Training a Pomeranian Show Dog

If you are thinking of showing your Pomeranian dog, then show training should be started early.

It is important to start training much earlier than you would for ordinary puppies. The ideal show puppy starts training several weeks before leaving the breeder’s care. By training them early and with consistency, Pomeranian show dogs learn really fast and can handle the basic skills at a tender age. Pomeranians are very intelligent and eager to learn. Make training a fun enjoyable time for Pomeranian and owner.

If you intend to show your Pomeranian dog , it is imperative that you start the training early. You will need to be firm but kind to the Pomeranian . A Pomeranian puppy can have a mind of its own If you are buying a Pomeranian from a Show Breeder, enquire about the specific training it will be given ,before it is handed over to you.

There is a famous motto that says, “Puppies learn what they repeat and promote what you permit.”

This should guide you in choosing the right approach when training your puppy. Positive reinforcement methods are the only way to train a small toy dog like a Pomeranian. Pomeranians love and excel being trained with postive reinforcment , and example of the method I use on my Pomeranians is clicker training. This method works wonders and the proof is in my huge success exhibiting many Best in Show Champion Pomeranians during the last 35 years.

These postive methods require you to reward the desired behavior with a present, say, food or a toy. Using this type of conformation show training, you also help prevent the puppy from developing bad habits

Naming your Pomeranian puppy

Puppies need to be named immediately they are born. Constantly referring to the puppy by it's name will help puppy get accustomed to the name. By the time the puppy is three weeks old , puppy will be able to differentiate itself from any group of dogs that may be present.

Dog breeders should strengthen the self esteem of puppies by giving them names, without waiting for the new owners to decide on names.

Dogs adapt to new names easily so the new owners can always give there puppy a different name if they so desire. There is a easy, simple way to accomplish this without confusing the puppy in the process.Start by adding the new name to the name given by the breeder, after a few days of using both names together you can then drop the old name and only use your preferred name for your puppy.By doing the name change this way, Puppy will not notice he has had a name change.

If you are purchasing your puppy from a breeder ask if the puppy is named, if this is not the case decide on a name for your new Pomeranian and ask the breeder to always use this name.

Looking for a name for your new Pomeranian Puppy? For lists of thousands of puppy names visit PetNames.Mobi either on your desktop computer or Mobile Phone.

Bait Training

The most important trait you can teach a dog is maintaining eye contact with you when you are giving it a command. Train them in this when feeding them. A practical example is by repeating the word “cookie” every time you put the bowl containing food down and the puppy starts gobbling it up. This is a word commonly used by exhibitors and breeders to catch the attention of puppies. You can also use any other word. Repeating the word is a trick to make the puppy associate the word with a pleasant experience, such as eating in this case.

Use the same word to focus the attention of the puppy on you when giving it bait and treats from your hand, at a different time when the puppy is in a Stand-Stay. This technique is known as baiting and is very useful to dogs used in shows, because it helps the dog stand for judging. Judges at the show use the pose to grade the puppy’s performance in outline and balance according to the standards spelled out for the Pomeranian breed.

Dog food is commonly used as bait for the younger puppies while older show dogs can be given hot dogs and liver. Exhibitors can give the dogs bait from their hand, mouth or pocket but care should be taken to feed the dog only enough bait to get the job done. Another habit you should never teach your puppy is receiving snacks and treats while seated. If you teach your Pomeranian Puppy to accept treats while sated, that is exactly what it will do in the show ring So make Show training easier and never teach a Pomeranian dog to sit for treats.. At a dog show Pomeranian dogs are expected to always stand when in the ring and should not sit at any time.

Standing on the Table for Examination

As a toy dog , Pomeranians are examined by the Judge on a small table in the show ring. A Pomeranian is expected to remain standing during examination time. The Show Judge will check the Pomeranian , including looking in the inside of the dog’s mouth to check the Pomeranian's teeth, the genitalia and other places. Stand-Stay is the biggest achievement that can be used to help puppies get accustomed to standing for examination by the Judge.

At 4 or 5 weeks, the puppies should be able to stand up straight. Practise standing your Pomeranian puppy in front of a mirror, so that you can accurately evaluate their balance and outline. You can also see what the Pomeranian looks like on the Show Side in the mirror. This is the side of your Pomeranian that the Judge will see. Practise standing your Pomeranian in the front of a mirror will help make this pose perfect.

During evaluation, hold the puppy in a standing position and count up to ten. Keep increasing the numbers while still maintaining the puppy’s position. As it gets older and stronger, the Pomeranian dog will be able to hold this position on its own.

Have a second person to touch the puppy while it remains standing. Once it is older, you can now teach it to stand on the ground as you examine it. This helps in making the dog get used to human touch, but most dog show judges will examine the puppies as they stand on a table. There are those who will do it when the puppy is in the ground.

Gaiting on a lead

It isvery important to teach the dog how to walk on a lead as this greatly influences its performance at the show. Some dogs who do not like taking leads will probably be gaiting with their heads down, or taking some funny walking gaits – either irregular paces or gallops. Therefore it is vital to create a positive lead relationship very early with all Pomeranian puppies.

Start lead training by putting a small collar on your Pomeranian puppy’s neck. Use treats to lure the puppy into following you around.Let Puppy just follow you around and give small treats of bait and much praise when he does the right thing.After a few days attach a small short lead to the collar and repeat letting the Pomeranain just follow you around with the lead trailing.Stopping often and giving much praise and treats. When Puppy is walking around happily, then is the time to take the lead in your hand. You can then begin formal lead training when puppy s comfortable wearing thelead and following you.

The lead training sessons should last no longer than 5 to 10 minutes. Puppies are like all babies and have a very short attention span. Keep training a fun time for puppy and you will be rewarded with great results very quckly.

Alway remember to end on a postive note. If puppy refuses to do a task. Go back a step to something that you know he will do and end the training session on a happy winning note for puppy and owner.

I dont believe in a Pomeranian wearing a collar at all times and I only use a collar for training purposes. If a collar is left on a Pomeranian dog full time , a dog collar may damage the dense coat around the Pomeranian's neck .

Grooming

Introduce your Pomeranian puppy general grooming techniques when still young. Start the way you mean to continue and include nail-trimming, combing, cleaning the teeth, blow drying, bathing and other grooming.

At four months old, your Pomeranian puppy should have finished all vaccines. You may then start including advanced training and socialization outings.

Copyright 1997-2009 Denise Leo. All rights reserved.

About the author- Denise Leo has been breeding/exhibiting Champion Best in Show Pomeranians since 1975. Visit Denise Leo's Pomeranian page.