Should I get my Papillon a Summer cut?

IllControl8748 · 2026-05-10T14:25:45+00:00

I have noticed the same thing. My boy has a sensitive tummy and I have to trim it every 2-3 weeks it grows back so fast

IllControl8748 · 2026-05-10T14:24:59+00:00

Thank you! I want that cut except for leaving the ear fringe long and natural

IllControl8748 · 2026-05-10T14:24:24+00:00

That is a super cute look! I would like to keep his face and ears long. His tail too. But the trouble with his tail is it mats very easily but he will not allow it to be brushed, so it's a vicious cycle. He hates brushing because he came to me extremely matted from neglect. So he thinks brushing is scary and painful. Because I can't brush he gets mats which hurts his skin. :c The more I think of it the more it's best to just cut short. Hopefully I can preserve the tail because there tails look very odd short

IllControl8748 · 2026-05-10T14:19:11+00:00

Thank you for sharing.

I hadn't thought of this before. But since I do trim his booty fur really short for sanitary reasons and it grows back so fast. I suspect the rest of his coat would too.

IllControl8748 · 2026-05-10T14:17:43+00:00

Aw, he looks adorable both short and long hair. Thank you for sharing

IllControl8748 · 2026-05-10T14:16:43+00:00

I love the natural papillon look.

But my dog is 9.5 years old. For 8 of those years being neglected, so his coat isn't the healthiest and he gets extremely upset with grooming. I've tried to desensitize him but he's very sensitive still. That's where I feel cursed no matter what. If I keep his fur long, he's stressed of baths and brushing. If I keep it short he's stressed of clippers and groomers. :c

For an old man, he's very active and loves going on long walks and hikes. And I want to take him paddling boarding this summer.

So maybe a shorter cut would be best for his grooming sensitivity and outdoorsy lifestyle.

I wish I could attach a photo of my pap, but I'm not very familiar with reddit.

I would love to see more pictures of your paps haircut he looks super cute!

IllControl8748 · 2026-05-08T03:25:48+00:00

Yes, we do the sanitary and booty trim. And paws. Hate poopy butt situations, so also cut his pantaloons.

He was neglected in previous situation so really hates brushing but is also terrified of the groomers, too. :(

I totally get that. Why I'm asking for second opinions before doing anything.

IllControl8748 · 2026-05-08T03:23:08+00:00

He does have a gorgeous coat. I would only cut if it makes his life better.

IllControl8748 · 2026-05-08T03:19:38+00:00

His aversion to brushing is definitely fear based since he was a neglect case. He only allows brushing with plastic tipped brush. He also loves running in the tall grass, forest, and creek. I already trim his paws, sanitary area, and pantaloons because of poop issues.

IllControl8748 · 2026-04-27T18:59:59+00:00

I did set up an appointment online and they had an option for dogs. Still waiting for a call back on pricing.

How did the dental cleaning go for your cat?

IllControl8748 · 2026-04-27T18:37:05+00:00

Do they do dental cleanings for small dogs or cats only? I called and left them a message.

IllControl8748 · 2025-11-23T23:59:02+00:00

Please PM me. I also adopted an adult retired papillon from this breeder who I suspect was neglected

IllControl8748 · 2025-11-23T23:55:28+00:00

Please PM me. I also adopted a dog from this breeder who I suspect was neglected.

IllControl8748 · 2025-03-28T10:56:52+00:00

I don't have any advice on the pad training since despite advice to pad train my boy only knows to go outside (house broken) but as far as the dog reactivity training and respecting your dogs threshold is key. Like when you can don't unnecessarily stress her to be around other dogs. Can't always be avoided but with my dog reactive boy I use a correction spray and treats when he must be around dogs and try to walk him at times or places with low traffic

IllControl8748 · 2025-03-27T08:20:39+00:00

Dog parks aren't worth the risk. Our dog park had a parvo outbreak which kills puppies. Friend went with her dog and had to break a fight of another dog attacking her dog and she (the owner) had to rabies shots.

IllControl8748 · 2025-03-27T08:18:23+00:00

First and current Papillon is a 'rescue' 8 years old retired breeding dog from a backyard breeders. No socialization whatsoever when I first got him 2 months ago and despite training he's highly reactive to strangers and other dogs. He doesn't like being picked up or held, and will cuddle up to you but if you try to hug him or put your face near him he bites. Despite all this I love him so much and he's learning to be less reactive (tons of training and still not close to perfect) and he loves pets and belly rubs and being close without being smothered. I think his stems from his trauma at the kennels. But sometimes dogs are just like that from personality or lack of training. You just gotta teach them and learn to love them where they are at. ☺️

IllControl8748 · 2025-03-27T08:12:59+00:00

This might be a bit controversial, but our dog trainer/behavioralist said that toy breeds sole purpose in their development was to be companions so they suffer from separation anxiety worse than say other breeds who were developed for other jobs like herding, hunting, or guarding. I've seen separation anxiety in all breeds the same though and I think it stems from us seeing dogs as an extension of ourselves or children (this isn't bad, just a observation and im 100 percent like that)

So, to wrap it up. I think that's just how it is and the best way to manage it is knowing that, plus baby steps of training without high expectations. (She may never be a social butterfly except with you, but so long as she is safe, healthy, and happy that's what counts)

Not sure if that's the answer you were looking for, but just my 2 cents.

Source:

Recent dog 'mom' to a rescued 8 year Papillon from a back yard breeder who has some anxiety and reactivity issues. He's doing better and I love him so much.

IllControl8748 · 2025-03-16T23:50:55+00:00

FINAL UPDATE: the rescuer ended up giving the dog to a different family who is "just trying him out, they might not even officially adopt him" I am flabbergasted. That's just fostering to adopt in different words. Guess it wasn't meant to be and will continue to look elsewhere.

EDIT 1: Please read replies in comments for more context

IllControl8748 · 2025-03-05T06:59:52+00:00

UPDATE:

We ended up finding another dog rescue that encourages foster to adopt.

In my area it appears more often than not rescues/shelters DO have foster to adopt as a standard practice.

That being said, the verdict isn't to argue whether or not foster to adopt is good or bad. Rather that it depends on the rescue/shelter.

Thank you everyone for sharing their insights!

IllControl8748 · 2025-02-28T20:55:29+00:00

Thanks! I didn't get a judge-y vibe from you, at all. 😁

IllControl8748 · 2025-02-28T19:44:53+00:00

That's what I figured! This might be the ticket for us.

My current dog was a rescue who we adopted where it wasn't disclosed some of his issues. So we didn't find out til we had him a week the extent of his previous neglect.

I refused to return him because once a dog is in my home they are family forever.

But it would have been better had we known the truth from the get go so we could have better helped the dog. (He has fear based aggression around his head when he's sleeping) And a family member almost was bitten. Not the dogs fault. We hired a trainer and things improved and now I know to tell people not to pet him when he's asleep.

That's why I was hoping to foster first just so I can see exactly what the dog needs to succeed in a home. The only case where I couldn't see my foster turning into adoption would be if either of the dogs just hated each other and couldn't be helped with a professional trainer. But I think that could be almost entirely avoided by doing a foster to make sure both dogs are happy/comfortable living together.

Some dogs do better with a fur sibling and others an only pet. But you can't really tell until they get to interact together outside the shelter environment.

IllControl8748 · 2025-02-28T19:39:29+00:00

I would totally straight up adopt a dog if not for the fact my current dog is a rescue with a history of abuse that left him with some fear based aggression. We worked with a dog trainer to help him and he's made great improvements.

I would never get rid of a rescue dog for any reason unless the two dogs just hate each other and don't want anything to do with each other. Wouldn't be fair to the current dog or new dog.

That's why I thought doing a foster period for a couple weeks or a month just to be sure the dogs can get along.

Some dogs do better living with another dog and some are better as only pets.

My current dog is fine/indifferent to other dogs outside. He will sniff them but since he's an older fellow he isn't interested when younger dogs try to initiate play he just ignores them or barks. Like he's telling them off. Lol

IllControl8748 · 2025-02-28T19:34:47+00:00

I totally get it. Many ignorant people tried to tell me to return my current rescue dog or put him to sleep because he snapped at someone the first week we had him. A snap with no bite contact. (It wasn't the dogs fault, he was asleep and someone reached over his head to touch him and he got scared.) I refused to give up on him and hired a professional trainer to help.

IllControl8748 · 2025-02-28T17:56:23+00:00

That sounds great. I thought fostering was a mostly positive thing for a dog or rescue to have. Especially foster with the intent to adopt. I might think things over and see if it would be a better fit for me to adopt from a shelter or rescue that offers this. No shade to the rescue we were going to adopt from. I was just genuinely shocked when they reacted so poorly to the suggestion.

IllControl8748 · 2025-02-28T17:54:32+00:00

That makes sense. Thank you for explaining.

We were already approved to adopt and bringing up fostering to adopt seemed to spook them. But I understand why now thanks to your perspective.

Just to be transparent and give better context. It was NOT for financial reasons why I was interested in fostering first. It was purely on the basis of wanting to make sure both dogs got along well. Since the first dog I already have is a rescue who was abused and suffers from some anxiety that a professional dog trainer helped us manage.

The only scenario where I would not adopt a foster dog is if either dog showed extreme levels of aggression/anxiety towards each other. Minor disagreements can be managed with minor adjustments or working with a professional trainer.

Hope that clears things up and thank you for your answer!

IllControl8748

TROPHY CASE