My puppy really doesn't like frenchies

[Girliefriendlikespuppies]

My 6 month old terrier cross puppy was rolled over by a boisterous French bulldog a couple of weeks ago and now seems to hate the breed!!

We've seen two since then and both times he was very aggressive towards them, growling and snarling. This is a side to him we've not seen at all before now, generally he's very laid back and loves everyone!

How do I handle this? Can I train him to at least ignore them?

[adaline]

I don't want it to become an big issue and we use a dog walker so it's important he gets on with all breeds.

I think the best you can hope for is tolerance - I think it's unrealistic when owners expect their dogs to get on with every dog they meet. As long as he doesn't display aggression is there a real problem?

[Girliefriendlikespuppies]

It's a shame as he has been great with other dogs apart from this particular breed in the last few weeks.

I don't want it to become an big issue and we use a dog walker so it's important he gets on with all breeds.

[OverByYer]

My terrier hates Frenchies and Pugs. I always cross the road if I see any approaching

[QuickstepQueen]

My dog hates flat faced breeds - all of them, after being attacked by one. Annoying because I tell the owners that he isn't happy but they insist their dog is a soppy dog - their dog isn't the problem until they allow it to approach my dog.

[RoombaSavedMySanity]

Just to add to adaline's excellent avice, don't be too hung up about getting a sit. The sit itself can (for some dogs) be punishing because it is not a natural stance when faced with something worrying - some dogs prefer to remain on thier feet because instinct tells them that's safer.

Some dogs do sit happily for the process but if yours doesn't, don't worry too much about it. The important bit is that she is kept relaxed so that she can start to associate frenchies with good things (treats).

[SlothMama]

If you can find a friendly one do lots of positive association with that one. Eventually they’ll learn they aren’t all bad

[adaline]

I read somewhere once that lots of dogs dislike squash-faced breeds like Frenchies and pugs because it's hard to read their body language - especially as they often don't have tails as well.

The same goes for black dogs.

[Girliefriendlikespuppies]

Thank you, will work on treating him to ignore/focus on me. They're quite a hard breed to avoid as they seem to be everywhere at the minute!!

[adaline]

Can you try some positive association?

So whenever you see a dog like that, get your dogs attention and get him into a sit, then click and treat. If you have a friend who has a Frenchie you could maybe ask them to help with this.

Ours used to be quite leash reactive (and still can be) but I can now distract him into a sit with a treat even at 50cm and he'll be fine and ignore the other dog. It's taken over 12 months to get to this point so it's not a quick fix but it has worked :)

He became reactive after he was attacked by another dog. He still doesn't like that dog (who's unfortunately our neighbours' dog) but he's fine with other dogs now.

[Floralnomad]

My terrier is like that with staffys and bulldogs , both dogs that have attacked him previously I’m just extra careful if I see any . I have found some nice staffys and introduced him and that has helped a bit but I’ve not yet located another bulldog to try the same approach .

[Yokohamajojo]

Mine was the same with Husky's and GSD's but is getting better. Best to avoid for a while. If you see one, walk the other way and if you are at a distance where your dog doesn't react while seeing a frenchie, treat him and walk away.