French Bulldogs are highly food-motivated, which makes them great students! However, their sensitive stomachs and tendency to gain weight mean you must choose their rewards carefully.
1. The “Less is More” Rule
A treat should be no larger than the size of a pea. For a puppy, the reward is about the smell and the praise, not the volume of food.
- Pro Tip: During the first 2 weeks, use pieces of their regular Authority® dry kibble as treats. This prevents digestive upset while they are still adapting to their new home.
2. Healthy & Safe Options
Once your puppy has settled in, you can introduce these safe, low-calorie rewards:
- Fresh Veggies: Small pieces of crunchy carrots or green beans (great for teething!).
- Fruits: Tiny slices of apple (no seeds!) or blueberries.
- Single-Ingredient Treats: Freeze-dried liver or salmon bits are excellent for high-stakes training.
3. Training Rewards
Use “High-Value” treats only for important lessons like potty training or learning “Sit/Stay.”
- Keep it balanced: Treats should never make up more than 10% of your puppy’s total daily calorie intake.
4. The “NO” List (Toxic & Dangerous)
Never give your Frenchie the following, as they can be fatal or cause severe illness:
- Chocolate & Caffeine: Toxic to the heart and nervous system.
- Grapes & Raisins: Can cause sudden kidney failure.
- Onions & Garlic: Damage red blood cells.
- Xylitol: A sugar substitute found in some peanut butters and “sugar-free” snacks—extremely toxic.
- Cooked Bones: They can splinter and puncture the digestive tract.
5. Chewing for Health
Frenchies love to chew. Instead of rawhide (which is a choking hazard and hard to digest), look for:
- Bully Sticks (natural and fully digestible).
- Rubber KONG toys stuffed with a little bit of their wet food and frozen.
Breed-Specific Advice: Always supervise your puppy when they have a chew toy or a treat. Because of their flat faces, Frenchies can sometimes swallow large pieces without chewing properly, which can lead to choking.