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How do you train a Bichon Frise?
Bichon Frises are easy to train pups and make an ideal dog for first-time owners. They’re eager to please and learn quickly, but can be a little harder to house train than other breeds.
Unleash your Bichon Frise’s potential with some fun training tips.
1. Be positive. Always use positive reinforcement by rewarding good behavior with lots of praise and tasty treats, such as these Turkey & Hemp Meaty Treats. Bichons are sweet souls who are quite sensitive, so they need gentle guidance instead of harsh correction.
2. Prevent Small Dog Syndrome. Don’t let them get away with unwanted behavior because they’re cute! This often happens with small, adorable pooches, and can cause them to develop unwanted behavioral issues. The Bichon Frise might try to test the limits of what they can get away with, so set boundaries and consistently enforce them, no matter how much they try to sway you.
3. Prioritise potty training. Bichon Frises need consistency when it comes to housetraining, so be sure to establish a routine for feeding times, potty breaks and playtime to help them understand what’s expected of them.
4. Socialise from the start. Socialisation is still crucial, even for the social butterfly Bichon Frise. Expose them to new people, children, dogs, animals, smells, and situations from an early age to help them become calm and confident canines.
5. Keep the barking at bay. Bichon Frises are alert little dogs who love to let you know when someone is at the door, which is great, but you don’t want them to become a yappy dog who loves the sound of their own voice. Teach them from a young age when it’s okay to bark and when it’s time to stop.
6. Do trick training. Channel their star quality by incorporating tricks into their obedience training. This breed loves to perform for their adoring fans, so teach them how to do ‘high five’, ‘roll over’ or ‘spin’ and prepare to be entertained!
7. Get them used to grooming. Frequently touch them around the ears, legs, undercarriage, mouth, and feet to help them become comfortable with being groomed and handled.
8. Be patient with their separation anxiety. While they should never be left alone for hours on end, you can help them be more comfortable with their own company by gradually increasing the amount of time you’re away from home. Start with small increments (e.g., 5-10 minutes) and make sure they have a toy or puzzle to keep them busy.
How much grooming do Bichon Frises need?
Bichon Frises have a thick, curly, high maintenance double coat with very low shedding, making them hypoallergenic and a paw-fect choice for some allergy sufferers. But this low-shedding coat comes at a cost…lots and lots of grooming! Here are some tips to help you learn how to groom a Bichon Frise.
- Brush their coat daily with a slicker brush to prevent their corkscrew curls from getting matted and tangled. This will also remove any dead hair in their undercoat that can also become matted.
- They should be professionally groomed every 4-6 weeks to maintain their powder puff coat. This will include a bath, haircut, nail trim and the opportunity for a groomer to spot anything that might need your vet’s attention.
- Bichon Frises tend to develop dark red tear stains around their eyes. Keep the hair around their eyes trimmed and clean, and wipe regularly. Use rounded scissors to trim.
- Their bright white coat might get dirty often on walks, so bathe them frequently using a dog-friendly shampoo. Don’t overdo it though, as too many baths can disrupt the Ph balance of their skin and cause allergies to flare up.
- Check their ears for signs of infection and clean regularly; use a soft cotton pad to gently wipe around the inner areas but don’t stick anything down their ear canal.
- Trim their nails every month if they don’t wear them down naturally. It’s important you know what you’re doing when it comes to nail trimming, so learn from a professional or let the groomers take care of it.
- Don’t forget their teeth and gums. Use a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent stinky breath.
- Give them a healthy dental stick once a day to keep the doggo dentist at bay!