With regard to temperament, one often-cited Papillon concern would be the slight inclination towards timidity. When it comes to training, this tendency may make housetraining an uphill battle, though not necessarily an uncertain one. Unless countered early, the Papillon’s behavior will spiral into marking spots of the house as their personal territory. What makes it more complex is that the dog is not a kennel dog; it will therefore need some careful and well-planned housebreaking. But far from being a symptom of what is coming, housebreaking the Papillon is actually only one of the very few major items in papillon training.

Training the Papillon is an enriching experience, given the dog’s intelligence and high activity level. The dog also needs to be socialized early on, otherwise the timidity mentioned earlier gains the upper hand and the dog matures with a lingering discomfort every time it is near children, strangers and cats.

Dog owners will also be able to help the dog much if they look into its tendency to have a sort of “big dog” attitude, which tends to affect the breed. The Papillon personality is actually midway between showing signs of aggressiveness towards larger dogs and jealousy towards other pets, and respecting other dogs and being less possessive. But ultimately, the dog can still end up developing an extreme personality leaning towards timidity or aggression. In the end, the decisive factor is still proper training and socialization.

The Papillon can be mistaken for a lap dog, given to demanding its share of regular cuddling, scratching behind the ears, and belly rubs. The breed is also known for picking up all sorts of sounds, whether it be subtle or loud, and for replying to these with a battery of barking. On the average the breed is not hostile nor aggressive, but barking is its favorite way of ushering guests or expressing surprise.

The upsides of the dog are its trait of obedience, and knack for performing tricks. Their intellect is captivated by any new learning, and they seem to view any new source of wonder as made exclusively for them.

Despite their appreciation for attention and for activities that keep them on the move, these dogs are far from being prone to hyperactivity. In fact, Papillons would not mind being watch dog, a role that puts pressure on the dog’s alertness and patience. Indeed, with papillon training, this is one very versatile dog breed.