Have you ever thought about training your Pomeranian puppy? A lot of owners believe that small dogs, such as Pomeranians, don’t need any obedience training. However, untrained Pomeranians can be bossy, yappy, and act up towards strangers.
So, when should you start training your Pomeranian puppy? In general, you should begin training your Pomeranian the moment you bring them home. Waiting until your Pom matures allows your puppy to form bad habits, which you’ll have to break later.
Since Pomeranian puppy training can be challenging, today we’re going to talk about everything you need to know about Pomeranian training.
What Should I Train My Pomeranian Puppy to Do?
As a whole, Pomeranians aren’t the worst dog breed to train. They’re smart, easily motivated by food, and grasp commands quickly.
However, Pomeranians tend to be stubborn and refuse to obey your commands unless they consider you the leader of the pack. So, you have to be confident and firm.
Since Pomeranian owners are often confused about what to teach their Pomeranian puppy, let me give you some pointers.
1. Housebreak Your Pomeranian Puppy
Potty training starts the moment your puppy enters your household, and you shouldn’t postpone it. Otherwise, your Pomeranian will get used to peeing wherever they find, and it will be difficult to make them stop.
Usually, most specialists recommend that you housetrain your dog outside. But you can housebreak your Pomeranian puppy inside on peeing pads or use a litter box if you don’t mind the mess.
However, you have to make your mind beforehand because changing spots is going to confuse your Pomeranian puppy. It will also slow down the housebreaking process.
Once you’ve decided, you should take your Pomeranian to that designated spot as frequently as possible and after meals, naps, and play sessions. Always reward your Pom in a happy voice when they do their business where they’re supposed to.
2. Teach Basic Commands
Besides housetraining, you should train your Pomeranian puppy to respond to basic commands. Obedience training helps you bond with your Pom and establish trust. It’s also necessary so that you can control your Pomeranian around strangers and prevent them from acting out.
An excellent place to start is to teach your Pomeranian puppy their name. Don’t pick a long name or a fancy one. You want something short so that your Pomeranian can remember it.
Besides training your Pomeranian puppy to respond to their name, you also have to teach them “Sit,” “Down,” “Stay,” “Come,” “Drop it,” among few.
The secret of Pomeranian obedience training is to take your time to master command and always end up the training session on a positive note.
3. Train Your Pomeranian Puppy to Walk on a Leash
Another important aspect of training your Pomeranian puppy is how to walk on a leash.
I’ve seen a lot of owners who prefer to carry their Pomeranians around. While Poms look fragile, they’re perfectly capable of walking on their four legs.
Moreover, Poms need their daily amount of exercise. Otherwise, you’ll quickly see your Pomeranian puppy putting on pounds.
Besides that, you can’t leave your Pomeranian walking around without a leash in heavy traffic areas, or they might get hurt. A Pomeranian puppy without a leash can also be stolen or get lost.
So, getting your Pomeranian puppy comfortable with a leash and a harness is a necessity.
What Do You Need to Train Your Pomeranian Puppy?
Naturally, when we’re talking about when you should start training your Pomeranian puppy, we have to mention what you need. So, let’s see what you should prepare before your first training session.
1. Pick a Location and Time
Let me tell you something about Pomeranian puppies. They get distracted easily and have a short attention span. So, you need a quiet place with no distraction to train your Pomeranian puppy. Otherwise, it will be hard to make your Pom focus on what you’re teaching.
Besides location, you have to find the right time for training. What I mean is that it shouldn’t be a chore. You should be in the mood for it, not exhausted or angry. Moreover, training your Pomeranian puppy when they’re sleepy or tired is ineffective.
So, you have to find a time that works for both of you. Usually, Poms are more receptive to training when they’re slightly hungry. So, you might plan your training sessions before breakfast or dinner.
2. Find the Right Rewards
Another Pomeranian puppy training secret is that you should have special treats to give your Pom. Pick something so delicious that your Pomeranian goes crazy for it and use it only for training. That will make your Pomeranian work hard to get the reward.
It’s also essential to reward your Pomeranian on the spot so that they can build a connection between the reward and the action.
Waiting even five-ten seconds will confuse your Pom. That’s why you should have the treat in your hand when you’re training your Pomeranian puppy.
3. Get a Proper Harness
Pomeranians don’t do well with collars. That’s because they’re tiny and prone to a collapsed trachea. So, when you’re training your Pom to walk on a leash, you should get a harness instead of a plain collar.
I advise you that you get an adjustable harness made of breathable material. Pomeranians have thick double coats and might get too hot.
Moreover, you have to ensure that the harness isn’t too big or too tight. Pomeranians are tiny, and some harnesses for small dog breeds might be too large.
What Should I Do When My Pomeranian Misbehaves?
Puppies are curious, and they like to test their boundaries. So, you can expect that sooner or later, your Pomeranian puppy will misbehave. They might refuse to obey a command they know or take their sweet time doing it.
You shouldn’t let these slide because your Pomeranian puppy will assume they’re the leader of the pack and will become bossy.
So, maintain your role as the leader of the pack. Make your Pomeranian sit before you feed them and don’t reward them when they don’t obey immediately. Be firm, consistent, and don’t bend the rules just because your Pomeranian puppy looks cute.
Don’t shout because that’s going to scare your Pomeranian puppy and make them fear you. You’ll lose any respect and trust you’ve earned so far, and you don’t want that.
If you catch your Pomeranian puppy peeing where they’re not supposed to, say a firm “No,” and take them to their proper potty spot. Clean any accidents so that the smell doesn’t attract your Pomeranian puppy.
Don’t encourage any behavior you don’t want your Pomeranian puppy to repeat. Remember that attention is a reward for your Pomeranian puppy. Pomeranians learn quickly that you’ll come running if they bark or jump on the counter.
Whenever you catch your Pomeranian puppy doing something they shouldn’t, try redirection their attention. For example, when your Pomeranian is chewing on your shoes, provide them with a suitable chew toy. The goal is to take the bad behavior and turn it into good.
In addition to this, you should ensure that your Pomeranian puppy has enough daily exercise.
If your Pom is bored and full of energy, they’re going to misbehave. You’ll do the same in their place. So, provide enough toys and mental stimulation for your Pom to keep them happy and obedient.
Closing Thoughts
Pomeranian puppies are easier to train than older Poms because they’re still open to new experiences and haven’t formed “bad” habits.
That’s why you should start training your Pomeranian puppy once you bring them home. But be patient with your Pomeranian puppy and never act harshly.
