Puppy Care

 

Congratulations on your Frenchie puppy!

You will find that your new addition to your family will Love you and seek your affection.  The Frenchie breed are companion dogs that do not like to be left alone for long periods and will be the 'clown" of your family.  They are known as the clown dog from their fun and loving temperament.  A couple things specific to the Frenchie breed are their facial features and body type.  Frenchies have a flat face and can easily overheat and have difficulty breathing.  With that in mind, DO  NOT leave them outside for long periods.  They also are top heavy and are not great swimmers.  Be aware of large bodies of water and if you happen to go out to a lake or pool, purchase a life jacket for their safety.  A popular jacket is the Ruffware canine float coat.

Please read this entire page for tips to ensure your pup  is healthy and safe!

Wellness Examination

On the top of the list is to bring your puppy to the veterinarian for a health check-up. All puppies will have their first round of vaccinations and we will provide the shot records.  The wellness exam will guarantee the puppy's health and failure to do so within 2 days will nullify the health guarantee contract.  Also be prepared to bring a list of questions that you may want to ask. The veterinarians are the professionals and will be able to answer all of your questions such as vaccinations, care , and heart worm prevention. Vaccinations are needed to protect your puppy from disease.  Puppies will not be fully protected until their vaccinations are completed at 16 weeks. Until then, NO DOG PARKs and socialization with other dogs. 

 

Emergency Clinics

Be aware of contact information and locations of the closest emergency animal clinics. You would be able to bring your little one to your local veterinary hospital but most are not a 24-hour facility. You never know when an emergency could arise so it is best to familiarize yourself with an emergency clinic. In an emergency situation, call the clinic prior to making the trip. There are times when the clinic will have an extended wait time and may defer you to another clinic. Also take your pet's medical records with you because emergency clinics are unable to access your pet's record. Information such as recent lab work , medications, recent surgeries or treatment will be needed.   

Diet

With a large variety of puppy food, not all brands are equal. Many brands lack the nutritional value and would not be recommended by veterinarians. A big misconception is the cost of premium diets; they are not expensive.  To put it into perspective, less food is required for your puppy to get the same nutritional value as low-quality bargain foods.  Some things that we look for in quality dog food are:

  • Real meat as the first ingredient

  • Includes fruits and vegetables

  • Does Not have chicken or poultry by-product meals

  • Does Not have artificial colors, flavors or preservatives

  • Does Not contain corn, wheat or soy

Some comparable brands that we have been using are Blue Buffalo and Wellness Grain Free. In terms of feeding, we prefer to feed our puppies on a routine of set meals rather than free feeding. Puppies's eyes are bigger than their stomach and they will just overeat. We start feeding the puppies 3 meals a day and transition them to 2 meals a day. We would recommend for you to also check the dog food label and consult with the veterinarian for portion size.  Over-nourished dogs results in serious health effects, such as reducing their lifespan.  At 8 weeks the puppies should be able to chew the dog food.  If the puppy has a difficult time chewing because of lack of teeth, add a little water to soften the dog food. 

Toxic Foods & Hazards

If your puppy has ingested any of these items, please contact your local vet or emergency animal clinic. It is important to be aware of the possible dangers that are laying around in the house. When a new loved one is being introduced, make sure the environment and products are puppy safe. 

A great website to review is  www.aspca.org/apcc for the most updated information from leading toxicologist. 

Here is a list of the most  dangerous foods for dogs:

Other Common Household Hazards

  • Vitamins

  • Tobacco

  • Detergent & fabric softener

  • Disinfectants & cleaners ( Use pet safe products)

  • Bleach (Use pet safe products)

  • Paint thinner

  • Lighter fluid

  • Insecticides (Use pet safe products)

  • Potpourri

  • Antifreeze 

  • Fertilizers

  • Sago Palm

For a more complete list, visit www.aspca.org/apcc

Grooming

Grooming is suggested for 4 - 8 week intervals to clean ears, clip nails, check anal glands and ensure that the coat and skin are in a healthy condition.

Face: Because of the large flaps and folds around the eye and nose area, Frenchies need daily to weekly care of this area. The flaps and folds are very moist and prone to growing red yeast and causes a foul odor. The moisture makes the coat area red and raw. Keep these areas dry and clean as necessary. You can use a puppy wipe to clean the areas. If you do see a skin condition, consult with your vet.

Ears: With those big ears, it is important to keep them clean. Use a dog ear cleaning solution and apply some in the ears. Allow the pup to shake it out then use a cotton pad to wipe the ears clean.

Teeth: Now is a good time to get your pup accustomed with brushing their teeth. Plaque and tartar build up can cause a gum infection and resulting of loss of teeth. Never use a human toothpaste. Buy a toothpaste a pet store and get a soft tooth brush. 

Potty Training

The most important part about training is consistency.  After a puppy eats or drinks, take your puppy to go potty within 15 minutes and stay outside until they go.  When they do, be sure to praise them in a soft tone. Also take the puppy outside first thing in the morning and last thing at night and every 30 - 60 minutes in between. Puppies will be better at holding it when they are around 6 months. Be patient with them and they will be potty trained.