11 Reasons Why Your Pomeranian Is So Needy And Clingy

In this article you’ll discover:

• Why your Pom acts clingy and needy.
• In what way you’re affecting your Pom’s behavior, even if you’re not realizing it.
• 11 simple and practical tips on how to handle a Pom’s neediness and clinginess.
• And way more…

Why is my Pomeranian so clingy? 

Your Pomeranian could be so clingy because you weren’t home for long periods of time. As a result, they might experience stress and isolation. Which could lead to separation anxiety. Medical conditions, history, and temperament can also make your Pomeranian clingy. 

Why is my Pomeranian so needy? 

Your Pomeranian is so needy since you reinforce their behavior. You offer food when your dog follows you to the kitchen. Pet them when they come close to you or sit beside you. They get too excited about seeing you. That’s because you often give them rewards such as praises or treats. 

Pomeranians are very popular because of their small size and cute appearance. They are affectionate and loyal that’s why they can be great pets for families.

But it can also be a toxic relationship when they love their owners too much. No one wants a clingy and needy dog that follows you everywhere. 

Here’s a list of the possible reasons why that happens: 

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11 reasons why your Pomeranian is so clingy and needy

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#1: They love being the center of attention 

As extroverts, they love being the center of attention. It’s in their nature to please their owners. 

Pomeranians are very friendly and energetic. 

A small bundle of joy! 

They have too much love to give and love with all their hearts. 

Consider yourself lucky if you capture the heart of this little fella. 

But this could be a bad thing when they always want to be with you. 

They fail to respect your personal space and boundaries. 

Pomeranians might be small in stature but very vocal dogs. 

Barking is their way of demanding your attention to give them treats, pets, or cuddles. 

Your dog can be overbearing because of their excessive need for attention. It can cause frustration on your part.

What to do: 

Pomeranians are smart dogs. 

With proper training, you can cut their attention-seeking ways. 

Remember: 

Don’t give in! 

Try to ignore your dog when it barks for attention. 

Your dog will realize that barking gets them nothing. This will decrease their unpleasant behavior. 

It might take time but your patience and consistency will produce great results.

You can also try: 

• Reward their good behavior. 
• Create a calm environment for your dog. 
• Observe barking triggers and try to remove them. 
• Give them distractions like a chew toy or a puzzle. 

Read next: How To Stop A Pomeranian From Barking?

#2: They experience abuse or mistreatment 

Is your Pomeranian afraid, shaking, howling, and crying? 

Dogs can’t tell what they feel. But the abovementioned are some tell-tale signs of what might have happened in their past. 

This can cause your Pomeranian to develop fears, anxieties, and phobias. Take a look at Frodo: 

He’s a  Pomeranian that got rescued from a Puppy Mill. 

He got scared at first, but he began to learn to trust humans again.

Severe cases of abused dogs even cry when someone tries to touch them or cry while they’re asleep. 

If your Pomeranian has a history of mistreatment, they might act clingy or needy. 

What to do: 

Your Pomeranian is a part of your life but to them…you are the world. 

Try to assure them that you’re not gonna hurt them. 

Start by giving them a lot of time and space to adjust. 

Consult a professional to better understand what your pet is going through. Healing might take months for your dog. 

But your Pomeranian will thank you with its loyalty and reciprocate your love.

#3: It’s separation anxiety 

Separation anxiety is common to Pomeranians. 

They get too attached to their owners. So attached, that when you leave; 

they experience physical and mental stress. 

They wait for you to get home all day long. 

Possible signs of separation anxiety:

• They bark non-stop while you’re away.
• Your dog urinates and poops all around the house.
• You can’t recognize your furniture after you get back home.
• Your dog is both excited to see you and exhausted when you return.
• There are claw marks at the door, which your dog left while trying to escape.

What to do: 

Before you leave, take a long walk together with your Pomeranian.

Try to do practice runs. Leave for five minutes at a time. Then for twenty minutes and so on. This way your dog can adjust better. 

Make sure there is enough food and water for your dog. 

You can leave toys so your dog will not get bored while home alone. Leave background noise like the TV or relaxing music from a playlist. Turn the lights on in a specific place especially if you return by night. You can also try this:

The steps to take: 

• Reinforce a settle and calmness around food. 
• Teach your dog to go to his bed and go in his crate or pen.
• Add duration while next to the crate or pen. 
• Add movement away from the enclosure. 
• Alone time. 

#4: You allow the behavior 

Pomeranians are companion dogs. 

They have a tendency to cling to their owners. 

Look at this video from It’s Me or the Dog: 

‘The worst dog in Britain’ is a Pomeranian named Teddy Pom-Pom. An aggressive small dog that is a real headache to the family. There’s a love triangle there and Teddy is jealous most of the time.

He humps, bites, and urinates on anything he can get his paws on. 

Unlike their ancestors in the wild that were born independent. 

Your dog becomes co-dependent on you. They forget to function without you. What to do: 

If you reward bad behavior it continues. 

Don’t let your dog overtake your life. 

Train your dog, start small. It starts with a routine to break the bad habit. 

Practice positive reinforcement. 

You can also consult a training expert to help you. 

#5: It’s their temperament 

Pomeranians are one of the world’s most popular toy breeds. Many Royals owned Pomeranians back in the day which increased their popularity. 

This dog breed is full of character: affectionate, lively, sociable, and intelligent. 

Loyal companions that are quick with their small feet. They might be small in size but their attitudes are big. 

Dogs that have a mind of their own. People agree they are cute but… not harmless. 

As surprising as it may sound, Pomeranians have no idea how tiny they are. Because of that, they are likely to suffer ‘small dog syndrome’ 

Pomeranians may act bossy. They don’t listen or obey anyone who they view as below themselves in importance. 

Plus, they know how to use their intelligence to get what they want. They will act clingy and needy to get pets and treats. Before you know it, you can lose control of their behavior. 

What to do: 

Respect Training is important. Always set rules.

Teach your Pomeranian to listen to you, show them who is the boss. 

#6: They have abandonment issues 

In a perfect world, our furry friends are all happy and have found their forever homes. 

But the reality is that many dogs are cramped in shelters or wandering the streets all day. The others are put down because no one wants them. 

Irresponsible owners will dump or abandon their pets in the mountain, alleys, etc. 

Your Pomeranian might feel betrayed by their past owner so they learned to be clingy. 

They feel you will abandon them if you leave the house. 

And when you return?

You find everything is in chaos. 

What to do: 

It will not be easy; your dog can’t help how they feel but it’s not impossible to fix this. Assure your pet that you have no intention of abandoning them ever again. Take your dog to work with you if that’s possible. 

You can hire a pet sitter or leave your dog to a trusted family member or friend while you’re away. 

Try counter-conditioning your Pomeranian. Place their favorite treat or toy before you leave. Then, take it away when you come back that way they can associate you leaving the house with getting a reward. 

Ask your veterinarian about drug therapy or training to help with your dog’s panic.

#7: They are suffering from an illness 

Pomeranians are healthy and have a lifespan of twelve up to sixteen years. They are susceptible to several health problems that affect other small breeds as well.

Common health problems of this breed are: 

• Obesity.
• Cataracts.
• Coat Loss.
• Gum disease.
• Hypoglycemia.
• Luxating Patella.
• Tracheal Collapse.

Your pet might start being clingy and needy if they’re suffering from any sickness. What to do: 

Pomeranians can be very fragile. It’s easy for puppies to get hurt. 

Since they are small, proper handling is important to prevent injuries. 

Proper exercise and a healthy diet will keep your Pomeranian healthy and sick-free. 

Try to plan a visit to the vet every few months to make sure your dog is not at risk of developing serious illnesses. 

#8: They are getting old 

Pomeranians age quickly. Consider your dog a senior as early as seven but not as late as nine years old. 

As they grow old, they go through a lot of changes. Your dog might start to have a problem hearing or seeing you clearly. 

These can cause them to be clingy. During this time they’ll need you a lot. 

What to do: 

Try to not rearrange furniture, as it will be confusing for your dog. 

Remove obstacles that might block their path. Anything sharp that their head might bump into unknowingly. 

This way you will create save paths so your pet can navigate easily. 

Consult your vet if you notice any changes in your dog’s wellbeing. 

#9: They are suffering from depression

Most Pomeranians have a lot of energy with a high level of curiosity. 

Do you notice your dog seems sad and clingy all of a sudden? 

For example, they could be sleeping more than expected. Or they could appear weak and tired. 

Your dog might be going through depression. 

What to do: 

A morning walk with your dog will help them feel energized throughout the day. Spend more quality time with your dog. 

Let your them experience new things: 

• Give special treats.
• Buy a new type of toy.
• Visit a new place together. 

If you don’t have time, you can introduce a new friend to accompany your dog.

#10: There was a sudden change 

Your Pomeranian is uncomfortable with the sudden change of a situation, routine, or the environment.

Such changes could include: 

• Expecting a newborn baby.
• The family is relocating to a new area.
• Changing their feeding or playing time.
• There was a new dog adopted by the family.

What to do: 

Breaking a habit, or meeting new people and other dogs can cause your dog to be uncomfortable. 

Do it gradually. 

Give them time to adjust to the situation. Don’t force your dog if they are reluctant to do something.

If you have a new baby, don’t forget to still give your dog lots of attention. What you can try is, to feed the dog and the baby at the same time. This way you can bond with both of them.

#11: They are insecure 

Your Pomeranian might be low in self-esteem and lacks confidence. 

Dogs look up to their human as the leader of the pack. 

If you are unsecure, they might start being unsure of themselves as well. Your Pomeranian might even become emotionally unstable. 

They are not used to unfamiliar or stressful environments. 

Here are possible signs of insecurity: 

• Frequent peeing almost everywhere. 
• Snarling or lashing out without reason.  
• Your dog is showing submissive behavior. 
• Hiding behind furniture or crouching in a corner. 
• Starts to be more aggressive towards people or dogs. 

What to do: 

Don’t punish your dog for being insecure. This will only increase their insecurity. 

Try to be calm and confident instead. You need to because your dog can easily pick up what you are feeling so it’s better to manage your emotions around them. 

Introducing them to new dogs and people can help them be less insecure. Socializing your dog is important. 

Show your Pomeranian that you can lead but avoid being too assertive. Instead, you can try to put yourself on their level. 

Avoid coddling your dog and being too overprotective. This will prevent them from facing and conquering their fears. 

And that’s the 11 reasons why your Pomeranian is so clingy and needy.

Don’t fret if your dog acts clingy from time to time. Pomeranians are lovable. It’s all part of their charm!

But if this behavior becomes frequent, it could indicate a serious issue.