At a glance
- Pomeranians combine boldness, intelligence, and liveliness in a tiny package, often displaying "small dog syndrome" despite weighing just 3-7 pounds
- Early socialisation and consistent leadership are crucial to prevent excessive barking, stubbornness, and separation anxiety
- These dogs respond best to positive reinforcement methods like clicker training rather than harsh corrections
- Their fragile build requires gentle handling and supervision around children, but their alert nature makes them excellent watchdogs
You might notice your Pomeranian strutting around the house like they own the place, completely unaware they weigh less than a bag of flour. This bold confidence, combined with their sharp intelligence and boundless energy, creates a unique training challenge that many owners underestimate.
Understanding your Pom's temperament isn't just helpful for training success. It's essential for building the kind of relationship where both of you feel secure and happy together.
The bold and curious Pomeranian mind
Pomeranians pack enormous personality into their compact frames. Their liveliness and curiosity drive them to investigate every corner of their environment, often with the fearless attitude of a much larger dog. This boldness serves them well in many situations, but it can also lead to what trainers call "small dog syndrome."
Research shows that Poms often exhibit confidence and assertiveness that can manifest as barking, stubbornness, or even aggression when not properly channelled. They're naturally alert and vocal, making them excellent watchdogs who'll announce every visitor, delivery, or suspicious squirrel activity.
What makes training interesting is their intelligence. These dogs learn quickly and remember well, but they also form strong opinions about what they want to do. Many owners find their Pomeranian selectively deaf to commands they don't feel like following, especially if the dog has learned they can get away with it.
Building the foundation with early socialisation
The window for shaping your Pom's social skills opens early and closes relatively quickly. Proper socialisation during puppyhood prevents the over-independence, fearfulness, or aggression that can develop when these naturally bold dogs don't learn appropriate boundaries with people and other animals.
Exposure to various people, dogs, and environments helps Pomeranians develop balanced behaviour. Without this foundation, their natural alertness can tip into excessive reactivity, and their boldness can become problematic dominance.
Start socialisation gradually and positively. Short visits to different locations, meeting calm, friendly dogs, and positive interactions with various people all contribute to a well-adjusted adult dog. The goal isn't to overwhelm them, but to show them that new experiences are generally safe and often rewarding.
Establishing leadership without breaking trust
Many Pomeranian behavioural issues stem from unclear household hierarchy. These dogs are perfectly happy to make executive decisions about barking, meal times, and house rules if they believe no one else is handling the job.
Consistent leadership doesn't mean harsh corrections. It means clear, predictable rules that you enforce every time. When your Pom learns that sitting politely gets attention while jumping and barking gets ignored, they'll adjust their strategy accordingly.
Positive reinforcement works exceptionally well with this breed. Pomeranians respond enthusiastically to praise, treats, and calming supplements. Harsh methods typically backfire, damaging their trust and willingness to engage in training. These dogs want to please, but they need to understand what pleasing looks like.
Clicker training devices cost around $5-15 and provide precise communication about desired behaviours. The clear "click" sound helps your dog understand exactly which action earned the reward, speeding up the learning process considerably.
Managing the vocal Pomeranian
Barking comes naturally to Poms, serving multiple purposes from alerting to attention-seeking. The key isn't eliminating all barking, but teaching appropriate times and duration.
When your dog barks for attention or treats, ignoring the behaviour prevents accidentally reinforcing it. This requires patience, as many Pomeranians will initially increase their barking when their usual strategy stops working. Consistency during this phase determines long-term success.
Teaching a "quiet" command with rewards gives you a tool for managing excessive vocalisation. Start by waiting for natural quiet moments, then immediately reward with treats and praise. Gradually add the verbal cue "quiet" just before rewarding the silence.
Most owners see initial improvement within weeks of consistent training, though complete reliability typically takes months. The timeline depends largely on how consistently everyone in the household applies the same rules.
Addressing separation anxiety and attachment issues
Pomeranians form incredibly strong bonds, often favouring one person above all others. While this devotion is endearing, it can lead to separation anxiety when their preferred human leaves.
Signs include excessive barking, destructive behaviour, or house soiling that only occurs when left alone. The solution involves gradually teaching independence through short separations that slowly increase in duration.
Start with departures of just a few minutes, providing engaging toys or puzzle feeders to create positive associations with alone time. Interactive toys from brands like Kong or Nina Ottosson cost around $10-30 and keep curious minds occupied during your absence.
Severe separation anxiety may require professional help from a certified dog trainer or veterinary behaviourist experienced with small breeds. Some cases benefit from medication alongside behaviour modification, particularly when the anxiety significantly impacts the dog's quality of life.
House training the determined Pom
House training can be more challenging with Pomeranians than larger breeds, partly due to their small size and sometimes stubborn nature. Their tiny bladders require more frequent opportunities, and accidents are easier to miss or ignore.
Frequent potty breaks, consistent routines, and immediate positive reinforcement for outdoor elimination form the foundation of successful house training. Crate training provides a valuable tool, as most dogs won't soil their sleeping area.
Small crates sized for toy breeds, typically around 24 inches, cost approximately $30-70 and serve multiple purposes beyond house training. They provide a safe space for rest and can prevent destructive behaviour when you can't supervise directly.
Expect house training to take 1-3 months depending on consistency and the individual dog's learning speed. Patience during this phase prevents the frustration that can derail training progress.
Protecting the fragile athlete
Despite their bold personalities, Pomeranians have delicate bone structure that requires careful consideration during training and daily life. Their small size makes them vulnerable to injury from falls, rough play, or overly enthusiastic handling.
Supervision around young children is essential, as kids may not understand how to interact gently with such small dogs. Teaching children to sit quietly and let the dog approach them, rather than grabbing or chasing, prevents both injury and fear-based behavioural problems.
Lightweight, well-fitted harnesses protect their delicate necks during walks better than traditional collars. Brands like Puppia or Blue-9 offer options specifically designed for toy breeds, typically costing $15-40.
This physical fragility doesn't mean treating them like porcelain dolls. Pomeranians need mental stimulation and appropriate physical activity. The key is matching activities to their size while respecting their energetic, curious nature.
