Pomeranians respond best to short, reward-based training sessions because they have short attention spans and can become stubborn if bored

Pomeranians are small, intelligent dogs that learn quickly but also develop bad habits just as fast. They do not respond well to harsh corrections or long training periods — a 5 to 10 minute session twice a day works better than a 30-minute block. Start training the moment your Pomeranian arrives home, whether it is a puppy or an adult dog, because early consistency prevents the small behavioral problems that become large ones in a dog that size.

The core method is positive reinforcement: reward the behavior you want to see again with treats, praise, or play. Pomeranians are food-motivated, so small, soft treats work better than kibble — they eat the reward quickly and stay focused on the next command. Never yell at or physically punish a Pomeranian; the breed becomes defensive and harder to handle, not better behaved.

Key Takeaways

  • Train in sessions of 5 to 10 minutes, twice daily, because Pomeranians lose focus and become stubborn in longer sessions.
  • Use small, soft treats as rewards and deliver them within one second of the correct behavior so the dog connects the action to the reward.
  • Housebreaking takes 4 to 6 months for Pomeranians because of their small bladders; take your dog outside after eating, drinking, playing, and before bed.
  • Teach "sit" and "come" before other commands because these two prevent most common problems like jumping and running away.
  • Pomeranians bark at sounds and strangers by nature; redirect the barking rather than punish it, or the dog becomes anxious and barks more.

Housebreaking: The longest part of Pomeranian training

Pomeranians have small bladders and cannot hold urine for more than 2 to 3 hours until they are 4 to 6 months old. Take your dog outside when ready after waking, after eating (usually 15 to 30 minutes later), after drinking water, after playing, and before bed. When your dog urinates or defecates outside, reward with a treat and praise right away so the dog learns that outside is the correct place.

Accidents inside the house are normal and expected. Do not punish your dog for accidents — rubbing the dog's nose in it or yelling teaches fear, not bladder control. Instead, clean the spot thoroughly with enzymatic cleaner (the kind made for pet urine) so the dog does not smell the old spot and think that location is a bathroom. If you catch your dog in the act, interrupt calmly, take the dog outside, and reward if the dog finishes outside.

Crate training speeds up housebreaking because dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area. Use a crate just large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down — a crate that is too large becomes a bathroom on one end and a bed on the other. When you cannot watch your dog, place the dog in the crate. When you let the dog out, take the dog directly outside.

Teaching "sit" and "come" first

These two commands prevent most behavioral problems. "Sit" stops jumping on people and gives your dog something to do instead of barking or chewing. "Come" prevents your dog from running into traffic or getting lost.

To teach "sit": hold a treat close to your dog's nose, move your hand up slowly, and let the dog's head follow the treat. The dog's rear naturally lowers as the head goes up. The moment the rear touches the ground, say "sit," give the treat, and praise. Repeat 5 to 10 times per session. Do this twice a day for 3 to 5 days, and most Pomeranians will sit on command.

To teach "come": start in a small, enclosed space like a hallway or bathroom. Get down to your dog's level, say "come" in a happy, excited voice, and gently pull the leash toward you if needed. The moment your dog reaches you, give a treat and praise enthusiastically. Repeat 5 to 10 times. Once your dog reliably comes in a small space, practice in a larger room, then outdoors on a long leash. Never call your dog to come for something the dog dislikes (like a bath or nail trim), or the dog will stop coming.

Managing barking without making it worse

Pomeranians bark at doorbells, other dogs, strangers, and sounds outside. This is normal breed behavior, not a sign of a problem dog. Punishing barking often makes it worse because the dog becomes anxious and barks more to express stress.

Instead, redirect the barking. When your dog barks, wait for a pause, say "quiet," and when ready reward with a treat. This teaches the dog that being quiet earns a reward. You can also teach "speak" — reward barking on command — so your dog learns that barking is something you control, not something the dog does whenever it wants.

For barking at the door, teach your dog to go to a mat or bed when someone knocks or rings the bell. Practice by knocking softly, when ready directing your dog to the mat, and rewarding. Gradually increase the volume of the knock. This gives your dog a job to do instead of barking at the door.

Stopping jumping and nipping in young Pomeranians

Pomeranian puppies jump on people and nip during play because they are small and their owners often laugh or pick them up, which the puppy interprets as approval. Stop this early by ignoring jumping — turn away, cross your arms, and do not make eye contact until the dog stops jumping. The moment all four paws are on the ground, reward with attention and a treat.

For nipping, yelp loudly and stop playing when ready. Leave the room for 30 seconds. Return and resume play. If the dog nips again, yelp and leave again. This mimics how puppies learn bite inhibition from littermates — nipping ends the fun. Pomeranians learn this quickly because they want to keep playing.

Leash training and walking without pulling

Pomeranians are small enough to carry, but they need to walk and explore on their own. Start leash training indoors by putting the collar and leash on your dog and letting the dog walk around the house while wearing it. Do this for a few days so the dog gets used to the feel.

When you take your dog outside, hold the leash loosely. If your dog pulls, stop walking and stand still. Do not move forward until the leash goes slack. The moment it does, move forward and reward with praise. If your dog pulls again, stop again. This teaches the dog that pulling does not work but a loose leash does. Pomeranians learn this in a few weeks because they want to move forward.

Use a harness rather than a collar for walks because a harness distributes pressure across the chest and shoulders, not the neck. A collar can damage a Pomeranian's trachea (windpipe) if the dog pulls hard or lunges.

Dealing with separation anxiety and destructive behavior

Pomeranians are companion dogs and do not like being alone. If your dog barks, chews, or has accidents when you leave, the dog likely has separation anxiety, not a training problem. Punishment will not help.

Start by leaving your dog alone for very short periods — 5 minutes — and returning before your dog gets anxious. Gradually increase the time. Leave a piece of your worn clothing so your dog has your scent. Use a white noise machine or leave a radio on to mask outside sounds that trigger barking. Some owners use a crate because the enclosed space feels safer to an anxious dog.

If your dog chews furniture or shoes, provide appropriate chew toys instead. Rotate toys so your dog does not get bored. Supervise your dog when you are home so you can redirect chewing to a toy and reward. If you cannot watch your dog, confine the dog to a safe space like a crate or a small room with no access to furniture or shoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should I start training my Pomeranian?

Start the moment your dog arrives home, whether that is 8 weeks old or older. Puppies can learn basic commands like "sit" and "come" as early as 8 weeks. Housebreaking takes longer because bladder control develops gradually, but you can start the routine when ready.

How long does it take to housetrain a Pomeranian?

Most Pomeranians are reliably housetrained by 4 to 6 months old if you take them outside on a consistent schedule and reward outdoor elimination. Some take longer. Accidents are normal and do not mean your dog is failing — they mean your dog's bladder is still developing.

Why does my Pomeranian ignore commands sometimes?

Pomeranians are independent and will ignore commands if the reward is not worth it or if the dog is distracted. Make sure your treats are small and soft so your dog eats them quickly. Train in a quiet space first, then gradually practice in busier environments. Keep sessions short so your dog stays focused.

Can I train an adult Pomeranian, or is it too late?

Adult Pomeranians learn just as well as puppies. The training method is the same: short sessions, positive rewards, and consistency. An adult dog may take slightly longer to unlearn bad habits, but most learn new commands in the same timeframe as a puppy.

What should I do if my Pomeranian bites during play?

Yelp loudly and stop playing when ready. Leave the room for 30 seconds. Return and resume play. If the dog bites again, yelp and leave again. This teaches the dog that biting ends the fun. If biting continues or happens outside of play, consult a trainer or veterinary behaviorist because pain, fear, or a medical issue may be involved.