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.
Bichons frises have different personalities and temperaments, just like humans. Every furry friend could behave differently based on factors we can or cannot control, such as the lack of training or genetics.
If you’re wondering if bichons frises are feisty dogs or how you can prevent or fix this, check out the sections below.
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.
What Is a Feisty Temperament in Dog?
A feisty dog temperament refers to energetic, active, or fidgety pups. Sometimes, a feisty temperament can turn into aggressivity towards other people or pets. A feisty dog may not be suitable for first-time pet owners as they can be quite stubborn and restless.
Is Bichon Frise Naturally Feisty?
Although some breeds are more likely to be feisty, all dogs can be feisty at some point. This temperament depends on many factors, both external and internal. Feisty dogs are often hostile, so the way you behave with your bichon has a strong impact on how they perceive humans. For instance, owners who yell and punish their dogs will definitely turn the pup into a fearful or aggressive dog.
Bichons frises are not naturally feisty, but they can become restless in certain situations. When a dog is feisty, it’s highly likely that it wants to interact with you and seeks your attention and help. In some dogs, this temperament may not appear, while others can exhibit it every day or less frequently. However, bichons frises are not as high-drive and energetic as other feisty breeds, such as terriers or Belgian Malinois.
5 Things to Do If Your Bichon Frise Is Too Feisty
If your dog is feisty, there are a few things you can do. However, keep in mind that taking care of a dog is a long-term commitment that requires lots of care and attention from your side.
In general, a feisty temper is mostly defined as passive aggression. Some signs of a feisty temperament include growling, biting, fear towards humans or other pets, rigidity, and showing teeth. All dogs can exhibit some of these symptoms that could indicate anxiety or stress.
1. Physical Exercise
Any dog breed can become feisty if the pup feels restrained as this causes stress and anxiety. Even though bichons frises are small breeds, they require daily exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy. If you don’t take your pup out often, it may become aggressive or anxious.
Some breeds have this as a natural trait, but this temperament is not often encountered in bichons frises. Also, if you don’t take your pup out for frequent walks, they may easily get fearful and scared of unknown people, pets, or noises, which may cause them to become feisty.
2. Training and Help
First-time owners may not know how to train their bichons frises to be calmer and get comfortable in the new environment. In this case, a professional trainer can help you and your pup maximize each experience together and turn your feisty bichon into a well-behaved, playful, and obedient adult. You should also work with the professionals to find out the reason for your pup’s temperament and remove the root cause of unwanted behaviors.
3. Care and Attention
Your bichon frise lives for your attention and care. When it becomes feisty, make sure you talk to them with a calming, cheerful tone. Your dog may not understand your words, but it can feel your emotions, read your facial expression, and understand you. Bichons are extremely sensitive dogs, so you should never speak to them in a threatening voice or yell at them when you are upset or they did something wrong.
4. Teaching Patience
Some dogs have feisty temperaments simply because they are not patient, so they turn impulsive when they want something and don’t receive it straight away. You should teach your bichon frise to:
- Sit and wait when going out, such as waiting at the door to go for a walk or waiting for your vocal command to get into the car
- Sit and patiently wait for the food bowl to get to them rather than bolting straight away
- Understand that barking or whining will not get them what they want
- Stay calm in different situations and get rewarded for it
Be firm (but loving, not aggressive) when the pup misbehaves. Saying “no” is as important as saying “yes.”
5. Analyze Your Behavior
Are you stressed, worried, anxious, or do you go through a difficult period? Most likely, your bichon pup is feisty as it mirrors your behavior. For example, when you go out, are you extremely worried about your pup running in front of a car, so you tend to hold their leash for dear life? You send this tension to your pup, who can feel your emotions and become fearful, too.
You are the leader of the pack for your furry friend. If you are relaxed, confident, and cheerful, your bichon frise will know everything is under control.
Summary
All in all, dogs with feisty temperaments can be helped to feel better around people and pets. If you are a first-time owner, a bichon frise is an excellent choice because they are not naturally feisty.
However, puppies are usually more active than adults, so you may have to opt for professional training to make sure your pup grows into a well-behaved, happy adult. If you are in doubt, consulting professionals like trainers or vets can help you access the support you need.
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.
