Have you brought your new Frenchie home?
Well, congratulations.
While this is exciting, it’s also a huge investment with serious responsibilities.
Here’s what to expect in the first week with your Frenchie.
Day 1
The first day will be the most difficult for you and your Frenchie. Your Frenchie’s behavior may be different from what you expect. This is expected since it’s the puppy’s first time away from its usual environment. It may be timid at first and cry or look for its mates.
The following tips will help make your puppy’s first day at home easier:
- Choose a potty spot: Puppies will need to go regularly, and showing them the potty area from the word go will help train them and prevent them from messing inside your house.
- Show its space: You’ll need to show your puppy its sleeping and feeding area first to help it get used to its new surroundings and learn where essential things are.
- Limit your puppy’s access: Introducing your puppy to too many new places at once can be overwhelming. It’s thus best to let it explore one area first, then introduce them to the other rooms in the house one at a time.
- Introduce the puppy to its new family members: Let it meet one member at a time to avoid overwhelming it.
- Minimize stress and excitement: Don’t invite neighbors and friends to meet your puppy on the first day; it may not take it all in.
Your French Bulldog Puppy’s first night at Home
The first night with your puppy will be a bit tricky. Following the tips below can help your puppy survive its first night with more ease:
- Set and stick to a specific bedtime: Frenchies thrive on routine.
- Decide where your puppy will sleep: In your bedroom or a separate room; introduce your dog to this and stick to it.
- Keep calm: Make bedtime as calm and silent as possible.
- Put your dog’s crate in your bedroom: Let your pup spend the first few nights in your room to give it time to adjust to being without its mum.
- Night-time toilet breaks may be necessary: Puppies cannot hold their pee for long. Ensure you give your little pup toilet breaks when it needs to.
After the first day, your puppy will adjust to its new environment. This is what you should do from day 2 all through to day 7.
Make an appointment with a vet.
Schedule an appointment with your vet for a general examination and discuss the required vaccinations.
Create a schedule and stick to it
Having a routine will make it easier for your puppy to know what’s expected. Create and stick to a schedule that includes mealtime, potty breaks, playtime, walks, and sleep time.
Spent lots of time with your dog
Remember, this is the first time your puppy is away from its mother and the only place it knows as its home. You’ll need to give it much attention to ensure it doesn’t suffer from separation anxiety.
Start enforcing rules
Set your house rules in advance and stick to them. Your puppy will need to learn the rules from the word go.
French Bulldog newborn feeding schedule
French puppies must be fed 3 times daily between 2-6 months old.
The following table summarizes the amount of food you should give your Frenchie puppy.
| 2 months | 3 months | 4 months | 5months |
| 18 pounds1 ¼ cups | 18 pounds1 ½ cups | 18 pounds1 ⅝ cups | 18 pounds1 ⅝ cups |
| 22 pounds1 ½ cups | 22 pounds1 ¾ cups | 22 pounds1 ⅞ cups | 22 pounds1 ⅞ cups |
| 31 pounds1 ⅞ cups | 31 pounds2 ¼ cups | 31 pounds2 ⅜ cups | 31 pounds2 ½ cups |
How to Take Care of Newborn French Bulldog Puppies
You’ll need to care for your French Bulldog puppy like a newborn. These are some tips you can use:
- Keep your puppy warm, as it cannot regulate its body temperature.
- Keep it cool to ensure it does not overheat
- Feed and keep it well-hydrated
- Potty train your puppy from the word go.
- Groom it regularly to keep it in top condition and healthy.
- Exercise your puppy daily to keep it healthy and fit.
The average weight of a newborn French Bulldog in grams
The following table shows the average weight of a newborn French Bulldog in grams.
| Age | Weight |
| 1 week | 500-1000g |
| 4 weeks | 1000-2000g |
| 8 weeks | 2200-3100g |
| 3 months | 3100-4100g |
| 4 months | 4100-5400g |
| 4.5 months | 5400-6800g |
| 5.5 months | 5400-7300g |
| 6.5 months | 7300-8200g |
What to do when you first get a French Bulldog?
When you first get a French Bulldog, take it to its space first. Show it the potty area, sleeping, and feeding area.
How do I know if my Frenchie is not feeling well?
To know if your Frenchie is unwell, check out for symptoms like running nose, sneezing, coughing, lethargy, vomiting, and fever.
How often do 1 week old Frenchies eat?
Frenchie puppies must be fed every 2-3 hours in the first week.
How do I know if my Frenchie puppy is happy?
The first thing that will tell that your Frenchie puppy is happy is if it’s playing. Happy Frenchies are very playful. Other signs include wiggling its bottom, giving you puppy dog eyes, having relaxed ears and body, and it pokes its tongue out.
How do I show my Frenchie I love him?
You can rub your dog’s ears, lean on them, play with them, cuddle, have warm and hearty conversations, and give him healthy treats.
How do you bond with a Frenchie?
Spending lots of time with your Frenchie is the best way to bond with it.
What not to do with a French Bulldog?
Never over-exert, overfeed, expose it to too much heat, physically punish, or leave your Frenchie alone.
Over to You
Bringing a new puppy home is undoubtedly an exciting experience. However, it also comes with a lot of responsibility and commitment. It’s thus important to ensure that the journey with your new puppy begins on the right footing by training it from the first day.
