Food and Water Bowls (Included)
Look for a bowl that won't easily tip over and is easy to clean. A separate bowl for food and water will keep your puppy's feeding area clean. You may want to buy smaller bowls at first, and upgrade to larger ones as your puppy grows. Stainless Steel or Stoneware work the best.

Collar and Leash (Included)
Your puppy's first collar should be made of lightweight nylon or leather. To measure your puppy's collar size, measure his neck and add two inches. To ensure that the collar fits properly, you should be able to slide two fingers between the collar and your puppy's neck. If your fingers fit comfortably, you have the right size collar. If there is extra room, you need a smaller size. If both fingers don't fit, the collar is too small. It may take a while for your puppy to get used to wearing his collar, so don't be discouraged if he is uncomfortable and scratches his collar. Be sure to adjust the length as your puppy grows. A six-foot leash is the ideal length for both training and walking. Always keep your puppy on his leash unless he is in a confined area. Many states and cities have leash laws, which make it mandatory for your puppy to be on his leash at all times, even at public parks and playgrounds.

Toys (Included)
All puppies need toys to help them exercise and to provide them with a safe way to satisfy their natural desire to chew. Be sure to choose toys that are made for puppies and cannot be splintered, torn apart or swallowed. Large rawhide chips, nylon chews and hard rubber balls are fun and safe. As a general rule, if the toy can fit comfortably in a puppy's mouth, it's too small.

Crate or Sleeping Bed (Included with shipped puppies)
Your puppy will need a warm, comfortable place to sleep. A crate provides a den for your puppy when you are not home. Crates usually come in one of two types: a portable, enclosed, plastic crate with handles; or a wire crate. Your puppy's crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around and lie down and should have adequate ventilation. If you buy an adult-sized crate, purchase partitions or place a cardboard box in the back to provide a cozy space for your puppy. You may want to have a separate sleeping bed for him when you are at home. Make sure you buy a puppy-sized bed rather than an adult-sized bed, so your puppy will feel safe and snug.

       Housetraining

A dog or puppy is either housetrained or not. Unless you can catch him, it really does not do any good to drag him off to the site of his mishap and try and punish him. Keep your dog in sight and if he is bold enough to try something in front of you, say "No," get his attention, and take him outdoors quickly so he can finish eliminating in the appropriate area. He is in your house, he has to earn his freedom through good behavior and this is your responsibility.

If your dog will be trained to eliminate only outdoors, start by establishing an elimination spot. In the morning, clip his leash to his collar and take the dog outdoors to his spot for elimination. State commands like "go potty" or "hurry up." After he does his duty give him a treat and tell him he was a good boy, Use your Happy Voice.

Providing your dog or puppy with a crate that is way too large may allow him to relieve himself in one end and sleep in the other. Make sure you take your dog or puppy outdoors to eliminate on a regular schedule and especially prior to being left for prolonged periods of time.

If you are going to be playing and interacting with your puppy, he would be free to be out of his crate as long as you like. He will start to circle and sniff and look for a place to potty when he has to go and when you are watching him, you can quickly take him to his potty spot. By watching closely, you will soon learn your puppy's individual body language. Minimize your pup's chances of making a mistake by predicting when he will need to relieve himself. The critical times to watch are : as soon as he awakens, as soon as he finishes a meal, first thing in the morning, after a play session, and of course, as soon as you take him out of his crate. Do NOT let your puppy run lose when your eyes are not on him....even for a couple minutes. Each time your puppy has an accident, he is being trained to potty in that spot. Each time the puppy goes in the right spot, he is being trained to relieve himself there. Consistent training will bring consistent results.

You may found it helpful to have an exercise pen for the house, and one for the yard, (Please so not leave them out in real cold or hot weather). The exercise pen inside the house is puppy's safe haven when you are not at home. Place the other exercise pen in the spot you wish your dog to use as a permanent potty spot, both as a puppy and adult. Put your puppy in the exercise pen when it is time for him to potty, and step back a few steps (or watch him through the door or window). This will help your puppy get down to the business of going potty more quickly than if he was on a leash, or running loose.

Even well-trained dogs sometimes have accidents. Clean the accident area with a pet odor neutralizer so your dog won't be tempted to repeat his mistake. Raising a puppy is very much like raising a human baby only a puppy will mature at a faster rate. It is up to you, the parent, to establish boundaries, train your puppy and understand their various stages of physical and mental development and provide all their care. When you're raising a pup there are going to be moments of frustration, times when you have to be creative with training (not all things work with all pups). By 4-6 months your pup will be well on their way to a well trained individual as long as you've done your part but they won't be perfect. With your hard work, patience, continuity and love, your energetic puppy will bloom into a dedicated and well trained adult.
It will be helpful to you and your new puppy if you enroll in a puppy obedience class. This class will strengthen the bond between you and your puppy, teach you both about basic obedience and be a continued socialization opportunity for your puppy. This class can be started as soon as your puppy has completed his puppy shots (usually between 12 and 16 weeks). If you prefer, professional trainers can also do individual classes, or come to your home for private lessons.

       Puppy Proofing Your Home

Poisonous household items
Make sure all poisonous household items are securely stored out of the puppy's reach. Place all household cleaners, insecticides, fertilizers, mothballs, antifreeze, insect poisons, rat poisons and other items in cabinets or on high shelves. Remember, as your new puppy grows, he will be able to explore higher places and be tempted to jump up on shelves.

Check your plants
Many plants in and around your house can be harmful to your pup. Did you know that the pits of apricots and peaches, as well as spinach and tomato vines, can make your puppy sick and, in large dosages, can even be fatal? For a more complete list of plants that are dangerous to dogs, consult your veterinarian, or research the internet.

Take a Puppy's-Eye View
Get down on all fours and look around. Are there any dangling electric cords, loose nails, plastic bags or other tempting objects that will be in puppy's reach? If there are, be sure to put them away immediately.

      Some Additional Tips

• Never leave your puppy unsupervised inside or outside, and keep him off balconies, upper porches and high decks where he can slip through openings and fall.
  
  
• Unplug, remove or cover any electrical cords in your puppy's confinement area. It is also a good idea to cover electrical outlets, when they are not in use.
  
  
• Keep buttons, string, sewing needles, pins and other sharp objects out of your puppy's reach.

      About the French Bulldog

Temperament
The French Bulldog is an extreme lover. He is affectionate, playful and demanding of attention, from all that he comes into contact with. He does not do well left alone in a backyard. A Frenchie needs the constant companionship of his family. He makes an excellent companion for children, although very small children may not tolerate his over enthusiastic nature. He generally gets along well with other animals, as long as they are of as playful a nature as he is. They are generally not given to excessive barking. They will protect their homes and alert owners to intruders as well as when people are at the door. They do not sound vicious, but do have a deep bark. Most Frenchies tend to sit back and let others make a commotion. They are often referred to as "little clowns," and a more fitting description could not be found. The Frenchie is at his utmost content when he is being showered with affection. he will return the favor to his utmost capabilities. He is a true lapdog, an extreme lover, a bodyguard, a playful companion, and a true "best friend".

Exercise
The French bulldog is not the breed to run along side you as you are jogging. They enjoy short walks when the air temperature is moderate. Never expose a Frenchie to higher heat as they are prone to heat stroke. They do well with a short walk and a long nap to follow. They are heavy headed and do not swim. Frenchies have been known to drown when left unattended near water sources. Lakes, rivers, pools, etc, should be considered a danger to your French bulldog. they should always be closely guarded when near a swimming pool or lake. although Frenchies love to play, playtime must be limited . They will tend to over exert themselves, and breathing becomes difficult for them. French bulldogs require a "downtime" after and form of exercise. This is an excellent time to calm and cuddle them. They will never turn down any form of affection. Warning: Protect them from the heat.. they should NEVER be exercised in extreme heat, as they are easily overheated. Please use supervision around water (Bulldogs can't swim).

Grooming
The French Bulldog requires minimal grooming. A weekly brushing should be done to remove the loose hair, and stimulate the oils in the skin. This will help prevent the skin from becoming dry, flaky and itchy. A once a month bath with a mild soap is all that is needed. Too much bathing can dry out the skin. Nails should be kept trimmed, and the pads of the feet checked often, to ensure that there are no cracking. Frenchies have folds that also need to be kept clean. Gently lift the folds and swab the area with a cotton swab, to be sure that it does not become a breeding ground for bacteria. The ears should be kept clean to avoid infections. Check the ears daily by looking inside them. Make sure they are pink, then gently swab the inner ear with a damp cotton swab. If you notice any symptoms such as a foul smelling odor or discharge, contact your vet for advice. Never push cotton buds deep into the ear canal. The eyes should be clear. If a discharge is noted, gently swab the eye area. If the condition persists, contact your veterinarian, to be sure that there are no developing problems.

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