Understanding Pomskies
Pomskies are a relatively new breed that is a mix between Pomeranians and Huskies. They are intelligent, energetic, and love attention. However, they can also be stubborn and independent, which can make training challenging. Understanding your puppy’s behavior and personality is essential to successful training.
Socialization
Socialization is crucial for all puppies, including Pomskies. At 5 months old, your puppy should have already had some socialization experiences. However, it’s important to continue exposing them to different people, animals, sounds, and environments. This will help them become comfortable in various situations and prevent fear or aggression later on.
- Take your puppy to dog parks or playdates with other dogs.
- Introduce them to different types of people such as children, adults, and seniors.
- Expose them to different sounds like vacuum cleaners, sirens or fireworks.
- Take them on walks in different environments like busy streets or quiet neighborhoods.
Potty Training
Potty training can be one of the most frustrating aspects of owning a new puppy. At 5 months old, your Pomsky should be able to hold their bladder for longer periods than when they were younger. However, accidents may still happen if you’re not consistent with your training.
- Take your puppy outside frequently, especially after meals and naps.
- Choose a designated spot for them to go potty and use a consistent command such as “go potty.”
- Praise them with treats or verbal praise when they go in the right spot.
- If accidents happen inside, clean it up immediately and avoid scolding or punishing your puppy.
Crate Training
Crate training is an essential part of Pomsky training. It provides a safe and comfortable space for your puppy to rest and sleep in while also helping with potty training and preventing destructive behavior when you’re not home.
- Choose a crate that is big enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
- Introduce the crate gradually by placing treats and toys inside to encourage them to explore it.
- Start closing the door for short periods while you’re home, gradually increasing the time as your puppy gets used to it.
- Avoid using the crate as punishment or leaving your puppy in it for too long.
Basic Commands
Teaching basic commands is an essential part of Pomsky training. It helps establish boundaries and communication between you and your puppy. At 5 months old, your Pomsky should be ready to learn basic commands like sit, stay, come, and leave it.
Sit
The sit command is one of the easiest commands to teach your Pomsky. It’s a great way to get their attention and establish control over their behavior.
- Show your puppy a treat and hold it above their head.
- As they look up, move the treat back towards their tail, which should cause them to sit down.
- Once they sit, say “sit” and give them the treat as a reward.
- Repeat this several times until your puppy understands the command.
Stay
The stay command can be challenging for Pomskies since they are naturally energetic and curious. However, with practice and patience, you can teach your puppy to stay in one spot until released.
- Start by having your puppy sit in front of you.
- Raise your hand in front of them and say “stay.”
- Take a step back and wait a few seconds before returning to your puppy and rewarding them with a treat.
- Gradually increase the distance between you and your puppy and the amount of time they need to stay before being rewarded.
Come
The come command is essential for keeping your Pomsky safe when off-leash or in dangerous situations. It’s important to make sure they understand this command well before allowing them off-leash in public areas.
- Start by having someone hold onto your puppy while you walk away from them.
- Say “come” while holding out a treat or toy as an incentive for them to follow you.
- When they reach you, reward them with the treat or toy and lots of praise.
- Gradually increase the distance between you and your puppy and try practicing in different environments like parks or other outdoor areas.
Leave it
The leave it command is useful in preventing your Pomsky from eating or playing with things they shouldn’t. It’s also helpful in redirecting their attention when they’re overly excited or distracted.
- Hold a treat in one hand and show it to your puppy without letting them have it.
- Say “leave it” and cover the treat with your hand.
- Wait for your puppy to lose interest and reward them with a different treat or toy.
- Practice this command with different objects and gradually increase the difficulty level by using items that are more tempting for your puppy to grab.
Pomsky-Specific Training
Pomskies have some unique personality traits and behaviors that require specific training techniques. Here are some tips for training your Pomsky:
Barking
Pomskies can be vocal, which can be challenging if you live in an apartment or have close neighbors. Teaching your Pomsky not to bark excessively will save you headaches and complaints from others.
- Ignore barking behavior, as giving attention can reinforce the behavior.
- Distract your Pomsky with toys or treats when they start barking excessively.
- Teach them the “quiet” command by saying quiet and rewarding them when they stop barking.
- Avoid scolding or punishing your Pomsky for barking since this can increase anxiety and stress levels.
Digging
Pomskies love to dig, which can be destructive to your yard and garden. Teaching them where it’s acceptable to dig can prevent damage to your property.
- Create a designated digging area in your yard with soft soil or sand.
- Bury toys or treats in the digging area to encourage your Pomsky to dig there.
- Redirect them to the designated area when they start digging elsewhere.
- Avoid scolding or punishing your Pomsky for digging since this is a natural behavior that can be redirected.
Pulling on Leash
Pomskies are strong and energetic, which can make walking them challenging if they pull on their leash. Teaching them to walk calmly on a leash is essential for their safety and your enjoyment of walks together.
- Use a no-pull harness or gentle leader to prevent pulling.
- Practice loose-leash walking by rewarding your puppy for walking calmly beside you without pulling.
- Stop walking when your puppy starts pulling and wait for them to calm down before continuing.
- Incorporate training exercises into walks, such as practicing commands like sit or stay in different environments.
Conclusion
Training a 5-month-old Pomsky can be challenging, but with patience and consistency, you can teach them basic commands and prevent unwanted behaviors. Remember to use positive reinforcement, socialize them frequently, and understand their unique personality traits. With proper training, your Pomsky will become a well-behaved companion that brings joy and happiness to your life.
