Royal Frenchel Blog

Setting Up Home Base

BUY DOG FOOD
 

We have changed to a new dog food, folks. ORIJEN was too rich for our Royal Frenchel's intestinal tracts. Royal Frenchels did not do well on it across the board. It's such an exemplary dog food that we tried to use it. Unfortunately, it just wasn't a right fit.

However, we have had great success recently with Taste of the Wild dog food. The Royal Frenchels, so far, have done well. You can click on the link or the picture to learn more about the food and ordering options. 

Also, see the Royal Frenchel recipe for stew to add to the food a couple times a week. It is a fun way to enjoy seeing your pup enjoy his or her variety and boosts the happy feeding times with a taste of something new.

CRATE

You are excited and so are we! Preparing for your puppy is all about anticipating his or her needs and yours. So here are some key thoughts to share to help you prepare to receive your little guy or gal.

A crate for a Royal Frenchel is generally around 18” by 22“ or just the next size larger. I recommend that you get a wire cage at home with 2 doors in it. You can check in our store and, if we don’t have what you are looking for, another good place right now is Target online. They have great crates.

We like the wire because you can clean them well and they can be covered easily. We will take orders for covers for your crate if you want. We love them and so do the dogs. It makes their rest area more like a den and then the flap can come up on any side and make way for hanging out resting, while observing his or her family as well.

TOO MUCH ROOM IN THE CRATE?

You probably want to buy an adult crate, so in the beginning you can place a cardboard box in the cage with the puppy, keeping the area small and for sleep or chewing before bed at first. This is a good housebreaking tool. Too much space means ease of getting relief without getting soiled. Dogs don’t want to get soiled, so go with the flow and let your dog out as suggested for housebreaking on the Royal Frenchel Taking Your Puppy Home Page.

BEDDING

Our puppies will choose micro-fibre super soft blankets over all others. We recommend using a basic bottom cover for the crate called a Snoozie, which you can find in our store or elsewhere if you like. And then we add the sweet feel of soft blankets to wrap up in! You will see what we mean when you see the puppy with its blanket! Royal Frenchels love soft micro-fibre!! It is so funny!

WHERE TO PLACE YOUR CRATES

Be temperature sensitive. Some floors can have drafts that drastically lower temperatures in the home and especially in the dog’s crate. Also, you don’t want to place a dog near a machine that is hot, making the cage hot rather than the room. These are not uncommon mistakes puppies and people have paid for, sadly. Just be aware of keeping a constant temperature for your little one. They rely on you for consistent temperatures. Inconsistent temperatures are a great cause of puppy death.

At first, you might want to have a night time place and a day time place for your crate, or simply have two. Because we recommend keeping your pup near your bed for comfort and ease of care for the puppy during the first couple of weeks. Once your pup is housebroken, you may choose to have him or her bunk in with you!

The second place is a daytime place where he or she is kept close at hand for resting and play. A good place is near where you will be on an off or most of the time as well. This allows your puppy to feel connected with you and yet he or she can rest with ease knowing you are near.

PLAY PENS AND WHY

It is good to secure an area for your puppy to play in other than his or her crate. It lets you know where the puppy is during the housebreaking period and makes it easier to start off on the right foot.

But, you don’t want to leave your puppy in a pen all the time either.  You want to secure an area where you can interact, where the puppy is safe from electrical outlets, poisons under sinks and things like that. You don’t want your puppy’s adventurous manner to get him or her into trouble!

Once again, Royal Frenchels are the easiest dogs in the world to train. You will find this true as well as long as you are consistent. The smaller area will help you keep that consistency without missing a moment when the puppy may need to go out etc. So stay connected to your puppy, no play pens that just keep him or her at bay without healthy interaction.

Kitchens work really well, or any room you are in most, office or otherwise. Your puppy can stay with you and in no time it will be house broken as well. So a small room can act as a play area, just don’t let that stop you from being with the puppy.

The more time you spend with your Royal Frenchel the better. They were bred for companionship. The more you allow your relationship to flow and each of you to learn what you need and want most, the better your dog will be in the end. And that is very cool!

CAR PUPPY CARE PACK

In your car, keep a few supplies that allow you to care for your puppy as you roll. Your Care Puppy Pack ought to have a bottle of water, roll of paper towels and a few plastic bags in case your little person ever has an accident. Keep a spray bottle of simple antibacterial cleaner such as Dawn dish soap. A little goes a long way. Also you will want to have some type of treat, like liver or something that is dried or a bone, so you have it on hand if you need it. Always have a good chew around. And last, but not least, a puppy pad for use anytime.
List:
•    Paper towels
•    Puppy pad
•    Spray antibacterial wash, pet safe
•    Blanket
•    Water bottle
•    Bone
•    Treat

STERILIZING CLEANER FOR COMING AND GOING IN PUBLIC

Remember, your puppy can walk on germs and bacteria when it is outside. We recommend wiping your puppy’s feet off upon entering your home after being outside. It is best and helps you keep a cleaner environment as well.

Do this for the first year of life if possible. Also, use only pet safe wash as many chemicals can be absorbed or licked though pad or tongue.

 BASIC INFO ON TEETH AND TEETHING

Puppies have 28 teeth which get replaced by approximately 42 teeth when they are grown dogs. Puppies’ teeth, like humans, fall out and are replaced by a second set from 4 through 7 months old.

Incisors are the first teeth to go. Incisors are the teeth between the canines in the front of the mouth. There are generally 12 of them, six above and below. The next in line are premolars which are directly behind the canines on the top and bottom. Molars come in for the first time next, like human babies.

CHEWING CONTROL

Royal Frenchels are pretty easy when it comes to both teething and chewing.

Overall, give them a hoof or a bone in their crate, a few toys and they are good to go.

Make certain you show them consistently what they are not allowed to chew by transferring them to what they are allowed to chew in your presence. If they go back to it, tell them again. I have rarely seen it take more times than that unless it is something like a dog being left in an area alone who gets bored. And that is not a good situation for any regular care. These dogs are typically not chewers and are easily distracted to a better chew choice when given the opportunity. Remember, they like to please so keep their needs met and your job will be easy.

WHAT CHEWS TO OFFER

The best chew items that we have found are really well made stuffed toys. Royal Frenchels love stuffed toys in general. Others are hooves and bones that you can get that are natural with the marrow in them. You can get them at your local pet store generally. Be aware that you don’t want those bones that are treated with all sorts of junk on them. They are not good for the dog and they smell bad!

DO NOT USE RAW HIDE CHEWS. Raw hide typically gets chewed enough to soften and then the pups swallow it. Raw hide can remain in the stomach for a very long time undigested, causing all sorts of problems. So bones, hooves, toys are best! And remember to always use dog safe toys. Not just any toy that children use as well. Button eyes and the like can do very serious damage to intestinal the track.

CHANGES DURING TEETHING

Some days may show a little different eating pattern during some of the teething period. If your dog misses a meal, eats less a time or two, or eats more than usual, no problem. If either of these persists, check it out. Otherwise, they have some days when they just don’t want as much food over those gum and that is ok. Other days they want to break them through and use them and they are very appreciative of more toys, chews and extra food that hits the spot!!

Some dogs can even get a little loose stool during this period. So the key is, watch and see if it passes or take you pup for a vet check. Remember this is between 4 and 7 months old, then you’re done!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING YOUR PUPPY HOME

Your pup has already received much care, love and consistency of training at our home. We are providing the details of our routine in hopes that it will support you in caring for your new family member in the best possible way.