How to Raise a Toy Schnauzer

The name "schnauzer" applies to three different dog breeds; the standard schnauzer, the giant schnauzer and the miniature schnauzer. A "toy" schnauzer is no different than a miniature schnauzer, except that it has been bred to be slightly smaller. This is not often a healthy practice, as the smaller sizes can sometimes lead to health problems that would not normally be common for the breed. Miniature schnauzers are intelligent, playful and affectionate. They enjoy being part of a family and are patient with children. Though they are often stubborn, they are generally easy to train. If you raise and care for your miniature schnauzer properly, it can be part of your family for up to 14 years.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog bed
  • Food and water dishes
  • Dog toys, chew and bones
  • Collar
  • Leash
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide your miniature schnauzer puppy with a place to call its own. This can be a crate, bed or blanket. This will be the place that your puppy goes to sleep, relax and even escape stressful situations. Help your mini schnauzer learn where its space is by placing treats, dog toys and bones on the bed or in the crate and praise it for going there. Don't disturb your puppy when it chooses to take a nap, chew on a bone or hide out in its space.

    • 2

      Feed your mini schnauzer a puppy-formula dry dog food for at least one year. Miniature schnauzer puppies are energetic and have extra energy requirements as they grow. Puppy formula will provide extra protein for your puppy's needs. Purchase a food that is meant for small breed puppies as well, so that your mini schnauzer's tiny teeth don't break on large chunks of kibble.

    • 3

      Socialize your puppy as early as possible. The ideal socializing period is before six months, but older pups can be socialized as well. Mini schnauzers are a terrier breed and some can be dog aggressive. Introduce your puppy to as many different dogs as you can. Enroll it in a puppy class to give it extra time to socialize with pups its own age, but introduce it to adult dogs as well. Take your dog to meet people as well. Introduce it to strangers, children, different modes of transportation and new situations. Always praise it and reward it with treats to teach it that these meetings are a positive experience.

    • 4

      Give your mini schnauzer puppy boundaries. Set the rules of your house and don't allow your puppy to break them. Schnauzers can be stubborn and independent, so give them rules and boundaries to follow to keep them from taking over your house. Enforce the rules consistently.

    • 5

      Use positive reinforcement training methods to reward good behavior rather than punishing undesirable behavior. If your puppy breaks a rule, interrupt it and then reward it for listening to your interruption. Don't use harsh punishments or negative corrections. Miniature schnauzers are small dogs, and you risk causing fear and related problems such as aggression.

    • 6

      Teach your mini schnauzer basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stay and come. Even though your dog won't be large, it still needs to have proper puppy manners. This will help you control your dog when you need to and possibly keep it safe in dangerous situations (if it runs after a car, for example, you need to be able to call it back to you).

    • 7

      Exercise with your miniature schnauzer every day. These are energetic dogs, especially when they are young. They are also small and can get their necessary exercise with a five to 10 minute daily walk and some play time in the yard or house.

    • 8

      Make an appointment with your veterinarian to get your mini schnauzer a physical checkup and vaccinations. In the United States, you required by law to make sure your dog receives the rabies vaccination, and your vet will give your puppy other vaccines as well. Schedule a checkup for your mini schnauzer at least once a year throughout its life to keep track of its overall physical health and keep it up to date on its vaccinations.