How to Potty Train Papillon Puppies

Papillons are adorably sweet dogs with unbelievable intelligence. With their happy-go-lucky natures and charming personalities, papillons have experienced a steady growth in popularity over the years. However, papillons, like most small dogs, are hard to housebreak because of their quick ability to sneak away and do their business in places other than where they are suppose to. Housebreaking a papillon can be a difficult task if you are not consistent with training.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Newspapers or puppy pads
• Leash

1. Introduce your puppy to his new surroundings. Let him explore his new home, but don't move your eyes off him for a second. Accidents can happen quickly.

2. Take your puppy outside as soon as he eats or drinks. Instill in your puppy that he is not to do potty business inside the house. Take your puppy outside on a leash. Papillons are a fragile breed, and they can easily be hurt or killed.

3. Take your puppy inside to play. Watch his every move. Papillons are quick little dogs and have a tendency to run off to tend to potty business.

4. Do not scold your puppy if you catch him doing potty business on your good rug. Instead, pick him up and take him outside. Scolding your papillon puppy can cause him to become shy, afraid and stressed. Stress in papillons can cause the dogs to suffer from fainting spells.

5. Clean up your puppy's accident thoroughly. Make sure the spot is wiped up, shampooed and disinfected and all potty-business scent is eliminated. If the accident area is not thoroughly cleaned, your puppy will be encouraged to use the house as his personal restroom. Your puppy should learn that potty business is outdoors and fun time is indoors. Cleanliness is papillon puppy potty repellent.

6. Give your puppy lots of praise when he does bathroom business outside. Say he's a good dog and give him hugs and kisses. A small treat of his dog food also establishes that he did a good thing.

7. Be consistent with your praise and discipline. If you are inconsistent with your puppy's discipline and commands, he will be confused, and training will be harder. "No!" means no, and "Good dog" strictly means he did a good job.

8. Always pick up your puppy and take him outside if you catch him doing bathroom business indoors.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot be with your puppy at all times, keep puppy pads handy. Place your puppy in a secure place, such as a kennel, with the puppy pads in that safe place with him. He will understand that the outdoors and the puppy pads are where he's suppose to go potty, not on Grandma Dolores' Ming Dynasty rug. Remain consistent with your praise and discipline so your puppy isn't confused.
• Don't yell at your papillon puppy. Papillons do not like to be yelled at, and they could become timid or problematic as they grow up. Do not swat puppy with a newspaper if he has an accident. Do not kick him or pick him up by the scruff of his neck when you are angry over his accident. Papillon bones are very fragile and break easily. If you swat, kick or gruffly pick up your papillon puppy, you may severely injure or kill your puppy.

Resources

• Puppy Dogs Central: Papillon Housebreaking
• Your Purebred Puppy: Pros and Cons of Papillon Ownership
• Papillon Club of America