Separation Anxiety in French Bulldogs

As a Frenchie owner, we probably appreciate it when our pup misses us when we leave them…But, for some French Bulldogs this turns into a great level of distress. It’s crucial to help a Frenchie with separation anxiety so that they aren’t behaving destructively or causing harm to themselves or their home when you are gone.

There is a number of techniques to use to train a dog or to help a Frenchie already experiencing separation anxiety and there’s help out there when the issue needs further assistance.

What is Separation Anxiety in French Bulldogs?

Separation anxiety is when your Frenchie experiences distress when you are away. Dogs typically experience this immediately or soon after you leave them. While some Frenchies may suffer from separation anxiety, others may not. There’s no known reason why some dogs do and some don’t (other than obvious situations such as a new home, new family, or new illness).

Signs your Frenchie has Anxiety

You will likely be able to tell if your Frenchie suffers from separation anxiety. Becoming aware of this is the first step to help a dog with separation anxiety.

Look for these signs:

• Using the bathroom in their crate or in your home when you leave (especially if it’s only for a short time)

• Excessive barking or howling

• Destructive behaviors like chewing, digging, or tearing things up

• Escaping from the area they are confined to

• Shaking or shivering

• Seemingly uneasy right before you leave them

It is very likely that before you leave your Frenchie and/or when you return they are displaying behaviors that one would display when severely stressed.

Ways to Calm your Frenchie

Your Scent

Leaving items with your scent on them can provide comfort to your dog when you are away, especially if they are in a crate. You could leave a shirt or scarf you’ve worn that still has your scent.

Exercise

An excellent trick to help a dog with separation anxiety is to exercise them before you leave. If your Frenchie is tired and doesn’t have too much energy, there’s a better chance of them relaxing while you are away. Make sure to set aside some time to take them out of have extra play time.

Treats and Toys

Treats and toys help any situation! Provide treats before you go so that your dog has something to be excited about. Toys will also give your dog something to do while you are away.

Ensure that the toys you leave for your Frenchie are safe.

TV or Sound

A final thing to try is to leave the T.V. on or play music when you leave. The noise can sometimes comfort and calm dogs and help them feel like they’re not alone. I recommend a movie something with animals. That was seemed to work wonders for me.

Have Empathy

Empathy may be the most important technique to help a Frenchie with separation anxiety. It’s essential to understand that your dog is not intentionally acting out and that punishment is far from helpful. A Frenchie’s behavior due to separation anxiety can be extremely frustrating, but reprimanding your pup for misbehaving will only amplify their distress.

It’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all, immediate solution to fixing your Frenchie’s separation anxiety. You will likely have to try several different methods to find one that will work the best for your pet.

You can always talk to your vet if you find yourself hitting a wall, but with some patience, knowledge, and a little creativity, you should be able to find a way to help ease your Frenchie’s separation anxiety.