Q: What kind of food and supplements do you recommend?
A: I feed puppies Purina Pro Plan Puppy Salmon Formula in a RAISED BOWL (not only great for digestion, but also wonderful for strengthening pasterns; I like the MidWest Homes for Pets Snap'y Fit Stainless Steel Food Bowl attached at chin length onto their wire crate) until the pup is a year old, with a variety of different "toppers" dependent on the individual need of a particular pup. I feed twice a day and measure the amount by the weight of the dog. I keep my dogs lean (you want to see the waist on a Frenchie) in order to best support joint integrity, and with that in mind, I also give a supplement called "Phyto-Flex" by Dogzymes that includes Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Hyaluronic Acid starting at 8 weeks old and ongoing.
For toppers, I add a dash of salmon, coconut or olive oil once a day, pumpkin puree (especially if stool is loose), and an array of fun additions like broccoli, blueberries, grains (white or brown rice and quinoa is a fav), sweet potato, steamed or raw kale, parsley, frozen or raw carrots and steamed or boiled protein such as ground turkey, chicken, or hamburger. Goats milk keifer is a favorite, along with a pre and probiotic daily supplement like Benebac or NatureVet Digestive Enzymes. Steamed broccoli night here is a big hit for my pack; they think it's the most exotic treat and drool in anticipation.
Another key supplement I've been giving the pack prior to travel, or if there's any illness or imbalance is Ether-C. I've been taking 1000 mg a day since August, and have never felt better and (fingers crossed) have avoided any illness this winter. My dogs get 500-1000 mg a day as needed (I chop up tablets ordered from Amazon and add it to their food), and they tolerate it beautifully with no stomach upset. I've heard of Frenchie people curing IVDD symptoms with crate rest, anti-inflammatories AND ESTHER-C! I'm looking more into the data, nothing conclusive now, however I've found it to be a very helpful tool for any low immune reponse, and for keeping everyone healthy all-in-all.
I just started the adults on a highly recommended kibble called Solid Gold, which has been a huge hit. Bucky's coat is so sleek and everyone on the pack has great energy, with a minimal amount of the famous Frenchie gas... : ) Prior to Solid Gold, they were on Purina Pro Plan for years, with good results. There are many wonderful kibbles on the market to explore, however I tend to stick with a tried and true basic kibble and stay away from fads. Raw Diets are not something I advocate for; however my pack does enjoy a frozen raw beef marrow bone on occasion. My dogs do not have allergies, (breeding a dog with severe allergies is highly unethical) however when the famous Sonoma Valley pollen kicks up, extra salmon oil seems to balance out any allergic responses.
As far as additional supplements go, I've tried NuVet products and have not seen or felt any substantially positive results from the line, however I know some breeders who swear by it. I belive they are getting the correct amount of nutrition from their good kibble and toppers, and don't need extra vitamins, although Mama dogs need extra support prior and post babes, alog with my dogs who are traveling. I like to double up on probiotics and protein for both.
Q: Will my Frenchie be able to go on stairs?
A: The short answer to this question is NO. Be very mindful of her growth plates that won't be fully mature (harden into solid bone) until they are done growing, around 12 months old. I do take my dogs on short walks, but limit the mile + hikes they'll eventually be capable of until after a year old. I would always limit any stair climbing, jumping off of couches, rope tug play, jumping off of beds and ESPECIALLY any slippery floor interaction. I can't stress enough how important good traction is for not only in the whelping box, but ONGOING to keep a dog from slipping and damaging their hips. If a dog has laxity in their hips (all puppies do to a certain extent), each time she slips, the femoral head is moving around in the hip joint and can cause damage. That's why even a puppy from OFA Excellent and Good rated hips can later develop hip dysplasia: If a home environment doesn't support the ongoing structural integrity of a pup, or dog, risks associated with IVDD & hip dysplasia can occur. The Institute of Canine Biology has some helpful information on how to mitigate the risks associated with hip dysplasia, besides bringing home a puppy from an ethical breeder who does OFA or PennHip evaluations on their breeding dogs.
Home Goods rubber-backed mats placed on slippery kitchen floors or hardwood floors will not only protect your floors from scratches, but will give you peace of mind as your puppy does happy zoomies all over your house. Zoomies, part of the Frenchie charm, is even more joyful to watch when they aren't slipping all over your hardwood floors! Being proactive with their health is key to combating any issues down the road: Good nutrition and a lean weight, age-appropriate exercise and no risky physical activity will give your Frenchie the best chance at a long, healthy life.
Q: Will he need to go potty in the middle of the night? How do we best support his potty training?
A: The puppies here have been trained to potty in a kitty litter box with pine pellets. I line the pen with washable potty pads and rubber backed mats for traction. I keep the pan in their pen until they are fully potty trained to go outside, which can take a few short weeks, or many more, dependent on the dog and her style.
Potty training is an adventure you will go on with you puppy that may test your patience like you've never been tested before. Be consistent, and kind to yourself and your dog, and she will eventually get it. Frenchie's are notorious for their stubbornness and potty training them is no exception, unfortunately. I use a key word like "potty potty" to take them outside to use the bathroom, and praise, praise, praise and give a treat after they use the bathroom outside. I do not allow free roam of the house until she is clear on the concept of potty training. The more consistent we are, the easier it is for the dog to understand what is being asked of her. Your puppy training class can be a great resource, along with a favorite YouTube trainer like Cesar Milan, for familiarizing yourself with how to potty train your baby.
Ok, friends! I hope this series has been fun and educational to read, and I look forward to continuing with more Q&A posts in the future! Feel free to comment, or to email me directly with any further questions. Love, and puppy smooches, from all of us in Glen Ellen... and Happy Valentine's Day!