my pom in general

Question
I have a female Pom who is now three months old and since I recieved her as Christmas gift I was not able to research the breed until after I got her.  Overall she is a very sweet and loving puppy, however she was purchased from what is referred to as a "backyard breeder"  and I think it may be why I am having a difficult time training her.  I have learned a lot about what I was doing wrong in the potty-training department be letting her have run of the house; this is something I hope I can remedy if it's not too late.  I am however having trouble getting her to stop biting pants and shoes when my fiance and I walk through the house.  She also likes to nip which is very annoying, and I don't know how to make her stop.  I say "No" but she gets excited, not really mad and keeps doing it.  I know she is intelligent because she already knows how to sit on command but that's all.  Please help me, I don't know what to do and I love her very much, especially when she is asleep.  

Answer
Hi Melanie,

It's not too late to get her potty trained--just keep at it.  

Here is a previous response I wrote on housetraining you may find helpful:
I know how frustrating housetraining can be!  The fact that he has access to the house all day is a big problem.
Since you don't know where in the house he is going potty while you are gone, it would be a good idea to get a black light specially designed to help you see potty spots on the carpet. They are about $12. Dogs tend to go back to the same spots.  Use something like Simple Solution
to clean up every spot.  Do not allow the puppy to
have free reign in the house until he is completely trained.  When you are home keep him with you at all times.  When you leave the house either put him in a crate
(never for more than four hours at a time), keep him in an exercise pen, or block him off in a small area (bathroom, utility room or kitchen) with a gate.  Put newspaper, puppy pads, or puppy pad in a litter box, in an area for him to use.  Neutering him by five or six months of age will help, and can prevent him from developing the habit of leg lifting.

If he has an accident but you don't catch him, don't scold him for it. He won't understand what he's done wrong.  Clean up the mess completely.  Using a product like Simple Solution will remove the stain and the odor.  If you catch him it the act, firmly say, "No" and take him outside.
Never rub his nose in it.  He can be trained to go in a particular area in your yard and to go on command.  Take him to the same spot every time and use the same command like, "Go potty".  Praise him when he goes!  Of course,
you'll want to take him out frequently, epecially after sleeping, eating, and playing.  I was never able to use a crate for training.  My pom would go potty in it.  I blocked him off in the kitchen and set up a dog litter
box.  I didn't use dog litter but lined the box with newspaper.  (Now, I line it with Pooch Pads.)  Puppy pads would work as well.  I would put him in the box and say, "Go potty".  If he did, I would praise him profusely.
Sometimes I would give him a treat.  I always took him to the same spot outside too.  It took approximately two and a half months and after I had him neutered at five and a half months he was pretty much trained.  I kept him
blocked off in the kitchen when I had to leave the house for about the first year.  Now, he has free reign when I am gone.  He is litter box trained and trained to go in a
specific spot in the yard.  Having him litter box trained is great for when I am gone or when the weather is bad. (Rain, snow, etc.)

Regarding the biting here's what I recommend:  You must show the puppy that you are the boss!  The puppy receives nothing without obeying a command first.  This includes:  food, attention, treats, toys, etc.  In other words, make her sit, lay down, speak, etc.  Do not allow her to
sleep in your bed.  (Put her in a crate near your bed.)    Do not hold her over your head.  Do not lay on the floor and allow her to lay on you.  No dominant positions until she is completely retrained.  She owns no toys--the toys are yours and you allow her to play with them.  Let her play with the toy for awhile and then take it away.  If she acts aggressive toward you over a toy, take it away immediately.  Do not be mean to her, be sweet but firm.  If she growls or bites grab her by the scruff of the neck, shake and scold her in a low-toned, threatening voice, (like a growl) looking her in the eyes until she looks away.  Looking a dog in the eyes is dominant behavior.   The first one to look away is the least dominant.  Don't allow her to get too close to your face until trained not to bite.  Spaying/neutering make dogs less aggressive.  I recommend taking her to a puppy or dog training class.  If you are still experiencing problems you could contact a dog trainer/behaviorist for help.

Don't give up, stay consistant and be persistant.  You can do it!

Hope you enjoy your new puppy!  Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Best Regards,
Carrie
PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS.