Tag: French Bulldogs

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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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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.

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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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The Health Benefits of Spirulina

Three French Bulldogs by the river

Have you heard about Spirulina? Do you know what it is? Do you know the many benefits that come from Spirulina which has been proclaimed a “super food”? If not, keep reading as I’m going to cover what Spirulina is along with its plethora of health benefits not only to humans but to dogs.

What is Spirulina?

Spirulina is a blue-green algae which can be found free floating in many fresh and saltwater systems. At first mention, Spirulina may not seem all that impressive. However, once you understand how it works and the plethora of vitamins and minerals it provides, it becomes apparent how special this alga really is. Let us start with what Spirulina provides. Spirulina provides several vitamins such as Vitamin A which is important for eye health and healthy immune systems. Spirulina is also a great source of Vitamin B. Vitamin B supports healthy cells and let’s face it, that’s pretty darn important. Every part of the body is made up of cells including but certainly not limited to our brains, our blood, and our nerves. Spirulina also contains Vitamin E which is an important antioxidant protecting tissues in the body. Tissues also make up organs and vitamin E is important for the proper functioning of organs. In addition to Vitamins A, B and E, Spirulina also contains several minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron.

Health Benefits of Spirulina for Humans

As you may have already deduced, Spirulina has many health benefits due to the vast array of vitamins and minerals it contains. First and foremost, it supports healthy cells. If our cells are healthy, we are healthy and conversely if our cells are not healthy, we are not healthy. Spirulina aids in the regulation of metabolism which is of course important for converting our food into the energy we need. Spirulina protects the tissues in your body. There are different types of tissues in the body all of which are important and carry out functions such as body movement and organ protection. Spirulina supports a healthy immune system in a variety of ways and is said to contain anti-cancer properties. It supports healthy bones and teeth. It supports healthy blood vessels and aids in keeping blood pressure in a normal range. It aids in muscle function and increases oxygen and energy. As you can see, there are many health benefits for humans from Spirulina, but what about our canine companions? Does it help them in the same manner?

Health Benefits of Spirulina for Dogs          

Spirulina is not only proclaimed to be a superfood for humans, but also a superfood for dogs. Just as it supports a healthy immune system in humans, it also supports a healthy immune system in dogs. The antioxidants present in Spirulina provide an anti-inflammatory response. Due to the immune system aid and anti-inflammatory responses, Spirulina is said to be helpful for dogs with allergies providing allergy relief. In addition to its main benefit to dogs of supporting a healthy immune system, Spirulina is good for digestion, supports organ health, and removes toxins from the body. Spirulina supports brain function, nervous system function, and aids in creating healthy skin and coat. Last, but certainly not least, Spirulina can be beneficial to dogs with heart disease. Heart disease in dogs is becoming more prevalent so any help in this area is more than welcome.

If you did not already know the MANY benefits of Spirulina, now you do! Why not try these Minty Breath Treats that also contain…. you guessed it….. SPIRULINA!!

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How to Keep Your Dog Safe on the 4th of July

Dozer the French Bulldog with patriotic vest

The 4th of July is a day Americans celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence is a document which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. It states that men are created equal and have “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” You might say that on the 4th of July every year, we express that right to pursue happiness through events such as barbeques, concerts, carnivals, and fireworks displays. While these events are fun for the family, there is one family member that it may not be as fun for. That is right, the family dog! So, how do you keep your dog safe while still enjoying the festivities?

Dog Safety Tips

If you are anything like me, you want to take your pups everywhere with you. However, on the 4th of July, you may want to consider leaving them at home. If you decide to leave them home, leave them in a safe room where they are secure and cannot get out. Leave the TV or radio on to drown out any noise they may hear from surrounding fireworks. If you decide to take them with you, I suggest having their leash tethered to a harness rather than a collar. This will make your hold more secure in the event they get spooked. Since there will likely be a lot going on, be sure to watch your dog closely. Food will be dropped so you want to be sure they do not eat anything potentially harmful to them. We all know the curious nature of dogs and this curious nature does not mix well with some foods. It also does not mix well with charcoal, sparklers, and similar objects that can hurt your pup so keep them away from these types of objects. Finally, keep alcohol away from your dog. Did you know that alcohol is toxic to your dog? That’s right! But this does not mean you need to freak if Fido takes a lick of your beer. Just like with humans, weight plays a role in alcohol toxicity in dogs. Whether or not you decide to bring them with you, be sure they are microchipped and have ID tags. Make sure the information on their microchips and ID tags is up to date. Another good tip is to make sure you have up to date photos of your pup just in case they do get spooked and somehow get out of the house or run away.

For tips on how to keep your pet cool during the festivities, read this post: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/05/15/summertime-with-your-frenchie/

One last but important tip is if you do not know if your dog is afraid of fireworks, you must take extra precautions to ensure your pup remains calm and does not dart off. I will talk about ways to keep them calm a little later. First, let’s talk about why dogs are afraid of fireworks.

Why are dogs afraid of fireworks?

Think about it. If you heard a loud banging noise coming from the sky and had no idea what it was, wouldn’t you be scared? That’s exactly what’s going on here. Dogs do not know what fireworks are and they have an acute sense of hearing making them more sensitive to the loud sounds that come from fireworks. Dogs see these sounds as a threat which elicits a fight or flight response. The fight or flight response has been advantageous to the survival of members of the animal kingdom therefore it has maintained an evolutionary advantage. Because of this, it is a strong response and one that may be over exaggerated in an anxious animal. This is the reason many dogs run away during fireworks displays. In fact, more dogs are lost from July 4th through July 6th than any other time of the year. So, what can you do to keep your dog calm and keep them from running off?

How to Calm Your Dog During Fireworks

The best way to ensure your dog does not run off during a fireworks display is to make sure they are not afraid of the fireworks in the first place. If you have a young dog, it is a good idea to start desensitizing them to loud noises such as fireworks. How do you do this? Why, by behavioral modification methods of course! You can start by playing a video of a fireworks display at a low sound level. If your dog does not react and remains calm, praise them and give them a treat. If they do react, lower the sound. While they are remaining calm, slowly increase the sound level and praise and reward each time they remain calm. You will want to repeat this process for several days to ensure your dog remains comfortable with the noises. So, what if your dog is already afraid of fireworks? How do you keep them calm? Well, every dog is different of course, but there are some things you can try such as thunder shirts like this Thundershirt Classic Dog Anxiety Jacket or calming treats such as these Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Dogs- with Chamomile, L Theanine, Thiamine & Magnesium – Dog Stress Relief Supplement – Helps to Calm Anxiety & Barking – Peanut Butter – 90 Soft Chews. Making them as comfortable as possible is the key. If they have a favorite blanket or toy, give it to them. Try to keep them as far away from the sound as possible. If you can go inside a building, do that. Remember that dogs are den animals meaning dens are their safe haven. If you can create a makeshift den, it could help them feel more secure. The most important thing you can do for them is remain calm yourself. Dogs read your energy well so if you are anxious, they will be even more anxious. Relax, take a deep breath, and talk to them in a calm soothing manner. Be their comfort in this time of fear and unknowingness!

For more tips on behavioral modification, read this post: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2020/08/01/behavioral-modification-using-operant-conditioning-training-your-frenchie/

If you need some help with behavioral modification or if you have other ideas to help other readers, please leave a reply below.

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The Human-Canine Bond

Frenchie Mama and French Bulldog

The bond between dogs and humans goes back thousands of years. In fact, there have been several instances of human and dog remains found buried together dated back to 8,000, 10,000 even 14,000 years ago! Maybe even more interesting is the fact that there have been scientific studies proving that dogs and humans shared common migration patterns from those early times. This shows further indication that the human-canine bond began incredibly early on. Humans and dogs have shared similar evolutionary pressures, and this had led to a deep understanding of one another. The human-canine bond is unique, it is special, and it is strong!

What does it mean to be bonded with your dog?

Being bonded with your dog basically means that you understand your dog and your dog understands you. You and your dog are in tune with each other’s emotional state. You recognize each other’s gestures and respond appropriately to them. You trust each other and you love each other. This bond stems from the thousands of years humans and dogs have been co-evolving together. This co-evolution has ultimately led to dogs and humans having many groups of genes that have also been co-evolving. Have you heard that interactions between dogs and humans increase the oxytocin levels in both species? This is the result of groups of neurological genes evolving in parallel patterns in dogs and humans.

How do I bond with my dog?

Due to the co-evolution of neurological genes, dogs bond with humans in much the same way humans bond to other humans. The more love and support you provide them, the closer the bond. Watching them and listening to them allows you to better understand them thereby strengthening the bond between you and them. Routine and consistency are key so another way to strengthen the bond is by creating a routine so they know what is expected of them making them feel more self-confident. Give them consistent attention. Spend time training them. Believe it or not, dogs love learning new tricks! Spend quality time with them. Just as you must learn what your significant other enjoys, you must learn what your dog enjoys. If they enjoy toys, buy them toys and play with them. If they love cuddling on the couch, cuddle on the couch! If they love to exercise, do that! Exercising together is not only a great bonding tool, but a well exercised dog is a well behaved dog! Neuroimaging has shown that dog brains function very similarly to ours (due to the co-evolution of the neurological genes) when processing emotions so it boils down to whatever makes you feel loved will likely make your dog feel loved.

How do you know if your dog is bonded with you?

Does your dog run around and jump up and down when you come home? Well, this probably means they are bonded to you. Dogs that are bonded to you often make eye contact. Dogs make eye contact with humans to connect with them. Bonded dogs will turn to check on you on walks. They will follow you around and seek you out if you are in another room. Another way your dog will show they are bonded to you is by leaning against you. They will want to be touching you in some way. If your dog loves toys, like my Dozer does, they will bring their favorite toy to you. This is just another sign of affection. Finally, if your dog sleeps with you, they are bonded to you. Dogs are very vulnerable when they sleep so if they are comfortable sleeping with you, you can bet they are bonded to you.

To learn more about canine body language, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/02/14/dog-body-language-and-why-your-frenchie-may-not-get-along-with-other-breeds/

The human-canine bond is an amazing relationship that has spanned thousands of years. Let’s hope that it’s one that will continue for thousands more to come!

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Summertime with Your Frenchie

Summer begins on June 20th in the Northern Hemisphere. When I think about summertime, I think about going to the beach, parks, and outdoor barbecues. While these activities are fun for both us and our fur babies, the heat can be intolerable for our frenchies so we must take extra precautions to keep them cool. French Bulldogs tend to overheat more quickly than many other breeds due to many reasons such as compacted airways, stenotic nares, elongated soft palates, or even allergies. Since we are quickly approaching summer and temperatures are creeping higher and higher, I thought this would be a good time to provide some ideas for keeping our frenchies cool while still enjoying summertime activities.

First and foremost, it is a good idea to invest in a tent to provide your frenchie shade and keep them out of the direct sunlight. I personally use the ABCCANOPY Outdoor Easy Pop up Canopy Tent 6×6 Central Lock-Series, Khaki. This allows us to set up all our gear under the tent and have a place to easily get out of the sun if needed. Another fun idea is to use a sunshade such as the ZOMAKE Pop Up Beach Tent 3-4 Person, Portable Instant Sun Shelters Cabana Sun Shade with UPF 50+ UV Protection for Kids & Family.

Of course, it wouldn’t be much fun for our frenchies to stay under the tent the entire time, so here are some great cooling products to use to keep your frenchie cool:

Upaw 4 Pcs Dog Instant Cooling Bandana Chill Out Scarf Pet Cool Neck Wrap for Puppy Cats

Dog Cooling Bandana, Stock Show Pet Dog Adjustable Ice Chill Out Collar Scarf with 5 Ice Packs for Summer (Flamingo)

Canada Pooch Chill Seeker Dog Cooling Vest Water Evaporative and Adjustable Rainbow – Size 14 (13-15″ Back Length)

Dog Cooling Shirt 2 Packs – Soft Breathable Instant T Shirts, Comfortable Summer Clothes Vest, Absorb Water and Evaporate Quickly for Dogs Cats Puppy

O2COOL 2 Pack Elite Battery Powered Handheld Water Misting Fans (Teal)

Taking them for a swim will also cool them down, but we all know that most frenchies are not great swimmers so make sure you have a good life jacket such this one: Vivaglory Dog Life Jackets with Extra Padding for Dogs, X-Large – Pink.

Last but certainly not least, be sure to have plenty of water on hand. I always carry these Babyoung Dog Water Bottle, Portable Dog Water Bottles for Walking and Traveling, Patented Design with 3 Filters and Dust Cap, Outdoor Leakproof Water Bowl for Pets, Easy Clean (Blue) when on outings with Dozer, Molly, and Harley. You can refill them as many times as you like with any water source that is available and it filters the water for you.

We do not have to sacrifice summer fun with our frenchies, we just need to be extra diligent to keep them cool and safe. So, go to the beach, take them to the park, and go to that barbeque. Enjoy, have fun and most of all have a happy summer everyone!

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Surgery and Anesthesia Protocols for French Bulldogs

I must admit that as I am writing this, I am worried about my little boy. I know he is fine. He is eating, drinking, and acting himself. Nevertheless, as a frenchie mama, I cannot help but worry about him. You see, even though he is acting normal, he is obviously in pain. He yelps when he goes to the bathroom and he bleeds a bit from one of his incisions. I have already brought him back to the vet, they monitored him for three hours, and all is good. They noted he is swollen and that is to be expected. What did he have surgery for in the first place you ask?

It all started during a routine tail pocket cleaning. I have been diligent about cleaning Dozer’s tail pocket on a regular basis. Approximately one month ago, he started growling at me when I would clean it. If you know Dozer and his sweet disposition, you know this is very uncharacteristic of him. I knew something must be wrong, but I gave it a couple of days. After a couple days of him growling at me every time I attempted to clean the tail pocket, I called my veterinarian and made an appointment. They prescribed an anti-inflammatory and antibiotics. After a few days of medication, he was still extremely uncomfortable and still growling when I attempted to clean his tail pocket, so my veterinarian prescribed another medication. Still, there was no improvement. During the initial appointment, they examined his tail and noticed that it was growing into him and thought this may be the culprit. Consequently, they x-rayed the tail and discovered malformations in the vertebrae. However, they were trying to avoid surgery if possible. Since the medication was not working after several more days, they asked me in for another consult to discuss surgery. During the consult, I was informed that surgery was necessary, and the vet was confident the surgery would be successful, so we set it up for the following week.

Finding A Good Veterinarian

The funny thing about this impending surgery was that I was less nervous about this surgery than I was when I was getting Dozer neutered. Why is that you ask? Like many frenchie parents, I was worried about putting him under anesthesia. When I brought Dozer home at ten weeks of age, I started him with a different veterinarian than I have now. I did my research before choosing this veterinarian. However, I did not know them and when I asked questions about the neutering process, I was not receiving complete answers and the short answers they gave did not put me at ease. I was a nervous wreck before and during his neutering procedure. He did well. However, after this experience, I decided that I wanted a different veterinarian particularly since I still needed to have Molly and Harley spayed. I chose to consult with a veterinarian who had a good reputation in town and who I had recently discovered owned a French Bulldog himself. The first consult with this veterinarian was a completely different experience in that he went into great detail about his spaying process. He also let me know that he would run bloodwork ahead of time to rule out potential problems. When I asked the previous veterinarian about bloodwork, their response was “we will if you want us to.” By the time I spoke to the new veterinarian, I had also discovered the French Bulldog Rescue Network Anesthesia Policy and this new veterinarian’s anesthesia procedures lined up well with that policy. Because I was so comfortable with this veterinarian in general and comfortable with his anesthesia protocol, I was much more at ease while Dozer was in for surgery. I dropped him off at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 20th and picked him up the same day at 4:30 pm.

The doctor called me at approximately 1:30 p.m. that day, just as soon as the surgery was complete, to let me know that all went well. He explained that the surgery ended up being much more involved than he expected since the tail was embedded deeper than he thought and the tail had no give to it. He thoroughly explained the entire surgery and let me know that while it was unlikely, there was the slightest chance that some nerves were affected due to how deep he had to go to remove the tail. I, of course, asked the worst case scenario and he let me know that nerve damage and incontinence would be the worst-case scenario. However, the likelihood of this happening was almost zero, not zero, but almost zero.

If you are wondering how Dozer is now, he is good. He is currently laying right next to me sleeping. The doctor increased his dose of pain medication since he is having pain while defecating so it is making him sleep more. However, when he is awake, he is his normal sweet loving self.

What I would like you to take away from this post is to make sure you feel comfortable with any surgery or procedure. How I did this was to choose a veterinarian I was comfortable with, making sure they planned to run bloodwork to rule out any problems, and ensuring their anesthesia policy compared to the French Bulldog Rescue Network Anesthesia Policy. Additionally, if you have a hard time getting your furbaby to take pills like I did, try this Pet MD Wrap A Pill Peanut Butter Flavored Pill Paste for Dogs – Make a Pocket to Hide Pills and Medication for Pets – 59 Servings. It was a game changer for me.

Lastly, I have been extremely thankful to have pet insurance during this time. Every claim I have made so far has been covered and right now that is just one less worry for this frenchie mama. For more information about pet insurance and for policy comparisons, click here: https://thefrenchiemamablog.com/2021/01/02/best-pet-insurance-for-your-french-bulldog/

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Frenchie Mamas Unite (The Psychology of Ingroups vs Outgroups)

When you meet another frenchie mama, there is often an instant bond. You immediately understand each other, you understand the love each of you have for your frenchies, and you understand the concerns that come along with being a frenchie mama. Just like any mama, we worry about the health of our little ones. With the plethora of health problems French Bulldogs suffer from, we cannot help but worry. Recently, we have been flooded with news stories of French Bulldogs being stolen which just adds to the list of worries we frenchie mamas experience. For tips on keeping your frenchie safe while on walks, click here: Walking Frenchies Safely blog post

So, where does this bond between fellow frenchie mama’s ultimately come from? There is a concept in Psychology which may explain it called Ingroup-Outgroup Bias.

What is Ingroup-Outgroup Bias?

Ingroup-Outgroup Bias is a concept that explains why we gravitate towards some people and not towards others. In the context of frenchie mamas gravitating towards each other, we tend to see other frenchie mamas as part of our “ingroup.” In psychology, the term ingroup refers to a group of people who feel comfortable with each other because they belong to the same group and understand certain things about each other. An out-group on the other hand is a group you do not belong to and consequently may not understand members of that group as well.

People rely on individuals in their in-group more heavily when they feel threatened. Lately, many frenchie mamas have felt threatened due to the numerous French Bulldog thefts being carried out. In most cases, understanding those who are not in your in-group and rather in the out-groups is crucial. For example, to decrease cases of racism and sexism. Studies have shown that if a member of a person’s in-group is harmed and a member of that same person’s out-group is harmed, the person will show more empathy towards the member of their in-group. It may be more important to strive for an understanding of an individual in an outgroup rather than your ingroup because you already have that empathy for ingroup members where you must work at having empathy for an outgroup member. Basically, you must work a little harder to understand members of an outgroup to decrease any bias’s you may have towards those individuals.

However, in the case of the thieves that are stealing our precious frenchies, this is an outgroup we should come together to eliminate. We frenchie mamas must come together and support each other now more than ever. When you see another mama out with their frenchie, watch out for her and her surroundings. When you see a frenchie has been stolen, get the word out. Post it on all social media sites, post flyers, let everyone know. Let us educate ourselves and each other about how we can prevent French Bulldog Thefts. After all, we can absolutely empathize with the frenchie mamas who have had their frenchies stolen.

Join my Facebook page “The Frenchie Mama Blog” (link below) and let’s have real world discussions about how to keep ourselves and our frenchies safe and how to reverse this awful trend of stealing French Bulldogs.

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Salty Dogs DIY Dog Wash – Ormond Beach (A Review of the New Dog Spa in Town)

Before I even stepped foot into Salty Dogs DIY Dog Wash, I was impressed. Social media posts displayed happy dogs being fussed over in what seemed to be large lavish bathtubs surrounded by adorable doggie décor. Walking into the spa did not disappoint. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by both the groomer and the owner who were overjoyed that Dozer, Molly, and Harley were coming to spend the morning getting pampered. This doggie spa offers many different options for bathing our furry families including Professional Grooms, Professional Washes, and DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Washes. The Professional Groom includes bathing, blow drying, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and a custom haircut. The Professional Wash includes bathing, blow drying, nail trimming, and ear cleaning. I opted for the Professional Wash since, of course, my frenchies do not need their hair trimmed. I could tell right away my fur babies were comfortable with the groomer who took them back to get their nails trimmed in preparation for their baths. We left the spa and came back an hour later just as they were finishing up. They opted to bathe them all in the same tub and I am glad they did. It was just the cutest thing seeing their little heads pop up to see that their mama and daddy were there waiting for them. They looked more than content, they looked happy, and I could tell they were in good hands. When the owner walked them over to me, they looked great, they smelled clean, and their nails had been grinded nice and short. To top it off, the girls had adorable neckbands with little flowers attached and Dozer was outfitted with the cutest little bow tie. What a nice personal touch that was! After meeting and speaking with the owner, I would not have expected anything less.

The start of this adorable little hometown doggie spa was the product of everything happening in the right place at the right time. You see, Keir (short for Keirsten), the owner, has a strong background in the corporate world. She has a business degree and had been working in the corporate world as a Gallery Director and most recently as a Senior Talent Coordinator. She was at the point in her life where she felt this career had plateaued. She was thinking about her next opportunity and was pondering making a move to Florida. Right around this time, Keir was approached by family friends who happened to own the Salty Dogs DIY Dog Wash in Palm Coast. They gave her the opportunity to open a second Salty Dogs DIY Dog Wash as a franchise. Keir, being an animal lover and a businesswoman loved the idea and went on the search for the perfect location. She originally found a location in New Smyrna Beach, Florida which seemed perfect. However, the zoning did not work out in this location. Once she found the current location in Ormond Beach, Florida, she staked the place out watching the activity and found that many local residents were walking their dogs in the area. The fact that there were many dogs in the area and that the landlord was easy to work with made this location the location she ultimately chose. After a more than four-month buildout, Salty Dogs DIY Dog Wash – Ormond Beach opened its doors on February 6th, 2021 to what we see now.

Remember when I said the social media posts seemed to show large lavish bathtubs surrounded by adorable doggie décor? Well, it was even better in person. The place was indeed outfitted with adorable decor, it had the large lavish bathtubs which hold up to 250 pounds, and it was extremely clean and pristine. If you are worried about your pooch jumping out of the large tubs, no need to fear as they are all outfitted with leads to keep your pup in place. Keir did not only put a lot of thought into the appearance of the spa, she also put a tremendous amount of thought into how she wanted to run the spa and who she would bring on board with her.

Customer service is the name of the game with this new dog spa owner and that is evident the moment you step into her shop. I not only got to experience this myself, but I was also able to watch her interact with other customers as they walked through her doors. She is patient, she is kind, and she is genuinely happy to see the animals who come through her doors. When Keir was looking for groomers, her main priority was hiring groomers who would provide the same level of customer service she planned to provide. Elizabeth is currently the main groomer at the spa. She not only has grooming experience, but she is also a licensed vet tech. Elizabeth takes on most of the Professional Grooming appointments. Jess is also a licensed groomer who is currently working at the spa part time. She assists with the DIY washes, assists Elizabeth, and takes on one or two of the grooming appointments herself. You can find Elizabeth talking to the dogs to give them the best experience possible while you will find Jess singing to the dogs to make sure they have the best experience possible. Keir could have brought on other groomers. However, she brought on Elizabeth and Jess because she knew they would provide the best care to her clients, both furry and not.

If you do not have a dog, don’t feel left out as this gem of a dog spa takes all animals, furry or not. So, stop on by, give them a warm welcome, and tell them The Frenchie Mama sent you!

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I am THAT Dog Mom (French Bulldog Clothes & Accessories)

I have been a dog mom to several dogs over the years and this includes differing breeds of dogs. I have loved them, I have trained them, and I have spoiled them. Have I ever pushed them in a stroller? No. Have I ever dressed them up? Other than the occasional football jersey, No. That is…. until now. That is right, I have turned into one of THOSE dog moms!

It all started when I read that French Bulldogs were sensitive to hot and cold temperatures when my first French Bulldog, Dozer, was just a little tyke. Shortly after reading this, I was in PetCo shopping for toys when I saw this Furry Boss shirt and of course, I had to buy it for Dozer. After all, he was the little furry boss! Not too long after that, I brought Molly home. Molly was an itty-bitty thing coming in at a whopping 5 pounds. She got cold quite easy so the next item of clothing I bought was this hoodie. Of course, I had to buy Dozer one also. Over the past couple of years, my frenchies wardrobe has grown and grown and grown. Here are the links to some of my favorite clothing I have purchased (#ads):

Let’s Walk on The Wild Side Hoodie

Bond & Co Beige Bearly Awake Dog Hoodie, M

Together is Better Hoodie

NFL Miami Dolphins Hoodie for Dogs & Cats. | NFL Football Licensed Dog Hoody Tee Shirt, Small | Sports Hoody T-Shirt for Pets | Licensed Sporty Dog Shirt

NFL Miami Dolphins Pet Jersey, XS

kyeese Dog Pajamas Cotton Pjs Stretchable Dog Jumpsuit 4 Legs Strip PJS Hair Shedding Cover Good for Summer

Puppy Face Striped Shirt for Dog Tank Pet Shirts Green and Grey Wide Strips Pet Clothes for Dogs Small Medium

Fitwarm Fleece Sweatshirts for Dog Coats Pet Hooded Jackets, Grey, Large

BINGPET BA1002-1 Security Patterns Printed Puppy Pet Hoodie Dog Clothes

kyeese Dog Sweater Dress Plaid for Small Dogs with Bowtie Turtleneck Dog Pullover Knitwear Cat Sweater

Eat, Walk, Nap, Repeat Shirt

Frenchie Hoodie

Frenchie Shirt

Here are some of the adorable accessories I have purchased:

Dog Collar Bow Tie – Adorable Plaid Sturdy Soft Cotton&Leather Dog Collars for Small Medium Large Dogs Breed Pup Adjustable 18 Colors and 3 Sizes (Cyan Plaid, S 10″-14″)

Pet Heroic Pet Dog Cat Collar with Grid Bow tie, Adjustable Plaid Pet Dogs Cats Comfortable Durable Bowtie Collars for Small Medium Large Dogs Cats in 3 Styles

Bubblegum Sugarplum Dog Bows

Oh, and let’s not forget the costumes for Halloween:

DC Comics for Pets Wonder Woman Harness for Dogs, Small (S) | Superhero Dog Harnesses | Harness for Small Dog Breeds, See Sizing Chart for Details

DC Comics for Pets Superman Harness for Dogs, Small (S) | Superhero Dog Harness | Harness for Small Size Dog Breeds, See Sizing Chart for Details

DC Comics for Dogs Batman Superhero Dog Harness, Medium, Gray

Casual Canine Prison Pooch Costume for Dogs, 16″ Medium

And yes, I do push my dogs in a stroller. Frenchies overheat easily and can have trouble breathing after walking long distances. I enjoy taking them on weekend adventures to new parks. Some of the parks we visit have trails that are miles long, too long for the frenchies to walk. Thankfully, I found this nice sturdy stroller that fits all three easily: PawHut Foldable Dog Stroller with Storage Pocket, Oxford Fabric for Medium Size Dogs, Blue. This way, we can all enjoy these walks together. I told you, I am now THAT dog mom, the one who dresses up her dogs, pushes them in a stroller, and schedules her time around them. You know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way!