Bringing a Frenchie puppy home is a special moment for you and your pet. Owning a dog is a big commitment, so before your pooch steps into your home, these are the facts you have to know. Taking care of an 8-week-old Frenchie might sound challenging, especially if you are a first-time dog owner. However, with these tips, you’ll be able to better meet your four-legged family member’s needs and will know what to expect.
What do you need to know about 8-week-old French bulldogs?
A puppy who is 8 weeks old is capable to leave the kennel and start life in its new family. The first 6 months of a dog’s life are crucial because, during that period, it develops hips, spine, and muscles. Besides, the puppy at 8 weeks of age will have all 28 baby teeth, and some will even develop permanent frontal incisors.
Size of your eight weeks old Frenchie
During the first 6 months, puppies of all breeds grow fast. Depending on your puppy’s parents and their genes, you can expect the final size of your little gremlin. Since this period is especially important for your pup, you have to feed it with a well-balanced diet that will contain enough proteins, calcium, and phosphorus. Calcium and phosphorus are especially important for bone and teeth development. So, puppies who don’t get enough of these two minerals will be on a higher tendency to develop hip, spine, and elbow deformities. Therefore, we recommend you to ask your vet what would be the best supplement therapy for your Frenchie during the period of growth.
French bulldog coat
French bulldog puppies who are 8 weeks old have silky, thin, and shiny coats. The coat’s further appearance will depend on the care your Frenchie gets. To help your Frenchie’s coat stay smooth and healthy, we recommend you add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water bowl. Besides, it’s important to use hypoallergenic French bulldog shampoos because puppies have sensitive skin that can easily become irritated.
Starting with short brushing sessions is also important because it will help your pup get used to this routine. Since Frenchie puppies have thin coats, we recommend using the following Grooming glove. The soft silicone pins won’t cause bruises and cuts, and your pup will enjoy a pleasant massage at the same time.
Sleeping
Just like infants, Frenchie puppies sleep approximately 18 to 22 hours per day. Therefore, you have to provide your four-legged family member with a cozy and safe place for chilling. Your pup should have his own dog bed because that’s how you’ll prevent him/her from Velcro behavior in the future. French bulldogs are prone to suffer from separation anxiety, so teaching them independence from an early age is very important.
Time of playing and training lessons
There is a common misconception that a puppy is too young to start with training lessons. The truth is that every puppy who is 8 weeks old is capable to start learning basic routines and commands. Besides potty training lessons, your pup should meet the limits in the house. Let your dog know who is the pack leader and discourage unwanted behavior such as jumping, howling, and biting. To help your Frenchie master lessons, it’s highly important to use positive reinforcement. Dogs love rewarding, so using snacks and toys represent the most important tools during training lessons.
Regular Vaccination
By vaccinating your little gremlin, you’ll protect him/her from many diseases. Some can cause serious illness or even death. Dog vaccines are specially formulated to stimulate the immune system and produce disease-fighting antibodies to help protect against disease. The puppy shouldn’t be allowed to go outside until it gets the essential vaccine shots, so it’s highly important to ask the breeder to give you the puppy’s vaccination card.
Deworming
Deworming treatment represents a must-do task for every dog owner. Worms in French bulldogs can be detected by performing the microscopic examination of stool. Depending on the type of worms in the dog’s intestines, the treatment may last from 2 weeks to 3 or 4 months.
Protect your Frenchie against Ticks and Fleas
Ticks and fleas can transmit many diseases. That’s why it’s essential to protect your furry friend from these annoying creatures from the moment he/she becomes allowed to explore the great outdoors. Vets can recommend different anti-pest treatments such as collars, shampoos, sprays, and oils. Flea and Tick French Bulldog Collars by Frenchie World provide 8 months of protection. The package contains of two collars that are easy to adjust.
