Papillon Care
GROOMING:
A pin brush, comb, and small slicker brush are useful grooming tools. You may also want to trim the excess hair on your papillon's feet, giving them more of a “rabbit paw” appearance. A through weekly brushing is reccomended.
Do not brush dirty or completely dry coat.
Mist lightly with plain water or a lightweight leave in conditioner to control static and prevent breakage.
You may want to use a clarifying or whitening shampoo if your papillon is stained. Otherwise any gentle shampoo and a small amount of conditioner on their fringes once a month or as needed is appropriate.
The papillon has a long, fine, silky hair coat that requires minimal grooming. The breed should not need haircuts. They have very little undercoat, so there is less shedding and less matting. Pay special attention to the base of their ears, groin, and armpits where small tangles are prone to form. A comb and children’s detangling spray are handy to get these knots out.
Nails can usually be trimmed with a human toenail cutter, about once a month or as needed. Don’t miss the dew claws if your dog has them! (Nails on the side of the foot).
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOUR PUPPY GETS USED TO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE, LAYING ON ITS BACK, HAVING ITS TEETH LOOKED AT, HAVING ITS PAWS HELD AND BEING GENTLY TOUCHED! THIS WILL MAKE GROOMING AND VET CARE MUCH EASIER IN THE FUTURE !
Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly can help prevent tooth and gum problems and “doggy breath”. Use a toothbrush and paste speciically made for dogs so it has a more appealing flavor and is safe for them to swallow (any brand is ok). Non rawhide chew bones or natural dental bone chews can be occasionally given to help keep your dogs teeth clean.
Also, check your dog’s ears regularly to look for signs of infection or accumulation of dirt and gently clean them with a liquid ear cleaner and cotton ball or ear wipes. (again, any brand will work). When you bathe them, you may want to plug their ears loosely with a cotton ball to help keep water out of their ear canal. Some owners like to use ear drying powder after bathing.
it’s also important to clean the fur around their eyes as needed to help prevent irritation and tear stains. Any brand of eye wipes can make this job easier.
FEEDING :
You will need to ensure this tiny dog doesn't become overweight. Most papillons do well with about 3/4 of a cup of a high quality, small sized kibble that you may wish to divided into two meals. Make sure your family doesn't feed your new papillon human food as a treat, leftovers from your supper tray may be too rich or salty for them. Small pieces of cheese, plain chicken, or soft store bought training treats that can be broken into pieces work well. Some dogs like a bit of apple, strawbery, banana or snow peas. The quantity of treats given must be kept in mind when balancing calories and nutritional intake. Also be aware that some foods such as onions and grapes are not good for your dog, even if they like them!
There are many quality foods on the market, however we do not recommend purchasing your pet food at the grocery store. We feed FROMM and will send some home with you to help transition to your choice of feed.
Do I need a crate ?
Yes. We strongly recommend a crate large enough for your dog to comfortably stand, turn around and lay down in. This is helpful for house breaking, travel, vet visits, and if you want to confine your pet when company is over or it’s not feeling well. A dog will treat it’s crate as it’s den and voluntarily enter it when tired or overwhelmed.
Training ~
Papillons are active, intelligent dogs that thrive on spending training time with their owners. We recommend a basic beginner obedience class as a great place to start. AKC and UKC dog shows offer numerous activities you can successfully train and compete with your papillon in from rally and agility, to scent work, and much more! Their websites, as well as breed club websites and local kennel clubs or training facilities are great resources. We would be glad to help you find helpful information. We can't wait to hear abot your adventures together, have Fun !
