Gerda the Schnauzer

Thanks for the advice, and good point on her relying on us... Last night was much better, I put my slipper in there (I know I know... a lifetime of shoe chewing and ankle nipping!) - and it worked, and I figure the downside to that I can correct later or during the day. She was woken up by a crying baby at 5am, went for a wee, and eventually back to bed till 6am (which is great, my son was up at 5.15!!). Now I guess we move her out of the bedroom. Now she can wee so well, and we have figured out when etc, she is coming inside during the day a little more. The hard part is her jumping and biting the children. They are good about it, but my four year old is getting scared now... I just told her that Gerda is a puppy and we will have to train her etc... I hope it isn't too long till Gerda stops it though.

Haha, that's ok, I didn't write it very well! I knew it would be hard doing this all at once (children, puppy)... but I wanted them to have a dog, and I wanted one too, and this is the time of life when I have 24/7 to devote to raising the puppy, later will be part time hours (work) which isn't very good for a puppy, but easier for a grown dog... from what I heard. I'm so glad you appreciate your parents efforts, makes me think I haven't made a mistake!

Thanks for helping, I understand the choices here.... I just wish we could let her cry it out nearer to us... But also, how will I know when it is a cry for a wee/poo rather than just attention? Do I take her out once then leave her after that? (as in, per waking). Getting up doesn't bother me, totally expected it, and my hubby even took a week off work (pup-ernity leave!) to help through the day when we are tired etc. Just trying to not establish bad behaviours now. Nekhbet - thanks, yep, that is why I am trying to be a good 'leader' (whilst compassionate), they are strong willed dogs! I really want to train her up quite highly, only for my own pleasure. Mostly sniffing/finding duties (termites, children, favourite toys LOL) - yep, high hopes for my ability to do this! I've read up a lot though. Anyway, will be fun to try. Plus lots of beach time when her injections are done.

Thanks Cosmolo, that's what we are worried about... but it turns into barking and we will have the whole house awake! (training my son is much harder than this, so I don't want him woken up all the time) We wait for a tiny bit of quiet before comforting... but it probably isn't long enough really. Not sure how to do it without moving her to the garage or something, which doesn't really appeal to me....

Oh sorry, I have made it sound very strict! It isn't like that really, when I say outside all day I mean WITH US! We have all been outside playing, gardening etc with her while she was out there, apart from once or twice when we had her there on her own. This morning was the first time we have had to put her out while we were inside where she could see us really. The pen inside is because it stops her having accidents, stops my 10month old pulling her hair, and means we don't have to hold the leash etc. my daughter (4) mostly sits in there with her. Or I put my feet in and she goes to sleep. I don't mind her sleeping at my feet at all (love it) but thought that because I won't be able to do it every time she needs a sleep I might be making things harder for her in those times - if that makes sense. She has had a good look about the house, and we don't use the pen once the kids are in bed, she doesn't seem to need it and just sleeps in the cushion (which is huge by the way, not tiny! The crazy times - I didn't mean the puppy! (Gerda) I meant MY children! I don't want them to upset/pull at/or hurt her at all, so she may be safer at times outside. We don't want her to be an outside dog, but she won't be allowed free range inside either, I want her to understand that being inside is for quiet play and cuddles/TV time etc, rather than the we play outside (run jump around etc). Is that unreasonable? She is inside when it is dark, which is when it is cold, we are in QLD so it isn't that cold! I'm not being cruel I don't think. Hope that helps, feels like I am writing an essay LOL, but so thankful for any help. Botheration - yes, a bit of training has helped, just a few treats and sits etc (getting my daughter to do it too), and the TOT too. That seems about as much as she can do right now, which is still a lot to me. The crate is right next to our bed, and my hubby reaches his hand in to calm her down,

Hi there, We have an 8.5 week old std schnauzer, who is just adorable, but we are having a few troubles. We are crate training during the night time, and the rules are that she can come in when it is dark (a very cold!) but is outside during the day. When she is inside she is only allowed on her special big cushion and on a lead (so not free run of the house or anything). We do the triangle of temptation at meals, and she is good at that, and sits on command for all of us, and for me without command So the problems are: - at night she doesn't seem to need to wee much, which is great. We take her out at about 10pm when we go to bed (after sleeping in the lounge with us). Then we put her in the crate, next to the bed (toy, hot water bottle etc). She cried a lot last night though when trying to go to sleep and once or twice in the night, but no wees (I have a baby so cannot let her cry it out or anything). What should we do to calm her down or stop the whining/barking? She didn't need to wee (took her out twice). Should she go in the crate earlier? Should we bring it into the living room for the evening? Put treats in there? Or is it a digestive thing, she ate cat poo yesterday, gross, and did two big poos this morning... We also would like the crate outside of our bedroom, how long till that can be tried? She still gets up early, are thses normal sleep times? - During the day there are times when she needs to be outside on her own (like crazy children times), but she whines and barks at the door constantly if we are in view - should we ignore this? Close the blinds? - To go to sleep with us around she likes to have my feet... as in, I sit in a chair and she curls up on her cushion at my feet. Not much else will clam her down, although she will sleep if she is on her own outside with us not in view. I dont' 'coddle' her, but this is something I have done for peace and quiet... after she is asleep I can go and get things done... Is this ok? I guess I am not sure how strict to be this early on. She has been with us since Saturday. Thanks for any help Anna

Thanks Settlvr, I'm not out for a show coat, and planned clipping... so no coat king then! BBL

Lea - which sizes for a standard???

Oh thanks Lea - I'll have a look!

Thankyou! We aren't going to show or anything, its more to maintain the coat between clips, and to make her more comfortable in the QLD summer LOL.

Hiya, I saw these on a stall locally(Mars brand), and was going to get a stripper for our schnauzer, are they any good?? I should get scissors too? Obviously I am hoping to learn to clip eventually, just for our own pup. http://www.marsgroomingproducts.com.au/ Thanks for any advice,

Great question... hadn't thought about this enough!!!! So thanks

Hi all, Just resurrecting this thread, as I've noticed a few similar questions aroung the board. Also very annoyed with myself for not getting the Dealsdirect one when I asked this! Now they are out of stock....! Just going to have to go with Ebay, but that's ok.

Oh thanks everyone, great to hear so many experiences. I can't convince them to crate train! Only so much I can get away with suggesting - when I don't even have a dog yet LOL. Not sure how much he is going out at night now. Such a cute puppy though, I go see him twice a day during the day (with permission) and have taught him to come and sit LOL. Even in front of a pram! Great learning experience for me too Thanks.

Thanks. 5.30 is wake up time here anyway, so that's no drama.. and I get up a couple of times for children, so I guess it will be ok LOL. Every two hours sounded a lot... but I think they got him a bit too early... not 8 weeks old. Do they have water with dinner then no more? Or does water have to be available all the time?

Hiya, Not long now - puppies (std schnauzer) were born yesterday , so prep can begin in earnest now! BUT our neighbours just got a puppy labrador, and its got me thinking... they are up every 2 hours letting him out for a wee... is that normal? For how long? They are not crate training (their vet told them it was a strange American idea!!!!). We are going to crate train, so how often will I need to let puppy out? Till how old? I don't want her bladder bursting, but also don't want to make a rod for my own back! Thanks

Thanks so much everyone for all the links, advice and pictures! I think we will get a crate large enough for the fully grown dog, but put a divider and/or box inside to make it smaller at first. Might try to make the cover though.... hehe. Now we need to decide between deals direct and ebay.... have to read them to see the differences for the big price difference!

Hi all, We have a ways to go, but hopefully puppy standard schnauzer will be with us in August and we are preparing... Which type of crate is best for crate training at home? The square wire box, or the one with solid plastic sides? Anyone know the best place to get them too? Thanks for any help, I'll probably be asking lots of silly questions!

Thanks!!! Its great to have an idea of the price, so I know if the one down the road is a good price. Glad that clipping is acceptable, it means I have a chance of doing it myself one day. I'm so excited LOL. The pregnancy hasn't even been confirmed yet!! We have waited a long time to get these specific parents (for their nature/colour etc), but I'm glad we did wait. Noosa isn't too far from our breeder, wonder if its the same person! I doubt it though LOL.

Thankyou all very much, Clipping would be a lot easier! Settlvr - Not sure how the puppy will turn out, the parents are one of each extreme I think (from memory) - the father is very wirey and the mother quite soft. I didn't ask at the time, but I'm sure they will help out as much as they can. 'Rolling' sounds good, I'll look it up. Can I ask (sorry I don't know if this is bad manners on here!) how much is costs people to get all the other bits done? I know it will vary, but just a ball park figure... I'll call the local people too and ask them. :rolleyes:

Hi there, We should be getting our standard schnauzer in a couple of months, and I was reading up on grooming... and wanted to check some things. If they are clipped they go soft (lose the wirey outer coat that the breed is supposed to have) yes? Is that a bad thing? Obviously this isn't going to be a show dog. But I wasn't sure what other functions the coat has. It is warm up here is QLD, and would clipping be the coolest coat for her? I will be getting the grooming done professionally until I am confident to learn myself, but from what I have read clipping would be easier than hand stripping. Any advice/thoughts very welcome, I am on that steep learning curve! Thanks.

Thanks Sidoney, good to know! I thought it was asking a lot. I am kind of looking forward to teaching those commands myself anyway... that's half the fun! Is there a general opinion about the Victoria Stilwell book (from Its Me or the Dog)? I found it at the library, and its very clear and seems to agree with everything said on here, just wondering how she is seen in the DOL world.. anna

Hi again, My book list is growing! LOL. I was just reading the online book "Before you get your puppy" - and had a question or two. Is it really the end of the earth if the puppies were raised outside? The place I went to had them on their verandah/outside (and in QLD it kind of makes sense). The book says that then they are basically doomed for "a life playing catchup" - is that true? He also said they should be able to sit/lie down/roll over on request - again, is that true at 8 weeks?? I just don't have enough experience to be critical. Apart from that it is very helpful! (not finished yet though). anna

Thanks! I am feeling more and more inclined towards a mini now to be honest, the size might just be better suited to my daughter (and me LOL). I am still a bit concerned about the extra health risks, but I guess that comes down to questioning the breeder properly(!). Funny you should mention nipping, I just told a friend that we were thinking of a schn. and she immediately said they nip a lot and aren't very nice! Tried to sell me the idea of a labrador..... no!!! I don't want a dog that big no matter how lovely they are! So is nipping just something that can definitely be trained out?

We might be able to make the Toowoomba show... its a 2.5 hour drive away though! I was hanging out for one in Pine Rivers, I'll look at the other pages. We aren't going to breed whichever dog we get! Safe to say, its left to experts. Ok - no soft crate yet LOL, I just thought it looked comfy, but I have been saving older towels etc already to give to the dog (this has been on the cards for years). Settrlvr - Sorry to be misleading, the coat was lovely and well cared for - it was just salt and pepper, rather than black (which I prefer). I just meant not the best for ME. They showed us the difference in coat types between their dogs, and seemed very knowlegeable about it all. Thanks for the yahoo info. The schnz QLD web site has a trojan horse virus on it so my computer won't let me look at it. anna