Pomeranian Puppies

Pomeranian Puppies from Birth

Pomeranian puppies come into the world weighing a mere three to five ounces. These tiny bundles of fur are quite helpless, depending on their mother and human caretakers to help them survive.

Eyes

A Pom puppy's eyes are sealed closed until about ten days after birth. At this time, you'll begin to see the pup's eyes peak out at you from the corners of the lids until they unseal completely.

Allow this process to happen naturally, but watch in case the lids reseal, since this sometimes leads to an infection if there is any debris trapped inside. If you notice any swelling, you can treat the lid with a warm wet compress to help it open and drain. This is usually enough to clear up the infection, but sometimes a little veterinary intervention is necessary to resolve the situation.

Mobility

In the beginning, Pomeranian puppies are only capable of squirming around the whelping box, and will instinctively crawl towards their mother's body heat and scent to stay warm and nourished.

Around fourteen days old, most puppies will attempt to stand up on their shaky little legs, rocking back and forth as they learn how to balance themselves. This is quickly followed by their first actual steps.

Early walking is rather clumsy, yet completely adorable. In no time at all these same puppies will be running around and tackling each other in play.

Teeth

Pomeranian puppies begin to cut their first set of teeth around six weeks old. These "milk teeth", as they are commonly called, are very small and sharp, and will serve to help each pup through the transition from mother's milk to kibble.

Basic Training

Every puppy needs to learn good manners in order to become a good companion.

House Breaking

Pomeranian puppies need to begin potty training as soon as possible to make sure they start out on the right track. Between six and eight weeks it's beneficial to begin putting puppy training pads on the floor of the room where the pups will mainly be confined. You can cover a large percentage of the floor in the beginning and then gradually scale back as the pups become accustomed to doing their business on the papers.

When the puppies are older, usually around twelve weeks old, you can begin training them to take their potty breaks outside. At first, you'll need to take them out about every twenty to thirty minutes during waking hours to avoid accidents in the house. As the pups catch on, you'll be able to remove the training pads from the floor and convert everyone to going outside on a regular schedule.

Leash Training

Of course, you'll want to take your puppies for walks, and while some pups take to this activity automatically, others resist the feeling of a leash and collar around their neck.

You can begin leash training by having your puppies wear soft collars for short periods of time. Once they no longer scratch and try to tug at their collars they are ready for the next step. Attach a leash to the collar and let each puppy lead you for a while. Eventually you can gently persuade your pups to follow you. Make the experience rewarding for them by offering lots of praise and affection when they walk with you and you'll have them leash trained in no time.

Crate Training

Crate training your Pomeranian puppies should begin from the time you wean them from their mother. They have been used to sleeping in the confines of the whelping box, so progressing to a crate is the natural next step.

Choose a crate that is big enough for the entire litter to sleep in together, since the company will help them adjust to being away from mom. Eventually, each pup will graduate to a crate of its own as it moves to its new permanent home.

Obedience Training

Between four and six months of age, most puppies have the mental capacity to begin learning basic obedience commands, including "sit", "down" and "stay".

You can work on one command at a time in your home, but many pet owners find attending dog obedience classes is a great way to get help training their pups, and it's also a lot of fun.

Medical Care

All puppies should receive some basic health care from their breeders before moving on to new homes.

This includes:

• An initial "well puppy" check up to assess overall health
• Vaccinations, beginning at six weeks and continued on a schedule recommended by your vet
• De-worming to remove any internal parasites

Conclusion

From birth through puppyhood, Pomeranians need guidance to become the kind of companions every pet owner desires. When breeders follow through with a pup's basic care and training, these dogs readily make the adjustment to life with their new families.

External Links

• American Kennel Club Pomeranian page