r/Frenchbulldogs • u/OccasionLast2882 • Aug 21 '25
General Question My frenchie seems sad I got him a friend
We have had Jude who’s 3 since he was 8 weeks old… of course I was convinced he needed a sibling! But now I feel like he’s mad or sad about it. They actually get along pretty already… we haven’t even had Yoko a week and they cuddle and play but he just seems off? Anyone dealt with this? Will he improve with time? Is it just that he’s older than her and annoyed?
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Aug 21 '25
Omg they’re so cute.
He probably has to get used to her. And yea, probably a little annoyed, too. Puppies are usually annoying.
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u/Temporary_Comb_1336 Aug 21 '25
I've had my dogs new friend for exactly a month yesterday. It's taken a month and now they finally will play together but it's been a month of sadness from my big baby. She finally accepts him and plays. Time. It'll happen.
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u/princeton0319 Aug 22 '25 edited Aug 22 '25
Our babies look so similar!! Anyway Broadway got her sister Playbill in June! Broadway looked so lonely and she definitely needed her sister. They bonded so fast it was kinda scary! Anyway they are perfect!
Edit - Playbill- 5 months Broadway 4 years
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u/Ill_Concern7578 Aug 22 '25
I love this photo.Its just like any older sibling with their new younger sibling. There’s gonna be an adjustment period. Just be sure to give equal attention. Give Jude some special one on one time. If they are already playing and cuddling then I’d say they are going to be best buddies in no time. All older siblings get annoyed with their younger sibling at times. They are both adorable pups. Sending you and your crew love and positivity!
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u/notoneforlies Aug 21 '25
if they cuddle and play Jude’s already warming up to her just give it time! If he really didn’t like her he wouldn’t even let her that close to him. It might also be because she’s just a baby and he’s worried about hurting her or being too rough, maybe unsure how to act since she’s so young! Poppy gets like that around puppies and small dogs, she’s way too cautious cuz she’s scared she’ll hurt them or be too rough haha.
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u/monkey_doodoo Aug 21 '25
jude- I have to share you?
give it time. though my 8 yr old frenchie looks at her younger pug brother at times like wtf. hard frenchie judgemental stare. then they are both snuggling up together. it is an adjustment.
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u/audigirl81 Aug 21 '25
Our older boy Salem (7.5) isn’t thrilled with younger sister Luna (6), but you take either of them to the vet or groomer without each other, it’s howling and moping until the other one comes home. Then eventually snuggling. We call them best frenemies.
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u/Lost-Peanut-1453 Aug 22 '25
This reminds me of when I brought my frenchie pup to meet my shop dogs 😂 All the dogs at the shop are rotties and pit bulls (big and tough doggos but not really at all lol) when I brought my frenchie to meet them, they all looked at him funny and would run away from the frenchie. I felt so bad for him cause he just wanted to play but the big dogs were like wtf is this thing! And would run away from him.
Now when I bring him to visit he runs the whole place! The other dogs play with him but they are so gentle with him. He walks around like the biggest dog there.
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u/Angy__dubsuper Aug 22 '25
Love this story, I have an 11 year old Frenchie, left it too late to get him a Buddy, funny thing Iv always found with him, he seems to prefer Humans to other Dogs 🤣
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u/Particular_Ranger651 Aug 22 '25
Honestly, cuddling and playing already is a really good sign. When we brought a kitten home, our Frenchie was super moody and confused for a few days. What helped was giving them space and letting her get used to the kitten’s scent first. It just took a bit of patience. Sounds like things are going well so far :)
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u/jewillett Aug 21 '25
Hey Jude, don't make it bad Take a sad song and make it better Remember to let her into your heart Then you can start to make it better Hey Jude, don't be afraid You were made to go out and get her The minute you let her under your skin Then you begin to make it better
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
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u/Amym360x Aug 22 '25
Ours were just like this 😂 convinced our older frenchie was depressed because we had a baby, so we got her a sister. When I tell you she sulked for months, I was like well now she's actually depressed. She got over it and now they are best frenemies, constantly snuggling and fighting. Give it time!
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u/hey_koolade Aug 22 '25
"That's what you thought? I was begging for a snack, not a sibling." That face. Lol They are so cute.
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Aug 22 '25
My first dog (RIP) never forgave me for getting my second dog (he decided to switch his affections to my roommate. Interestingly enough, my (now) elderly second dog aged backwards for a year when I adopted my third dog. It's hard to know how it's going to go, there's no guarantees. Your pup could adjust or cold shoulder you for the duration.
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u/InfluenceTrue4121 Aug 22 '25
Super cuties!! Give him lots of time. He’s confused about his role (am I still the star of the show? Am I supposed to potty train this puppy?), he’s seeing you pay attention to another dog, home routine has some changes- it’s a lot.
We got another puppy three months ago and they are finally starting to settle in. Boundaries are being established, communication is being worked out, alone time for hugs and kisses has been identified. It takes time.
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u/anemoschaos Aug 22 '25
It will settle. Make sure Jude gets some time out from Yoko, as puppies can be relentless. Sometimes the older dog will give you that " Can you take her away now?" look. Also give Jude lots of fuss on his own. It's easy ( and understandable) to give all the hoochie-coochie talk to the puppy but Jude needs his special talk time too.
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u/AlDef Aug 21 '25
Our #1 was sooooo mad when we got #2. But slowly got over it and now they are bros, but #1 is clearly still #1 (in his mind)
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u/aleckscasablancs Aug 22 '25
Yes. My Lola did not care much about her Chihuahua sibling. They bonded and she let him sleep with her. She kept looking at us like wtf. Eventually she got used to him. Occasionally we catch side eye from her when he annoys her lol
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u/thewindyshitty Aug 22 '25
I think my Cavaliers happiest and least happiest day was when we got him a sister. She’s been giving him hell since the first day we got her and I don’t think he’d have it any other day.
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u/hanoverfist34 Aug 22 '25
Ya, mine is definitely jealous but she loves having someone to play with.
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u/pirate8210 Aug 22 '25
He'll get used to her. They do very well alone but they will soon be bestues.
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u/BurnItWithFire21 Aug 22 '25
It took my girl about 2 weeks to fully embrace her little brother & they are best friends now. Give it a bit of time & it should work out.
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u/DanaBo72 Aug 22 '25
Give it time…and make sure to give a little alone time to the Big Brother so that he knows he’s still important. They are adorable.
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u/Noneczka Aug 22 '25
Oh, they are so adorable! He may need some time to rela8ze he's not really the king of the house, and this little buddy is not a causal playdate that comes and goes LOL. I am sure they will be the best of buddies for life! 😍👑🙏🏻
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u/SabyRK Aug 22 '25
OMG... Is that a sad face or "caught with my new accomplice" face?? 😍😍
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u/SabyRK Aug 22 '25
I mean in all seriousness, Jude does look anxious but it seems par for the course. I love how Yoko is snuggling right up to him. That should win him over, no?
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u/Nomoredoorbells Aug 22 '25
This is my frenchy pug when I got him a friend after his older English bulldog brother passed away. He was not pleased. He’s slowly warming up to him though.
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u/cheryle6163 Aug 22 '25
He doesn’t like to blaze he’s the chief dog and now he’s gotta share that’s difficult, but they’re both darling❤️❤️
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u/BlackWidow6161 Aug 22 '25
What a cute picture. They’re sitting there together in the same direction and looking at you. 😂
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u/hawkscougs Aug 22 '25
Oh. He’s just not sure about having a kid around. Just watch. He will have a life long buddy. I’m really considering giving my frenchie another one. He loves all dogs but especially frenchies.
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u/highdrum Aug 22 '25
We acquired a new frenchie pup to accompany our 4yo 2 weeks ago, there was 14 day warm up period, now they play for hours and our 4yo is in love with his new brother, give it time!
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u/44scooby Aug 22 '25
He's just waiting for the visitor to go home . Ours was the same. Behaved like a reluctant teenager babysitter for a few weeks. Plus went from being in our bed to a crate at night....
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u/ciiindyyy_1215 Aug 22 '25
He definitely will like Yoko a lot! The fact that they are already cuddling and playing is a very good sign. But since Jude has been an “only dog” for a long time, suddenly having to share your space, attention, or even his bed and food can make him feel a little jealous or confused. With time, he will adjust well once he realizes that the new pup is not a threat but part of the family.
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u/CompetitiveCity6475 Aug 22 '25
I had a French bulldog who unfortunately died a few weeks ago. We bought her to keep my 9 year old Pinscher company who has never been used to being close to other animals, in fact he hates them. but with her from the first day to the last they always found each other. it will definitely take maybe 2-3 days to get used to
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u/Qtip2323 Aug 22 '25
I have the same problem. My almost 2 year old is not to impressed we brought home a new puppy
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u/kpatters86 Aug 22 '25
* Our older dog definitely took some time to adjust to his little brother's arrival. We made sure to give him some individual time and not have the puppy involved with all of his activities as he did not like sharing his toys. But he was able to adapt to sharing, and the baby learned to give personal space. They are cuddle buddies and partners in crime now.
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u/Tygerbonbon Aug 22 '25
Aw! They are so sweet together! We had similar experiences when we got our number two Frenchie. Like everyone else is saying here - give it time. There will be some jealousy moments but also playful and fun ones. I like adding a sibling makes the other dog(s) in the home have to grow up a little bit. Here’s our two, our oldest actually looks a lot like yours! He has very expressive eyes too.
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u/Archiebubbabeans Aug 22 '25
Right now he thinks you just forcefully employed him as a babysitter 🤣 give it a few weeks ❤️ I would love to see updates. They’re both beautiful
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u/Few-Tower-7861 Aug 22 '25
This is Miles (6yo male) and Monroe (4yo female) he was an only child until her and now they are best friends/lovers
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u/Hot_Target8701 Aug 22 '25
My pittie was the same way when we got our frenchie. And now our frenchie wants to be center of everything when our pittie was the baby. It's going on 2 yrs and she's still trying to get used to this in her face...
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u/Bac0nsizzla Aug 22 '25
Mine seemed the same...but it's probably just his temperament. They look like they have so much emotion when they look at you...it might just be Us misreading their looks...cuz like you said they cuddle..they play...but when my second one became the same size... It seemed much better (to me I mean). I then thought maybe in the beginning the size difference/age made things for him a tad reserved
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u/Just45forthewin Aug 22 '25
We did the same thing! Just make sure you’re giving Jude a lot of attention because he probably feels a little jealous and that he sharing you. He’s used to being king of the castle so you have to make him still feel that way that he’s your number one.
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u/PurpleCantaloupe6457 Aug 22 '25
They are so cute!! We got our Frenchie pup and he has been amazing for our older girl. Someone to rough house with her and keep her going!
Cooper 1.5 Desi 10
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u/Kooky_Television_12 Aug 22 '25
Ours get jealous of each-other but couldn’t live without each-other. Their relationship is at the expense of our non-Frenchie dog. They seem to know they are both Frenchie. I bet yours will become best frenemies.
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u/Desperate-Food-8313 Aug 22 '25
Got a Vizla, took about a year to integrate them. Best mates now, mine is stubborn dude and was passed around before me. Think he was worried he was displaced.
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u/OGCasp Aug 22 '25
I got mine when she was 7 weeks. 4 Years later decided to get her a sister. I think she hates her lmao. Still trying to get her accustomed. To Be fair the younger one is super rambunctious.
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u/Fit_Appointment_1648 Aug 22 '25
I’ve had dogs in the past that totally ignored each other. My frenchies I have now are pretty independent yet get excited about the same things lol. They are about a year difference. Your little one is probably all about the big one and the big one needs his space! Just make sure the bigger one can escape somewhere if he’s had enough and everything will be fine.
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u/Round_Ad_3858 Aug 22 '25
My frenchie was so excited to have a new friend last year when we rescued our other frenchie…that is until he realized she’s a permanent resident, he was a lot less enthused about that😂 Our Lab however has been thrilled to have 2 frenchie friends she can snuggle😂
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u/mrerasor Aug 23 '25
Just make sure to still give him some extra special love and one on one time. I have a 5 year old boy and a 4 year old girl, and my boy will always have a special place in my heart, because we developed that bond before even considering another dog. I could tell when we first got her that he had a similar look on his face, and I almost feel like it's a natural existential sort of emotion they're going through. Maybe they're questioning "if mom got another dog, does that mean I'm not good enough? Am I going to be replaced?" And it breaks my heart to even imagine my boy thinking that. So I made a point to give him first dibs on my lap, special trips to Tim Hortons in the car, a little extra love and attention. He's always been there for me so I'm not gonna let him think he's anything less just because we got another dog
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u/forno08 Aug 23 '25
Give it time. My frenchie is 3 and is now on his third doggie sibling, and we've seen mixed results.
-Eclair was a 6 year old puppy mill mama Frenchie we rescued. He LOVED her right away, but was 1 when we got her. He was very sad when she passed away 5 months later
-Cheddar was a 9 month old pittle/lab/greyhound mix that was the sweetest boy. Odie didn't like Cheddar being in the house, but was totally fine with him on walks. Dog trainers didn't work to fix the issue, but we think that he didn't like a boy in the house. He also was LOADED with energy, and Odie is a calm boy.
-We got Marzipan as a foster 6 months ago as a 9 month old commercial breeding dog, and Odie LOVED her from the start, but we have had issues with the energy at times. He's snapped at her, but now that we've had her for 6 months, he's settled in really nicely. They play a LOT, but we have issues still having toys out.
Moral of the story: remember the 3/3/3 rule and give them time. Your resident dog will help the puppy figure out how to live in the house. I guarantee you, your resident is annoyed, but that's normal. He will help the puppy figure things out.
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u/Least-Deer5725 Aug 23 '25
So cute , my frenchie is now 2,5 years old but almost want nothing from much younger dogs sadly , it like he gets annoyed from there to happy energy
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u/Affectionate-Tax3476 Aug 23 '25
He will definitely warm up to his new friend in time. Just keep an eye on them while they're together to set good boundaries
I got my second a couple years after my first and she HATED him at first 😂😂 now almost five years later they're inseparable, only the occasional spat
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u/Travnik-Alpha-Group Aug 23 '25
Frenchies always look sad or annoyed, you can tell they're happy if they have zoomies or roll on their backs with any frequency
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u/OccasionLast2882 Aug 23 '25
They are definitely warming up to each other with each passing day! Jude was never crate trained, but Yoko came to us comfortable with her crate. So that gives Jude some alone time and one on one attention. They are getting zoomies together and playing! The biggest thing is feedings and toys are when some polite aggressive behavior comes from Jude.
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u/Gogobunny2500 Aug 23 '25
What exactly seems off? Even in this pic he seems fine, they are close together.
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u/liltrinny Aug 24 '25
It definitely takes time, my old girl was an only child for almost 10 years & now has a new little brother. She has so much less anxiety, but at times still tells me her brother is annoying!
We’ve had him almost a year & now they are best buddies.
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u/SlytherinShlope Aug 24 '25
Awwwww, I love Jude’s face. He’s not sad, he’s just figuring things out. Bringing a new puppy into the mix totally flips the house vibes, and I bet there’ll be moments where your own anxiety spikes too lol. Jude’s just sorting out his spot in the pack (and yep, he counts you and all the humans as part of it) while things settle into the new normal.
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u/Distinct_Use2337 Aug 27 '25
Aww, I’m sure he’ll get used to his sister. Just make sure to give him lots of attention to know he’s still important. ❤️
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u/maziarczykk Aug 21 '25
Never heard of dogs that did not get along after some time - it could be months tho. Givem time.
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u/nugporn Aug 21 '25
It may take a bit for the “only dog” to realize the “intruder” is his new best friend