calliecritturs
Posted : 11/5/2006 8:49:18 AM
Like most any small dog, people tend not to train them. They scoop them up to get them out of trouble and tend to not train it.
do poms bark? Yep, sure do. Can it be trained not to be barky? Yes it sure can.
ANY SMALL DOG will do exactly what you don't want it to do. Unfortunately Reece Witherspoon's movies and a few other Hollywood celebrities have made poms chis and other small dogs the ultimate cute thing to have -- but you *must* train them. They need obedience class just like any other dog. They need to be socialized and trained to BE friendly just like any other dog -- it doesn't just happen.
Cats? Depends on the situation and the cat -- remember a pom and cats are pretty much the same size -- so you need to teach them both to respect each other and get along. Yep -- it's again *training*.
My first dog was a pom/peke mix and a more wonderful dog I'll never have again -- but I trained all the time with her. She went everywhere with me -- and if I couldn't take her on a leash, she rode on my shoulder or in my purse. This was 34 years ago -- long before it was 'popular'. However, she knew it was just her place to ride -- I didn't snatch her up to get her out of the way, nor did I tolerate bad behavior from her. She was one of the first pet therapy dogs (before it was even a term!) -- I taught developmentally disabled children -- she went with me and helped the occupational therapist and I all day long.
Poms are delightful dogs -- but watch the breed-related health problems. Without checking I *think* PRA is a problem (narrow-snouted dogs - often happens), and I think also patellar problems are big. I think you'll find both the AKC and ASPCA website may be able to shed light for you on what breed related problems to avoid -- and you want a VERY good breeder, not just someone who happens to have puppies.
Good luck. Good questions too by the way!