12 Reasons Why Frenchies Are So Clingy & Needy + Tips

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Who knew french bulldogs could be so clingy when you first brought your pup home! You expected to enjoy some cuddles here and there, but their clingy/needy behavior is starting to go a little overboard.

Is it normal for french bulldogs to be so clingy? Or did you do something to cause this behavior?

Why Are French Bulldogs So Clingy:

French bulldogs were bred to be human companions which instinctively makes them behave more clingy than other breeds. Also, many french bulldogs have been unknowingly trained to be overly clingy through years of constant cuddling and being held. Other reasons could be anxiety, boredom, or their health.

In this post you’ll discover:

12 real reasons why french bulldogs are so clingy
What you might have mistakenly done to create this clingy behavior
3 tips to help your frenchie not be overly clingy (tip #2 is by far the most effective!)
And much, much more

Let’s jump right in.

Table of Contents

Top 12 Reasons Why French Bulldogs Are So Clingy & Needy

1) It’s What They’re Used To

Unknowingly, you may have set their attention expectations extremely high.

If ever since they were a young pup you’ve catered to them, picked them up whenever they wanted, or spent a lot of time cuddling, they may think this is how things should always be.

Also, if you were working from home when you got them or had reduced work hours, this could get them used to having more of your time.

Now if something has changed and you’re either working more or not wanting to hold them all the time anymore, they may not like these changes.

But their expectations are set very high.

They feel the amount of attention they used to get should continue forever.

Which might simply not be realistic given the other things you need to give your attention to.

And this makes them behave super clingy whenever you’re around because they feel deprived of your attention.

2) Possible Separation Anxiety

If your frenchie has separation anxiety, this will create more severe clingy behavior.

Your pup may have developed separation anxiety because they have a history of abuse, or if they were adopted from a shelter.

This is because in either of these situations they trusted/loved someone in the past and were either mistreated or abandoned.

Now that they’ve found a new person/family (you) they’re afraid of being hurt again.

Which makes them behave overly clingy.

Their love for you has grown so strong that they’ve become overly dependent on you.

3) It’s Instinctive To Them

French bulldogs have a long history of being a companion dog.

It’s instinctive for them to be drawn to their human and want to be by their side at all times.

As opposed to other dog breeds that are categorized as working dogs and enjoy having a job/task.

Your pup is perfectly content with being by your side all day and having constant cuddles.

Which makes them naturally behave more clingy if not trained to have a little independence.

4) Underlying Health Issue

When a french bulldog isn’t feeling 100% you might notice them behaving more clingy than usual.

This could be because of a physical injury that makes them less able to do simple day-to-day things, or an unknown internal health issue that’s bothering them.

If they aren’t feeling well or are in pain, this could cause them to act more needy/clingy.

Many dogs do their best not to show their owner when they aren’t feeling well.

But then there are dogs that are complete drama queens/kings and want their owner to take care of them.

They may simply get relief being by your side or need help doing seemingly simple tasks.

Such as getting up and down off the bed/couch, going up and down the stairs, etc.

If you think your frenchie may have an underlying health issue it’s important to have a vet take a look at them.

5) Getting Closer To Their Senior Years

If you’re really starting to notice your frenchie become more and more clingy recently, it could be because of their age.

Sometimes as a pup gets older they become more clingy.

Their body becomes more stiff and there’s more of a possibility that they have hip or joint aches/pains.

And doing basic, everyday activities becomes less enjoyable as well as more difficult.

Which means they may start acting more clingy because other activities do more harm than good for them.

Also, they may behave more needy because they need your help to do more things without it being painful.

Running around, jumping on and off things, and even fetch may not be their favorite pastimes anymore.

Now they’d rather be by your side at all times or be held.

6) Change In Routine/Environment

If your frenchie has recently gone through some major environment or routine changes it may cause them to start behaving more clingy than usual.

This can be a change in where you’re living, a change in your daily schedule (which affects their daily schedule), or a change in household membership through either a passing family member or adding a new one.

Each of these situations can create anxiety in your pup which can make them behave more clingy.

7) Your Love Is Their Drug

Studies have shown that when an owner and their dog have physical contact it actually releases oxytocin.

In both the dog and their owner!

Even as little as a staring contest between you and your frenchie can increase their oxytocin levels.

And oxytocin is known as the happiness hormone that facilitates feelings of love and trust.

So in a very real way, your love, through physical contact or eye contact, is their drug!

And they can’t get enough, which makes them act so clingy.

8) Not Getting Enough Exercise

While french bulldogs don’t need much daily exercise, it’s still necessary to keep their energy levels in check.

If they sit around all day and get very minimal physical activity, they’ll be more inclined to nag you for attention.

It’s best that your frenchie gets at least two daily walks (15 minutes each) and some additional play time throughout the day.

If they’re tired they won’t have as much energy to be overly clingy/needy.

9) Bored Doggo

A bored doggo is a mischievous doggo.

If your frenchie hasn’t had much mental simulation lately, this could cause them to become more clingy.

Unfortunately, your pup has a very limited ability to entertain themselves without a pay partner.

And if they’re bored, the amusement they get from clinging to you or bugging you is better than doing nothing.

10) Have Spent Too Much Time Alone

Your frenchie, and dogs in general, are very social animals by nature.

So if they spend too much time isolated, many don’t handle it well and become clingy as soon as their owner is home.

Whether they were unfortunately isolated as a pup and didn’t have a loving family.

Or your work schedule has changed and you find yourself being away from home more than you used to.

If french bulldogs don’t get enough social interaction they may become very clingy/needy.

11) In Heat

If your frenchie is a female, she could be in heat which is causing her to be so clingy.

And when she goes through heat, she’ll likely experience some personality changes.

One of those being they want more love and attention from you.

Fortunately, the first two stages of a dog being in heat only last roughly 9 days each.

Once she’s past the second phase of her heat cycle (4 phases in total) she should start behaving normally again.

12) Picking Up On Your Nervous/Anxious Energy

Did you know that your frenchie can actually pick up on your emotions which affects how they themselves feel?

So if lately you’ve been feeling anxious or nervous, your pup may start to feel those same emotions.

And when they feel that way, they may start to behave overly clingy in an attempt to make themselves feel better.

If you’re currently going through a stressful period at work or in your life in general, once things calm down again your pup should go back to their normal selves.

This too shall pass!

3 Tips To Help Your French Bulldog Not Be Overly Clingy

1) Increase Physical Activity

Giving your frenchie more daily exercise can be a big help in getting them to not behave so clingy/needy.

Many times their clingy behavior will come from having too much pent up energy and wanting your attention.

If they’re pooped from their walks/hike/play session, they won’t have the energy to be overly needy.

They’ll be much more interested in getting their rest as opposed to pawing and poking at you for attention.

2) Don’t Reward Clingy Behavior

More often than not, clingy behavior is learned behavior.

Which means almost every time in the past when they’ve acted clingy or needy, you’ve given them what they want.

Your love/attention.

And if they know that behaving a certain way gets your attention, they’re going to keep doing it.

Whether it’s positive or negative attention isn’t too important to them.

All that really matters is that you weren’t paying attention to them a minute ago, and now you are.

So one of the best things you can do is ignore their clingy behavior.

Which is absolutely easier said than done.

I mean who can resist a frenchies puppy dog eyes?

But it’s what’s necessary to get them to stop acting so clingy in the future.

Also, you want to start rewarding them for the behavior you’d like to see them continue.

For example, when they’re lying on the floor minding their own business, go over and give them treats, love & affection.

Eventually, as you stop giving them what they want when they behave clingy, and start giving them what they want when they’re behaving how you’d like them to behave.

Their overly clingy/neediness will be a thing of the past.

3) Consult With a Behavioral Specialist

Sometimes bringing in a professional is the best thing you can do.

Even if you understand the reason your frenchie is acting so clingy after reading this post, it’s another thing to stop the behavior from continuing.

Behavioral specialists can help you skip the tedious trial and error of attempting to find a solution and give you exactly what’s worked with other dogs.

It’s just a matter of what you’d rather do. Spend time trying to solve it yourself (which can work out perfectly) or spend some money to fix their over-the-top clinginess quickly.

Other posts you might find interesting:

12 Best Beds For French Bulldogs: Beds That Last

8 Reasons Why French Bulldogs Smell + 7 Ways To Stop It

9 Reasons Why French Bulldogs Look Sad & Depressed + Tips

6 Surprising Reasons Why French Bulldogs Stare At You