Pomeranian Puppies

Pomeranian Obedience Training

The Useful "SIT" Command: To teach your Pomeranian successfully you should know what your goal is. Some commands and exercises should not be taught until a dog is six months of age. The "sit" command though can be taught when a puppy is three months old. This command is one of the most useful of all exercises, because it allows to control your dog in many situations.

To teach your Pom puppy, lay your hand on its neck (your left hand) and gently push down his hindquarters with your right hand. Say "Sit" firmly and loudly. Keep the puppy in a sitting position and keep on saying "sit", but do NOT add any other words! After a moment or two give the puppy a tasty tidbit. Let him go and pat him.

Repeat a lesson twice more, using exactly the same procedure each time, and that is sufficient for the day. If you do it more times, you will only do harm. Repeat the lesseon next day. You must be regular in your instruction or it will be wasted. The tidbit is an integral part of the teaching. An ordinary intelligent puppy will have learned to sit at the word of the command in a few days.

This command is very useful and "puppy safe" because it allows you to avoid the use of force. Force should never be used, if possible.

The "HEEL" Command: Walking at heel both on and off leash is the first exercise to teach a young dog, and one which is the basis of all work. If you have to deal with an dog who learned to pull, you are strongly advised to send it to an experienced trainer, since this is very difficult to cure.

There are two types of "heel": the competition "heel" when you need to keep your dog as close to your knee as possible, and the ordinary "follow" command. If you plan to compete, it seems quite reasonable to use two different terms, otherwise, your Pomeranian will become confused. If you only want the dog to be within control while you are taking an ordinary walk, you can say "back". That means that he is not to dash forward or to leave you. For the class work you must give the "heel" command.

Just remember that ANY exercise should aim at improving your relationship with your Pomeranian and NOT make him bored and miserable. Take the leash in your right hand and, holding it tight, say in a firm tone of voice "Heel". Walk along quickly and at intervals bend down (the dog is at your left side) and pat his shoulder. When you turn to the left, do so quickly. You will find that the dog will turn quickly, because he will want to get out of your way. But when you turn to the right, the dog will slow up. Do NOT give him a jerk on the collar: it will hurt him! Instead, as you turn, draw him closely to your knee and give him a tasty bit which he really likes.

Try to make the lesson a pleasure, not a penance: bend often to pat, encourage your Pom to keep close to your knee, and reward. The "about turn" should also be rewarded: your Pom needs to learn to turn extremely quickly to keep pace with the handler. Three turns each way and three "about turns" will be plenty for one walk, and do NOT give any other orders for the rest of the walk.

If you succeed in teaching your dog to walk smartly and cheerfully at "heel", you should be proud of your accomplishment: the "heel" command is one of the most difficult of exercises!