Gerda the Schnauzer

Hmm.. good points. Concentration is hard for a puppy it seems! She can be very gentle when taking a treat (I say gentle, don't let it go till she is etc) but forgets that quickly. I might try a clicker later, when its just me and her doign extra training (at obedience) - otherwise my 4 year old might try to use it too, and click way too much! - which would be very confusing I'm sure. Thanks!

Oh great, thankyou for explaining, makes a lot of sense. Would you suggest a clicker then? I've read the benefits and I think the 'exact' timing of it could be helpful... and to not get a fat puppy (LOL). Also we get a little trouble with her nipping at our hands after doing something looking for a treat! Not a good thing with children! Off to read the sites, thanks

Thanks! Can I ask what free shaping means? And targetting? Sorry, just new to the terms. If she does something (like bark) I try to say "speak" straight after, I just figured it couldn't hurt for her to learn the name for it LOL (and so I can move on to 'shh' later!). I find "down" the hardest one, when we are sitting in chairs outside. I haven't done as much socialising as that! We live in a village, so we are starting around here, busy children's parks, coffee shop today, and vehicle noises etc. I'll have to think about other things that are within reach.

Oh ok, we have only just started walking her, which she is very much enjoying. I get her to sit and look at me for her food (a bit of a variation on the K9 TOT, I'll go to the tie back later). We used to carry her to the shops, and we had lots of visitors, and a few trips to my mum's property. I'll just keep going with the ones she knows then. Thanks

Hiya, Gerda is 13 weeks old, and can sit, stay (mostly), lie down, roll over, come and 'leave it'. She is very enthusiastic to learn, and seems very good at it if I get the technique right. So where to now? Just keep up cementing those ones? Or can she cope with something new? - and in that case, what is best to do next? We are in puppy school, but they are way behind and have only done sit, down, stay (she taught me how to teach the lie down early so we weren't bored) and only have one week left. Sounds cocky, sorry about that, but we needed to start early with our puppy!! Thanks for any ideas.

Thanks for all the info. The seeds must be what I had read about in past...

Oh!!! I really thought I had read it on the list of no-gos. Must be my mistake! Glad I didn't say anything much hahaa. But yes, asking before treating little puppies would be good. She is a lovely lady though, and was only trying to help with the socialising Thanks about the fruit, she just plays with what she finds really, but some would get in.

Couldn't believe it, I thought cheese was bad, but a lady at puppy school (not the trainer) pulled out a bag of cheese cubes and tried to feed Gerda some. I bit the bullet and said Gerda hadn't had any before and could she just have the chicken provided.....!! Was that right?? Also, I know there is a long list of foods, but can anyone tell me if strawberries and apple/pear are ok? Just that they get dropped by the kids a lot, and I wasn't sure how diligent to be, thanks

I didn't know this was a bad thing... or is it only when done constantly? I have no help, obviously, but I hope it works out ok.

Thankyou everyone. She is fine now, and occasionally pants, and I leave it be. I think that time it was from being told off too much by my overly-zelous daughter (when she would have had no idea why she was being told off etc). So daughter has had things explained to her, again, and Gerda seems to be coping better with it too. I was treating for training (basics, sit, down, lie down). I still haven't finished that packet, so must have cut back a lot. We only ever gave tiny tiny pieces... I guess it added up though (she is very well trained hahaha). Thanks Becks, I'll give them up I think. Normally left over chicken lying about and she likes it more anyway! Poodlefan - does that mean I can stop wetting the food?? The breeder was doing it, and I wasn't sure when I could stop ROFL! Thanks again. I'll get used to what's important and what isn't soon enough I'm sure

No idea on a meaty bone. I only ever drop some biscuits in there sometimes, but she is only in her crate over the big night sleep. She also goes to sleep in the living room in a small pen on her cushion (with me in there too normally). Then a quick wee and off to the crate. It works a lot better than trying to put her in too early. Although lately she wants to be got up again (does nothing) and then she will go to sleep... just a bad habit I have allowed to stop the barking, grr. But still, worth it I think. Hope you get some relief from the crying.

I'm going through the same thing (11 week old), if it helps. Nothing is working. So puppy school suggested we get a water gun and spray her when she does it (in a way so she can't see us) and if that doesn't work put some tabasco in it too......... not sure if I will do that or not, but I'm at the stage where I will try anything because we can't be with her for long at all with all that biting. Let us know if something works!

Hiya, I had to give my pup my slipper, or a sock, or something I had JUST worn, it really helped her. I didn't cover the front of the crate and only put her in when I went to bed too, so she sees us go to sleep etc (I'm edging it out the door now!). I had to stop the bark/cry etc as it wakes the baby (human!), and yes, breaks the heart. But its a lot better now, and the baby wakes her LOL. But she still sleeps a lot better with a sock or slipper. Hang in there

Hiya, She is a standard schanuzer, 9.5 weeks old. She is still panting... so far stress is the only thing that fits. I've sat with her on her cushion all evening which seemed to calm her a bit (she gets very snappy/barky in the evening). She has had a rough day or two with my daughter (who is learning the boundaries of playing with a puppy). Although it was humid for a while today, its still quite cool, and under 20` in the shade (if not colder!!). Do they teeth this early? I hope its nothing serious. If she still is panting tomorrow I will take a quick video.... Ok, back to sitting with her now! Good excuse to watch TV...

Hiya, Me again, sorry, its my first puppy! Gerda is panting a lot today, while awake (haven't noticed anything while sleeping). She has fresh water available all the time, so doesn't seem to be thirsty... and it isn't very hot, and its not really related to running around or being active. Could it be to do with the liver treats I have been giving her? Or a bit of left over roast chook breast? (had a bit of stock on the edges). She had a chicken wing for breaky, and supercoat dry food, wetted, for lunch. I have no idea what it means, but it does seem odd and not something she hasn't done before. I don't really know what is cause for concern in a puppy... or how many liver treats are too many? (I have used up about half a cup maybe?). Thanks for any help

Hiya, Sorry, forgot to answer that, yes, definitely enrolled in puppy school, starting in about a week I think. Then i was hoping to keep up some form of training after that (do they go to big school? LOL). I have the web site bookmarked for tomorrow, thanks Poodlefan - just trying to write the darn phd tonight........... never enough reading hours in the day!!! Thanks though, can't wait to have a good look.

Thanks very much for the thoughtful replies. I think my worst enemy is doing too much varied research before Gerda came home... and didn't quite stick to one method (as each one didn't work very well, or other people in the family couldn't do it properly). Diversion is the only sure fire way of stopping her (and giving daugher a toy to hold in the garden for Gerda to bite instead of her, problem is convincing daughter she has to let Gerda have is sometimes or she will just get really cranky...). I got the 'bah' thing from a friend who uses Bark busters... must say, didn't seem to be working that well for her either, but the logic seemed good. Might have to drop it then. Other problem, we use 'ah-ah' with my 10 month old son!!! So its very confusing for them both if they don't know who is in trouble... (though normally for the same thing anyway, they both bite!). Maybe 'no' is better. Does it have to be like a growl?? The vet told me that one. See what I mean? Too many sources! Anthony - I think I am considered the leader, she always defers to me, or wants to be with me. I do the 'triangle of temptation' (in a puppy kind of way) to try to reinforce this. My scent is the only one that calms her down, apparently. But that's also why I can't afford for her to be scared, I need her to come when called. She only seems to mouth at me when she needs something and I am keeping her from it (as in, needs a wee but we are both in the play pen trying to be calm and haven't realised, or has had enough of playing and wants a nap). OR I gave her a treat and she wants to know where some more are...! the clicker is something I have considered. But couldn't cope with the treat in the hand trick LOL. Just might help in a general sense with understanding 'down' etc. Cosmolo - thanks, we reward heavily for good behaviour, and occasionally treat (mostly when doing a conscious bit of training). It works very well for encouraging the good behaviour, but concepts like 'being calm' seem harder to 'explain' (if you know what I mean!). Removing ourselves, or her, from a situation I find so slow... it seems hard for her to understand what she did wrong. But maybe it all just takes more time. She is a lovely puppy really! She finds being shut out very distressing too, and even gets the shakes etc. I still insist on leaving her till she is quiet, but its so hard to watch, I would never do that to a child (I know, not a child) so it goes against my instincts. I've seen babies grow out of all sorts of thing without any intervention from us at all... but with puppies I just didn't know, I hope this puppy does

Hi there, I hope this is the right section (or puppy??). I have been asking advice from lots of people/resources about sorting out the normal puppy behaviours like jumping and biting. My schnauzer is 9 weeks old. I have had everything from a rolled up newspaper on the nose to imitate the mother's behaviour to a firm 'no', to nothing at all until 4.5 months....... So far we have tended to 'bah' at her in a low voice (because my daughter could do it too) and a bit of a shove with the leg if required to get her off someone/something. My biggest concern is a show of fear sometimes from her, its really upsetting and I don't want her to be afraid of me, but on the same note I can't have her biting the children (or me!). What methods do you use on a puppy? If any?

Oh! She's gorgeous! And not nearly so big as a Newfie LOL. EB is another forum... for parents (Essential baby)... just thought I recognised your name, I must have been on DOL longer than I thought! I like your setup. Gerda loves her crate too, hubby wasn't convniced about it till her saw it work so well *yay*. Only one carpet wee so far, totally hubby's fault (didn't listen to me!), so that's great. must dash

Noodle Nut - where do I recognise you from??? Here or EB?? LOL, your Newfie(? sorry if I am wrong, very new to breeds!) is gorgeous! Wow at having her in the house at all! my friend can only just bring hers into the corner of the lounge... (but she is still a puppy). Thank you so much for all the advice. Talk about being like demand feeding ROFL, absolutely, there is just no excuse to not get up to the crying! But that's one reason we have done it now, we aren't having a third child and Gerda is the end of my night wakings!!! Being bitten by both pup and bub is a bit much though, hehe. My daughter is really good at trying to ignore her bad behaviour, and turn around etc, but Gerda doesn't seem to notice she is being ignored... and the height doesn't help, but then they will both grow so much soon... I think the more other training I can do the more it will help her out. The spring-free trampoline has become her haven and safe zone. You have definitely given me hope The crating at night is going really well now, we endured a bit of whinging, and she is a lot quieter now, yay! She loves having it outside (open) during the day, and takes naps on her own out there, which is great. Just need to get a bigger one now... she likes to lie right out flat sometimes and is getting too long! Gee they grow fast.

Thankyou!!!!

Hiya, Just trying to order my grooming needs online... and am working blind here (as in, never groomed). I have chosen the Andis 2 speed http://www.clipperworld.com.au/shop/index....p;productId=201 But the ceramic blades I wanted are these: http://www.microchipsolutions.com.au/store...mp;productId=37 But its doesn't mention the exact "AGC2" clippers.... so does anyone know if they fit?!?! Thanks!

Thanks for all the advice! We did try putting the crate on the patio (where she hangs out during the day if we go out for an hour) and she loved it I think, I dropped a few treats in too. But carrying it all over the house is a bit tricky... Maybe just for a while. Yes, I've been trying to tell the kids it is not for them, which they mostly respect (apart from the baby! but I haven't put them in the same room yet - crate and baby - as it just wouldn't work). Last night went well, just a bit tricky for her as we went to bed an hour earlier than normal, but she settled pretty quickly really. Baby was up early, which woke Gerda up, but as baby was off with hubby in the living room (a long way away) I could let Gerda whinge until she went back to sleep for an hour, which was great. At night we took to just saying a firm 'no' when she barked a bit, seemed to work.... So proud of her though, she is doing so well in a full-on family situation. We had a poo this morning inside, ew, but only because I she isn't pooing on command yet, and I find it hard to know when she is going to. She ALWAYS has her nose to the ground, so that's hardly a sign! I guess that one will take time. After her morning walk (well, garden play), wees and poos, we let her in for a play before breaky, she went nuts, it was so funny. But she was just really happy, so it was fine. I can't use the laundry as it is right next to daughter's bedroom. We will figure out the crate I think, and move it slowly out. She can already jump out of play pens!!! OMG, couldn't believe when she did that. Very determined to be with her pack, which is kind of nice, I just put it next to my chair and my feet inside, so she settled back down and was still safe from the baby, LOL. Keeping her awake in the evening.... tricky, she is so hard to handle in the living room with the kids/toys etc. So we encourage her to be calm. I guess that isn't helping her get tired. I take her out from 6.20 - 6.40 for a play and maybe carry her to the shops... but after that its quiet time (toy on her cushion/or in playpen next to us etc). Is that too early to settle down a bit? Ok, sorry for the essay, SO much to learn though!

Awww, are you going to keep her in there? Or move her out? Do puppies get cranky when they are tired?? We are finding that she bites at the children more when she is tired... which makes a lot of sense when I write it out! Not sure how to stop her though (isolating her for a nap makes her pretty furious!)

Yes, but my shirt goes to my son!!! Hahaa, my things are becoming hot property LOL. The slipper didn't even get chewed, just slept on I think. SettrLvr - its been a long time coming, but hopefully all the research will pay off! I'll be back asking about barking in no time I think!