What you’ll want to have
We recommend a 6-foot leash that is ½ to ¾ inch wide.
I personally use this Halti leash, which is great as it has shock absorbing technology. I’ve heard too many horror stories of other Frenchies developing serious problems with their spine, neck, and trachea. My Frenchie especially loves pulling on the leash when we’re on a walk or gets excited.
Gooby offers a great, choke-free harness that reduces the strain other harnesses can have on your Frenchie.
A collar and identification tag
If your puppy has yet to be microchipped, you’ll want an identification tag with the following:
Puppy’s name
Your contact information
Veterinarian contact info
Toys (a lot of chew toys)
French Bulldogs have surprisingly powerful jaws and will go through toys like nothing. Always look for rugged, durable toys for your Frenchie!
Food and water bowls
Food
Ask your breeder what they’ve been feeding your puppy.
A sudden change in diet can cause gastrointestinal issues.
Treats
You’ll want to start training immediately.
A quality, low calorie treat
A comfy bed!
Puppy gates to block off sections of your house
Dog shampoo and other grooming supplies
You’ll need everything on this list at some point in time so it doesn’t hurt to have them on hand when you need them most.
Secure your house (puppy-proof)
Puppies are notorious for chewing everything around the house bar none. Whatever they find left on the ground is fair play in their eyes. You’ll want to puppy-proof every inch of your house. We don’t want anything that could make your new Frenchie sick!
I recommend dedicating an area of your house solely for your Frenchie, preferably one that you and your family frequent. Not only does this keep your puppy in a secure, safe area, it also helps from overwhelming them.
If you are opposed to this idea, instead, you can use a dog fence to restrict access to certain areas of your house such as the upstairs. The smaller the area your puppy has to roam around, they quicker they will become acquainted with your house. Too much area to explore will overwhelm your puppy with endless possibilities and new experiences, and it will take them longer to become comfortable.
Look out!
You’ll want to scour the house looking for anything potentially hazardous to your puppy. Electrical cords, choking hazards, shoes, etc. should be temporarily moved as your puppy is teething. You have to be conscious of any dangling cords that your Frenchie could potentially trip over, knocking over a lamp or worse.
Picking up your puppy
Prepare for the car ride!
Before making the trip to pick up your puppy, you’ll want to make preparations for the car ride home. Your puppy is likely to be scared and overwhelmed with the whole experience so you’ll want to make this go as smooth as possible. You don’t want your new French Bulldog to despise car rides! Make them feel comfortable!
If you are going to get the puppy by yourself, consider asking a friend to come and hold your new puppy as you drive. It’s never a good idea to let your dog sit on your lap while driving; not only does it increase the likelihood of an accident, your dog would be severely injured if the airbag were to deploy.
When you get to the breeder or pet store
If you’re getting your puppy from a breeder, you’ll want to ask a couple important questions.
What times are they going outside, eating, and sleeping
What is their diet like? What brand? How much are they eating? How many times a day?
Raw food
Etc… don’t want to change diet suddenly
When changing your puppy’s diet, you want to do so slowly over a period of week. Read more about changing your Frenchie’s diet here. Ask your breeder for information regarding your puppy’s schedule for eating, peeing, and sleeping. Don’t forget to write down these essential details.
The key to a well-behaved Frenchie is consistency. The rules that you devised earlier will serve as a foundation for the future of their training.
When you get home
Hooray! You made it home safe! Now the real fun begins!
Get off on the right foot
You’ll want to begin training immediately. Reward desirable behavior and refrain from excessive scolding. Frenchies are especially sensitive and don’t tend to respond well to anger. Check out this post we have on basic training tips!
For the first day or two, make sure to tone everything down a notch. Simply being in a new environment is stressful enough for your Frenchie and there’s no need for any added stimuli. Unfortunately, your friends will have to wait to meet your new best friend!
Bringing a new puppy home sure is tiring! With a little bit of preparation, you’ll be able to make the whole process a bit smoother. Double check that you have all the necessary supplies and have made proper accommodations around your household.
Find a vet
If you don’t have a preferred vet, now is the time to start your search. You’ll be making a lot of trips to the vet in the future so it’s important that your Frenchie’s first vet experience is a good one.
Don’t forget!
Your new puppy requires much more attention than an adult dog would! Your puppy is still a baby at this point, and it’s important that you keep them supervised 24/7. It’s also important to stay consistent with your training and expectations, and expose them to a variety of social conditions. The early days of your puppy’s life are crucial in their development in becoming a happy, well-behaved adult.
You want to make sure you are able to spend a lot of time with your puppy for the few following weeks.
Keep them under your supervision at all times. They still don’t know the house rules and could potentially hurt themselves.
Don’t punish their accidents; it only makes things worse. Lots of praise and positive reinforcement will help them learn even quicker.
Your puppy has little to no bladder control. Take them out immediately after meals or when they drink water. Not only will this cut down on the number of accidents around the house, it also helps in the potty training process.
If you see signs that your puppy has to go to the bathroom such as sniffing and circling, take them out right away. After they do their business, reward them immediately. Many dog owners give their puppies a treat after they go back inside, but this is too long for them to make the association. Bring treats with you outside, and reward them on the spot.
Make sure you’re using a food designed for puppies. They require a different diet than an adult would.