Start with a consistent schedule and small designated space

Pomeranians are small dogs with small bladders, so they need to go outside more often than larger breeds — typically every two to three hours during the day when they are young, and at minimum four times daily as adults. The fastest way to potty train a Pomeranian is to take them out on a fixed schedule: first thing in the morning, after meals, after playtime, before bed, and at midday if possible. This removes the guesswork and teaches your dog that bathroom time happens at predictable moments.

Inside the house, confine your Pomeranian to a small area when you cannot watch them directly — a pen, crate, or single room works well. Dogs naturally avoid soiling the space where they sleep and eat, so a small confined area makes accidents less likely and teaches them to hold it longer. The moment you let them roam the whole house unsupervised, they will find a corner to use as a bathroom.

Key Takeaways

  • Take your Pomeranian outside every two to three hours on a fixed schedule, and always when ready after eating, playing, or waking up.
  • Confine your dog to a small crate or pen when you cannot supervise them, because dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area.
  • Reward your dog with praise and a small treat the moment they finish going outside, before you come back in.
  • Pomeranians are prone to marking behavior indoors; neutering or spaying before six months old reduces this significantly.
  • Accidents will happen — clean them with enzymatic cleaner so your dog does not smell their own scent and return to the same spot.

Watch for the signs your Pomeranian needs to go

Most Pomeranians show the same behaviors before they need to go: sniffing the ground, circling, whining, or moving toward the door. Some will scratch at the door or sit by it. Learn your individual dog's signal — it may be one of these or a combination. The moment you see the signal, take your dog outside when ready, even if it is not yet time for a scheduled break.

Pomeranians are also prone to going to the bathroom right after they wake up from a nap, so watch for this pattern and take them out as soon as their eyes open. The same applies after playtime or excitement — their heart rate goes up and they need to go within minutes.

Reward when ready and consistently

The moment your Pomeranian finishes going outside, give praise and a small treat — within seconds, not after you come back inside. Your dog needs to connect the act of going outside with the reward, not the act of coming back in. Use a specific phrase like "good potty" so your dog learns the words that go with the behavior.

Treats should be tiny for a Pomeranian — a piece of kibble or a pea-sized piece of chicken works better than a full biscuit, because you will be doing this many times a day and you do not want to overfeed. Praise alone (a happy voice, petting) works just as well as treats for many Pomeranians, especially if you are consistent about it.

Handle accidents without punishment

Accidents happen, especially in the first weeks. Never yell at, hit, or rub your dog's nose in an accident — this teaches fear, not bladder control, and makes the dog hide to go to the bathroom instead of asking to go outside. If you catch your dog in the act, calmly interrupt them, take them outside when ready, and reward if they finish outside.

If you find an accident after the fact, clean it thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner (like Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie), not regular soap. Regular cleaners leave a scent that dogs can smell even after the spot looks clean, and your Pomeranian will return to that same spot. Enzymatic cleaners break down the urine compounds so the scent is truly gone.

Address marking behavior in male Pomeranians

Male Pomeranians are notorious for marking — lifting their leg on furniture, walls, and corners indoors even after they are housetrained. This is different from regular bathroom accidents and happens because of testosterone and territorial instinct. Neutering before six months old prevents most marking behavior; neutering after a dog has already started marking reduces it but may not stop it completely.

If your male Pomeranian is marking, take him out more frequently and watch for the sniffing-and-circling signal. Some owners also use belly bands (wraps that go around the dog's waist) as a temporary measure while working on the behavior, though this is not a solution on its own. Enzymatic cleaning of marked spots is essential, because the scent will draw him back.

Expect a longer timeline than with larger breeds

Pomeranians are intelligent but stubborn, and their small size means they can hold their bladder for less time than larger dogs. Most Pomeranians are reliably housetrained by four to six months old if you follow a strict schedule, but some take longer. A few Pomeranians struggle with housetraining into adulthood, particularly if they were not started early or if they came from a puppy mill background.

Do not expect a Pomeranian puppy under three months old to have full bladder control — their nervous system is still developing. Focus on the routine and the reward system, and the control will follow. If your Pomeranian is older than six months and still having frequent accidents, talk to a veterinarian to rule out a urinary tract infection or other medical issue.

Use a crate correctly to reinforce the habit

A crate should be just large enough for your Pomeranian to stand, turn around, and lie down — not so large that they can go to the bathroom in one corner and sleep in another. A crate that is too big defeats the purpose. When your dog is in the crate, they will hold it because they do not want to soil their sleeping space. The moment you let them out, take them directly outside.

Never use the crate as punishment, and never leave your dog crated for longer than they can physically hold their bladder. A young Pomeranian can typically hold it for one hour per month of age (a three-month-old for three hours), plus one. Adult dogs can usually hold it for four to six hours, but Pomeranians do better with more frequent breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to potty train a Pomeranian?

Most Pomeranians are reliably housetrained by four to six months old with a consistent schedule and reward system. Some take longer, especially if they came from a puppy mill or were not started early. Consistency matters more than speed — a dog trained slowly with a strict routine will be more reliable than one trained quickly with an inconsistent one.

Can I use puppy pads instead of taking my Pomeranian outside?

Puppy pads teach your dog that going to the bathroom indoors is acceptable, which makes the transition to outdoor-only bathroom habits harder later. If you must use pads, place them by the door and gradually move them closer to the outside, then remove them entirely. Most trainers recommend skipping pads and going straight to outdoor training.

What if my Pomeranian goes to the bathroom right after coming inside?

This usually means your dog did not fully empty their bladder outside, or they went too quickly to finish. Spend more time outside — stand quietly and let your dog sniff and circle without rushing them back in. Some Pomeranians need five to ten minutes to fully go. If this happens every time, your dog may have a medical issue; ask your veterinarian.

Is my Pomeranian too old to potty train?

No. Adult Pomeranians can learn to be housetrained at any age, though it takes longer than training a puppy. Follow the same schedule and reward system. If your adult Pomeranian was never trained or came from a neglectful background, expect three to six months of consistent work. A veterinarian should rule out medical issues first.

Why does my Pomeranian have accidents only at night?

Young puppies cannot hold their bladder overnight — this is normal until around four to six months old. Use a crate at night and take your puppy out right before bed and first thing in the morning. If your adult Pomeranian is having nighttime accidents, talk to your veterinarian, because this can signal a urinary tract infection or other health issue.