Training Your Pomeranian: Best Tips, Common Mistakes, and More!

When it comes to training your Pomeranian, a few things are important to keep in mind. The first thing to know is that Pomeranians are very smart dogs, and that can be a help and a hindrance. On the one hand, they usually learn fast and are some of the easiest dogs to train. But on the other hand, Pomeranians can be stubborn when they want to. We’re going to cover some great tips on training your Pomeranian, some mistakes to avoid, and a few tricks that may help you and your pup.

Start Training Early

The first and best tip is to start training your Pomeranian early. If you’re bringing home a puppy, one of the first things you will need to teach them is potty training. In fact, you can start training your dog as soon as you bring them home. From establishing ground rules (for example: the couch is not allowed, but the dog bed is) to training your pup to potty outside, training will go much faster if you start right away. That way, your dog doesn’t have time to learn bad habits before you establish your expectations. 

Potty Training May Take Some Time

Pomeranians are notorious for being difficult to potty train. As mentioned above, one reason for this is their stubbornness, but another reason is their size. Pomeranians are a small breed, weighing around 7 pounds when full-grown and much less as a puppy. Because they are so small overall, their bladders are equally as small. 

Since Pomeranians have such small bladders, they simply cannot hold it as long as other breeds. This can also lead to another issue. Because their accidents are so small, owners may not notice right away. If you don’t notice and correct the puppy as soon as an accident happens, the dog won’t realize that they’ve done something wrong. 

The best way to combat this is by keeping a close eye on your dog and what they’re doing. Getting your dog on a regular schedule will also help so they know to expect regular bathroom breaks. And of course, a great reward after a potty can go a long way. That can be anything from a dog treat to a happy voice and a back scratch.

Pomeranians Love Positive Reinforcement

One trick to keep in mind when training your Pomeranian is that they absolutely love positive reinforcement. Simply saying “good dog” in a high-pitched, excited tone and petting them will help them know they did something right. Offering a treat after your dog listens to a command or potties outside is a good way to let them know they did something right. Pomeranians tend to be more stubborn and strong-willed than many breeds, so consistency in training along with positive reinforcement is key. 

Make Training Fun

If you get frustrated easily or disheartened when your Pomeranian doesn’t learn a command within a few days, it’ll make training even harder. Instead of seeing lessons as failures if your Pomeranian doesn’t learn a command right away, consider them building blocks. 

One way to make training extra fun is by keeping a pack of ‘special treats’ that your dog only gets during training. You can use extra fancy dog treats that you know they love, pieces of meat, or other treats that you save exclusively for training time. Make it a special, fun occasion marked by the special treats.

Reward Right Away

Pomeranians specifically have shorter attention spans, so you need to reward them for following a command right away. This means the second that they sit, you need to have a treat out and ready as you say, “Good dog!” Wait more than 5 to 10 seconds, and your Pomeranian has likely forgotten what they’re being rewarded for.

Common Mistakes When Training a Pomeranian

When it comes to Pomeranians, their small stature impacts quite a bit of their training needs. Pomeranians love running around, playing, and listening to owners’ commands, but they tire more easily than other breeds. If you’re training outside or working on more physical commands, be sure not to push your dog. Once your Pomeranian is tired, it’s even less likely to listen to commands.

Another common mistake is consistency, which is one of the most important things to remember when training your Pomeranian. If you don’t consistently practice the command, even after they’ve learned it, your Pomeranian may forget. That doesn’t mean you have to make them sit every day, but every few days or every week will keep the skill fresh.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jen Ottepka/Shutterstock.com