What every Frenchie buyer should know

french bulldog puppies ohio

Grooming a Frenchie

Routine grooming for the French Bulldog includes regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, brushing to remove excess hair, frequent cleansing of skin folds, and occasional bathing. Their fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. Their bat ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.
 

Energy, Exercise & Temperatures

You won’t have to worry about a yappy dog bothering your neighbors because Frenchies rarely bark. That said, you can count on them to alert their owners to danger (Look! The UPS guy is coming!). They enjoy daily walks or brief outdoor romps, but because of their short noses, they shouldn’t be exercised on hot, humid days and should have access to cool (preferably air-conditioned) rooms during the warmer months.
-Always be aware of the heat and keep an ice water bottle with you if you will be in the heat for any extended period. If you think your Frenchie is overheating the fastest way to cool them down is to pour ice water on their chest cavity. Let them drink cold water too but not too much.
 

Potty Training

French Bulldogs can be stubborn when it comes to housetraining. Be patient, be consistent, and consider the use of paper training or puppy pee pads to get around the problem (although it’s always best to get the pup outdoors). I have found for some reason around the age of a year they get the potty thing. They all of a sudden wake up and go… wow Mom, you want me to potty outside? Well, why didn’t you say so? lol

-Crates should never be used as punishment. They are meant to become a den and safe place to retreat when they are tired or overwhelmed. I leave my dogs’ crate door open all day, they like to go in and take naps or if there are a lot of people over.

-An eight-week-old puppy should not be kept in the crate for more than two hours at a time and that length of time can gradually be increased as they get older.

-The crate should be big enough for the puppy to stand, lay down, and sit comfortably; no bigger. Otherwise, they will potty on one end and sleep on the other (This is where the divider comes in).

-Never reprimand a puppy after he has pottied in the wrong place. You can ONLY reprimand them when catching them in the act. Immediately take the puppy where you want him to go. Always take him to the same place to potty. If he doesn’t go, put him in his crate wait fifteen minutes or so, and try again.

-Get the puppy on a schedule. This will help tremendously with everything.

– Be consistent in all training aspects so as not to confuse the puppy between what’s acceptable and not.

-Always keep in mind something that is cute now, may not be an acceptable behavior as an adult so don’t allow bad habits to begin in the first place.

Frenchies & Water

Although franchies may like the hose and chasing water they are not good swimmers and should not have access to pools, spas, or other bodies of water. I have baby pools that are filled halfway for them to play but nothing deeper. If I am taking them into our pool area they have personal life preservers.

What supplies should I buy for my new Frenchie puppy?

There are a few necessities any puppy owner should have.

1. metal folding puppy crate with a divider
2. Puppy toys (never rawhide), chewies, Nyla bones
3. bed/blanket
4. collar, harness, and leash
5. Puppy pads and stain remover spray
6. Child gate/ and or playpen
7. Puppy Training treats

What advice do you have for more puppy owners?

-Always keep in mind that having a new puppy is like having a new baby; if you can’t physically keep your eyes on him, put him in his crate. They will eat almost anything.

-Don’t use rawhide or rope toys. These types of toys can be dangerous if swallowed. Acceptable chew toys are: nylabones, kongs, real bones… Keep it domestic; nothing made in China.

-Frenchies are stubborn. Most of the time they know what you want, they just think their idea is better. Be firm and assertive in the beginning to set boundaries to help with listening skills down the road.

-Besides snoozing the day away, the Frenchie’s favorite hobby is being his owner’s personal lap warmer.