New doggy jitters (me, not Ripley!)

[Ripley509]

Hey all! I'm really enjoying perusing the forum and starting to interact here more. You were all super helpful with my puppy breathing questions.

I guess I have a general question from some of you more seasoned Frenchie parents. My question is this - how do you ever relax? A bit of backstory, my husband and I lost our Boston Terrier in January to in an unexpected and tragic health-related way. Nothing anyone saw coming until it was too late. It was completely traumatic as he was away and it was only me dealing with it for the last week of her life (which we didn't know would be the last week). The grief was overwhelming and we miss her everyday. We always said our next dog would be a Frenchie, so after continuing to grieve (which I think we probably always will to some extent), we started researching Frenchies. I researched so much that I feel like I literally know everything that could possibly be wrong with them (as you probably saw in my post about breathing questions), but along with breathing issues, trying to keep them from jumping off of the bed or couch for fear of injuring their joints/allowing their growth plates to form, keeping them from overheating, etc. One breeder that we knew mentioned that you really have to protect them from themselves because they can be prone to so many different injuries. We moved forward knowing all the potential issues, but I find that I'm constantly on guard, monitoring and anxious about everything she is doing because I'm terrified of something happening to her like it did to our last dog (not that we could've prevented what happened to our last dog).

I want to just let her be a dog, and I just want to be a relaxed puppy owner! Has anyone ever felt similarly? How did you chill out?

 

[CarrotTheFrenchie]

THIS IS THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION. And I would love to know the answer. Carrot is my first dog and frenchie! So, I am a constant nervous nelly and helicopter mom.

 

[Cbrugs]

Jax is 4. I am not able to keep him from jumping on or off the couch. So far, no issues...fingers crossed.

 

[Frenchie Fanatic]

Hi Jess,
It's good that you are concerned about Ripley's safety and health. We need to pay attention.
My wife is like you and constantly worries about our dogs, especially the puppy. She worries about what he picks up in his mouth (everything), if he sneezes, if he breathes funny when sleeping, etc., that they're getting too hot.
Forget about stopping them from jumping up and down on the furniture. It's a good idea, but that's just not going to happen!!
At least not in our home. :no: Too late!
We have a cushion/dog bed by the couch that they use when they jump off. Also have some dog furniture that serves as a step so they don't have to jump up or down.
As far as overheating, we have found that if they get anxious or hot, we hold them under cold water in the shower.
It works like a charm! They cool down very quickly.
Keeping their weight in check will help with that too! Just let common sense prevail.
I take them on very short walks either very early in the am or late evening.
In south Florida the humidity is brutal. We have a big fenced in back yard, but we are usually out there with them and in the summer
months we don't let them stay out very long.
Being aware of their health issues is key, but please enjoy your puppy!!.
I can understand your concerns after your loss.
We do all that we can for our little guys, good food, great vet, and just love and enjoy them.
You will get into a comfortable routine with your frenchie and enjoy her immensely!
I try to get my wife to relax some (by fussing over them myself) and not worry/stress as much as she does.
(I'm not very successful at it, by the way)
Most breeds have health issues. Frenchies are tough little guys.
Ours are spoiled rotten and have absolutely no manners!!

By the way, Ripley is a cool name. I've heard it only once before in my favorite Science Fiction movie.

Enjoy!!

 

[Ripley509]

THIS IS THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION. And I would love to know the answer. Carrot is my first dog and frenchie! So, I am a constant nervous nelly and helicopter mom.

If I figure it out I'll let you know!

- - - Updated - - -

That's good to know! ��

 

[Ripley509]

Hi Jess,
It's good that you are concerned about Ripley's safety and health. We need to pay attention.
My wife is like you and constantly worries about our dogs, especially the puppy. She worries about what he picks up in his mouth (everything), if he sneezes, if he breathes funny when sleeping, etc., that they're getting too hot.
Forget about stopping them from jumping up and down on the furniture. It's a good idea, but that's just not going to happen!!
At least not in our home. :no: Too late!
We have a cushion/dog bed by the couch that they use when they jump off. Also have some dog furniture that serves as a step so they don't have to jump up or down.
As far as overheating, we have found that if they get anxious or hot, we hold them under cold water in the shower.
It works like a charm! They cool down very quickly.
Keeping their weight in check will help with that too! Just let common sense prevail.
I take them on very short walks either very early in the am or late evening.
In south Florida the humidity is brutal. We have a big fenced in back yard, but we are usually out there with them and in the summer
months we don't let them stay out very long.
Being aware of their health issues is key, but please enjoy your puppy!!.
I can understand your concerns after your loss.
We do all that we can for our little guys, good food, great vet, and just love and enjoy them.
You will get into a comfortable routine with your frenchie and enjoy her immensely!
I try to get my wife to relax some (by fussing over them myself) and not worry/stress as much as she does.
(I'm not very successful at it, by the way)
Most breeds have health issues. Frenchies are tough little guys.
Ours are spoiled rotten and have absolutely no manners!!

By the way, Ripley is a cool name. I've heard it only once before in my favorite Science Fiction movie.

Enjoy!!

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply! It's all very sound advice and it's nice to hear I'm not alone! And if the Science Fiction movie is Alien, that's where we got the name! ��

 

[Ripley509]

Jax is 4. I am not able to keep him from jumping on or off the couch. So far, no issues...fingers crossed.

That's good to know! ��

 

[Mavis]

They are a worry, even when they are "well." If Bambi gets a crossed hair or skips a meal, my mind starts racing about what major thing could be wrong. On the other hand, however, we have found that they are just like regular dogs under most circumstances. Like people said, avoid overheating (the cold water suggestion is great - we put Bambi in the sink and turn the spray on), try to put them down off of the furniture vs. jumping down, feed the best food possible and lots of play and love. Baby smooshie will thrive.

(Love the Ripley character - Sigourney Weaver was absolutely fierce in that role. She was so bad-a$$. Did anyone see the new Alien? If so, how was it.)

 

[Cbrugs]

(Love the Ripley character - Sigourney Weaver was absolutely fierce in that role. She was so bad-a$$. Did anyone see the new Alien? If so, how was it.)

Haven't seen it yet but I've heard very good things.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Frenchie Fanatic]

They are a worry, even when they are "well." If Bambi gets a crossed hair or skips a meal, my mind starts racing about what major thing could be wrong. On the other hand, however, we have found that they are just like regular dogs under most circumstances. Like people said, avoid overheating (the cold water suggestion is great - we put Bambi in the sink and turn the spray on), try to put them down off of the furniture vs. jumping down, feed the best food possible and lots of play and love. Baby smooshie will thrive.

(Love the Ripley character - Sigourney Weaver was absolutely fierce in that role. She was so bad-a$$. Did anyone see the new Alien? If so, how was it.)

You're right there, except that frenchies are the coolest dog breed on the planet!!
Of course, I may be a bit biased. :yes:

I have seen four in the Alien franchise: Alien, Aliens, Alien3, Alien Resurrection and the prequel Prometheus, several times.I like them all, but Aliens, the second in the series is by far the best in my opinion. I look forward to seeing the new Alien:Covenant.
It looks like it got good reviews.

 

[Cbrugs]

You're right there, except that frenchies are the coolest dog breed on the planet!!
Of course, I may be a bit biased. :yes:

I have seen four in the Alien franchise: Alien, Aliens, Alien3, Alien Resurrection and the prequel Prometheus, several times.I like them all, but Aliens, the second in the series is by far the best in my opinion. I look forward to seeing the new Alien:Covenant.
It looks like it got good reviews.

Frenchies are awesome!

I have not seen all of the movies and I don't need to cause Aliens will always be the best one! That might be my favorite alien movie in general.

 

[2bullymama]

They are little spit-fires. Cheli is 6 yrs old and shows no signs of slowing down, even with a bad back... he has fused vertebrae and nothing stops him. Up on the couch, off the couch, 50 mile an hour laps around the yard, tackling his 60lb bulldog brother...... you just have to let them be a dog and stop what you can when you can.

 

[Mavis]

Bambi is a total couch potato. She has rare boughts of friskiness and I can whip her into a frenzy, which is so cute. Her general energy level matches mine, however. She is a retired breeder and I think spent a lot of her time in a cage, so she is content with little activity. I thought they all were like that until I got on this forum and read about you people with puppies and young dogs - OMG. Cutest things ever but so much energy! (Actually, I would love an active frenchie - their personalities and antics are so adorable.)

 

[davidh]

Frenchies are a hand full and playful. All you can do is try to keep him from hurting himself, but that can be hard to do. The jumping thing unfortunately is a Frenchie thing. They love to be high up. We have several that love to sleep on the back of the couch. Plus they want to put everything in their mouth. Main thing is just enjoy your pup and do the best you can and it will work out Here is Henri on his thrown.

 

[Ripley509]

Frenchies are a hand full and playful. All you can do is try to keep him from hurting himself, but that can be hard to do. The jumping thing unfortunately is a Frenchie thing. They love to be high up. We have several that love to sleep on the back of the couch. Plus they want to put everything in their mouth. Main thing is just enjoy your pup and do the best you can and it will work out Here is Henri on his thrown.

View attachment 10526

Ha! Love the pic!

Thank you all for your advice!

 

[Mavis]

Here is Henri on his thrown.

View attachment 10526

Henri is a gorgeous color! Darling dog.

 

[kwb]

When they overheat - wiping their belly's and chest with a cold wet wash cloth helps. They release heat through their belly.

 

[Honeys Owners]

My dog is a retired back yard breeder I rescued, sounds exactly like yours, about 7 years old. She is getting so lazy on her walks that she will lay down now so I can't even drag her on walk.

Bambi is a total couch potato. She has rare boughts of friskiness and I can whip her into a frenzy, which is so cute. Her general energy level matches mine, however. She is a retired breeder and I think spent a lot of her time in a cage, so she is content with little activity. I thought they all were like that until I got on this forum and read about you people with puppies and young dogs - OMG. Cutest things ever but so much energy! (Actually, I would love an active frenchie - their personalities and antics are so adorable.)

 

[Honeys Owners]

But my dog is really feisty- had a fight with a giant pug not too long ago at a leash free dog park, and gets into fights with my English bulldog. And she can run really fast if she sees a cat or a rodent. But when I try to walk her she resists. I used to pull hard on her harness, but now she has learned to lay down and even roll around so that she doesn't have to walk

 

[Mavis]

My dog is a retired back yard breeder I rescued, sounds exactly like yours, about 7 years old. She is getting so lazy on her walks that she will lay down now so I can't even drag her on walk.

View attachment 10532

Ha, ha!!! Poor Honey!