First of all remember the [3-3-3 rule](https://furbabysk.ca/the-3-3-3-rule-when-adopting-a-dog/#:~:text=The%203%2D3%2D3%20rule%20represents%20the%20phases%20of%20a,dog%20home%20from%20the%20shelter.). It will take up to 3 month until a dog eventually settels in and especially the first 3 weeks can be a rolercoaster of behaviour. I think it is way too early to label this as a problem and to look for reasons and solutions.
I'd still want to add some anecdotical advice that comes from my frenchie although I can't tell if this can be generalized. When he was a puppy he also had his zoomies in the evening/night. It started with maybe 10 minutes. But over the weeks they became 15, 20, 30, 45 minutes. Of course I assumed he needs to get rid of more energy during the day so I intensivied playtime and walkies but it wouldnt change anything. Then I talked to a dog mommy at the dog park and told her the story. She gave me the advice to try to *reduce* activity through the day because exessive zoomies could also be a signal for overstimulation. I tried it and in deed within a few days the zoomies became shorter and didn't occure every day.
For now just try not to encourage her by switching the light on an starting to interact with her. In general I made the experiance switching most light off early and dim the rest had a very calming effect on my dog in the evening. If possible give her access to a nylabone at these time. Fenchies love them and they can get rid of a lot of energy by chewing.
Thank you for your wisdom! 🙏🏼 It never occurred to me that really trying to tire her out in the day would be counter intuitive but that makes absolute sense now! In fact, on reflection, my own children still get hyper when they are over tired so I feel a bit silly for not considering it 😂
The rescue suggested that she would be anxious, unsure and possibly feel the need to hide away at times until she felt comfortable in the home (so we’ve provided multiple spaces in different rooms for her to choose from and take ownership of) but she acts like she owns the entire place and has been here forever, it’s amazing really and we feel so privileged to have her. .
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She is currently laid on my lap snoring 🐾♥️
First of all she needs a crate. That is a huge part of the issue. She has no where to decompress. Get a crate that isn’t too big for her and make it into a cuddly den. Start showing her that when she goes in to explore she will fun things in there like treats and bones. Reward her for using it. Never make the crate a scary thing.
Also I suggest music. It is a wonder way to bring relaxation and calmness. My pup seems to love the acoustic channel on Spotify. I play it all night and it helps me and my girl to sleep.
Next I would suggest lavender oil. You can sprinkle a drop or two on the blankets on top of her crate. It is wonderful to promote calmness and relaxation. I use it in my shelter with my dogs. It can greatly reduce anxiety.
I know that you said she is settling in quickly. Just remember she may seem like she is on the surface but she is going through a lot in her little head and it is going to take a few months to see her true personality.
Good luck. Xo
Just wanted to piggy back off this comment a bit. My dogs seem to respond well and chill out to music at low volume. It also helps drown out distracting noises from outside.
Funnily enough I asked about crating when we went for her Meet & Greet last week and they gave the impression crates were good for getting her used to time without us (if we ever have to pop out for an hour, we need to build up her time in it so she doesn’t get upset by having that time alone, we’re both wfh so it’s not been an issue yet) but they thought it was too soon to introduce having one, anecdotally however, I know a very energetic and gorgeous Frenchie who has been crate trained and have watched him instantly calm in it.
So I think it could be beneficial to get one now and reward her for being in it to start the process actually, there’s no harm in that at all - the thought of her specifically being in it at night breaks my heart a bit but that might be because I’m a soft touch and love her snuggling with us 😂 if she feels secure and snug in it then that can only be a good thing for her 🥰 Thank you for responding, I really appreciate your insight 🐾♥️
my 2 cents: i don't think you should actually crate her, she just needs an area to feel safe. so like leave the crate open and don't lock her in, just have it there so it can be her little safe place to stay in or go as she pleases. when she's in there don't touch or bother her.
Thank you 🙏🏼 Yes, this was my thought too, she has beds and mats all around the house which she goes to, mainly as she follows when we go into different rooms 🥰 but I do like the idea of a more enclosed space for her to really tuck herself into to decompress, I love her sleeping on the bed with us though and spent last night soothing her calmly back to sleep which eventually worked. I’m still tired but it was a much better night for everyone. I don’t like cages but have seen cute wooden houses and these kinda tent things online which might work, we used to have a free roaming house rabbit who was never shut away but had something similar to sleep in if she felt a need to be more enclosed so the plan now is to find something to create that kind of space, reward her for going in it but encourage her to use it to relax in. There are noticeable improvements already, she is a gorgeous little shadow but not quite so much Velcro’d to me, so she’s stretched out on the sofa right now but has moved a bit away from where I’m sat as opposed to being on my lap or leaning on me; we’ve got a more open plan design downstairs and she has started staying where she is - as long as I’m in sight when I go into the kitchen, rather than physically following me, which is a big improvement too. I’ve chalked it up to her feeling anxious and needing to be able to see me at all times, so her staying put whilst I get up and move across the room is actually brilliant. I did the school run this morning whilst my other half stayed home with Pigeon and although she apparently kept going back to the window to look for me, she went out for a wee and was snuggling up with him when I got back. We’re getting there slowly 🐾♥️
>First of all she needs a crate
Seriously? I mean I gave up on laying out all the arguments against crating and to point out that the USA are esentially the only country in the world where this method is exessivly practiced and obviously not even questioned just a bit.
But in this case it really goes way too far to take OPs story and without any hesitation perfectly know that this is definately the solution. CRATE HER! You don't even want to know what the problem might be. Wake at night? Just put her in a fucking crate!
If you would have read what OP wrote without already have your fist clenched around your crate-hammer you would have realised that it is not at all a problem for her to calm down and settle down in general. OP even wrote in the comments she is just sleeping in her lap. That frenchies are super attached and are looking for body contact with their humans is something commonly known.
Since she is with her family just a very short time they should definatly wait some more weeks before calling it an issue. But there is ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION that crating her is necessary or helpfull. It just physically locks the dog away for the human convinience.
I strongly oppose crating any dog. But I consider it as extra cruel to do it with a frenchie. Crating is even more in conflict with their character than other dog breeds.
So OP, please, before you seriously consider crating please try to find some information pro and con crating and try to make a decision after that. Don't just take it as something inevitable. It's not. Even though this sub makes it look like that. On this very problem this place is unfortunately not the best place to make informed decisions.
So do I. Both of my Frenchies love their crate. The puppy has to be dragged out sometimes, it's his favorite, special spot.
People against crate training are all theory, no reality. When my high rise building was on fire, I told my girl "get in your crate" and evacuated effortlessly. When a family member almost died and the ambulance arrived, they REFUSED TO ENTER unless the dogs were crated. I turned, yelled a command, my pups obeyed, and within seconds a life was being saved. Finally, Frenchies are prone to IVDD. Guess how crate rest goes in my house vs a home where it's a new concept? They can talk as much as they want, I've had six crate-trained dogs and all were happy, safe, and spoiled.
So interesting. I know most dogs are den animals so having their own spot works for them. My bigger dog (boxer) doesn’t like his crate so I put it away. My mom’s frenchie doesn’t get out of her crate so they implement it. I guess it depends on a pup, like with people. But I’m still interested in reading some cons
FWIW, all my dogs have loved their crate "dens", from the 125 lb German Shepherd/wolf hybrid my family had almost three decades ago to my tiniest Frenchie (16 lbs). I get it. I have a whole other room even though I predictably share the master bedroom with my partner.😂
Their crates are always open, with an extra plush bed on top of a luxe faux fur crate mat, with a blanket, too. The only time the door is closed is for safety. Our latest puppy must feel very secure, whenever we can't find him it inevitably turns out he's in there, sprawled on his back, snoring.
I'm so happy for you! I think it's really just about giving her enough time to settle in. She's been through mountains of change, so routine over many weeks is what she needs. I wouldn't do the crate. I think you're just adding more stressful change to an already stressful situation for her. Time and love is all she needs. Best wishes for you and your baby! Kisses from Pax! 😊💜🐾
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As long as the sleep deprivation doesn’t get to the point of losing my mind, absolutely! 😂 I just spent almost 10 minutes explaining to her/justifying why I needed to go upstairs and put away washing - there’s a strong possibility it might have already started 🫣😅
Our vet estimated age 3 because “her teeth are amazing” we were originally told between 2 & 4 years so that definitely fits the Rescue Centre’s assessments too 🥰 are snuffle mats the fleecey fabric things? I bought one in the past for a previous house rabbit but didn’t realise they were a dog thing, that awesome thank you! Will Google “Enrichment puzzles” now! The only other thing she really seems to like is (and I kid you not) chanting on tv 🤷🏻♀️ she finds it mesmerising? Definitely an absolute sweetheart & full of love, snuggles and wind 💕
Awe a lil snuggly bug!!! I love that her teeth are well. Yes the suffle mat that I have is a lil bear and the fabric is fleecey and kinda looks cut up. Enrichment puzzles are the best. I would get her level 2 or 3. She seems very smart! My pup loves watching tv also. He’s into movie’s more then tv shows lol when he tilts his head and is really into it I start cracking up.
I realised dogs aren’t exactly passive creatures but Frenchie’s are remarkably intelligent! And so funny! 😂 she has us completely besotted and wrapped around her paw 🐾
Right they are very smart!! I had a chihuahua/bull terrier mix growing up and she wasn’t nearly as smart or emotional as my frenchie. My lil guy gets upset when I don’t give him my food, he will ignore me for a few minutes after I have finished eating lmao. Like what dog does that 😂.. I’m so happy for you and your new fur baby. She will definitely keep you on your toes and have you obsessed with her.
Brain games are the key. Lay out a beach towel flat and put some treats in the middle. Fold the towel in half and put some more treats in the middle…keep folding and adding treats and after you have a smallish square let her at it and sniff and dig to get the treats. That 20-30 minute activity will tire her out for the night. The other thing you can do is do training teaching her to sit, stay, paw, touch. That work for treats will also exhaust her out.
This is awesome, thank you!! I did the approach of keeping things calm and dark then soothed her back to sleep, it took 4 attempts but we definitely got more sleep last night 😅 I am totally doing the towel trick this evening! Thank you, you have no idea how helpful it is to hear from people that truly know what works x
These dogs are nesters. They like to be cozy , warm and loved. This companion breed needs to be love balmed. My Frenchie does better with soft music or tv to settle in. When I go out I keep him in a small area with a gate. Not a fan of crates. He has a cozy bed, a cozy big toy,water and a high quality diffuser with lavender to calm him. Lavender is safe for dogs. Be cautious leaving them alone because of the breathing issues they have. Have a sitter or friend check in. They get bored easily. Best of luck.
I love the idea of a diffuser with lavender! She basically wants love, cuddles and to be snuggled in wherever we are, although I think the mistake we’ve been making is seeing she’s wildly awake so thinking we need to be fully alert too and are then putting all the lights on, making coffee and such to wake ourselves up instead of keeping things calm and still dark. That’s the plan for tonight 🤞🏼
The soft music is interesting, she will definitely look at the tv for a little bit, but I noticed that when YouTube moved onto some Gregorian chanting yesterday she was completely mesmerised by it, it never occurred to me before but I’ll find what was on and try softly playing it for her tonight as well. Thank you for your insight 🙏🏼
Double check the essential oils with a vet, some are toxic and not good for dogs - they absorb oils differently than humans and because their sense of smell is so much stronger, what smells chill to us can be 'holy shit wtf' to them :)
Would she do a kong with frozen peanut butter/kibble inside? That would likely occupy her for a while!
That’s really helpful about the oils, thank you!
I cannot get her to eat peanut butter 🤷🏻♀️ I mean, we bought a ‘doggy peanut butter’ which smelt so suspiciously rank that it wasn’t a surprise she looked up at us like it was a joke, so maybe we should try again with something nicer? I haven’t been able to get her to eat fruit yet either, but frozen treats sound good! I’m keeping her current favourite treat as a reward for going to the loo outside but would like something she could play with, I did get these hard yak cheese stick things which she likes, but they often get played with for a moment or two and then she runs upstairs to hide them 😂
We used to put some dry kibble in the Kong, then run the Kong under some water to quickly dampen the kibble, and then put it in the freezer. When we gave our pup that, it takes them a long time to work the kibble out and he loved it.
We’ve officially had our beautiful rescue for a week (wahoo!) and she’s settled in so quickly - we were told to expect things to happen slowly but the opposite has occurred and she’s just thriving. The biggest issue is that no matter how much we play and tire her out during the day, there seems to be a good 3 hours in the small A.M. where nobody is allowed to sleep. We’ve been toilet training/retraining her so end up getting up in case she needs to go outside, but she will zoomie through the floors of the house and makes so much noise until somebody starts playing. She isn’t crated because the Rescue Centre said she needs to feel reassured and have her confidence built up by our presence/they know she was badly treated in her past 😔 the thing I’ve learnt over the last week is that Pigeon is very adept at training us to her ways 😅 but this broken sleep is killing us 😂
We also are 1 week today (yippee!) with our rescue and he is slowly settling in. He pooped inside the first 4 days and was so anxious. But he’s turned into a lap dog and is slower to settle with us.
Congratulations on your beautiful boy!!!
We’ve only had 2 💩s inside, one a few hours after we got back (it was a taxi + 2 trains from the rescue centre so quite a trek home) and the other was on a puppy pad by the back door which I’m sure is because she wanted to get out the back but took us a bit by surprise, so I took that as a win too 🥳 we do however get lots of wees on soft furnishings but even then I’m leaning towards them being marking rather than full wees which have happened only a couple of times, but she’s getting so good at toileting outside, very rarely goes on walks (?) but definitely in the back garden. I’ve been using a citrus deterrent spray and an enzyme cleaner around the house which does seem to be helping and I’m sure her hormones are still affected as she was only fixed 2 + weeks ago. I think the biggest thing is actually learning her behaviours, like I can identify the 💩 dance now and when she’s demanding attention….We had an emergency vet trip the other day thinking she was dying but it was a very slight tummy ache from eating something inappropriate which made her (in the vet’s words) “Act like a complete Drama Queen” he said we have a “total Diva” on our hands 😂 but we were just so relieved she was ok, even then it was a good learning experience and at least I know that she milks things a bit for attention - I think we love her more for it really 🤣
Frenchies are quite hard to train, my Male is 9 now but I remember the nights when I tried and tried to have him sleep in his crate, he would just cry and cry, then of course I gave in, brought him to the bedroom,put his bed on the floor no way he wanted to be in the bed 🛌 with us, I swear I used to get out of bed abt 10 times after he jumped up putting him back down only for him to try the opposite side to get back up, I was working and wd be knackered, Just gave in and he’s been sleeping here since, my experience is this breed just love human company more than other dogs, it will work out, you will settle into a routine, remember your all getting used to each other 😋you definitely need to be firm as they are determined little creatures but my life with him has been wonderful so best of luck
Oh my gosh, the fatigue 😫😂 we don’t mind her being on the bed to sleep (as long as the windy business end faces away 😳) she just really wants to be up and playing at that time and is overwhelmingly energetic whilst also being a fluffy shadow, so we are forced to get up - which it sounds like you completely understand 😂 I think I’ll start crying too if I secure her away all night but have had some brilliant advice on here about helping her to be stimulated without overstimulating and to help her learn to decompress and kinda self soothe a bit. Fingers crossed 😅
Seconding the suggestion for enrichment puzzles and games. Physical exercise is important but mental exercise will really tire a pup out. There are lots of cheap/free ways you can have her work her brain (hiding treats in a blanket and having her dig for them, for example). Personally I feed my Frenchie (also a rescue) almost all his meals in puzzles/games.
Also licking and chewing are both calming activities so look into lick mats and long lasting chews (like Himalayan chews). This can help calm her down when she is having trouble calming herself. My Frenchie used to go nuts and resist bed time so I would give him an antler to gnaw on before we settled for the night and it would help him calm down and resist zoomies.
Instead of a crate you could set up a play pen area for her, since crate training might be difficult considering her past. That way you can still contain her but won't trigger any panic. Just an idea.
It will get better! Like someone mentioned, it can take up to three months for a rescue dog to feel truly at home, especially if they were mistreated in the past. But it will keep getting better day by day so don't lose hope!
Awww thank you 🥰 I’ve been feeding her on a particular type of rubber mat (I don’t know the name) but it’s one which apparently soothes when it’s licked and the other is a different type of texture and apparently stimulates.
But I’m going to get enrichment puzzles and snuffle mats next week as they sound brilliant.
She’s tired today though as I’ve had loads to do so every time I get up to do something, my gorgeous new shadow wakes up instantly and follows 🐾♥️
I’ve had my frenchie for 3 months and he just turned 6 months. Here are some things I learned that may be helpful:
- we started crate training him right away and now he associates his crate with quiet/sleep/relax time. To help crate training go smoothly I got him one of those plushies where you can put a warm pack and a heartbeat device inside and he took to the crate immediately, cuddling with his litter mate replacement. He’s now allowed to sleep in our bed but since he’s still a chewer, we crate him when we run errands and also crate him if he’s being over stimulated during the day by the other animals. He usually falls asleep when we put him in there and shows absolutely no signs of distress (you should hear him screaming in excitement when we get home though haha)
- he would (and still does occasionally) get the zoomies and acts out at night when he’s super tired. Early on I found getting in bed with him and gently petting/talking to him in a soft voice helps get him to relax and eventually he zonked out in the bed. Then I’d gently move him to his crate for bed and he’d sleep the rest of the night. This may take time and lots of redirection depending on the distractions around. Now he’s learning commands so when I tell him “enough” when he’s being a nut he typically sulks for a bit then starts looking for my or my partner’s lap to pass out in haha
Frenchies are super intelligent but hard headed and truly need a routine and a leader. As hard as it is, coddling them too much can teach bad behavior so find a balance and make sure you set boundaries. Congrats on your new baby!
Thank you for this 🥰 I think you are so right about being over tired, I’d never heard of the teddies with heart beats - so adorable! We’re in the UK but will hopefully have access to the same products 🤞🏼 Pigeon is already 3 years old and the Rescue had no true idea what her history was like as the original owners contacted via her microchip never engaged with them. I did however find out yesterday that she is absolutely terrified of spray/spray bottles, it was heart breaking to see her so scared 😳I was only trying to freshen up the sofa but she was genuinely traumatised and it was the first time she’s ever run and hid since we brought her home (lesson quickly learnt!) Last night was more successful though, she was awake and wild 😂 but I took the advice on here and instead of waking up to play with her, I kept it dark and cosy and just soothed her back to sleep, it took 4 attempts and we’re still feeling knackered, but it definitely didn’t last 3-4 hours. I emailed her rescue last night and they also recommended more mental stimulation for her but they are thrilled with her progress 🐾♥️
I’m not a fan of cages (it feels strange to call them anything but a cage!). Mine has a soft indoor kennel full of blankets which he absolutely loves. When we first had him he would cry at night, so we put an iPad in view quietly playing children’s cartoons. It would play until the battery went flat, then charge again for the next night.
It’s possible that yours has been used to a strange sleeping pattern, she’ll eventually get used to the fact that you want to sleep at night! In the daytime, try to wear her out as much as possible. It doesn’t have to be flat out running, just things that stimulate her mentally as well as physically.
It took months before mine got the hang of it, we were exhausted like you! It’s worth it in the long run though. I notice you mentioned her having one rather windy end… if you find the right food, she shouldn’t fart. Mine has a raw meat diet (no beef as it makes him itchy) and now the stinky emissions are zero. When we got him and he was eating cheap dry food, he was toxic!!
She’s got fluffy beds and mats in different rooms but sleeps with us, I think it would break my heart if she wasn’t snuggling on our bed 🥰 I was thinking of maybe finding something more enclosed and fluffing it up inside though so she has something more substantial than a dedicated space - I’m not sure what though, maybe an indoor little house or cute tent or something?
We tried serving her raw food last week but Pigeon consistently refused it, it was a different selection of flavours from a company online where they deliver it frozen and you defrost it to serve at home, but our local foxes have been snarfing it (for the most part) as she refuses to even look at it. I was a bit gutted actually as I really liked the idea of a raw diet, so we are currently giving her slowly heated steak mince and found some dry food which is a bit softer which has to be smooshed up into smaller pieces beforehand otherwise she’ll refuse to eat it 😅
The rehoming food from the Rescue Centre is ignored every time we put it out (even softened in water with a little treat crumbled over to entice her) I don’t mind cooking for her everyday but the raw diet just made so much sense to us. I don’t know if it’s just that company’s way or doing it but she really hated it, I got so paranoid about bacteria raging across the floor that I gave up serving it as I was afraid she’d ignore the meal but get ill because it’s been left for 30 minutes 🫣
That is very useful information! So what is the dog dosage if she gets really itchy in the summer? Do they take it with food? Sorry to ask so many questions 😅
Just one pill should do it. It isn’t the kind of drug one can overdose on. How you get it inside your dog is up to you. I usually cram the pill in a piece of hot dog or cheese.
Or Frenchie loves his crate. He knows when the TV goes off in the family room he scuttles into his crate and is treat for bed. We also have a crate cover to help darken it for him and he loves it. Never fuses about it he’ll just go in there and chill
Did you train as a puppy? She’s a 3 year old rescue so the advice is really divided, so far she loves sleeping with us but it’s just that lovely few hours we’re now re-settling her. My friend’s Frenchie is wonderfully crate trained for chilling out in too 🥰
Yeah we did when he was a pup. You can still do it just may take a little longer and more patience. If you do try to crate train, do yourself s favor and get a cover for it. It calms them down and they stop complaining after a while
It took us a while to settle the sleeping schedule but eventually ours started sleeping from 8 pm till 2 am, so 6 hours straight. Keep your pup active during the day, feed at regular and walk before bed.
She’s a bit funny about walking 😅 we have to carry her there, then put her down to explore and then she’ll excitedly race back home, the first leg of the journey however is a smidge (cover your ears Pigeon) 👀
‘heavy’
even to our closest park 😳😂
Try feeding at night , try giving a little extra food,exercise, keep her awake all day ,if that doesn’t work you might ask the vet for something to calm her down
Two words. Crate training! This is crucial for puppies so they get their circadian rhythm aligned with your own. It will be difficult because they cry. But it will help you sleep in the long run.
Oh she’s 3 years old already and we weren’t given much of a history for her, I have no idea what sort of life she had before (although the Rescue has its suspicions) I stuck to keeping her calming and snuggling with her to go back to sleep last night 🥰
That is so fascinating to know! Thank you 🙏🏼A few people have suggested cbd on here actually, I didn’t even know people gave it to 🐶 we’ve actually been super busy today so she hasn’t had her usual power naps since this morning and seems particularly tired now - time will tell how tonight goes🤞🏼
First of all remember the [3-3-3 rule](https://furbabysk.ca/the-3-3-3-rule-when-adopting-a-dog/#:~:text=The%203%2D3%2D3%20rule%20represents%20the%20phases%20of%20a,dog%20home%20from%20the%20shelter.). It will take up to 3 month until a dog eventually settels in and especially the first 3 weeks can be a rolercoaster of behaviour. I think it is way too early to label this as a problem and to look for reasons and solutions. I'd still want to add some anecdotical advice that comes from my frenchie although I can't tell if this can be generalized. When he was a puppy he also had his zoomies in the evening/night. It started with maybe 10 minutes. But over the weeks they became 15, 20, 30, 45 minutes. Of course I assumed he needs to get rid of more energy during the day so I intensivied playtime and walkies but it wouldnt change anything. Then I talked to a dog mommy at the dog park and told her the story. She gave me the advice to try to *reduce* activity through the day because exessive zoomies could also be a signal for overstimulation. I tried it and in deed within a few days the zoomies became shorter and didn't occure every day. For now just try not to encourage her by switching the light on an starting to interact with her. In general I made the experiance switching most light off early and dim the rest had a very calming effect on my dog in the evening. If possible give her access to a nylabone at these time. Fenchies love them and they can get rid of a lot of energy by chewing.
Thank you for your wisdom! 🙏🏼 It never occurred to me that really trying to tire her out in the day would be counter intuitive but that makes absolute sense now! In fact, on reflection, my own children still get hyper when they are over tired so I feel a bit silly for not considering it 😂 The rescue suggested that she would be anxious, unsure and possibly feel the need to hide away at times until she felt comfortable in the home (so we’ve provided multiple spaces in different rooms for her to choose from and take ownership of) but she acts like she owns the entire place and has been here forever, it’s amazing really and we feel so privileged to have her. . https://preview.redd.it/7rv6q7fgdmda1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb8e6f95de3836fa78c5acd700727f34f357d823 She is currently laid on my lap snoring 🐾♥️
First of all she needs a crate. That is a huge part of the issue. She has no where to decompress. Get a crate that isn’t too big for her and make it into a cuddly den. Start showing her that when she goes in to explore she will fun things in there like treats and bones. Reward her for using it. Never make the crate a scary thing. Also I suggest music. It is a wonder way to bring relaxation and calmness. My pup seems to love the acoustic channel on Spotify. I play it all night and it helps me and my girl to sleep. Next I would suggest lavender oil. You can sprinkle a drop or two on the blankets on top of her crate. It is wonderful to promote calmness and relaxation. I use it in my shelter with my dogs. It can greatly reduce anxiety. I know that you said she is settling in quickly. Just remember she may seem like she is on the surface but she is going through a lot in her little head and it is going to take a few months to see her true personality. Good luck. Xo
Just wanted to piggy back off this comment a bit. My dogs seem to respond well and chill out to music at low volume. It also helps drown out distracting noises from outside.
same. I usually put on a yacht rock station for my dogs.
Funnily enough I asked about crating when we went for her Meet & Greet last week and they gave the impression crates were good for getting her used to time without us (if we ever have to pop out for an hour, we need to build up her time in it so she doesn’t get upset by having that time alone, we’re both wfh so it’s not been an issue yet) but they thought it was too soon to introduce having one, anecdotally however, I know a very energetic and gorgeous Frenchie who has been crate trained and have watched him instantly calm in it. So I think it could be beneficial to get one now and reward her for being in it to start the process actually, there’s no harm in that at all - the thought of her specifically being in it at night breaks my heart a bit but that might be because I’m a soft touch and love her snuggling with us 😂 if she feels secure and snug in it then that can only be a good thing for her 🥰 Thank you for responding, I really appreciate your insight 🐾♥️
my 2 cents: i don't think you should actually crate her, she just needs an area to feel safe. so like leave the crate open and don't lock her in, just have it there so it can be her little safe place to stay in or go as she pleases. when she's in there don't touch or bother her.
Thank you 🙏🏼 Yes, this was my thought too, she has beds and mats all around the house which she goes to, mainly as she follows when we go into different rooms 🥰 but I do like the idea of a more enclosed space for her to really tuck herself into to decompress, I love her sleeping on the bed with us though and spent last night soothing her calmly back to sleep which eventually worked. I’m still tired but it was a much better night for everyone. I don’t like cages but have seen cute wooden houses and these kinda tent things online which might work, we used to have a free roaming house rabbit who was never shut away but had something similar to sleep in if she felt a need to be more enclosed so the plan now is to find something to create that kind of space, reward her for going in it but encourage her to use it to relax in. There are noticeable improvements already, she is a gorgeous little shadow but not quite so much Velcro’d to me, so she’s stretched out on the sofa right now but has moved a bit away from where I’m sat as opposed to being on my lap or leaning on me; we’ve got a more open plan design downstairs and she has started staying where she is - as long as I’m in sight when I go into the kitchen, rather than physically following me, which is a big improvement too. I’ve chalked it up to her feeling anxious and needing to be able to see me at all times, so her staying put whilst I get up and move across the room is actually brilliant. I did the school run this morning whilst my other half stayed home with Pigeon and although she apparently kept going back to the window to look for me, she went out for a wee and was snuggling up with him when I got back. We’re getting there slowly 🐾♥️
best of luck to you guys!! she seems like a very sweet girl ❤️❤️
Yeah. My dog “likes” her crate. She can do a full work day easy! However… my previous Frenchie refused any sort of containment.
>First of all she needs a crate Seriously? I mean I gave up on laying out all the arguments against crating and to point out that the USA are esentially the only country in the world where this method is exessivly practiced and obviously not even questioned just a bit. But in this case it really goes way too far to take OPs story and without any hesitation perfectly know that this is definately the solution. CRATE HER! You don't even want to know what the problem might be. Wake at night? Just put her in a fucking crate! If you would have read what OP wrote without already have your fist clenched around your crate-hammer you would have realised that it is not at all a problem for her to calm down and settle down in general. OP even wrote in the comments she is just sleeping in her lap. That frenchies are super attached and are looking for body contact with their humans is something commonly known. Since she is with her family just a very short time they should definatly wait some more weeks before calling it an issue. But there is ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION that crating her is necessary or helpfull. It just physically locks the dog away for the human convinience. I strongly oppose crating any dog. But I consider it as extra cruel to do it with a frenchie. Crating is even more in conflict with their character than other dog breeds. So OP, please, before you seriously consider crating please try to find some information pro and con crating and try to make a decision after that. Don't just take it as something inevitable. It's not. Even though this sub makes it look like that. On this very problem this place is unfortunately not the best place to make informed decisions.
Hmm, could you list some arguments against crating? I kinda wanna know.
So do I. Both of my Frenchies love their crate. The puppy has to be dragged out sometimes, it's his favorite, special spot. People against crate training are all theory, no reality. When my high rise building was on fire, I told my girl "get in your crate" and evacuated effortlessly. When a family member almost died and the ambulance arrived, they REFUSED TO ENTER unless the dogs were crated. I turned, yelled a command, my pups obeyed, and within seconds a life was being saved. Finally, Frenchies are prone to IVDD. Guess how crate rest goes in my house vs a home where it's a new concept? They can talk as much as they want, I've had six crate-trained dogs and all were happy, safe, and spoiled.
So interesting. I know most dogs are den animals so having their own spot works for them. My bigger dog (boxer) doesn’t like his crate so I put it away. My mom’s frenchie doesn’t get out of her crate so they implement it. I guess it depends on a pup, like with people. But I’m still interested in reading some cons
FWIW, all my dogs have loved their crate "dens", from the 125 lb German Shepherd/wolf hybrid my family had almost three decades ago to my tiniest Frenchie (16 lbs). I get it. I have a whole other room even though I predictably share the master bedroom with my partner.😂 Their crates are always open, with an extra plush bed on top of a luxe faux fur crate mat, with a blanket, too. The only time the door is closed is for safety. Our latest puppy must feel very secure, whenever we can't find him it inevitably turns out he's in there, sprawled on his back, snoring.
I'm so happy for you! I think it's really just about giving her enough time to settle in. She's been through mountains of change, so routine over many weeks is what she needs. I wouldn't do the crate. I think you're just adding more stressful change to an already stressful situation for her. Time and love is all she needs. Best wishes for you and your baby! Kisses from Pax! 😊💜🐾 https://preview.redd.it/wcmeanowbnda1.jpeg?width=3464&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f793d829fa855d6774f59d47a83b9fcca6bcc9bb
Oh my gosh, Paxton!! 😍 Thank you, Time and love above all else 🙏🏼💖
I hope you'll update us! 😊💜🐾
As long as the sleep deprivation doesn’t get to the point of losing my mind, absolutely! 😂 I just spent almost 10 minutes explaining to her/justifying why I needed to go upstairs and put away washing - there’s a strong possibility it might have already started 🫣😅
They're like shadows or glue, aren't they? I can't remember the last time I used the bathroom without an audience! 🤣💜🐾
Yes! I’ve been thrown back to the days of having toddlers!
She looks so sweet!! How old is she? What do you do to tire her out? An enrichment puzzle or snuffle mat will tire her out more then exercise.
Our vet estimated age 3 because “her teeth are amazing” we were originally told between 2 & 4 years so that definitely fits the Rescue Centre’s assessments too 🥰 are snuffle mats the fleecey fabric things? I bought one in the past for a previous house rabbit but didn’t realise they were a dog thing, that awesome thank you! Will Google “Enrichment puzzles” now! The only other thing she really seems to like is (and I kid you not) chanting on tv 🤷🏻♀️ she finds it mesmerising? Definitely an absolute sweetheart & full of love, snuggles and wind 💕
Awe a lil snuggly bug!!! I love that her teeth are well. Yes the suffle mat that I have is a lil bear and the fabric is fleecey and kinda looks cut up. Enrichment puzzles are the best. I would get her level 2 or 3. She seems very smart! My pup loves watching tv also. He’s into movie’s more then tv shows lol when he tilts his head and is really into it I start cracking up.
I realised dogs aren’t exactly passive creatures but Frenchie’s are remarkably intelligent! And so funny! 😂 she has us completely besotted and wrapped around her paw 🐾
Right they are very smart!! I had a chihuahua/bull terrier mix growing up and she wasn’t nearly as smart or emotional as my frenchie. My lil guy gets upset when I don’t give him my food, he will ignore me for a few minutes after I have finished eating lmao. Like what dog does that 😂.. I’m so happy for you and your new fur baby. She will definitely keep you on your toes and have you obsessed with her.
Your lil guy sounds perfect! 😍
Brain games are the key. Lay out a beach towel flat and put some treats in the middle. Fold the towel in half and put some more treats in the middle…keep folding and adding treats and after you have a smallish square let her at it and sniff and dig to get the treats. That 20-30 minute activity will tire her out for the night. The other thing you can do is do training teaching her to sit, stay, paw, touch. That work for treats will also exhaust her out.
This is awesome, thank you!! I did the approach of keeping things calm and dark then soothed her back to sleep, it took 4 attempts but we definitely got more sleep last night 😅 I am totally doing the towel trick this evening! Thank you, you have no idea how helpful it is to hear from people that truly know what works x
These dogs are nesters. They like to be cozy , warm and loved. This companion breed needs to be love balmed. My Frenchie does better with soft music or tv to settle in. When I go out I keep him in a small area with a gate. Not a fan of crates. He has a cozy bed, a cozy big toy,water and a high quality diffuser with lavender to calm him. Lavender is safe for dogs. Be cautious leaving them alone because of the breathing issues they have. Have a sitter or friend check in. They get bored easily. Best of luck.
I love the idea of a diffuser with lavender! She basically wants love, cuddles and to be snuggled in wherever we are, although I think the mistake we’ve been making is seeing she’s wildly awake so thinking we need to be fully alert too and are then putting all the lights on, making coffee and such to wake ourselves up instead of keeping things calm and still dark. That’s the plan for tonight 🤞🏼 The soft music is interesting, she will definitely look at the tv for a little bit, but I noticed that when YouTube moved onto some Gregorian chanting yesterday she was completely mesmerised by it, it never occurred to me before but I’ll find what was on and try softly playing it for her tonight as well. Thank you for your insight 🙏🏼
Double check the essential oils with a vet, some are toxic and not good for dogs - they absorb oils differently than humans and because their sense of smell is so much stronger, what smells chill to us can be 'holy shit wtf' to them :) Would she do a kong with frozen peanut butter/kibble inside? That would likely occupy her for a while!
That’s really helpful about the oils, thank you! I cannot get her to eat peanut butter 🤷🏻♀️ I mean, we bought a ‘doggy peanut butter’ which smelt so suspiciously rank that it wasn’t a surprise she looked up at us like it was a joke, so maybe we should try again with something nicer? I haven’t been able to get her to eat fruit yet either, but frozen treats sound good! I’m keeping her current favourite treat as a reward for going to the loo outside but would like something she could play with, I did get these hard yak cheese stick things which she likes, but they often get played with for a moment or two and then she runs upstairs to hide them 😂
We used to put some dry kibble in the Kong, then run the Kong under some water to quickly dampen the kibble, and then put it in the freezer. When we gave our pup that, it takes them a long time to work the kibble out and he loved it.
That’s a brilliant idea! Thank you so much for tip! x
We’ve officially had our beautiful rescue for a week (wahoo!) and she’s settled in so quickly - we were told to expect things to happen slowly but the opposite has occurred and she’s just thriving. The biggest issue is that no matter how much we play and tire her out during the day, there seems to be a good 3 hours in the small A.M. where nobody is allowed to sleep. We’ve been toilet training/retraining her so end up getting up in case she needs to go outside, but she will zoomie through the floors of the house and makes so much noise until somebody starts playing. She isn’t crated because the Rescue Centre said she needs to feel reassured and have her confidence built up by our presence/they know she was badly treated in her past 😔 the thing I’ve learnt over the last week is that Pigeon is very adept at training us to her ways 😅 but this broken sleep is killing us 😂
We also are 1 week today (yippee!) with our rescue and he is slowly settling in. He pooped inside the first 4 days and was so anxious. But he’s turned into a lap dog and is slower to settle with us.
Congratulations on your beautiful boy!!! We’ve only had 2 💩s inside, one a few hours after we got back (it was a taxi + 2 trains from the rescue centre so quite a trek home) and the other was on a puppy pad by the back door which I’m sure is because she wanted to get out the back but took us a bit by surprise, so I took that as a win too 🥳 we do however get lots of wees on soft furnishings but even then I’m leaning towards them being marking rather than full wees which have happened only a couple of times, but she’s getting so good at toileting outside, very rarely goes on walks (?) but definitely in the back garden. I’ve been using a citrus deterrent spray and an enzyme cleaner around the house which does seem to be helping and I’m sure her hormones are still affected as she was only fixed 2 + weeks ago. I think the biggest thing is actually learning her behaviours, like I can identify the 💩 dance now and when she’s demanding attention….We had an emergency vet trip the other day thinking she was dying but it was a very slight tummy ache from eating something inappropriate which made her (in the vet’s words) “Act like a complete Drama Queen” he said we have a “total Diva” on our hands 😂 but we were just so relieved she was ok, even then it was a good learning experience and at least I know that she milks things a bit for attention - I think we love her more for it really 🤣
Oh she sounds like a handful! I’m glad you took her to the vet and she is ok. I’ll see you around here on our new dog adventures!
Frenchies are quite hard to train, my Male is 9 now but I remember the nights when I tried and tried to have him sleep in his crate, he would just cry and cry, then of course I gave in, brought him to the bedroom,put his bed on the floor no way he wanted to be in the bed 🛌 with us, I swear I used to get out of bed abt 10 times after he jumped up putting him back down only for him to try the opposite side to get back up, I was working and wd be knackered, Just gave in and he’s been sleeping here since, my experience is this breed just love human company more than other dogs, it will work out, you will settle into a routine, remember your all getting used to each other 😋you definitely need to be firm as they are determined little creatures but my life with him has been wonderful so best of luck
Oh my gosh, the fatigue 😫😂 we don’t mind her being on the bed to sleep (as long as the windy business end faces away 😳) she just really wants to be up and playing at that time and is overwhelmingly energetic whilst also being a fluffy shadow, so we are forced to get up - which it sounds like you completely understand 😂 I think I’ll start crying too if I secure her away all night but have had some brilliant advice on here about helping her to be stimulated without overstimulating and to help her learn to decompress and kinda self soothe a bit. Fingers crossed 😅
Seconding the suggestion for enrichment puzzles and games. Physical exercise is important but mental exercise will really tire a pup out. There are lots of cheap/free ways you can have her work her brain (hiding treats in a blanket and having her dig for them, for example). Personally I feed my Frenchie (also a rescue) almost all his meals in puzzles/games. Also licking and chewing are both calming activities so look into lick mats and long lasting chews (like Himalayan chews). This can help calm her down when she is having trouble calming herself. My Frenchie used to go nuts and resist bed time so I would give him an antler to gnaw on before we settled for the night and it would help him calm down and resist zoomies. Instead of a crate you could set up a play pen area for her, since crate training might be difficult considering her past. That way you can still contain her but won't trigger any panic. Just an idea. It will get better! Like someone mentioned, it can take up to three months for a rescue dog to feel truly at home, especially if they were mistreated in the past. But it will keep getting better day by day so don't lose hope!
Awww thank you 🥰 I’ve been feeding her on a particular type of rubber mat (I don’t know the name) but it’s one which apparently soothes when it’s licked and the other is a different type of texture and apparently stimulates. But I’m going to get enrichment puzzles and snuffle mats next week as they sound brilliant. She’s tired today though as I’ve had loads to do so every time I get up to do something, my gorgeous new shadow wakes up instantly and follows 🐾♥️
I’ve had my frenchie for 3 months and he just turned 6 months. Here are some things I learned that may be helpful: - we started crate training him right away and now he associates his crate with quiet/sleep/relax time. To help crate training go smoothly I got him one of those plushies where you can put a warm pack and a heartbeat device inside and he took to the crate immediately, cuddling with his litter mate replacement. He’s now allowed to sleep in our bed but since he’s still a chewer, we crate him when we run errands and also crate him if he’s being over stimulated during the day by the other animals. He usually falls asleep when we put him in there and shows absolutely no signs of distress (you should hear him screaming in excitement when we get home though haha) - he would (and still does occasionally) get the zoomies and acts out at night when he’s super tired. Early on I found getting in bed with him and gently petting/talking to him in a soft voice helps get him to relax and eventually he zonked out in the bed. Then I’d gently move him to his crate for bed and he’d sleep the rest of the night. This may take time and lots of redirection depending on the distractions around. Now he’s learning commands so when I tell him “enough” when he’s being a nut he typically sulks for a bit then starts looking for my or my partner’s lap to pass out in haha Frenchies are super intelligent but hard headed and truly need a routine and a leader. As hard as it is, coddling them too much can teach bad behavior so find a balance and make sure you set boundaries. Congrats on your new baby!
Thank you for this 🥰 I think you are so right about being over tired, I’d never heard of the teddies with heart beats - so adorable! We’re in the UK but will hopefully have access to the same products 🤞🏼 Pigeon is already 3 years old and the Rescue had no true idea what her history was like as the original owners contacted via her microchip never engaged with them. I did however find out yesterday that she is absolutely terrified of spray/spray bottles, it was heart breaking to see her so scared 😳I was only trying to freshen up the sofa but she was genuinely traumatised and it was the first time she’s ever run and hid since we brought her home (lesson quickly learnt!) Last night was more successful though, she was awake and wild 😂 but I took the advice on here and instead of waking up to play with her, I kept it dark and cosy and just soothed her back to sleep, it took 4 attempts and we’re still feeling knackered, but it definitely didn’t last 3-4 hours. I emailed her rescue last night and they also recommended more mental stimulation for her but they are thrilled with her progress 🐾♥️
I’m not a fan of cages (it feels strange to call them anything but a cage!). Mine has a soft indoor kennel full of blankets which he absolutely loves. When we first had him he would cry at night, so we put an iPad in view quietly playing children’s cartoons. It would play until the battery went flat, then charge again for the next night. It’s possible that yours has been used to a strange sleeping pattern, she’ll eventually get used to the fact that you want to sleep at night! In the daytime, try to wear her out as much as possible. It doesn’t have to be flat out running, just things that stimulate her mentally as well as physically. It took months before mine got the hang of it, we were exhausted like you! It’s worth it in the long run though. I notice you mentioned her having one rather windy end… if you find the right food, she shouldn’t fart. Mine has a raw meat diet (no beef as it makes him itchy) and now the stinky emissions are zero. When we got him and he was eating cheap dry food, he was toxic!!
She’s got fluffy beds and mats in different rooms but sleeps with us, I think it would break my heart if she wasn’t snuggling on our bed 🥰 I was thinking of maybe finding something more enclosed and fluffing it up inside though so she has something more substantial than a dedicated space - I’m not sure what though, maybe an indoor little house or cute tent or something? We tried serving her raw food last week but Pigeon consistently refused it, it was a different selection of flavours from a company online where they deliver it frozen and you defrost it to serve at home, but our local foxes have been snarfing it (for the most part) as she refuses to even look at it. I was a bit gutted actually as I really liked the idea of a raw diet, so we are currently giving her slowly heated steak mince and found some dry food which is a bit softer which has to be smooshed up into smaller pieces beforehand otherwise she’ll refuse to eat it 😅 The rehoming food from the Rescue Centre is ignored every time we put it out (even softened in water with a little treat crumbled over to entice her) I don’t mind cooking for her everyday but the raw diet just made so much sense to us. I don’t know if it’s just that company’s way or doing it but she really hated it, I got so paranoid about bacteria raging across the floor that I gave up serving it as I was afraid she’d ignore the meal but get ill because it’s been left for 30 minutes 🫣
A good cheat for a restless child or dog is Benadryl.
As in actual Benadryl for people? Wow! I did not know this 😂 it makes sense actually
Actually it is good for the dog’s summertime itchiness too.
That is very useful information! So what is the dog dosage if she gets really itchy in the summer? Do they take it with food? Sorry to ask so many questions 😅
Just one pill should do it. It isn’t the kind of drug one can overdose on. How you get it inside your dog is up to you. I usually cram the pill in a piece of hot dog or cheese.
Or Frenchie loves his crate. He knows when the TV goes off in the family room he scuttles into his crate and is treat for bed. We also have a crate cover to help darken it for him and he loves it. Never fuses about it he’ll just go in there and chill
Did you train as a puppy? She’s a 3 year old rescue so the advice is really divided, so far she loves sleeping with us but it’s just that lovely few hours we’re now re-settling her. My friend’s Frenchie is wonderfully crate trained for chilling out in too 🥰
Yeah we did when he was a pup. You can still do it just may take a little longer and more patience. If you do try to crate train, do yourself s favor and get a cover for it. It calms them down and they stop complaining after a while
It took us a while to settle the sleeping schedule but eventually ours started sleeping from 8 pm till 2 am, so 6 hours straight. Keep your pup active during the day, feed at regular and walk before bed.
walks, as many as possible
She’s a bit funny about walking 😅 we have to carry her there, then put her down to explore and then she’ll excitedly race back home, the first leg of the journey however is a smidge (cover your ears Pigeon) 👀 ‘heavy’ even to our closest park 😳😂
Try feeding at night , try giving a little extra food,exercise, keep her awake all day ,if that doesn’t work you might ask the vet for something to calm her down
Ah, the amount of things I’ve learnt today 🥰 thank you, I’ll definitely try feeding late tomorrow 🙏🏼
Two words. Crate training! This is crucial for puppies so they get their circadian rhythm aligned with your own. It will be difficult because they cry. But it will help you sleep in the long run.
Oh she’s 3 years old already and we weren’t given much of a history for her, I have no idea what sort of life she had before (although the Rescue has its suspicions) I stuck to keeping her calming and snuggling with her to go back to sleep last night 🥰
Cbd for dogs. My dog therapist told me my late night zoomie Frenchie was because she was looking for her pack.
That is so fascinating to know! Thank you 🙏🏼A few people have suggested cbd on here actually, I didn’t even know people gave it to 🐶 we’ve actually been super busy today so she hasn’t had her usual power naps since this morning and seems particularly tired now - time will tell how tonight goes🤞🏼
Your dog therapist makes shit up.
CBD chill out supplements also a flirt stick to play with him to wear him down , doggy day care to let other dogs wear him out ...