Bringing Home A New French Bulldog Puppy

What should I expect when I bring home a new French Bulldog Puppy?

Are you bringing home a new French Bulldog Puppy?

Puppies are no different to babies, like babies French Bulldog puppies need a lot of sleep, don’t be surprised if your puppy has between 16-18 hours sleep per day! It’s important to remember every puppy is different and therefore some need more or less than others and remember the time required for sleep will slowly reduce as they get older. Like babies, if they do not get enough sleep it can impact their temperament, health, and attitude. During your French Bulldog’s adolescent stage, he/she will sleep over half of the day in series of different periods, just like teenagers…right? Only joking…Not! Toby slept so much!

(Have You Considered Getting A Harness For Your French Bulldog Puppy?)

Don’t be alarmed if your puppy whimpers on their first night in a foreign new home, this is normal and as for some puppies a foreign new home won’t even phase them. Every puppy is unique in their own special way. Some puppies may take a few days to become comfortable whilst others are confidently strutting around. Whining and crying is all very normal, imagine a human baby being passed off to a new mother. The new mother will have a new scent and new mannerisms which is all very unfamiliar and a little bit scary to puppies. Crying at night can be minimized with a few soft and furry plush toys, especially if they mimic the size of their siblings or mum.

Try our suggested plush toys/blankies for your puppy, Toby’s favorites:

• ZippyPaws Hide and Seek Plush Rabbit
• ZippyPaws Crinkly Monkey Plush
• ZippyPaws Loopy 6-Squeaker Plush Dog Toy, Hedgehog
• ZippyPaws Doggie no stuffing toy
• ZippyPaws Skinny Rope Plush Pets
  

Like with anything in life new beginnings can be both exciting yet stressful, the feeling of stress is magnified for puppies due to new surroundings and smells. Stress-related issues can occur in puppies, for example, loose stools and loss of appetite for the first day or two until they become comfortable. Loose stools are more common when they have also changed diet. Unique French Bulldogs will give you a month’s supply of kibble that they feed to all their puppies if you’re looking to change the brand slowly introduce other kibble or food gradually to ease the new diet transition. Porkypaws feeds Toby a grain free kibble that’s full of iron, Omega 3 & 6 and calcium and the name of the brand is Ivory Coat. Loose stools (even with a little mucus or blood in it) for a few days is not a reason for alarm so long as the puppy is alert and acting healthy and comfortable. If the problem persists for several days, it’s important to contact Unique French Bulldogs for any questions or post a question on their family site for all Unique French Bulldog owners, alternatively, consult your local Vet.

You will also notice that some puppies may sometimes scoff or gulp their food and water which may cause bloating or lead to a bit of throw-up food &/or water. Don’t fret, this is only temporary and will self-correct in 48-72 hours. If you’re a new parent, we understand you want to make sure your puppy is perfectly comfortable and happy and we always encourage more questions than no questions. At the end of the day, if your puppy is acting and looking healthy, there is no need to be alarmed over their initial behavior with food consumption. If your puppy tends to gulp food a lot, try and feed smaller amounts several times per day until the problem is resolved. French Bulldogs are known to be a little gluttonous so even older dogs still gup their food and throw up. If this condition persists over an extended period of time, especially if your puppy is not looking or acting healthy, a vet should be consulted, and be sure to let your Breeder know as well.

One last thing, like babies, each puppy is very unique and nothing is 100% predictable. If your puppy is eating well, playing normally and exploring then there is little reason to be concerned unless any problems continue long period with minimum improvement then we do encourage you to speak to your Breeder or Vet.

Porkypaws and Unique French Bulldogs have teamed up to list a few important preparation steps to make sure you welcome your French Bulldog into your home in the best possible way, read on!

Bringing home a French Bulldog Puppy

A little preparation goes a long way, puppies first car ride can be a little nerve-racking and is your first opportunity to bond with your puppy so here are some tips to make it comfortable and memorable!

Prior to collecting your puppy

Make sure you allocate enough time to bring your puppy home and spend time with them, taking time off work (3-5 days) is ideal to help them familiarise themselves with new surroundings. You’re their new guardian so it’s important you help them socialize and introduce them to their new surroundings. Bringing a puppy home during festivity seasons may steal our attention away from them so make sure you time this well.

 

Celebrate with a friend’s company

Bring your best friend or partner along when you pick up your puppy so you can bond with them. Not only can you celebrate the moment of bringing your new fur baby home but they can also help you note down important facts the breeder is telling you.

Knowledge is key

Keep a list of all important questions you may have for a breeder, a reputable and passionate breeder will have a guide for you to reference when taking your puppy home. Unique French Bulldogs always provides a booklet about French Bulldogs and what to expect when bringing them home for the first time. Facebook pages are also very popular for new parents to ask common questions.

Registration papers

Don’t forget the dog registration papers for purebred puppies and any other documentation the breeder promised.

Introducing a puppy to your home

Phew! Made it through the car ride, now time to introduce your puppy to his new environment. To maximize a calm and relax environment try and keep abrupt changes and visitors at bay until your puppy settles in.

Training early achieves good behavior

Positive reinforcement works wonders on puppies and the first few days with the puppy will give you the perfect chance to practice praising his good behavior whilst demonstrating who is the Alpha. Remember it’s important not to punish your puppy as it’s too early to set any disciplinary action. Your puppy is still getting used to their environment and scolding or punishing your puppy may cause added stress. After the car ride, your puppy will probably need to potty, so take them to the area where you’ve established where he should eliminate if he has eliminated in that spot praise him so he gets used to a mini celebration when he potty’s in the proper spot.

Allow your puppy to explore freely (don’t forget to puppy proof your home)! If your puppy finds something and chews on it that he shouldn’t be, again, be mindful not to punish him, just exchange the object for something else like a chew toy or treat that’s good for their itchy teeth:

• Bacon flavoured chew toy
• Himalayan Gold Yak Dog Chews
• Smart Sticks Peanut Butter

Puppies like to look around however when they lock eyes with you or focus towards your direction, cheerfully say their name, it’ll create a connection and show that you’re the pack leader which is important for French Bulldogs and obedience training as they can be quite stubborn and like to do their own thing at times!

Toilet Breaks and Food

After exploring his new surroundings your puppy should have worked up a bit of an appetite so offer him food. Don’t drastically change his diet and offer him a new brand of kibble, raw meat or any other new food, we suggest giving them the same type used by the breeder in the first few weeks. After 10 minutes or so your puppy may need to go to the toilet, take them to the potty area and if they potty make sure to cheerfully praise them.

Puppies around 8-16 weeks old need 3 to 4 meals a day and plenty of clean drinking water. When to take your puppy to potty?

• After he wakes up from a nap
• After each meal
• After a long play session

We like to keep things simple and use a general rule of thumb for potty breaks, it’s just taking your puppies age and adding one to produce the number of hours they need to potty. For example, if they are 1 month old, add one and that will give you 2 hours before they have to potty. It’s important to use the same area or potty as this will help them understand the designated area. Puppy training pads are a great way to keep your place clean and also help little accidents when you’re not looking.

Here are some of Porkypaws favorites that were used for Toby:

• Pet Training Puppy Pads, 100 x count
• Pet Training Maximum Absorption Pads, 50 x count
• All-Absorb Training Pads 22-inch By 23-inch, 100 x count

Puppies and sleep is crucial

Puppies like to sleep a lot, somewhere between 16-18 hours of sleep per day!
To help your puppy get the best rest it’s important to create a small confined area where he feels safe and secure. Check on him often, and when he wakes up take him outside to his potty area.

So, survived the first day? Well done!
Well, now it’s time to prepare your first night! Patience is a virtue…

First night home with the puppy

Not only is this a brand new experience for your puppy, it’s a brand new experience for you (if you’re a first time French Bulldog adopter). Embrace and cherish this moment (though a little challenging at the start) a little patience will help you and your puppy. Remember, it’s the first time your puppy has spent the night away from his mumma and siblings. Dogs are pack animals and puppies know instinctively that being alone, away from his pack can be dangerous. Crying is normal, it’s just your puppy calling out for his pack to feel safe again.

Bedtime preparation shenanigans

Limit food 2-3 hours before bedtime to make sure their stomach and bladder isn’t full before sleep, this may interrupt their sleep, not to mention yours! Before bedtime, we played with Toby to make sure he’s tired enough to peacefully and soundly sleep. If he tries too quickly try and not let him nap in between plays as he’ll be up all night, just like a baby after their nap. Make sure to take your puppy to potty before bedtime, if he goes to the toilet cheerfully praise him.

Should I let my puppy sleep with me?

Sleep is important for you and your puppy so to improve your chances of peaceful sleep try to let your puppy sleep in your bedroom as this will subdue the whining. Constant contact during the night will also ease your puppy’s anxiety levels.

I know it’s hard but try not to let your puppy in your bed and sleep with you. Allowing your puppy to sleep in your bed will grow a level of expectation that they should always be in bed with you which can lead to behavioral problems as your puppy grows, such as separation anxiety. We suggest putting a T-Shirt or old jumper near to him as they can become familiar with your scent. A ticking clock underneath your item of clothing may also help soothe your puppy on their first night home. Don’t forget to check on them during the night if they need bathroom breaks or need water.