The Complete New Frenchton Puppy Checklist for Your First 48 Hours
You did it — your Frenchton puppy is finally coming home.
The first 48 hours set the tone. Here is the exact checklist and routine we use to keep things calm, safe, and happy from door to bedtime.
This is tailored for Frenchtons, with their sweet people-focus and brachycephalic needs.
Prep Your Home
Pick a quiet room to be base camp. Set up a crate on one side, a small playpen or gated area in front, and a potty spot near the exit door.
Frenchtons run warm and tire quickly. Keep the space at a comfortable temperature and avoid stairs and jumping for now.
Essential Supplies Checklist
- 24–30 inch wire crate with divider, soft crate mat, and a light blanket
- Exercise pen or baby gate to create a safe play zone
- Flat collar or Y-harness and a 4–6 ft leash; ID tag with your phone number
- Two bowls, preferably stainless; slow-feeder optional
- Puppy food the breeder or shelter used; treats the size of your pinky nail
- Poop bags and enzymatic cleaner for accidents
- 3–4 soft toys: one squeaky, one tug, one chew like a puppy-safe nylon or rubber
- Puppy-safe chew for teething comfort; avoid cooked bones
- Baby washcloths and unscented wipes for face folds
- Digital thermometer and a vet-recommended first-aid basics kit
- Cooling mat or fan for warm days; no direct blast on the face
- Pet-safe travel carrier or secured car harness for the ride home
- No-scent laundry detergent for bedding; avoid strong fragrances
- Pet insurance info or vet payment plan ready to activate
- Avoid: retractable leashes, rawhide, and high steps to furniture
Travel Home the Right Way
Line the carrier with a towel and a spare, and ask the breeder or foster for a cloth with the litter scent.
Seat-belt the carrier or harness to the back seat. Cracked windows for fresh air, never direct wind to the face. No long errands; go straight home.
First 60 Minutes at Home
Take a calm potty break first. No crowd greetings. One or two family members only, quiet voices.
Let your puppy explore the pen and crate. Toss a few treats in the crate and let them walk in and out. No door-closing yet unless they choose to rest.
Offer water, then a nap. New puppies crash hard; overexcited Frenchtons overheat faster.
Potty Plan and Schedule
For the first 48 hours, take them out on leash every 60 to 90 minutes while awake, plus after waking, after eating, and after play.
Pick a spot, stand still, and softly praise when they finish. Reward immediately with a tiny treat. Nights are one to two potty trips depending on age.
Accidents happen. Clean, reset, and tighten the schedule. No scolding.
Feeding and Water
Stick to the current food for at least a week. Split daily food into three to four meals.
Frenchtons can gulp, so consider a slow feeder and feed in the pen for calm. Fresh water is available, but pick it up an hour before bedtime to help nights.
If you plan to change foods, do a slow mix over 7 to 10 days.
First-Night Sleep Without Tears
Crate near your bed so you can hear them and reassure without a full party at 2 a.m.
Pre-bed routine: quick potty, two minutes of quiet tug or a chew, then lights low and a soft fan for white noise. A warm rice sock wrapped in a towel can soothe.
If they fuss, offer a finger to sniff and a calm shush. If it continues, quick potty break and back to bed. Keep interactions boring.
Health Checks and Vet Plan
Book your first vet visit within 3 to 5 days. Bring records, microchip info, and any questions.
Daily at home: check nose and breathing, look inside mouth for gum color, wipe face folds gently, and note stool quality.
Consider pet insurance activation on day one; puppies are accident prone and Frenchtons can have airway and eye sensitivities.
Comfort, Bonding, and Gentle Socialization
Keep day one and two simple: you, your home, soft sounds. Short, positive exposures beat marathons.
Handle paws and ears for two seconds, treat, and release. Trade games for toys teach polite mouthing. Invite curiosity, never force.
Skip dog parks. Instead, watch the world from your arms or the yard for a few minutes at a time.
Red Flags to Watch For
Call your vet if you see labored breathing, pale or blue gums, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, refusal to eat for more than one meal, lethargy that is not just nap time, or a swollen, tight belly.
With heat, stop play at the first sign of noisy breathing, wide tongue, or wobbliness. Cool their environment and let them rest.
Sviatoslav Oleksiv founded The Pets and Love in 2019. A lifelong pet owner and Rhodesian Ridgeback enthusiast, he writes and edits our guides to help fellow pet parents give their animals the best care.
Every guide follows our editorial standards. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice — always consult a licensed veterinarian about your pet's health.