Author: thefrenchiemamablog

My name is Becki Leggett and I am a typical Frenchie Mama who spoils her “kids” rotten. I have been a dog mama to many dogs throughout my life and have extensive experience training dogs. I graduated from The University of Central Florida with Bachelor Degrees in Biology and Behavioral & Social Sciences which included a concentration in Animal Behavior. I have worked rescuing and rehabilitating several species of animals, from dogs to sea turtles, for over fifteen years. My new and true passion is the French Bulldog. I started this blog to help other French Bulldog parents have a better understanding of the breed and of dogs in general. What started out as a simple blog with informative posts has morphed into selling the best all natural pet products on the market. I feel very fortunate to do what I love which is help people and help dogs! In the spirit of helping dogs, I donate five dollars to The French Bulldog Rescue Network for every person who follows my blog. Simply navigate to my blog page, scroll to the bottom, and enter your email address where it says “Follow My Blog.” I hope you enjoy and learn a lot from my blog posts. If you have a specific topic you would like to discuss, feel free to send me a message on my contact page.
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The Best Supplement for Dogs with Allergies May Surprise You

Skin and Coat supplement

I am dedicating this post to my favorite product I carry in my natural pet product line, Natural Dog Company’s Skin & Coat Supplement. Not only is this supplement great for the skin and coat as it suggests but it has many other benefits of which my favorite is relieving allergy symptoms. Let’s start by analyzing the nutrient-dense organic ingredients and break down the benefits of each of the first five of these ingredients.

Skin & Coat Supplement Ingredients

Salmon: Salmon is the first ingredient in these supplements. Salmon provides a plethora of health benefits. It is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids which aid in healthy skin and coat, relieve itchiness, prevent inflammation, aides in heart health, and strengthens the immune system.

Pea Flour: Pea flour is basically peas without the moisture and peas are a great source of plant protein and fiber.

Flaxseed: Flaxseed is high in fiber and contains anti-inflammatory properties. It is full of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and aids in digestion as well as healthy skin and coat.

Navy Bean: Navy beans are a great source of protein, fiber, and B vitamins.

Coconut Oil: Coconut contains anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties and aids in healthy skin and coats.

In addition to these nutrient dense ingredients, the key ingredients making these supplements so effective are DHA Gold, Biotin, and Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil.

So, why do I love these supplements so much? If the benefits of the ingredients above did not pique your interest, what I am about to tell you surely will. Prior to giving these supplements to my frenchies, I was giving them Benadryl every night! That’s right! Every night! If I missed a night, you could see their allergies flaring up the following day. Very shortly after starting these supplements, I no longer needed to do that! This was a WIN-WIN for me! First, I was giving them a supplement that had many health benefits and second, I no longer needed to give them Benadryl every day! In addition to alleviating my frenchies allergy symptoms, my frenchies (all three of them) now have the most beautiful coats and extremely healthy skin.

If you are worried about your pup not liking these chews, worry no more! The salmon and pea flavors are more than enticing to dogs. My three absolutely love these chews and can not wait to get them every day!

So, what are you waiting for? Get yours now!

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How to Celebrate Halloween with Your Dog

French Bulldogs in Halloween Costumes

I don’t know about you, but Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year. There’s just something fun about dressing up, handing out candy, and taking the little ones trick-or-treating. Halloween can also be fun for our furry family members. However, there are risks involved so let’s talk about how to have fun with our furry friends while being safe at the same time.

I love dressing my frenchies up in Halloween costumes and taking them trick-or-treating. However, costumes are not for all dogs. For some, it causes severe stress. If you are unsure whether dressing your fur baby up will cause them stress, here are a few things to look for:

Physical Signs of Stress in Dogs

  1. Panting
  2. Pacing
  3. Shaking
  4. Yawning
  5. Drooling
  6. Licking
  7. Whale eyes
  8. Stiffened body
  9. Cowering
  10. Growling

If your dog is showing one or more of these signs of stress, it is best to avoid dressing them up at that point. If your dog has never worn a costume, it is a good idea to slowly get them used to wearing a costume. If your costume has several pieces, put on one piece first. If they are calm and not showing signs of stress, give them a treat. Wait a few minutes, then put on the next piece of the costume. If they are still okay, give them another treat and continue with this method until the costume is complete. It is a good idea to do this a few days before Halloween to get them comfortable with wearing the costume. Springing a costume on them the day of Halloween could cause anxiety and not give you the opportunity to assess whether they are showing signs of stress. If your dog is showing signs of stress wearing a costume, do not fret, there are other ways you can have fun with your furry family member on Halloween. Take them trick-or-treating anyway! Who says dogs need costumes to go trick-or-treating? After all, they’re cute enough without a costume, aren’t they? If you do choose to take them trick-or-treating (with or without a costume), be sure your dog is microchipped and have your vet check the microchip prior to October 31st to ensure it is still reading correctly. It is also a good idea to double check your contact information on the microchip registration is accurate and up to date. Be sure your pet has some type of identifying information in addition to the microchip. I strongly recommend microchips. However, they require the person who found the lost dog to bring them somewhere to be scanned. Tags or a collar with your phone number enable someone to find the dog and call you immediately to retrieve your dog. Finally, always watch your dog very closely and know where the candy is at all times. The last thing we want is for Halloween to turn into a horror story for your pup.

A couple more fun things to do with your dog on Halloween are taking them to a pumpkin patch and holding a doggy themed Halloween party.

If you still haven’t purchased your dogs Halloween costume, there is still time! PetCo and Chewy both have some super cute costumes. See the links below.

Shop Halloween Costumes at Chewy!

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

Have Fun, Be safe and Happy Halloween everyone!

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National Make a Dog’s Day 2021

French Bulldogs playing

This Friday, October 22, 2021, marks the 3rd Annual National Make a Dog’s Day. National Make a Dog’s Day is not only a day to celebrate your dog, but also a day to bring awareness to the “less adoptable” shelter dogs. Subaru started this tradition in 2019 in hopes to help “The Underdogs” as they call them. It is an unfortunate reality that when people look to adopt, they are looking for the youngest and healthiest pups to adopt. While it is certainly a good deed to adopt any shelter pup, the older and disabled pups often get overlooked. If you are currently considering adopting a dog, I would like to follow Subaru’s lead and encourage you to consider adopting an “Underdog.’ An “Underdog” is a dog that requires just a little more care and maybe even a little more love. They may be blind, deaf, incontinent, have behavioral issues, have neurological issues, or may have a physical impairment requiring wheels. Whatever the case may be, these underdogs are assuredly looking for love and companionship. You may believe that you are ill-equipped to take on a special needs companion. However, special needs dogs are very adaptable and may do better at your home than you think. You can always speak to the rescue or the shelter and ask for detailed care instructions.

How to Celebrate Your Dog on National Make a Dog’s Day

As I mentioned, National Make a Dog’s Day is also a day to celebrate your dog so get out and do that special thing your dog enjoys. If they enjoy walks, take them on an extra long walk. If they enjoy car rides, take them on an extra long car ride. If they enjoy the park, take them there. If you are interested in finding some of the best dog parks in the United States, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/12/12/best-dog-parks-in-florida-and-the-us/

If they love the beach, plan a beach day. For information about some of the best dog beaches in the United States, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/12/05/how-to-keep-your-frenchie-happy-and-well-behaved-dog-friendly-beaches/

Finally, be sure to shower them with plenty of treats and toys. You can find all-natural organic dog treats that are sure to please your pups tummy here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/product-category/organic-dog-treats/

And be sure to check out my “Must Have Amazon Products” to provide the utmost in puppy spoiling on National Make a Dog’s Day: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/09/15/must-have-pet-products-on-amazon/

Some other ideas to celebrate your dog are planning a doggie play date, organizing a doggie barbeque, buying your dog a pup cup and/or baking them a doggie friendly cake.

Whether you decide to adopt an underdog or to celebrate your dog or both, be sure to share the celebration on social media with the hashtag #MakeADogsDay.

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”

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What To Do If You Have an Aggressive Dog

French Bulldog

Before we discuss what to do if you have an aggressive dog, we must first determine what aggression is. Some people may confuse normal dog behavior with aggression and more often, people tend to confuse normal puppy behavior with aggression. Let’s start by discussing normal puppy behavior.

How to Distinguish Normal Puppy Behavior from Aggressive Behavior

Dogs, including puppies, can play rough. They bite. They bark. They growl. So, how do you tell the difference between rough play and aggressiveness? Normal puppy play will include biting, barking, and growling. However, there are cues to observe to ensure it is play and nothing more. One of the best indicators that the puppy is playing is the play bow. The play bow is the action of lowering the head and lifting the hind end. This is also called “downward dog” which I’m sure you have heard in the field of yoga. Another sign that dogs are playing and not fighting is tail wagging or wiggling of the behind in the case of dogs that do not have tails. So, what about the barking and growling? If the growling and/or barking is high pitched, it is play. However, if the growling is deep and long it could be aggressive. Puppies and even adult dogs do nip when they’re playing, and this is normal behavior. What you do not want to see is a stiffened body posture and/or lip curling or snarling. Finally, make sure that the dogs are taking turns playing. If one dog is dominating the play session, it could turn into an aggressive situation. If you have observed your dog and determined they are, in fact, demonstrating aggressive behaviors, what do you do then?

How to Address Aggressive Behavior

Let me start by saying that correcting aggressive behavior will not happen overnight. You must work at it and it is up to you as the pet parent to remain patient and consistent. There are many types of aggression and identifying the source of the aggression is the first step. Sometimes the aggression is redirected aggression. To learn more about redirected aggression, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/06/09/redirected-aggression-in-dogs/

If you can determine the cause of aggression and eliminate what is causing the aggression, this will be your most productive approach. If you cannot eliminate the cause of the aggression and your dog becomes aggressive, it is crucial to remain calm. Many dog parents react to aggressive behavior by yelling and with quick movements. This is undoubtedly going to escalate the situation. You want to approach your dog slowly and speak in a soft calm tone. It is important to train your dog to know what is acceptable behavior and what is unacceptable behavior. This is where positive reinforcement comes in. If you are able to approach them slowly and walk them away from the situation calmly, it is very important to give them a lot of praise and treats if they are treat motivated. Do not punish the dog. This will only worsen the aggression. Behavioral modification methods are very practical in many situations. To learn more about behavioral modification, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/08/01/behavioral-modification-using-operant-conditioning-training-your-frenchie/

If your dog becomes aggressive seemingly out of nowhere or if behavioral modification methods are not successful, be sure to have your dog examined by your veterinarian to rule out any health problems. If you have done all this and you still have issues, it is time to consult with a behavioral modification trainer.

Of course, the best method is preventing aggressive behavior to begin with. If you have a puppy or a new dog, be sure to provide them with plenty of socialization. Socialize them often with other people and other dogs. If you see them displaying dominant behaviors, attempt to stop them and be sure to present yourself as the alpha. Watch carefully for behaviors that could become aggressive and redirect. Most importantly provide them with a stable loving environment and show them plenty of love. Be sure to provide positive associations to situations you desire. For example, when people come over and your dog is acting how you would like them to act, give them plenty of love, praise, and treats. Remember, it is best to teach what is right instead of correcting what is wrong!

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Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? And What Can I Do About It?

French Bulldog

If you are reading this, I will go out on a limb and assume that your dog is eating poop, you think it is gross, and you want it to stop. There are several reasons your dog may be eating poop but let me start by saying it is a natural and instinctual behavior. So, rest assured your dog is not the only “gross” one around. You see, mama dogs instinctually eat their puppy’s poop to keep the area around the puppies clean. Eating the poop is the only way she has to get rid of it. Puppies learn from mama therefore some puppies may develop the learned behavior of eating poop. Additionally, puppies explore the world by tasting things around them and poop just may be one of those things. Other reasons dogs, both adults and puppies, eat poop could be nutrient deficiencies, parasites, certain diseases, and/or certain drugs. To determine if your dog is eating poop only out of instinct and not due to an underlying problem, it is always a good idea to consult a veterinarian. If there are no underlying conditions and you want this behavior to stop, you simply need to modify this behavior and let your dog know that it is an unacceptable behavior. For tips on modifying behavior, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/08/01/behavioral-modification-using-operant-conditioning-training-your-frenchie/

How Do I Stop My Dog from Eating Poop?

What if you have consulted your veterinarian and there are no underlying conditions and you have attempted the behavioral modification route and your dog is still eating the poop? The first step would be to give your dog a good multivitamin to see if there is a nutrient deficiency. If your pup stops eating the poop after two weeks of giving the multivitamin, a nutrient deficiency was likely the cause of the behavior. Another thing to note is that your dog could be displaying this behavior to get attention. If this is the case, be sure you do not provide that attention they want immediately after the poop eating. If you do, you will reinforce the behavior. More importantly, make sure to give them extra special attention when they are not eating the poop in hopes this will curb the behavior. The techniques used during behavioral modification are a method of giving attention so if you couple the behavioral modification training with love and cuddles, this may do the trick. Here are a few great interactive toys:

Remember that an enriched and well exercised dog is a happy and well-behaved dog. One final note, and probably the most important, is to watch your dog closely and remove the poop immediately so they don’t have the chance to eat it to begin with. If you do not allow the behavior to occur, you can break the poop eating habit.

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Hot Spots – What Are They, How Do We Treat Them, and How Do We Prevent Them?

What is a Hot Spot?

Acute Moist Dermatitis, more commonly known as hots spots, start out as itchy areas on your dog. The itchiness could be caused by several different conditions such as fleas, allergies, skin infections, trapped moisture, a dirty coat, or even boredom. Some dogs will scratch and bite if bored or anxious and this could lead to hot spots. Hot spots often start as small red and/or moist looking areas. If left untreated they could turn into very large, red, and painful sores. Hot spots are typically caused by your dog. Your dog has an itchy spot, and they scratch the area making it worse. The scratching (or biting) causes the area to become inflamed and in many cases causes a bacterial infection. Hot spots are usually accompanied by hair loss and are most common in the summer months. This is due to higher temperatures and higher humidity. Hot spots are usually hot to the touch due to the inflammation and is where they gained the name “hot spot.” Hot spots can be very painful and very stressing to your dog. So, how do we treat them?

How Can I Treat My Dogs Hot Spot?

I always suggest having your dog seen by your veterinarian if any type of sore appears particularly if it seems to worsen. If a hot spot is on the skins surface and doesn’t present with oozing, clipping back the hair, washing with a medicated shampoo, and applying a topical should suffice. However, if it is oozing, your veterinarian will likely prescribe an antibiotic and topical ointment. If the hot spot is small and not too troublesome, you may try a natural home remedy such as this skin soother. However, if there is no immediate improvement, be sure to promptly make that vet visit. The sore could be something different than a hot spot and you don’t want to be upset with yourself if you did not seek medical advice soon enough.

How Do I Prevent Hot Spots on My Dog?

There are a few things you can do to prevent hot spots. First, keep your dog as dry as possible. Make sure you dry them off immediately after swimming or after a bath. Second, Omega 3’s are great at preventing hot spots. This Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is about the best product on the market in my humble opinion. It contains Fatty Acids Omega-3 and Omega-6 along with EPA, DHA, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin B12. The most important thing you can do to prevent hot spots is to figure out what was causing the initial itching and prevent that. If the root cause is allergies, be sure to get the allergies under control. For information about allergy relief, read this post: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/07/21/dog-allergies-and-natural-solutions/

If the root cause is fleas, get the fleas under control. Flea Free is a great natural flea and tick repellent.

If your dog is itching out of boredom, try to exercise them more often, and consider buying them interactive toys such as this [ New Edition ] Dog Puzzle Toys- Penerl Slow Feeder Dog Bowls, Interactive Dog Toy for IQ Training; Slow Feeding, Aid Pets Digestion, Dog Puzzle Toys for Smart Dogs or this Wobble Wag Giggle Ball, Interactive Dog Toy, Fun Giggle Sounds, As Seen On TV.

Basically, whatever is causing the need for your dog to itch, be sure to address it and get it under control.

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Must Have Pet Products on Amazon

Let’s face it, most people shop on Amazon now. In fact, CNBC reported that more than 75% of US online consumers shop on Amazon. This was reported in 2017 and I can only imagine the percentage is higher today. It is reported that 197 million people visit Amazon.com every month. While I would love for you to make purchases from my online shop and support my small business, the fact of the matter is while you may do this and support me (and I would very much appreciate it), you are more likely to make purchases from Amazon. I get it, I make purchases from Amazon myself. Since so many of us make purchases from Amazon and we all want what is best for our pets, I am dedicating this post to listing the Amazon purchases I have made and that I highly recommend.

DOG CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES

DOG TOYS

GROOMING PRODUCTS

COLLARS, HARNESSES, AND LEASHES

MISCELLANEOUS

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Do French Bulldogs Make Good Pets?

Before we dive into whether French Bulldogs make good pets, we should review the common characteristics of the breed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) describes French Bulldogs as playful, smart, and adaptable. I would say this is a reasonably accurate description. The AKC describes the physical characteristics of the French Bulldog as having a height of 11-13 inches and a weight under 28 pounds. While all three of my French Bulldogs are under 28 pounds, I have seen many well over 28 pounds. If a French Bulldog is over 28 pounds, however, they do not qualify under the “breed standard.” We do not care about that though unless we plan to show a dog. The AKC continues to describe the shedding level and drooling level of French Bulldogs as moderate and coat grooming frequency as low. They say French Bulldogs bark little and are easy to train. These last two statement may be misleading to a novice French Bulldog owner since frenchies vary in their barking frequency and the ease of training depends very much on the owner. You may get a frenchie that doesn’t bark at all, and you may get one that barks quite often. Regarding training, they are correct in that they are easy to train. That is if you know what you are doing. Frenchies are very smart and have a high desire to please. However, as a bully breed, they do have a stubborn streak. Therefore, the more experienced you are at dog training, the easier of a time you will have. For some tips on training, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/08/01/behavioral-modification-using-operant-conditioning-training-your-frenchie/

Now let’s get into specifics of whether French Bulldogs are good pets. We’ll start with the question “Are French Bulldogs Low Maintenance?”

Are French Bulldogs Low Maintenance?

French Bulldogs are absolutely not low maintenance. In fact, they are very high maintenance. Their wrinkle folds need to be cleaned and dried daily with wrinkle balm applied at least once per week. For more detailed information about French Bulldog care, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/07/11/caring-for-your-frenchie/

If your French Bulldog has environmental allergies, you will need to wipe them down after they come in from outside to remove any allergens. If they have food sensitivities or allergies, you will need to research and buy them a food that works well for them. For more information on allergies, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/07/21/dog-allergies-and-natural-solutions/ and for more information about dog food, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/07/04/what-should-i-feed-my-frenchie/

Something frenchie parents always say they wished they knew beforehand was that you must wipe their bums after they go potty since they cannot reach that area to clean themselves.

You may be thinking that French Bulldogs may be too high maintenance for you so let me tell you why they are a great pet!

What Makes a French Bulldog a Great Pet?

First and foremost, your frenchie will love you like you’ve never been loved before. The bond you form with these little guys and gals is like no other. They have a strong desire to always be near you. Cuddle time is a must with frenchies. They would lay and cuddle with you all day if you let them. They are very tolerant and a great family dog. For more information about this and for French Bulldog Frequently Asked Questions, you can check out this post: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/01/23/french-bulldog-frequently-asked-questions-faq/

Do you have a French Bulldog? If so, share some of your experiences to help potential frenchie parents decide whether a frenchie is right for them.

Take Advantage of Chewy’s End of Summer Savings Event – Now through September 7th!

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National Dog Day

French Bulldogs - National Dog Day

Did you know that tomorrow, August 26th, is National Dog Day? What better time than National Dog Day to celebrate our fur babies? So, let’s talk about some ways we can do that. But first, let’s talk about the meaning of National Dog Day.

What is National Dog Day?

You may have guessed that National Dog Day is a day devoted to celebrating our canine companions and you would be correct. National Dog Day is a day to recognize all dogs from mixed breeds to pure breeds, from rescued dogs to adopted dogs, from family pets to dogs that work to serve and protect. National Dog Day was founded in 2004 to encourage dog ownership. There are an estimated 900 million dogs in the world. This includes family dogs, shelter dogs, and strays. Dogs vary tremendously in size, shape, and color. No matter where they are or what they look like, all dogs deserve to have a loving family to call their own. The best way to celebrate National Dog Day is to adopt a dog.

How to Find a Dog to Adopt

There are many sites available to help you find a dog to adopt. A great place to start a search for your perfect companion is on adoptapet.com. Here you can input your zip code and it will show you dozens of dogs near you up for adoption. You can also search aspca.org for dogs in shelters within a certain distance from you. Once you find a dog you think you want to adopt, be sure to read the details about the dog such as whether they are good with other dogs and children. After you read the details and believe they are a good fit, research the breed. This way you will know what to expect and do not end up with a breed that doesn’t fit your lifestyle. Frenchies, for example, require a good amount of time and are best for people who are home more often. Chocolate Labs, on the other hand, require a lot of exercise and require a yard to get out some energy. You can find tons of breed specific information on the internet by simply conducting a search for whatever breed you are interested in.

If you are like me and already have a house full of dogs and aren’t quite ready for another dog, well, you can celebrate National Dog Day by spoiling the dogs you already have.

How to Celebrate Your Dog on National Dog Day

Chewy has many great offers for National Dog Day such as Spend $100 and get a $30 gift card and they have tons of great deals on toys and treats. What dog doesn’t love toys and treats.

If you’re looking for ideas for new toys, this Potaroma Remote Control & Motion Activated Floppy Fish 2021 Upgrade, Flopping Fish Cat Dog Toy, USB Chargeable Cat Kicker Wiggle Fish Catnip Kitten Toys, Interactive Cat Exercise Toys and this Wobble Wag Giggle Ball, Interactive Dog Toy, Fun Giggle Sounds, As Seen On TV have been very popular with dog parents lately.

Looking for ideas for yummy and healthy dog treats? Take a gander at my last blog post (https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/08/18/healthy-treats-for-your-dog/ ) to find some of the best!

Finally, you can celebrate your dog by doing what your dog loves most. If they love the water, take them to the beach. Here are some of the best dog beaches around: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/12/05/how-to-keep-your-frenchie-happy-and-well-behaved-dog-friendly-beaches/

If they don’t like water, but love car rides, take them on a car ride. A ride to PetCo would surely be great fun for your pup.

Whatever you decide to do, just remember it’s your dog’s day! Be sure to celebrate doggy style!

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Healthy Treats for Your Dog

Organic dog treats

Just as it is important to choose quality ingredients in your dog food, it is important to choose quality ingredients in dog treats so I am dedicating this post to reviewing my favorite dog treats. Every treat I carry in my online shop contains all natural ingredients and each of these ingredients are purposeful, meaning they are chosen for a reason. I will list each treat, list all the ingredients in order of predominance, and describe the purpose of each ingredient. Towards the end of this post, I will let you know some of my favorite human foods that are beneficial to feed your dog as treats. Some of these foods are already added to the ingredients of the dog treats I will review now.

Dog Mamma’s Berry Banana Coco Chunk

Organic Brown Rice Four: Brown Rice Flour is a great source of fiber and aids in digestion. Best of all, it contains no corn, gluten, dairy, or soy.

Organic Blueberries: Blueberries are full of antioxidants, fiber, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. They are great for the immune system and overall health.

Organic Bananas: Bananas are high in potassium, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. Bananas have many benefits for dogs such as muscle maintenance, strengthening bones, and improving brain function.

Organic Coconut and Coconut Oil: Coconut contains anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties and aids in healthy skin and coats.

Organic Honey: Honey contains many vitamins and minerals and has anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties.

Organic Cinnamon: Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants and contains anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Organic Chia Seed: Chia Seeds are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids which aid in brain function and heart health.

Dog Mamma’s Pumpkin Snaps

Organic Brown Rice Four: Brown Rice Flour is a great source of fiber and aids in digestion. Best of all, it contains no corn, gluten, dairy, or soy.

Organic Pumpkin: Pumpkin is often touted as a superfood and is great for digestion.

Organic Carrots: Carrots are rich in Vitamin A and beta-carotene and help with healthy eyes, skin, and coat.

Organic Coconut Oil: Coconut contains anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties and aids in healthy skin and coats.

Organic Honey: Honey contains many vitamins and minerals and has anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties.

Organic Chia Seed: Chia Seeds are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids which aid in brain function and heart health.

Organic Ginger: Ginger contains anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties. It aids in gut health and boosts the immune system.

Organic Cinnamon: Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants and contains anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Dog Mamma’s Peanut Butter Banana

Organic Oat Flour: Oat flour is full of antioxidants and fiber and does not contain wheat, corn, or gluten.

Organic Peanut Flour: Peanut flour is packed with protein with the only ingredient being peanuts and let’s face it, dogs love the taste of peanut butter.

Organic Honey: Honey contains many vitamins and minerals and has anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties.

Organic Coconut Oil: Coconut contains anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties and aids in healthy skin and coats.

Organic Peanut Oil: Peanut oil is packed with essential fats and aids in skin and joint health. It is also said to be good for the heart.

Organic Chia Seed: Chia Seeds are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids which aid in brain function and heart health.

Winnie Lou’s Minty Breath Bones

Organic Garbanzo Bean Flour: Garbanzo Bean Flour is full of fiber and protein and is a much healthier alternative to wheat flour.

Organic Unsweetened Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce contains antioxidants, Vitamin A, and fiber and is great for digestion.

Organic Rolled Oats: Rolled Oats are full of antioxidants and fiber and do not contain wheat, corn, or gluten.

Organic Coconut Flour and Coconut Oil: Coconut contains anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties and aids in healthy skin and coats.

Organic Flax Seeds: Flax seeds are full of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and aid in digestion as well as healthy skin and coats.

Carob: Carob is high in B vitamins, Vitamin A, and is also a great source of fiber.

Organic Spirulina: Spirulina is great for the immune system and contains many health benefits. To learn more about the health benefits of Spirulina, read this post: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/07/07/the-health-benefits-of-spirulina/

Organic Parsley: Parsley helps freshen breath and is rich in antioxidants.

Organic Spearmint: Spearmint helps freshen breath and is good for digestion.

Another favorite treat of mine not listed here are these Tylee Salmon Treats from Chewy. The only ingredient is Salmon which is great for the immune system, skin, and coat.

Now let’s go over some human foods that are good for your dog.

What Human Foods are Beneficial to Feed as Treats?

Strawberries: Strawberries are full of fiber and Vitamin C and are great for the immune system.

Bananas: Bananas are high in potassium, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. Bananas have many benefits for dogs such as muscle maintenance, strengthening bones, and improving brain function.

Apples: Apples contain Vitamin A and fiber and are great for gut health.

Blueberries: Blueberries are full of antioxidants, fiber, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. They are great for the immune system and overall health.

Carrots: Carrots are rich in Vitamin A and beta-carotene and help with healthy eyes, skin, and coat.

Pumpkin: Pumpkin is classified as a superfood. It has many health benefits including aiding in digestion.

These are just some of my favorite human foods to give as treats because of their health benefits. There are many other fruits and veggies that are OK to give your dog. If you have questions, feel free to send me a message or post a reply.

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The Benefits of Crate Training Your Dog

French Bulldog in Crate

The topic of crate training can be a controversial subject. Some people believe it is cruel to use a crate while other people believe dog crates are the best thing invented since sliced bread. Additionally, others may tend to use a crate as a crutch. I believe in crate training, and I also believe crates can be used TOO often. I will begin by discussing the reasons to crate train and why you should moderate the amount of time dogs spend in their crate. I will end by discussing proper crate training methods.

What is the Purpose of Crate Training?

Crate training can be beneficial for many reasons. Let’s start with security. Crates provide a safe and secure place for your dog to retreat if they are feeling anxious. If there is too much activity in the house and your dog is becoming overwhelmed, they have the option to retreat to their crate. Crates along with a calming dog bed can help them to self soothe. Their crate can also be their place of rest and relaxation. If a dog is crate trained appropriately, the crate becomes their den, their security, their sanctuary that is theirs and only theirs.

Having a dog that is crate trained may be crucial in the event of an emergency situation. If you and your family are required to evacuate and stay in an emergency shelter which requires your dog to be crated, already being crate trained will ease the anxiety on both the part of your dog and your family. In addition to this, your dog may be prescribed crate rest by their veterinarian and if your dog is already crate trained, it makes this prescribed crate rest much more palatable for your dog.

One of the most obvious reasons to crate train is to have the crate be a safe place when you have to leave the house. This is especially important for anxious dogs. Anxious dogs can be destructive and may hurt themselves when they are left alone. Therefore, having the crate as their sanctuary while you are gone will relieve their separation anxiety. It will also lessen the chance of an unsupervised accident occurring.

Crate training can also be helpful when potty training. Dogs typically do not like to soil the place they sleep. The trick here is making sure to have the correct size crate. If the crate is too big, they could have a sleeping area and a potty area and that is counter productive to what you want. You also do not want a crate so confining that your dog can not move around. For more tips on potty training, read this post: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/06/28/potty-training-your-frenchie-puppy/

It is important to remember that leaving your dog for long periods of time may require them to soil their crate. After all, you can only hold it so long! Let’s talk about more reasons to moderate the amount of time your dog spends in the crate.

Why You Should Moderate the Amount of Crate Time

Crating your dog for long periods of time and too often could have negative impacts on your dog and your dog’s health. First, requiring your dog to hold their bladder for long periods of time could have negative impacts on their health by causing problems such as urinary tract infections (UTI’s). With reoccurrences of UTI’s, your dog could suffer from incontinence. Second, while crate training can lead to good behavior, crating too long and too often could have the opposite effect leading to bad behaviors. Crating too often can actually be cruel and in fact is illegal in some parts of the world.

So, how much crate time is too much? They say that anything over 8 hours is too much. However, my rule is to not crate them more than 4 hours. Additionally, if you have crated them for 8 hours during the day, crating them for another 8 hours at night is too much. Think about it. They are crated practically all day and then all night. That is a lot! A good rule of thumb is to make sure they are out of the crate more than they are in the crate. So, how do you properly crate train your dog anyway?

How To Crate Train Your Dog

The most important thing to remember when crate training is not to force your dog into the crate. It must be an enjoyable place for them to retreat and not something they are afraid of. You can start by making the crate comfortable. All my dog crates have calming dog beds and a blanket in them. As I mentioned before, choosing the right size crate is also important. You don’t want it too big, but you also want them to be able to move around in it. I start training by opening the door to the crate to see if they will naturally go in out of curiosity. If they do, that’s great! Let them go in and come out by themselves several times. Do not lock the gate the first time they go in. They need to get used to walking in and get comfortable knowing they can walk out if they want to. If they do not naturally walk in, throw their favorite treat or toy into the crate and give a command such as “crate”. They will most likely go in, grab the treat or toy and come right back out and that is okay. The point is that you want to be able to give a command so they will go into the crate on their own. Remember to reward the behavior of going into the crate. The most important thing to remember is to create a positive association with the crate. Positive reinforcement is important here. For more information about positive reinforcement, you can read this post: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/08/01/behavioral-modification-using-operant-conditioning-training-your-frenchie/

In conclusion, some time spent in a crate can be good for your dog and there are many legitimate reasons to crate train. However, too much time spent in crates can be detrimental to a dog’s physical and mental health. Ultimately the decision of whether to crate train is up to the dog owner and whatever you choose is just fine. My go to saying is “Mama knows best” and that’s not me, The Frenchie Mama. That is you, your dog’s Mama (or Daddy)!

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Signs of an Overheating Dog and What You Can Do About It

Just before summer began, I wrote a post about how to keep your dog cool while outdoors during the summertime. You can read that post here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/05/15/summertime-with-your-frenchie/

I thought now was an appropriate time to expand on that post since temperatures are soaring and many of us are experiencing record high temperatures. Dogs, especially brachycephalic breeds, can overheat very easily so I wanted to help other dog parents by listing the symptoms of overheating and by letting you know what to do if your dog does overheat.

What are the symptoms of a dog overheating?

There are many symptoms to alert you that your dog is overheating. They may include one or more of the following:

  • Difficulty breathing and/or excessive panting
  • Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
  • Lack of urination
  • Fast and/or irregular heartbeat
  • Disorientation
  • Discolored gums
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Collapsing

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to act fast. Don’t know what to do? Read on.

What to Do for an Overheating Dog

  1. If you can get the dog indoors to a cool place, do that right away. If not, a car can work if the air conditioner is on.
  2. Wipe the dog down with cool wet towels paying particular attention to their paws, neck, and armpits.
  3. Call your veterinarian and have him or her on notice that you will be bringing your dog in shortly. Make them aware of the situation (give details) so they may respond appropriately.
  4. Give your dog water to drink but don’t force them to drink. If they will not drink, you can wet the area around their mouth. You may also ring water into their mouth with a wet towel.
  5. Avoid rubbing ice cubes on your dog as this may cause their temperature to change TOO rapidly. Continue to wipe them down with a cool wet towel until all symptoms subside or you bring them to your veterinarian.

I have read all too many stories of dogs, French Bulldogs in particular, overheating lately. I hope you never have to respond to a situation like this. However, if you do, I hope this post helps. Remember to read my post about keeping your dog cool so you don’t have to encounter a potentially fatal overheating situation.

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