I've been meaning to sit down and write this post for sometime. Ah, the blog posts in my head are a mile long... so many topics on all-things Frenchie that I look forward to discussing.
Bringing home a puppy is a huge adjustment for the family, and for the puppy alike. A period of getting to know each other should be expected, naturally, where the pup will learn to live without her littermates in a new home with her new family. I was so impressed by a new client who emailed me a set of great questions they had about bringing home their new babe, and I thought I'd share the list of questions on my site to help clarify a few things for Frenchie owners, new and old alike. I love it when people reach out with questions about how to care for their puppy, or dog. It truly takes a village to raise this breed well, and getting plugged into a community, whether it be a Facebook group, your good breeder and her community, or with an ongoing training group, can be super valuable when questions come up.
Here's the list of questions (in no particular order) that I've been pondering this week, sent by my clients who are about to embark on an epic love story with their little Frenchies of Glen Ellen babe. I'm answering them from my own set of experiences; and if anyone out there has feedback for these thoughtful humans please feel free to comment!
Q: Do dogs have more than one "master," or do they primarily listen to one owner?
A: In my experience, a dog who's had foundational training should take her commands from whoever is giving them, depending on the extent of the training. A well-trained show dog should be able to go out in the ring with a handler and listen and execute what is asked of her. A family pet who has been trained with boundary setting skills like: Going potty outside, staying off the couch, recall when off leash, Good Citizenship when meeting other dogs for the first time, not jumping on people when they come in the front door, not bolting out of a gate when going for a walk and to wait for mommy or daddy to step out first, etc.,
Training aside, I've found that within a family, the dog will form the strongest emotional bond to the person who is the primary owner; the human in the pack who feeds the pup, works with her, walks her, snuggles her the most. However, the room in a Frenchie's heart for love is vast and the more love they receive, the happier a pup. Frenchies are bred for consistent temperament, but within that genetic predisposition, there's a lot of wiggle room within the environment she continues to be raised in, and her early experiences dictate much of her behaviors. That's why lots of positive socialization activities and puppy classes can make a real difference in the long-term temperament of a dog.
I've heard stories , and been privy to, stubborn teenage Frenchies completely forgetting their early Puppy Class training at around 12 months old, and becoming a super naughty version of themselves. I am currently in this dilemma with gorgeous little Diana at 10 months old who is doing beautifully with her show ring work, but is an absolute pip when it comes to listening to me when it involves potty outside, not chasing the cat, not jumping on the table... I mean the list goes on with this one. But, as Frenchies often do, they will go through a torrid teenage phase, and with consistent boundaries set and maintained, and ongoing training, they will come out of it a few months down the road as balanced, content little nuggets of joy.
Q: Should both owners be involved in the Puppy Class?
A: Yes, if possible. The more involved both primary owners are in learning how to work with their dog, the better the long term outcome. I also HIGHLY recommend a follow-up class (Petco, Pet Express or any local AKC clubs will offer drop in classes, and group classes) BEFORE any behavioral issues come up during the "teenage phase" of appx 8-16 months. My Frenchie's seem to respect the time I sped training them. The pack is more engaged and balanced after their daily walks, and most certainly after a training session with my group, or after a long weekend of dog showing. This breed will tend to walk all over you with those chubby muffin paws and those adorable smooshy faces, and before you know it, you have a stout and bossy tyrant running the roost. Training your dog is a gift you can give each other and your pup will respect and thank you for it.
Q: What kind of crate should we buy?
A: I use a small wire crate from Amazon Basics placed inside of an X-Pen (plastic from Amazon works great) for inside the house and recommend a high impact crate for travel like Diggs Revol or Ruff Land Kennels. I start crate training puppies at 4 weeks old, as a pack, and individually (and very slowly!) a couple weeks prior to leaving Glen Ellen. It's especially important for the babes who will be transported across the country on our trusted flight nanny's lap in a small airline-approved carrier, or in a car ride in a crate, to understand the concept of crate training. I also use a natural pheromone collar like ThunderEase or Adaptil to calm puppies and dogs while traveling. I also use one on Mom about a week prior to her due date to keep her serene prior to her delivery. Probiotics like Benebac gel can be a wonderful tool to help alleviate stress prior to travel, and is administered per directions about a week before a pup leaves. I send a puppy pack home with the new family a hot water bottle that has a cute stuffed animal cover; I let the pack sleep with it for a night and pack it up for the new family to fill with warm water and place in the bedding of the puppy for a few days. I LOVE all these tried and true methods to help baby adjust. They really work!
When the puppy isn't playing with her new family, I recommend placing her inside her pen for safety. She may whine and cry, but this is the start of training basics. Let her fuss, give her something wonderful to chew on (Himalayan Dog Chew Original Yak Cheese Dog Chews are awesome, or a Kong that you put a swipe of coconut oil, peanut butter or a bit of wet puppy food inside); even a few stalks of frozen broccoli or a few cubes of frozen goats milk keifer to keep her entertained.
A crate is her special little "me" zone where she can feel safe, ongoing, when traveling or sleeping. It's essential, in my opinion, to crate train. (I could do an entire blog post of the benefits of crate training, but I'll save that for another day.) If baby keeps crying, a blanket placed over the crate can be very soothing. Maybe even a little classical music on the Alexa, yes? Think of how to sooth a fussy baby, and apply it to the new puppy, and VOILA... let the crate training fun commence.
Q: Does my new baby like jackets? (It's cold here!)
A: Jackets are not only adorable, but necessary, in the winter months. Puppies, and French Bulldog adults, traditionally aren't equipped to deal with extreme temperatures. Make sure baby is bundled up (I scour Home Goods for cute outfits, and as a splurge LOVE Ugg brand dog Clothes; they're durable and fit Frenchie's well. I use a paw balm called Bag Balm for chapped noses and paws for when it's cold, and hot, as well. During the summer, A/C is a necessity. Never let your Frenchie overheat, and please, everyone, read up on this topic. Even our health tested babes are indeed, brachycephalic (a condensed snout), and once they start panting and over heating, it can lead to a very serious situation. By educating yourself about the risks associated with extreme weather and our breed, you can mitigate them.
Q: Can he socialize with big dogs?
A: Yes! As long as the big dog is a dog who is "safe" around a smaller breed, I do allow my Frenchie's to play with other breeds. However, I am not a fan of the Dog Park. There are too many unvaccinated, untrained and unruly pets (and owners) at the Dog Parks these days, and the benefits don't outweigh the risks, for my pack. I'm sure there are some great Dog Parks in the country (especially if you can find a Small Dog Park) that have wonderful community, however I do not endorse bringing your French Bulldog to a Dog Park UNLESS you feel absolutely confident in the surrounding area and the community who attends the park.
Q: Best Cleaning Supplies?
A: I use an enzyme cleaner called AmazonCommercial Multi-Purpose Enzyme Cleaner for potty accidents, and for an all purpose; along with Simple Green, or another non-toxic general purpose cleaner for pen and crate cleaning. It's a wonder what a bucket of hot water with a squirt of dish soap can do, as well. For weekly sanitizing, I use my handy dandy Wagner Spraytech Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaner. It's genius!
Ok, guys! Signing off of Part I and will post Part II in the next couple of days. Love and puppy breath kisses from the gang at Frenchies of Glen Ellen xxxxxx