How to Stop a Pomeranian From Digging
Pomeranians are curious, energetic little dogs with bold personalities—traits that make them prone to digging, especially in yards and around furniture. While their moderate energy level (30 minutes daily exercise) should help channel activity, their inquisitive nature and lively temperament mean they naturally seek stimulation and outlets for exploration. The good news is that digging is a redirectable behavior. With Pomeranians' moderate trainability (3/5), consistency and patience are key; they respond well to positive reinforcement and engaging alternatives. This guide will help you understand why your Pom digs and teach you practical strategies to redirect that instinct into acceptable activities, turning a frustrating behavior into manageable play.
Step-by-step
- 1
Identify the Digging Triggers
Observe when and where your Pomeranian digs most—is it during boredom, anxiety, heat-seeking, or prey-drive excitement? Pomeranians' inquisitive nature means they often dig to investigate scents or escape to cooler spots. Understanding the trigger is crucial for redirecting the behavior effectively toward positive outlets.
- 2
Provide a Designated Digging Zone
Create a specific sandbox or shallow digging pit filled with sand or loose soil where digging is permitted and encouraged. Place your Pom in this zone during times they're most likely to dig, and reward them heavily with treats and praise when they dig there instead of in the yard or furniture.
- 3
Increase Daily Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Boost your Pom's 30-minute daily exercise routine with interactive play, puzzle toys, and sniff games to burn mental energy. Pomeranians with sufficient stimulation are less likely to dig out of boredom—keep them engaged with toys that challenge their inquisitive minds.
- 4
Block Access to Problem Areas
Temporarily prevent your Pomeranian from digging in unwanted spots by using barriers, netting, or supervised-only outdoor time. This prevents the behavior from being self-rewarding while you build the habit of using the designated digging zone instead.
- 5
Reward Digging in the Approved Spot Consistently
When your Pom digs in their designated zone, immediately reward with high-value treats, enthusiastic praise, and play. Positive reinforcement is essential with Pomeranians' moderate trainability—consistent, immediate rewards reinforce the correct behavior quickly.
- 6
Redirect Digging Urges with Alternative Outlets
Offer engaging alternatives like puzzle feeders, chew toys, or games that satisfy the digging instinct without destruction. Redirect any digging attempts away from forbidden areas toward these approved options, followed by rewards, to establish new habits.
Pro tips
- Pomeranians' high barking tendency often accompanies digging excitement—stay calm and redirect with positive energy rather than verbal corrections, which can trigger more barking.
- Use puzzle feeders or sniff mats during your Pom's daily 30-minute exercise to satisfy their inquisitive nature and tire their mind, significantly reducing digging urges.
- Pomeranians can develop small-dog syndrome, making them stubborn about rules—remain absolutely consistent with rewards for correct behavior and neutral (not angry) when redirecting mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Pomeranians dig more than other breeds?+
Pomeranians' high barking tendency, inquisitive nature, and bold temperament mean they're naturally driven to explore and seek stimulation. Digging is an outlet for their curiosity and excess energy, especially if they're not getting enough mental or physical engagement.
How long will it take to stop the digging behavior?+
With consistent training, most Pomeranians show improvement within 2-4 weeks. However, their moderate trainability (3/5) means some individual dogs may take longer. Patience and consistency are essential—rewarding the correct behavior every time is crucial.
Can I punish my Pom for digging?+
No—punishment can increase anxiety and worsen behavior, especially in Pomeranians who may develop wariness. Positive reinforcement works much better with this breed. Instead, focus on redirecting to appropriate outlets and rewarding digging in the designated zone.
What if my Pomeranian only digs when I'm not watching?+
Supervise outdoor time closely during the retraining phase, or use a pen/barrier to prevent unsupervised digging. If your Pom is digging when alone, they may have separation anxiety—increase exercise beforehand and provide engaging puzzle toys to redirect that energy constructively.