Bichon Frise Puppy Checklist

Before They Arrive

What to Have Ready Before Your Bichon Puppy Comes Home

Bichon Frise puppies are small (typically 3–5 lbs when they come home at 8 weeks), adaptable, and genuinely cheerful — they settle into a new home more readily than many breeds. But there are a few things specific to this breed that you should have in place before they arrive, particularly around grooming and housetraining setup.

The earlier you start grooming handling and a consistent housetraining routine, the easier the first year will be. Bichons take longer to housetrain than large breeds — their small bladders can't hold as long, and the association between outside and bathroom takes more repetition to build. The setup matters. This checklist covers what you actually need.

The Full List

Supplies Checklist

Containment & Sleep

• Small crate with divider — buy one slightly larger than puppy-sized and use the divider; the full adult-sized space encourages accidents inside
• Washable crate liner or bed — Bichon puppies are small enough that a crate pad works well; keep a spare because accidents happen
• X-pen or baby gates — essential for confining the puppy to one easy-to-supervise area during housetraining; gives them safe space without full-house freedom

Feeding

• Small stainless steel bowls (2) — appropriate-sized for a small breed; oversized bowls make puppies strain awkwardly to reach the food
• Small-breed puppy food — ask the breeder what they've been feeding; transition slowly over 7–10 days to avoid stomach upset
• Puppy feeding schedule reminder — Bichon puppies need 3–4 small meals per day; consistent timing makes housetraining far more predictable

Collar, Leash & ID

• Small flat collar — 8–10 inches for a Bichon puppy; check the fit regularly as they grow
• 4-foot leash — a 6-foot leash is unwieldy for a small breed puppy; a 4-foot gives better control on walks
• ID tag — with your phone number, engraved rather than printed; have it before the puppy arrives
• Harness (optional for puppies) — a well-fitting harness reduces pressure on a small puppy's trachea; consider once sizing stabilizes around 12 weeks

Grooming — Start Immediately

• Pin brush — the correct tool for Bichon curly coats; start using it from week one even though the puppy coat doesn't need much yet
• Metal greyhound comb — used after brushing to check for mat formation; make it a habit early
• Detangling spray — mist before every brushing session; this is non-negotiable for curly coats
• Gentle whitening puppy shampoo — white coats show dirt quickly; the first bath within days of arrival is often necessary
• Small damp cloth or eye wipe pads — for daily face cleaning; start this habit immediately to prevent tear staining
• Nail clippers (small) — handle paws from day one; the actual trimming can wait until you're both comfortable with the process

Toys

• Small Kong — stuff with a tiny amount of puppy-safe food and freeze; invaluable for crate settling
• Small rope toy — Bichons are playful; a rope toy works for both gentle tug and solo chewing
• Soft plush toy (small) — Bichon puppies carry their toys around; expect it to be destroyed but keep a rotation

Health & Safety

• Vet appointment booked — within the first 3 days; bring all records from the breeder
• Pet insurance applied for — before the first vet visit; Bichon-specific conditions (allergies, bladder stones) need to be covered before they're discovered
• Enzyme cleaner (large bottle) — you will use this a lot during housetraining; regular household cleaners don't remove the scent marker that draws puppies back to the same spot
• Puppy-proofed space — electrical cords out of reach, toxic houseplants removed, small objects off the floor; Bichons are curious and put things in their mouths

First Week

The First Week Plan and Common Mistakes

Day 1–2: Small World, Big Adjustment

Let the puppy explore one room at a time. Keep the household calm — Bichons are sociable but an 8-week-old puppy meeting too many new people and stimuli in one day gets overwhelmed. The first crate night will likely involve crying; put the crate near your bed so the puppy can hear you but stick to the crate. Consistency in the first few nights sets the tone for the next few months.

Day 3: First Vet Visit

Bring all health records and vaccine documentation from the breeder. Confirm patella health at this visit — patellar luxation is common in Bichons and visible signs can appear early. Ask about ear care, since Bichons grow hair in their ear canals and the vet can show you what to look for. Confirm the vaccine schedule and ask when preventative flea/tick/heartworm treatment can start.

Week 1: Building the Routine

• Take outside immediately after waking, after every meal, after play, and after every nap — this is how housetraining gets built
• Use the crate for naps and overnight from the very first day; Bichons who get full roam early are harder to crate train later
• Start face wiping daily — this habit prevents tear staining from establishing on the white coat
• Begin brief 3–5 minute grooming handling sessions: run the brush lightly over the coat, handle paws, look in ears
• Book the first professional grooming appointment for 4–6 weeks out — early groomer exposure is valuable for this breed

The Mistake That Costs Most New Bichon Owners

Skipping regular brushing because "the puppy coat doesn't mat yet." The puppy coat is low-risk — the problem builds when the adult curly coat comes in at 9–12 months and the dog has no tolerance for being brushed because it was never made a normal part of life. Start brushing sessions from week one, even if they're short and mostly just getting the dog used to being handled. The dog who accepts a 15-minute brush session at 2 years old is the dog whose owner started at 8 weeks.