How to Train a Pomeranian to Come
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Introduction
Training your Pomeranian to come when you call him, also known as “recall,” is a vital life skill to give him. Since they are such small dogs, Poms can sometimes find themselves in the line of danger the blink of an eye. You want to be able to call him to your side to make sure he stays safe and sound!
Although intelligent, Pomeranians can be headstrong and obstinate, especially if they are not used to training. Try to bring some patience to the table when teaching recall. The trick to getting your Pomeranian to come when you call, every time? Make her think it is in her best interest to do so, of course!
Read on to find out how to train the basic skills for recall. We will also show you how to turn your training sessions into a fun game as well how to “proof” the behavior so you can count on your Pomeranian coming even when there are distractions around such as other dogs, people or toys that she loves.
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Defining Tasks
You won’t teach your Pomeranian to come every time in a few training sessions. However, if you are patient with her, and follow some basic principles, you should be able to teach her to reliably come when you give the recall command with a few months of practice under different conditions.
Here are some tips to follow in addition to the step by step methods offered in this guide:
- Never punish your dog when she comes after being called to you.
- Don’t let your Pomeranian turn recall training into a game where you chase her around. Just ignore any failures to come in the beginning with a “hard ignore.” This means you just walk away and stop engaging her -- and you're taking your treat bag with you!
- Keep your training sessions upbeat, focused on the positive, and fun. Try to trick your Pom into thinking that training is just a game he is constantly winning because he is so awesome and you will soon have a loyal trainee on your hands!
- If you ever need to fetch your dog in an emergency, never run at her – always run away from her while exclaiming loudly and excitedly. This usually triggers dogs to come find out what is going on, rather than running away from you and possibly towards danger.
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Getting Started
Even the smartest Pomeranian in the world will need some patience and consistency in order to learn to come when called reliably. You will need to teach the basics, as well as practice recalling her in as many new places as you can.
Your Pom will learn best if training sessions are short and fun and she is rewarded at a very high rate. In addition, randomly choose a few times a day to practice recall and be sure you have a great reward ready when she responds. These random tests should receive extremely valuable rewards and high praise.
The only special equipment you will need to teach your dog to come when called is a leash or rope that is about 25’ long. The purpose of this long line will be so you can work with her outside safely. It will also allow you to enforce your recall in the later stages of training.
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The Basic Skills Method
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Set up
When you are ready to start teaching your Pom to come when called, start with this method first. Make sure you get started in a quiet and low-distraction environment with some treats she really enjoys.
First tries
The first few times you use your recall command, “come!”, you want him to already be running towards you. The best way is to run away from him, saying the command as he starts to chase to you. This also makes things lots of fun! Be sure to reach down and touch his collar before giving him a reward once he catches up to you. Repeat 10-20 times.
More distance
You can start to add some distance with your recall drills to add to the challenge. If you really want to make it fun for him, try a little hide and seek once he really has some confidence with coming when called.
Take it outdoors
To take your recall training to the next level, you will want to take him outside. Use the long line so you can grab him if he tries to make a run for it. Now you can really put some distance between you and your Pom. Remember to keep training sessions fun, focus on rewarding success, and touch that collar before rewarding.
Time out
At some point you will need to add a negative consequence when he fails to come after a few seconds when called, or your Pom will decide that coming when called is “optional.” It is important that he has lots of practice before you make this transition. A good consequence is to give him a 3 minute “time out” in his kennel when he fails to obey. Once you make this turn in your training, you must stop using your recall command unless you are prepared to back it up with some enforcement.
Advanced skills training
Move on the 'Proofing' method to learn how to get your dog’s recall even stronger.
The Fun Recall Game Method
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Get set up
This is a way to make practicing recall loads of fun for both you and your Pom. Plus, it is a great way to get some kids or some of your friends involved in helping to get your dog excited about coming when called. Have everyone sit in a circle with some of her favorite treats cut into small pieces.
Take turns
Alternate calling your dog with their recall command said in a cheery and encouraging voice. It is okay to bribe her with some food to get her to come.
Collar
When she gets to the person that called her, make sure they touch her collar before giving her the reward she is waiting for. This will make sure to reinforce that touching the collar is a normal part of the recall trick.
Larger circle
Make the circle bigger to add to the challenge. Once your Pom is very confident and running to the person calling her , you can even try calling from behind furniture, around the corner, or even from another room in the house to really take this fun game to the next level.
Take it outdoors
Take this recall game outside on a nice day to add some distraction to her recall drills. If you need to, use the long line for safety.
The Proofing Method
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Why you must proof
If you worked through the steps in the 'Basic Skills' method, then your Pom should already be pretty good with coming to you while in the comfort of your home or the safety of your backyard. But for a recall to be useful in an emergency, you need to spend some time preparing him to come even when there are more challenging distractions around. Professional trainers call this “proofing.”
New places
Luckily, your little portable Pomeranian is easy to travel with. Take him to as many new places as you can think of to do some recall drills. Use the long line for safety if there is potential danger nearby. Continue to touch that collar before rewarding.
Distraction
Add some distractions to your training program. Examples include having your Pom run by a bowl of food, a favorite toy, or another dog on a leash.
Reward the best
Eventually you want to stop reward all but the fastest returns. This will strengthen the power of your 'come' command. Select only the best 10-20% to reward.
Don't wear it out
Stop using your primary recall command unless you are planning to back it up with enforcement if he choses to ignore you, otherwise you will be teaching your dog that coming when called is “optional.”
Written by Sharon Elber
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/05/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
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Training Questions and Answers
Baby
Pomeranian
6 Weeks
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
I just got her about 1 1/2 weeks ago and ever sense I've had her everytime I hold her she constantly is nipping at me. She always thinks it's alright to constantly nip and play. I can't rub her without her biting at me. I try to tap her nose and say no but she doesn't quit. Where I can't even hold her nor show any effection towards her cause she contantly nips and plays rough. What do I do. Help cause I am where I don't want her if that's all she is going to do.
May 9, 2020
Baby's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello, First, know that most puppies are developmentally not ready to leave their litter before around 8 weeks of age - so the behavior you are experiencing is something that's normal for pup around litter mates. Sometimes pups need to go to homes earlier because they aren't being taken care of by mom dog, were orphaned, found as strays, ect...Sometimes dishonest breeders will send them home early to avoid the extra cost and work of raising the puppies. Either way, the early age you brought pup home is most of the reason for the behavior - it's normal for pup's to act that way toward each other at that age. They learn to control their mouths more through the feedback that the other puppies give them. Check out the article linked below. Starting today, use the "Yelp" method. At the same time however, begin teaching "Leave It" from the "Leave It" method. As soon as pup is good as the Leave It game, start telling pup to "Leave It" when she attempts to bite or is tempted to bite. Reward pup if she makes a good choice. If she disobeys your leave it command, use the Pressure method to gently discipline pup for biting when you told her not to. Expect this to take time - pup is young. The order or all of this is very important - the yelp method can be used for the next couple of weeks while pup is learning leave it, but leave it will teach pup to stop the biting entirely. The pressure method teaches pup that you mean what you say without being overly harsh - but because you have taught pup to leave it first, pup clearly understands that you are not just roughhousing (which is what pup probably thinks most of the time right now), so it is more effective. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite When pup gets especially wound up, she probably needs a nap too. At this age puppies will sometimes get really hyper when they are overtired or haven't had any mental stimulation through something like training. When you spot that and think pup could be tired, place pup in their crate or an exercise pen with a food stuffed Kong for a bit to help her calm down and rest. Finally, If you are using discipline methods that involve physical roughness with your hands - like flipping pup to their back, then I would switch to a different method. Also, work on getting puppy used to touch and handling. Use puppies daily meal kibble to do this. Gently touch an area of puppy's body while feeding a piece of food. Touch an ear and give a treat. Touch a paw and give a treat. Hold her collar and give a treat. Touch her tail gently and give a treat. Touch her belly, her other paws, her chest, shoulder, muzzle and every other area very gently and give a treat each time. Keep these times calm and fun for pup. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
May 11, 2020
leo
Pomerian
1 Year
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
how he will come to me when i call him leo
Sept. 23, 2019
leo's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Mohammed, You can teach him to come when you call his name by calling him, making a little noise to get his attention, the tossing him a treat when he looks. After practicing this often he should start to anticipate a treat when you say his name, so toss the treat less far so that he has to walk over to get it. When he will walk close to you, then hold it out for him to get out of your hand after calling his name. Practice this often, every day if you can, to create a habit of him coming to you when you call him. Once you have done the training above, if you want better reliability, then keep a drag leash on him in the house when you are there to supervise and make sure it doesn't get caught on things. When you call his name, if he doesn't come, step on the end of the leash, lead him over to where you called him from, then praise or reward. Gradually phase out the treats overtime as he improves. For outside, after you have done the above training you can also follow the tips from the article I have linked below and simply replace the word "Come" in the method with his name - teaching him to come to his name. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Sept. 23, 2019