It is possible that this how it always behaves. There are likely others with more success with training them.

[He nodded] You are able to grow the collection of creatures that travel with you so while your partner might not currently be a good fighter, there are others.

[Ulaz was pleased to see that Foudre was being gentle with the other pokemon and stopping it from potentially wandering off by getting between Togepi and where it was trying to go, guiding it back in their direction]

It is a learning experience then, I suppose.