How to House Train a Schnauzer

Schnauzers are extremely intelligent, beautiful, energetic dogs that are a welcome addition to any family. Eager to please, you will find your schnauzer ready and willing to learn just about anything. This is great for you, especially when it comes to teaching your schnauzer how to use the bathroom outdoors. As with any pet, house training can be a challenge; however, with consistency, time and patience your intelligent schnauzer should not be too difficult to house train.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog crate

Instructions

    • 1

      Designate an outside area for your schnauzer to use every time it needs to go to the bathroom. Make a habit of taking your schnauzer to the designated area often so that it not only understands that you want it to use the bathroom outside, but it understands where so that you don̵7;t have dog feces all over your yard.

    • 2

      Purchase a dog crate large enough for your schnauzer to stretch out, stand and lie down in.

    • 3

      Put bedding and a chew toy inside of the crate to make your dog comfortable in that space. Dogs have a natural instinct to keep their dens clean. The crate will serve as your schnauzer̵7;s den and it will not want to soil the area with its urine or feces. Until your schnauzer is house trained, keep it in its crate when you are unable to watch it or when you are not at home.

    • 4

      Establish a regular schedule for taking your schnauzer outside. Dogs usually have to use the bathroom when they first wake up in the morning, after naps, before bed at night and 20 minutes after meals.

    • 5

      Reward your dog. Give your schnauzer affection, a treat or both when it potties in the designated outside area. This will reinforce the behavior and help your pet associate using the bathroom outdoors with receiving a reward.