How to Train a Pomsky Dog

Feb 15

Pomskies are smart, energetic and curious dogs. They require consistent training from the very beginning so they know what is expected of them. Learn how to train a pomsky dog including the training basics, first commands to train and how to react when your pomsky misbehaves.

This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, The Pomsky Dog Blog LLC earns commission from qualifying purchases.

Is a Pomsky easy to train?

Pomskies are very intelligent dogs and will quickly learn patterns and routines. Training your dog will require patience and consistency, with clear set expectations. If you start using positive reinforcement training for a pomsky when they are very young (8 weeks old), your dog will learn that when they listen to you, they receive praise and treats. If you react to your dog after they behave in a certain way (such as stealing a sock), they may turn this into a game and misbehave. Instead, set clear expectations and boundaries from the start to prevent mischievous behaviors.

Training Basics

When training a pomsky you will need to stay consistent, provide treats for reinforcement, keep the training sessions short, and adjust your voice based on whether you are directing them to do something or providing praise, to increase your dog’s understanding of the words you are teaching.

Be Consistent

Set your pomsky up for success with a consistent training schedule and technique. Teach a new skill and review it frequently to increase your dog’s confidence in following the command. Provide treats in a consistent manner (each time your pomsky follows the command correctly) and use a vocal marker such as “yes!” to praise your dog. Also ensure that your pomsky appears ready to learn a new skill by being calm and focused. If there are many distractions present, then it is likely not a good time to teach a new skill.

Tiny Treats

Use small training treats such as Zuke’s Training Treats or Pupford Freeze Dried Training Treats to reward your pomsky for learning the new skill. Pomskies are highly motivated by treats, so they will likely want to learn the a skill to receive treats. Teach the new command such as “sit”, and immediately reward with a treat.

Short Sessions

When you are training your pomsky keep the session short (5-10 minutes) to ensure they are focused and prevent your dog from getting frustrated. If your dog appears anxious or is struggling to learn a new skill, practice a previously learned skills and reward your dog with treats. Make sure you end your training session on a high note to keep training sessions positive.

Voice Intonation

Use a clear, strong voice when teaching your pomsky a new command. When your request your dog to sit, come, leave it, or wait, you want them to listen and know that you are serious. This is important for unexpected situations, such as if you accidently drop food on the floor that is toxic to dogs and you need your pomsky to “leave it”.

Use an excited, high pitched voice to praise your dog when they do something well. You can say something like “yes!” or “good girl/boy” after your dog completes a trick or goes potty outside.

First Commands to Teach

Sit – This is one of the very first commands to teach, because it can be used in a variety of situations, such as preventing your dog from jumping up on people or running. When your pomsky is standing on all four paws raise a treat up above their nose and say “sit”. Use the treat to direct your dog’s nose until they lower their bottom into a sitting position. Immediately give your dog the treat with verbal praise. Teach your dog the word “sit” paired with the hand motion of holding your pointer finger and thumb together above their head to indicate “sit”.
Come – Teach your pomsky to come when called by calling either their name or saying the word “come” and reinforcing with a treat. You can first teach your dog to touch their nose to your hand by placing a treat inside of a closed fist and having your dog touch their nose to your fist. Then present an open palm towards your dog with a treat under your thumb or between two fingers. This will teach your dog to run directly towards you. Once your pomsky has mastered this skill, practice having your dog come when called when you are out of sight (in a different room inside your home) and with your dog on a long leash outside.
Leave it – Train your pomsky “leave it” for items they can never have, such as a sock, remote or food that drops on the floor. Teaching this skill works best with two people, so one person can drop the item and the other person can give your dog treats and positive reinforcement. Start by placing an item on the floor that you never want your dog to have (sock, fork, wallet, etc.) and say “leave it” and provide treats to your dog for staying in place. If they attempt to get the item, use the hand motion for “sit” to help your dog stay in place, then reward with treats when they do not run towards the item.
Wait/Stay – Teach your dog to “wait” for things they can eventually have but need to wait for. For example, you may want your dog to wait before greeting visitors at your home, wait before exiting their crate, or wait to receive a treat. Start by placing a treat in the palm of your hand and showing your dog the treat. Close your hand and let them sniff it, then say “wait” and open your palm. After your dog has waited 5-10 seconds, say “release”, and let your dog approach your hand and eat the treat. Practice this method multiple times with the closed hand, then practice with the treat in your open hand. If your dog attempts to get the treat early, quickly close your hand and say “wait” until they sit back and wait to be released. Once your dog has learned to wait for a treat in your hand, place the treat on the floor and try the same method. You may have to cover the treat with your hand and let your dog sniff it and say “wait” so they don’t immediately try to eat it. You can use this anytime you want your dog to stay in place for a certain amount of time before your “release” them to receive the treat, greet guests, or whatever they are waiting for. We also recommend pairing the hand motion of holding a pointer finger and middle finger together and pointing up for “wait”, then swiping it to the side for “release”.

Party Tricks

Lay down – Teach your pomsky to lay down by starting with the sitting position, then guiding your dog’s nose with a treat towards the floor. You will want to direct the treat down from your dog’s nose, then out on the floor to guide your dog into the correct position. This skill will take a lot of practice, and many dogs like to immediately sit back up from the lying position because they are excited about the treat.
Shake – Shaking your dog’s paw is unnecessary, but a fun trick. Start with your pomsky in a sitting position, and shake the paw diagonal from your hand and say “shake”, then reward with a treat. Use this same method (using right hand to shake right paw or left hand to shake left paw) multiple times paired with the word “shake” and a treat. Your dog will quickly learn that if they raise their paw in response to the word “shake” they will receive a treat.
High Five – High five is similar to “shake”, but with two paws. Start with your dog in a sitting position and use both hands to lift your dog’s two front paws slightly off the ground while saying “high five”, then reward with a treat. Practice this movement multiple times, and raise your dog’s front paws slightly higher each time so they get closer and closer to looking like they are giving a high five. Consistently reward with verbal praise and treats and your dog will quickly catch on to this new trick.
Spin – Your pomsky can quickly learn to spin by guiding their nose with a treat. When your pomsky is walking on all four paws, present a treat in front of their nose and guide them to spin in a full circle and say “spin”. Practice this action multiple times with a treat directly in front of your dog’s nose. You can increase the difficulty by having your pomsky go from a sitting position to spinning, then sitting again at the end before receiving a treat.

How to react when your Pomsky misbehaves

If your pomsky misbehaves by running around the house with an item they shouldn’t have it is best not to chase after them, unless they are in danger or could get sick from eating or chewing on the item. Instead use a command they know well such as “come” or “sit” to tell your pomsky what they should be doing, rather than what they shouldn’t be doing. If this doesn’t work, you can try getting your pomsky’s attention by crinkling their treat bag or squeaking a different toy. If your dog comes running to you, first state a simple command such as “sit”, then give your pomsky the treat or toy they came running for. Try to avoid giving your pomsky treats when they run away with an item because they will learn that they receive treats for negative behavior. This is why we recommend getting their attention, then placing a demand before presenting the treat or toy to reward them.

How long does it take?

Training a pomsky is a continuous, lifelong journey. Pomskies are intelligent and eager to learn new skills and tricks. They might also require reminders of how to follow certain commands, especially if they have a change in routine or stay away from home at a dog boarding facility while you go on vacation.

Summary

Pomskies are intelligent dogs that want to please their owners. They can easily learn new tricks when training sessions are short and treats are provided as reinforcement. Remember to be consistent and use different vocal intonation to indicate when you are directing your dog to do something, and when you are excited and rewarding them for listening. If your pomsky is misbehaving, remember to gain their attention, then place a command before giving them a treat.