French Bulldogs are adorable and affectionate companions, but like any other dog, they can develop undesirable habits, such as peeing inside the house. You are not alone if you are a Frenchie parent struggling with this problem. House soiling is common among dogs, and Frenchies are no exception.
As a responsible dog owner, it is important to understand why your French Bulldog is peeing in the house and how you can stop this behaviour.
Why Does My French Bulldog Keep Peeing in the House?
They are loyal, playful, and affectionate but also known to be stubborn and difficult to train. One of the most common behavioural problems French Bulldog owners face is house soiling.
1. Lack of Housetraining
One of the most common reasons for a French Bulldog peeing in the house is a lack of proper housetraining. If your Frenchie hasn’t been trained to go outside to do their business, they won’t know any better and will go wherever they please inside the house. Housetraining is a process that takes time and patience, and it’s important to be consistent with your training techniques.
2. Medical Issues
Sometimes, peeing in the house can indicate an underlying medical issue. Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and other health problems can cause your French Bulldog to have accidents in the house.
If your dog suddenly has accidents after being housetrained, it’s best to take them to the vet to rule out any medical issues.
3. Anxiety or Stress
French Bulldogs can be sensitive and anxious dogs and changes in their environment can trigger stress and anxiety. If your dog is feeling stressed or anxious, it may start peeing in the house as a way to cope.
Common triggers for anxiety in Frenchies include changes in routine, loud noises, and separation anxiety.
4. Territorial Marking
Another reason why French Bulldogs may pee in the house is territorial Marking. This behaviour is more common in male dogs and is a way for them to mark their territory and establish dominance. This behaviour can also occur if your Frenchie smells the scent of another dog in the house or yard.
5. Lack of Access to Outside
If your French Bulldog doesn’t have access to go outside to do their business, they will naturally start using the inside of the house as a bathroom. It’s important to ensure that your Frenchie has regular outdoor access, especially during housetraining.
6. Ageing
As French Bulldogs age, they may start losing control of their bladder and having accidents in the house. This is more common in senior dogs and may require additional training and care.
How do I stop my French Bulldog from peeing inside?
This behaviour can be frustrating and even unsanitary. Still, the good news is that it is possible to stop your French Bulldog from peeing inside with some patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement.
1. Create a designated potty area
The first step to preventing your Frenchie from peeing inside is creating a designated potty area. This can be a specific spot in your yard or a nearby park. Take your dog to this area frequently, especially after meals and naps.
Consider using a product like Simple Solution Pee Post Outdoor Potty Training Aid to make the potty area more appealing to your Frenchie. You can place this stake in the ground and spray it with a scent that attracts your dog to pee in that spot.
2. Keep a consistent schedule
Consistency is key when it comes to potty training. Try to take your Frenchie outside simultaneously every day so they know when to expect a potty break. This can also help prevent accidents inside, as your dog will learn to hold their bladder until it’s time to go outside.
3. Supervise your Frenchie
Until your Frenchie is fully potty trained, it’s important to supervise them at all times when they’re inside. Keep them in a crate or playpen when you can’t keep an eye on them, and use baby gates to block off areas where you don’t want them to go.
If you catch your Frenchie starting to pee inside, interrupt them by clapping your hands or making a loud noise. Then, quickly take them outside to their designated potty area.
4. Use a urine odour eliminator
Even with the best potty training, accidents can still happen. If your Frenchie does pee inside, cleaning it up thoroughly is important to prevent them from using that spot again.
Use a urine odour eliminator like Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator. This product is designed to break down urine enzymes, eliminating odours and stains.
5. Consider using pee pads
If you live in an apartment or don’t have easy access to a potty area outside, pee pads can be a helpful tool. Use them in a specific area of your home and slowly move them closer and closer to the door over time. This can help your Frenchie learn to associate that area with potty time.
Consider using products like the Bulldogology Premium Puppy Pee Pads. These pads are extra absorbent and have a built-in attractant scent to encourage your Frenchie to use them.
How do you discipline a French Bulldog for peeing in the house?
Having a dog that pees in the house can be frustrating, and addressing the issue is essential before it becomes a habit. When disciplining a dog for peeing inside, it’s crucial to remember that punishment is not the answer. Instead, it’s about positive reinforcement and consistent training.
Here are some disciplinary actions that you can take to help your dog learn to pee outside:
1. Supervise your dog
Supervising your dog from peeing inside the house is one of the best ways to prevent it. If you catch your dog in the act of peeing inside, interrupt them by clapping your hands or making a loud noise.
This will startle them and stop them from continuing. Immediately take them outside to their designated potty spot, and when they finish peeing outside, praise them for doing a good job.
2. Establish a routine
Dogs thrive on routine, so it’s essential to establish a consistent potty routine for your dog. Take them out to pee first thing in the morning, after meals, before bed, and whenever they signal that they need to go out. This consistency will help your dog understand when it’s time to go outside and will help prevent accidents inside the house.
3. Use positive reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train your dog. When your dog pees outside, reward them with praise, treats, and affection. This positive feedback will help reinforce good behaviour and encourage your dog to continue peeing outside.
4. Clean up accidents
If your dog does pee inside the house, cleaning it up thoroughly is essential to prevent it from reusing that spot. Use a pet-specific cleaner designed to eliminate the odour and stain of urine. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners, as the smell can resemble urine and encourage your dog to pee in that spot again.
5. Consistency is key
Consistency is crucial when disciplining your dog for peeing inside the house. It would be best to be consistent with your potty routine, positive reinforcement, and clean-up. Dogs thrive on routine and consistency; creating an environment where your dog knows what to expect is essential.
How long can a French Bulldog hold their bladder?
It is important to understand that the amount of time a French Bulldog can hold their bladder varies based on several factors. These factors include the dog’s age, size, health, diet, and activity level. Generally speaking, adult French Bulldogs can hold their bladder for around 4-6 hours, while puppies may need to go every 1-2 hours.
1. Age and Size
Younger French Bulldogs have less bladder control than adult dogs. Puppies under six months old may need to go outside as often as every hour, while adult Frenchies can usually go 4-6 hours between bathroom breaks.
Additionally, smaller dogs, like French Bulldogs, may have smaller bladders and must go more frequently.
2. Health
French Bulldogs with certain health conditions may have difficulty holding their bladder harder. For example, dogs with bladder infections or stones may need to urinate more frequently due to discomfort or pain.
Other health issues that can impact bladder control include diabetes, Cushing’s disease, and kidney disease.
3. Diet
Diet can also influence how often a French Bulldog needs to go outside. Feeding your dog a diet high in water content, such as wet food, can increase their need to urinate more frequently. On the other hand, a diet high in salt can make your dog more thirsty, leading to more frequent urination.
4. Activity Level
The activity level of your French Bulldog can also impact your bladder control. If your dog is highly active, it may need to go outside more frequently than a more passive dog. This is because physical activity can increase blood flow and stimulate the bladder.
So, how can you tell when your French Bulldog needs to go outside? There are a few signs to look out for. These include:
- Whining or scratching at the door
- Sniffing or circling a specific area
- Pacing or restlessness
- Sudden changes in behaviour, such as becoming hyper or lethargic
It is important to note that accidents can still happen, even with the most well-trained French Bulldogs. Accidents may be more common if your dog has a medical condition affecting bladder control or is still potty trained. The key is to be patient and consistent in your training efforts.
At what age are Frenchies fully potty trained?
While some French Bulldogs may learn faster than others, it is generally safe to say that most Frenchies are fully potty trained by 6 months. The potty training process usually begins when the French Bulldog is still a young puppy. During this stage, the puppy must go outside frequently every 1-2 hours.
Establishing a consistent routine for taking the puppy outside, such as after meals, naps, and playtime, is important. Praise and reward your puppy when they go potty outside to reinforce the behaviour.
As the puppy grows and gains more control over their bladder, it can hold it for longer periods. This means that you can gradually increase the time between potty breaks. By the time the French Bulldog is 6 months old, they should be able to hold their bladder for up to 6 hours.
It is important to note that accidents can still happen, even with a fully potty-trained French Bulldog. This is especially true if the dog is experiencing a health issue, has changed its routine, or is in a new environment. Being patient and consistent with your training efforts is important to help prevent accidents.
Some tips for successful potty training of your French Bulldog include:
- Establish a consistent routine for taking your puppy outside
- Praise and reward your puppy when they successfully go potty outside
- Use a designated potty area to help reinforce the behaviour
- Keep an eye on your puppy’s behaviour and body language to anticipate when they need to go outside
- Clean up accidents immediately and use a pet odour neutralizer to discourage repeat accidents in the same area
Conclusion
A French Bulldog may pee in the house for various reasons, including health issues, lack of proper training, anxiety, and territorial Marking. As a responsible owner, it is crucial to identify the underlying cause of the behaviour and take the necessary steps to address it. This may involve consulting with a veterinarian, hiring a professional dog trainer, providing more exercise and mental stimulation, or implementing a consistent potty training routine.
With patience, understanding, and effort, it is possible to train a French Bulldog to go potty outside and have a happy, healthy, and well-behaved furry companion in the house.
