How to Train a 5 Year Old Pomeranian

Pomeranians originated in Germany in the 1800s, though the original dogs were much larger than the 3-7 pound Pomeranians we are familiar with today. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed as early as 1900. Pomeranians are energetic, friendly and outgoing dogs. They are very loyal to their families and often take it upon themselves to act as a watchdog over the home. Pomeranians are an intelligent breed, and though an untrained adult of 5 years may have developed bad habits, it will be eager to learn. You can train your adult Pomeranian quickly by using positive reinforcement training techniques.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set rules and boundaries for your Pomeranian. These are bold dogs that will take control of your house if you give them the opportunity. A 5-year-old Pomeranian may already think it is in charge. Give it rules to follow to establish yourself as head of the house. Choose any rules you want, but consider limiting your Pomeranian's access to furniture or certain rooms, requiring it to "earn" its meals by waiting politely while you prepare them or asking it to stay away from the door and wait to greet visitors.

    • 2

      Socialize your Pomeranian. This can be a difficult challenge for a 5-year-old dog. Socialization is best done in the first 6 months of life. Your Pomeranian may have already developed fears or a distrust of strangers, which is a trait that Pomeranians are prone to. Introduce your Pomeranian to as many different people as possible, in as many different locations as you can. Give your Pomeranian chances to interact with other dogs as well since this breed can be dog aggressive. Reward it every time it stays calm during these experiences.

    • 3

      Teach your Pomeranian basic obedience commands using treats as a reward. Even a 5-year-old can pick these up fairly quickly if you give it the incentives of treats and affection. Use the treat to coax your Pomeranian to move correctly for a command. Speak the command out loud as you do this. Always reward your Pomeranian for getting it right. If it makes a mistake, simply start again. Start withholding treats when your Pomeranian can consistently obey a command, but keep praising your dog.

    • 4

      Correct your Pomeranian's behavior problems by interrupting them. Don't punish your dog. It can be easily injured because of its small size. It can also become fearful in the face of punishment, which will only make behavior problems worse. Be patient. A 5-year-old dog can have 5 years of bad habit to break. Make a noise such as clapping, whistling or saying "no" to interrupt the behavior. Reward your Pomeranian instantly for listening to you. Gradually require it to quit the behavior for longer and longer periods before rewarding it.

    • 5

      Ignore "bossy" behavior such as nudging or barking and whining for attention. Pomeranians are outgoing dogs and may try to demand your attention. If you give in, you simply reward the behavior and teach your dog that it is appropriate. Even if you scold your Pomeranian, it still gets the attention it wants. Avoid reinforcing demanding behavior by ignoring it completely.