You may wonder, “Is my French Bulldog potty trained before joining me in my home?” The answer is yes and no. We use a litter box filled with recycled newspaper pellets to train our Frenchie pups. The box is placed in their area around 4-5 weeks old and they are encouraged to use it. This method works great and we encourage you to continue using it until they have their full series of shots as puppy diseases like parvo can hide out in the ground. Place the box next to the door so it’s an easy transition for them. 

You may have reasons for continuing to use this system. 

• You may live in an apartment and getting your pup out in time may be a bit of a hassle. 
• One may be leery of taking the pup outside when they have to go in the middle of the night. 
• You may have mobility issues and taking your pup outside just isn’t feasible. 
• You may work long shifts and need a space for them to relieve themselves while you’re away. 
• When you have in climate weather this may be a back up method for your pup. 
• You may have a busy schedule.
• Or you may just want to because this method would work best for you. 

5 Easy Steps We Use-French Bulldog Potty Trained-Litter Box

1. Find a location. Choose a spot for your litter box. This needs to be away from the where he sleeps and eats. If you plan on keeping you pup in a playpen while away longer than he could hold it, place the litter box as far away from their sleeping area and food & water as possible. You may think about adding two boxes. One in the playpen and one where he has access to outside of the playpen. If you are using this as an interim until your pup receives shots, a good place to place the box is next to the door. This makes an easy transition to taking your pup outside to potty when they are ready to do so. 
2. Create a routine. Place your pup in the litter box and tell them “go potty” after he wakes up in the morning, after eating & drinking, after playing hard, and after getting up from a nap. You may consider setting a timer for every hour and increase the time until he is trained. Be consistent with the command you use. Go pee sounds different than go potty. Chose one. 
3. Give positive reinforcement. When your pup potties or poos in the box give lots of praise using the proper voice inflection. 
4. Celebrate. When your Frenchie pup easily goes in the litter box  shower him with praise and love so he knows it’s a positive experience to go in the box. 
5. Be patient. Accidents are likely to happen. When this occurs, clean it up, increase the positive reinforcement, and adjust your timer to take your pup to the box more often. 

Items needed to litter box train French Bulldogs

1. A litter box with a lip to allow easy entry into the box. 
2. Pellets or pee pads for the box. 
3. A scoop to remove waste. 

Order Potty training on Amazon:* litter box, Pellets, Scoop

There are several different types of pellets for litter box training. You can even use pee pads. Personally, I really don’t care for pee pads. The pups tear them up, they are a choking hazard, and terrible for the environment. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll be using recycled newspaper pellets. The wood pellets could potentially be toxic to your pup if they eat them. You have to remember as a pup everything is fun including playing in the pellets and chomping on them. Newspaper is the safest and most eco-friendly option. If you have access to a Tractor Supply Story you can get the best deal on the newspaper pellets for horses. It’s fine it doesn’t say dog as they are the same thing. I’ll tell you a litter secret. Anything that’s packaged for dogs they increase the price even though it’s identical. You can also purchase the pellets at a pet store or online here via Amazon. Order the biggest bag as you will go through it quickly. 

Directions on how to use the litter box. 

1. Spread 1-3 inches of pellets evenly over the bottom of the litter box. 
2. Remove soiled litter with a scoop daily. I do this anytime I see poo. 
3. Refill with new litter. I suggest cleaning it weekly with soap and warm water. 

Please remember that when a pup comes into your home you will need to establish his potty training habits. Congrats on your new Frenchie pup and good luck on litter training French Bulldogs. I believe you will be happy with the results. 

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Looking for a Frenchie pup? Make sure to get The Ultimate Guide in Adopting a French Bulldog.

Follow us on Instagram as she posts lots of stuff with me in it.

Read more about my other Frenchie friends!

Bubbles

Maddie

Lestina

Nacho

Jewel

When bringing your Frenchie home make sure to teach your French Bulldog to come. It may be cute to watch your little one run away while you chase him and scoop him in your arms. But what you are teaching him is it’s OK to run away from you. This won’t be cute when he is 20+lbs and a lot faster than you or when there’s a car coming and it’s a life and death matter for him to listen. I suggest you and everyone in the household start as soon as your pup arrives and I’ll give you some pointers. I am by no means a certified dog trainer as of yet. You never know when or if I will do so as I am a learner and love to collect certifications. 🙂 I will give you best practices in my almost 40 years of being born into the dog breeding world. 

First, Frenchies are a braceycephalic breed. This means they have a short nose. Everyone talks about the disadvantages of this with their breathing but did you know it’s actually a benefit for them in receiving visual cues from you? Those wide eyes and short noses allow them to see your cues better and do the command you are visually cueing them to do. Every since I learned this, almost 20 years ago, I’ve incorporated visual cues into my communications with my flat nosed friends and it works. 

With almost every command, I start with a snap, cue with my finger , and state the command with my voice. The snap alerts him that you are about to give a command which gives him the opportunity to listen to your voice and/or look to your hand for the cue.

Teach your French Bulldog to come

1. Put a leash and collar on your Frenchie. 
2. Go down to his level. Snap. Point Finger towards yourself.  Pull on leash while saying come. 
3. When he gets to you reward him with praise, pets, and if desired a healthy treat. 

Once he’s mastered the leash, remove it and practice in a safe enclosed environment.

Treats or No Treats? 

I typically do not use treats as I believe my love and praise should be all they need but I totally get why you would want to use a treat. You will need to practice your own reward system that works for you and your pup.

In real life, when you tell your pup to come and he just looks at you like you are crazy you have to do something about it. I go directly to them and pull them back to where they were supposed to come. Then I give praise and love like they did what I said. The dragging shouldn’t be fun but shouldn’t harm them in any way either.  I can allow my Frenchies outside with me now, snap my fingers, and tell them to come. They listen which is an important aspect of safety. Make the time to go practice the come command with your Frenchie.

Looking for a Frenchie pup? Make sure to get The Ultimate Guide in Adopting a French Bulldog.

Follow us on Instagram as she posts lots of stuff with me in it.

Read more about my other Frenchie friends!

Bubbles

Maddie

Lestina

Nacho

Jewel