This is a specific conversation about Puppy training — the right tools from the start — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
Those first few months really do set the patterns for life — the right tools from the start make training easier and less stressful for both puppy and owner, and the wrong ones can create habits that are genuinely hard to undo. Before I point you in the right direction, I'd love to know a little more: how old is your puppy, what breed are they, and what are you mainly trying to work on right now?
She's 28 weeks old, a Pomeranian. She was doing really well with sit and recall but the last few weeks she just... ignores me. Like I don't exist. Training sessions have become a battle and I'm getting a bit disheartened.
inparticular.ai
What you're describing is textbook adolescence, and honestly it hits Pomeranians quite hard. Around 6 to 7 months their brain is flooded with hormones, their nose and ears suddenly become far more interesting than you, and treats that worked brilliantly a month ago stop cutting it. The good news is this phase is temporary — usually 8 to 12 weeks — and the single most effective thing you can do right now is dramatically increase the value of your reward. She's not being stubborn out of defiance; she just needs a reason compelling enough to override all that biological noise. Can I ask — what are you currently using as treats during training?
Just the little dried kibble-type treats from the pet shop. She used to go mad for them but now she sniffs them and walks off.
inparticular.ai
That's exactly the problem. Kibble-level treats were fine when the world was simple, but an adolescent Pomeranian competing with squirrels, smells, and her own hormones needs something that genuinely stops her in her tracks. My recommendation is Forthglade 100% Natural Chicken Liver treats — they're intensely smelly (in the best possible way for a dog), soft enough to break into tiny pieces for a small breed like a Pom, and because they're single-ingredient you can use them freely without worrying about upsetting her stomach. The high protein content and strong scent make them genuinely high-value in a way that processed treats simply aren't. Keep sessions very short — two to three minutes maximum — and end on a win. You're not trying to teach her new things right now; you're just maintaining the connection and reminding her that responding to you is still the most rewarding game available.
That makes sense. Should I be worried this phase means she'll always be difficult? My neighbour said Pomeranians are untrainable.
inparticular.ai
Your neighbour is wrong, I'm afraid — Pomeranians are actually very trainable, they're just sensitive and easily distracted, which means they need a handler who adjusts to them rather than just repeating the same approach louder. Dogs who sail through adolescence with consistent, well-rewarded training often end up more reliably trained than those who had an easy puppyhood, because you've genuinely worked for the connection. Stick with the high-value treats, keep sessions playful and brief, and don't drill the same cue repeatedly if she's not engaging — that just teaches her that ignoring you is an option. Come back to it five minutes later and you'll often get a completely different dog.
Really reassuring, thank you. I'll grab those liver treats and give the shorter sessions a go.
inparticular.ai
You're going to be fine — and so is she. The fact that she was responding well before tells you the foundation is solid; you just need to meet her where she is right now. Give it a couple of weeks with the new treats and shorter, punchier sessions, and I'd expect to see a real difference. Good luck with her.
