I just got a pomeranian puppy and this is my first dog that I've owned on my own. I had dogs as a kid but I now realize that the responsibility of taking care of them was never on me. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. My dog is currently on a bathroom strike. He is 7 weeks old and I read that he should only be able to hold his bladder for about 2 hours. Since I am pad training him I wanted to wait until he was ready to go to put him on the pad. It never happened. I fed him, gave him water. Never happened. He went to sleep for 1.5-2 hours. Woke up. Never happened. He was never out of my sight. This went on for almost 5 hours until I just locked him into the crate with the pad and he went. I don't think this is the right method.
Seven weeks is very young for such a tiny toy puppy to have left home, and I find it hard to believe that any caring breeder would place him in a new home at such a young age. I have checked on the American Pom. Club site, and see that their code of ethics states that puppies should be 10 weeks before being sold, unless there are exceptional circumstances, (whatever that may mean). In another thread you are asking about the amount of noise that he is making, as you have a shared apartment. I have to say that I think you are expecting far too much from this baby, who has hardly had enough time to settle with you, and is probably still desperately missing his mother and litter mates. You will need to be more than usually sensitive to this puppy's need for reassurance, and sensitive socialisation. Do also take great care to avoid digestive upsets - he will have very little resilience for another month or so. As long as he is drinking a sufficient quantity of fluid - he should be able to wee normally, but do not expect him to have any idea of housetraining yet - that will be up to you to teach him. As this is your first puppy, I recommend that you buy a couple of really good books on Poms in particular, and on puppy rearing in general, so you can keep them by you as a source of reference. I'm sorry if I am coming over as stern, it is not your fault that this puppy has been sold to you so young, and I really do wish you all the best in rearing a healthy and happy little man.
I thought it was young too. I didn't realize that until after I got him. The vet didn't seem to question it so I wasn't too concerned. I want to do whatever i can to make him comfortable without letting him run the house. I didn't expect him to be housetrained. I more so expected him to be so ready to pee that he would go on the puppy pad.
I am reassured that you have seen a vet, and he didn't seem to be worried. I'm sure that as long as your puppy is eating and drinking normally, he will have to pass an equivalent amount of urine, - is it possible that he has found a corner where he is going undetected? The first few days are always an anxious time, he has to learn that he can relax in his new surroundings, and you have to learn to read his body language. Watch for signs of him looking unsettled, and just keep popping him on his pee pad, - also after every drink, meal, sleep, or play session. When he does go, give it a name - I say 'Good Quicky', and give him a tiny treat. He will get the message, but it may take a few weeks yet. Don't scold him for mistakes, just remind him where to go, and clean up with a bio product. I'm afraid the noise is just what puppies will do. He will quieten when he has adjusted to his new surroundings. Explain this to your flatmates and ask them to be patient for a couple of weeks.
