Pomeranian puppy training can be either an arduous task or an exhilarating one depending on how much time you have and how much patience you “actually” have. A couple of weeks back I was very annoyed at one of my “then”, Pommy Mommies of America Facebook group members. I’m actually a pretty patient person (say that 5 times really fast) when it comes to people asking me questions about Pomeranian puppy training… but this went too far. She kept asking the group, “How could she keep her Pomeranian puppy, that she just bought, from peeing on her couch and carpet”. Pomeranian Puppy Training
I had answered her, my husband and 30 other people answered her with pretty much the same answer. You need to restrict her movement around the house and keep her off furniture. When you are not around her to monitor her behavior it is best to “crate” her or put her somewhere safe, like a play pen or actual pen. The group member told me and every one else that answered that she couldn’t afford a crate, pen or otherwise. This is what got me annoyed, Pomeranian Puppy training is very important… and if not done correctly can lead to problems down the road. Pomeranian Puppy Training
Pomeranians are a very special breed, that require very special care and training. If you can’t afford the necessary tools to provide an appropriate home environment for “house breaking” or as us Pommy Mommies call it, “Potty Training”, then don’t get a Pomeranian… and for that matter, don’ get a dog. Get a cat, a gerbil or a bird… but don’t get a Pomeranian. Although I still don’t believe this woman should have a Pomeranian puppy and no amount of Pomeranian puppy training she did would matter… it got me thinking. If you’ve been reading the blog long or follow me on Instagram and Facebook you’ll know that I have the cutest most wonderful PomChi named “Little” Sophia. Pomeranian puppy training
Well, “Little” Sophia is getting up there in age… she’s 13 years old but it’s not really the age part that’s a challenge, it’s the abuse that she suffered at the hands of her previous owners. If you don’t know “Little” Sophia, she has neurological damage in her neck and spine, where her vertebrae are separated and expose her spinal cord. An injury sustained from being thrown against a wall, the Vet has surmised. Both of her back legs are locked in place with luxating patellas that can not be fixed… so she walks like she’s wearing high heels and her back in curved.
She loves to walk around and get into various mischief… our challenge is that she can’t keep her balance for very long and falls into things and can get hurt. We don’t have any problems with her urinating inside the house because she pees on “potty pads” and I take her out whenever she starts her cute little bark. (everyone says she sounds like a baby seal) but when we leave the house I was filled with anxiety. I felt I needed to restrict her movement so we tried to “crate” her but the crate seemed too small. She kept banging into the metal cage part which concerned me that the metal would hurt her separated vertebrae. I was also a little afraid she might get her little paws stuck in the grating. That’s just me as a overly loving Pommy Mommy. So I ran it passed my ever resourceful husband… if you know him, he literally has an answer for everything. Most of the time it can be annoying but in this case I was happy to hear his opinion.
“Little” Sophia is very small, only 3 lbs and can’t jump. We were talking about getting a little playpen for her but then he looked out the window to the backyard and saw that I had set up the baby pool I bought for Maggie a couple years back… for the then boys (Luka & Niko) to play in. He suggested we just use an empty… yes, very important, empty pool, as in no water, to help with our dilemma. I thought it was a great idea. We placed potty pads on the bottom, blankets over them and place her little bed inside. It was awesome. Pomeranian Puppy Training
She’s got traction to walk around, if she falls there’s blankets to cushion her fall, and if she falls sideways… she is then cushioned by the plastic puffy walls. The pool is big enough to give her room but not give her too much to get in trouble… because she is blind now she also uses the walls as a guide to get around. It has worked so well that I bought another one for my husband’s office , it’s a little smaller but works just as well. We like to keep an eye on her at all times, so when I go out I didn’t want to be dragging the larger pool all the way up to the third floor where his office is. Now I just bring “Little” Sophia up there and he watches her while he’s working. The average healthy Pomeranian is a great jumper and depending on their size could easily escape. This is obviously not for them.
Pomeranian Puppy Training
Getting back to my story about not being able to afford a crate, pen or otherwise. Puppies “need” to be restricted to establish boundaries and to help potty train them. We are lucky because Pomeranians are extremely smart and can pick up commands and training, and I may be biased here but… better than any other breed I know. So to the woman who couldn’t afford a crate… I suggest you spend the $6.99 for a kids blow up pool and do the right thing by setting up boundaries for your little furry baby and continue your Pomeranian puppy training. For everyone else who may have to restrict your Pomeranian’s movements for any reason, like they’re hurt, sick or getting older and need a safe haven like “Little” Sophia, do yourself a favor and go buy a kids blow up pool and give yourself some peace of mind. I can’t tell you how much better I feel leaving “Little” Sophia home… it’s like a weight was lifted off my heart. Pomeranian Puppy Training
22 comments
TARA,what a great idea, my baby is 6 weeks now do you think it’s too early to potty train. I try the paper thing but doesn’t work a lot of times.
E
TARA,what a great idea, my baby is 6 weeks now do you think it’s too early to potty train. I try the paper thing but doesn’t work a lot of times.
E
TARA,what a great idea, my baby is 6 weeks now do you think it’s too early to potty train. I try the paper thing but doesn’t work a lot of times.
E
TARA,what a great idea, my baby is 6 weeks now do you think it’s too early to potty train. I try the paper thing but doesn’t work a lot of times.
E
I feel bad for that little pommy. Pomeranians are expensive dogs. If she can’t afford a $23 crate I don’t know what she’ll do with a $25 and higher grooming charge every other month. And $60 flea meds and vet bills and food…
You can also use an enclosed shower stahl or bathtub!
I am a first time pommy mommy. Here in Denmark is is illegal to take puppies form their mother before 8 weeks! Kittens have to be 12 weeks. I have used a crate for my pom very shortly. He just cried, cried and cried. Then I allowed him to enter my whole house and he was so happy and no more trouble. I have learned him that my bedroom is for human only. The same rule for the gate from my garden to public way. Go to the gate and no longer. To do the “Potty Training” I walked with him severalt times a day. And always after eating, playing and sleeping. He is 1 now. Now a days I walk with him at 6. in the morning, 15. at the afternoon, after eating at 18. and again just before sleeping time 22.30. It works very nice.
Wow Tara. Never knew Sophia’s full story. Can’t believe that beautiful girl had such a hard beginning.
That’s so awesome !!! I’ll have to file that away for when my Divas get older.
When my pommies had their first litter of 6 baby-Pom’s we used a kids pool to contain them. Mom and dad could get in and out at will, but the babies were safe and sound.
All good advice and I certainly agree that any pet takes resources – if you can’t afford a vet, ongoing care and day to day necessary items, please don’t get a pet. Number one reason why so many pets end up in rescue.
wonderful idea I knew Little Sophia’s story from reading about it through your page and it breaks my heart what this lil girl has gone through in her lifetime and how it keeps coming referring to her blindness she is my true inspiration and her story has inspired many to be advocates to pet abuse I thank you and your husband for sharing her with us daily via your pages she always puts a smile in my heart and on my face I will 4 ver be inspired and a fan of this beautiful lil Angels <3
wonderful idea I knew Little Sophia’s story from reading about it through your page and it breaks my heart what this lil girl has gone through in her lifetime and how it keeps coming referring to her blindness she is my true inspiration and her story has inspired many to be advocates to pet abuse I thank you and your husband for sharing her with us daily via your pages she always puts a smile in my heart and on my face I will 4 ver be inspired and a fan of this beautiful lil Angels <3
wonderful idea I knew Little Sophia’s story from reading about it through your page and it breaks my heart what this lil girl has gone through in her lifetime and how it keeps coming referring to her blindness she is my true inspiration and her story has inspired many to be advocates to pet abuse I thank you and your husband for sharing her with us daily via your pages she always puts a smile in my heart and on my face I will 4 ver be inspired and a fan of this beautiful lil Angels <3
wonderful idea I knew Little Sophia’s story from reading about it through your page and it breaks my heart what this lil girl has gone through in her lifetime and how it keeps coming referring to her blindness she is my true inspiration and her story has inspired many to be advocates to pet abuse I thank you and your husband for sharing her with us daily via your pages she always puts a smile in my heart and on my face I will 4 ver be inspired and a fan of this beautiful lil Angels <3
I so agree with u about the woman and the pom training. Why get a dog if you can’t take care of it’s needs! But the story of Sophie made my eyes water up! If only there were more people with that kind of compassion! Bless u and your family!
Great advice, fellow Pommy Mommy. First… if you’re not financially able to provide for a dog (or any animal, for that matter), then do NOT get one. There’s more to it than just buying them food every week. And of course some breeds, such as Poms, might need special care such as grooming or might have other health issues so need to be treated. Potty training a puppy is hard work, especially if you’re not there all day, everyday to monitor their actions. Restricting them to a certain area is not punishment, but like you said helps teach them. I’ve had Poms for over 20 years, and have also found gates to be very useful. It’s alot easier cleaning up a little puddle off a kitchen floor than out of carpeting or worse yet, furniture. Also, alot less expensive than replacing carpeting or a couch because of staining or smell.
the picture is feather, my pom….she is going on 7 feb 1st…well, i trained her to go potty outside the first 3 yrs i had her…then i moved into a senior apt building on the third floor…well, our winters in upstate ny are brutal and i made up my mind that i wasn’t going to go through another winter taking her out several times a day and night…i saw the puppy potty training apartment on you tube…it was very expensive, but i had to have it…i am retired and on social security so, i opted to make a down payment and have installments taken out of my checking once a month…it wasn’t easy to retrain her, but the winter is coming and we are all set..i also saw in target pee pads with a bullseye in the middle to teach your dog to go on the middle instead of all over the pad and maybe missing…it works!!! there is something on that bullseye that draws them right to it…hope this helps some of you who are having a hard time training your pups…
the picture is feather, my pom….she is going on 7 feb 1st…well, i trained her to go potty outside the first 3 yrs i had her…then i moved into a senior apt building on the third floor…well, our winters in upstate ny are brutal and i made up my mind that i wasn’t going to go through another winter taking her out several times a day and night…i saw the puppy potty training apartment on you tube…it was very expensive, but i had to have it…i am retired and on social security so, i opted to make a down payment and have installments taken out of my checking once a month…it wasn’t easy to retrain her, but the winter is coming and we are all set..i also saw in target pee pads with a bullseye in the middle to teach your dog to go on the middle instead of all over the pad and maybe missing…it works!!! there is something on that bullseye that draws them right to it…hope this helps someof you who are having a hard time training your pups…
I have a beautiful Throwback Pom I rescued. Maybe it is because I was raised with so many animals growing up and continue doing rescue and proper rehoming to exotic pets but if people just did basic needs there wouldn’t be so many animals to rescue. It took me about 6 months to unwind all kinds of serious issues but I did it common sense, internet, books, and my background of having so many animals. Now everywhere I go people want to take my Pom home. Now the only problem I have with him is he won’t go without me and my friends don’t want to babysit him. I wish people would do some research before they take in these poor defenseless animals. We are so blessed to have them!
I love Poms, I had one for 13 years and she was not suppose to live but 5 years or less because of some health problems she was born with. I have tried to find another puppy that I could be happy with and after several years have found one and she is a mix with Yorkie and Pom and she is perfect for us. I live these puppies and will get another one if something happens to this one.
awesome idea! i bought a used playpen from a second hand baby store when my oldest was just a pup.
but the pool idea is a fantastic idea for pups too!!!