Continued Care for the homegoing of your new puppy.
Congratulations ___________________!!!
You have just welcomed a new member to your family. Now, there will be some adjustments. Here are just a few pointers to make adding this Miniature Schnauzer to your home an easier transition.
Your puppy is sent home with you with some familiar toys, a blanket, a teething bone, the Registration papers, dew claws removed, tails docked, her first set of vaccinations, and four worming treatments for vaccinations as well as a few instructions.
Your puppy needs to belong: He/She will attach themselves to their primary caregiver. If this is an adult or child, that person is responsible for waking and bedtime routines, bathing, grooming, feeding, rewarding with treats and praise, brushing teeth, potty training, and obedience training. All members of your family can do these things, but Schnauzers tend to bond with one person more. They may also form a hierarchy. Make no mistake, you must train this little puppy so that you (the people or person), is in control in your home or else the dog will take control.
Diet: Your new puppy has been weaned and is now on Nutri-Source., small and medium puppy and it is an excellent choice for his/her first year. We prefer the Nurtri-Source as the nutrition small size are excellent for Schnauzers. We also use Blue Wilderness High Protein canned puppy food. We mix a gravy and sometimes add some sweet potatoes in for a treat. We Use treats daily and for rewards when training. I use a liver treat I got from my puppy pre-school classes. I ordered it from Amazon.
Treats should be limited & no table scraps!!!
Miniature Schnauzers will eat anything and everything. Baby proof your home!!! Put houseplants up and out of their reach. Schnauzers are more susceptible to pancreatitis so do not feed them junk.
Small dogs need teeth brushing every day!!! We recommend this because…we grew up with large farm/cattle dogs and never worried too much about their teeth; but small dogs need more dental care . We found this out the hard way! Brushing keeps your dog healthier and prevents many other problems. There are many products, but I use a product from Wal-Mart NutrelPromise Fresh Dental Gel, A finger, finger brush, or child sized soft brush works great. Do not grab your puppy by his/her muzzle, they see that as an act of aggression. Instead, hold the side of their head, and insert brush along the other side of their mouth. Holding their collar and reinforcing a stay position helps as well. Soon this becomes routine. You are responsible for making this a healthy habit.
Potty training: will also be one of the first things you want to accomplish. First if your puppy wakes up, take him/her out. It doesn’t matter if he/she slept all night or it was just a short nap take them out. When a puppy or dog wakes up get them outside to do their business. Also, about 15 minutes after they have eaten is a good time to take them outside. They may also have excitement accidents so it’s important to work with them.
Your puppy has had Schnauzer potty drills in our home. In the night and first thing in the morning we clap our hands and everyone runs to the front door. It is quite an event that works. We also use bells tied to our outside door and our dogs have learned to use this.
However, a puppy will take some time to learn this. Set up a bell or small jingle bells on a fabric cord, hang them down at their level on the door that leads to outside. Then, ring the bell when you take the puppy outside. They soon learn this that means potty time or outside time. We have used a doggy door on our screen door so that is also what they are familiar with.
Besides waking up, after meals, before sleep, start with taking them out every hour, then every 2 hours and so on. For a puppy, every four hours is quite an accomplishment. You can use puppy pads or whelping pads but working with your dog is very important. Use a designated area of your yard or porch for the puppy to use. Little male puppies will squat until they are about seven months old. They do not like to mess where they sleep so they often keep their kennel clean, consistency is the key.
Discipline: We have used a small plastic empty water/pop bottle for discipline. We put a few bits of gravel in and shake the bottle to get our dogs attention and stop them in their tracks. Do not push their nose in it. Pee and poop accidents are bound to happen. Be consistent and timely. Often you forgot or they couldn’t wait for you… so it happens
Around seven months of age your puppy may be sexually mature and close to full size. Check with your vet regarding when you want to spay or neuter your puppy; but seven (7) months is when Miniature Schnauzers are able to mate. With females you want them to have gone through a “heat” cycle, (around 6-7 months of age) then have them spayed. Again, check with your veterinarian.
Sleeping arrangements: are something your family will want to decide. Your dog should be able to be kenneled. Having them sleep in a kennel is wonderful. Having them sleep with their person is wonderful No matter what you decide your puppy needs to be able to be in a kennel. Traveling, vet visits, and just in case scenarios all require a kennel, so it’s important that your puppy is familiar with a kennel.
Grooming: includes many things. Schnauzers are not hypo-allergenic, but they are well tolerated by peop0le with sinus and allergy problems. They do not shed. However, they do need haircuts and nail grooming about every 6 to 8 weeks. The traditional “Schnauzer cut” leaves shaggy eyebrows, beards, legs, and a under skirt. We often cut ours shorter in the summer for summer heat and sticker reasons. Bathe your puppy as needed. We let Mama clean her puppies until about three weeks of age, then we have bathed them when they are dirty. Their little butts may need washing or trimming so there are no dingles. They like being clean. We bathe ours every 1 to 2 weeks,
Also, when you bathe them either in a sink, tub, or in the shower, cover their little ears. These dogs are more prone to ear problems so keep the water out as much as you can. The ears grow quite a bit of hair. Your groomer will show you what they do to remove this hair. After the first haircut, you may want to do your own grooming at home. The ears are tender and I prefer to allow my groomer to do that.
Again…Discipline is very important. I encourage you to enroll your puppy and family in a “Puppy Preschool” or Socialization class. Most of these are a free part of training your puppy. Look around for training classes and acquaint yourselves with basics (Sit, stay, no, come, down, heel, walk etc.). A trained dog will be worth his/her weight in gold.
For a leash we use “Gentle Leader” Headcollar. The puppy does not pull or drag on this leader. We have also used our rock filled empty bottle with teaching “No” and not to bite. Biting is normal part of growing up. Puppies, like children learn with their mouths. Never allow someone to be mean to your puppy. Teach children not to “run up” to the pup. They see that as attack and may act accordingly.
Lastly, we want you to enjoy your puppy, well into the years to come. The more you love, play with, and train this dog the more enjoyment he/she will bring to your family.
Sending ___________________ with love,
Jim & Rosa Cunningham
Sartoria Ridge Schnauzers
James & Rosanne Cunningham
5699 Sartoria Rd., Kearney, NE 68845
(J) 308-293-5037 (R) 308 293-5038
SartoriaRidgeSchnauzers@Gmail.com