The First 72 Hours at Home
- Keep it calm — Resist the urge to invite everyone over. Your puppy needs time to adjust.
- Set up a safe space — Crate or puppy pen with soft bedding, water, and a toy. This becomes their safe haven.
- Establish the potty spot — Take them out every 1-2 hours, after meals, after naps, and after play. Praise immediately when they go outside.
- Start the routine — Frenchie puppies thrive on consistency. Same feeding times, same potty schedule, same bedtime.
- Expect crying at night — Place the crate near your bed for the first few nights. A warm water bottle wrapped in a towel mimics littermate warmth.
- Schedule a vet visit — Within the first 48-72 hours to establish care and verify health records from the breeder.
Vaccination Schedule
| Age | Vaccines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks | DHPP #1 (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) | Usually given by breeder before you take puppy home |
| 10-12 weeks | DHPP #2, Bordetella (kennel cough) | Leptospirosis optional based on risk area |
| 14-16 weeks | DHPP #3, Rabies | Rabies required by law in most states |
| 12-16 weeks | Canine Influenza (optional) | Recommended if boarding or dog parks |
| 1 year | DHPP booster, Rabies booster | Then every 1-3 years based on vet recommendation |
⚠️ Until Fully Vaccinated (16 Weeks)
Avoid dog parks, pet stores, and areas with unknown dogs. Parvovirus is extremely contagious and often fatal in puppies. Socialization is still possible — carry your puppy in new environments, invite vaccinated dogs to your home, and expose them to sounds, surfaces, and people safely.
Deworming Schedule
- Starting at 2-4 weeks — Every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old
- 12 weeks - 6 months — Monthly
- 6 months+ — Every 3 months or as vet recommends
- Flea and tick prevention can start at 8 weeks (use puppy-safe products only)
Feeding by Age
| Age | Meals/Day | Food Type | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8-12 weeks | 4 | Puppy formula (same brand as breeder initially) | Soak kibble in warm water to soften |
| 3-6 months | 3 | Puppy formula | Can transition to dry kibble |
| 6-12 months | 2-3 | Puppy formula, transitioning to adult at 10-12 months | Monitor weight — growth plates closing |
See our Feeding Guide for detailed portion sizes and transition instructions.
Socialization Window (3-14 Weeks)
This is the most important developmental period in your Frenchie's life. Positive experiences during this window shape their temperament forever.
Socialization Checklist
- People: Men, women, children, people wearing hats/sunglasses, uniforms, different ethnicities
- Sounds: Vacuum, doorbell, thunder (recordings), traffic, music, clapping
- Surfaces: Grass, concrete, tile, carpet, metal grates, gravel
- Experiences: Car rides, being handled (paws, ears, mouth), grooming tools, crate
- Other animals: Vaccinated dogs, cats (supervised)
- Environments: Different rooms, outdoor areas (carried before fully vaccinated), pet-friendly stores
✅ The Golden Rule of Socialization
Every experience must be positive. Never force your puppy into a scary situation. If they're frightened, back up, create distance, and let them approach at their own pace with treats and praise. One traumatic experience can create a lifelong fear.
Teething (3-6 Months)
French Bulldog puppies lose their 28 baby teeth and grow 42 adult teeth between 3 and 6 months old.
- Signs: Excessive chewing, drooling, bloody spots on toys, irritability, loss of appetite
- Help them: Provide appropriate chew toys (frozen rubber toys, frozen washcloth, puppy-safe chews)
- Protect your stuff: Puppy-proof by removing shoes, cords, and tempting objects from reach
- Check for retained teeth: If baby teeth haven't fallen out by 6-7 months, tell your vet — they may need extraction
- Start mouth handling: Touch lips, gums, teeth daily. This prepares them for tooth brushing as adults.
Puppy-Proofing Your Home
- Remove or secure all electrical cords
- Put trash cans behind cabinet doors or use locking lids
- Store cleaning products, medications, and toxic foods out of reach
- Remove small objects that could be swallowed (coins, hair ties, small toys)
- Block access to stairs (Frenchie puppies + stairs = injury risk)
- Secure toilet lids (Frenchies are top-heavy and can fall in)
- Check for toxic houseplants (lilies, aloe, pothos, etc.)
- Install baby gates to limit access to safe areas
Crate Training
Crate training is one of the best things you can do for a French Bulldog. It provides a safe space, aids potty training, and is essential if your Frenchie ever needs crate rest for IVDD or surgery recovery.
- Choose a crate big enough to stand, turn around, and lie down — not bigger
- Make it positive — treats, meals, and toys in the crate
- Never use the crate as punishment
- Build up time gradually — start with minutes, work up to hours
- Maximum crate time: puppy's age in months + 1 = hours (a 3-month puppy = 4 hours max)
First-Year Health Milestones
| When | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | First vet visit, verify breeder records |
| 8-16 weeks | Vaccination series (3 rounds DHPP + rabies) |
| 3-6 months | Discuss spay/neuter timing with vet |
| 4-6 months | Discuss BOAS evaluation — are nares wide enough? |
| 6 months | Microchip (if not already done by breeder) |
| 6-12 months | Spay/neuter (if vet recommends this timing) |
| 10-12 months | Transition to adult food |
| 12 months | Annual vaccines, full health check, discuss BOAS surgery if needed |
Sources & References
- AKC — Puppy Shots Complete Guide. AKC
- AKC — French Bulldog Puppy Training Timeline. AKC
- Dr. Kraemer — Health and Preventive Care in Bulldogs. Vet4Bulldog