How to Train a Papillon (and Why They Excel)

If there were a class prize for cleverness among toy breeds, the Papillon would be a strong contender. Bright, eager to please and quick on the uptake, Papillons are widely regarded as one of the most trainable small dogs — and they have the competition results to prove it. Here is why they excel, and how to train your Papillon well.

Why Papillons excel at training

Papillons are genuinely clever, biddable and motivated. They learn quickly, enjoy working with their person, and take real pleasure in having a job to do. This combination is why they punch so far above their weight in dog sports: Papillons are regular high performers in agility, obedience and trick competitions, frequently beating much larger breeds. The breed even claimed Best in Show at Crufts in 2019, a reminder of just how capable these little dogs are. That intelligence is a gift, but it comes with a responsibility — a smart dog with nothing to do will find its own entertainment, so a Papillon needs regular training and mental stimulation to be at its best.

Start with the basics: positive, reward-based training

Like all dogs, Papillons respond best to kind, reward-based methods. Keep sessions short, upbeat and frequent — a few minutes several times a day beats one long, dull session, especially for a dog with a busy brain. Use small, tasty treats, a happy voice and plenty of praise to mark and reward the behaviour you want. Because they are so food- and praise-motivated, most Papillons learn fast; the trick is consistency, so that everyone in the household uses the same cues and rules.

House training

House training a toy breed takes patience because their tiny bladders need frequent emptying, and accidents are easy to miss on a small dog. Take your puppy out often — after waking, eating, playing and at regular intervals through the day — and go out with them so you can reward generously the very moment they toilet outside. Never punish accidents, which only teaches a dog to hide and toilet out of sight and makes the whole process harder. A predictable routine, consistent praise for getting it right, and patience are the fastest route to a reliably clean dog. Crate training, done kindly, can also help by giving your puppy a safe den and supporting a toileting routine.

Socialisation matters

Early, positive socialisation is one of the best investments you can make. Gently introduce your Papillon to a wide variety of people, friendly dogs, other animals, sounds, surfaces and everyday situations while they are young, always keeping experiences calm and positive. Well-socialised Papillons grow into confident, adaptable adults. Because they are small, take care around big, boisterous dogs during play so confidence is built safely.

Recall and lead manners

A reliable recall keeps your dog safe, so practise it early in a secure space, making coming back to you the best thing that ever happens with treats and praise. Build up gradually from a quiet room to the garden to busier places with more distractions, and never tell a dog off when they do come back, however long it took. For lead walking, a harness is kinder than a collar on a delicate toy-breed neck, taking pressure off the windpipe if your dog pulls — browse our dog harnesses and leads. Reward your Papillon for walking nicely beside you rather than pulling, keep sessions short and upbeat, and finish on a win.

Managing barking

Papillons are alert and can be barky if it becomes a habit. The trainable mind that makes them so clever also makes barking very fixable: avoid accidentally rewarding it with attention, teach and reward a "quiet" cue and calm behaviour, and make sure your dog has enough physical and mental exercise so boredom is not driving the noise. Consistency from the whole household is key.

Channel that brain: enrichment and dog sports

The single best thing you can do for a Papillon is give its mind a workout. Puzzle feeders, scent games, trick training and structured play all help — explore our puzzle and enrichment toys and dog toys. If you and your dog enjoy training, consider a local agility, obedience, rally or trick-training class: Papillons are made for these sports, and they are a brilliant way to bond, burn energy and show off your clever little dog. A tired, mentally satisfied Papillon is a calm, well-behaved one.

Putting it together

Train a Papillon with kindness, consistency and plenty of mental challenge, and you will be rewarded with a delightful, responsive companion that can learn almost anything. For more on the breed, see our guides on whether Papillons make good family dogs and grooming and care.

*This is general guidance. If you are struggling with a specific behaviour, a qualified, reward-based trainer or behaviourist can help.*

Sources

• The Kennel Club — training, the Good Citizen scheme and dog activities
• Blue Cross — dog training and behaviour advice
• RSPCA — rewards-based dog training
• PDSA — puppy socialisation and training