Sensitivity:
Obedience:
Trainability:
Stubbornness:
Attention Span:
Obedience training your Pomeranian establishes respect and harmony between you and your dog. It defines roles and responsibilities, helping your Pom understand leadership and trust. Training strengthens discipline and the bond you share, creating a well-mannered companion.
Pomeranians are lively and inquisitive, traits that influence their training. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them receptive learners. This guide will walk you through a step-by-step process of obedience training, tailored to your Pom’s unique characteristics.
Step 1: Choose a Training Method
Understanding your Pom’s temperament is important for effective training. Their lively and bold nature requires a method that respects their inquisitive spirit. Their high sensitivity and stubbornness mean patience is key when training these small dogs.
Selecting the right equipment is essential. A harness and leash provide control without discomfort, while a clicker aids in communication. These tools suit your Pom’s extra-small size and sensitivity, making training sessions more effective.
Consistency in your chosen method and equipment is important. This helps your Pom understand expectations, reducing confusion. A consistent approach considers their playfulness and attention span, ensuring a smooth and effective training process.
Step 2: Establish a Routine
Setting realistic goals is important. Start with simple commands and gradually advance to complex ones. Consider your Pom’s learning pace, which reflects their intelligence and trainability. This step-by-step approach ensures steady progress.
Choosing the right location for training is key. A quiet, distraction-free environment helps your Pom focus. Given their alertness and friendliness, limiting distractions enhances their ability to learn and retain commands.
Establishing a daily schedule is beneficial. Aim for 2 to 3 short sessions each day, lasting 10 to 15 minutes. Consistency in timing, even on weekends, aligns with your Pom’s energy levels and attention span.
Sample Pomeranian basic obedience commands training schedule:
- Morning: Practice the “come” command 5 times
- Afternoon: Go over the “stay” command 5 times
- Evening: Teach the “sit” command 5 times
Sample Pomeranian advanced obedience commands training schedule:
- Morning: Use the “leave it” command 5 times
- Afternoon: Teach the “down” command 5 times
- Evening: Go over the “off” and “heel” commands 3 times each
Step 3: Assert Leadership
Establishing leadership is essential for training your Pom. Being firm yet fair asserts your role as pack leader. This approach complements their lively and bold traits, fostering respect and obedience.
Setting boundaries is important. Define what is acceptable and what is not, establishing clear rules. This helps your Pom understand limits, balancing their inquisitive nature with obedience.
Rewarding obedience with positive reinforcement is effective. When your Pom follows commands, immediate rewards reinforce good behavior. Their food motivation makes treats an excellent reward choice.
Step 4: Teach Basic Commands
Teaching your Pom basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” is important. Immediate rewards reinforce these commands, leveraging their eagerness to please and inquisitiveness.
To teach “sit,” hold a treat above their head, guiding them into a sitting position. Their attention span aids in quickly grasping this command.
The “stay” command builds on “sit.” Start with “sit,” then instruct “stay.” Gradually increase the distance between you and your Pom to reinforce obedience.
Teaching “come” involves starting with “sit” and “stay.” Then, call their name and say “come.” Their playful nature makes this command engaging and fun.
Pomeranian basic obedience commands cheat sheet:
- Sit: Hold a treat above the head, say “sit,” reward sitting
- Stay: From the “sit” position, instruct “stay,” step back, reward staying
- Come: From the “sit” and “stay” positions, command “come,” reward arrival
Step 5: Expand Commands
- Teaching advanced commands like “down,” “off,” “heel,” “no,” and “leave it” enhances your Pom’s obedience. Use positive reinforcement to motivate them.
To teach “down,” guide your Pom into a lying position by lowering a treat. Their intelligence aids in understanding this command quickly.
Teaching “off” involves instructing them to move away or not jump. This command curbs their boldness and inquisitiveness.
For “heel,” train your Pom to walk beside you, not ahead or behind. Their friendly nature makes this command enjoyable for them.
Teaching “no” requires sparing use and a firm voice. This command curbs unwanted behaviors, balancing their stubbornness with obedience.
The “leave it” command teaches your Pom not to touch certain items. This taps into their alertness and intelligence, making it an effective command.
Pomeranian advanced obedience commands cheat sheet:
- Down: Lower a treat to the ground while instructing “down,” reward lying
- Off: Direct away from an undesired area while saying “off,” reward compliance
- Heel: Command “heel” when walking with a short leash, reward walking beside
- No: Discourage unwanted behavior while saying “no,” reward obedience
- Leave It: Guide away from an object or item while saying “leave it,” reward restraint
Step 6: Advance to Complex Commands
Teaching complex commands like “fetch, bring back” and “heel, sit, wait” advances your Pom’s obedience. These commands provide mental stimulation and enhance their training.
For “fetch, bring back,” use a toy to engage your Pom. Instruct them to “fetch” and return the toy. This command suits their playful and lively temperament.
The “heel, sit, wait” command involves walking beside you, sitting, and waiting patiently. This command leverages their intelligence and attention span.
Pomeranian complex obedience commands cheat sheet:
- Fetch, Bring Back: Throw a toy, command “fetch, bring back,” reward retrieval
- Heel, Sit, Wait: Say “heel” when walking, then “sit” and “wait,” reward patience
Step 7: Maintain Obedience Training
Continuing regular training sessions is important. Scheduled training instills obedience and consistency, aligning with your Pom’s trainability and eagerness to please.
Increasing challenges as your Pom masters commands keeps training engaging. Vary difficulty and types of commands, setting realistic expectations.
Keeping training sessions engaging involves different environments and combining playtime with training. Immediate rewards maintain motivation and reinforce learning.
Mistakes to Avoid
Using negative reinforcement can lead to confusion and fear. Positive reinforcement aligns with your Pom’s sensitivity and eagerness to please.
Holding long training sessions can overwhelm your Pom’s attention span. Short, focused sessions are more effective.
Being inconsistent with training can create confusion. Consistency is key for your Pom to understand expectations.
Changing commands or rules often can confuse your Pom. Stick to established commands to reinforce learning.
Delaying rewards can reduce their effect. Immediate rewards enhance motivation and reinforce desired behaviors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Obedience Train a Pomeranian?
Training a Pom typically takes 2 to 4 months, depending on command complexity. Begin training between 8 to 12 weeks old. Patience and consistency are important, as some Poms may take longer to learn.
Why Might My Pomeranian Be Slow to Obedience Train?
Individual temperament affects training speed. Negative experiences or inadequate training can slow progress. Lack of motivation or inconsistent training can also contribute. Ensure a positive, engaging, and predictable training environment.
What Are the Most Important Commands to Teach a Pomeranian?
Teaching your Pom “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it” is important. These commands establish control and ensure safety in various situations. Refer to the “Basic” and “Advanced” obedience commands cheat sheets for guidance.
What Should I Do if My Pomeranian Refuses to Obey Commands?
Revisit your training schedule and ensure consistency in goals and location. Simplify complex commands to avoid overwhelming your Pom. Reduce distractions and use rewards to enhance focus and motivation.
