Are Pomeranians Good with Kids? (Explained and Helpful Guide)

Pomeranians are cute little dogs and maybe you’ve always wanted to own one. But if you have children you’re probably wondering if Pomeranians are good with kids.

Pomeranians are friendly, loyal, cuddly dogs who are easy to train and are generally very gentle around children. As long as the child knows they should play gently and quietly they’ll likely have many hours of fun together.

It’s important to train your Pomeranian properly, and give your child some ground rules, before letting the two play together.

Pomeranians And Children

Pomeranians are lovable dogs but if they’re not used to children they may not take to them. It’s important that if you’re going to add a Pomeranian to your family you either get one as a puppy and train it to be around children or you get an adult Pom who is already used to children.

You also need to make sure that your child(ren) know how to treat the dog as well. A dog who is frightened by the behavior of a child could lash out and bite or withdraw from playful activities.

Teaching Your Kids About Pomeranians

Even if your Pomeranian is extremely well behaved and well trained around child you must make sure they know how to treat a Pomeranian. Teach them these rules:

Be careful. Pomeranians are small dogs and they can be fragile. If they’re played with roughly, they could get injured. Show your child how to pick up and hold your Pomeranian properly and to put the dog down carefully and immediately if it starts to struggle.

Leave them alone when they’re busy. No matter how well trained your dog is if you surprise them when they’re sleeping, eating, or grooming they may get angry and lash out.

Be quiet. Young children can get very excited and may squeal or shriek while playing with their Pomeranian. These sudden, loud noises may startle the Pomeranian and they may not want to play with your child, hide from them, or may show some aggression towards your child.

Having A Pomeranian Makes Your Children More Responsible

Children who have pets learn how to care for and be responsible for animals. And a Pomeranian is a small, friendly dog who is quite easy to care for. Show your child how to properly hold and play with their pet from a young age and then how to properly feed, bathe, groom, and take care of them once they’re old enough for the responsibility.

Training Your Pomeranian To Be Around Children

It’s not only your child you need to train to be around a Pomeranian — you also need to train your Pomeranian to be around your children.

Start early. If you can, find a breeder who has already started interacting the Pomeranian with children or get a dog from a home with children in it. If you can’t, then start training your dog as soon as you get it. If your Pomeranian is older, they may not get used to having children around and may be difficult to deal with.

Practice good behavior. Start handling your dog and maybe even (very) gently pull their tails or tug on their ears as a child may to get them used to it. Praise them for not nipping or barking.

Teach your Pomeranian not to jump up on the furniture or onto laps as this could startle a child and maybe even knock them over and injure them.

Reward them. When your Pomeranian shows good behavior reward them with a few dog treats or a few extra special hugs and cuddles. And whenever your Pomeranian shows bad behavior gently put them back down on the floor and say a quick NO.

Introduce your dog to your kid’s toys. Turn on any toys that make noise or flash while your puppy is a good distance away but still able to see it. Let them investigate the sound or noise but keep it away so they don’t think it’s their toy. This way, when your child plays the noise and flashes won’t startle your Pomeranian and cause them to lash out.

Always monitor the play. Whenever your child is around your Pomeranian you should be nearby just to make sure they are both acting appropriately. At first, you will want to watch very closely but as time goes by and they learn to play together nicely you can give them a bit more distance.

How To Foster Peace Between Pomeranians And Children?

Sometimes your dog and child may just not take to each other. Don’t force this relationship because your dog could get aggressive! Ensure your child continues to be quiet, gentle, and calm near your Pomeranian and it’s possible your dog could start to initiate play with your child.

Pomeranians Qualities That Work Well With Children

Pomeranians are a popular choice for families with children because of their many great qualities. These include:

• Their small size
• Their loyalty
• They love to cuddle
• They’re playful
• They’re typically pretty gentle

Temperaments That You Should Be Aware Of

As great as the Pomeranian is, they certainly have a few traits that you should be aware of before you decide to include one in your family.

• They bark
• They may not like strangers
• They can be quite independent
• They can be difficult to housetrain

Activities For Kids And Pomeranians

There are a few fun things kids can do to bond with their Pomeranian.

Playtimes. Depending on the age of your child you should let them take the dog for a walk or into the yard to play. Spending time together will help to increase their bond and they’ll both likely look forward to these regular dates.

Learn new tricks. Pomeranians are smart dogs who can pick up new tricks quickly. Here are just a few tricks you can teach them:

• Sit and stay
• Spin around
• Short obstacle courses

The Needs Of A Pomeranian

Pomeranians are fairly easy to take care of and have only a few needs.

Daily activity. Your Pomeranian requires a moderate level of activity. A few 15 – 30-minute walks per day should do it. They can walk for longer if you want to but you need to be mindful that they do have a double-coat of fur which could lead to them overheating from excessive exercise and hot weather.

Good food. Feed your Pomeranian good quality dog food based on their age. Depending on their age and size you should feed them up to half a cup of food, divided into two meals, daily.

Regular grooming. Pomeranians shed a moderate amount so you’ll want to brush them at least once a week to remove any loose fur and keep their coat shiny. Your Pomeranian shouldn’t need too many baths — usually once or twice a month is enough.

You should try to get your Pomeranian used to having their teeth brushed from a young age and keep it up weekly to prevent any dental issues.

And although some Pomeranians usually manage to keep their nails filed down from walking and general activity, you’ll need to keep an eye on this. If their nails are too long, you’ll need to have them trimmed.

Attention. Pomeranians are friendly, lovable dogs and love getting attention. Spend plenty of time cuddling and playing with them.

Taking Care Of Your Pomeranians Emotions

Pomeranians can get a little strong-willed and overly confident at times so you’ll need to make sure they know you are the one in charge and not them! If they feel like they are the ones in charge it can lead to possible aggression. Gently reinforce good behavior.

If your Pomeranian feels scared or lonely, they could whine to get your attention. If this happens rarely, or if there truly is something scaring them attend to them immediately. But if they whine for attention often making them wait will break them of this habit.

Maintaining Pomeranians Optimal Health

Your Pomeranian should see a veterinarian for regular check-ups. They are typically fairly healthy dogs but can occasionally be prone to patellar luxation and tracheal collapse. You’ll also want to examine their skin during grooming to make sure there is no evidence of any skin issues.

What To Do If A Child Is Bitten Or Scratched?

If your Pomeranian bites or scratches your child immediately separate the two and say a firm NO to your dog. Assess your child’s injuries and wash them with gentle soap and water if they’re not too bad or seek medical advice immediately if they are. Keep an eye on the scratch and/or bite over the next few days to make sure it heals.

If your dog was provoked by your child, you’ll need to make sure your child knows that was wrong. Slowly re-introduce the two for minor interactions while observing them carefully to make sure there’s no aggression on either part.

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