I’ve recently bought a new puppy, his name is Stanley and he’s a Miniature Schnauzer. He’s gorgeous!
I wondered if anyone has any good puppy training tips, or any tips for this breed. He’s settling in brilliantly, but is a couple of weeks away from being fully vaccinated, so I’m having to carry him about lots!
Stanley is gorgeous! A good friend of mine got a miniature schnauzer a few months ago, hers is about 7 months now. They’re brilliant dogs, don’t need too much walking and don’t shed much hair. My friend is disabled after a stroke, so had to choose her breed very carefully to find one suitable to her abilities and she’s delighted with her Schnauzer!
She got lots of puppy training books as took hers to puppy training classes, that’s the only advice I can give.
I must admit, he’s been really good so far. A bit of barking a growling when I take him out, but I think once he’s able to go on his lead and is able to explore a bit more he should be ok.
I was considering the puppy training as I think the socialisation would be especially good for him.
I have a 7year old and have had dogs in the past. I fully trained them myself and my best tip is repeat, repeat, repeat! The training never stops. Even at 7 years old I train my dog but they reward is she is so well behaved. She is cross terrier/lab so has the hunting instinct and yet she lives with two indoor rabbits. I still would never leave them alone together but they eat and play together! Reward good behaviour (doesn’t have to be food!) and ignore them when they do it wrong. If you get all hysterical and shouting (which I’m sure you won’t) when they get it wrong they will see that as a game because they are getting a reaction which is just what they want.
What a lovely dog.
I agree with the previous posts.
I’ve had dogs all my life and would recommend ‘The Dog Listener’ by Jan Fennel.
Full of good training methods.
Enjoy yourself.
Di Price @AdienCrafts, has Schnauzers (I think). If I tag her, she may find your thread and I’m sure she’ll be able to give you loads of advice on the breed. I’m not a dog person, but he looks so gorgeous.
Hi . He is soo cute. Even though I have had dogs for all of my life, when we got our current dog, Belle, I was stumped at first. She was a rescue and had been in the kennels for most of her life - she was two when we got her and she had not been well socialised so was very aggressive toward other dogs. I almost sent her back but realised that she just needed our love. Six years on, she is now one of the best behaved dogs you could ever wish and boy, does she make us laugh!
So, my best advice is: plenty of love, SOCIALISATION with other dogs and people and as said above, reward based training. If he misbehaves, ignore him and he will soon understand that he gets the best of your attention when he is good. Oh yes, and lots of love!!
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Aw congratulations! I would def look into the socialisation side of training. The training I did with mine (a Golden Retriever) was sadly just about sitting, staying etc and achieving Kennel Club Gold and nothing about their socialisation so when looking at training do ask them what kind of training they do.
And enjoy! They don’t stay puppies for long (although I call mine puppy-headed as she’s a big doofus at age 4!).
Thanks very much everyone, this is all really helpful.
He’s been a little star so far, so fun and loving. The main thing I’m finding hard is the barking at other dogs. My aunt has a dog who is lovely and fully vaccinated. They met each other yesterday and Stanley just barked and barked at him. But we’re planning to keep them in contact until I can get stuck into the puppy training. Short, regular visits and see how that goes!
He looks such a cutie and I’m sure he will be a lovely little chap.
I would recommend socialising him lots with other dogs and children (once he is able)
My husbands aunt has always had Schnauzers that weren’t sufficiently socialised , and they stayed very barky and nervous, and were snappy and growly if the children even looked at them. Such a shame.
Yes, Liz is right , I have 2 Miniature Schnauzers and am also a Dog Trainer at the weekend for my sins, so happy to help with any advice I can. There are a couple of really good Mini forums worth joining which are chocked full of Schnauzer advice too, message me if you’d like details. Di xx
He is utterly adorable!!!..I used to breed my terriers and I would say the biggest piece of advice I gave was this ; don’t be precious with your puppy. To be well rounded, sociable dogs they need to experience everything ; traffic; children; other dogs; loud noises; water; travelling… you name it! Take him everywhere and anywhere you can . A problem dog is a fearful dog. xx…Ps…when they were little (from about 6 weeks) we gave them warm milk at bed time to settle them…It was Puppy Tummy Carnage!!! Lol!!! I have lots of happy pictures of puppies with their tummies skyward and legs akimbo!!! They loved it!..