French Bulldogs make great city dogs due, in large part, to their attitude. They take a lot of things in stride, love people, and demand being the center of the attention. Frenchies can be seen riding on the backs of motorcycles, sitting on buses, and happily jaunting down a busy city sidewalk.
All this robust behavior, however, does not mean they never get frightened. All animals get nervous or stressed at some point. Knowing when your Frenchie is anxious about something is part of helping them live their best lives. Here are 5 signs your French Bulldog is stressed that you should know.
#1 – Whale Eye
“Whale eye” is when the white in your dog’s eye – around the iris – is visible. With many French Bulldogs, their eyes will actually bulge out. This is a definite sign that he is stressed or anxious. Since some Frenchies have eyes that naturally protrude out more due to their face shape, some may show a bit of white even when they are perfectly relaxed. Pay attention to what your Frenchie’s eyes look like when he is relaxed so you can notice the change.
#2 – Won’t Eat
If you train using positive reinforcement (or just happen to be feeding him) and your French Bulldog is not interested in the food that he normally inhales, something is up. Barring any medical reasons, he is probably stressed or anxious. Change the environment so he is more comfortable and then he will eat.
#3 – Yawning & Panting
Yawning in humans is a strange thing that isn’t really understood. In dogs, yawning can actually mean they are stressed! Yawning is a way your French Bulldog may try and relieve anxiety. Excessive panting when they are not warm often accompanies yawning and is another sign of stress.
#4 – Whining
A stressed French Bulldog will often whine. Some will pace, and some will stay in one spot. If your dog is whining and you know he doesn’t have to go outside to go potty, he may be stressed.
#5 – Cowering
French Bulldogs who are stressed will often try and find a place to hide. They may cower behind your feet with their body hunched over or try to hide under furniture. Some Frenchies may even duck under their owner’s arm if they are being held.
Frequently Ask Questions:
French Bulldog breed dogs are often well-behaved, bright, playful, enthusiastic, and amicable. You might want to consider a Frenchie as your first dog if you have never owned a dog before. However, the breed can be hypersensitive from a young age and into adulthood. Get the information and answers you need to understand French Bulldogs and their stress levels to cope with your current dog or decide if you want a bulldog as your next pet.
How Do You Treat Anxiety In French Bulldogs?
Some dogs are more predisposed to anxiousness and stress than others, just as every human is different. Because of their endearing personality and compact size, French bulldogs (Frenchies) have recently become a popular choice for household pets. But they have characteristics that make them vulnerable to stress.
Due to their diminutive size, they are especially vulnerable to harm when interacting with larger dogs. Getting your puppy used to being around other dogs as early as possible is ideal, but it is never too late to start! As their caretaker, keep an eye on their behavior, looking for signs of anxiety.
Many common practices, such as rewarding the dog for excellent behavior, can help alleviate anxiety in bulldogs. Do not forget that treats count toward their daily calorie allotment. If your Frenchie has difficulty adjusting to your absence, you should try convincing him or her that your leaving is part of the daily routine through training.
What Causes Anxiety In French Bulldogs?
French Bulldog puppies are hypersensitive even at a young age. Puppies do not adapt well to new situations, but they may stay anxious even into their adult lives. French Bulldogs are prone to stress and anxiety. Often the causes are as simple as sensitivity to loud noise, and they may even hear noises you cannot hear. They are also prone to separation anxiety as they are social.
Next, anxiety may be brought on by stress. If you have recently changed jobs, relocated, or welcomed a new family member into the home, your Frenchie may be distressed by the disruption to their routine. Rescued or abused puppies may experience PTSD from their previous lifestyle.
Can French Bulldogs Have Panic Attacks?
Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, are sudden, severe episodes of fear or panic. Indeed, it is possible that they will appear out of nowhere in your Frenchie but usually for a blatant cause. Additionally, long periods spent alone at home can cause anxiety attacks in your Frenchie. Your dog probably thinks you will not return, which is why he is acting up.
A dog’s heart rate and breathing may speed up during a panic attack. It is possible he will begin shivering or gasping for air. This has the potential to be a truly terrifying ordeal. The good news is that panic attacks do not typically last too long, and a little attention can soothe them quickly.
Do French Bulldogs Have Separation Anxiety?
French Bulldogs, like many other small dog breeds, can suffer greatly from separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. French Bulldogs are known to form strong attachments to their owners and do poorly when left alone for several hours. They prefer to socialize with other people all day, whether they are at home or out and about.
Due to their clingy nature, French Bulldogs are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety than other dog breeds. They are not the type of dog that can be left at home alone for extended periods because they were developed to be with humans. French bulldogs thrive when they get to spend lots of time with their owners, and they will be miserable if you have to spend most of the day at work and leave them alone. Having a Frenchie could dampen your lifestyle.
How Do I Relax My French Bulldog?
It is possible to effectively diagnose, treat, and prevent your Frenchies anxiety with the help of a variety of calming products and behavior modification strategies. For French Bulldogs, this translates to playtime with a generous supply of toys. These dogs benefit greatly from the socialization and playtime opportunities provided by boarding facilities and doggy daycares. Keep in mind that letting your pet enjoy some unsupervised time in the backyard is a great way to reduce tension.
Do French Bulldogs Get Stressed Easily?
Puppy French Bulldogs often exhibit signs of stress. Anxious or stressed-out French Bulldog puppies may be more likely to exhibit a variety of behavioral issues later on in life. Furthermore, treatment can be challenging as it’s often hard to determine what is causing the dog’s distress. In many cases, it comes down to a lack of understanding of how to communicate with your dog. Understanding your dog’s nonverbal cues can help keep her content and relaxed.
Puppies of the French Bulldog breed that are under stress experience both mental and physical distress. The high levels of cortisol in an anxious puppy’s body can lead to digestive problems. The immune system is suppressed, which results in more frequent illnesses, and dogs may become overweight because they lose their appetite when they are stressed. The difficulty of treating anxiety is compounded by the fact that some anxious or nervous dogs are also more likely to develop allergies.
Do Frenchies Hold Grudges?
Dog owners may believe their Frenchie has held a grudge because they went for a walk without them or for some other innocent reason. However, these dogs just do not have it in them to harbor ill will because of their limited recall time; they are unable to dwell on unpleasant recollections. However, they may associate negative emotions with specific events, which may cause them to act in ways leading owners to believe they are holding a grudge.
What Not To Do With A French Bulldog?
Avoid leaving your Frenchie home alone for long hours. These are social dogs who crave attention. Consider keeping a second dog or even a cat, so your bulldog does not feel abandoned when you go to work. Also, do not ignore separation anxiety, as it could lead to worsening behavior and even health problems.
Additionally, avoid giving in to begging. French bulldogs have big expressive eyes ready to charm you to their desires. Resist! Giving in to those pleading puppy eyes by sharing your meal will only encourage more pleading. They will stop begging long enough to wolf down their food, then resume with renewed vigor once they are done. They are now aware that you are a potential food source for them.
How Do I Know If My French Bulldog Is Depressed?
When your Frenchie feels down, he or she may hide, cringe, and wiggle around uncomfortably. With most Frenchies, these are the earliest indicators of trouble. A depressed French bulldog will typically withdraw from you out of fear. This is a normal reaction for a dog going through a confusing or stressful situation or one that represents a significant change in the dog’s life. Your French bulldog may go into hiding for any of these additional reasons.
When your French bulldog is feeling down, it will lick himself excessively as if he has a wound. Licking is a common sign of sadness. When your French bulldog licks itself excessively, it may be a sign that the dog is depressed and is seeking comfort through this behavior. Track the liking, though, as there may be a more serious underlying cause if the licking is excessive.
Do French Bulldogs Get Sad?
The bottom line is that French bulldogs will often experience feelings of melancholy following significant life events or transitions. Most of the time, they will not be sad for very long, and if you show them love and care, they will be back to being their cheerful selves in no time.
