Let’s be honest:
Pomeranians don’t look like your typical guard dog.
But before we judge a book by its cover, let’s get a 3D view of Pomeranians.
In this article you’ll discover:
- Exactly what to expect when you’re a Pomeranian parent.
- If Pomeranians can be more than companion dogs.
- Whether you can train a Pom to be a guard dog.
- And more…
Table of contents
Do Pomeranians make good guard dogs?
Pomeranians are not suitable for guard dogs but make excellent watchdogs. Since they’re loyal and protective of their owners, they’ll give out a warning anytime they perceive that you or their territory is in danger. Although tiny in size, they bark persistently and loud to alert you effectively.
Pomeranians are good at spotting anything out of the ordinary.
They’re curious and their intelligence is more than average.
Even though you could benefit from a guard or watchdog, it’s not recommended to get your Pom for that purpose. Read more to learn why.
The difference between guard and watchdogs
The difference between a guard dog and a watchdog is tremendous.
Guard dogs serve to protect their humans to the extent that they can physically overtake an intruder. Usually, dogs that have strong jaws are associated with suitable guard dogs.
Medium-sized dogs could do the job. They possess the same level of courage as larger breeds.
Tiny pooches like Pomeranians, on the other hand, are very easy to get around. To a burglar, they could be nothing more than a minor obstacle.
But you can count on Poms as watchdogs. Their biggest asset is their bark. By warning you on time about a possible upcoming danger, you can have time to act before it approaches too close.
Pomeranians as guard dogs
Pomeranians back in the day used to be way bigger than nowadays and weighed around 13 kilograms. They had a lot of wolf-like characteristics.
Pomeranians’ job back then was to pull sleds. Their double coat protected them from the severe working conditions they were exposed to.
Looking back to the history of how the Pom used to be, it’s safe to say Poms were also very effective guard dogs. They were used at properties such as farms.
Their primary purpose was to guard and herd sheep. Nowadays it’s a different story.
Pomeranians have some traits in common with today’s modern guard dogs such as temperament. Poms are very attentive and confident.
The same goes for Rottweilers who have a reputation as one of the most feared guard dog breeds.
What you can rely on from your Pom’s side is to alert you if something is off. That much they can do. But don’t expect them to actually fight to protect their territory as they’re quite small.
Pomeranians as watchdogs
In the 21st century, Pomeranians are bred to be nothing more than companion dogs. They are considered toy dogs and excel at companionship.
They will for sure alert you of any intruders (animal and human alike) but in their nature, they’re quite friendly little dogs. They can live in peace with other pets, as long as they have been properly socialized.
One of their favorite spots is on your lap. But if you feel like going for a brisk walk, they’d love to join. Basically, wherever you are, they’d like to be there too.
Pomeranians are also very good at reading emotions because of their high IQ. They make great companions because they’re loving and sensitive.
Should I get a Pomeranian?
If you’re getting a Pomeranian, it should be for the right reasons. This breed is the definition of ‘man’s best friend’.
Loving, loyal and dedicated to keeping you safe, they’ll follow you around and keep an eye on you whenever you’re in the same room.
They’ll also keep you posted whenever they see a stranger in the house. They’re famous for their barking abilities because they bark at pretty much anything.
They do not feel drawn to people outside of the family. Poms will most probably grant them with a bark or two or even attack outsiders.
If their barking is too much for you, you can turn to dog training on how to teach them to bark only at possible uninvited guests.
With that in mind, you could have a four-legged fluffy home alarm.
If you’re more than happy with a Pom who…
- Is tiny and has fluffy pointy ears, reminds you of a fox, has a fluffy coat, and tail.
- Is energetic, enthusiastic, smart and attentive.
- Acts like a live alarm.
- Is normally okay with other pets.
It’s likely that you’ll enjoy your Pom for the long term.
If you’re ready to deal with…
- Snappy behavior towards strangers due to lack of socialization in early puppyhood.
- Barking.
- Grooming.
- Strong-minded Pom who needs an owner to take the leading role.
Then you’re well informed about what you can expect and with willingness, you’ll find the right ways to improve the way your Pom acts.
If you have any hesitations about dealing with the tricky aspects of the Pom’s behavior, better ‘think twice and cut once’.
Don’t forget that training is always an option to pave the way for the desired behavior you wish your Pom to show while growing up and after becoming an adult dog.
Training a Pomeranian
While you cannot train a Pomeranian to be a guard dog, you can prevent issues with excessive barking.
Not only are Poms very smart but they’re also eager to learn new things. This makes them easy to train.
Bear in mind that they can be unpredictable from time to time though. That’s why you can’t always be sure how they’ll react to something or someone new.
For example, they might react to snappy small children. Usually, this happens because children can accidentally step on Poms, hug them too hard or just act overexcited around them.
Adult Poms do not typically enjoy loud noises that children make.
So, to make sure you get positive results out of your Pom’s training, it’s crucial to be persistent once you’ve chosen a training routine to follow.
Some commands you can start reinforcing in the Pom are:
- Sit.
- Stay.
- Come.
- Let go.
- Down.
- Quiet.
Pomeranians are very aware of their environment and like to be intact with everything that’s going on.
It’s a matter of focus where they’re attention goes and what they do about it. You can help direct their energy and effort into something such as agility training.
Reading tip: In this article you’ll discover if Pomeranians are easy to train (hint: the answer might surprise you).
Barking and Pomeranians
Barking is nothing more than normal behavior for Pomeranians. This is also called yapping and it can turn into an issue if not worked with.
What you should know is that barking is the Pom’s major method of communication. Some Poms do it more than others. Barking is simply the language dogs use.
Reasons why your Pom might be barking include wanting to protect you or themselves, being bored, showing excitement, seeking your attention, or responding to siren signals, fireworks or any other street noise.
Reading tip: Do Pomeranians Bark A Lot? 9 Reasons Why Poms Bark
It takes patience and diligence but eventually your Pom will start barking when appropriate.
Reduce Pomeranian barking in 8 simple steps
Quiet times should be rewarded.
If your Pom wants something from you, he might start barking to get a reaction out of you. Don’t grant him anything before he quiets down.
If he’s eager to play, hungry or just wants to have a tasty treat, don’t reward him by giving him what he wants until he’s stopped barking.
You can do the following:
- Get a treat and hold it in the air.
- Tell your Pom ‘quiet’.
- Your Pom will attempt to smell and get closer to the treat.
- Wait for 3 seconds before giving the treat to your Pom.
- Give the treat and praise your Pom by saying ‘good dog’.
- Repeat the same process but this time wait for 5 seconds before granting him the treat.
- If your Pom barks say in a loud and firm voice ‘quiet’ and don’t give the treat until he quiets down and 5 seconds have passed.
- You can continue to increase the waiting time with 3 seconds before rewarding your pom with a treat each time.
Bonus tip: After your Pom gets good at this, you can even increase the quiet time with minutes instead of seconds. This will mean that your Pom has had significant progress during training and is most likely to spend his barking energy at intruders instead of trying to get your attention.
For more tips check out: How To Stop A Pomeranian From Barking? Simple Training Tips