How to Crate Train a Pomeranian

Crate training a Pomeranian works — but it takes patience and the right approach. Poms are smart, a little stubborn, and form strong attachments, which means forcing the crate or moving too fast will backfire every time. Done right, the crate becomes a place your Pom actually wants to be. Here's exactly how to get there.

Why Crate Training Helps Pomeranians

Some owners feel guilty about crates. They shouldn't. Used correctly, a crate isn't confinement — it's security.

Den instinct. Dogs are naturally inclined to seek small, enclosed spaces when they want to rest or feel safe. A crate satisfies this instinct. Many crate-trained dogs choose to sleep in their crate voluntarily even when the door is open.

Anxiety management. Poms are prone to separation anxiety. A crate gives a Pom a defined, predictable safe space when you're away — which can actually reduce anxiety compared to having the run of a house full of "where is my person?" uncertainty.

House training. Dogs don't want to soil where they sleep. A crate helps your Pom learn to hold their bladder and signals when it's time to go outside. It's one of the most reliable house training tools available.

Safety. Unsupervised Poms can get into real trouble — chewing electrical cords, swallowing small objects, or getting injured. A crate keeps them safe when you can't watch.

Choosing the Right Crate Size

The biggest mistake people make with Pom crates: going too big.

Your Pom should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably — that's it. If the crate is large enough for your Pom to use one corner as a bathroom and the other as a sleeping area, it's too big.

For most adult Pomeranians (4–7 lbs), a 24-inch crate is the right size. For larger Poms (over 7 lbs), a 30-inch crate may be more appropriate.

If you're starting with a puppy and want to buy one crate, get a larger size with a divider panel. This lets you section off the right amount of space and expand it as your puppy grows.

Crate types:

• Wire crates — good ventilation, easy to clean, most common. Add a crate cover for a den-like feel.
• Plastic airline crates — naturally more den-like. Good for dogs who prefer darker, more enclosed spaces.
• Soft-sided crates — not recommended for puppies who chew, but fine for calm adult Poms.

Where to Put the Crate

Location matters more than most people think.

• In the bedroom, at least initially. Poms bond deeply with their people. Putting the crate in your bedroom (at least while your Pom is adjusting) reduces overnight anxiety dramatically. They can hear and smell you — which is half the battle.
• Not in a high-traffic area. Avoid placing the crate in a busy hallway or right next to the TV. Your Pom needs to feel settled in there, not like they're on display.
• Avoid direct heat or cold. No direct sunlight, heating vents blowing directly in, or drafty spots.
• Ground level is fine. Don't put the crate on a high surface where it could fall.

Once your Pom is comfortable with the crate, you can gradually move it to wherever works for your household.

The 5-Step Introduction Process

Step 1: Introduce the crate, no pressure.

Open the crate, toss a few treats inside, and let your Pom explore at their own pace. Don't close the door. Don't coax or push. Just let curiosity do the work. Leave the crate out with the door open for a few days — familiarity is the foundation.

Step 2: Feed meals in or near the crate.

Move your Pom's food bowl to just outside the crate, then inside the door, then further back inside over several days. Eating in the crate builds a powerful positive association. By the end of this step, your Pom should be walking into the crate willingly for meals.

Step 3: Short sessions with the door closed.

After your Pom is comfortable eating inside, close the door for 2–3 minutes while they finish eating. Sit nearby. Open the door calmly before any whining starts. Gradually extend these sessions to 10, then 20, then 30 minutes over several days.

Step 4: Leave the room.

Once your Pom is settled in the crate for 30 minutes without distress, begin stepping out of sight for short periods. Start with 1–2 minutes, build to 10–20 minutes. This is where you're building real independence.

Step 5: Overnight and alone time.

This step only comes after Step 4 is solid. Move to overnight crating gradually — start by crating for the first few hours of the night and being available if needed, then work toward a full night. Alone time during the day follows the same progression.

Common Crate Training Mistakes

Using the crate as punishment. If your Pom associates the crate with negative events, it will never become a safe space. Never send your Pom to the crate as a consequence for bad behavior.

Moving too fast. The biggest cause of crate training failure. If your Pom is panicking, you skipped a step. Go back.

Letting them out when they whine. This teaches that whining = freedom. Wait for a quiet moment before opening the door, even if it's just 5 seconds of quiet.

Too long too soon. Exceeding your Pom's physical and emotional limits backfires quickly.

No enrichment. A bare crate with nothing to do is harder to settle in. Add a safe chew toy, a worn piece of your clothing, or a puzzle toy for crating sessions.

How Long Can a Pomeranian Stay in a Crate?

Here are the maximum crate times by age: 8–10 weeks is 30–60 minutes (bladder can't hold longer), 10–12 weeks is 1–2 hours, 3–4 months is 2–3 hours, 5–6 months is 3–4 hours, and 7+ months or adult Poms is 4 hours (daytime maximum).

These are maximums, not targets. No dog should be crated for 8+ hours regularly, and Poms should never be crated all day while you work without a mid-day break. If your schedule requires it, arrange for a dog walker or doggy daycare.

Overnight crating is different — dogs naturally sleep through the night, so overnight crating up to 7–8 hours is fine for adults once they're fully crate trained and not puppies with small bladders.

Making the Crate a Positive Space

The crate should be associated with good things as much as possible:

• Special crate-only toys. A Kong stuffed with frozen peanut butter that only appears in the crate creates genuine excitement.
• Crate cover. A crate cover (or a blanket draped over 3 sides) creates a den feel that many Poms find calming.
• Your scent. A worn t-shirt in the crate is genuinely soothing for Poms, especially early in training.
• Calm departures. Don't make a big production of crating your Pom. A calm, matter-of-fact routine signals that crating is normal, not stressful.
• Never skip steps. Consistency throughout the introduction process is what builds trust.