How to Care for a Pomchi Puppy

Collect your dog when it's about 12 weeks old. Pomchis should be weaned around 10 weeks, later than the average 8, and they should have been given their first set of injections. If this has not happened, book your puppy to have the injections as soon as possible. Your dog should appear healthy and happy.

Feed your Pomchi the same food it was weaned onto. Your breeder should provide a small amount until you can find a source for your own. Feed your Pomchi once a day, and ensure there is a bowl of fresh water available at all times. Don't give your Pomchi food containing bones, such as poultry, as these could splinter and seriously injure your puppy.

Purchase a crate for your puppy. As Pomchis are a small breed, they do not need large crates. Buy a crate that will be big enough for your dog to stretch out and stand up in even at adult size, and purchase dividers to make it smaller if your Pomchi does not enjoy the space. Most Pomchis prefer smaller, comfortable areas to live in. Line the crate with a blanket to keep it warm.

Introduce your Pomchi to the crate slowly, allowing it to explore and encouraging it inside. Once the puppy seems happy with the crate, close the door, but remain visible to your Pomchi on the other side. Let your Pomchi out and give it plenty of attention, or a treat, for being good. Close your Pomchi puppy in again, this time closing the door, turning the lights off and leaving the room for a few minutes. Return and reward your puppy again. Repeat until you can leave the room knowing your Pomchi is relaxing in his crate.

Enroll your Pomchi puppy in socialization lessons as promptly as possible. These can usually be attended as soon as the puppy has been vaccinated. Many vets and pet stores have information about socialization lessons, some of which might have a waiting list.

Socialize your Pomchi as much as possible. Have as many people around as possible, including other animals. This will help your dog to develop discipline and confidence, which will prevent him from becoming aggressive or unfriendly, a common problem in Pomchis.

Train your Pomchi to walk on a lead. Some Pomchi puppies dislike wearing a collar at first, so give your dog two or three days to get used to this. Then attach a lead and walk with your puppy. Stop whenever your Pomchi pulls, wait for her to return to you, then carry on walking. Although this might seem excessive, it is the easiest way to get your Pomchi to behave on walks.

Attend training classes for the basics such as sit, lie down and stay. Small dogs are notoriously hard to train, and Pomchis can be very slow to learn commands. Attending a class will give you a variety of methods to help train your Pomchi, alongside another method of socialization.

Brush your Pomchi every day. At first you might need to hold your Pomchi close and brush, but most will then begin to enjoy being brushed.Because of the nature of Pomchi hair, they need to be brushed every day to prevent knotting.

Take your Pomchi to a groomer regularly, and have a complete coat wash and cut. This will keep your dog clean and looking smart. Many groomers also check over ears and cut nails as side services. Make sure the groomer has cut a Pomchi, Pomeranian or Chihuahua before so that she knows what to expect. Your breeder might be able to suggest a groomer who has experience with Pomchis.