Hi Michelle...everyone has been great. Frankie is quite the cutie:) Gordie is 5 months old now and 16 pounds..he finished he puppy class and did awesome (we used the clicker also) I added some new pictures of us.
That must of been terrible at the dog park...hope his little neck is better :)
Talk to you soon...give hugs and kisses to Frankie
Jen
Hey Michelle...I have been great, what about you? Gordie is awesome, he is a very good boy. He is growing like crazy..but yet so small, hehe...he is 14 pounds now and 4 1/2 months old. I started Gordie in puppy classes about a month ago...he already listens good but we brought him more to socialize him, he is doing great :) Becoming the alpha of my dogs I just make sure I am calm and fair with them, exercise them and don't let them get away with anything they shouldn't and having more than one dog helps teach the puppy the way things are done. I will add some new pictures of Gordie too. Frankie is such a sweetheart...too cute :) Talk soon...Jen
Hey Michelle....Gord bites on our feet too, I always drag my feet so I don't walk on him. He is doing great...he was 4 months on the 23rd. Gord was also 7lbs at 11wks...he is 18 wks today at weighs 12.2 lbs. Frankie is soooo adorable!!
Hehe - of course he will still love you, you are a great mommy and are only trying to do what is best for him! It's okay, I only recently within the past year learned about how some of the training methods I thought were okay to use were outdated from learning from other experienced dog owners. I used to watch Cesar Milan a lot, and then I read some pretty negative things about his training methods, because he doesn't always use positive reinforcement. You should google NILIF (Nothing in life is free) training method and read about it.. it's a GREAT thing to start working with your dog on, even as a puppy! :)
Oh also - how old is Frankie, and how old was he when you brought him home? Most reputable breeders (in the U.S.) don't let their puppies go to their new home until they are 10-14 weeks old.. some people say 12-14, but, I know of some reputable breeders that let their puppies go at 10 weeks.. that 10-14 week time frame is a critical learning stage for French Bulldog puppies, and it's best when they are with their litter mates for a longer period of time because the litter will actually teach each other bite inhibition. Breeders that let the pups go at 8 weeks old, or around that age, the puppies have not yet gotten a chance to learn proper bite inhibition.
It sounds like you are doing the right thing, by re-directing him with a toy when he tries to gnaw on you. Are you praising him when he chews on what he is supposed to? If you don't praise him and make a big deal about it when he's chewing on the correct items, then he doesn't really know the difference between what he is supposed to chew, and what he isn't supposed to chew, or that chewing on his toys is a good thing to do. You also might want to try toy rotation, don't leave all his toys down at once, only give him one at a time, and swap his toy out for a different one a few times a day so that he doesn't get bored. Practicing this behavior will reinforce later that the toys are "yours" and if you have him bring you the toy, have him drop it, and exchange it for another toy it will help reduce the chances of him developing toy aggression/resource guarding with his toys. I wouldn't really suggest putting him on his side.. the whole "alpha roll" (which is when when you put a dog on it's side/back and hold it down) is a really outdated method of training, and while some dog trainer's like Caesar Milan suggest it and use it, I wouldn't. My friend Hollie is a dog trainer and she explained it like this.. in a pack of dogs.. there are naturally submissive dogs who choose to submit (roll over on their back, aka: go belly up) to another dog on their own free will.. but any time a more dominant dog "rolls" a dog them self and holds them down, it is only for one reason, which is to kill it.. so, while it might seem like a good idea when you see it done on TV and the results it seems to achieve, the dog is WAY more apt to develop aggression towards the owner, unless it is a very naturally submissive dog.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer it the best I can. :) Enjoy your baby, they sure don't stay puppies for long!
Well - nothing is final.. right now we are just "looking". I'd love to have a puppy, but would rather have an adult so that I don't have to deal with housebreaking. We'll get a 3rd dog either this year or next year. We've decided that we're either getting another Frenchie or an English Bulldog. Hubby really wants an English but I want another Frenchie.
Oh my, Michelle.... he's to die for!!! Congratulations! I so envy you, I've had puppy fever for such a long time, I can't wait to get another Frenchie! :)
What a sweetie...I am so glad he is being a good puppy for his mom and dad :) Enjoy every moment with him...frenchie babies are so much fun. I know how you feel about them owning your heart, I feel the same about Gordie who is now 14 weeks old :) I Look forward to more pictures and updates :)
Fruits and veggies are not necessary in a dogs diet, but I occasionally will give them some as a treat.. I give them tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, green beans, apples, strawberries, watermelon, banana.. apples are their favorite though. I do add yogurt to their diet as a probiotic to help aid in digestion and to promote healthy bacteria in their digestive system. If you do use yogurt, just a spoonful while he is a puppy, they still don't need much even as an adult, I've give mine not quite 2 tablespoons. Make sure it is plain yogurt, with the live active cultures in it, don't buy flavored with any added sugar, just plain. I use an organic plain yogurt, just buy the big container in the cold grocery section in the store but you don't have to use organic if you don't want to.
As for quality dog foods.. some people believe in feeding a puppy food, others do not.. I do not feel it is necessary, if you were feeding a large breed dog.. like for example my friend has a Labrador puppy and she was feeding him the large breed puppy food because it was very important that he didn't grow too fast, I think if large breed puppies grow too fast it will cause a lot of problems down the road with their joints and bones. But those things are not a concern with a breed like the French Bulldog, an adult food, or all-life-stages food would be just fine, but if you feel more comfortable feeding him puppy food until he is older that is fine too.
There are some pet stores that do sell high end food, I don't shop at Petsmart because they don't carry any.. but Pet Supplies Plus carries a number of the better foods to name a few is any of the Wellness brands, I prefer the Wellness Core, but they don't make puppy food in the Core formula, so the Wellness Puppy Super-5 mix would be fine. Another good food is Solid Gold. Fromm is a good brand, and I consider the best food to be Orijen.. I don't feed it to my dogs because mine is a very picky eater, and I have to use canned food, and cook rice and mix it in with dry food, and so the pieces of the dry have to be very small so he gobbles them up with the canned food and rice and doesn't notice them and spit them out. I feed Fromm Salmon a La Veg small bites right now.. But I've fed Natural Balance, Solid Gold, Wellness Core, Wellness, Orijen, Eagle Pack, Instinct, California Naturals, Nature's Variety.. didn't really have a problem with any of them like I said I just have a picky eater and prefer to not have to buy two separate foods for them and my other dog will eat anything. :)
I have to head out the door for a doctor's appointment but I'll be back in a little while to suggest some of the higher quality foods if you are interested in using them, if you are comfortable using the NutriSource that is fine too, I'm only here to help people understand about how to read and understand what is on the ingredient label of a dog food bag, and which ones are better than others and it's up to the owner to take it from there, I never try and force anything down anyones throat. What I choose to feed my dogs is up to me and what I feel comfortable with and feel that it is every owners right to make their own choices for themselves and their dog as well. :)
The first two ingredients are named meat products. The second of these is meat inclusive of its water content (about 80%) and once that is removed it is likely that this ingredient would be more accurately placed somewhat further down the ingredient list (ingredients are listed in order of weight). However, the presence of a meat meal ingredient high on the list gives us confidence that there is an adequate amount of meat in the food. There is a further meat meal ingredient 6th on the list, which is too far down to make up a substantive portion of the food, but does still add to our confidence that this food contains adequate meat. This is a fish meal ingredient and we note that the manufacturer does not state the use of ethoxyquin-free sources (ethoxyquin is a chemical preservative commonly added to fish destined for meal, and is believed to be carcinogenic).
The third ingredient in the food is brown rice. This is a good quality grain that is low-allergenic and a good source of carbohydrates and additional protein.
The ingredients from this point are of lower quality, however. Poultry fat is an ingredient of unidentified origin for which it is impossible to determine source or quality. Unidentified ingredients are usually very low quality. AAFCO define this as obtained from the tissues of poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids. If an antioxidant is used, the common name or names must be indicated, followed by the words "used as a preservative"
Brewers rice is a low quality grain and by-product.
Digest of poultry is yet another low quality ingredient. The AAFCO definition of animal digest is “material which results from chemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and undecomposed animal tissue. Likewise, spray dried poultry liver digest is a low quality flavouring
Beet pulp is a filler and a controversial ingredient – it is a by-product, being dried residue from sugar beets which has been cleaned and extracted in the process of manufacturing sugar. It is a controversial ingredient in dog food, claimed by some manufacturers to be a good source of fibre, and derided by others as an ingredient added to slow down the transition of rancid animal fats and causing stress to kidney and liver in the process. We note that beet pulp is an ingredient that commonly causes problems for dogs, including allergies and ear infections, and prefer not to see it used in dog food. There are less controversial products around if additional fibre is required. Tomato pomace is further filler.
This is a food that starts out with what appear to be good quality ingredients. Unfortunately, the second half of the ingredient list looks more like a dumping ground for low quality and waste products. These are the reason for the low rating accorded to this food.
That is awesome...I am so excited for you...I know how excited I was to get my baby frenchie. You are going to love having him :) Gordie's first night was great, the breeder said he would miss his littermates but he slept perfect, only waking up twice to go pee. He is a wonderful puppy...keeps us laughing. I haven't feed him raw but I have given raw to my bullmastiffs...my boy loves it but my girl hates it.
Keep me updated when you get your pup...enjoy your new baby boy :)
For the potty training I think he watched my other two dogs going out and we bring him out once he wakes up, finishes eating and finishes playing. The breeder was feeding him Chicken soup for the puppy lovers soul (not sure if it is in the US) so we will keep him on that for a bit. He eats 3 times per day and I mix hard and soft food together. My other two dogs eat Wellness dog food.
I love the name Frankie...it will be a perfect name :) Can't wait to see more pictures!
Thanks...my frenchie "Gordie" is doing great...we are so happy we picked the French Bulldog for our thrid dog. My Bullmastiffs love him :) He is 13 weeks now and a very good boy..he already goes to the door to go potty. Your baby is adorable...you must be so excited...I am excited for you :)
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That must of been terrible at the dog park...hope his little neck is better :)
Talk to you soon...give hugs and kisses to Frankie
Jen
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer it the best I can. :) Enjoy your baby, they sure don't stay puppies for long!
As for quality dog foods.. some people believe in feeding a puppy food, others do not.. I do not feel it is necessary, if you were feeding a large breed dog.. like for example my friend has a Labrador puppy and she was feeding him the large breed puppy food because it was very important that he didn't grow too fast, I think if large breed puppies grow too fast it will cause a lot of problems down the road with their joints and bones. But those things are not a concern with a breed like the French Bulldog, an adult food, or all-life-stages food would be just fine, but if you feel more comfortable feeding him puppy food until he is older that is fine too.
There are some pet stores that do sell high end food, I don't shop at Petsmart because they don't carry any.. but Pet Supplies Plus carries a number of the better foods to name a few is any of the Wellness brands, I prefer the Wellness Core, but they don't make puppy food in the Core formula, so the Wellness Puppy Super-5 mix would be fine. Another good food is Solid Gold. Fromm is a good brand, and I consider the best food to be Orijen.. I don't feed it to my dogs because mine is a very picky eater, and I have to use canned food, and cook rice and mix it in with dry food, and so the pieces of the dry have to be very small so he gobbles them up with the canned food and rice and doesn't notice them and spit them out. I feed Fromm Salmon a La Veg small bites right now.. But I've fed Natural Balance, Solid Gold, Wellness Core, Wellness, Orijen, Eagle Pack, Instinct, California Naturals, Nature's Variety.. didn't really have a problem with any of them like I said I just have a picky eater and prefer to not have to buy two separate foods for them and my other dog will eat anything. :)
Ingredients:
Chicken meal, chicken, brown rice, poultry fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols (a source of vitamin E), citric acid and rosemary extract), brewers rice, fish meal, oatmeal, digest of poultry, beet pulp, flax seed, tomato pomacem whole dried eggs, spray dried poultry liver digest, brewers yeast, potassium chloride, salt, chelated minerals (iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate, magnesium proteinate, yeast fermentation solubles), choline chloride, dried saccharomyces fermentation solubles, ((saccharomyces cerevisiae, enterococcus faecium, lactobacillus acidophilus, aspergillus niger, trichoderma longibrachiatum, bacillus subtillis), maltodextrins and fermentation solubles), vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamine monoitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, menadione soldium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K actvity), folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), glucosamine hydrochloride, lecithin, vitamin C, methylsulfonyl methane, chondroitin sulfate, yucca schidigera extract.
The first two ingredients are named meat products. The second of these is meat inclusive of its water content (about 80%) and once that is removed it is likely that this ingredient would be more accurately placed somewhat further down the ingredient list (ingredients are listed in order of weight). However, the presence of a meat meal ingredient high on the list gives us confidence that there is an adequate amount of meat in the food. There is a further meat meal ingredient 6th on the list, which is too far down to make up a substantive portion of the food, but does still add to our confidence that this food contains adequate meat. This is a fish meal ingredient and we note that the manufacturer does not state the use of ethoxyquin-free sources (ethoxyquin is a chemical preservative commonly added to fish destined for meal, and is believed to be carcinogenic).
The third ingredient in the food is brown rice. This is a good quality grain that is low-allergenic and a good source of carbohydrates and additional protein.
The ingredients from this point are of lower quality, however. Poultry fat is an ingredient of unidentified origin for which it is impossible to determine source or quality. Unidentified ingredients are usually very low quality. AAFCO define this as obtained from the tissues of poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids. If an antioxidant is used, the common name or names must be indicated, followed by the words "used as a preservative"
Brewers rice is a low quality grain and by-product.
Digest of poultry is yet another low quality ingredient. The AAFCO definition of animal digest is “material which results from chemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and undecomposed animal tissue. Likewise, spray dried poultry liver digest is a low quality flavouring
Beet pulp is a filler and a controversial ingredient – it is a by-product, being dried residue from sugar beets which has been cleaned and extracted in the process of manufacturing sugar. It is a controversial ingredient in dog food, claimed by some manufacturers to be a good source of fibre, and derided by others as an ingredient added to slow down the transition of rancid animal fats and causing stress to kidney and liver in the process. We note that beet pulp is an ingredient that commonly causes problems for dogs, including allergies and ear infections, and prefer not to see it used in dog food. There are less controversial products around if additional fibre is required. Tomato pomace is further filler.
This is a food that starts out with what appear to be good quality ingredients. Unfortunately, the second half of the ingredient list looks more like a dumping ground for low quality and waste products. These are the reason for the low rating accorded to this food.
Keep me updated when you get your pup...enjoy your new baby boy :)
I love the name Frankie...it will be a perfect name :) Can't wait to see more pictures!
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