The Guide for New French Bulldog Puppy Parents
Ahh, what a glorious day. You’re a new french bulldog puppy parent fresh off the block and now you’re here. We here at All About Frenchies want you to be prepared for your new life with your french bulldog puppy. You’re one of us now! We’ve crafted this entire website for the purpose of bringing you french bulldog information in order to ensure you and your frenchie have a happy, long life together.
French bulldogs are, in our humble opinion, the greatest breed of dog, ever. Just look:
Getting my first french bulldog puppy changed my life. I was not a dog person before my first frenchie. Now I’m french-bulldog-crazy (I’m actually animal crazy altogether. Screw human exceptionality!). However, despite my instant obsession with french bulldogs, I soon after realized that I knew nothing about the breed. So, I started reading. I bought every book written in English (and French) about the breed. I called the AKC and harangued their operating staff with questions. I looked up local french bulldog breeders and asked them even more questions. I read everything on the Internet even remotely related to french bulldogs and french bulldog care. Now, to save you all of that tedious reading, I’m going to itemize everything you need to know to spoil your new french bulldog puppy.
Items to purchase before you pickup your french bulldog puppy:
This post is going to assume you have already arranged to purchase an AKC-registered french bulldog puppy or you’ve already arranged to adopt a french bulldog. Click the links to read more about where to find breeders and how adoption works.
An orthopedic doggie bed (Frenchies can experience joint pain after playing hard):
A good orthopedic bed will ensure your french bulldog has a great place to rest, sleep, and lounge (copious amounts of lounging). We recommend measuring your kennel and getting a bed that will fit into the kennel comfortably. This will allow your frenchie to associate their kennel with a time of rest and comfort.
There are areas of your home where your french bulldog shouldn’t go. There are all kinds of dangerous chemicals in the average household that can harm a french bulldog if ingested. It’s best to use pet gates to cordon off sections of your home. This will protect your precious french bulldog and your sanity.
A kennel your french bulldog can grow into
Get the large version. This is what I used for both of our french bulldog puppies. It has a divider that you gradually move further into the kennel as your french bulldog grows in size. When they’re fully grown, they’ll appreciate the additional space provided by the large kennel. It will allow them to stand up and stretch if they’re in the kennel for more than 45 minutes to an hour.
Read more here about the harness we recommend. Make sure to get the small or extra small if you have a tiny frenchie. Use the sizing chart.
A high-quality leash (splurge instead of buying new leashes after they get chewed)
High-quality french bulldog food
Auggie loves the Fromm brand.
Read our lengthy post on the best foods for your french bulldog. You’ll find all the information you need there. Make sure to get a puppy blend/formula!
A car seat and harness buckle.
An emergency first aid kit for dogs (This is critical) –
Your first aid kit should include all of the following:
• Magnifying glass
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers and metal nail file
• Styptic powder or sticks
• Penlight
• Eye dropper or oral syringe
• 10-20ml Blunt-tipped syringe for administering milk of magnesia or activated charcoal
• Cotton swabs
• Cotton balls
• Clean towels – cloth and paper
• Rectal thermometer
• Lubricant such as mineral oil or KY Jelly
• Disposable gloves
• Bitter Apple or other product to discourage chewing
• Pet carrier
• Towel or blanket to use as a stretcher, another to keep your dog warm during transport (some pharmacies and camping outlets carry a thermal blanket)
• Cold packs and heat packs (wrap in towel before using)
• Wound disinfectant such as Betadine or Nolvasan
• Triple antibiotic ointment for skin
• Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment for eyes, e.g., Terramycin
• Eye wash solution
• Sterile saline
• Antidiarrheal medicine such as Pet Pectate
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reactions (obtain dose from your veterinarian)
• Cortisone spray to aid in itch relief
• Ear cleaning solution
• Hydrogen peroxide (used to make a dog vomit – only use as directed by a veterinarian)
• Activated charcoal to absorb ingested poisons (consult your veterinarian before using)
• Square gauze of various sizes – some sterile
• Non-stick pads
• First aid tape – both paper (easily comes off of skin) and adhesive types
• Bandage rolls – gauze and Vetwrap
• Band-Aids (for humans)
Form a relationship with a veterinarian
Before you become a full-time french bulldog parent, you need to at least have contacted a veterinarian. You want to get a feel for their schedule, how busy they are, if they recommend any french bulldog specialists, where the closest 24-hour pet clinic is located, et cetera. Store your veterinarian’s phone number in your cell phone.
Form a relationship with the closest emergency room 24/7
The same as above. Save the phone number for the closest 24-hour pet clinic in your phone. Also save the address so you can easily input it into your GPS in an emergency.
These are items and/or tasks you will need to have or complete before you bring home your french bulldog puppy. You will save yourself a lot of headache by getting these out of the way up front. We recommend that you save your local veterinarian’s phone number in your contacts list. We highly recommend you keep the number to the closest 24-hour emergency veterinarian clinic in your phone contacts as well. It can make all the difference in your french bulldog’s life. The same is true for a first aid kit for dogs. Keep medical supplies for your pets because accidents will happen. Always consult with a veterinarian for anything more serious than a scrape or mild rash.
Purchases to make AFTER you have brought home your french bulldog puppy:
Some purchases you can wait to make after you have brought your french bulldog puppy to their forever-home. These are tertiary purchases that can be purchased immediately or as-needed.
French Bulldog Toys.
All frenchies love toys to tug and pull on, chew on, and toss around. For toy purchases, you should take your frenchie to a big box pet store and let them “choose” a few toys that they seem to enjoy. Every french bulldog companion we’ve ever had has loved to play “tug of war” with a rope-like toy. Frenchies also love to chew and will benefit from some natural hard chew toys like Yak Chews. Let your frenchie sniff around a few toys and offer them to her. If she reacts excitedly, consider that toy a winner. Be sure to replace old, worn out, chewed up, and damaged toys, as they can become a choking hazard.
Toiletries and Bath Goods for your French Bulldog Puppy:
Your frenchie will require a bath every week or so. It is better to wait until you bring your french bulldog puppy home before you run out and buy puppy shampoo and other toiletry-like items. The biggest reason for waiting is to allow yourself time to get a feel for the natural condition of your french bulldog’s coat and skin. Many french bulldogs experience myriad skin problems, including dry skin, hot spots, and more. If you find patches of dry skin on your french bulldog puppy after bathing, it may be time to consider picking up a puppy moisturizer. We like pretty much everything Warren-London makes. Vetericyn makes a good over-the-counter spray for treating the occasional hot spot (persistent hot spots should immediately be examined by a veterinarian). We highly recommend only using an organic, all natural oatmeal shampoo for your french bulldog puppy. French bulldogs have thin, sensitive skin that can become irritated by a large number chemicals used in commercial canine cleansers.
French Bulldogs need sunscreen!
Believe it or not, your french bulldog can become sunburned just like you. If you plan on being outside for a long period of time, you will need to apply canine-safe sunscreen to your frenchie. We recommend you spray the backs, tops, and upper inside area of their ears. Spray a small amount on your fingertip and apply it to their entire brow. Also spread a small amount on their nose folds. Sunburn is extremely painful to dogs. Dogs naturally seek shaded, cool shelters in the wild. If you’re going to take your french bulldog outside for more than 30-45 minutes, you will need to apply sunscreen.
You can also pickup a really awesome Kong 40 SPF protection doggie tank top. The cool thing about this shirt is that you can soak it in water on hot days to help keep your french bulldog cool.
What size bed do you have for your frenchie?
Hey Jackie, sorry we’re just now seeing this. We buy big beds for our frenchies because we know they’re going to grow and they appreciate the extra space. Frenchies are lushes.
Hi my frenchie pees like every 20 minutes is that normal for a 2 and a half months puppy? Thanks for your help and this is a great website
Hey Eddie, thanks for reading and stopping by, we’re happy to have you.
My first advice is to always collect a urine sample and take it to your veterinarian so they can test the urine for various issues. If you’re french bulldog’s urine is very clear, as clear as water essentially and without the yellow pallor we associate with urine, then your frenchie may be suffering from renal issues. Essentially, this means your french bulldog may possibly not be retaining and conserving water appropriately.
Here’s a link (full-disclosure: lots of science jargon) with some information about urine concentration and frequency in canines: http://www.iris-kidney.com/education/urine_specific_gravity.html
Does your french bulldog drink water excessively? If so, this could be a sign of kidney issues or worse, kidney failure. Excessive drinking and urination can also be a sign and symptom of diabetes mellitus (canine water diabetes).
These are issues that should definitely be checked out by a veterinarian, so make an appointment or drop in on your vet as soon as you can. Be sure to take in a urine sample and monitor your french bulldog’s water intake for a day or so prior to taking them to the veterinarian. The vet will ask you to keep a log with measured amounts of water provided to your french bulldog, anyway.
Check back in with us and let us know what you can find out!
My 2-1/2 month old frenchie pees bout every 20 minutes during the day, as well. Mostly cause I take her out that frequently in order to teach her to go outside to pee. She sleeps 8 hours a night and holds her pee til she’s taken out upon waking.
This is the way to do it when they’re young. Be patient and take them out for quick pees very, very frequently. When they’re young, this will help them learn that if they wait, they’ll get to go outside and take care of business. You can also do this in sequential intervals, like two times every morning, once during lunch (if you’re able to get home), and two to three times in the evening. This will help them regulate their bodies to a consistent, unwavering schedule.
Other than the dog food you recommended, is there any others that are equally as good? Alos, what is your opinion on imported dogs?
There are a ton of great foods out there, as well as specialized diets made from “human” foods. Generally, we find that your average French Bulldog in good health does well with a diet rich in carbs from sweet potatoes, or sweet potato-based chows, protein from various fatty avian varieties like duck, pheasant, or chicken and from fatty fish varieties such as salmon. As always, we recommend grain-free foods of a high-quality, particularly made from fresh, organic ingredients.
We’re are staunchly opposed to importing canines of any breed. It is a traumatic experience for animals and imported animals inevitably come from puppy mills. Capitalism and good breeding practices don’t mix well.
Hi! I love your blog we have basically used it as our Go To Frenchie Manual. This our second week having our puppy home (he is 10.5 weeks old). He is finally settled into his sleeping schedule at night, and doing quite well, and he has adjusted to our home and seems to feel very comfortable here….. but every time we leave, which is usually not for more than an Joe or so the he seems to panic. He will pee and poop whether he is in his crate or in his pen. I am just worried that he is not going to ever adjust to being alone. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can help him with his separation anxiety? Thanks!
Hey Kristen. The same thing has happened to us. Our second french bulldog, Lottie, would poop and pee in her crate so often that we were nearly broken by her.
We tried using the Thundershirt (http://amzn.to/2jBbyfJ) and it worked fairly well until she got too chubby for it. Then we tried using the calming sprays (http://amzn.to/2klJN7Y) and saw some improvements. All that said, the largest factor is time and training. Our youngest frenchie had pretty severe separation anxiety during her first 6-8 months. We were crate training her (her kennel is in our bedroom) and it was mostly okay at night, except she would cry a little at first. Once we were certain that she was ready, we started letting her sleep outside the crate (in the bed with us). We would have let her sleep in our bed right from the start, but we wanted to be sure to regulate her potty cycle so she didn’t have to go in the middle of the night.
The best course of action is to just let them work through it and don’t give in. You’re essentially Ferberizing your puppy. If you keep a regular schedule of when you’re home and not home, you will see improvements over time. You want them to look at their crate like a safe place. It’s their refuge.
Conversely, you should also take your dog out into public frequently and familiarize them with your neighborhood, other dogs, and other people. This will help socialize them, help get some exercise, and stimulate their young brains. To help cut back on anxiety, you can try and give your puppy some exercise outside before crating them. It’s hard to wear out a puppy, but some playtime before being crated will help them relax a little more.
Hi Jordan
Love your website. What is the best puppy food and treats for are 8 week old puppy?
Hey Jill,
Sorry for the late reply. We really like the Fromm brand, but it can sometimes be difficult to find in large quantities from Amazon. Currently, it is available on Amazon Prime, but I have had to buy it locally (where it’s quite a bit more expensive) in the past, due to Amazon being out of stock. It’s the best food in my opinion. As for treats, splurge a little but just don’t give them too many. Stay away from bones, leather chews, and other soft tissue chew toys. Opt for some antler or yak cheese chew toys. The occasional bit of bovine neck (gross, I know) will help give you french bulldog some extra glucosamine. You can also supplement in glucosamine and other nutrients if your veterinarian recommends it. Otherwise, get yourself some training-style treats (small, soft, and packed with flavor), like these: http://amzn.to/2kpPpMT and you’ll be fine!
Hi Jordan- we have a 14 weeker with us and we are in potty training mode. Any special tips with potty training a Frenchie? Thanks!
Patience is key! I find that it’s best to take them out very, very frequently so that they have every opportunity to go outside. Remember that accidents indoors are inevitable, but you can avoid many of them by just taking them outside as often as once every couple of hours (and sometimes even more). It’s also critical to give them one last chance to go out and potty right before you head off to bed. Eventually, it will click in their brain that they must hold their business until they go outside. Hope this helps!
Hi!
We have a 9 week old female frenchie. We are working on crate training her. She seems to enjoy her crate, she will walk into it and hang out in it on her own when we are around but the second we walk away (night time especially) she literally screams… we try just leaving her in there and see if she will stop but she will do it for over an hour. We get so frustrated and sleep deprived my boyfriend now sleeps with her in his arms on the couch (we really are trying to avoid having her sleep in our bed). Is there anything we can do to get her to not cry in her crate? We tire her out before bed. We put our own clothes in the crate. We got one of those stuffed dogs with a fake heart beat. But nothing has helped. Also, during the day when we can’t keep a close eye on her we put her in a puppy pen which is attached to her crate so she can run around, she does the exact same thing. She will be playing happily if we are in the pen with her but the second we step out of the pen, even if she can see us, she cries bloody murder and doesn’t stop. I’m sure my neighbors are planning on moving by now. We try giving her interactive toys. We try not making a big deal when we leave and approach the pen but she doesn’t seem to care. She just wants to be with us at all seconds of the day. Is there anything we can do to help her be ok without us? Thanks!
Hey Jasmine,
I know what you mean. Our second french bulldog broke me and now we sleep with THREE DOGS in our bed. I really can only tell you that you have to outlast your dog. It may take months, maybe longer, but eventually, they will accept that you expect them to sleep in the crate. That said, I really recommend you just leave their crate door open at night and let them choose if they want to sleep in the crate or on the floor. They will still cry to get in the bed, but there’s really nothing you can do to stop it. They can’t speak English and they only know how to communicate their emotions through doggy noises. I would use the crate intermittently, say, only when you’re leaving the house for an hour or two. That why, your puppy will get used to their crate and you won’t have to hear her cries until she overcomes her separation anxiety.
I have a post somewhere on the blog on cool little WiFi cameras you can get to monitor your baby frenchie while you are out. I highly recommend getting one for your sanity and their safety. Let me know if this helps!
Thank you so much!!
I’m having the exact same issues right now with my French Bulldog of about 14 weeks old. The other night at 10pm we put him to sleep on his regular schedule (about two hours after he pooped and peed) and we went out for about 3 hours… when we came back, he had potty’d in the crate. Any other advice on helping with the puppy overcoming his separation anxiety? Also, we will be walking him outside for potty training real soon after he gets his last two shots. If you can give any suggestions on how to start this process successfully that would be great.
One more thing – I live on the 10th floor of an apartment building and we have a balcony (high wall so its safe). Would it be okay for us to walk him in the balcony to go potty or should we walk him outside?
I like the idea to get a cage that is big enough for the puppy to grow into. I can imagine that this would make him happy because it would be a space that is truly his for his whole life. It doesn’t change. I think change can be a stressful thing for a dog.
You’re absolutely right, Trayson. Their kennel will take on their scent, and it will be familiar to them as they grow into it. Later, when they’re grown, it will remain a refuge for them when they’re feeling sick, sad, or scared. Thanks for reading!
Hi guys! First off, this page is amazing and has so much helpful information. Thank you for posting! We just got our frenchie about 4 weeks ago. He is about 3.5 months. Weve been having a problem with him biting while he is playing with us, especially my kids. He doesn’t seem aggressive or angry when he is doing it. It’s just playing, but nonetheless still hurts. We’ve never owned a puppy so I am not sure what is normal puppy behavior. Any suggestions on getting him to stop? We’ve been saying “no bite” each time and closing his mouth if needed, but it doesn’t seem to phase him. He seems to get more wound up.
Thanks!
Hey Adria, thank you so much for your kind words. I am honored to be a resource to you. French bulldogs are definitely rambunctious, if not a little crazy and wired, too. The “nipping” behavior while playing is definitely just “playing”, but you’re right, it’s still a little much–especially with children. I recommend getting your french bulldog a high-quality antler: http://amzn.to/2mJW6Ms or yak-cheese chew: http://amzn.to/2lDzAUc . Using these will satisfy your french bulldog’s carnal tendency to chew on something. This will also help promote healthy tooth growth and ease their pain while they’re teething (they will grow and lose their baby teeth over time). French bulldogs also love to play “tug of war” and will gladly pull on a rope or other tugging toy. I recommend grabbing some old long socks and tying a knot or two in one of them to use a tug-toy. It’s free and our frenchies love stretching them out while playing. This will also help even out some your french bulldog’s high energy levels and reduce his tendency to “nip” your fingers while playing. I hope this helps!
Hi Adria,
In addition to Jordan’s great advice, I would just add that your puppy is used to playing like that with his littermates. They experience everything with their mouths so they often nip. One thing I have always found to work is immediately after he bites you too hard, you can give a very high pitched “OW” or yip like a puppy in pain would make which should make him stop and look at you in concern. This is how puppies tell each other it hurts and is enough so it should make him pause. Once he has paused the play, divert his attention to a chew toy with positive reinforcement, and he will eventually learn that toys are for playing and you are for loving! He doesn’t want to hurt you, but he just doesn’t understand how much it hurts until you tell him in his language.
Wonderful insight and advice, Beth! Thanks for hopping in here and sharing your knowledge with us and the other readers. So much to learn!
Hi! I loved reading your post! It was very informative and helpful. I currently have a french bulldog and I have had her for about nine years. I have fallen in love with her over the years! I really want another one. Your tips were great refreshers, I think the one about having a secure vet is super important. I’m very fortunate to have a vet in my family, my mom is one. My frenchie has a long list of health problems so it is always very convenient to have my mom . I also think the part about toys is very important because my frenchie is obsessed with toys and little things she can chew on. She will play until she is exhausted. Do you know anything about blue french bulldogs, I know that they’re not as common but I was thinking of looking into that type if I’m getting a puppy. Thanks for your post!
I’m honored to have you as a reader, Claire. Thank you for stopping in. The “blue” color french bulldogs aren’t as common because their coloration is actually a result of a genetic mutation of a specific protein present in their skin pigment. You can read more about it here: http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=19067578
The “blue” or “blue brindle” or “blue pied” french bulldogs all have this mutation. It isn’t anything immediately serious, but this genetic mutation is known to cause issues with a french bulldog’s skin. In particular, it can result in more frequent “hot spots”, balding of the fur in certain cases, irritation, and dryness. Don’t be alarmed, because it isn’t a sure thing. Many, if not most, blue-colored dogs live happy, healthy, and problem-free lives. I would personally have no issue raising a blue coat french bulldog. Just like us, they all have their own quirks and problems. Thanks for reading!!!
When is the best time to neuter?
You really don’t have to spay or neuter a french bulldog since there’s little to no chance that they’re going to escape and breed in the wild. We suggest you don’t bother unless there is an intact male or female sharing the house and you have no intentions of breeding.
Love the blog . Soon to be New owner here from Germany . Me and my fiancé don’t really like the idea of having the dog crated for long periods of time or at all really . We have more then enough safe clean room for him. Is the crate a must or is it more to the preference of the owner. Thanks and can’t wait for more posts
Hey James, I’m humbled to hear from you!
The crate really isn’t a necessity, especially after your french bulldog has matured. We don’t crate our french bulldogs after they’re trained to use the bathroom outside. We have baby gates we use throughout our house to block off certain areas. They work great for us. While we’re at work, all of our french bulldogs stay in our living room and sleep or play with their toys. It works out great.
Hi Jordan ! I love your blog and I find it so informative. My husband and I have been thinking of getting a dog, and after doing some research, I decided upon the French Bulldog. They are such beautiful, loveable dogs. So we purchased our dog from a Breeder, it was born last week, and we are getting it in 8 weeks after it receives it’s vaccinations, deworming, microchipped, etc. … I plan on crate training him in one of our small rooms we never use. I’m getting it ready for him, so he has a place to roam free when we are not there. I was surprised to read in your blog that you take your dogs on hikes when you go camping. I thought because of the French Bulldog’s flat nose, that they cannot go on long walks or hikes. I was wondering how long a walk can you take your dog on, whether it’s a puppy or adult ? At what age can you begin walking them ? Since it’s a puppy, can we take them on walks right after having received their first vaccinations ? Since our puppy will be 2 months when we get him, can we take him for walks outside right away or do we have to wait a few weeks until the vaccines settle ? These, of course, are questions that I plan on asking on our next visit to the Breeder and 1st visit to our Vet, but I was curious and wanted to have an idea of what to expect.
Thank-you !
Rosie
Hey Rosie! Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words. I really appreciate it. I’m totally biased, but I believe you have made the right decision! French bulldogs are life-changers!
You would be right about brachycephalic breeds: they’re not built to last and they don’t fair very well with lots of exercise. When we take our french bulldogs camping, we typically are able to drive right up to our favorite camping spot and have to very little in the way of hiking. To that end, we have taken our frenchies hiking, but generally we let them lead and we tend to keep the hikes short. You’ll be able to tell when your french bulldog is getting tired and we just judge it by that. As for hikes, just make sure you bring plenty of water for your frenchie to drink.
As for walks, you won’t really need to “walk” your french bulldog so much when they’re really young/small. Until your french bulldog is around 10-12 weeks old, there’s not much reason to do more than get them outside several times daily so they can potty. Once they’ve begun to grow a little and their energy levels go up, you can start walking your frenchie around the block or up and back down your street. Just keep an eye on their breathing and play it by ear. It’s generally a good idea to get your vaccinations earlier in the week, so you can be sure the veterinarian is open if your french bulldog has an allergic reaction to a vaccination and you can get them in. My veterinarian doesn’t recommend any specific amount of time to wait after vaccinations to go for walks, so you’re fine there. If your breeder gives you a specific reason not to take them on walks after their vaccinations, ask your veterinarian why they might have suggested that. You may be able to come back to us with some specific information that might be helpful to other readers!
Thanks again for reading!
Hi there!
Thank you for very helpful information. I`m planning to get my first dog in my life. After a year of research and contemplation I decided to lay my eye on a Frenchie. I think it`s the best choice for me and my familie. They are not to big, they don`t need much excersize that I cann`t provide to a dog because of my daily schedule and above all they are so cute.
We will get a cute fawn girl in few weeks. And I`m starting to prepare for our new baby – to be exact, I`m feeling wright now just like before baby entering in our lives :).
First of all, what I`m worrying about is that we have a cat – old type Siamese. She isn`t the gentle type of cat. She`s more like self-sufficient, independent cat who likes to stay nearby, but never in our arms. I would like to read real experience of people who have had already a cat and then a puppy entered in their lives. How was it, the first time together? I hope our cat will accept our new familie member. Of course, I don`t hope that it will be at once… I plan to have a dog pen and I don`t plan to leave them together alone to avoid some bad experience. Maybe you have some good tips about that.
And second question that I have wright now is that I`m planning to leave my puppy for about 4 hours 2 times a day in a dog pen when she will be 5 months of age. Is it OK for a dog? She will have her bed in the pen (not a crate) and waterbowl and of course toys she loves. What I`m worried about is that on the dog pen description is written, that you mustn`t leave your dog in a pen unsupervised. Why? Whats wrong with that?
Thank you in advance.
P.S. I`m sorry if there are some writing errors – english isn`t my first or second language.
Hello Zane! Thank you for reading. I’m very happy to hear that you will be getting your first french bulldog! Congratulations!
I had two cats when I got my first french bulldog and neither of my cats seemed to mind that we got a dog. Now we have three dogs and both cats don’t bother them. The cats usually just leave them alone and keep to themselves. I believe you will be okay, just give your cat plenty of personal space to adjust to the new puppy in her house.
You can leave your puppy in the pen. As long as she has her water bowl and something to chew on, she will be fine. You can get a cheap WiFi camera and put it near her pen if you want to check in on her from work or from your cell phone. It is worth it to have the peace of mind.
Your English is great! What is your native language?
Thanks for your encouragement. It helps a lot when somebody says a good word.
As a matter of fact, we alredy have a camera to put near the pen. Just as you say – to be sure, that our new family member is ok during the time we`re not there (I`m very responsible parent 🙂
My native language is latvian, I`m from Latvia. It`s Europe`s East side between Baltic Sea and Russia. I search the web to find information in english for two reasons. First one – there is much more information in english then in my language or russian, or german. And second one, the most important – in my country (as in Russia) it is unthinkable to put a dog into a crate or a dog pen. And the dog training means to create a dominance over a dog (with prong collars, choke collars and electric collars). Or not to teach a dog at all. I find that the crate or the dog pen is a grate opportunity to protect the puppy and my belongings (like furniture, shoes etc.) while I`m not around. And there is a better way to teach a dog then to dominate over it. I prefer to teach my dog with positive reinforcement. I hope that will work with our puppy.
I have a very sad story to tell about my neighbors dog. They bought an active labrador puppy and kept him at home. The puppy damaged (nibbled) the stairs and now he is gorwn up and lives outside and alone. He is so depressed, howls and cries sometimes. I`m so sorry about it. Maybe the dogs life would have been different, if they knew about the dog crate or the dog pen…
Greetings from Texas!
I am days away from bringing home my Frenchie pup and was curious about training. I know this breed is notorious for being stubborn AND intelligent!
Any tips/advice on which commands to focus on with a new puppy?
Obviously potty training leaned itself to learning commands, but everyone wants a well-behaved dog. I’ve learned with other dogs that consistent training early tends to help avoid costly training later (excessive barking, etc.), but this breed is new to me.
Thoughts?!
Thank you!
Hey Chandra, congratulations and thank you for being here. My greatest advice is to be patient. French bulldogs will push your buttons. Count to 10 and breathe. Remember that they can’t speak English, so your body language is the greatest way to communicate. When training, focus on distinct hand motions and signals. “Heel” (stop, in other words), “Sit”, “Down” (as in lay down), and “No” (we make this annoying “AAH AAH AHH” noise and our frenchies understand that to be a resounding ‘Do not do whatever it is you’re doing’). These for communications are the foundation of a greater future understanding between you and your french bulldog. As for potty training, take your puppy outside several times per day. With our new puppies, we try to take them out every couple of hours, or even more frequently than that. We try to really drill into their behavior the process of going outside to do their business. We use kennel training as a way to buy ourselves a little time between trips outside. Hopefully this helps!!!!
Hello,
I am a new Frenchie owner and I rescued mine. He has some heart problems and he has a small windpipe. I feed and water him around 6:30 every morning and then 6 at night. But I don’t leave out water because we are in the process of potty training. I’ve noticed he has been drinking water excessively when I do give him water and then he throws it up. Should I leave water throughout the day for him? Or is this a medical condition I should talk to a vet about? I’ve never had a frenchie before so I’m super worried about him. He’s 4 months old and I just want to make sure he’s healthy. Also, how much and how many times should I be feeding him? I feed him about a cup in the morning and at night. He currently weights 6.6 pounds. Sorry it’s a lot but I want to make sure my fur baby is okay!!
Thanks,
Paige
Hey Paige, so good to hear from you and thank you for rescuing a french bulldog. If you’re patient with him, he will steal your heart in ways you’ve never experienced. The vomiting should only be concerning if he’s puking up something other than the excessive water he’s drinking. Our four year old male does it occasionally because he gets worked up and drinks way too much water. Rather than take his water entirely, leave smaller amounts, and even try leaving smaller amounts in a few different bowls spread out through his area. It will force him to drink slower and take breaks in between. One thing: get him tested for water diabetes. Excessive drinking can be a symptom. Your vet will do a urinalysis to determine what’s up.
Ideally, at four months, 2-3 times per day, fed according to the amounts on the bag/packaging of whatever brand you’re feeding. If you’re cooking his meals with veggies, meats, eggs, etc, then 2-3 times per day, still. At 6.6lbs around 16 weeks, he’s underweight. He may just be a small guy, but the 14 week old male in my lap right now is roughly 9-10lbs. If you’re feeding according to the instructions on the bag, then you’re probably okay, just make she he doesn’t seem frail or too small. A frenchie should be somewhat…plump, but not obviously overweight. Hopefully this helps. Feel free to ask anything else, and ask the other readers, too. They’re much smarter than I am!
Thank you so much for answering this question. I am a new mom to a 9 week old Frenchie. I have literally had him for less than 3 full days. At first I noticed he had “wet burps” where he would burp up a small amount of water and lick it back down. (eww I know) and then he would have random times where it would be to much to swallow back down and he would spit up a little, and then after gulping down some water and running around came the random spew. Im not going to lie, it was at that point that I panicked a little since I have never experienced a frenchie puppy, and the fact that they do ingest more air than most breeds. So of course I went to google, which until I came upon this blog just scared me to the point of tears. He had no other issues, sleeping, eating and pooing just like any other puppy so I couldn’t figure out or find any other information or people who had the same experience. I cant thank you enough for this information. I will be taking precaution on the amount of water he is drinking at one time and try to slow him down a bit so he doesn’t just burp it all back up.
Thank you again,
-Sunnie “Gus’ scared new frenchie mommy”
You’re very welcome, my friend! I hope Gus is doing great and I hope you too have a great holiday season!
HI Jordan
Long time listener, first time caller….
I read your advice above on potty training. I am looking for a little more advice on this topic as we are picking up our 8 week old frenchie next week! It seems like there are several different ways of potty training and was hoping you can elaborate on your process? We purchased a medium size crate and was going to buy the memory foam mattress you recommended. Do you recommend holding off on the bed that big and leave room in her crate for a potty pad area? What did you do at night time(middle of night)??? AhHHH so much stress 🙂
Hey Noah, thanks so much for reading and jumping in to ask for help! I am humbled, truly. With potty training, the best advice I can give is to be patient and understand that there will be some accidents. Keep some carpet or multi-surface cleaner on hand and take it slow. My dad once reminded me that a dog truly doesn’t want to pee or drop a load in the house. Dogs have a sort of ritualistic approach to relieving themselves. Hence the sniffing around for the correct spot, the biologically appropriate posture, and the scent-marking/scratching thereafter. The whole process lends itself to being in the great outdoors; after all, canines spent the majority of their evolutionary life out there among the trees and the skies.
Understanding this and patience is critical. Now, the technical stuff. My wife and I both agree that a kennel that can be gradually enlarged is the way to go. You want to give your pup enough space to move about but not enough to encourage them to potty on one side of the crate/kennel and then sleep on the opposite side. A canine will do their best to avoid peeing or pooping where they sleep. Try to limit use of the crate/kennel to night-time usage. We don’t like to use the kennel as a form of punishment as it detracts from the overall purpose of a kennel: a place for your pup to feel safe and at ease (dogs are/were cave animals). Instead, as often as you can stand to do it, take your pup outside. Go out into the yard with your frenchie and if they do their poops or pees while outside on that particular trip, immediately give them a small savory treat. French bulldogs are easily trained using positive reinforcement. Frenchies have a personality that doesn’t do so well with negative reinforcement, so focus on rewarding the little wins/small steps forward rather than punishment for accidents indoors.
Naturally, most of us have to work 9ish to 5ish, so your best bet in these hours is to get a friend or dog-walker to take your pup out for a midday walk. I used to go home during my lunch hour every day to let my frenchies out to play in the yard for 20-30 minutes. It isn’t prudent or fair to your frenchie if they spend all day in a crate. You can cordon off a room for your frenchie and use training pads, but be very cautious about letting the training pads become habitual for your frenchie. If you always leave out training pads, you run the risk of your french bulldog becoming accustomed to those rather than going outside.
Best of luck to you, my friend!
I just found this site as we just got our first frenchie one Monday. You offer a lot of great advice and suggestions.
Maverick is 8 weeks old and we love him to death. I’m trying to not be so nervous about how “fragile” they can be and just enjoy him. He has warmed up to us quickly and immensely and we can all tell he loves us to death. Our kids are 14, 17, and 20(who is home for college holiday break) so he gets a LOT of attention and love. Maybe too much? Is there such a thing?
We have a crate in our master and one on our main level. He yipes and cries when we put him in at night. And i hate it. I am completely okay with him sleeping with us but my question is, will this make it harder on him when we need to kennel him when we leave the house? I want him safe when we leave so a kennel is best.
He snuggles so sweetly at night and goes potty at 10:30 before bed, I’ve been taking him around 2:30 am and then around 7 am. He is doing well and goes every time I take him out.
So is it okay to co-sleep and still kennel when we leave during the day? Luckily we both work from home and we are home A LOT so we’ve had him for 4 days and haven’t left him so I’m
not sure how he will do yet?
Also, we have him on a Natural Balance sweet potato chicken food (recommended by our friend a frenchie owner and vet) and he’s doing great.
How much should he be eating a day at 8 weeks? His vet appt is not until Jan 19.
Thank you!!
Oh yeah, you’re totally fine to leave them in the crate while you’re out. When they’re young, it’s sometimes just necessary. I’m beginning to believe it’s more stress to crate/kennel a puppy when they know you’re home. When my wife and I are out, we check our cameras and ninety-nine percent of the time, they’re sleeping. If we’re home and have to put them in the kennel, they just cry and freak out.
As for eating, there’s a calculator link in the food post on this blog. Use that to estimate a rough amount, but the can or bagged kibble you’re feeding should have some feeding recommendations on it somewhere. Go by that, as the caloric content can change from type to type.
Really like your website. I have the opportunity to adopt two french bulldogs. Aged 2 and 3 years old. They’ve apparently have been well taken care of. The family just has no time for them. I’m going to meet then on friday. Do you have any advice on what to ask them or to look for? Would you advise health insurance?My main concern is their health. I had two dogs at the same time for 14 years. Had a pug and a shih tzu.
Jay, very good on you for adopting. That is the ultimate act of kindness. Things to look for: lameness in their gait (or stride). This is a sign of hip dysplasia, a common health issue in french bulldogs that requires lots of money and surgery to correct. The surgery is also not 100% effective. Look for signs of heavily labored breathing, panting, and persistent breathing through the mouth and not the nose. This is indicative of stenotic nares, a condition common to many, many smushed-face breeds. This condition is a restriction in ability to breathe through the nose due to the air passages from the nostrils are “pinched” and quite narrow. If you had a Shih Tzu, they’re considered a brachycephalic breed and therefore prone to stenotic nares, so you may be familiar with this. It can be corrected via surgery to widen the nasal passages. It’s typically done with a laser and can cost anywhere from $150-500 depending on the veterinarian. Watch them play, ask the owners to let you spend a few minutes with them. If they seem healthy, they probably are; but be sure to ask questions. Do they present signs of allergies? Allergic reactions after certain types of dog food? Have they displayed symptoms of cherry eye, i.e. has the puffy red tissue around their eyes ever protruded? Are their movements….normal…? Solid poos? Do they eat and drink regularly? Sleep normally? Most of this is common sense, the majority of us just forget to ask when the time becomes because we get preoccupied playing the pups/dogs/etc. Just be probing but not abrasive and be straight-forward about why you’re asking. Tell the owners that it isn’t to influence your decision to adopt but to be certain you know how to provide them with the best care and their veterinarian (if you do adopt them) with an accurate depiction of their health history. Best of luck!
Thank you for the lengthy response. I’ll take the all into consideration. Will the gait be very noticeable? Would it be too much to ask them if they can bring them to the vet to check them out if they don’t have up to date records? or shold having no records be a no go?
When I was trying to adopt them last month they gave them to one of their neighbors and I think they gave them back to them. I didn’t get the whole story. It’s a concern of mine on why they gave them back. I don’t think they’d be scamming me because they’re not asking me to pay them. They’re only asking to make a donation to an animal group.
Jay, it’s not uncommon, especially with expensive french bulldogs, to ask to see the pup’s pedigree and evidence of having been checked for hip dysplasia and intervertebral disk disease (this is usually a certificate and/or an x-ray with a form). However, all of that is expensive and a lot of breeders go by their knowledge of their particular broodstock, their medical histories, and their general observations. A lot of breeders provide really good health guarantees, so ask your breeder about this. Since you aren’t dealing with a breeder, it’s more than likely that you’re going to be asked to assume the risk and costs of any future potential health issues. That said, a lot of french bulldogs are given up for adoption because of behavioral issues, such as not getting along with other pets or persistent destructiveness. I’d say you’re not getting scammed, just be open and ask plenty of questions about the pup’s past and how they got to be up for adoption.
Hi, great website and amazing responses to some of the questions on here.
We have just got ourselves our first French bulldog pup. She’s so tiny and we have all fallen in love with her. As this is our first Frenchie pup I just wanted to know is it normal for her to pretty much sleep all day and not really get up and about a lot apart from when she uses the toilet ?
We understand that she is a baby and this is what babies do. But just wanted to be clear.
Many thanks
Hey Jordan,
Sorry for the belated reply. Congratulations on your frenchie. You got the love of your life right there.
A french bulldog puppy should be rather vivacious and energetic. In my experience, french bulldogs don’t get lazy until they’re 2-3 years old. The three puppies I have now, whom are all less than one year old, have more energy than I can possibly explain. To that end, this is anecdotal and it’s wise to remember that french bulldogs can have a range temperaments and energy levels. I would make sure your vet checks her for any kind of intestinal parasites, parvovirus, and other commonly screened contagions. Lethargy is a symptom of parvo and parvo is very serious. I am not implying that your french bulldog has parvo. I’m just noting some of the symptoms. If your vet says she’s okay, then you’ve just got a lazy frenchie. I’ve got at least 2 who are couch potatoes.
hello i want to adopt a bulldog dog who is 3 years old, is there a problem, bulldog is 3 years old ? ? ?
well to be honest i have the same question, i have a red tiger bulldog male 4 years of age. is it ok to start training a bit hard.
I’ll be getting my first Frenchie . He is 14 weeks old. What do we do about flee protection ? Can they have a flee protection ?
Hello Ramona,
This reply may be late but my vet recommended Vectra 3D which is applied to the coat of a puppy and will protect them against flee, flee eggs/larvae, ticks, mosquitoes, mites and biting flies. Hope this is helpful.
Hello Jordan,
Your post have been so helpful I would like to provide some additional products that have worked out for my puppy. The items included have been researched and through trial and error have worked in my home.
Kirkland extra absorbent pee pads
Kirkland baby wipes ultra soft
XXS- Ruffwear harness for under 15lbs
RC socks- XS for under 10lbs and Small for under 15lbs
K& H pet cot
4moms, Sprout cover-water thermometer
Best friends by Sheri mini throne
Sacrons can covers
Eercare pet mega cleaning rollers
Buckleys Trainers all natural-bacon or chicken
Nature Miracle Non-stick advanced jaw scoop
GRDE Zoomable 3 modes super bright LED head lamp (2 count)
chuckit treat tote
Attmu shower caddy
Simple solution pee post
Jyhy short snout dog muzzle-just in case used only once
Might paw smart bell
Liba bug zapper & electric
North States 3 in 1 metal superyard
Carlosn lil tuffy expandable gate
Nylabone healthy edibles
Vittles vault 30-lbs stackable
Uv flashlight black light- to see pee spots
clear spray bottles for Nature Miracle Dog urine destroyer
SiRe dog water bottle leak proof
Mommy helper outlet plugs 36 count
Mulit camera- for pets
YogaRat Mugzy mutt towel
Dog gone smart dirty dog shammy
Kong toys
For owners:
Books: the French bulldog bible- Susanne Saben
The French bulldog Handbook- Linda Whitwam
French Bulldog (Breedlover’s Guide)-Lisa Ricciotti
French Bulldogs-Owners Guide by Alex Seymour
Recommending Ugg boots that are water repellant and keep your feet warm when you have to take your puppy out to potty at night or early in the morning.
Hello Jordan I have now a 15w Frenchie, I have been struggling to potty train him, I have tried everything and he does not learn nor understand he should go on the pads. I am new to having an indoor dog I work all day so I cant have him go outside, I am currently feeding him 3x a day. I just need advice on what to do. he is really calm normally sleeps all day doesn’t play I’m scared he is depressed..
Hello Jennifer,
I am a big fan of Jordan’s blog and your problem is potty training your dog to pee on pee pads. Thinking outside the box you could bring the outdoors inside. Fresh patch is a patch of real grass your puppy can use the toilet on. This is found on Amazon. Not sure it is the solution for your puppy but an idea. I have training by dog to use the patch on rainy and cold days. Post your results. -dt-
Hola Jordan, let me tell that from all the websites i have visited to learn about French Bulldogs this one has been the BEST. I want to thank you for creating a such insightful source of information. I just got my 8 weks old frenchie (Charley) and im going to be driving to California for my brother’s wedding from Florida. Now my issue is that I’m cooking Charley’s meals from the recipe you posted from
“Fab frenchies chef Hannah’s feast”.& I dont know what to do on those days that we would be on the road, Should i take him his food frozen? and if i do, should i be worried that it will go bad? Or should i feed him something else during our traveling days?.. what do you recommend?
Hello Jennifer,
I am a big fan of Jordan’s blog and have read your dilemma. There is an alternative to you cooking. In California there is a company call Just food for dogs. They can be found in pet smart frozen food section. The food is human food quality and this would eliminate some cooking and worries. Check them out when you come to California.