Complete Information Regarding the Pomeranian Toy Dog
Chasing Behavior
Having the urge to chase after things is a normal instinct in most dogs. Pomeranians will often want to chase after moving objects and those objects can range from a toddler in the household to a car on the street.
Owners even reinforce chasing through harmless game such as fetch, when they throw a toy and the dog is encouraged to chase after it.
However, chasing can become a behavioral problem if a Pomeranian tries to chase after cars, people who are jogging by, bicycles and/or other animals that are passing.
This can be a danger to your Pomeranian if they are off leash and it can certainly be a frustration to an owner who is trying to walk their Pomeranian and that is constantly interrupted by the Pomeranian’s urge to chase.
So, let’s look at this in more detail and go over the detailed ways to train your Pomeranian to not chase.
Motivation
A dog chases for a reason. The top 4 reasons are:
Fear – While it seems that a Pomeranian (especially a puppy) would want to run away from a fear, some dogs run after it, in an effort to scare it away.
Territorial behavior - Many Pomeranian are very territorial, wanting to protect their human family members from any threats, even from elements that the humans do not perceive as a threat at all. And this can lead a Pomeranian to chase after anything that passes by the home….people taking walks, cars, etc.
Social Enthusiasm – When 1 dog starts a chase, others will be very tempted to join in. This is often seen in multi-dog households, where the behavior of 1 pet can affect that of another.
Predatory behavior - This is the #1 reason that a Pomeranian will chase after someone or something. It is an instinct that is in all dogs, some more than others. It is a strong urge to chase after a moving object. A Pomeranian may chase for this reason and many owners do not even know. For this reason, we are going to discuss this one in the most detail.
How Do You Know?
There are 7 signs that a dog is chasing out of predatory behavior. Think carefully about what your Pomeranian does and how they behave while chasing. If your Pomeranian has 2 of the following behavioral traits while chasing AND has the last one….They have predatory chasing issues:
1- He or she does not only chase after 1 certain thing. They will chase after many things at different times (cars, people, cats, bicycles, etc).
2- He or she seems to be on the lookout for opportunities to chase, they seem to seek out targets.
3- He or she becomes excited right before or during a chase (excited by the scent of something right before it comes into view and the chase begins…excited yipping noises during chase, etc.)
4- The behavior happens in different places. For example, they do not just attempt to chase when in the yard at home…they try to do this at the park, when going for walks…anywhere.
5- Movement by the target seems to cause the behavior. For example, if a person is standing still or a person on a bike is not moving your Pomeranian will not try to chase….But as soon as the person moves, they take action.
6- They seem to be enjoying it, as if it is a fun game…They do not appear to be scared, nervous or aggressive….He or she appears to enjoy or acts excited.
Understanding Your Pomeranian
Most owners correctly praise their pup or dog when they behave well. This is external positive reinforcement. When a dog chases (out of predatory behavior), it is fun for them and this gives them a good feeling…This is internal positive reinforcement….Their actions make them feel good, thus that is the reward for their behavior.
Unless highly motivated to stop, a Pomeranian will not stop this behavior on their own simply because it feels good and the dog has no motivation to stop a behavior that releases instinctual urges and provides pleasure.
It is important for an owner to know that with this type of chasing behavior, a dog is not disobeying us on purpose (ignoring those “NO!!!” and “Stop!!!! commands)…the thrill of the chase strongly outweighs any other outside distraction at the moment. Also remember that even breeds that are not known for strong instinctual chasing behavior can have this issue.
Don’t worry – There IS help!
Training Step 1
If your Pomeranian has predatory chasing behavior, one must understand that when training to stop this, the dog will experience a certain amount of stress… A “feel good” behavior will be taken away. For this reason, Step 1 will be to offer alternative elements to your Pomeranian to help them feel good while behaving in a positive way and to remove any elements that may cause stress.
Removing Stress - Look at your Pomeranian’s environment…If your particular dog has any phobias such as being startled by loud noises, reduce or eliminate that as much as possible. If they have Separation Anxiety, work to fix this before starting the training to stop chasing. If another dog in the home causes problems such as eating out of your dog’s bowl, take steps to fix this first. Training will work best if any other issues are resolved first so that the Pomeranian is basically happy and at peace when home.
Adding Stress Breakers - Elements that will improve your Pomeranian’s mood will be new chew toys and interactive toys. Dogs left home alone all day can be helped by having a dog walker come for an hour a day. Taking more time to play with him or her will help….look at things from your Pomeranian’s point of view..What do they really enjoy? Walking? Fetch? Swimming? Try to do offer them activities that they enjoy and will receive a natural high from.
Once stress triggers are removed and a Pomeranian is given toys, activities and an environment that promotes peace and happiness, they will not have such a strong urge to chase for the pleasure that it gives to them….and this is the best way to begin training them.
Training Step 2
The next step is to take control of the opportunities that your Pomeranian has to chase. This is important because when a dog is in chase mode, it is nearly impossible to train them…They are focused on the feeling of the rush that they are getting and it overpowers the offer of a doggie treat!
For the time being, the goal will be to reduce (or eliminate) situations where your Pomeranian chases. If he or she chases after anything and everything, this WILL mean not taking them to the dog park, changing walking routes to avoid any cars, etc. REMEMBER, this is temporary. Think of it as your dog being addicted to the pleasure of chasing and a break from the temptation will help them greatly. You see, the more a dog chases, the more they enjoy it. Removing opportunities, for a short time, will help to stop this relentless cycle.
"Ahhh-rumpfff, rufff, ...arf, umphf!" Translation: "Hi! Before you finish reading this, if you like what you've read so far and think it's interesting...And if you like this website, please share it before you read on!"
Training Step 3
Changing the desired target that your Pomeranian has is the next step in training. The goal will be for them to learn to enjoy something else…steadily increasing this until their instinct is to choose the target YOU choose and not those cars, people, etc.
Now, it is important to know that many dogs who chase after cars and other things may not be very enthusiastic about chasing after a ball. Therefore, this will take some creative thinking and patience.
It will not work nor be helpful at all to try and have your Pomeranian chase after a stuffed cat if they used to chase after cats! Simple dog toys should be used that do not represent any of their previous targets. It may take some time to find toys that your Pomeranian finds interesting.
Also, it is important to set aside many times during the day for this. This works best if done many times throughout each day in short bouts. Stop any time that your dog seems bored. Then begin again, after an hour rest.
The goal will be to throw an object and have your Pomeranian retrieve it. An owner must show great enthusiasm….a dog will read not only the tone of voice but also the owners actions. If an owner halfheartedly throws a toy and blandly says, “fetch”, the dog cannot be expected to excitedly run and retrieve it.
Make short bouts of fun, interesting, enthusiastic play.
Once you have figured out which particular toys your Pomeranian loves to retrieve, be SURE to put them aside, out of reach and sight, at all other times expect for when doing this.
Training Step 4
A new word will now be introduced to your Pomeranian. If your dog already understands the word “toy”, you will need to use a different word. “Fun” is a good one that works well.
Once your Pomeranian is used to having very spirited, fun, hyper play sessions with you and that favorite toy or toys, start using the word to train them that when you say the word, it means that fun is about to begin. It is important to say it with great enthusiasm! You must say it with a happy tone….For example, do not say, “fun”. Instead, say “FUN !!!!"
Once your dog gets used to this work, use it when they are in another room. When they come running to you, happily jump up, excited….and run outside with them to play with it.
Training Step 5
This step is so very important in the training process. It will be the pivotal point where your Pomeranian will learn and make mental connections that will be strong and long lasting. It is important that this not be done until Steps 1-4 are done and your Pomeranian has a very strong understanding at this point.
Here are the exact steps:
1-Go to a place with zero distractions (quite enclosed back yard, etc).
2-Take 2 of your dogs favorite toys.
3-Have your Pomeranian sitting. If they are do not sit and stay until you give a command to move, have them on leash. It is important that do not chase until you want them to.
4-Throw the 1st one (not too far) and do not say a word. Remain completely quiet.
5- As soon as the 1st one hits the ground and stops moving, wait 5 seconds and then throw the 2nd one. Make sure that you throw the 2nd one past their nose so that they are very aware of it. At the same time, loudly and happily use the trigger word (“Toy” or “Fun”, etc)…And let them go to chase after it. A dog will almost always chase after the one that is moving, the 2nd one.
6-Walk over to pick up the 1st toy, ask for the 2nd one back and repeat the process.
Note: If your Pomeranian does not chase after the 2nd moving toy and instead opts to run after the 1st one that you throw, change toys…make the 1st one something that is not interesting at all.
Do not be concerned if your Pomeranian goes after the 1st one AFTER they retrieve the 2nd one…. Because you will have achieved your goal and there is no harm in them sniffing at or checking out that 1st one.
7-After your Pomeranian has an excellent understanding of this training step, it will be time to take it up a notch. Only after they have successfully learned this and proven this many times, you will add a new step. Throw the 1st one rather far and do not stop your Pomeranian from chasing after it BUT when they are ½ way to it, throw the 2nd one and call out “Toy” or whatever word you have been using. After a while, your dog should stop even trying to go after the 1st one, but will wait for you to call out “Toy” or “Fun” and throw the real intended target, the 2nd toy, for them to chase after.
8-The final important step will be to do this with mild distractions. For example, if your Pomeranian had an issue with chasing after cars, try to do this training in a park with NO cars, but with people not too far away, etc.
Training Step 6
Each dog is different and each will reach the final stage at varying rates. However, when followed step-by-step and waiting for a dog to accomplish 1 step before going on to the next….At a certain time a dog WILL be trained to enjoy chasing after the target YOU have chosen and NOT the old ones (cars, people, etc.)
You can begin to now bring them to an area where their old targets are. Be sure not to be TOO close, but close enough that your dog is mildly aware of them and be able to see them at a distance. It is best to do this with your Pomeranian on a long leash. When they look in the direction of the car, person, other dog, etc…It will be time to call out “Fun” or “Toy” to get their attention and then throw it for them to chase after. It is best to throw it in the opposite direction of the old target.
If they are doing well, slowly get closer to the old target distractions until they can be close and not be interested at all. If they do not do well, go back to Step 5 for better reinforcement.
Keeping This Up
Even when training is complete, an owner must always satisfy the dog’s urge to chase. Therefore, always set aside time to play fetch and always reward them with happy praise and happy pats.
Looking for much more Pomeranian information? Do you have a Pom question and would love direct advice from the PetPom Experts? Forget about those silly little Pomeranian books that already tell you what you know ! It is time for something different!
All rights reserved. All text protected by copyright laws. Privacy Policy. information@petpom.com
