Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Strategies for Behavior Training for French Bulldogs

Most French bulldog owners could probably give you dozens of reasons why French Bulldogs are considered one of the best dog breeds to have as pets. With their small and stocky and deceptively heavy diminutive bodies, and their great intelligence, the French bulldogs, first known as Boule-Dog Francais, are great companions and watchdogs. But, their temperament may also vary, this is why like any other breeds, the French bulldog should also be well-trained.

When training a dog, it is first best to get to know their behavior and characteristics. While they are a highly intelligent breed, they also have a short attention span. So be sure to have lots of patience. The French bulldog is also known for having the need to constantly command human attention. Sometimes they can also be very playfully aggressive, if this is the case, you should first discipline and train your dog before they are allowed to play with very small children.

First off, you should know that French bulldogs are generally playful; it�s not uncommon for them to be commanding your time and attention. They can be very aggressive when they need you to play with them and your not giving them the attention they need. Some though can be sweet when they do so, and some can do tricks to get you to notice them. Your training should be based highly on what their traits are, then you will be able to concentrate on which to develop. This way, you will be able to maximize your training time, and all your efforts will not be futile.

A laser targeted training will be able to let you hve an enjoyable time training your dog, you won�t only get a well trained and disciplined canine companion, but also be able to spend quality bonding time with him or her.

Always keep in mind that French bulldog are very independent thinkers, and they can become very stubborn if the training exercises seem pointless to them. Don�t be too gentle on them and show some assertiveness, but don�t shout at them excessively nor hurt them. In case of any unwanted behavior, be firm. Be the alpha dog and show your leadership over them. Use a strong and firm voice, don�t scream or yell when you get frustrated, this will be too confusing for the dog.

Be consistent with your commands, choose only one command in declaring your praise or your discontent, also, be sure to carry some treats with you when doing the exercises to reward them, this will act as the affirmation to their good work.

Make sure that the training exercise is only limited to a short period of time. This is not only because their attention span is short, but because mostly of the fact that French bulldogs cannot dispel body heat efficiently and may cause overheating.

And lastly be very patient. Although French bulldogs are very smart and intelligent, they are still dogs. It will take several training sessions before they can fully get the grasp of what you are teaching them.

The Proper Care for French Bulldogs

What do we look for in a partner? When asked, there are many characteristics that we would often throw out, like, loyal, playful, affectionate, trustworthy, funny, thirsty for knowledge, and looks out for your welfare, just to name a few. It may be hard to find someone that possesses all these qualities, but it's not impossible, not with the French bulldog anyway.

French bulldogs can be perfectly described with all these adjectives, and then some. They may not be a candidate as a partner, but they are certainly perfect companions. But the thing about dogs is that they don't have a long lifespan, with French bulldogs, its bout 10 to 14 years. So if you want to enjoy their company, you have to make sure that you will be able to take care of them fully.

Here are some examples that you should keep in mind to ensure that your French bulldog would always be healthy and live a long and loving relationship with you.

If you don�t plan on breeding your French bulldog, make sure that you get it spayed or neutered. When you neuter your male French bulldog, you decrease the chances of testicular cancer from happening, and curb aggression. For your female French bulldog, you dramatically decrease the chances of uterine infections and breast cancer.

Make it a habit to keep a regular visitation schedule with your French bulldogs vet. Regular medical checkups will prevent any health conditions to proper and nip it in the bud before it becomes too damaging and untreatable. Also, it would be best if you learn how to give your French bulldog a home exam of their eyes, ears, skin, nose, gums and teeth.

Make sure that the gums and teeth of your French bulldog are kept clean. Aside from making it a habit to regularly clean them with a special toothbrush and toothpaste, you can also get professional help for deep cleaning of the tooth and gums.

Keep your French bulldog on a healthy and well balanced diet. An overweight French bulldog can develop different health conditions like the swelling of the abdomen and labored breathing. Raw diets are recommended for French bulldogs, you can also give them natural dog food which contains real meat and vegetables. Avoid processed food as much as possible.

Develop a moderate exercise regimen for your French bulldog. Make sure that you don't stress your pet too much s their body structure do not allow it. Allow ample rest time so that they don't overstress their body.

Keep your French bulldog clean. Brush its coat regularly to remove dirt and grime, and also dead hair. Using a wet cloth, wash the mouth and the folds of the face of your French bulldog. This is necessary as French bulldogs are known to drool quite often. Clip the nails from time to time, just keep it on a comfortable length. Also, using a cotton ball and some baby oil, or an ear cleaning solution, make sure that the ears of your French bulldog is devoid of dirt, this will help prevent any infection.