CAN A POMERANIAN LIVE IN AN APARTMENT?

The Pomeranian is a small dog that takes up very little space. However, does this mean that it’s automatically perfectly suited to apartment living? See our answer below.

Can I Live in an Apartment with a Pomeranian?

For some, having a dog in an apartment is to be avoided at all costs due to lack of space, boredom, no garden, etc. There are plenty of reasons not to do it. However, we believe that it’s still quite possible to accommodate a dog in your home when you live in the city, in a space smaller than a house. And, thanks to its small size, the Pomeranian is perfectly suited to apartment living. After all, this dog breed is classified by The Kennel Club in The Toy Breed Group, which consists of small companion or lap dogs.

Nonetheless, Pomeranians are quite sporty and energetic. They must therefore be able to go out for a long walk every day to exercise. A Pomeranian that lives in an apartment and goes out every day will be much happier than one who languishes alone at the end of the garden. Outdoor space should never be an excuse not to take care of your pooch.

Pomeranians and Apartments: Something to Consider

The Pomeranian is obviously no watchdog. This toy breed doesn’t scare anyone! On the other hand, these doggies do make excellent alarm dogs. However, this also means that they bark regularly enough to get attention, which could cause conflict with your neighbours over time. Try to teach your dog not to bark at every opportunity. If they do tend to bark as soon as someone walks down the street, for example, try to cover the windows with curtains or blackout blinds. A dog that barks all day, and even more so all night, can be considered a "statutory noise nuisance". If your dog repeatedly and regularly interferes with the peacefulness of your neighbourhood, you could face a lawsuit. Your neighbours, in particular, can file a complaint against you.

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How Do I Make My Apartment Dog Friendly?

Small though they may be, Pomeranians need to be able to keep themselves busy in your absence. If you don't work from home, try to take your dog out for about thirty minutes before you leave in the morning. Thanks to their little legs, Pomeranians tend to wear themselves out quite quickly. They’ll probably want to take a nap as soon as they get home!

Purchase some brain games for your dog to play with while you're gone, to stimulate their mind and keep them occupied. Pomeranians need both physical and intellectual stimulation to be perfectly balanced. These are intelligent dogs who love to solve puzzles - even more so if there’s a reward, so toys like the Kong are ideal. If you have the time and budget, why not welcome another pet, such as a cat or another dog, into your home? So long as your Pomeranian is socialised properly from an early age, they will have no problem cohabiting with another animal. After all, these are not hunting dogs, so they have no predatory instinct.

If you can, try to come home for lunch and take your Pomeranian for a walk to break up their day. If you can't make it home, ask an acquaintance, friend, or neighbour to pop in on your dog; you can even hire a dog sitter. Dogs aren’t made to be alone for too long; they could quickly sink into boredom or depression.

On your days off, take your Pomeranian on a walk in the forest or the countryside or by the sea so they can sniff new scents. They love this type of walk. This agile little dog is also well suited to canine activities such as agility, musical canine freestyle, or tracking. These moments are also a great time for bonding and strengthening your relationship. If you live near a dog park, allow your pooch to meet and play with other dogs: it's excellent for their socialisation!

How Do You Train a Pomeranian to Live in an Apartment?

A Pomeranian’s happiness living in an apartment also depends on your ability to set up a good dog training routine. Your pooch needs to learn how to handle being alone, without barking all the time. Start training your Pomeranian as soon as you welcome your puppy home. Begin with short absences of five minutes at a time, then gradually increase the duration, until your dog can be left alone for up to two hours. Be careful, however, not to leave your pooch alone for too long. Most of all, do not congratulate your Pomeranian when you return home. Your departure should constitute a non-event.

It goes without saying that potty training is a must for every puppy. When you live in a house with a garden, this sort of training is quite easy to do. Living in an apartment, however, provides an additional constraint: you can't simply open a door to let your dog outside to relieve themselves. Despite all this, potty training your Pomeranian in an apartment is quite possible with a few small adaptations. It may take a little longer this way, but Pomeranians are very intelligent dogs, who quickly learn to understand what you expect from them.

Take your Pomeranian puppy out at set times each day, usually half an hour after meals, and wait patiently for them to poop. Praise your pup profusely when they go to the toilet outside, showering them with hugs, encouraging words, or even treats - in moderation of course! Your dog will quickly learn to associate your positive reaction with peeing or pooping outside. No matter how careful you are, however, there will always be accidents. Never scold a puppy when they poop in the house, especially if the accident happened while you were out. Your Pomeranian puppy wouldn't understand why you're cross with them. 

Finally, prioritise teaching your Pomeranian a few basic commands while they’re young, such as walking on a lead or coming back when you call. Life in the city is more dangerous than in the countryside. Being such a small dog, cars, bicycles, and scooters could all seriously injure or kill your Pomeranian. Teach them to respond to their name and walk at your heel early on. And don’t hesitate to call a professional dog trainer if you need a little help.

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