Pomeranian Grooming and Training

Pomeranian grooming and training are a vital part of dog ownership.

These beautiful little dogs have fluffy fur and smiling faces. They are very smart and eager to please their owners. They make wonderful companions and can even be good watch dogs, but you must train them with a firm hand so that they know that you are the boss. The Pom should weigh between 3 and 7 pounds (although there are much larger ones around, they are not to the breed standard but still make great pets!). They require little exercise and are well suited to apartment life. With proper care, they can live to around 15 years of age.

Care and Grooming

Pomeranians are easy to care for but do need some special attention. They can be easily groomed in less than 1 hour a day, but I am sure you will want to spend much more time than that bonding with your pet!

Teeth

It is important that your pet get good dental care. Pomeranians are prone to tooth loss and bacteria build up. If the bacteria is allowed to run unchecked, this can cause problems with your pets overall health. Luckily, maintaining good dental health is easy! Simply buy an enzymatic toothpaste that fights bacteria (your vet can recommend a good brand) and a small tooth brush (I use the one that has a loop that fits on my finger). Try to brush your dogs teeth every day. Have your vet do a dental exam once a year and scaling if necessary.

Fur

Brushing your Pomeranian every day is a good way to bond with your pet as well as insure his coat is healthy and looks good. Poms have a double coat that can easily become matted so brushing is necessary. A once a week – or every couple of weeks – bath is a nice way to keep your Pom smelling and looking good! Don’t forget to groom around his paws and tail area as well as clip his nails.

Eyes

Like most small dogs, Poms can have a buildup of discharge from their eyes that can cause a lumpy mess. This buildup can stain the fur and, although my Pom’s never said anything, I’m sure it must be uncomfortable. To avoid this mess, simply clean the eye area each day with a Q-tip. Be sure not to get too close to the eye as you don’t want to accidentally poke your pet in the eye!

House Breaking

Potty Training your Pom can be a dreaded chore, but there is no need for it to cause anxiety as it is simply requires patience and diligence.

One way to begin is to wait around until the dog starts to “go”. Immediately approach the little guy, pick him up gently but firmly, and tell him "No No" with a firm clear voice. Carry your puppy immediately outside, preferably to a pre designated area, and set him down on his haunches, holding him firmly for a few moments. If he still needs to relieve himself, keep him in that spot and pat and praise him when he's finished. OK! Not so hard, eh?

This method is a fast and effective method to house breaking your pomeranian, who, with the correct amount of tending and praise, will be potty trained in no time at all. Persistence and patience is the key – you must catch the dog in the act as much as possible for this to work. If you come home and find he has made a mess, getting upset at the dog and yelling will only confuse him and will not do anything to help the training along.

Keep in mind when training your Pomeranian - never hit the pooch. Positive reinforcement will be much more effective than negative when training your pet. Remember, your pet is eager to please you and will respond much better if he knows he has a chance to be rewarded as opposed to punished..