Pomeranians can be trained and certified service dogs. While they’re too small to help with all disabilities, they can benefit others. Therefore, just because they’re small doesn’t eliminate their ability to be a service animal.
Of course, not all Pomeranians can be service dogs. Their smaller size and yappiness can make them more challenging to train for specific jobs. They must be calm and obedient, which doesn’t always describe a Pomeranian well.
Specific service dog training organizations have their requirements and considerations for selecting and training service dogs. It’s essential to consult with professionals to choose the best service dog for you. It isn’t best to assume that your Pomeranian can perform as a service dog, as they often need hand-selected as puppies.
What Tasks Can Pomeranians Do?
Pomeranians aren’t suitable for the same tasks that larger service dogs can do. You’ll never find a Pomeranian pulling a wheelchair or helping someone walk down the stairs. However, they can perform many other tasks that may even be performed better by dogs of smaller sizes.
What Are the Benefits of a Pomeranian Service Animal?
There are several reasons why a Pomeranian may be chosen as a service animal over another breed. Here are some of the reasons they’re often considered:
Of course, Pomeranians are suitable for every situation.
Services Pomeranians Can’t Provide
Pomeranians cannot provide all services. While they are great dogs for some situations, they cannot be utilized for others. Here are some examples of why using a Pomeranian probably isn’t the best idea:
Are Pomeranians Good Service Dogs?
Pomeranians can be good service dogs if trained well to do the right tasks. Pomeranians can’t perform all tasks well, so they shouldn’t be expected to. However, they may be a fantastic choice if you need them to be a medical alert dog or alert you to sounds. They’re also lower maintenance than other service dog breeds, making them better suited to those with less time or energy to care for a dog.
Not all Pomeranians make a good choice, though. Most service dog training centers hand-pick dogs for their program and even then, many do not graduate. Often, dogs need to complete several temperament tests and pass through training. Some dogs aren’t cut out for it, and fewer Pomeranians will likely make it than dogs of more common breeds, like Labrador Retrievers.
The average Pomeranian likely won’t have the focus required to work as a service dog. Only the top-of-the-line Pomeranians will do. Of course, the quality of the training also matters. Many facilities train service dogs, but not all of them can train Pomeranians to perform the task you need to be done. Therefore, you must do plenty of research before deciding what company to use.
Final Thoughts
Pomeranians can be service dogs for some purposes. They’re mainly utilized as medical alert dogs, where they seem to thrive. In this situation, they’re often carried so that they’re closer to their owner and more likely to pick up on small changes in scent—which they use to signal drops in blood sugar or approaching seizures. They can save many lives in this manner.
Pomeranians are often a good choice for hearing assistance, as well. They can notify their owners when they hear a particular sound. Because they’re extremely alert, they often do well at this job.
Of course, not every Pomeranian will make a good service dog. These dogs are often chosen as puppies to perform their roles. Often, they must undergo temperament tests and pass several training tests, too. Only the best dogs make it and are allowed to become service animals.
Therefore, if you own a Pomeranian, they likely wouldn’t be cut out as a service animal. However, if you need a service animal, contacting an agency that trains Pomeranians for your particular need may be a good option.
Featured Image Credit: barinovalena, Shutterstock
