It is so exciting to get a new French bulldog puppy. They are friendly, affectionate, they are so bright and playful. You have probably picked out your Frenchie breeder, you’ve done all the paperwork and you can’t just wait to have that delightful bundle of fun in your home.

Wait... is your house puppy proof? Are you absolutely sure that your French bulldog will be safe in your house? What about bedding and feeding and other aspects? We know that this task can seem daunting and overwhelming, which is why we at our team at Frenchiestore are here to help you simplify the process as much as we can.

How to House Proof for a new French Bulldog Puppy

Here, we will tell you everything you need to know when bringing your new baby French Bulldog puppy home.

• Food and Water Bowls -there are three different dog bowls. The standard, ergonomic and slow feed bowls. Every other type is just different variations and material properties. We recommend a slow feed bowl for a Frenchie puppy who's learning how to eat slowly. This helps in case of gastrointestinal issues like indigestion, regurgitation etc. While the ergonomic bowls are all about ease. They make it as comfortable as possible for your Frenchie to eat and drink in a much more natural position.
•  Puppy treats -  one of the things you should ask your Frenchie breeder is what they’ve been feeding your French Bulldog puppy. You should make sure you have this information ahead of time and prior to picking up your Frenchie. Sudden changes in diet can cause gastrointestinal issues. We recommend sticking with the same food for at least a couple of weeks before gradually introducing a change or changing to raw diet. 

  You need to start training your Frenchie immediately so we recommend using high quality, low calorie treats. You can also use certain human foods as training treats. A full guide to those can be found in our What Fruits and Vegetables Can I feed My French Bulldog blog.

You can also attach the leash to the front and train your Frenchie how to walk properly on a lead from a very young age. With the Health Harness (which is already puppy proofed against chewing) you don't have to worry about your puppy chewing or ingesting the plastic buckles found commonly in dog harnesses.

You can be worry free knowing each of Frenchiestore Health Harness comes with premium materials such as metal buckles.

For a discount of a leash and dog harness set you can enter CLASSICANDBASIC at checkout.

Every product in the VetPet Box has been hand-selected by veterinarians for quality and safety. You’ll get toys, treats, and accessories that you'll need for your puppy.

All you have to do is specify what breed of dog you have (French Bulldog is on small breed category) then click "need more customization" there you can choose your pet is a puppy and chewing style ( we recommend choosing "Powerful Chewer") and thats it! You'll be able to choose what plan you want and you'll be covered for as long as you.

We reached out to the Vet Pet Box who kindly offered a discount for our customers (you can use code FRENCHIESTORE at checkout)

If your Frenchie is exhibiting change in behavior and is more vocal. If on a walk your French Bulldog is seeking a place to hide or reluctance to keep walking or tries to turn around to go back home.

• A comfy bed, preferably orthopedic - Frenchies are prone to have back injuries and IVDD. Frenchie puppies are usually very energetic (though they also sleep a lot) , so after an exhausting day of expending all that energy, a real dog bed, nice and comfy will be just what your Frenchie needs. To minimize back issues an orthopedic bed would be optimal for your dog's back.
• Car seat - the first experience your puppy will have is the car ride home. You have to make this go as smoothly as possible so that you don’t end up with a dog who is afraid of car rides. having your Frenchie puppy secured in a car seat will be the safest option.
• Puppy gates - You will need to section off an areas of your home that could pose a danger for your new Frenchie puppy such as the kitchen.  Frenchies are very curious by nature and they get into everything. In order to avoid your Frenchie pup from getting into the kitchen cabinets or the trash it would be helpful to put some boundaries and use baby gates. Not only is it helpful in minimizing dangers it is also beneficial for potty training your Frenchie puppy by not allowing full range of your home.
• Bathrooms - can be a very dangerous place for a Frenchie puppy. In order to avoid your puppy from going into the bathroom unsupervised you would have to make sure to close your bathroom door every single time. A trick that would be helpful is hanging a sign on your door, wall or above the sink reminding you to close the door when you leave the bathroom.
• Fireplaces - does your home have a fireplace? Make sure you block it off from your Frenchie pup.
• Grooming supplies - dog shampoo should be carefully picked for a Frenchie pup as they often have sensitive skin. Nail clipper and facial anti bacterial wipes for your Frenchies' folds and tear stains.
• Cleaning supplies -  don’t be unprepared for a messy smelly accident. Have stain removers so you don’t end up with ruined carpets and upholstery.
• Puppy pee pads - if you are planning on house training with dog wee pads you should consider having them ahead of time prior to the puppy coming home.
• You should find a vet - preferably one that is knowledgeable in the French Bulldog breed and  you are comfortable with that lives close by. In case of an emergency you don't want to start looking for a vet and calling everyone, or traveling very far. You need to have your vet already picked and ready to be dedicated to your Frenchie.
• Pet insurance - Prior to bringing your Frenchie dog home is is a good idea to have pet insurance.

This list covers the scope for what you’ll need for at least the first few weeks before needing to make a trip to the store. Now that you have gotten a good percent of everything you’ll need, it’s time to secure your home.

There are some great puppy hacks in this video too. Raising a puppy shouldn't be stressful, so get the best puppy training tips and grab the puppy checklist so you can be fully prepared for your new puppy's arrival. 

You dedicate an area of your house solely for your Frenchie, preferably one that you and or your family frequent. You can secure this area by using the puppy fence. This not only keeps your puppy in a safe and protected area, it also helps to not overwhelm them.

You should go through your home and look for anything that could be hazardous to your new French bulldog puppy. Electrical cords, choking risks, shoes or anything of the sort should be cleared out. You also have to be conscious of any dangling cords that your Frenchie could chew, trip over or worse. As soon as you put all of these in place, you are all set and ready to bring the newest family member home.

As mentioned above having your Frenchie puppy secured in a car seat will be the safest option. You should ask Your Frenchie breeder questions about the puppy’s schedule and any known allergies. This is because consistency goes a long way in training a well-behaved all rounded Frenchie dog.

Now that you have gotten home, resist the urge to spoil and over indulge your Frenchie. You should start training your puppy early and refrain from excessive scolding, use positive reinforcements, and lots of praises.

Don’t wait till you get back in, do it right there, it gives clarification on what exactly you are rewarding. Continue to do this, and then gradually drop the treats and use only praise. If you are training your French bulldog to go indoors on pee pads, just do the same as mentioned above.

If you wake up your puppy to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you will develop this habit with your puppy. In adulthood your Frenchie might wake you up in the middle of the night and you want to avoid developing this habit if possible.

It is best to establish a night time house training routine. Take your Frenchie puppy to the bathroom right before bedtime and immediately upon waking up.

Taping them is always an option for French Bulldog owners however, not one we recommend or endorse unless it is really necessary and recommended by your Frenchie breeder or specialized in French Bulldog vet.

Always watch your Frenchie puppy when going outside since puppies get bored easily. Once they are  bored they will get destructive and exhibit bad behaviors such as digging holes throughout your backyard or chew patio furniture etc.

Frenchie puppy - few more tips:

• Make sure to pay close attention to all medications or household cleaning supplies that come with the warning “keep away from children” It can also translate to keep away from dogs and can be very toxic.
• If there’s anywhere you don’t want your puppy getting into, the easiest way is to just shut the door.
• Always keep your trash secure, and away from your Frenchie.
• Frenchies are prone to obesity, watch their weight, give them lots of exercise. Regular check ups with the vet will help them stay healthy.
• Keep them under supervision at all times, and spend time with them especially in those first few weeks.

Congratulations on getting a new family member, you now know how to house proof for a new French bulldog puppy. You have all of the information you need here to ensure your canine journey goes as smoothly as possible. If you have any more questions or you’d just like to know more about caring for your Frenchie, sign up to our Frenchie Blog.  We care about you and your Frenchie.