Article: Although Poms are eager to learn new things and aim to please, they are also very independent. You will need to be gentle, yet firm and consistent when training your Pom so he knows you are in charge.  Poorly-trained Poms can end up developing what's called the 'Small Dog Syndrome'—the dog believes he is the leader of the pack. This syndrome can lead to serious behavioral problems.  Without proper training, your little Pom could end up running the household and turning into a tiny terror. If your Pom is a puppy, you should start training him as soon as you can. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten will teach him basic socialization skills that will help him mature into a well-rounded dog.  In addition to puppy kindergarten class, socialize your puppy Pom by exposing him to different people, sights and sounds. This will get him comfortable with his new environment and teach him how to act properly in different situations. As your Pom grows older, enroll him in an obedience training class to teach him to follow basic commands, such as 'sit' and 'stay.' your pom. If you have a puppy, it will be critical to housetrain him. Potty training can take up to several months, so be patient with your puppy as he learns the proper place to relieve himself. It is best to train your puppy to go outside, and to let him choose his own spot to go.   To get your puppy on a consistent routine of going outside to relieve himself, take him outside after certain activities, such as 20 minutes after eating and 20 minutes before bedtime.  Although it may be tempting to do indoor housetraining on pee pads or newspaper, it can be challenging, since your Pom may not like being forced to use a pee pad in a spot he didn't choose himself.  If you and your family members are gone for long periods of time (more than eight hours), it may be more practical for you to leave an indoor area for your Pom that contains a pee pad and a few other creature comforts (bed, food and water bowls, toys). Remember, though, that your Pom may relieve himself in a place other than the pee pad. A good rule of thumb to remember is that a puppy can hold off from going to the bathroom for one hour per pound of body weight. For example, if your puppy is two pounds, he can hold it for about two hours. n your Pom. Crate training is a great method to train your puppy Pom. The crate not only keeps him safe from potential dangers, but can also keep him out of trouble when you're not home. In addition, since Poms can be very difficult to housetrain, crate training is a good alternative.  Crate training make take some time, especially since Pom puppies can be willful and stubborn. Visit your local pet store to select a crate size and design that will be comfortable for your Pom. When done properly, crate training will allow your Pom to see the crate as a place of safety, not punishment.  Crate training involves introducing your Pom to the crate, feeding him inside of it, and gradually leaving him in the crate for longer periods of time (including at night).  Rewarding your Pom with verbal praise and extra treats will encourage him to see the crate as something positive. When you first bring your Pom home, you may notice that his sleep schedule does not align with yours. It can take some time for a dog to adjust to the sleep pattern of his owner, so be patient with your Pom as you train him to sleep at night.  Create a comfortable area for your Pom puppy to sleep. Make this area easily accessible to your Pom so he can rest there at any time of day. He may feel isolated and stay awake at night if he associates the rest area only with the dark.  In the evenings, dim the lights and turn down the noise on the TV so your Pom knows that it's time to go sleep.  Do not rush to your Pom if he whines and barks during the night. If you do this, he will associate his noise with getting attention from you, which will certainly affect your sleep quality. Let him soothe himself back to sleep.  Puppy poms typically sleep 18 to 20 hours a day. Adult poms usually sleep 12 to 14 hours a day, including a few naps during the day. Poms bark a lot and have a surprisingly loud bark, making them great watchdogs. However, Poms do not always know when to stop barking, which can turn the barking into more of a nuisance than anything else. It is important for you to train your Pom not to bark.  Training your Pom dog not to bark begins with teaching him how to bark on command. When you have your Pom's attention, give a short verbal command ('speak,' 'bark') and let him bark a few times. Hold a treat in front of his nose and let him have the treat when he stops barking.  When your Pom responds to the command to bark, give him a command to  stop   barking ('quiet'). After a few repetitions and rewards for not barking, your Pom will learn when to bark and when not to bark. n your Pom. Poms have a lot of energy and love to go out on long walks. Daily walks are an important way to give your Pom the exercise he needs. To make the walking experience more enjoyable for the both of you, train him to walk properly on a leash.  Your Pom puppy will need some time getting used to the leash before you put it on him. Let him sniff and explore the leash. It can be helpful to carry treats with you during the first few times you are leash training your Pom. Reward him with a treat when he doesn't pull on the leash. Your puppy Pom may want to pull on the leash. Rather than yanking on the leash, stand still or start walking in the other direction.  If he decides to lie down during the walk, call him to you and give him a treat when he comes.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Be firm and consistent. Enroll your puppy Pom in a puppy kindergarten class. Potty train  your Pom. Train your Pom to sleep at night. Control your Pom's barking.  your Pom.