THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR NEW PUPPY

Pomeranians go through a phase called the “puppy uglies.” This is a normal transition phase where the puppies lose their puppy coat, and their adult coat grows in its place. You may be shocked when your puppy suddenly no longer looks like the little ball of fur they did as a baby. They look scraggily and nothing like what you would imagine as a Pomeranian, leading unsuspecting owners to question if their baby is a purebred Pomeranian or if there could be an undetected health issue causing the loss of fur. This transition is perfectly normal and usually begins between 4-8 months of age and lasts until 10-12 months of age. There’s no need to worry! Their adult coat will grow thick and beautiful! Note that every puppy is different, and some may stay in this phase longer or shorter than others. For some, this phase is barely even noticeable.

Pomeranians have double coats. While the ever-popular teddy bear and lion cuts are obviously cute, it is not a good idea to partake in the trend. Once you cut into the undercoat of a Pomeranian, their coats will not grow back the same. Doing this can also cause alopecia for your puppy to live with for the rest of their lives. Some Pomeranian owners trim their pups down “for the summer,” but this is not effective for Pomeranians. Their double coat regulates their heat and helps them stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Unless directed by your vet to keep them trimmed, I strongly advise not doing it. Of course, this is your pet, and you can do whatever you desire. Just be mindful of the risk you take when cutting into the undercoat of a Pomeranian.

Pomeranians are high energy dogs even as adults. They are the “forever puppy.” They need exercise to get their energy out and require your patience as they learn to be obedient.

Pomeranians should always use a harness instead of a collar. Collars can cause a collapsed trachea in small dogs.  When taking your puppy outdoors, they should be wearing a harness and supervised at all times. Large birds, coyotes, etc. can easily scoop them up.

Pomeranians generally are not hard to potty train. We recommend taking your new puppy directly to wherever you want them to go potty before introducing them to their new home. Whether it be a pee station on the patio or a certain area of your yard, take them there before taking them into your home. Give them positive reinforcement when they go potty in their designated area.

When feeding your new puppy, be sure to allow them a safe and quiet area. Puppies this small can easily become startled by loud noises, running children, or playful fur siblings and can choke very easily. For the first couple of weeks, we recommend letting their puppy food soak in warm water until it becomes somewhat soft and puffy. For this reason, we also do not recommend free feeding so that you can monitor your puppy as they eat. We feed them at 7 AM, 12 PM and 7 PM while they are with us.  You may gradually transition them to whichever food you and your vet deem best for your puppy. Transitioning suddenly will upset their stomachs.

Be careful letting your puppy onto furniture, even as an adult. A simple fall off a couch can cause broken bones. Right now, your puppy’s bones are not yet joined, and they will not be fully grown until they are one year old. Therefore, your puppy’s bones and joints are fragile. Be mindful of larger animals and/or small children around your new puppy.

The age recommended for spaying and neutering is 2 years old. Waiting until after puberty to spay/neuter can reduce orthopedic health problems, can reduce certain cancers, and can possibly improve behavior.

Anyone looking to breed a Pomeranian should be mindful that you cannot breed two merle dogs together. Doing so causes double merles, which can lead to blind, deaf, or generally unhealthy puppies.