Recently got a frenchie- worried by everything I am reading!? Advice

[Darklava09]

We recently got a frenchie, DS is 7 now and would enjoy the company and it’s a dog we’ve all looked at and thought would be a good fit for the family. I had read up on websites beforehand and spoke to people who have them.

People had warned me about the stubbornness and destructiveness but said they are good with kids and are generally a good breed to have.

However, I’ve been on forums and all I seem to read from frenchie owners is how much they chew, they can get separation anxiety and their allergies and diet! And how poorly they get! The people who I speak to had never mentioned that there’s was ever poorly or destructive. I feel duped

Any advice? I feel like I have puppy blues and can’t seem to shake the feeling like I’ve made a huge mistake.

I’m worried that because we both work full time that he may get anxiety and might misbehave. However, we sometimes work from home and there is people to let him out on occasions. I also worry that he will chew everything in sight and am stressed that he may be an ill frenchie who sees the vets regularly and worry about the cost of keeping him healthy!! I never realised that their insurance premiums would be so high... we’re getting insurance but can only afford a certain amount so am worried I case something big happens!

I can’t shake the worry! Any positive frenchie parents out there!!

There is advice on brachycephalic dogs here www.google.com/amp/s/www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/things-think-about-buying-flat-faced-dog%3famp
Your insurance will certainly be higher with this type of dog.

Separation anxiety can happen in any dog left too long - all dogs are pack animals; a good trainer / behaviourist will help. Consider dog walkers or day care if you are leaving him too long.
How old is your puppy?

Is this real? What did you actually read before you got him that you managed to miss all of the negatives? Also how long are you planning to leave him alone for? Most dogs will be unhappy being left all day with just people to let them out 'on occasions' (what does this even mean). Poor dog, as if it hasn't got enough on with being bred to barely be able to breathe...

Even the Wikipedia page covers most of the potential health problems.

Can’t speak to French bulldogs particularly, OP - I wouldn’t have one (although I think they look cute!) because of the flat face issue. Hopefully you’ll get reassurance that they’re trainable!

I’m worried that because we both work full time that he may get anxiety and might misbehave. However, we sometimes work from home and there is people to let him out on occasions.

But worried by this, though. What are your plans for pup - who’s keeping him company, walking etc when old enough? How long are you planning to leave him alone and how old will he be?

tbh I'm a little puzzled how you could read up on frenchies beforehand and not come across details of insurance costs and general health. The reason that flags to me is because that might suggest suggest your research sources are flawed which is going to be a problem if you're using them (or similar) to support you through the puppy months.

The books Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy (Steve Mann) and The Happy Puppy Handbook (Pippa Mattinson) are brilliant.

The fb page Dog Training Advice and Support is excellent and has lots of files to read on dog training and behaviour.

APDT puppy classes/trainers should be good and it's worth having that kind of help.

All that said, I would expect a large number of dogs of varying breeds to struggle to cope with being left on a full time basis so if you were hoping to be out the house 9-10 hours a day, five days a week then I would expect big problems.

He is almost 10 weeks. Lots of people have dogs and work all day... it’s not uncommon

He will be left 8 hours. And we have family close by who will come and see to him when they are not on shifts, I sometimes work from home or do early finishes.

If you read most websites they mention the negatives but say this all depends and chewing can be outrained with consistent training. Other people I have spoke to who have them also work all day. It’s not as if he will be stuck in the crate for 8 hours he will have an area to himself.

&& I spoke to the vet about the illnesses and again he said each breed has its negatives and will have illnesses they are more prone to.
And his nostrils have been checked and the vet said he has good breathing to the comment up above.

When will you start leaving him for 8 hours? IMO that's far too long to leave even an adult dog but how on earth can you toilet train a puppy if it's alone?

I leave my adult dog for 8 hours very rarely maybe twice a year but it's not right to do it daily imo

The thing is, for 8 hours of the day you won’t be there to do ‘consistent training’, OP. You’re not leaving him for that long at 10 weeks old, are you?

Lots of people have dogs and work all day... it’s not uncommon

Most people either a) pay a dog walker or doggy daycare when dog is a kid enough b) have an older dog well used to being left or c) have family to help.

He will be left 8 hours. And we have family close by who will come and see to him when they are not on shifts, I sometimes work from home or do early finishes.

It’s the “sometimes” and the “when they are not on shifts” that sounds worrying.

But yes, small puppies aren’t usually left that long and if you want house training to go well, and not have a bored dog that gets destructive and chews stuff, with separation anxiety, then you can’t plan to leave them so long. Maybe once older and trained, with a dog walker in the middle of the day.

Look for someone who can do puppy visits and doggy daycare.

Oh dear. It's pretty much common knowledge flat faced dogs have breathing problems and that a puppy cant be left for 8 hours. I am not one of those people who think you shouldn't get a dog unless you are at home 24/7 but even I think 8 hours is too long and your family popping in when they are not on shifts etc isnt really a reliable plan. How long have you had him, can he go back to the breeder and you look at getting a more suitable dog. We have a rescue dog who was intentionally placed with us as he very much enjoys his own company. He chooses to be in a room alone even when we are home and only seeks human company for walks and food. He is complex dog and I'm not saying you need a dog as anti social as mine but a puppy is not suitable for you in my opinion.

Are you seriously thinking of leaving a puppy for 8 hours 🤷‍♀️ how will the puppy be trained , stimulated ?! You shouldn't have got it of course it will get bored and lonely and then become destructive

Lots of people have dogs and work all day... it’s not uncommon

Because it's a self selecting group.

People whose dogs cannot cope with that:
a) don't do it (or)
b) get rid of the dog

So of course, if you only ask people who work full time with dogs, they are going to say their dogs are fine. (Even then studies would suggest somewhere around 50% are not really as fine as their owners think they are.)

What you've not seen is the numbers of dogs surrendered to rescues because they cannot cope with being left alone. Or the numbers of people who alter their lives to make sure the dog is not left for that length of time. etc etc.

Your dog may cope. Or may not. You are taking a gamble.

Lots of people have dogs and work all day... it’s not uncommon

A puppy and a dog are wildly different things. Seriously.

I have a pug OP he’s 18 months old now and is absolutely fine. They have the same kind of warning when it comes to health issues, separation anxiety, being hard to train etc but he’s been an absolute dream. I honestly don’t know how you could’ve thoroughly researched the breed without those things coming up and knowing the insurance premiums would be high I have to say as we knew from day one what we were potentially taking on and found a responsible breeder, did loads of research before hand and were very prepared. We’ve been very firm with him from day one, crate trained and really spent a lot of time toilet training. It wasn’t hard though. We’ve never had any issues with anything. We also keep him very fit and active so he’s not at all overweight which helps with the breathing issues. He doesn’t have any for now but that could change with his age. Honestly I think you’ll be fine and you’re maybe just a bit shell shocked as your research wasn’t as thorough as you thought. Definitely pay for the top insurance and make sure you have lifetime cover for him though. It’s really important with the issues that could arise that you’re well covered.

It might be okay to leave some adult dogs for long periods, but not a puppy. The poor little guy will be absolutely miserable.

He will be left for 8 hours a day.

You got a dog knowing this? Shame on you, OP.

Are you in the U.S.?
I ask because it seems more common for people to get puppies and then leave them in a crate all day with no one at home. Although of course responsible dog owners on the U.S. know it’s wrong too.
The most basic research would tell you that no puppy should be left for 8 hours at a time. Nor should an adult dog. Dogs are intelligent, social, pack animals. I have had one dog from a puppy, when I was a SAHM. The next two dogs came to us as adults because although there was an adult at home most of the time (nanny then au-pair) it’s too much to expect child carers to cope with a puppy, they are a lot of work, as canine babies and adolescents.
My second and third dogs came to work with me most days. When I went full time in a job I couldn’t take her along to, I paid for a dog walker to take my last dog out every lunchtime and I was back by 4.00 pm.
I now have a lifestyle that is incompatible with dog ownership. I miss having them but it’s tough shit.
You have been selfish, immature and ignorant. I would consider rehoming the poor dog through the breeder or the breed society. You shouldn’t expect to get your money back. Consider it a lesson learned.
For centuries, in many cultures, it was considered acceptable for men to physically “chastise” their wives, and dogs were, and are used for baiting, fighting, coursing and shot or drowned when no longer useful. We’ve moved on. “Lots of people...” is not an excuse for cruelty.

Ridiculous to get a puppy when you have a F/T working household, and ridiculous of the breeder to sell him to you.

And I'm not surprised you feel like you've made a huge mistake, because you actually have.

I’d probably concern myself with the fact you’ll be leaving a puppy (basically a baby dog) alone for 8 hours a day. How are you expecting to toilet train the dog? Our dog is a year old and we leave him at most for 5 hours and that’s very very rarely. I think you need to have a plan for who will care for him whilst you’re working.

Eight hours! I wouldn't leave my six-year-old dog alone for that long, let alone a puppy. Pay for a dog walker please. He probably will chew everything in sight if he's left on his tod for that long.

They can be great dogs - ours is wonderful and has no breathing problems. He's relaxed, friendly, easily trained and never chews or messes inside. That said - I would never expect to regularly leave him alone at home for 8 hours because it's not fair on him at all. He's 5 now and very well accustomed to being alone / no separation anxiety but I would still not do it as anything other than an unavoidable one off.
It's not the fact you've got a frenchie that's going to cause you problems it's the fact you've got a puppy with no proper plan in place for it's care.

I have a Frenchie who was handed to us as an emergency rescue as she wasn’t doing well in her last home. She’s riddled with health problems and insurance plus vet bills and regular medication cost us a small fortune. I’d never have bought the breed and wouldn’t again. HOWEVER. She is glorious. She’s impeccably well behaved. She can be left for 5 hours when needed (rarely). She doesn’t ever chew. She’s excellent with people and children. She’s the light of my life. So I can see why people choose to have them.

You need to be realistic though. They are very stubborn and once you crack the training they’re great but it takes a long time. Leaving a dog unattended for 8 hours is absolutely ridiculous and cruel, especially when they are a puppy. I think your best bet is for you to take some annual leave followed by your partner and then get them to doggy day care.

Dogs develop emotional and behavioural problems when their needs aren’t met. This results in behaviours like chewing, messing in the house, aggression, fear, separation anxiety etc. Dogs, like people, have emotional as well as physical needs. Neglect either of these and you will get trouble because your dog is frustrated and unhappy. These behaviours aren’t the fault of the dog, they are the result of poor owners

Please look into doggy daycare for your boy. He needs the socialisation. I would say a dog walker popping in just isn’t enough for a young dog alone for 8 hours.