Oh boy, I hear you!!! I don't think you have rocks in your head!! I took in 3 new dogs since last April and it is a challenge! Don't get me wrong, I love them to death but it has been a lot of work.
You didn't say how old the Pomeranian is, I am assuming he/she is fairly young.
I am not sure if you are asking for advise, so if this is unsolicited advise, I apologize!
I added one dog (a 4-months-old Mini Aussie) to our - back then - 2 dog pack last April, although I had 2 dogs for the past 10 years, I had little clue what I was getting myself into. He did what you describe, graze the backyard, he also chewed and chewed and chewed, everything, dug holes in my backyard, destroyed the sprinkler system, you name it, he did it! My other two older dogs were kind of rough with him, not mean, but a 15 lbs dog compared to a 100 lbs Labrador - you get the picture and they didn't want to play and made this very clear. He was put in his place several times, and yes, he did limp every once in a while!
So, in August I got another Mini Aussie, because I thought he needed a playmate, I got another 10-months old Mini Aussie, breeder said, oh no, he doesn't chew, he is very bidable, he was very bidable all right, but man, did those two guys destroy my backyard, more than I ever imagined and they chewed up probably $ 1,000 worth of shoes (3 pairs of my horse back riding boots)!! I have gone through probably 30 pairs of shoes, aside from the other stuff that was flying over my backyard and my previously nice backyard had several holes from digging EVERY DAY.
Here is what has helped me tremendously, aside from taking them to obidience classes, I take them for a walk EVERY day, not a walk where they can sniff around and race in front of me and take ME for a walk, they need to pay attention to me, they can sniff but only if I allow them and give them the command, they need to stay right by my leg, unless I give them the "release" command and they can sniff for a minute or so. I also take my 7-year-old and 10-year-old and they are pretty good now at keeping the dogs in order!
I also go to the dog park every day, but this is only to release their energy, Aussies are a herding breed and need a LOT of exercise, I would think that your Pom doesn't need that much, a 30 to 45 min walk should be sufficient. Whereas I will let them run and play, I will call them back from time to time, practise the sit, down, stay command. They need to walk right next to me from the car to the entry of the park, if they don't we go back as many times as need be, until they stay next to my ankle. I won't let them take me for a walk!
I let them play but only supervised, if I can't watch them, they go in a crate. They play chase, take each other down, some people at the dog park comment, that those guys are better than watching TV, but if I feel it gets too rough I will break them up and make it very clear, I AM THE ALPHA DOG and I control the game! And I will put the offender in a submissive position.
It is a daily ritual, they have to submit to me, I go out the door FIRST, they have to sit until I allow them to go, they can't run off, they need to stay right next to me. I feed them but they have to sit, sometimes for 1 or 2 minutes in front of the food bowl until I allow them to release and eat.
After my 11-year-old Lab had to be put down right before Thanksgiving, I took in another Mini Aussie in December, a 2-year-old female and again the dynamics changed and again I had to establish the rules. She is AWESOME, and extremely focused on me, won't leave my side, I can take her off leash anywhere, but she will be a wild child and needs rules and boundaries!
Don't get me wrong, my dogs are my babies and I love them to pieces, they go with me anywhere, they sit next to me when I watch TV, they are my constant companions, but I have learned that there are rules that need to be established, just like I needed to establish rules with my kids. You wouldn't expect your kids to know everything by the time they are 1 year, you are the one who needs to set the guidelines. It is hard work, and neither kids nor dogs will get it the first time around, you need to be persistent and reinforce the rules. Otherwise, just like kids, they will tap-dance on you!
On a different note, don't get stressed out and start screaming, either because of fear or frustration because he/she walks on the frozen pool, put him/her in their place and TEACH them, they will eventually get it! Stay calm but be persistent!
As to the dogs playing rough, your Pom will learn, dogs are very good at teaching each other boundaries, and don't baby him/her just because he/she is little, they are resiliant, if he limps, well, so be it, you won't need to take your dog to the vet for every limp, if it doesn't get better in a day or two, you may need to consider a vet. You will learn the difference between a serious injury and them playing a little rough.
IMHO, relax, enjoy your dogs, teach them boundaries and be patient!
Sorry this was so long-winded!
Carola
