Pomeranian Dog Training Profile

Weight: 3 to 7 pounds

Height: 6 to 7 inches

Lifespan: 12 to 16 years

Pomeranian Temperament and History

Pomeranians are fluffy balls of energy that are known for their sweet and curious personalities. And with a long life expectancy, you’ll likely enjoy many years of happiness and fun with them.

These dogs are related to the large spitz-type dogs that thrive in Arctic climates. Many centuries ago, in an area split between western Germany and Poland called Pomerania, they were bred down to a much smaller size, making them more suitable as companion dogs.

Queen Victoria, in particular, adored these little dogs and brought them to England, where she bred them to a show-dog quality and status. They have since developed worldwide recognition and love, and have become one of the most popular breeds worldwide.

This is a lively and energetic breed and they love to be with people. However, due to their small size and delicate bones, owners must be conscious of how children interact with them. You always have to be gentle with these dogs.

They can even injure themselves from short falls or jumping from pieces of furniture to the floor, so — for their own safety — this behavior should not be allowed.

But, despite their small size, these dogs are very talkative, which makes them great watchdogs. They tend to bark anytime strangers approach your house or come into your apartment.

Pomeranians require some daily exercise, but they must be kept on a leash when going for walks or if they’re taken to the park. Their small frame makes it easy for them to wriggle through even the tiniest of openings. That being the case, you must fortify your yard if you have one.

But possibly the biggest problem you can encounter when you take your Pomeranian outside is that they can be mistaken for rabbits by other prey animals, such as hawks and other predators.

Pomeranian Training Tips

These dogs are not typically aggressive, but their love and devotion to their owners can cause them to easily develop separation anxiety if they’re separated for too long.

They also often forget how small they are, and may want to boldly challenge bigger dogs.

Pomeranians — like many small dogs — often get away with more bad behaviors than large dogs, simply because they’re not as strong and therefore not as destructive.

But it’s your job to prevent bad behaviors from the beginning. If you initially allow bad behaviors, they will only get worse over time. And what may initially not seem like a big deal could develop into something more serious, like aggression.

Although Pomeranians are very intelligent dogs, they are not easy to housebreak, largely due to their short attention span. Owners must be patient and consistent with showing them when and where to potty.

Developing quicker training sessions can also be an effective way of accommodating their lack of focus.