Unlike training pet dogs to sense, smell and avoid a snake, there is not a safe way to train your pet against porcupine quills. It is only through experience that they would learn to leave the little porky alone. Hearing your pet bark as if agitated must get your attention specially when you live near porcupines. Ignoring the curious agitated barks would have you hear a shriek and whimper, expect your pet to have several or a lot of toothpick like quills hanging from your pet. Doxies are very small breeds and at times when not cautious enough end up having the tops of their heads imitate Don King’s hair. Fortunately, on record most Doxie porcupine battles do not involve more than one porky-unlike the worst cases where the pets face was lost in row upon rows of quills.
Removing the quills can be done at home or at the Veterinarian’s clinic depending on how much of your pet’s face you can see and if the eyes are unharmed. Quill removing needs you to have a long nose pliers or regular pliers handy and eye cover for your pet, not to mention nerves of steel and an empty stomach.
Position yourself near your pet where you can move freely once you yank those quills out. Having someone else to soothe your pet or hold him still makes it easier.
Start from the top, picking on quills that are embedded superficially. Those your can yank off, do it swiftly. If it doesn’t budge, leave it.
For deep quills and stuck barbs, you’d really have to bring your pet to the Vet since the pain of having a quill 2 inches in bone needs anesthesia.
Check if there are some barbs left in, then apply antiseptic. Have a nice meal ready for your pet, some would want to while others would just like to rest because of the pain.
Call your veterinarian for antibiotic prescription.

Rarely do dogs break their spirit after a quill attack, though sulking is common. Never heard of a Doxie suffering the same fate twice, they’re just too smart for that.