Stewie_the_Frenchie

Oh my goodness, I spent so much money on Omar before I got him - and loved every minute of it. A word of warning with the ceramic bowls. They are expensive so don't be an idiot like me and put it up on a step or deck. Frenchies are little bulls and can move those around - Omar smashed quite a few before I gave in to a metal one. Not as pretty, but hardy (Omar chewed the plastic ones too). The strangest (and one of the most expensive) things I bought which makes people's jaws drop is a doggy booster seat for the car. Crazy, but he uses it every time so worth it for me. And he likes to see out the window. Next time I would get 3 or 4 barriers to save me lugging around my playpen, those things are heavy. Enjoy!!!

Turtle was named after the Entourage character.

Haha Kima - Omar is named after The Wire too!

Thanks again for your replies guys! Ernie is 6 and I can totally understand why he doesn't want to put up with puppy crap! Ernie is very well trained and socialized - that's very interesting what you've said about Kenz PME - and encouraging! Definitely don't want to push it Aussie. Persephone - yep, he is all pup and wants to play now, right now and not later. He absolutely needs to learn from an older dog. He has had a bit of contact with my brothers pug Giuseppe who is 6 also - but she engages in play for the first 5 minutes and then tells him to pee off. But come to think of it, I don't think she did play the first time they met. Maybe there is hope! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fair call re the training, absolutely! Thanks guys, have taken it all on board - also have let him have full access to the back yard while I'm at work now (high fences and completely secure), he's happier, although a couple of the pot plants are not. A regular brisk walk around the block does wonders too! So another question, indulge me for a minute. My mate is moving in however she has a gorgeous little Maltese x jack Russell. We did a dry run last night (they've hung out at parks before), but the little white fluffy just growled at Omar the whole time and didn't engage in any play. Omar was relentless in wanting to play and was very annoying to Ernie I imagine. Do you think we should continue to meet at parks and hang out so they get used to each other, or is it a bit of a lost cause? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Also, is 6 months the earliest you can get them desexed? He is driving me nuts (pardon the pun) at the moment - so much energy, testosterone, trying to dominate, humping, etc. I'm training and walking and socializing, and it's all manageable, but was just wondering if I could speed this process up a bit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply - that's very useful information. For some reason I thought adolescence started a lot later, around 7/8 months. Omar does wee on command - an invaluable trick I used with my old Newfie! I'll definitely ramp up the house training again and by the looks of the Ian Dunbar article, he's going to need some more socialization. Thanks again! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi all, Omar is nearly 20 weeks old (5months), and in the last couple of days he has started piddling randomly on furniture and inside the house (he obviously isn't 100% house trained, but was pretty close). Also, he has started humping other people (not me). Could he e entering adolescence? He is getting the big chop in a month, so hopefully this will calm him down a little. He's quite well trained and absolutely knows that I am boss. Any thoughts would be great. I've read K9's development calendar, but couldn't see anything on marking territory - but yes, did see that the attempted dominance usually kicks in about now. Oh the joys! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No no, Omar is definitely the cutest, hehe, talk about first world problems! Love it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gee that explains a lot - so it's a summer thing? I mean turtle just had a never ending shedding coat being a newfy, but Omar (frenchie) has been shedding like crazy, and scratching like crazy which doesn't help! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I'm in tears reading this, I'm so so sorry - how devastating. Thoughts and prayers xx Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Haha! I love that show! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Awwwww...what a wriggly little cutie! I second crate training too - never did it with my newfies (wasn't all that convinced and trying to get a crate big enough was overwhelming enough!). But having done it with Omar, it's a great thing! I decided I wanted a dog on my bed, but I don't want to sleep with one, so he has snuggles for an hour and then when he's asleep I put him in his crate (beside my bed) with no fuss. Done this since day one! Yay! Good luck over the next few weeks, enjoy the journey Sheenat!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Oh what a little cutie! Congrats! I work full time, an hour away and have always had well adjusted lovely dogs. My current pup is 4 months and is doing great guns! Although it is holidays at the moment, all he does is sleep all day! Good luck with Jess! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Black newfies with a white chest - fawn pied frenchies....lucky me! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

How bizarre - I literally have just noticed how much dog hair is on my bed 5 minutes ago! This might actually be it Thanks so much tdierikx!!

Just a quick response (there are so many helpful and constructive ones already). When I was emailing frenchie breeders (another very popular breed), I laid everything on the line/heart on sleeve with my experience with raising pups/dogs - it was a bit of a sad story in the end, but I was just very honest. The response I got was overwhelming - even though only two breeders had planned litters at the time, I got well over a dozen responses (and very lovely ones). I'm not telling you this to gloat, I know it can be a very difficult process when you have your heart set on a particular breed. My point is, I don't think you can pin down exactly what a breeder is looking for in an inquiry email. Great advice to go to shows and meet breeders I think Don't get dissuaded - it will happen, it may just take some time. Ps. I agree with the email account comment - I used my work email department of education - sounds silly, but I think that may have helped. Good luck!

Hi Sheenat, that is so exciting! Can I just pass on some advice that may sound strange, and you are probably aware of it anyway... When I decided I was ready for a new dog two years after my beautiful newfies passed away, I made a very conscious decision to not compare the new pup with my beautiful cheeky Turtle. I decided I would have no expectations on the new one (not training wise - I had very high and consistent expectations with this, but it makes the world of difference having been through it before). It would have been very unfair on Omar - even though they couldn't be any more different in appearance, they are actually very similar in personality, both crazy, hilarious, dominating and smoochy little brutes. Also, even when you have raised pups before, it's so easy to forget the hard work they are. Just remember - this time will end, it's not forever (as long as you train of course ). Omar is nearly 4 months old now and is beginning to really settle into life in my pack. But for the first month I had to watch him constantly both inside and out, which is very draining at times (I think I may have drank a little more wine in this time :laugh: ). Now I can leave him unsupervised in and out for short periods of time (say, 5-10min). So if you celebrate the baby steps every day, it makes the light at the end of the tunnel seem brighter and brighter. Last thing (promise), with all my dogs I have tried to expose them to as many experiences, places, situations, people, dogs etc (all controlled of course) as possible. I want my dogs to be as adaptable as they can (within reason) as this makes life so much easier in the future. Good luck and enjoy the journey (it goes too quickly!)

Hi redangel! I'm sorry to hear you're going through a similar thing, it's quite baffling! Omar has sardines and tuna in his diet anyway (it is supposed to be good for their skin/coats). Hmmm, I can't see any dry spots and there aren't any rashes to speak of... The mystery continues!

PS. I did read the pinned topic on fleas - I've washed his bedding, vacuumed and treated him a couple of times (in the last month, due to baths and getting wet).

Hi all! Omar has been scratching like crazy mornings and evenings for the last few days. I can't find any fleas on him (I have been using topical flea treatment). A while ago I changed his dry food over from Black Hawk to Eukanubah as this is what I have always used with my dogs (but that was a month ago). He has only had two baths with baby shampoo since I got him (he's 4 months old), and the last one was last weekend....maybe this is it? Any suggestions/remedies would be greatly appreciated (he is a French Bulldog BTW). :)

*Donatella*

Thank you so much for the advice and recommendations! I'm pretty sure I know who I'll go with. Donatello, I'm really sorry to hear about your pup, that's so incredibly stressful.

Hi all, I'm sure this has been posted before - I did a search and couldn't see what I wanted though. I'm wanting to get pet insurance for Omar (didn't do it with the boys and regretted it ). So my question: What company do you use, which policy is best? Omar is a French Bulldog and I know this breed is on the special exceptions to the rule list on many policies, but I want him insured for accidents etc. Also, what is covered? The barefoot investor suggested high premiums and only insuring for what is really needed was best (and footing the regular vet bills out of pocket). Suggestions and advice is greatly appreciated.

Haha! Have just read through this - seriously hilarious!!!! Love it!