How to Train a Pomeranian Puppy to Not Bark

How to Train a Pomeranian Puppy to Not Bark
Medium difficulty iconMedium
Time icon3-9 Weeks
Behavior training category iconBehavior

Introduction

The doorbell rings. Your Pomeranian puppy barks. You pick up your their food bowl. They bark. A friend comes over to the house. Your dog barks. A leaf moves nearby on your walk. Your Pomeranian barks. The house is quiet and still. But still, your puppy barks. Pomeranians are descended from watchdogs and they take their jobs very seriously, which is why it is so important to train your Pomeranian puppy to not bark from an early age.

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Defining Tasks

The main thing to keep in mind while working on this behavior is you can't expect your dog to stop barking altogether. Barking for dogs is the same as talking for humans. Your Pomeranian is using their voice to let you know what is going on in their world. While you can't silence your puppy completely, you can work on minimizing excessive barking. Helping your dog learn when to bark is not just good for your stress level, it also teaches them to control their fear and feel safe and protected.

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Getting Started

Get ready to be patient. When training your Pomeranian puppy not to bark, keep your cool and avoid yelling at your Pom no matter how much noise you hear. Your pup doesn't hear your words. They just recognize that you are matching their volume, which will only make them bark more. Stay calm and show your dog that you have control over the situation. This attitude will make them much more likely to listen to you.

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The Be Quiet Method

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1

Identify what is causing your Pomeranian puppy to bark

Figuring out what types of stimulus set off your pup's barking is a good way to break bad habits. When you know those stimuli will be present, keep some treats on hand to reward the "be quiet" command.

2

Ask "What's the Matter?"

When your Pom starts to bark, tell them "good job" and then ask them "what's the matter?" Your calm reaction to the situation is important because it shows your pup that you are not worried about whatever has set them off.

3

Pair the "be quiet" command with a treat

Tell your Pom pup to be quiet and then wave a treat in front of their nose. Most Pomeranians will instantly start trying to sniff or lick the treat, which will stop them from barking. When your puppy stops barking, praise them.

4

Require quiet time

Don't give your puppy the treat right away. The first time you try this technique, wait for three seconds of quiet time before rewarding your Pom with the treat. This wait time teaches your pup that the reward is for quiet, not for barking.

5

Keep increasing the quiet time

The first few times, only make your puppy wait for three seconds or so before giving them the treat. Then, make them wait six seconds. Then, nine. If you are feeling brave, you can continue up to requiring a couple of minutes. Reaching that point will require a lot of patience, but will help significantly in curbing your Pomeranian puppy's barking habits.

The Invisible Wall Method

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1

Stay calm when your puppy starts barking

With this method, your job is to show your Pomeranian puppy that loud noises and other things that cause them to bark are no big deal. When they start barking, stay calm and relaxed. Don't raise your voice or let them know you are frustrated.

2

Create an invisible wall

Step in front of your puppy and don't move. If you can, put your back to whatever it is that is making your Pom bark, such as another dog or a visitor. This action shows him you do not feel threatened by the thing that is bothering him.

3

Correct your puppy's behavior

Once you create the invisible wall, choose a type of correction to show him you are in control of the situation. You can use a noise, a stern look, or a soft physical correction, such as a poke or tap.

4

Hold your ground

Your Pom puppy may stop for a moment in reaction to your correction and then go right back to barking. Keep up your invisible wall until your pup completely relaxes and recognizes that barking is not the right move.

5

Reward for quiet

Once your Pomeranian puppy calms down, you can give them a treat or some physical affection to reward them for calming down. Use the same series of steps each time your puppy starts barking to show them there is nothing to fear and that you are in charge of the situation.

The Interrupt and Redirect Method

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Find a good distraction for your Pomeranian

For this method, you will need something that can interrupt your Pomeranian puppy's bark fest and then a toy to redirect their energy. Designate a toy to use when your dog is barking. A good choice is a toy they don't usually have access to that effectively captures and keeps their attention, such as a squeaky toy.

2

Make your Pom bark

The first step to train your puppy not to bark is to make them bark. Knock on the door or the wall and let your puppy bark a few times before intervening. Remember, you are not trying to stop barking altogether, but limit excessive barking.

3

Interrupt your puppy's barking

A great way to interrupt your dog when they are barking is to use a command they are already familiar with. After a few barks, tell your Pom to sit. You can also try clapping or making another distracting noise.

4

Redirect your Pomeranian's focus

Ideally, the 'sit' command has interrupted your pup's barking fit. Now as a reward, you can give your Pom the designated toy. It gives them something else to focus on and provides reinforcement for the quiet.

5

Be consistent

Every time your puppy starts barking, use the same series of events to interrupt and redirect their actions. Eventually, your Pom will learn how much barking is allowed and when to keep quiet.

Written by Christina Gunning

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 03/23/2018, edited: 01/08/2021

Training Questions

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Training Questions and Answers

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Max

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Pomeranian

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10 Months

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Question

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My dog always barking at the windows or doors , when i say quiet stop until i gave him a treat and then starts again even more like waiting for a treat . What can i do , im desperate

June 16, 2022

Max's Owner

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Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

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1133 Dog owners recommended

Hello Tsvetemira, At this point, when pup becomes quiet, count to 10 before giving the treat - so you are rewarding staying quiet and not just stopping briefly. As pup improves, require pup to stay quiet for longer and longer a few extra seconds added at a time, until you have worked up to several minutes and pup staying quiet more than barking. Also, barking is a self-rewarding behavior due to the chemicals released in a dog's brain when they get highly aroused barking - therefore I would also make the barking itself unpleasant so its less rewarding to bark in the first place, while making the quietness rewarding instead. When pup gets quiet, reward with a treat, when pup goes back to barking right away, I would try telling pup "Ah Ah", then briefly spraying pup's side with an unscented air pet convincer to interrupt the continued barking. If pup stays quiet for a few seconds again after being interrupted, then reward again. Repeat the corrections each time pup barks, and rewards every few seconds pup stays quiet while looking out that window - or reward if pup simply disengages from the window and walks away. Finally, work on desensitizing pup to what's outside the window. If you see pup looking out the window at something they would normally have barked and they aren't barking, then reward the choice to be quiet instead of bark. In the end, this is what you most want to be able to reward, but pup probably needs those shorter quiet periods rewarded and the barking interrupted before they will offer quietness while looking out on their own - don't take that quietness for granted though, be sure to reward it for it to become a good long term habit, to deal with the barking long term. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 17, 2022

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Sadie

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Pomeranian

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9 Years

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She barks at everything )and everyone

April 30, 2022

Sadie's Owner

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Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

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1133 Dog owners recommended

Hello Karen, Check out the barking video series I have linked below. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAA4pob0Wl0W2agO7frSjia1hG85IyA6a Also, check out this article on barking, especially the Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 3, 2022


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