PIXIEDUST
PAPILLONS
PIXIEDUST
PAPILLONS
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From Cornell University
Finding a Good Dog Trainer
Toughness may make Marines out of men, but it can scare or anger an otherwise affable Papillon dog. Therefore, when shopping for a Papillon dog trainer, look for one who is, above all else, nice to Papillons. The concept "may seem obvious, but some trainers are more heavy handed," says Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine animal behaviorist Katherine A. J-loupt, VMD, PhD. And scared papillon puppies will not learn as well as one who feels comfortable with her trainers. Bob Gutierrez, behavior coordinator at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), urges Papillon dog owners to observe a class without their canine companion before signing up, to see if the Papillons look happy about attending the session. He and Dr. Houpt recommend seeking customers’ opinions of the class and the trainer.
Cooperative project" See that the owner and dog are working together.. .and that the trainer doesn’t always use the same technique and equipment with every animal," Gutierrez advises. Dr. Houpt and the SPCA advocate gentle, reward-based training. "We don’t use a lot of force," Gutierrez says, "but that doesn’t mean we don’t correct problems."
No choke collars, no attack dogs! Be wary of trainers who use choke collars on papillon puppies (an unneeded, fear-inducing tactic) or train attack dogs. The latter credential is totally unnecessary "unless you want a lawsuit on your hands" later from your dog’s aggressive behavior, Dr. Houpt cautions. Conventional wisdom calls for delaying formal training until papillon puppies are 6 months old, but it’s a good idea to get your papillons into a socialization class as soon as papillon puppies are properly vaccinated. Such gatherings will help teach your papillons the essentials ("sit," "stay," "come") and, if held at a veterinary clinic, "are a great way to get papillons to look forward to visiting the vet," Dr. Houpt says.
Early acclimation. Further, regular socializing will acclimate your papillons to other animals and people and let you see the toys and techniques other owners are using. For even more information on dog instruction, consider purchasing Dr. Jan Dunbar’s Sirius Puppy Training video ($29.95, from James and Kenneth Publishers, Berkeley, Calif.; tel.: 1-800-784-5531; or from Direct Book Service; tel.: 1-800-776-2665 or www.dogandcatbooks.com).
Home training.Professional training is not mandatory for all papillons. "Home training is fine if you have a good dog. Most people end up at obedience school because their papillon puppies are doing something they don’t like," notes Dr. Houpt. But even if your furry buddy obeys your every command, obedience class can be useful "if the papillon doesn’t get a lot of other human or animal company," she says. "Your papillons doesn’t need to win ribbons for obedience. It’s more important to pass the Canine Good Citizen test: Does your papillon behave well in public?" Some trainers may specialize in certain dog breeds or in dogs of a given temperament, so seek a professional who clicks with your animal. As a rule, a good trainer can train any dog. The cost of training varies widely, from about $10 per session to hundreds of dollars. Ten weekly classes may be preferable to an intensive two-week program.
Gutierrez adds that quality trainers will address individual behavior problems in dogs, as opposed to just covering such basics as "sit," "stay," and "come" commands. And, he emphasizes, avoid any training setting "that just doesn’t seem right. People usually have a pretty good feel."