1. Do not rely on hitting to solve problems. Many people think a disobedient Pomeranian simply needs to be beaten, but hitting alone does not solve anything. It may stop the dog in the moment, yet it does not teach the dog what it did wrong. In the long run, frequent hitting may even cause the dog to become aggressive toward its owner.
2. Do not call the Pomeranian's name carelessly. For the dog, its name is just a signal. Once a name has been chosen, it should stay with the dog for life. When you say the name, it means you want the dog to pay attention. During training, however, it is the command that should be repeated, not the name. For example, call the dog's name once to get attention, then say "sit." If it does not sit, repeat "sit," not the name.
3. Do not keep changing commands. Once a cue has been chosen, it should remain the same. "Sit" should always mean sit. Commands are easiest when they are one or two words long. If you change them frequently, skills may need to be retrained from the beginning.
4. Do not let every family member give different instructions. Once a command is established, everyone in the household should know what it means and use the same wording. If different people use different cues, the dog becomes confused and previously learned training may have to be repeated.
5. Do not give the dog chances to fail. Pomeranians can be opportunistic and a little crafty, so training should move gradually from leash guidance to off-leash work. Once a command is given, the dog should be guided to obey. If it makes a mistake, correct it immediately. Ignoring wrong behavior can undo earlier progress.
6. Learn to understand Pomeranian behavior. Before training, owners should understand some basic body language and the reasons behind barking. Tail movement, play bows, posture, and other physical signals all carry meaning. Because dogs speak mainly through their bodies, understanding that language is essential.
7. Do not depend too heavily on food rewards. Treats are important in training, but too many can teach the dog to obey only when snacks are visible. The dog should learn that petting, praise, and other enjoyable things can also count as rewards.
8. Do not assume the dog has fully mastered a skill too easily. Every skill needs reinforcement. A dog may seem to understand a command in one moment but still be unable to perform it reliably. Only after a command is obeyed correctly more than 90 percent of the time indoors should training gradually move outdoors.
9. Do not put too much pressure on the dog. A Pomeranian is not a human being, and even a very smart dog has a mind closer to that of a young child. If the dog does not understand something, do not scold it harshly. Too much pressure will only make it less cooperative. Progress should happen step by step.
10. Do not force the dog to train when it is unwilling. Pomeranian training should happen with the dog's willing participation. At its core, training is interaction between owner and dog. If the dog feels training is a form of play with its owner, it will cooperate much better.