12 Cures to Fix a Pomeranian’s Boredom

#1 Have a schedule. 

Canines have amazing internal clocks that help them know when to expect things to happen. Generally, it only takes a few days of an event occurring at the same time for a Pom to have anticipation for it. When this is in place, it’s much easier for a Pomeranian to handle quiet times when they know that something fun or interesting is going to transpire later. 

So, as you incorporate some of the following boredom-busting tips, try your best to fit these into the day at the same approximate time (mid-morning, early evening, etc.).

#2 Regular walks. 

This not only helps in the moment, but also for hours afterward. Two main things happen during walks that help combat boredom: A dog’s brisk physical movements help them burn off restless energy that could otherwise manifest as barking, pacing, or in other negative ways. And it helps satisfy a dog’s need to engage their senses (sight, hearing, scent). 

Aim for at least two walks per day, with a minimum of 20 minutes each. Take your Pom to their designated bathroom area before the walk; this will help reinforce housebreaking habits and keep your Pom focused on walking. Move along at what is considered a brisk pace for your particular Pomeranian.

You can make things more interesting by leading your Pom through an ‘obstacle course’ by weaving around light poles and signs, running up hills and walking down hills, etc. or by varying the walking route to explore new neighborhoods

And, of course, have your Pom wear a harness (not a collar) to avoid strain and pressure on the neck and to help you better control their stride and direction. One harness that we recommend is the Puppia Soft Harness B Vest. 

#3 Fetch. 

Fetch is such a simple game, but can offer an exercise session that will leave your Pomeranian feeling fulfilled both physically and mentally. It’s also a great bonding activity. 

In many cases, an owner’s enthusiasm will have a direct impact on a Pom’s level of interest in this, so do be sure to speak in an upbeat manner and act eager to play. 

And the type of toy that you use will play a role as well. One fun option is mini tennis balls like Midlee X-Small Tennis Balls for Dogs that are ideal for toy breeds. These are best for Pomeranians that like to play at an ‘easy’ level and/or are just now starting to learn to play fetch.

And if your Pomeranian is more of a pro, you may want to try something like the Canine Hardware Flying Squirrel (note that this particular one is size small/petite and works well for most full-grown adult Poms). This has an awesome spinning aerodynamic design for long-distance fetch and can be great for those that enjoy a challenge. 

#4 Puzzle Toys. 

Canine puzzle toys can be fantastic for ‘brain exercise’ and can leave your Pomeranian feeling good about themselves once they’ve conquered the task. There are different types of puzzle toys, however most revolve around small training treats hidden within the device and a dog needing to nose or paw levers, doors, sliders, or other obstacles to reveal the treats (which serve as their automatic reward). 

This can be a shared activity that you do with your Pom if they are unfamiliar with the puzzle and need your assistance or it can be an independent activity once they are accustomed to the puzzle (or at least the general idea of what needs to be done to reveal the treats). 

For beginners, we actually suggest an intermediate level since a beginner level puzzle is often too easily and quickly solved. So, something like the Nina Ottosson Interactive Puzzle Level 2 can be ideal for Pomeranians new to this sort of boredom-busting fun.

And, if your Pomeranian is used to puzzles or this sort of task work or you feel they are ready for something more challenging, the Trixie Mini Mover Toy Level 3 is pretty awesome. 

Extra tip: To keep enthusiasm and motivation high, be sure to use treats that are reserved for special things like this (nothing that your Pom is given on a regular basis as a snack). Training treats typically work great since they tend to be small in size (and won’t ruin a dog’s appetite), are soft/chewy, and usually have a strong flavor and scent (which makes them seen as high value). Something like Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Treats is ideal. 

#5 Treat Release Toys. 

Treat release toys, also known as treat dispensing toys, are those that hold small dog treats and either release them slowly or require a dog to do something (chew, shake, roll them, etc.) in order for the release mechanism to work. 

These are fantastic to help stop boredom, both when you’re home but wish for your Pom to keep busy or when your little guy or gal is home alone. 

If you’ll be there to supervise and contain messes and/or your Pom is in a designated area, like a playpen, you can add peanut butter to certain treat release toys, which helps extend the duration of playtime.

A fun option is the PetSafe Busy Buddy Twist 'n Treat; this is appropriately sized for Pomeranians and we love that the difficulty level is adjustable. 

#6 A Snuffle Mat. 

You probably don’t have to be reminded that canines have a vastly superior sense of smell compared to us humans. But, did you know that dogs can have lots of fun and satisfaction when they are allowed to put it to good use? 

And this is where a snuffle mat comes in as an awesome boredom fixer. 

A snuffle mat is a typically a circular or squared cloth with thick layers of fabric flaps. Within those layers, you’ll hide dry treats. Then, it’ll be your Pomeranian’s job to follow their nose and forage for them. Be sure to use highly scented treats that are reserved just for things like this (not given as regular snacks; see our tip under the previous puzzle toy idea).

If you think you'd like to try this method to help your bored Pomeranian stay happy and busy, you may want to check out the IFOYO Pet Snuffle Mat; we love this one because it’s appropriately sized for most Pomeranian puppies and adults, the fabric is thick and durable, it has straps to keep it in place by hooking it onto a chair or other object, and it’s machine washable. And as a plus, there's lots of color options.

#7 Interactive Toys. 

What do bored Pomeranians want the most? Attention! And if you’re too busy (or tired) to play with your Pom, or your little one is home alone and bored silly, the next best thing is a toy that responds to them. 

Interactive toys that speak, make noise, and/or move in response to being nosed or pawed can work exceptionally well to fix boredom issues for Pomeranians of all ages. 

One that we recommend is the Pet Qwerks Talking Babble Ball that responds to movement like being nosed, pawed, or otherwise played with (and goes to sleep if a dog stops playing with it). It lets out 20 silly sayings like “Oh, you found me!", "Come here, puppy!" and "Hot diggity dog!".

And, if you’re looking for something a bit more lowkey, a Multipet Look Who's Talking Duck can be a great choice. Most dogs love stuffed animals and this just takes it one step further. The entire line has a wide range of animals that each make a certain noise (for example, a mooing cow, a rabbit with a ‘boing boing!’ hopping noise, a ‘babbling’ fish, etc.). 

The smaller 5 or 6-inch Multipets (like the above-referenced duck) are sized nicely for most Poms, but there are larger ones too, up to 9 inches or so.

#8 Satisfying Chew Toys.

Only some dogs chew things when they’re bored, but just about all dogs find chewing relieves boredom. So, whether your Pom is tearing up the house in a restless state or not, a creative and interesting chew toy may be just the thing to keep them happy and entertained. 

When you’re choosing chew toys, be sure to pay attention to the durability (which ranges from gentle chewers to aggressive chewers), the intended age (puppy to adult) and intended size of the dog (usually given in weight increments).

For adult Pomeranians that are strong chewers, the Nylabone Flavor Frenzy Power Chew Triple Pack can be a great choice. These are non-edible chew toys with flavors that are pretty interesting: Sausage & pancake, roast beef, and meat lasagna. Note that these are for aggressive chewers but Poms should still be supervised; when a chew appears to be breaking down, toss it out and offer a new one (no toy lasts forever). 

And for Pom puppies that are teething, something like the Nylabone Just for Puppies Pacifier Chew Toy can work well; this is specifically for small pups and is bacon flavored to make it extra enticing. 

#9 A Lick Mat. 

It’s probably not a surprise to you that dogs like to lick. They lick people to show affection and they may get into a habit of licking themselves due to boredom or anxiety. But, did you know that focusing a Pomeranian’s licking in a healthy manner can be an effective way to resolve boredom? And it can work well as a self-soothing method for stress. This is where a lick mat comes in. 

Lick mats are flat pieces, usually made of rubber or silicone, that have tiny ‘teeth’ that hold certain ‘sticky’ foods like peanut butter. It keeps a dog busy and occupied, since it takes time to work out all of the yummy food. Not only are these awesome for staying entertained, they also work wonderfully as a distraction when a Pomeranian is being brushed or otherwise groomed.

There’s all sorts of shapes and sizes and do be wary of those that have no suction cups to keep them in place since they'll slide all over the place. One that we recommend is the GLOCITI Pad for Dog Licking; this is made of food-grade silicone, the backing of tiny suction cups allows it to stick to tub walls (for distraction during baths), tile or hard flooring and more, and it’s dishwasher-safe. 

Extra tip: Smooth peanut butter works best for extended sessions. Mashed banana or pumpkin puree can also work, but is often gobbled up faster. 

#10 A Treat-tossing webcam. 

This tip to cure a Pomeranian’s boredom is not for every budget and not for every scenario. It’s intended to help dogs that are in need of interaction when home alone and it can be a bit pricey. That said, these are pretty awesome. 

There are various models that have an array of functions, but the general idea is that it’s a device with a video camera that holds and can dispense dog treats. You set it up before leaving the house. Via an app on your smartphone, you’ll be able to see your Pom in real-time, hear them and/or speak to them (one vs two-way audio) and ‘toss’ treats to them.

One option that we like is the Furbo Cam; it has two-way audio (which is awesome) and good treat-tossing ability for up to 100 small treats (like the Zuke’s treats mentioned earlier). But there are some really cool extra features: A barking sensor that will send a notification to your phone (this can be silent), a night vision option, a zoom function, and it can automatically take “selfies” when your dog is facing the camera. 

#11 TV Shows

This is something that should be used sparingly since its use can cut down on important interaction and socialization and having the TV on non-stop can cause over-stimulation. However, for Poms that need lots of help preventing boredom, it can have its place.

Canines see images on screens in a very similar way that us humans do, and they can easily recognize animals, human faces, and other features as well as easily recognizing various sounds, including human speech and barking. So, the right type of TV show can serve break up a monotonous day. 

If your Pom will be alone, you can either leave the TV on or have it set on a timer to be on for an hour or two. Many dogs enjoy shows with animals, real or animated. DirecTV has a 24-hour DogTV channel and animal documentaries on Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, or other TV services may be good options.

#12 Trick Training 

Whether it’s an issue of both you and your Pomeranian being bored, or if you’re just looking for something new to do with your little guy or gal, one solution is to teach them some cool tricks. Aside from the standard commands of ‘sit’, ‘come’, ‘down’ and other basics, there’s lots of fun tricks that dogs can learn to do. 

Trick training is an excellent bonding activity and the process of making attempts, being rewarded, and ultimately learning something can be a great confidence-booster for dogs. 

A very popular book that has tons of things to work on is 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond; it has step-by-step photos and easy-to-follow instructions to teach ‘give kisses’, obstacle course actions, sports moves, the shell game, and even dancing.

Do you have your book?

If you have a Pom, you'll want PetPom's GIANT Book of Pomeranian Care. It's available as a huge 8.5 x 11" softcover or a PDF eBook. Our book will guide you through every stage, and phase, of your Pom's life.