Keeping Your Pomeranian Dog Healthy And Happy
By: Lee Dobbins
Opening your heart to a Pomeranian can be fun, but you must be willing to take on the responsibility of dog ownership. When you become a Pom owner, its up to to do everything in your power to make your pets life a happy one, the proper care, environment and companionship. If this sounds like a big commitment – it is! But rest assured, the rewards of pet ownership far outweigh the work you have to put into it.
An often overlooked, but very important step in caring for your Pomeranian is to insure that he is properly trained. A properly trained dog will be a pleasure to both strangers and his master, but a lot of people do not take this important step and then wonder why their dog is not "well behaved". Many a dog has been considered a "bad" pet when all he really needed was the owner to take the time out to train him properly.
Proper training isnt just about performing cool tricks, although that is one side benefit. A properly trained dog will be safer than one who is not trained. A properly trained dog will be obedient and come to your side should you need to call him out of harms way. A well trained Pomeranian will not be a nuisance to guests and training your dog is also a bonding experience and will enforce the fact that you are the "master". You can train a dog on your own, or you can join an obedience training class and get instruction from professionals.
The Pom is an active dog who is intelligent courageous and a loyal companion. The Pomeranian may not interact well with small children and due to its small size can suffer abuse from children . The Pomeranian can make a good watch dog but can become to yappy if you do not train him to avoid excessive braking. The Pom may be hard to housebreak but are very smart and can be trained very quickly.
Another important part of Pomeranian ownership is to get regular vet checkups. A yearly check up is a must and he should have all his vaccinations kept up to date. Also, if you notice anything different in your Pomeranians behavior schedule a vet appointment right away. Oftentimes animals hide the fact that they are feeling sick and even a small change could indicate something more serious. Have your Pomeranian neutered or spayed - they WILL be much happier.
Providing a safe environment for your Pomeranian can eliminate unfortunate accidents in the home, especially for puppies. Be careful to pick up small objects your dog could ingest and make sure there are no unsafe places in the home. When guests come over, or if the kids are running in and out, make sure they know not to leave the door open so the dog can get out. Refrain from feeding your Pomeranian table scraps as some of it can actually harm your dog. Chocolate, in particular, can be lethal.
Grooming your Pomeranian not only helps him look his best but is also important to keep him in the best of health. Cleaning his ears, brushing his fur, trimming his nails – these all contribute to the overall health and happiness of your pooch. Proper dental care is the most important grooming task you can do for your Pomeranian. Without regular brusing, bacteria can build up in your dogs mouth. This bacteria can break away and cause serious health problems for your dog. Make sure you brush at least a couple of times a week and have a dental check up every year!
Finally, you need to have a plan in case something goes wrong. What if there is a fire or some other disaster? Make sure someone is responsible to get your pet out of the house in case of emergency. Its also a good idea to have a neighbor or friend that can take your pet on short notice should you be called away in an emergency.
When you let a Pomeranian into your home as a pet, you are making a lifetime commitment to provide everything he needs for a healthy and happy life. Some Pomeranians can live into the teens so consider your commitment carefully – in the end I think you will see that the rewards far outweigh the work involved in caring for a pet.
About the Author: Lee Dobbins is a Pomeranian lover and writes for http://www.pomeranian-pages.com. Find out more about this wonderful breed and how to best care for your Pom at http://www.pomeranian-pages.com/pomeranian-dog-care.html