Training Your Miniature Schnauzers
When training your Miniature Schnauzer the two keys to success are consistency and positive reinforcement. The more consistent you are with a command and a response the quicker your dog will learn. Praising and rewarding you dog with attention or a treat will reinforce the things that he has learnt. Of course the earlier that you start training your dog, the fewer bad habits he will have picked up and the easier it will be to teach him.
Remember while you are training your Miniature Schnauzer that you are in charge. Do not let you puppy boss or bully you. It is important to make training fun with lots of praise and rewards, but you must be equally quick to tell your puppy “no” when he has been naughty.
Training your Miniature Schnauzer can be broken down into:
Calling Your Puppy's Name
When picking a name for your do it is best to pick one that only has one or two syllables. This will make it easy for your dog to recognise it. From the moment you pick up your puppy you should start calling it by its name. Say it's name every time that you interact with your Miniature Schnauzer and try to use a warm and friendly voice. Ultimately it is the tone of your voice your dog will remember so try to be consistent when you say it. You also want your dog to associate it's name with good, enjoyable experiences so calling his name and stroking and petting will help reinforce his name.
House Boundaries
Although you are sharing your home with your Miniature Schnauzer it is very important to remember that it is still your house. As you might tell a teenager “While you live under my roof you live under my rules”. The same must go for your dog. If there are areas of you house you don't want him to go into then you must make sure he knows from the very first time he tries to go there that he is not allowed.
If your dog tries to go somewhere he is not allowed look at him in the eye and say in a stern voice “No!”. The understanding the dog takes from that command comes completely from the tone of your voice. The dog will quickly understand that “no” means “no” and will start to obey your house boundaries.
Vocal Commands
The most important vocal commands to teach your puppy are:
Sit – Every time that you see your puppy sitting you should use the word “sit” and reinforce the command with praise and a treat. This will plant the seed in your puppy's mind that when he hears the word “sit” and he sits down, he will get a reward. Once you have spent a few weeks on the lesson, you will be ready to move on to the next step. Show your Miniature Schnauzer that you have a treat in your hand. He will attempt to take the treat from your hand. Move the treat out of his reach directly above his head. Once he realises that he cannot reach the treat, he will naturally sit down. As soon as he does so, say “sit” and give him the reward. Once he has mastered this you are ready to use the “sit” command from a greater distance. Once your puppy consistently responds to your “sit” command you can gradually reduce the use of treats as rewards.
Down – If your Miniature Schnauzer has mastered the “sit” command then moving onto the “down” command should be a breeze for him. The technique is very similar. From the sit position coax your dog into the down position with a treat concealed in your palm. As soon as he is in the down position, say the “down” command and give him his reward.
Stay – To teach your puppy the “stay” command get him to sit. Say the word “stay” and show your Miniature Schnauzer your palm. Take a step back, wait a second, then if your puppy has not moved, step forward and praise and reward your dog. Once he stays every time you take one step, start taking two steps. Again, if he stays, praise and reward him. Repeat this until no matter what distance away you are (as long as he can hear the “stay” command!) your puppy stays.
Come – When your puppy is enjoying himself off the lead he can easily get carried away and have an accident. This makes your puppy responding immediately to the “come” command very important indeed. It can be beneficial to carry a treat or your dog's favourite toy when teaching the “come” command.
Start with your dog in the “sit” position, then get him to “stay”. Lower your palm, say the word “come”, in a warm and friendly voice, then show him the treat. When he reaches you give him lots of praise (and the treat!). As with the stay gradually increase the distance over which you do this, so that regardless of how far away your dog is, he will always return to you.
Handling
Whether your dog likes it or not, he is going to have to be handled by the vet at various times in his life. It is important for the vet's protection as much as your dog's that you make your Miniature Schnauzer accustomed to be handled from an early age. To do this, put him on a non-slip surface on a table and “inspect” his eyes, teeth, ears and tail as a vet might. Praise him when he is good and use the “no” command when he is naughty.
