First training tools for a 6-week Pomeranian

A six-week-old Pomeranian just home — that's about as early as it gets, and honestly the instinct to start thinking about training tools right now is a good one. Good training tools amplify good technique, they don't replace it, but the right equipment really does matter when you're working with a tiny puppy whose whole world is brand new. So tell me: what are you hoping to work on first, have you had a Pom before, and has your pup had any exposure to people or other animals yet?

Perfect starting point, and the fact that you haven't bought a pile of stuff yet is actually ideal. At six weeks, the single most important training tool isn't a clicker or a lead — it's a treat she'll genuinely work for. Pomeranians are smart and motivated by food, but at this age her mouth is tiny, her stomach is small, and most commercial treats are far too large and too rich. Before anything else, you need soft, tiny, low-calorie training treats she can eat in a split second without getting full or sick. What are you currently feeding her?

Kibble works in a pinch, but it's low-value — she'll learn faster with something that actually excites her. My recommendation is Pupford Freeze-Dried Puppy Training Treats. They're specifically designed for small and toy breeds: each piece is roughly the size of a pea, freeze-dried so they're soft enough for puppy teeth, and the ingredient list is short and clean — single protein, no fillers. Crucially, they're low-calorie enough that you can do multiple short sessions a day without throwing off her diet. For a Pom this age, sessions should be two to three minutes maximum, several times a day, and you want a treat she can smell from across the room and swallow in under a second. These tick every box. Once she's reliably responding to her name and sitting, then we can talk about a clicker or a lightweight puppy lead — but right now, the treat is the tool.

Yes — avoid anything hard or crunchy (her teeth aren't ready), anything with artificial sweeteners especially xylitol, and steer clear of high-fat treats like cheese or chicken skin at this stage. Also avoid anything marketed as a 'reward stick' or dental chew — those are for older dogs. Stick to soft, single-ingredient or minimal-ingredient treats sized for toy breeds and you'll be fine. The Pupford ones I mentioned are available on Amazon UK and arrive fast, which matters when you want to start today.

This week, just the treats and your patience — that's genuinely enough. Next week, if she's settling well, a lightweight clip-on puppy ID tag and a soft flat collar sized for toy breeds are worth adding so she starts getting used to wearing something. A basic clicker is useful once she understands that good things follow good behaviour, but introduce that in week two or three. You're in good shape — most people over-buy at this stage and then wonder why the puppy is overwhelmed. Keep it simple, keep sessions short, and she'll surprise you.