Grimly, The Ball Thief: How to Stop Your Frenchie from Jumping on People to Steal Their Toys!

If you’ve ever met my French Bulldog, Grimly, you know he has two great loves in life:

1. The New York subway 🚇 (he’s a true commuter at heart).
2. Balls. All the balls. Every single ball in the world. 🎾

This little guy has no boundaries when it comes to ball possession. Your ball? His. The ball your kid is playing with in the park? Definitely his. The decorative Christmas ornament that looks vaguely round? His now.

And here’s the problem: Grimly will literally launch himself like a Frenchie torpedo to claim what he believes is rightfully his. This has led to some interesting moments at the dog park, in cafés, and once… during a picnic (RIP to that soccer ball and the sandwich that went with it).

So, how do we stop our little four-legged bandits from becoming public nuisances? Here’s how I (mostly) keep Grimly from embarrassing me in public.

Step 1: Train "Leave It" Like Your Frenchie’s Life Depends on It

This command is essential if your dog, like Grimly, goes full goblin mode when they see a ball. The trick is to make you more interesting than the object they want to steal.

🛒 Amazon Helpers:
✔️ High-value training treats (because your Frenchie won't work for free) – 👉🏻https://amzn.to/4hajbSt
✔️ Clicker for training reinforcement (trust me, it helps) –👉🏻 https://amzn.to/4is8kUT

Step 2: Reward Calm Behavior (Before the Chaos Begins)

Frenchies are emotional little potatoes. If you wait until they’re mid-air to correct them, it’s too late. Instead, start rewarding calmness before the ball madness kicks in.

🛒 Amazon Helpers:
✔️ Treat-dispensing puzzle toy (keeps them busy and not stealing) – 👉🏻https://amzn.to/4kVLTt4
✔️ Calming chews for extra stubborn cases (Grimly-proof tested) – 👉🏻https://amzn.to/4kLa0uP

Step 3: The "Sacrificial Ball" Strategy

Instead of fighting the obsession, we redirect it. Before Grimly even sees a ball that isn’t his, I give him an even better one.

🛒 Amazon Helpers:
✔️ Grimly’s ultimate favorite ball (virtually indestructible) – 👉🏻https://amzn.to/4iawKCH
✔️ LED light-up ball for nighttime park adventures – 👉🏻https://amzn.to/4ia4XlP
✔️ Squeaky plush ball that won’t destroy your furniture – 👉🏻https://amzn.to/4iSHBRt

Step 4: Harness the Chaos (Literally)

If your Frenchie has zero chill when excited (like Grimly), a no-pull harness can physically prevent them from leaping into action.

🛒 Amazon Helpers:
✔️ Frenchie-approved no-pull harness (Grimly tested, human approved) – 👉🏻https://amzn.to/4iacIIq
✔️ Bungee-style leash to absorb the shock of sudden jumps – 👉🏻https://amzn.to/4ia7yw5

Step 5: Emergency Distraction Techniques

If all else fails and Grimly is locked in on a target, I have a secret weapon: A toy or snack even better than the ball he’s hunting.

🛒 Amazon Helpers:
✔️ Frenchie-friendly squeaky toy (works 99% of the time)-👉🏻 https://amzn.to/4kvkpdO
✔️ Portable treat pouch (because you need to be quick) – 👉🏻https://amzn.to/41DkCDg

Final Thoughts: Accepting (and Managing) the Madness

Owning a ball-obsessed Frenchie is like living with a tiny, muscular raccoon—always plotting, always scheming, and always ready to steal. But with training, patience, and the right tools, you can at least minimize the public embarrassment and keep your dog from committing minor theft.

And if nothing works… just carry a spare ball and learn to negotiate.