_1777371728.png)
Having a fish tank and a dog in the same house could be the perfect recipe for disasters. Dogs are generally curious. And when it comes to breeds, French bulldogs are known to be some of the most curious ones, especially when they encounter new smells or situations that break their usual routine.
Having an aquarium could be a problem, especially if your Frenchie has access to it. Sure, you could keep the fish tank in a locked room, especially when not at home. However, most problems arise when you think nothing’s going to happen just because you’re at home.
From this point of view, it might be a good idea to focus on training your French bulldog instead. Luckily, there are some easy ways to get there. In this article, we will explore the best techniques to keep both your fish and your furniture safe.
The “Leave It” Command!
This is one of the first steps in the process, especially if your Frenchie shows great interest in the fish tank. Before even reaching out to a fish and coral store for fish and decorations, make sure the Frenchie gets familiar with the tank setup.
You need to start this training session away from the tank. In the beginning, the tank is seen as a low-value form of distraction. A treat should follow immediately if your French bulldog turns to you when you give the command. Perform this move a few times a day to build a strong reflexive response.
Every few days, get a bit closer to the tank. Again, whenever your furry friend responds to the command and looks away from the tank, there has to be a reward. It’s worth noting that your Frenchie’s interest may grow again once you bring the fish in, only because your furry friend will see some movement as well.
The idea is to send a very clear message to your French bulldog. It’s perfectly fine to look at the tank and acknowledge it. However, the focus should always come back to you. In fact, that’s what you’re trying to teach your Frenchie.
When your friend looks at the tank, mark the moment. You can give the command to leave it. You can say something else or just use a clicker. The moment your Frenchie looks back at you, there has to be a treat waiting.
It’s an active game that requires a bit more work than a simple training session. It’s a repetitive process that needs patience from you, especially if your French Bulldog is curious by nature and easily distracted by the light and bubbles.
Your Frenchie should be well secured during the initial interaction with the fish tank. You can keep your furry friend on a lead. This way, you’ll be able to prevent sudden pawing or lunging if it does occur. If your Frenchie becomes too excited, you should start moving away in a calm way until settled and only try again when they are in a submissive state.
Curious dogs are driven by more things. They see something interesting, so they’ll obviously be curious about it, especially if they’ve never seen it before. However, smell is the primary element driving dogs, so that’s what you have to keep under control to lower the overall stimulation.
From this point of view, you should always ensure that the tank is clean. Fish food should also be stored away so your Frenchie can’t smell it. It should be sealed in a container, way out of reach. All these odors could drag your furry friend to the area and cause them to investigate with their mouth.
Sometimes, curiosity is driven by a lack of alternatives. Basically, your French bulldog might feel bored. This way, your furry friend will start looking around for something interesting to do. To prevent these issues, ensure that your dog gets plenty of physical exercise during walks to drain their excess energy.
Mental stimulation is also important. There are all sorts of puzzle toys for dogs, for example.
Keeping your Frenchie active and entertained doesn’t mean that it’ll lose interest in the fish tank. However, it helps, since the fish tank is no longer the only source of attraction and entertainment in their daily environment.
Here are a few useful considerations when your bulldog seems interested in your fish tank:
You can keep the tank in a locked room so your Frenchie doesn’t have access to it. You can also use baby gates to keep dogs away from things without making them feel isolated.
Avoid keeping it close to furniture that could be used as a trampoline by active dogs.
While there will be times when you won’t be at home. In such cases, make sure the dog doesn’t have access to the area around the tank, only to avoid potential issues because of boredom.
In the end, training a French bulldog to be calm and peaceful around a fish tank can be a tricky job, especially since the breed is known for being very curious.
However, implementing the right techniques can ensure that your dog loses interest in the fish tank. Consistency is key when dealing with a breed as determined as a French Bulldog.
Are you looking for a well-behaved and healthy companion to join your family?
Get in touch with our BlueHaven French Bulldogs to find your perfect Frenchie puppy!
