circumstances, it’s the short duration but regular sessions that seem to work best. Enjoy the journey!

You can fast track your puppy’s training right here.

Related Info And Products:

Additional menu