How to Train a Pomeranian to Sit
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Introduction
Your Pomeranian is fluffy, fuzzy, and incredibly cute. He is also highly intelligent and eager to learn. With a personality twice the size as the dog, Poms enjoy fun and exciting training. You can turn many moments into learning moments with your smart pup. Training a Pomeranian to sit sets a foundation for basic obedience training. The command to sit is a command you will give your dog most often for his entire life. It will be a starting command you’ll give before most tricks, obedience or fun tricks.
Pomeranians are independent and strong-willed, so starting with an easy command such as 'sit' is a great place for reward-based training. Turn this command into an expectation for rewards such as treats or even tasty medicines such as heartworm pills. Having your pup sit before meeting new people or getting attention will help set expectations for good behavior for years to come.
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Defining Tasks
This basic obedience command is easy but still needs to be rewarding. Some dogs, especially small dogs such as your Pom, will find themselves in a sitting position before they even realize this is what you are trying to teach them to do. With practice, your pup will be conditioned to connect the command word "sit" with the action of sitting. This connection is made by rewarding the dog for achieving the position. Repetitive training teaches your dog what to expect, including the expectation of rewards for positive behaviors. This reinforcement training rewards good choices and redirects for poor choices. Starting basic obedience training with the 'sit' command sets a solid foundation for other training.
Your Pomeranian can be any age when learning to sit. If possible, start training as early as possible. Puppies train faster than adult dogs.
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Getting Started
You’ll only need a couple of things to train your Pomeranian to sit. He’ll work hard for some tasty treats so be sure to have several on hand when training. Try to set aside some quiet time for training, free of distractions. Keep your training fun and engaging. If he’s not interested in training, he won’t work. Keep your pup interested by holding short sessions often instead of one long session each day.
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The Luring With a Treat Method
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Stand or sit
Place yourself in front if your Pomeranian by sitting or standing. He’s a small dog, so you may find sitting comfortably in front of him holds his attention better.
Treat
Hold out a treat to show your pup. This sets the stage for rewards to come.
Command
Talk to your little guy and use the command "sit". He might not do much at this point, but it’s a good time to introduce the command.
Lure
Hold the treat up over his head a bit and move it back behind his ears. You’ll notice him tipping his head back pointing his chin upward.
Sitting position
As your dog tips his head back looking for the treat, he will naturally sit down. As soon as he does, say the command again and give him the treat as a reward.
Practice
Keep practicing repeating the actions and command several times. After lots of practice, stop luring your little guy with the treat and only use the command to get him to sit down. Don’t forget to reward him each time.
The Caught Sitting Method
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Interact
Start playing with your dog with a toy. Interacting and keeping your pup engaged will keep his attention on you.
Stop playing
While engaging with your pup, stop playing and look at him. Be patient as he ponders what you are doing.
Sit
Don’t say anything just yet. Wait patiently for your dog to get bored and sit. He will most likely wait for you to keep playing and sit while waiting.
Command
As soon as he sits, say the command with a cheerful, proud voice and give him a treat.
Practice
Keep practicing getting your dog to sit by engaging him and then stop playing. Be sure to be patient as he waits and sits. Use the command to sit and give him a treat the moment he sits. With practice, he should be able to sit only by using the command.
Only command
Once he can do this, start saying the command while you are playing together.
The Play and Sit Method
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Toy
Pick a small toy and start playing with your Pom pup. During your playtime together, pause and wait for your pup to sit and patiently wait for the toy again.
Pause and sit
When your pup sits because you are not engaging him in play, say the command ‘sit’ and give him a treat.
Repeat
Keep playing and pausing intermittently. Say the command to sit earlier and earlier. Be sure to give your little guy a reward each time he is sitting.
Practice
With practice, your Pom should start sitting as soon as he hears the command rather than only when you stop playing. Keep working with your pup, conditioning him to sit on command.
Outside of play
Once he is sitting by command when you are playing, start to give the command at other times as well. You can ask your dog to sit before feeding him meals or when you come home at the end of the day before a greeting. Work on this command often.
Rewards
Be sure to give your dog a treat each time he is successful.
Written by Stephanie Plummer
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/22/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
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Training Questions and Answers
Tephy
Pomeranian
2 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Hi, my 2 months Tephy doesn’t eat her wet food (boiled commercial dog food with mix of carrots). But when I mix a kibble in her bowl, she only eats that kibble not the wet. Maybe I should start to give her a solid food rather than the food she used to eat (boiled commercial dog food with carrots)???? Can I start to prepare a whole solid dog food or kibbles for her? (I’m just worried because her teeth is too small haha)
March 29, 2021
Tephy's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Stephanie Ann, Generally puppies can eat just kibble by 8 weeks of age. With her small size, you can purchase small dog formulas with smaller pieces. I recommend speaking with your vet about this. Since this is related to pup's health I would consult them. I am not a vet. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
March 31, 2021
Tephy
Pomeranian
2 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Why Tephy is not eating her dog food? But when you use syringe she will then eat. Basically, she doesn’t eat by herself huhu. Or is it possible because her teeth is still too small?
March 4, 2021
Tephy's Owner
Alisha Smith - Alisha S., Dog Trainer
257 Dog owners recommended
Hello. Yes she may still be a little bit too young to eat dog food completely on her own. If you are using hard food, try mixing in some soft canned food, or water in with her meals until she gets a little bigger or starts eating on her own.
March 4, 2021