A Pomeranian puppy is a very, very high-energy creature who loves to play and be loved. They love to run, love to hear themselves barking. When a Pomeranian puppy decides it’s time to cuddle up, they often become lap dogs.
One great thing about a Pomeranian puppy is the adaptability. They’re bound to be content indoors or outdoors, so long as they’re involved with the family at all times, and aren’t left lonely and bored for long periods.
A Pomeranian puppy is also flat-out gorgeous. That spunky brown poof-ball will win your heart, with intelligence, personality and alert loyalty.
Thanks to all that energy, any Pomie owner knows Pomeranian puppies need training more than most breeds.
Jump to: Breed History, Appearance, Temperament, Health Issues, and Training a Pomeranian Puppy.
Breed History – Pomeranian
Believe it or not, that little brown Pomeranian fur-ball comes from a line of sled-pulling and sheep-herding dogs from Iceland! They’ve been bred down significantly.
In the mid-1800s, the British started breeding Pomeranian puppies down towards their current size, so that they could be used as we know them today – wonderful little house dogs.
Appearance – Pomeranian Puppy
In a word, the Pomeranian puppy appearance is adorable. They’re healthy at their small size, strong and sturdy. They resemble a fox when you look them in the face.
The most noticable thing about a Pomeranian puppy is the coat. The coat is doubled, and extremely fluffy and soft. Their color ranges from orange, to red, to brown. The coat does shed, but not often. A Pomeranian puppy should be brushed regularly to avoid snagging and matting.
Their ears are erect, as belies their constantly-alert nature. Their tails are mounted higher on the back than most dogs, and tends to lie almost flat against the Pomeranian’s back. They seem to always be smiling, with their wide almond-shaped eyes and a bit of a grin on their snouts.
Healthy adult Pomeranians will vary in height and weight, standing anywhere between 7 and 12 inches tall at the shoulders, and weighing between three and seven pounds. Some Pomeranian dogs are even smaller than this.
Social Temperament – Pomeranian Puppy
A Pomeranian puppy is a whole lot of personality in a very small package. They don’t know how small they are. They’re fiercely loyal, extremely spunky and confident, outgoing, and affectionate.
The Pomeranian is definitely one breed where the handling and socialization of the breeder, or whoever they’re around immediately after birth, will determine what kind of Pomie pup you’ll bring home. Still, with the right nutrition and home training, even a Pomeranian puppy can be “turned around” from an unhelpful upbringing.
Here are the top tips to keep in mind when you’re buying and training a Pomeranian puppy:
- Their legacy as herding dogs will make a lot of Pomeranian pups believe they are the alpha dog, especially among your other dogs. Make sure you take puppy socialization seriously with this breed.
- A Pomeranian puppy will love you very deeply, and will suffer from separation anxiety if left alone and bored for long periods.
- The Pomeranian breed makes a good natural watchdog.
Unique Health Problems – Pomeranian
Owing to their background as outdoor working dogs, even after having been bred down, the Pomeranian is a sturdy, healthy dog. They have an active lifespan of about 12 to 15 years.
Make sure that your breeder is a reputable one who cares about the dogs, not just the money. Consult your veterinarian or breeder for any questions about:
- Tooth brushing once a week to prevent tooth and gum decay.
- The best dog food and feeding schedule, and the right amount of exercise, to avoid health problems arising from obesity.
- The best climate for a Pomeranian puppy. They don’t do well in heat due to the thick coat and dense body mass. They will become ill if left in stifling heat for even a short time.
- Heart disease.
- Leg problems.
- Collapsing trachea from straining against their collar and leash.
- Hypothyroidism, a gland dysfunction.
- Eye trouble, especially cataracts in old age.
Training a Pomeranian Puppy
Done right, Pomeranian puppy training will pay off in spades. You’ll have a bright, obedient family dog that does exactly what he’s told and is always willing to learn more.
At first, however, a Pomeranian puppy will show you that you have to earn the right to be his boss. Set your boundaries early, clearly, and gently. Begin obedience training right away and remain consistent and positive.
Here are the top things to keep in mind when you are training a Pomeranian puppy at home:
- Carry out your Pomeranian house training routine dutifully and on-schedule. Pomeranian puppies, like most toy breeds, have small bladders and can’t hold their needs very long.
- Combine potty training with crate training to help them understand the need to “contain themselves.”
- Crate training also helps prevent the breed’s urge to chew on the wrong things.
- A Pomeranian will roam. The “come” command is probably the most important obedience training you’ll do with your Pomeranian puppy.
- Because this dog is small and has an instinctual urge to run when leashed, be aware of the risk of tracheal collapse. Be sure to give plenty of other sorts of obedience training before beginning leash training.
- Make sure to set expectations regarding barking early on. Pomeranians are infamous for excessive barking, but if you show your Pomie pup that you don’t want him being a motormouth, you can curb that tendency early.
- Remember that your Pomeranian puppy enjoys being trained the right way and wants to learn the rules of the pack. Keep training brief and fun, take advantage of their high energy and intelligence, and be patient – they will “get it.”
There’s a good system called “The Pomeranian Manual” that has been known to make all aspects of training a Pomeranian puppy at home completely painless. Click the link to see what that’s all about.
Learn all about dog training, or go back to the dog breeds list.