What Papillon Training Is Like

Papillons are an affectionate and loyal group of toy dogs related to the spaniels. These dogs are known for being the favorite of training and obedience circuits. The most striking phyiscal features of the breed are their white nosebands, plumed tails arching over the back, and of course, the famous butterfly ears.

Below follows some basic points for papillon training:

Respect Training

As in all dog breeds, an owner that fails to assert authority over the Papillon sooner or later has the dog asserting authority over him or her. So its either the owner in authority, or the dog takes over! Training the dog in “nothing in life is free” starts from the very day the puppy or dog enters the home for the first time. Of course, fear is not the goal, but only plain and simple respect. So scruffing the dog (which is done by some who believe in closely copying the hierarchy behavior of dogs in the wild) and common methods of corporal punishment are more detrimental than helpful to the dog’s growth. What matters above all is to reward the puppy’s positive behavior than to spend time and effort checking the negative behavior. In the long run, the dog will want to keep coming whatever makes you happy and positive.

House Breaking

Small breeds like the Papillon will only have full organ development when they reach eight months, so this indicates papillon owners need to prepare for housebreaking as one of their top dog concerns. Patience, consistency and plenty of treats within reach are keys to training the dog. Meanwhile, training pads are a big help when preparing the dog to eventually pee and poo outdoors. Crate training is also a favorite idea.

Socialization

Socializing a dog has got to be one of the must-do areas of training. The side effect of a Papillon that is without training is a high strung and very shy dog wary or downright hostile of people it perceives to be a threat. The best remedy is of course regular exposure of the dog to crowded places. Socializing your dog with other pets in the home is also important. A downside to Papillons is that they can be dog-aggressive, so it is important to monitor initial interactions as the papillon training continues.