Top Activities For Papillons

Introduction

The Papillon, also known as the Continental Toy Spaniel, is one of the most adorable and popular toy dog breeds that exist today. The breed got its name from the French word meaning “butterfly”, which is in reference to their distinct upright ears resembling the outspread wings of the butterfly. The breed’s other, drop-eared variety is known as the “phalene”, which means “moth” in French. Originally intended to serve as a companion to members of royalty, the Papillon remains true to their purpose and is still a popular choice for a lap dog to date. A small dog with a big-dog temperament, Papillons are energetic, outgoing and thrives around the presence of people.

DIY Dog Spa Day

Most Popular

1 Vote

Any Day

Cheap

Easy

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Brush

Dog shampoo

Nail trimmer

Ear cleaner

Activity description

When it comes to grooming, it is easy to assume that the Papillon is high-maintenance given the breed’s long and silky coat. However, quite the opposite, the Papillon is actually an easy-care dog and just needs regular brushing along with some trimming of nails, ear-cleaning and brushing of teeth. A good way to keep your pooch generally clean and healthy is through a “spa day” at home. Even though there are doggy spas everywhere and it won’t be that difficult to find one to bring your dog to, there’s just something more intimate and special when you choose to do the grooming yourself. Your Papillon will definitely appreciate the care and affection coming from you.

Step

1

Get the grooming tools ready

The first step to having a doggy spa day at home is to prepare all the things you need for the grooming. If you have a tub (or a pet tub), fill it with warm water. Also, have your dog shampoo ready, as well as the other grooming equipment such as nail trimmers, toothbrush and coat brush.

Step

2

Bathe your pooch

Place your Papillon inside the tub and apply shampoo all over your dog’s body. Make sure to scrub the entire body, especially hard-to-reach areas where dirt can collect, such as under the legs and behind the ears. Rinse off the shampoo and dry your dog thoroughly with a towel. Then, proceed to brush the coat, trim the nails and brush the teeth of your pooch.

Step

3

Cap things off with a massage

To help your dog relax after the bath, cap your doggy spa day off with a dog massage. Gently rub your dog’s neck before moving on to other areas such as the back and belly. Be sure to do this carefully and to not massage too hard, especially if your dog is sensitive to touch.

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Therapy Dog Training

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Certification

Leash

Activity description

The Papillon is an extremely people-oriented dog, which is a huge reason why the breed appeals to a lot of potential dog owners. If you are lucky enough to own a sweet and affectionate Papillon, you have the opportunity to share the love with others who need it more by training your pooch to become a therapy dog. Because they were developed for companionship, Papillons are perfect for doing therapy work. As a volunteer, you and your dog are asked to visit various communities or organizations that have people with special needs. In doing this, your pooch gets the chance to make a positive impact on another person’s life.

Step

1

Check for the requirements

Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs can become therapy dogs. There are certain requirements and qualities that are needed in order to become eligible for therapy dog training. Check out which qualities these are and make sure that your dog meets them. It might help to start training your dog in basic obedience and socialization.

Step

2

Enroll in a therapy dog class

If you believe that your dog can be a candidate for therapy dog training, you should find an organization that offers therapy dog classes. These classes will prepare both you and your dog for actual visits and will teach you about the different aspects involved such as situations, handler preparation and equipment needed. Moreover, these classes usually provide an evaluation at the end of each session, which will allow you to track your dog’s progress.

Step

3

Register with a national therapy dog organization

When your dog finishes taking the therapy dog classes, you can find out about additional certifications or classes that you can enroll in. The end goal is to register with a national therapy dog organization, such as the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Through these organizations, you will receive valuable advice and support as well as other relevant information needed to make things official. They will also provide assistance in helping you find volunteer programs for your newly-assigned therapy dog.

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Tunnel Running

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Easy

15 - 30 min

Items needed

Nylon pipe tunnel

Treats

Activity description

In spite of their small size, Papillons have a seemingly endless supply of energy. In fact, this breed needs to be constantly exercised in order to satisfy their physical needs and keep them happy. Fortunately, unlike bigger and more athletic dogs, it is quite easy to improvise on ways to work out a Papillon. A simple but amusing game that your Papillon would definitely enjoy is tunnel running. Because they are compact, Papillons can fit in small holes and tunnels. The challenge of the game lies in getting your pooch to go through one end of the tunnel and come out on the other side.

Step

1

Start simple

Obviously, there is no way to play tunnel running without an actual tunnel. Fortunately, these dog tunnels are very popular and can be bought in just about any pet store. If it is your first time playing this game, then you would probably want to buy a straight tunnel to keep things simple.

Step

2

Get your dog familiar with the tunnel

Set up your newly-bought tunnel in a spacious area such as your backyard. Then, introduce your dog to the tunnel and allow them to start looking and sniffing around. Your dog won’t immediately know what the tunnel is for. What you can do is ask your dog to stay on one end of the tunnel while you go to the other end. Take a treat and entice your dog to cross through the tunnel in order to retrieve it. Do this repeatedly until your dog gets used to moving through the tunnels.

Step

3

Add more challenge to the game

As you get more and more confident with your dog’s tunnel-playing capacities, you can start to make things more challenging by buying other variations of tunnel toys such as longer curved tunnels and ones with multiple exits. Don’t forget to use positive reinforcement every time your dog gets through the tunnel successfully.

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More Fun Ideas...

Puppy Pool

A plastic inflatable pool can lead to hours of water fun for your pooch, particularly during the summer season, when your dog is looking for ways to cool off. Simply fill up the pool with water and let your dog take a dip. You may even add floating toys or some of your dog’s favorite treats to make things more interesting.

Agility Training

Papillons excel in agility because of how active and energetic they are. They can move pretty fast for their size and are intelligent enough to learn tricks quickly. You may choose to create your own agility course or enroll your dog in agility classes from reputable canine clubs and organizations.

Conclusion

For centuries, the Papillon has been bred to serve as the ultimate friend and companion. Being people-oriented and highly attached to their families, owners of this breed should be able to devote some time to their dogs. If you are on the hunt for a lively, spirited and convivial pet, then the Papillon would seem like the perfect match for you.