Are Bichons Frises Good with Other Dogs?

Bichon World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This post may also contain other affiliate links and Bichon World might be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on them.

Are Bichons Frises Good with Other Dogs?As you may have guessed, the bichon frise has its roots in Europe and particularly France from the 16th Century with the name roughly translating to ‘curly lap dog’. They are small dogs with a fluffy snow-white coat with generally round faces and a tail that curls backwards over the body. Their jet black eyes and noses stand out against the pure white coat and are a distinctive feature of the breed.

Bichon frise are known as intelligent and playful dogs and are suited to being indoors. They have a spirally formed short medium coat and get along well with both adults and children alike. Median height is about 10 inches and weight is 15 pounds.

Whether you are looking for food for your dog or other pet supplies, Chewy.com has them all. Right now, they are even running a promotion where you get 40% OFF your first Instinct Raw Frozen autoship order.

Are Bichon Frise Good with Other Dogs?

Bichon frise socialize well in the company of other dogs, despite their membership of the toy group. They are definitely not aggressive dogs and while alert and curious, they are not particularly suited to being a guard dog.

Bichon frise do not have very high energy levels and will get along with any human or dog breed.

Do Bichon Frise Need a Companion Dog?

As with most dogs, bichon frise do not like to be left alone for long periods and will have a very strong attachment to their human owners. They love to show off and interact with anyone and everyone so this should be kept in mind.

They can develop separation anxiety which manifests itself as destroying objects around the house. They don’t tend to bark by nature but due to their curiosity may bark at potential threats. As they get along well with other dogs a companion dog can solve issues relating to loneliness or boredom but keep in mind that two dogs is a lot of extra work.

How to Make a Bichon Frise Get Along with Other Dogs

Lastly, below are a few tips on how to make your bichon frise get along with other dogs, regardless of what breed they are.

Tip #1: Socialization

Like most dogs, early socialization is key to getting your bichon frise well socialized and interacting healthily with other dogs.

This doesn’t mean going to your nearest dog park and letting them run loose. You will want to expose them to a variety of sights and sounds and gradually introduce them to other dogs over time. Basic obedience training will give your dog confidence to interact knowing that their owner is in control.

Tip #2: Start Early with Training

Training dog may seem easy on the surface but there are many easy mistakes to make which makes the whole process seem more difficult than it really is. Understanding dog psychology is very important to effective training. Bichons frises are generally intelligent dogs and are very eager to show off their skills.

Dogs in general can’t understand full sentences or use grammar, so make your commands one or two words. Don’t try and use reason or logic with dogs, they just don’t work that way! Instead, positive reinforcement with treats and simple commands is the most effective way.

Importantly, dogs don’t understand the concept of fractions, so you can give them a single biscuit or meat as a treat and to the dog it’s basically the same as a whole bowl of dog food! Clicker training is also a relatively easy way to get into basic training. Consider also investing in the services of a reputable dog trainer to avoid instilling bad habits into your puppy.

Tip #3: Consistency

Consistency is one of the most important things for raising a confident, well-trained dog. As dogs don’t understand what you are saying, instead they look to the actions and consequences in their everyday life. This means that if you consistently discourage bad behavior, and reward good behavior, your bichon frise will start to internalize this good behavior.

Generally, dogs will act out or do things because they are confused as to what it is that they are supposed to be doing, but if you model consistent behavior daily as well as dedicate time to help teach new behaviors, you will have a great relationship with your dog and can enjoy all the best parts of bichon frise ownership!

Tip #4: Grooming

Bichons frises can have issues with skin problems and allergies. They are slightly high-maintenance in regards to grooming and you will likely need to visit a professional to make sure they are groomed properly. If you notice your bichon frise constantly licking its paws and rubbing its face, you should look at taking them to the vet to check out any potential issues. Ensuring they are free from problems will help them bond better with you and other dogs.

Tip #5: Intelligence is a Double-edged Sword

Your bichon frise is a quick learner and eager to please which can make training easier. However be aware that this also means they will pick up bad habits, either from you or from the other dogs they socialize with. They are cunning dogs, will look to outsmart you when they don’t want to do something, and can sometimes be stubborn. Be careful to not get frustrated as Bichons frises do not respond at all well to scolding.

Tip #6: Gradually Introduce to Larger Public Spaces

Once you have accomplished basic puppy training and your puppy has been introduced so several people, start going on walks in busier areas or large outdoor areas. After at least a week or so after vaccinations, it is advised to start taking your bichon frise out to meet other dogs as having your dog meet many other dogs and get introduced to different dog personalities will speed up socialization.

Dog playdates can be a good stepping stone to socialization as long as the owners of the other dogs have trained their dogs properly. Join local Facebook groups or similar to try and find competent dog owners who have properly trained their dogs so that your pooch has the best experience possible.

Summary

All in all, bichons frises have no issues getting along with other dogs if trained properly. As such, you shouldn’t be afraid to get one regardless of whether you have a big yard or will need to take your puppy to your local park.

Whether you are looking for food for your dog or other pet supplies, Chewy.com has them all. Right now, they are even running a promotion where you get 40% OFF your first Instinct Raw Frozen autoship order.

1 thought on “Are Bichons Frises Good with Other Dogs?”

  1. Hello,
    This site has been very educational huge help. I’ve never had a Bichon Frise before. It means sit on lap in French lol cute. I will use this site in the future.thanks for all the great info.
    Beverly Hardy

    PS .
    Where can I purchase the Books from this site?

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *