Are French Bulldogs Aggressive?

Frenchies are one of the most playful breeds out there, and they are a great choice when you want a smart companion to make your home brighter. They love spending time with their owners and are considered to be one of the best breeds you can own! But are French bulldogs aggressive?

That’s an important question, especially if you have a child at home! Would you let your kids near an aggressive dog that can be potentially harmful?

That’s what we’ll talk about in this article on French bulldogs, so be sure to read it until the end so you know when your dog is being aggressive or when it’s just being protective.

Are French Bulldogs Aggressive or Just Reactive?

Aggression is generally never without reason. According to the American Kennel Club, reactive dogs can be mistaken for aggressive ones, and that can cause issues. Reactivity in dogs occurs when they overreact to certain situations or people.

These triggers can be people as well as situations in which the dog feels threatened. This can cause the dog to become fearful. Situations like these can create a fight-or-flight response from the dog. Dogs have a different behavioral approach than humans and might react differently.

For example, you might be reaching out to pet a dog. While you may consider this a friendly act, the dog might consider it a threat.

Aggressive behavior is actually natural

 

 

Dogs usually have some habits that might seem dangerous or threatening, but reality is often the opposite.

Mouthing and nipping in puppies

Puppies and dogs can nip and bite each other while playing. Dogs usually communicate with mock fighting and biting each other when they’re growing up. This shouldn’t be mistaken as aggressiveness.

Just pay attention that this doesn’t escalate to actual violent biting since that involves anger, showing teeth, and getting extremely loud and aggressive.

Sickness or discomfort

Your dog might be suffering from some illness, and their aggressive behavior is a call for help or attention. If you notice that your dog is showing signs of sickness along with aggressive symptoms, it might be time to take a trip to the vet.

French bulldog aggression causes

While your Frenchie might generally be friendly and docile, some factors can cause them to misbehave and be aggressive.

Clinginess and separation anxiety

Frenchies are very social and can’t bear being alone! They will follow you throughout the house while you do your chores and will be very upset if they are isolated or locked up.

French bulldogs are loving and create tight bonds with their owners as well as other family members. This breed is known for being quite energetic. Therefore if you don’t supply them with adequate energy-consuming activities, they may get irritable.

Distressed dogs can become aggressive and cause abnormal behaviors. These can include urinating and pooping, aggressive barking and howling, chewing furniture and escaping the house. Make sure that your Frenchie is always well attended to. Otherwise, you will see them attempting to find you or gain your attention.

Territorial protectiveness

Dogs are known for guarding anything they perceive is valuable. Toys, food, bones, sleeping quarters, and even humans can be among these objects. This habit mostly generates from instinct originating from wild predecessors who had to guard their resources to survive.

Frenchies can grow possessive of their homes and exhibit protective tendencies. Resource guarding can cause your dog to become aggressive. Your Frenchie may be resource-guarding if they snarl at you as you approach their food dish.

Leash pulling

Growls, barks, and trying to free themselves from a leash are common responses of leash-reactive dogs to things that make them frightened or afraid. Other dogs or humans can act as triggers, and they can be very specific, such as children, males, people wearing hats, or male/female dogs.

While some might think dogs pulling on the leash is an attempt to be dominant, this isn’t usually the case. These dogs attempt to avoid a battle by either removing the threat or increasing the space between themselves and the threat.

Pulling on the leash can also cause damage to the Frenchie’s body. Pulling on the leash might cause strain. Years of yanking on the leash causing damage should come as no surprise to you since it can result in catastrophic spine, neck, and trachea damage.

Frenchiness

Frenchies are generally mischievous and get into all kinds of trouble. That’s why it’s important to provide them with an environment that is both friendly and puppy-proof as well.

How to solve French bulldog behavior problems

 

 

Properly domesticate your Frenchie

Frenchies have strong personalities, and solving behavior issues begin when Frenchie is growing up.

The first 20 weeks of a dog’s existence are extremely important. You need to expose your growing puppy to as many new and happy experiences as possible. Meeting new humans and interacting with other animals should all be part of those encounters.

To assist your dig in coping with unfamiliar settings without anxiety, you should expose it too loud or unexpected noises. Also, please take it to locations with children, to markets, or take it in your car for a ride. If you want to raise a well-adjusted, non-aggressive dog, you must do all of these steps.

From the very beginning of your relationship with a French bulldog, you must make it clear that you are in charge. As a result, you must always maintain a forceful, commanding demeanor toward the dog and communicate what you expect of it. Never shout at it, never raise your voice, and never treat it harshly or angrily.

Aggressive treatment of dogs can cause them to resent you, and many aggressive dogs have had very bad experiences with previous owners or general mistreatment among people.

It is better to associate bad behaviors with subtle punishments. For example, making a loud noise when your Frenchie is doing something wrong can startle them, and they begin associating that action with bad noise. This will cause them to do less of that action.

See a vet

If your dog is normally peaceful but suddenly becomes aggressive or exhibits resistance and unpleasant behaviors, it might be a medical condition symptom.

This behavior can be caused by various health issues in dogs, including brain abnormalities and extremely painful wounds.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian to determine the source of the problem. Seeing an animal behaviorist is also a good option if you think your Frenchie is acting weird. The animal behaviorist will diagnose and identify any issues with your dog.

Never punish your dog

When your French bulldog is acting aggressively, it’s understandable to discipline the dog. However, this generally backfires and worsens the problem.

If you act violently in an attempt to stop the dog from being hostile, it may feel compelled to defend itself and attack you.

Avoid beating, screaming at, or otherwise provoking aggressive behavior in the dog. This can also make your dog desire to attack or bite other people, even if they haven’t done anything wrong.

Positive reinforcement

Use treats and rewards to train your pup to be well-behaved. This will reduce the chances of French bulldog aggression.

You can give them new toys when they behave properly and remove the older, worn-down ones instead of simply taking away their toys or treats.

Final thoughts

Hopefully, this guide will help you understand the causes behind French bulldog aggression. Now you know the answer to the question, “are French bulldogs aggressive?”. Remember that French bulldog temperament is usually great, but it takes training to achieve it!

This will require great patience on your part, and you will need to make sure that your Frenchie understands what you expect from it! Good Luck!