Hello,
We’ve opened our home to a mini schnauzer who is going to be 2 months this week. Is it too early to start taking Chip (thats the name my daughter chose lol) outside for walks and to start potty training? I’ve read so many posts on here but have yet to stumble upon anything that has answered my question. Thanks in advance!
New Mini Schnauzer, need advice
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Please feel free to post here if your topic does not fit into one of the categories under 'Caring for your Schnauzer'. There are sections for breeding, feeding, grooming, showing and many more that may be more appropriate than this generic section
Please feel free to post here if your topic does not fit into one of the categories under 'Caring for your Schnauzer'. There are sections for breeding, feeding, grooming, showing and many more that may be more appropriate than this generic section
- zeta1454
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Re: New Mini Schnauzer, need advice
Welcome to the Forum
You should certainly be taking Chip outside for toilet training unless you don’t have any access to a private outside space. The only concerns with taking a young puppy outside is the potential danger of him picking up a viral or bacterial infection while his immune system is still immature. However, in most cases with a healthy puppy the risks are minimal and most certainly if you are letting him into your own garden / yard where there is no access for dogs you don’t know. The earlier you start outside toilet training the better.
As regards walks, this is more risky until Chip is vaccinated and you are best taking him out in your arms, in a pet carrier or a pet buggy until he has had his vaccinations and you can be sure he is immunised (protected) - you can check this with a titre test if necessary. A puppy should usually no longer have maternal antibodies which protect him passively for the first couple of months or so by the time he is 14-16 weeks old and should then respond well to vaccination.
If you have places you can take him where few other dogs go - a beach or more remote countryside area, you might choose to let Chip down to explore before being vaccinated but you need to be aware they may be a minimal risk of infection still. Do take him out and about though as it is vital that he is ‘socialised’ - exposed to as many new places and people, other animals etc. as possible in these early weeks with you so that he learns to enjoy new experiences and not be afraid of them
There is some very helpful information on puppy exercise on this link too:
https://shoppuppyculture.com/pages/age- ... exercise-1
You should certainly be taking Chip outside for toilet training unless you don’t have any access to a private outside space. The only concerns with taking a young puppy outside is the potential danger of him picking up a viral or bacterial infection while his immune system is still immature. However, in most cases with a healthy puppy the risks are minimal and most certainly if you are letting him into your own garden / yard where there is no access for dogs you don’t know. The earlier you start outside toilet training the better.
As regards walks, this is more risky until Chip is vaccinated and you are best taking him out in your arms, in a pet carrier or a pet buggy until he has had his vaccinations and you can be sure he is immunised (protected) - you can check this with a titre test if necessary. A puppy should usually no longer have maternal antibodies which protect him passively for the first couple of months or so by the time he is 14-16 weeks old and should then respond well to vaccination.
If you have places you can take him where few other dogs go - a beach or more remote countryside area, you might choose to let Chip down to explore before being vaccinated but you need to be aware they may be a minimal risk of infection still. Do take him out and about though as it is vital that he is ‘socialised’ - exposed to as many new places and people, other animals etc. as possible in these early weeks with you so that he learns to enjoy new experiences and not be afraid of them
There is some very helpful information on puppy exercise on this link too:
https://shoppuppyculture.com/pages/age- ... exercise-1
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras
Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud
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Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud
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Re: New Mini Schnauzer, need advice
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and the great advice! I’m happy we did get him a pet carrier and even happier to put it to use
- schnauzer
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Re: New Mini Schnauzer, need advice
welcome to Schnauzer world, good choice of breed as they are super dogs. Zeta has given you good advice. with my boy Gino who I got when we lost our first a girl as needed another. I certainly was taking him out to the garden for toilet training, stayed with him until his business was done & praised with a puppy treat. I was even out in the rain with the sun shade in the whirly drying hole & I stood under with Gino on a lead going round the edge of the garden. I also took him out a lot to socialise by carrying him out round the block meeting neighbours, down to the small swing park to let the kids approach him, took him out in the car in his dog carry bag in fact I took him most places which I definitely say worked wonders. Then he went to puppy classes for 6 weeks again for socialising. He was house trained within a couple of weeks also he went all night from his first day home with us, we still can't believe an 8wk pup had gone all night. Make sure you take him out to the garden when he wakes up (they do sleep a lot just like babies not that we had any) also out for the toilet after being fed etc. He was crate trained which is good for us as before lockdown we went away & he goes everywhere with us. He still wants his crate at bedtime his choice but if that is what he wants then we happy to go along with it. Can be hard work but worth it as the more you put in at the beginning the better. Enjoy your puppy as they grow so fast believe me.
Christine & Gino (Siglette Shadow (born 9/5/17 ---
Suzi (15/5/04---13/4/17) (Sugarbabe) RIP loved you to the moon & back, miss you so so much precious girl
Suzi (15/5/04---13/4/17) (Sugarbabe) RIP loved you to the moon & back, miss you so so much precious girl
- Dawnspell
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Re: New Mini Schnauzer, need advice
This is a book I would recommend for a new puppy owner. Its very easy reading and has lots of training tips and its cheap at the moment
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peasy-Puppy-Sq ... 168&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peasy-Puppy-Sq ... 168&sr=8-1
Our first family dog
Barney - Pocketpark Biali Eyebright 6/2/13 - 8/3/19 Gone too soon
Motto for owners who groom their own Schnauzers -"Never mind it'll soon grow back"
Barney - Pocketpark Biali Eyebright 6/2/13 - 8/3/19 Gone too soon
Motto for owners who groom their own Schnauzers -"Never mind it'll soon grow back"
- Schnauzerluv
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Re: New Mini Schnauzer, need advice
I took my pup in the back garden, practiced loose leash walking there before hitting the street. But carrying the pup around the neighborhood and in parks to meet children is a great idea.
I didn't let him walk around until he had his full shots, but I sat with him in the window and talked to him watching people, cars, dogs walk by to get accustomed to the sights. I gave them a name like puppy, friend, seemed to keep him calmer and understand better. Actually in the back garden I did the same for sights and sounds like birdie, squirrel, siren, thunder.....
If I explain what it is and I'm cool with it, usually my pup is too. Now he checks in with me for everything.
I didn't let him walk around until he had his full shots, but I sat with him in the window and talked to him watching people, cars, dogs walk by to get accustomed to the sights. I gave them a name like puppy, friend, seemed to keep him calmer and understand better. Actually in the back garden I did the same for sights and sounds like birdie, squirrel, siren, thunder.....
If I explain what it is and I'm cool with it, usually my pup is too. Now he checks in with me for everything.