Obedience · Pomeranian
How to Teach a Pomeranian to Lie Down
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Short answer
Teach your Pomeranian to lie down by luring them from a sit toward the floor with a high-value treat, then marking and rewarding the moment they lower their body. Keep sessions short and engaging to match this bold, inquisitive breed's lively temperament.
Teaching a Pomeranian to lie down is an excellent foundation for impulse control and settling—both critical for managing this breed's lively, bold temperament and notorious barking tendency. Pomeranians are intelligent but moderately trainable (3/5), meaning they need clear motivation, consistency, and short, engaging sessions to stay focused. With their extroverted nature and moderate energy (30 minutes daily), the "down" cue becomes a powerful tool to channel their inquisitiveness constructively and reduce unwanted behaviors like excessive barking and small-dog syndrome. This guide uses positive-reinforcement methods tailored to keep your Pom engaged and rewarded, setting the stage for a calmer, more obedient companion. Success requires patience and frequent practice in short bursts to match their spirited personality.
How to do it
Step-by-step
Tick off each step as you practice it — your progress is saved on this device.
Step 1: Start with a Sit
Begin each training session when your Pomeranian is already sitting, as this is a prerequisite for learning down. Use a high-value treat close to your Pom's nose to lure them into this starting position, and mark the behavior with 'yes!' immediately before rewarding. This ensures your bold, inquisitive Pom understands the foundation before progressing.
Step 2: Lure Down with a Treat
With your Pom sitting, hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it down toward the floor between their front paws, then forward slightly. Your Pomeranian will naturally follow the treat and lower their body. The moment their elbows or belly touch the ground, say 'down' clearly, then immediately reward with the treat and enthusiastic praise.
Step 3: Mark and Reward Instantly
Timing is crucial for moderate-trainability breeds like Pomeranians. Mark the exact moment their body lowers with 'yes!' or a clicker, then deliver the reward within one second. This clear, immediate feedback helps your inquisitive Pom connect their action to the reward, accelerating learning and keeping their attention sharp.
Step 4: Add the Verbal Cue Consistently
As your Pomeranian begins to anticipate the lure, say 'down' *before* you lure, so they start associating the word with the action. Repeat this 5–10 times per session (short bursts suit their energy level), then stop before your Pom loses interest. Consistency prevents confusion and builds reliable behavior.
Step 5: Fade the Lure Gradually
Once your Pom responds to 'down' with the treat in hand about 7 out of 10 times, begin using just your hand gesture (pointing down) instead of the physical treat lure. Still reward after they lie down, but gradually phase out the food lure. This teaches independence and reduces reliance on visible motivation.
Step 6: Practice in Different Locations and Durations
Train in multiple rooms and outdoor spaces so your Pomeranian learns 'down' applies everywhere, not just in one spot. Also gradually extend how long they stay down (from 2–5 seconds initially) before releasing with 'okay!' and a reward. This builds settle skills essential for managing barking and hyperactivity.
For the Pomeranian
Pro tips
- Keep training sessions short (3–5 minutes) and repeat 2–3 times daily rather than one long session; Pomeranians tire of repetition quickly despite moderate energy and respond better to varied, frequent bursts of engagement.
- Use the 'down' cue as an anti-barking tool: when your Pom starts their notorious excessive barking, interrupt with 'down' and reward generously; this gives them a job and a focus outlet for their bold, lively temperament.
- Train when your Pomeranian is naturally calm, and always end on a success with enthusiastic praise to keep them eager for the next session—this breed's inquisitive, extroverted nature means they thrive on positive feedback and can become frustrated by failure.
Owners ask
Frequently asked questions
My Pomeranian gets distracted and won't focus on treats. What should I do?
Pomeranians are inquisitive and easily excitable. Try training in a quiet, enclosed space away from windows and other dogs. Use especially high-value rewards (tiny pieces of chicken or cheese rather than kibble), keep sessions to 3–5 minutes max, and train when your Pom is naturally calmer (not during peak energy times). Short, frequent sessions work better than long ones for this breed.
My Pom refuses to lie down and just jumps or paws instead. How do I prevent this?
Jumping is a common small-dog syndrome behavior. Ensure you're luring straight down to the floor (not out in front), and only reward when at least their elbows touch the ground—no jumping. If your Pom jumps, reset and try again. Be patient; their bold temperament may make them test boundaries. Avoid frustration, which Pomeranians sense and may react to by barking.
How long will it take my Pomeranian to learn 'down'?
With moderate trainability (3/5), most Pomeranians show reliable behavior within 2–4 weeks of consistent daily practice (5–10 minutes per day). However, generalization to different environments and durations may take 6–8 weeks. Patience and consistency are key—this breed responds well to positive reinforcement but can be stubborn if rushed.
Can teaching 'down' really help with barking?
Yes. Once your Pomeranian reliably lies down on cue, use it as an interruption tool: when they start barking, calmly ask for 'down' and reward heavily when they comply. A lying-down dog barks less because the position is naturally calming. Combine this with adequate daily exercise (30 minutes) and you'll see a significant reduction in excessive barking, which is a major Pomeranian challenge.
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Email us — we review every report, fix the guide and update its date. Our guides are general education, not a substitute for a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist.
