Pomeranian Separation Anxiety: Key Signs & Tips to Keep Your Pom Calm
When your Pomeranian feels scared or anxious about being left alone, this is referred to as Pomeranian separation anxiety. It can come out as your dog barking, pacing, or engaging in some form of destructive behavior. The good thing is that with the proper training, socialization, and the calming routine for your pup, your Pomeranian can learn to be relaxed and confident in your absence.
If your fluffy little Pom starts barking endlessly or pacing nervously the moment you pick up your keys, you might be facing Pomeranian separation anxiety. This common behavior issue impacts many small breeds, particularly those who form strong attachments. It is not simply about missing you. It is an emotional issue that can lead to stress, destructive behavior, or depression in dogs.
Learning about Pomeranian separation anxiety begins with identifying the early signs so you can respond in a calm, effective manner. This guide covers the causes, symptoms and proven strategies to help your Pom feel secure and confident, even when you leave the room. It addresses a range of behaviors from whining to furniture chewing.
Read more about the behaviour: Understanding Pomeranian Behavior
Do Pomeranians Have Separation Anxiety?
Certainly — Pomeranians are one of the breeds most likely to be impacted by separation anxiety. Their small size and affectionate nature make them crave constant companionship. When left alone, they feel abandoned, which can cause stress. It is not about being “spoiled.” It is an emotional response and it is completely understandable given the close relationship they have with their owners.
🟣 Before You Leave:
Sometimes, signs of separation anxiety in dogs can show before they even leave. Your Pom may start pacing nervously, shaking, or becoming extra clingy. Some even start to show signs when you grab your keys or put on your shoes. These signs show your dog has anticipatory anxiety and pining for their owner before they leave.
🟣 After You Have Gone:
After you leave, signs of Pomeranian separation anxiety become really obvious. Many dogs will annoy the neighbors with constant barking, scratching at doors, and chewing their owners’ things. Some even urinate or defecate in the house despite being fully housebroken. These are not acts of disobedience but signs of panic and distress. A Pomeranian exhibiting these dog behavior problems needs structure and gentle reassurance.
🟣 When You Arrive Home:
When you return, your Pom may greet you with overwhelming excitement, but say it with me: whining, jumping, or circling around you. Failing to manage anxiety will lead to Pomeranian Depression, which will leave your dog moody or withdrawn even in your company.
Recognizing these patterns will help you provide a safer and more peaceful surrounding for your little friend.
How Long Can a Pomeranian Be Left Alone?
The Pomeranian isn’t the type of dog that can be left alone for several hours. Typically, Pomeranians that experience separation anxiety are the ones that get left alone for several hours at a time. An adult Pom may be left alone for 4-6 hours, but Pomeranian puppies and senior dogs are going to have a more difficult time with it.
Pomeranian puppies can get distressed quickly and have a difficult time coping with the stress of an owner disappearing. Senior dogs may also have a more difficult time since their vision and hearing may decline, thereby worsening the anxiety and stress caused by being alone.
If you work long hours, try to take small breaks throughout the day. It also helps to take brief walks, as well as to have pet sitters and doggie daycares arranged to keep your dog from boredom and emotional distress.
Another important element is training consistency. Slowly increasing the time your Pom is alone starting with just a few minutes and then extending in small increments builds your Pom’s confidence. This helps your dog being alone is not dangerous or permanent.
Make sure your absence is safe and predictable. Leaving behind familiar toys, background soothing sounds, or calming scents is also a great way to help your Pom adjust and avoid the development of dog behavior problems.
What Causes Pomeranian Separation Anxiety?
Pomeranian separation anxiety is not something that happens overnight. It takes time, and generally, it is an emotional response that stems from certain routine changes, shifts in an environment, or changes in bonding behavior. Pomeranian separation anxiety is a conditioned response to a perceived emotional threat. Pomeranians are passionate and people-centric, developing strong emotions for their owners. Pomeranians easily feel anxious and stressed when a bond is altered, as with separation.
Over-dependence is one of the most common causes of Pomeranian separation anxiety. If a Pom is always with the owner, whether sleeping in the same bed, following them, or not being left alone, the Pom learns to associate safety only with that owner. This makes it hard for the Pom to cope with safety and security being disrupted, even for a short time. This is why owners often see excessive dog barking, vocalization, and even destructive behavior when a Pom is left alone.
Another cause can be abrupt changes to a pet’s routine. Changes in work hours, moving to a new home, and even the addition of a new family member or pet can lead to confusion. Pomeranians are very sensitive to changes and even one change to their schedule can prompt anxiety.
The lack of early socialization and positive reinforcement training also contributes to the issue. Dogs that never learned to feel secure alone are more likely to develop anxiety. Pomeranians can adopt training techniques that incorporate solo periods, crates, and brief separation to ease the problem.
Lastly, past trauma can make some Pomeranians fearful of being abandoned again. These emotional scars often require the help of a trainer or Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) to develop a gentle plan for desensitization and counter-conditioning.
How to Help a Pomeranians with Separation Anxiety
Help for Pomeranians with separation anxiety comes in the form of patience, structure, and consistency. The aim is to change the way your Pomeranian feels about being alone. The goal is to transform anxiety into calm independence. This is achieved through training, environmental management, and gradual exposure.
Begin by figuring out what makes your dog anxious. Is it you grabbing the keys, putting shoes on, or maybe closing the door? After you recognize the signs and what your dog picks up on, you can work on desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques. In this case, you can try to resolve the negative emotional responses stress caused by pairing departure cues like grabbing keys, putting on shoes, or closing the door with something your dog enjoys such as a toy or a treat. This should change the emotional association.
Keep departures and arrivals nice and calm. This is the opposite of what we want to do. Dramatic goodbyes and hellos reinforce emotional intensity. Instead, calmly leave the house and return without a big fuss or a lot of attention. This teaches your dog that coming and going is normal, not something to panic about.
Having a balanced, healthy, and predictable emotional routine each day helps. Feeding, walking, and playtime should stick to the same time, as consistent time will help your dog emotionally. Predictability with routine is helps your dog. Positive reinforcement with training will help mentally as well. You can also use grind bowl and scent training.
If dog calming aids and supplements are something you have thought of, or a CAAB, those are options if everything you have tried still doesn’t help with the anxiety. They will help create an effective plan tailored to your Pom’s emotional needs.
Pre-Departure Pomeranian Training
Practice leaving your Pom alone for short periods. Start by leaving for a few minutes and gradually extending the time. When you come back, reward calm behavior. This builds trust and confidence.
Keep your pre-departure routine calm. Don’t dramatically say “goodbye” or show any signs of anxiety. Dogs reflect human emotions, so your calmness will encourage your Pom to relax too.
Mild “separation cues” like grabbing your keys and putting on your shoes signal to your Pom that you will “leave.” This helps your Pomeranian desensitize those triggers over time.
These are actions and sounds that need to change before you open that door.
– Picking up your keys or bag
– Putting on your shoes or jacket
– Saying “bye” to your dog in a high-pitched tone
– Locking doors or jingling keys
Doing these actions without leaving helps your Pom understand that these sounds are normal and not signals of abandonment.
🔹 Here are some ways to prepare:
– Add a calming routine before a trip to help departure days feel less stressful.
– Use praise and treats to reinforce calm and quiet behavior.
– Gradually increase time intervals before and after a departure.
– Use calming ambient sound like a soft radio.
🔹 Here are some ways to prepare for leaving:
– Don’t say a word and just walk away!
– Leave out some safe toys and chewable distractions.
– If you’re leaving after dark, you should keep the lights on.
– If your Pom cries, you should not return. Wait until they are quiet.
Adjust the Set Up of their Space
A feeling of control over the space provided will help alleviate pomeranian separation anxiety. The Pom space should feel like a safe and cozy space to help calm the Pom. Provide familiarity and coziness to the space and keep a routine.
Try to keep the area calm and quiet. Steer some positive reinforcement practice so the Pom learns to associate the space with nice things like the radio, silent toys, and praise.
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Items to Keep In His Area:
Having a good setup helps to keep your Pom feeling comfy, emotionally stable, and gives him a little something to do. Include:
1. Comfort Items
– Soft, washable dog bed or crate mat
– Blankets carrying your scent for reassurance
– A few chew-resistant plush toys for comfort
2. Enrichment Toys
– Puzzle feeders that slowly release treats
– Interactive toys
– Safe chew bones
3. Calming Additions
– Soft background music or white noise machine
– Natural calming aids and supplements (vet-approved)
– Calming pheromones diffused in the air
4. Necessities
– Fresh water at all times
– A pee pad or dog litter tray if you’ll be away long
– Ventilation for comfort
If a setup is done right, this setup can be a haven for your Pom, a safe place, transforming anxious feelings into a calm and happy state.
Best Pomeranian Separation Anxiety Toys
For Pomeranians suffering from separation anxiety, toys can help ease stress. Toys can also distract and soothe your Pomeranian and help them with emotional stability. Toys help with comfort and provide emotional stability. With toys, you can channel your Pomeranian’s anxious energy toward positive, focused play.
Select toys that exercise your Pomeranian’s mind. Puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing balls, and snuffle mats will help them pass the time when you are away. Mental stimulation will help prevent destructive chewing and relieve stress.
Chewing toys are also essential. They provide soft and safe chewing rubber toys that are hygienic and easy to wash.
Some stuffed toys can also be soothing to your Pomeranian, particularly those that are scented with your scent. Just make sure they are sufficiently durable for small, but determined, chewers.
Rotating toys every few days will refresh your Pomeranian’s focus, curiosity and engagement. This will help ease your Pomeranian’s fixation on your absence.
Another Essential Factor – Setting Up the Home Environment
Your home environment can affect the toys. Make your Pomeranian’s play area organized and decluttered. Toys should be easy to reach, clutter should be avoided and the area should be well lit.
Combining toys with positive reinforcement training achieves the best results. Appreciate the calm, independent play. This way, the Pom understands that alone time can be enjoyable, and not scary.
Practice Runs to Ease the Pomeranian's Anxiety
Practice runs help with Pomeranian separation anxiety. It allows your dog to slowly come to terms with you leaving, without triggering a panic attack.
Start with a few minutes. Step outside, and come back calmly, and don’t make a huge production upon leaving. The goal is to teach the Pom that you always come back, and it is not scary.
Slowly increase the length of time you are gone. Five, ten, twenty minutes, and so on. Always keep the tone relaxed. This helps the Pom to stay calm as well.
While you are away, leave a puzzle toy, or a treat-dispensing ball. These will help the Pom to positively associate your absence with reward.
Practice is crucial, even on weekends. This helps with emotional stability. These short exercises will reduce anxiety, and build the Pom’s confidence in handling alone time.
How to Handle Things When You Get Home
Your behavior upon getting home can either soothe or aggravate Pomeranian separation anxiety. The aim is to keep it mellow and neutral.
When you come home, please, don’t run to your Pom and smother them with affection. Allow them to calm down first. This helps your dog learn that your homecoming can, and should, be a chilled and calm affair.
Once your Pom is serene, feel free to greet them and maybe whisper sweet nothings or just gentle pats. This time, you reward them for calm and serene behavior.
Don’t yell at your dog for chewed shoes or other accidents, just calmly work with them to stop that behavior. This also helps reward and reinforce new behaviors you have taught.
Make your homecoming an unexciting and predictable routine. This routine soothes anxiety: “Nothing bad happens when you leave and when you come back.”
If All Else Fails
Pomeranian separation anxiety can take a lot of time and work to get to a preferred level of improvement. In this case, it is OK to not be discouraged. This just tells us your Pom is going to need a bit more help.
Getting help from a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or a dog trainer focusing on anxiety management would be an ideal next step. They will be able to see your pom’s behavior and develop a plan that meets their style and needs.
Your vet may help rule out other medical issues and may also recommend some calming dog aids or supplements that help your dog with anxiety.
In severe cases of anxiety, a mix of professional behavior modification techniques, desensitization training, and positive reinforcement dog training will greatly help.
As always, progress will take time, and your calming, consistent love is still the best medicine your pom can receive.
Will Having another Pomeranian Help?
Owners frequently ask if getting another dog will help with Pomeranian separation anxiety. This is a fair consideration, especially when you see your Pomeranian alone. However, getting a second dog may not solve the problem.
In some situations, getting another pet will help relieve the stress of an anxious Pom, especially if they like to socialize. Having a second dog will help ease the anxiety of those alone times, but only to a small degree.
If your Pomeranian’s anxiety is primarily focused on you, getting a second dog will not help and may create jealousy or other behavioral problems.
Work on individual training and emotional independence first. Once learned alone security, then having a companion can be a joyful addition instead of a coping mechanism.
Final Thoughts on Dealing with a Pomeranian Separation Anxiety
Training a Pomeranian with separation anxiety requires patience and consistency. It’s completely doable. Your Pom is not choosing to “misbehave.” They are confused and scared when you leave.
Figuring out the reasons behind the anxiety and practicing systems can help turn the anxiety around. Little daily activities such as positive training, mental exercises, and desensitization can help build the confidence your Pom needs.
Provide a calming space, stimulating activities, and praise for relaxation to encourage a positive environment. Be patient. Canine emotional development is slow.
Your Pom will learn that alone time is a part of a happy, balanced life. With your guidance and love, it will be less scary.
🩺 References
American Kennel Club (AKC) – Separation Anxiety in Dogs
- VCA Animal Hospitals – Behavior Problems in Dogs – Separation Anxiety
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) – Separation Anxiety.
FAQs
Pomeranians are small, people-oriented, sensitive, and people attached, which makes and being attached to people makes them get anxiety, particularly with separation, noise, and as per breed guides and behavioral surveys, some small companion breeds which also have anxiety.
Gradual desensitization, counter conditioning, and predictable routines are some ways to actively help an anxious Pomeranian. Other ways are calming an anxious Pomeranian are creating a safe, comfortable space and resource guarding by adding puzzle or treat dispensing toys to help with neutral and calm energies. Temperament can also help and be helped with safe, inexpensive, and low-placement pheromone diffusers or vet recommended calming treats to take during neutral energy times. Also, keep all of your arrivals and departures low-key to help structured, predictable negative routines.
The environmental changes made safe from behavioral adjustments are an essential part. Environmental enrichment with behavioral adjustments of anxiety can also include safe, attached, and structured den, background noise, and some enrichment to keep a dog safe from anxiety.
Anxiety med vets have to look for parental drugs like estrace, and for separation anxiety, use clomipramine and fluoxetine which help separation anxiety. Other options are Safe and unpatterned, spacing out tasks, building tension, and fostering reliance.
Start with behavior changes and enrichment; for adjuncts, vets may recommend evidence-backed options like L-theanine (Anxitane), melatonin, pheromone diffusers, or prescription meds if needed — consult your vet to choose safe, age-appropriate treatments.