How to Potty Train a Pomperainin

The Pomeranian is a jovial little breed of dog. Commonly seen as lap dogs and companions, the Pomeranian has been in existence for hundreds of years. Descendants of large Northern sled dog breeds, the Pomeranian was bred from small sled pullers in an attempt to create a pocket-sized companion that embodied the good looks and cheerful disposition of their larger cousins. Pomeranians can be a challenge to potty train, but a housebroken, well-trained Pom is a joy to own.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crate Doggy bed Doggy toys Food and water dishes Treats

How to Potty Train a Pomeranian

1. Set your Pomeranian's crate up in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home. Your Pom will need to relax and have a space of her own, and the crate is well suited for this purpose. Include her bed and a few favorite toys to make her feel comfortable and secure.

2. Design a feeding routine for your Pomeranian. Dogs normally have to potty most after they've eaten, so knowing when your dog took in food makes knowing when she will need to go out much simpler. Set her food and water dishes in an easy-to-clean, low-traffic area, and give her meals at the same time every day. Pomeranians are very small and have a limited intake capacity, so small meals are best. Avoid feeding her too late to prevent overnight accidents.

3. Monitor your Pomeranian closely while in the house. Little dogs are more prone to accidents due to their small organs, so close observation is vital to proper house training. If your puppy squats, sniffs the floor or whines excessively, she most likely needs to go potty.

4. Select an area of your yard specifically for a potty spot. An area free of clutter works best, as Pomeranians are very curious and like to sniff and explore. Do not place any toys in the potty area as it is a spot for "business" and not recreation.

5. Take your puppy to the potty spot every hour or two, as well as after naps and meals. Set him down and give him the command to potty. The command itself is not as important as the consistent use of the word in a happy, cheerful voice. Give the command every time your puppy goes to the potty spot, and he will learn to associate the command with the act of going potty.

6. Allow your Pomeranian a few quiet moments to go potty. Do not move too much or talk to him. Your Pom needs time to go without distraction, so stand quietly to prevent him trying to play with you.

7. Praise your puppy and offer a favorite treat as soon as she goes. Pomeranians can be very food-motivated, so a small bit of meat or cheese works extremely well. Pet the puppy gently and lavish her with praise so she associates the act of going potty with a good reward.

8. Repeat the potty routine often for best results. Your Pomeranian is very intelligent and will learn very quickly as long as you are consistent and offer plenty of praise. Monitor your Pomeranian closely, take her to potty frequently, and you will have a house-trained dog in just a few short sessions.

Tips & Warnings

• Take care when choosing your potty spot. Poms are very small in stature and can easily squeeze through even the smallest holes, so never leave your dog unattended.
• Never hit or otherwise physically punish your dog. Pomeranians are a very delicate breed, and even the smallest bit of force can not only cause serious injury, but will make potty training extremely difficult.

Resources

• Potty Training Your Dog
• American Pomeranian Club

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