Open Mouth, Stick in Foot Kind of Humor

Puppy Training a Pomeranian Comedy

I was in the market for laughter long before I decided to get that new puppy. Pomeranians were a dog I was somewhat familiar with. I had pictures with one on my lap as a tiny girl. I had memories of silly family stories, turned to legend after a few retellings, of that same dog following me everywhere, even attempting to save my life and losing his own. The tales were told with love and respect for a dog that must have been loyal and intelligent. So when a very tiny, barely 1/2 a pound pomeranian was shoved into my arms one "I need something else to love" day, I was pulling out my husbands wallet before he could think to say no.

I went immediately into potty training. I bought puppy pads. It rhymed and sounded good so I went with "pee pee on the paper". The dog never really seemed to understand it. It was simple to me, but he would not "pee pee on the paper". Since he wouldn't whiz on paper, I began to take him outside to the grass. I just switched the saying to, "pee pee on the grass". The dog seemed to understand the outdoor part. He was a natural whizzer outside. He just "pee-peed all over the grass" and got praised big time. I was so happy about it, I bought him inside and personally cooked him a chicken liver.

So after a few days of whizzing outside and lots of chicken livers to make sure the puppy understood, I was getting ready to go pick up the kids at school. I was ambling about the house with the new puppy in tow, chattering away. I grabbed my pocketbook, keys, and scooted off to the bathroom. Sitting on the commode looking down at the puppy, I'm was still chattering as tinkle met water and the sounds echoed around the bathroom. "See, Mama, has to pee pee on the potty. Nugget has to pee pee on the grass."

I shouldn't have been dismayed when the precious little pom obediently strolled over to the grassy-looking bathroom rug and pee peed all over it.