So you just brought a puppy home -- now what?

[Pookie]

Another co-worker just bought a puppy (French bulldog).  He brings the little one home to the wife and kids next week.  This is his first dog (he grew up with cats).  Are there any good websites I can direct him to so he understands that he just brought home another child, and the responsibilities involved?

Thanks in advance!   

[Lola]

I would guess DeeDee knows a LOT about purebreds and puppies. 

[Lola]

Just reading the word "puppy" made me tired.  LOL 

[DeeDee]

Tell him to make sure they clean the wrinkles, at LEAST, every other day. Frenchies can get fungus infections if you don't. especially puppies that are getting into everything.

I'm not going to get into vaccinations b/c you all know what I think and there's plenty of info on it here in the forum. So, ignoring the vaccination info, this is a good guide for socializing puppies, and a Frenchie NEEDS it. http://www.nylabone.com/dog-101/training-behaviors/socializing-your-puppy/

Petpav has a lot of good beginner articles: http://www.petpav.com/pet-advice/384-how-to-stop-your-dog-from-chewing-items-in-your-house just search through the Pet Advice section in the left-sidebar there.

No matter how cute, they're still a bully-breed, and they can become little, Napoleonic tyrants. http://www.nylabone.com/dog-101/dog-breeds/french-bulldog/ Make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to the dog. Don't let it play tug-of-war with anyone. That can cause aggression, and though it doesn't tell you in this Kelly article, it can ruin a puppy's bite: http://www.leecharleskelley.com/top10myths/dontplaytugofwar.html He's got rules there, but it's not worth having dental issues later. Just don't do it.

Frenchies can overheat easily due to their short muzzles, so be really careful and know the warning signs: http://www.allstarfrenchbulldogs.com/FrenchBulldogHealthIssues.htm

Puppy proof now before it's brought home: http://www.dogwatch.com/dogtails/2011/06/10/puppy-proofing-and-preparation/ I'd advise getting a crate if he doesn't already have one: http://www.perfectpaws.com/crt.html It works. Whether they crate it for the dog's whole life or not is up to them, but during puppyhood, it's the safest bet if you want to sleep at night. It's not advisable to start puppies out in anyone's bed because they have to learn to be alone sometimes, AND you run the risk of rolling over it & hurting it.

Get some goat's milk if not already have it. It can help with the first few nights when it's wanting its mama. Don't give over 4 tbs warmed to baby-temperature though, or it will want to pee all night. These things are pretty good for puppies too: http://www.snugglepetproducts.com/

Here's a blogger describing the fun of having a new puppy. http://www.pencilshavingsstudio.com/2013/10/getting-a-puppy-is-like-having-a-newborn/

I'll look for some more stuff later. I need to get back to kitchen now.

[DeeDee]

Okay...#12 is especially important to realize:

http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/12262013-15-ways-a-new-puppy-is-a-lot-like-a-new-baby/

#6 Don't do it. Just. Don't. http://address-the-world.blogspot.com/2011/08/10-reasons-why-getting-puppy-is-like.html

Same perspective, worded differently: http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/12-reasons-why-having-a-baby-is-like-getting-a-puppy-2518292.html

Things That New Dog Owners Can Expect to Have in Common With New Parents http://thebigpieceofcake.com/2012/06/06/having-a-dog-is-like-having-a-baby/

http://www.bulldogsworld.com/puppy/supplies-have-when-you-bring-your-bulldog-puppy-home That's a list for any puppies

http://peglegwebdesignsblog.com/2014/03/04/puppies-are-just-like-babies/

No matter what, if SOMEONE can't be watching the new baby, crate it! One bite into an electrical cord will not end pretty, and they're always good at finding them. The "NO!" command is one of the first ones that needs to be taught. I always said, "NO! That's mine!" then hand them something else that's appropriate to chew on saying, "THIS is yours."

Edit: They DO need to be able to explore because without doing so, they'll never learn what's okay and what isn't. You just have to be following along behind them when they are.

[Pookie]

Thanks, Dee!  He gets the puppy next week.  I think he (the puppy) is about 20 weeks old already.