French Bulldogs are rapidly increasing in popularity as family pets.
These cute, characterful little dogs can become incredibly attached to their human family, and confining your pet to a cozy, comfy crate can be the perfect way to prevent behavioral problems, such as separation anxiety, from developing when you leave your dog home alone.
Read this guide to learn how to crate train a French Bulldog in just a few easy steps.
Why Crate Train Your French Bulldog?
Most dog owners regard crate training their pets as beneficial for both parties.
So, what’s the point of crate training your dog?
Here are a few reasons you should consider crate training your Frenchie.
A Secure, Comfortable Den
All dog breeds share a natural instinct to create a safe, secure, comfy den where they can kick back and relax when they want to.
Provided that you crate train your French Bulldog consistently, patiently, and sympathetically, your pet should come to love his crate as his special place where he can go and not be disturbed.
A Safe Space
The safest place for your French Bulldog to be is securely contained in his crate in an emergency. If frightened, your dog could rush out into the street or even hide somewhere the emergency responders can’t get to in a chaotic situation.
However, if your pet is safely and securely confined in a suitable crate for French Bulldogs, the crate and dog can easily be carried to safety. Also, if your dog regards his crate as his sanctuary, he will probably retreat there in times when he feels frightened or threatened, making it easy for you to locate your pet in a hurry.
Convenient, Safe Transportation
You should always travel with your dog in a crate when you take a road trip. In the event of a collision, your Frenchie will become a potentially lethal projectile if he’s not suitably restrained in your car. So, you should always travel with your dog contained in a travel crate for everyone’s safety.
Of course, airlines insist that dogs always travel in an airline-approved crate, both in the cabin as carry-on luggage and in the hold as cargo.
Recuperation
If your French Bulldog has to undergo surgery or becomes sick and has to spend time in a veterinary hospital, he will spend time in a crate. So, if your pet is already familiar with spending time confined to a crate, he will find the whole experience much less traumatic.
When your dog comes home, the most peaceful, comfortable place for him to recuperate is in his familiar, safe den.
Are French Bulldogs Easy to Crate Train?
French Bulldogs are reasonably smart, obliging pups that are pretty easy to crate train even as adults.
The key to successful crate training is to be patient and consistent and to use positive reinforcement training methods.
How To Crate Train a French Bulldog
This section of our guide explains how you can crate train your French Bulldog.
1. Prepare Your Frenchie’s Crate
First of all, you need to buy a crate that’s the correct size for your pet.
The crate should be big enough to allow your dog to stand upright and sit down without his ears touching the crate roof. The pup must also be able to turn around easily and stretch out on his side comfortably.
The ideal size of a crate for a standard-size French Bulldog is:
30” L x 19” W x 21” H
Fit the crate with a cozy fleece blanket or crate mat, place it in a peaceful place where it’s out of direct sunlight and away from drafts, and wedge the door open.
2. Prepare Yourself
Before you begin every training session, you need to feel calm and relaxed. Dogs pick up on their handler’s feelings quickly; if you feel stressed or worried about crating your pet, he will sense that.
3. Prepare Your French Bulldog
If your dog bounces with excess energy, they won’t be easy to crate train!
Before you start each training session, take your Frenchie for a walk, enjoy a game of frisbee or tug-of-war in your back garden, or take your pet to the dog park for a romp with his canine chums.
4. Make the Crate a Positive, Happy Place
Your French Bulldog must view his crate as somewhere he can be relaxed and happy. You can create that feel-good vibe by putting a few treats near the open crate door and placing a tempting toy or two inside.
Praise your dog immediately when he ventures into the crate to grab a treat or pick up his toys.
5. Entice Your French Bulldog into His Crate
As soon as your Frenchie is confident approaching the open crate, start putting lots of treats and toys inside.
Often, a dog will be tempted to go right into the crate if you put his food bowl inside the open crate door. Once your pet realizes that the crate is a treat-tastic, toy-packed place, he will most likely go inside willingly and happily.
6. Shut the Crate Door
Once your dog is confident to go inside the crate to get some treats or play with his toys, you can close the door for a few seconds. Be ready to open the door again right away so that your pet doesn’t start to panic or become stressed.
Keep repeating that process until the dog remains calm when you shut the door. As your training sessions progress, you can slowly increase the time you keep the door closed. Eventually, you should be able to leave the door closed for an hour or so with your furry friend contained inside.
Don’t Panic!
Not every French Bulldog takes to being crated immediately. Don’t force the issue if your dog begins to get stressed or panics when you close the door. Let your dog out of the crate without making a fuss, take a break for a game, and then begin the process again.
Don’t think you’ve failed if you experience a few setbacks, especially if you’re trying to crate-train an older Frenchie. Take things slowly, go back a few steps if you need to, and start over if you must.
Of course, some dogs simply refuse to accept being crated. If your French Bulldog falls into that category, you’ll need to consider alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I crate train my French Bulldog?
Crate training your French Bulldog can provide a secure and comfortable den for your pet, a safe space in emergency situations, a convenient and safe way to travel, and a peaceful place for recuperation if your pet becomes sick or undergoes surgery.
Are French Bulldogs easy to crate train?
French Bulldogs are reasonably smart and obliging dogs that are generally easy to crate train, even as adults. The key to successful crate training is to be patient, consistent, and to use positive reinforcement methods.
What size crate should I get for my French Bulldog?
A standard-size French Bulldog will need a crate that is 30″ L x 19″ W x 21″ H, big enough to allow the dog to stand upright and sit down without their ears touching the crate roof, turn around easily and stretch out on their side comfortably.
How can I crate train my French Bulldog?
Crate training your French Bulldog involves preparing the crate, yourself and the dog, making the crate a positive experience by using treats and praise, gradually increasing the amount of time your dog spends in the crate, and consistently reinforcing the training.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this guide to crate training your French Bulldog. If you did, please remember to share it! The key to successful crate training is to proceed slowly, be patient and consistent, and use positive reinforcement training techniques. If your dog gets upset or anxious, stop what you’re doing, take a break, and go back a few steps until your pet.