Did your French bulldog give birth recently? Raising bulldogs requires a lot of hands-on time. And because there are so many variables that might arise, it is critical to have a competent mentor and vet to work with. The first week of a dog’s life is the most important phase. The newborn puppy care and environment are critical from the start.
It is critical that their mom scents her puppies as soon as they are born. The scent of the amniotic fluid is the link. Mothers that do not develop this bond may reject their pups. Allow mom to sniff and kiss her puppy before drying them. Then, allow her to consume the placenta. This is very natural for her to do because the placentas contain a lot of nutrients.
Raising Newborn French Bulldog
❕ One Week Old
During this period, the Puppies are still feeding often. Therefore, they must be kept warm and dry at all times. Keep them in a 70-degree whelping enclosure. It keeps the warm pups while without overheating mom. The puppies’ eyelids are closed, and they are unable to see or hear at this time.
They are likewise deafeningly deafening. Their major duties include nursing and resting. Mom will lick the puppies to get them to urinate and defecate. If your mother does not lick them, you should stimulate them with a warm damp washcloth or cotton ball.
❕ Two Weeks Old
Puppies are still feeding and sleeping frequently, but less frequently, beginning to move about more. At this stage, make sure they’re firmly confined and can’t get to Mom’s water bowl. They could get in, but they might not make it out alive.
The puppies will start to open their eyes during this time, but they are still deafeningly deaf. They produce mewing and grunting noises. As infants get more mobile, their jerking and twitching behaviors begin to diminish.
The pups must be clean and dry at all times. Bedding must be changed on a regular basis. Make use of fleece scraps purchased from local fabric stores. This is a low-cost method of keeping pups clean and dry. Until weaning, then wash blankets 2-3 times a day.
❕ Three Weeks Old
Puppies’ eyes are now fully opened, and they are beginning to hear and respond to sounds. They put their vocalizations to the test by yelping, barking, and whimpering. Puppies are feeding every 4-6 hours at this stage, and mom feels more at ease, leaving them alone for an extended time.
Puppies are now urinating and defecating without the aid of their mother. It is now time to provide their first worming therapy. Puppies should have gained at least double their original weight by now.
❕ Four Weeks Old
Puppies continue to nurse every 4-8 hours. They are also starting to interact with their siblings. They leave their resting space to excrete, which is a good opportunity to enlarge the whelping pen. Remove the front of my enclosure and create additional enclosed space for the puppies to pee and defecate in.
Leave a fragrance of fresh green grass on it. This comes in handy when it comes to toilet training. They are also preparing for puppy mush. To get them started, combine raw beef with Pro-Biolac formula. If you want, you may use kibble.
❕ Five to Six Weeks Old
Puppies are now mobile and on all fours. They will get into everything and anything they can get their hands on. Gather any tiny objects that they may choke on. Next, it’s time to add a water dish. Use a puppy feeding bowl with a low profile and no more than 1/2-1 inch of water in it. You may also use a water bottle.
❕ Seven Weeks Old
Puppies go through a social adjustment period. At this time, they are inquisitive and have no fear of other creatures. They are discovering and investigating their surroundings. Puppies’ muscles and coordination are growing. They are completely aware of their surroundings.
Strange noises and things are currently a source of fascination, and now is the moment to expose them to as much as possible. This will then take a lot of time and effort to provide a quality puppy companion, but it is well worth it. If you’re utilizing the smell technique to toilet train your child. Every time a puppy has to go pee, they will return to the scent-marked area.
This facilitates the adjustment to using the potty outside. In addition, puppies are now consuming pulverized raw food, including at least three different proteins and vitamins. Every day, I take 1/4 of a pill. Puppies are vaccinated, and the vet will examine them at six weeks of age. They are microchipped at seven weeks.
❕ Eight to Twelve Weeks Old
Puppies go through a fear period at this time in which they become shy/fearful of the unfamiliar. It is critical to socialize your puppy at this time gently. This is where they learn to rely on people as guardians truly. Keeping your puppy out of harm’s path is critical while still providing them with lots of opportunities for pleasant experiences. Puppies are fed ground raw prey and some entire prey.
Make careful to keep your puppy’s nails trimmed. Now is both the saddest and happiest time of the year. It’s time for the puppies to find new homes. But you’re not finished yet. You are still in charge of the puppy for the rest of their life.
What you’ll need to Care for a Newborn Puppy
- Baby Bottles
- Newspaper
- Paper Towel
- Thermometer
- Basket
- Heating Pad
- Wet Wipes
- Towels
- Scale
How to Prepare yourself for a Newborn Puppy
In addition to purchasing all of the necessary items and preparing for training, there are a few things you should do and think about before bringing home a new puppy.
👍 Arrange your Home
Set up a corner or space inside your home for your dog and their belongings. This room should feature a feeding area as well as a crate. Make it close to where you and your family normally congregate so your puppy does not feel separated and alone.
👍 Create a Schedule Ahead
A new puppy needs a significant amount of time and attention. Establish a pattern and timetable with other family members, and assign tasks so that everyone is aware of their obligations. If you must be away from your puppy for a lengthy amount of time for work, consider hiring a reputable dog sitter to come to your house and allow your puppy out for playtime and potty breaks.
👍 Pick a Veterinarian
Even if a shelter, rescue group, or breeder has given your puppy a clean bill of health, you should take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Make an appointment with a licensed veterinarian in your region so that your new veterinarian may meet your puppy and perform a general exam.
Strategies for Training Your French Bulldog Puppy
Puppies are a lot of fun, but they need a lot of effort. There are several things your puppy requires to flourish, and one of the most crucial of them is appropriate training. Puppy training might appear to be a daunting task. A new puppy has so much to learn.
✔️Expose them to other Dogs
Socialization is exactly what it sounds like: getting your puppy out and about to meet new people, places, and circumstances—puppies who are well-socialized grow up to be well-adjusted adults.
It is critical to socialize your puppy with a variety of people, animals, locations, sights, and noises so that he does not respond negatively to them as an adult. Furthermore, it is critical that your puppy is accustomed to being handled in a variety of ways. This will make your puppy feel more at ease in places like the vet and the groomer.
✔️Let them get used to their Crate
When you are unable to oversee your puppy, he is kept in a crate. If your puppy is given enough time to become used to his kennel, it may become one of his favorite places. Crates can assist your puppy to avoid undesirable habits such as improper chewing or soiling. It is also useful for housetraining. The majority of dogs will not relieve themselves in the same location where they sleep.
✔️Do not Encourage Destructive Chewing
Puppies enjoy chewing, which is probably no surprise to most people, especially those with a new puppy at home. Instead of attempting to stop a puppy from chewing, educate them certain items are suitable chew toys. When it comes to chewing training, one of your instruments is confinement. It lets you keep your puppy from chewing on furniture, shoes, toys, or anything else you don’t want him to have.
✔️Give treats for Good Behavior
Puppies react better to positive reinforcement than to punishment during training. Punishment may stop an undesired behavior, but it does not communicate what you want to the puppy. Harsh penalties may also cause behavioral problems such as fear or aggressiveness. Positive reinforcement encourages your puppy to perform more of what you want them to accomplish. Your puppy will soon be exhibiting positive behavior on a regular basis.
✔️Teach them Obedience
Puppies can begin training on basic obedience as soon as they arrive at their new home. Training signals and instructions give your puppy a much-needed sense of structure and a set of rules. To begin working on fundamental dog training commands, use positive reinforcement.
✔️House Train them
Housebreaking is a top priority for the majority of new puppy parents. After all, it’s inconvenient when your dog pees in your house. One of the first things you’ll focus on with your new dog is house training. Put your dog on a routine to get him off to a good start.
Feed your puppies at regular intervals throughout the day and keep in mind that punishment rarely has the desired impact. Scolding or rubbing a puppy’s nose in their mess will only frighten or confuse them.
✔️Teach Them Discipline
Puppies should not be confined to their crates for more than a few hours at a time. Even if you are there to monitor them, they should not have complete access to the house. There are just too many items in a house for a puppy to chew on, hide under, or become injured by. Confining your dog to a kitchen or similar small area with a door or baby gate will help prevent him from acquiring undesirable behaviors.
✔️Exercise their Bite
Bite inhibition is essential because it protects you from those needle-like puppy fangs. It also helps to avoid a major bite from happening when your dog reaches maturity. Teaching your puppy bite inhibition might make the difference between a minor nip and a deadly bite if they ever feel the need to use their teeth to defend themselves.
✔️Avoiding Behavior Issues
When training a puppy, you have the opportunity to teach him appropriate behavior before he develops some of the more typical behavioral issues. For example, if a puppy is left to his own devices for amusement, he is more likely to engage in improper conduct. Basic obedience instructions can also be used to prevent typical dog behavior issues.
Fascinating Points about French Bulldogs
The French Bulldog breed is more popular than ever. Their unique looks and amiable demeanor make them easy to adore, and they are also known as Frenchies.
➖They are not French
French Bulldogs are not native to France. They are related to English Bulldogs. English Bulldogs were originally employed for bull-baiting, which included them fighting a bull. Lacemakers in England loved these tiny English Bulldogs. While the lace makers worked, the smaller puppies would sit on their laps, keeping them warm.
➖They like to “Talk”
French Bulldogs don’t have a lot of barking. They do, however, like conversing. They communicate by yawns, gargles, and yips. In addition, they communicate with their owners and other dogs by making a range of noises. So it might sound like they’re speaking in their own language at times.
➖They have trouble riding the plane
Flying can potentially be harmful to French Bulldogs due to their face shape. For dogs, flying is frequently stressful, unpleasant, and hot. And because of their small noses and flat features, they may fly overhead and struggle to breathe. Unfortunately, several brachycephalic dogs have died on flights. As a result, several airlines have prohibited them from flying.
➖➖They need help giving Birth
French Bulldogs may be challenging to breed and frequently require assistance. This is mostly due to their unique dimensions, which include slender hips and small snouts. This might make it harder for the male to access the female and procreate normally. In addition, the guy is easily hot and tired. As a result, artificial insemination is frequently utilized instead.
And because of these features, ladies frequently have difficulties delivering birth. As a result, many have a cesarean section to safeguard the mother’s and her puppies’ health.
➖They are the Ideal Companion
French Bulldogs are affectionate, friendly, and loving. They are energetic, lively, and get along well with other dogs. They don’t bark often and don’t require a lot of activity or upkeep. French Bulldogs are excellent companions for both adults and children. Keep in mind that they are sensitive dogs. If they are reprimanded, they may take it personally and get agitated. However, they respond more to positive feedback and encouragement.
➖They are not Great Swimmers
French Bulldogs are not particularly good swimmers. And because of their small noses and flat cheeks, they must tilt their heads higher to stay out of the water. Their faces must be elevated so high that they struggle to stay afloat. They also have a large body, short legs, and a broadhead. This design also makes them difficult to float in water.
Picking up a French Bulldog Properly
🐾Give a Verbal Sign
You may train your Frenchie to be held and lifted up by providing a verbal cue every time. Something as simple as “up” or “lift” is highly effective. By doing this every time you’re ready to take them up, they won’t be shocked and should get more acclimated to what’s about to happen over time.
🐾One Arm under and Between their Front Legs
Place your stronger arm beneath your Frenchie’s torso and then through their two front legs, with your hand on their chest, right below the neck. Next, thread your stronger arm through the Frenchie’s front two legs.
🐾One Arm Under Rear Legs
Go under the Frenchies with your remaining arm, pulling the rear legs up and tucking your arm under the legs and backside. Hold your Frenchie correctly, with your other arm supporting the rear legs and underneath the backside.
🐾Gently Lift them
You can start the lift after you’re satisfied that your Frenchie is being held appropriately and securely. Most French Bulldogs like being lifted up and given attention and hugs. However, each dog is unique, and the best method to get them used to be handled is to practice and give them a verbal indication before the lift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the average lifespan of a French bulldog?
A: 10 – 14 years
Q: Is it common for French bulldogs to have difficulties giving birth?
A: French bulldogs are more prone to congenital disabilities than other breeds.
Q: How should a newborn French bulldog be fed?
A: It should be divided into two feedings every two hours.
Q: When does a French bulldog reach full maturity?
A: Between the ages of 12 and 14 months
Q: When are French Bulldogs allowed to leave their mother?
A: Frenchies should not be separated from their mothers before the age of 8 to 9 weeks.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of a newborn dog will consume a significant amount of your time and energy. They are a large burden, but they are well worth it in the long term. It is critical to know what to expect so that you can be ready when they arrive and know what to do regardless of what occurs.
