CARING FOR A FRENCHIE PUPPY

The Frenchie is a glamorous breed that is oddly beautiful. It is a medium-to-small-sized compact dog with a muscular body. These adorable dogs are perfect for small living spaces and busy urban lifestyles.

Frenchies are indeed the most charming things to ever walk this earth. They are sweet, friendly, fun-loving, and sometimes mischievous dogs. They thrive when they are around their human family members. Frenchies are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world and rank 4th on the AKC breed popularity index.

It is important to understand that as a dog parent you are responsible for the care and wellbeing of your little furry pal. Care does not end at making your Frenchie sleep in your bedroom. It extends to giving them a comfortable resting place, feeding them healthy food, grooming, training, daily walk, and taking them for check-ups to a vet.

Let's discuss the feeding, grooming, training, resting, and exercise needs of a French Bulldog.

Designated area to relax 

After hours of playing, your little Frenchie puppy must be given his well-deserved rest. Frenchies have unique sleep needs and require a warm and comfortable area for sleeping. You must provide them a designated place to sleep and relax where they feel comfortable. 

You can keep your puppy safe, comfortable, and well-rested with a cozy dog bed and a personalized blanket. A personalized blanket protects your Frenchie against extreme temperatures and provides cushioning for a restful sleep. This will help them to relax and recharge after their busy day of play.

Feeding your Frenchie

Good diet and nutrition are important for your Frenchie's health. Here are some suggestions for feeding your French Bulldog:

• Frenchie's diet should be appropriate for his age, gender, and activity level.
• To support your Frenchie's energy level, their daily diet should meet their nutritional requirements.
• The recommended daily amount of an adult Frenchie is approximately 1-1.5 cups of high-quality food, divided into two meals.
• French Bulldogs can put on weight easily. Do not overfeed your Frenchie even if they act as they are starving.
• Maintain a regular feeding schedule for your Frenchie. Do not leave your Frenchie’s food out all day. If your fur buddy doesn’t eat, just pick it up and wait until the next meal.
• You must ensure that clean and fresh water should be available to French Bulldogs at all times.
• You can also buy a personalized pet bowl for your adorable furry child.

Training your Frenchie 

Frenchie puppies are usually mischievous, fun-loving, and playful. They must be trained right from puppyhood. 

The most suitable time to start training your Frenchie puppy is 8-12 weeks. Here are some of the essential training that you need to do with your Frenchie puppy:

• Leash training
• Crate training
• Housetraining training
• Obedience training 

If the training experience is pleasant, your Frenchie puppy will love it. Here are some tips for French Bulldog puppy training: 

• Use positive reinforcement method: 

These little fur buddies learn best by positive reinforcement techniques. You must praise and reward your Frenchie puppy during training sessions. Punishments, harsh behavior, and yelling will only have negative outcomes. 

• Spend time with your Frenchie puppy

Try to spend extra time with your Frenchie puppy beyond the training sessions.

• Stay firm and consistent

Be consistent with the rules you are setting for your Frenchie puppy. 

Start training your Frenchie puppy in an area with fewer distractions. Gradually move to new and more distracting locations.

Dog classes and daycare

If you are unable to devote much time, it’s better to enroll your Frenchie puppy in puppy daycare or puppy classes. Your little furry friend will learn basic manners and how to behave around other people and pets. 

Socialization

Try to socialize your Frenchie puppy as much as possible. Make sure your French Bulldog puppy gets to encounter all kinds of people, places, animals, and objects in different settings. 

Introducing new places and meeting new people will help your Frenchie puppy stay well-mannered in his life. Socialization can stimulate their mind with new people, new animals, various sights, different smells, and sounds.

Grooming your Frenchie

The Frenchies have short coats and require moderate maintenance. They are fairly easy to groom. Here's how you can groom your Frenchie:

Frenchies have a fine, smooth, and short coat. They are low shedders and require weekly brushing to keep their coats healthy. Frenchie's coats look shiny, healthy, and clean just from brushing. 

Frenchies just need occasional baths. You should bathe them when necessary with a high-quality canine shampoo. Over-bathing is not recommended for Frenchies.

• Wrinkle cleaning: French Bulldogs need regular cleaning of their folds and wrinkles to prevent infections. If allowed to become dirty, they will become a hotbed of germs and infections. Use cotton balls or wipes to wipe out your Frenchie's wrinkles and folds.

Brush your Frenchie's little teeth once or twice a week to prevent bacteria and tartar buildup. Always use a canine-specific toothbrush and toothpaste.

• Eye cleaning: Your Frenchie's eyes should be clear with no unusual swelling, redness, or any kind of discharge.

Trim your Frenchie's nails every couple of weeks or as required. Short and neatly trimmed nails keep your Frenchie's paws in good condition.

While grooming, inspect your Frenchie's mouth, eyes, and ears for any signs of infection. Also, check for sores, rashes, or inflammation on your Frenchie's skin.

You can use the following tools for grooming your Frenchie puppy:

• Dematting Comb
• A medium-size pin brush and slicker brush 
• Grooming Rake 
• Grooming scissors for tidying up the coat
• Nail clippers
• Dog toothbrush and toothpaste

Your regular grooming and careful examination will help you spot potential health problems early. 

Grooming is a great way to bond with your four-legged friend. It should not be a burden for you or your Frenchie. You should make grooming a positive experience filled with treats and praises.

Exercise requirements of a Frenchie 

Frenchies have a fairly low energy level with low exercise needs. However, to maintain a healthy weight, they need regular low-intensity exercise, whether structured or unstructured. This will contribute to your pup's happiness and overall well-being. 

You can meet your French Bulldog's exercise requirements by:

• A daily walk
• Fetch games
• Free play in a fenced yard
• Find-the-treat game
• Playing and socializing in a dog park
• Nose and scent games
• Playing with age-appropriate interactive toys
• Frenchies are NOT meant to be jogging companions

Physical and mental stimulation through exercise will help channel your French Bulldog's energy constructively. Keep in mind that you should not over-exercise your Frenchie as he's prone to overheating and breathing issues.

Pro tip: Remember that Frenchie is a brachycephalic breed and does not handle heat very well. They need to be regularly monitored on hot days to ensure that they don't get overheated. 

Vet Checkup

Vet checkups give you a chance to track your Frenchie's growth. You can discuss any questions about your French Bulldog's health with your vet. Some of the diseases that may affect a Frenchie are:

• Brachycephalic Syndrome
• Allergies
• Patellar Luxation
• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
• Von Willebrand's Disease
• Hemivertebrae
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elongated Soft Palate

Vet annual examinations are a key part of your Frenchie's preventive care. During your Frenchie's annual physical exam, your vet will inspect your pup from head to tail. 

• Your vet will examine your Frenchie's ears and eyes for redness or discharge.
• He will listen to your Frenchie's heart and lungs during the exam for any potential problems.
• Your vet will examine your Frenchie's coat and skin. He may be able to identify any lumps, itchy spots, rashes, or inflammation.
• He will check your Frenchie for ticks and fleas.
• Make sure to take your vet’s advice on the proper vaccination schedule of your Frenchie puppy.
• Your vet may make suggestions for your Frenchie's nutrition and dental care.
• He may also suggest activities and medications specific to your Frenchie's health status.

Never hesitate to ask questions from your vet about your Frenchie's health. Try to stay calm and positive when you visit your vet’s office for the first time.

Pro tip: Even if your Frenchie's basic needs are met, you should never leave your fur buddy alone and unsupervised for more than 6 hours a day. They become anxious and develop separation anxiety and other behavioral issues.

Final Thoughts

Frenchies are indeed one of the most loved dogs in the world. These little guys have amazing personalities and adorable distinctive looks. All we can say is that Frenchies are simply heart stealers! 

French Bulldogs are easy-going and love to spend time with owners. Frenchies can make good pets if they match your lifestyle. This wonderful family dog just needs your love and attention!

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