Bichon Frise Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

Bichon Frises are one of the most beloved dogs for their easy trainability, gentle-mannered nature, and adorable face. But dynamite comes in small packages, and although the Bichon Frise’s appearance is small, its personality is anything but. Many owners assume these little lap dogs don’t require training, which is not the case.

Are you curious about how to train your Bichon Frise puppy? What are the best tips and tricks for training Bichon Frise dogs? Find out everything you need to know here!

Should I Train My Bichon Frise?

The Bichon is a people pleaser and lover of attention. Not only will training promote good behaviour, but your Bichon will enjoy it. Moreover, training helps establish you as the pack leader, which is key in ensuring your dog doesn’t develop “small dog syndrome”.

Small dog syndrome can manifest into excessive barking, jumping up at people, begging for food, disobeying commands, and displaying aggression towards other pets.

So, should you train your Bichon? Yes! Not only will it make your life easier, but it will build confidence, provide mental stimulation, and strengthen your and your pooches’ bond.
 

Are Bichon Frises Easy To Train?

Driven by a desire to please their owners, Bichon Frises is highly intelligent and easy to train. However, Bichons are notoriously difficult to housebreak, and this is why house training should begin the moment you bring your Bichon puppy home.
 

What Kind Of Training Does A Bichon Frise Need?

Housebreaking Bichon Frise puppies is no simple task; it requires both crate and potty training. Another type of training that is beneficial is crate training.

To achieve these types of training, Bichons need gentle guidance and positive reinforcement. Scolding and punishing your Bichon will only result in pushback.

With a puppy many dog owners tend to shy away from being harsh and allow their pup to do as it pleases. That said, teaching your Bichon to respect you is an essential part of training. Without respect, small breeds can become a nuisance in your home.
 

Toilet Training A Bichon Frise Puppy

No one wants their house to smell like their dog’s toilet. It’s frustrating to clean and even more so when it’s a never-ending occurrence. Potty training should be a top priority for all Bichon owners.

When to start toilet training your Bichon Frise puppy

Potty training should begin the moment you bring your new puppy home. Bichon Frise puppies need to urinate once every 20-30 minutes, so you should begin potty training them as soon as possible.

How to toilet train your Bichon Frise puppy?

There are many ways to potty train your Bichon Frise puppy. The best are crate training, potty pads, or a dog door. Try taking your puppy outside regularly to establish a good routine.

Be gentle with them. Accidents happen, and when your Bichon does its business in the wrong place, say a firm “No” and place them where they’re meant to go. After all, they’re just puppies and don’t yet know whether your expensive carpet or their potty pads are the right place to go.
 

Crate Training Your Bichon Frise

Although many owners may be wary or feel guilty when introducing their pets to crate training, a small space for your dog helps them feel comfortable. To them, a crate is a safe space and reprieve from the rest of your home.

Why is it important to crate-train your Bichon Frise puppy?

Dog trainers praise the importance of crate training your pup as it not only provides them with a place of comfort but it makes housebreaking much easier. It also establishes a good routine for your puppy when it’s time to do their business.

When to start crate training your Bichon Frise puppy

This can begin as soon as your puppy arrives at its new home. Do this in short intervals. A Bichon Frise puppy should never stay in their crate for long periods of time as these dogs are prone to separation anxiety.

How to crate train your Bichon Frise puppy

1. Choose the right size. Your Bichon’s crate should be big enough for them to move around comfortably in.
2. Make it comfortable. Lay down your dog’s comfortable bedding to make it a welcoming space. Place the crate in an area where your dog and the family would generally spend the most time.
3. Tempt them with treats. Nothing encourages your dog to do something as much as giving them treats. Throw a few treats in and around the crate to help them have a positive association with the crate.
4. Move their food bowl into the crate. Once your Bishon is more comfortable with the crate, move their feeding bowl into it so they can start getting used to eating inside it. When they’ve eaten a few meals in the crate, you can attempt to close them in for short periods. Make sure when you do this, you are nearby so they don’t start to panic.
5. Slowly increase their time in the crate. As your dog progresses, you can slowly extend the amount of time they spend in their crate till eventually you’ll be able to leave them for a few hours by themselves.

Always remember that your dog’s crate is a way to manage behaviour and should not be used as a punishment.

Pros and cons of crate training

If not used wisely, a crate can become more of a con than a pro. It’s important that when you introduce a crate to your Bichon Frise, you’re choosing one that is ventilated and has a good amount of space.

Cons:

• It can cause physical frustration and emotional stress to your pup if left in its crate for too long.
• It can be dangerous for your dog if it’s poorly assembled and not well-ventilated.

Pros:

• It can hone your dog’s den instincts
• Keep them away from any harmful substances
• It aids in potty training.

Can I Train My Bichon Frise To Do Tricks?

Bichons are born entertainers, and their high intelligence and playful nature make them energetic pups who are eager to please their owners.

These small dogs can become experts with tricks. After all, they are show dogs.

First, teach your Bichon basic commands like sit, stay, and lie down. Use a good tone of voice and hand gestures. Reward your Bichon with a treat after each command.
 

Tips For Training Your Bichon Frise

A crucial part of Bichon Frise training is how you speak to your dog because they’re linking action to words. Remain firm and remember that your Bichon is relying on you to be the pack leader.

Practice regularly and reward your Bichon after they’ve completed a command. Slowly but surely, you’re Bichon will be listening without the need for a treat.

How this dog behaves is determined by how you raise and train it. Send the right messages to your dog and correct bad behaviour.

Be consistent

Without regular play sessions and exercise, Bichons can quickly grow bored and destructive. By remaining consistent with training, you’ll be rewarded with a happy little dog that boasts good behaviour.

Positive reinforcement is key

Positive reinforcement encourages your Bichon to remain eager to learn and easy to train. Although it is important that you remain firm in the face of bad behaviour, yelling at your Bichon will only serve to upset them.

Avoid over-using treats

Treats can be great motivators, but over-using them can make your Bichon think that they’re in charge of you. You want to aim for your dog to engage in good behaviour without the promise of a treat.

Consider clicker training

Clicker training is a form of positive reinforcement in which you use a small mechanical noisemaker that makes a clicking sound to indicate to your dog exactly what behaviour they’re being rewarded for.

Clicker training, unlike other methods, focuses purely on what the dog is doing right. This should always be followed by a reward.
 

Final Thoughts on Training A Bichon Frise

The best way to avoid behaviour problems in the future is to start training your Bichon Frise puppy as soon as it arrives home. If you feel you’re not up for the task or don’t have the schedule for dog training, consider a dog trainer.

Bichon Frise dog training can be an incredibly rewarding and joyful experience. With the right balance of patience, determination, and love, you’ll ensure you and your Bichon live a happy and trouble-free life.