▷ What Age Can I Leave My French Bulldog Alone?

If you are a French Bulldog pet parent, you may be wondering what age you can leave your pup alone without feeling guilty or worrying if they will be safe. Leaving a puppy alone is a scary and responsible undertaking, that’s why it’s important to understand the safety and development needs of your Frenchie at different stages of life. In this article, we’ll cover how frenchies grow and develop up to adulthood, how long they can safely stay alone, and tips for leaving them alone.

Puppy Developmental Stages

French Bulldog puppies mature quickly, with their development driven largely by the size and structure of their breed. Generally, puppies reach full size at about 8 months old and attain full mental maturity around 2 years. That being said, different puppies may differ from these developmental norms. Here are the four main puppy development stages to know:

1. Neonatal Stage (0-3 weeks)

During the neonatal stage, puppies are almost completely helpless. At this stage, they eat and sleep, and require 24/7 mother’s supervision and care. At this point, they are not weaned, and they cannot go out of the birth box.

2. Transition Stage (3-12 weeks)

During the transition stage, puppies are still very dependent on their mothers and can’t stay away from them for too long. During this period, they are learning social skills, developing their senses, and recognizing their owners.

3. Juvenile Stage (12-24 weeks)

During the juvenile stage, puppies are still growing and learning. At this stage, they are very curious and begin to explore their environment. During the juvenile stage, puppies have enough strength and coordination to walk short distances, but they may get distracted by their surroundings and tire easily.

4. Adolescence Stage (24-48 weeks)

During the adolescence stage, your puppy will continue to grow in size and strength. During this period, they can usually begin learning commands and obeying basic obedience rules. By 48 weeks, frenchies reach mental maturity and will be able to stay longer periods of time on their own.

How Long Can French Bulldogs Be Left Alone?

While French Bulldogs reach mental maturity at 48 weeks, it is a good idea to still supervise your pup for the first year or so. During this period, your pup will be better able to handle longer periods of time alone, but you should still limit their alone-time to short periods. It is important to gradually increase the amount of time you leave your pup alone to help them learn to be comfortable and safe in the event of an emergency.

Once your French Bulldog is over a year old, they should be able to stay alone for up to 8 hours without getting separation anxiety. However, it’s important to remember that every pup is different and 8 hours may still be too long for some. There are also breeds of French Bulldog, such as Miniature French Bulldogs, which may need less alone-time than their standard-sized counterparts.

Tips for Leaving Your Frenchie Alone

To make sure your pup is safe and happy when you leave them alone, here are some tips to consider:

Gradually Increase Time: Gradually increase the amount of time you leave your pup alone so that they become comfortable with being alone. Expect a few accidents and messes when first increasing time.
Create a Familiar Space: Before leaving them alone, create a calming area for them to relax. This can be done by providing their favorite toy and a comfy bed or blanket for them to sleep on.
Hire a Dog Walker: Hire a professional dog walker to take your pup on a daily walk. This will ensure your pup doesn’t get too lonely and will give them extra one-on-one attention.
Provide Long-Term Care: If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, consider hiring a long-term pet-sitter or boarding your pup overnight. Your pup will appreciate the extra attention and stimulation.

In conclusion, it’s important to understand your French Bulldog’s breed and age-level when thinking of leaving them alone. Special care and consideration should be taken if you plan to leave your pup alone for an extended period of time. Make sure to provide your pup with a familiar, calming space and to hire a professional pet-sitter or boarder if you’re going to be away for multiple days. With patience, understanding, and love, you can help your pup adjust and become 95% independent.

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