Pomeranians toys

Question
Hi,

Just adopted two female poms. My question is they are 1.5 and 2 yrs old. What toys do poms like? Also OK to feed once a day as they are 5.6 and 8 lbs apiece. I tried feeding treats after going outside but doesn't work is just telling them Good dog OK to train going outside?

Thanks,
Jeff

Answer
Hi Jeff,

Regarding feeding:
I recommend that you feed them a high quality dog food.  Stay away from commercial brands in the grocery stores. (Alpo, Kibbles and Bits, Purina Beneful, Pedigree, etc.) They are junk.  Science diet, Pro Plan, Eukanuba and Iams are better.  If you really want to feed a higher-quality diet, try one of these:  Wellness, Solid Gold, Canidae, Spot's Stew, PetGuard, Natural Balance, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Neura Meats, Innova, California Natural, or Wysong.  I feed my seven pound dog approximately 3/4 cup per day.  I feed him twice a day.  He is on Wellness right now.  I switch brands every three months or so.  I also include in his diet fresh beef, chicken, fish, eggs, veggies, fruit, cottage cheese, cheese, yogurt, etc.  I never feed him anything with added sugar, hot dogs, or any other junk food.  (He eats off a little plate.  He use to have a plastic bowl but he didn't like it--he is so small it's easier for him to eat off a plate.)

Regarding playtime:
My dog loves rawhide chews.  Some dogs need close supervision when chewing these.  I only buy American beef rawhide.  Wal-Mart has it.  Nylabones are great too.  Chewing gives the dog something to do, relieves stress, and
prevents boredom.  He loves soft fleece toys. He also loves a kong stuffed with a dog biscuit, cheese, or peanut butter. Shop around and try different toys and chews to find out what your dogs like.

Regarding housetraining:
Do not allow the dogs to have free reign in the house until they are completely trained.  When you are home keep them with you at all times.  When you leave the house either put them in a crate (never for more than four hours at a time) or block them off in a small area (bathroom, utility room or kitchen) with a gate.  Put newspaper or puppy pads in an area for them to use.  If she has an accident but you don't catch her don't scold her for it.  She won't understand what she has done wrong.  Clean up the mess completely.  Using a product like Simple Solution will remove the stain and the odor.  If you catch her in the act, firmly say, "NO" and take her outside.  Never rub her nose in it.  They can be trained to go in a particular area in your yard and to go on command.  Take them to the same spot every time and use the same command like, "Go Potty".  Praise them when they go!  I would continue to use treats but not every time.  Of course you'll want to take them out frequently, especially 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.  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.  I always took him to the same spot outside too.  It took approximately two 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 and when the weather is bad. (Rain, snow, etc.)  Be patience and hang in there, you can do it!

If you have anymore questions feel free to write again.  Hope everything goes great and you enjoy your new dogs!

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Thank you,
Carrie