Trouble relaxing when not at home

TessH · Oct 23, 2017

Anyone else have a Frenchie that has a hard time settling down when they go to someone else's house? Any tips for helping them relax? My Rooney (age 1) 1) is just excited when we go places, if there is another dog it's worse. He will sprint around and chase. He has to be forced to take breaks and drink water. And this is within the first half hour of being somewhere. I'm always terrified he's going to overheat with how hard he plays. 2) Even if there isn't another dog he wanders around and can't just lay down or play with a toy. He won't even lay down if he's dead tired. And this is at places he's been to before. With the holidays coming up I'd like to figure out some new things to try. It's completely stressful to me and all our relatives and friends tease us about watching him so close but he really is a handful!

davidh · Oct 23, 2017

If he is still young, he should grow out of it. Try putting him on a leash to settle him down.

Frenchie Grrrl · Oct 24, 2017

Sounds like he's a little anxious, if he's not settling down when there aren't other dogs to play with. If you aren't already, I would bring his bed along, so he has a familiar area where he knows he can go to chill with a chew toy or bone. If you are already doing those things, I would look into some natural anxiety remedies, like a thunder shirt and essential oils.

2bullymama · Oct 26, 2017

Bulldogs in general can be OCD, and when out of their comfort zone they will get nervous and anxious. as avid suggested, place him on a leash and see if it helps settle then down.

Try to bring favorite toys or bones to help distract him too

Jakeyjake · Oct 26, 2017

I would see if a good long walk before hand would help tire him out a bit before you go.

TessH · Oct 27, 2017

Thanks for the ideas! He seems to have gotten more anxious with age. He used to be fine in the car and now sometimes he seems really anxious on a drive as well. It depends! The last time we went to a friend's being on leash seemed to help. I like the idea of a thunder jacket assuming it wouldn't make him too hot.