A Good Puppy Care Book For Someone New?

[Gerda the Schnauzer]

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

[ashka1]

Hi Redmum,

At most of the all breeds show you will find quite a few minis and also some magnificent giants but I rarely see standards, I dont know why but still come along and check them out!

I have a mini that I bought when my youngest child was 12 months old and they are best mates. After the puppy nipping was sorted (crate training) we have had no problems with kids, cats or other dogs.

I did obedience and agility with him for about two years and he is so easy and willing to train, definately smart but can be stubborn at times. When she turned 8 my daughter wanted to start obedience training as she is unable to show dogs in QLD till 10 years old, so she has been taking the Schnauzer to training and doing great (OK she is in a higher class then me ) The mini is a great size for her to handle. My daughter is nearly 10 now and the schnauzer is 9, he sleeps in her bedroom and currently thinks he is the guardian of her new kitten, very funny actually.

Minis can be wounderful companions for kids and families, small enought for the kids to deal with but enough spunk and fire to go for a run with hubby. Just ensure that you do socialise them well with other dogs.

It is possible to learn to clip and trim yourself, I do my boy myself but dont buy cheap clippers as they are not worth the hassle. Buy a good set that will last forever and make the job easy.

Good luck what ever you decide and come and say Hi at a show some time (Newfoundlands)

[ashka1]

I will be at Toowoomba , no schnauzer with me though only newfs

[Gerda the Schnauzer]

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?

[ashka1]

All puppies nip and mouth, hang on your clothes etc when they are little. Just like a baby putting things in their mooth and pulling hair, but with training and time out this stage goes. It can be a frustrating time with todlers not understanding the pup does not mean to hurt and scratch but we just crated out boy when he got too bouncy and let him have lots of games with grown ups when the baby was napping or in bed at night.

I also had been told that schnauzers are yappy and can bite, but mine has never hurt a fly in 9 years.

Socialising as a pup is important and as the other DOLers said, being the leader and setting clear expectations. Your puppy preschool is a great place to start.

[Dogsfevr]

Std schnauzers can be more nippy simply due to the herding instinct,the same applies to any of the breeds used for herding ,It is there natural tool to get the animals to move where they need them too BUT it isnt a reason to simply nip & that is where the quality of time/training & understanding the breed in question.

Mini schnauzers arent nippers

The most important thing to understand is all 3 sizes are seperate breeds & have there own unique needs & breed characteristics & sadly many people misunderstand which size is what & just presume that there all the same.

Minsi are very laid back easy to handle & family oriented

The stds/giants are also very loyal/family oriented but a more inclined to push the boundries if owners arent in control.

Remember working breeds cover border collies,dobes,rotties,GSD all these breeds are super family pets BUT require the time & effort to be put in to reap the rewards & have a well adjusted,family/public pet.

Giants/Stds due to there loyal working traits will stand there ground & protect there home,family members but again a well trained dog that nows whats acceptable will be well controlled.

The std/giant are often used as police dogs due to the fact they are extremely intelligient & great loyal workers

Stds in the US are also being used as cancer sniffer dogs.

The reason is because these 2 sizes do thrive on being mentally challenged.they love learning/pleasing.

Blacks in Stds are harder to come by & as a breeder we always impress on future puppy owners with children that the individual dog is far more important than colour especially in your case having very young children.

As far as minis go yes there are health issues but they dont occur that often .The main ones being PRA/cataracts .Good breeders eye test yearly & should be very offay with there lines.

Some websites can often list conditions that are owner created .

Skin issues can also be an issue with schnauzers but 99% of the time its due to not feeding this breed correctly.If you seek a good breeder & follow there advice you will have a very happy,healthy mini/std.

They normally both sizes live to 15 yrs

[trishalouise]

ETA Link for Before You Get Your Puppy Download here

I've just been reading this and while it has some useful information it also has things that I totally and completely disagree with, such as this:

Beware of breeders who want to decide for you whether to

raise your pup for conformation shows or have him neutered.

Remember, the puppy is coming to live with you. Raising the

pup is your responsibility, and decisions regarding his show

career and reproductive status are yours to make.

No, no, no, no, no. This is irresponsible and could lead to unsuitable dogs being bred. Also, as a breeder, if I evaluated a puppy as not show quality, I would not want to see it in a show ring.

I agree - but I think the info that the OP wanted is fantastic in these books. Have yet to find a book in which I agree with everything. I take what I need and ignore the rest.

Trish :rolleyes:

[Bonmedia]

Hi there,

We are after a good book (or two) on how to care for a puppy. At the moment we have our hearts set on a Standard Schnauzer and met some breeders yesterday (which was great) - should a book be specific to the breed o puppy?

I have no experience in caring for a puppy, and as we have a little time before we get one I wanted to read up BEFORE getting one :rolleyes: . I also want to train her highly, with small children I think obedience will be key. Maybe I need an extra book for my daughter (3.5years) to give her some basics with pictures etc. too. Any ideas??

Thanks a lot,

anna

Reply to Redmum. from Bonmedia. An excellent book which all dog owners should have is "Who's the Boss"? It tells WHY the dog does the things it does and HOW to solve problems even before they arise. Hope it helps.

[sidoney]

I agree - but I think the info that the OP wanted is fantastic in these books. Have yet to find a book in which I agree with everything. I take what I need and ignore the rest.

Trish :rolleyes:

Very true. The behavioural stuff is appropriate. I found some of the other stuff questionable, where it strays off that topic.

My main point was that you cannot take all that a book says as "gospel" - although I probably put it more strongly than I might have, because I was a bit horrified at the statement I quoted. I think that particularly as a novice, there may be a tendency to believe that because most of what is said is good, that the rest must be as well. I know I tend to be uncritical when I am first venturing into an unknown area of knowledge.

My latest puppies went out with Gwen Bailey's "The Perfect Puppy" - another good puppy book, more about training than the physical care - I thought that the OP wanted a more all-around book which is why I didn't mention it earlier. Again, I don't agree with everything in it, although I didn't find anything in there that shocked me quite as much as the statement I quoted. I gave it to my puppy people because I think that a puppy raised by that book has a very good chance of learning behaviour that is desirable in a human household, and thus remaining as a valued family member.

Edited December 31, 2007 by sidoney

[trishalouise]

Actually Sidoney, that reminds me - I haven't read Gwen Bailey's book but had heard that it is good. I was going to buy "After You Get Your Puppy" but might look at "The Perfect Puppy" first.

That statement shocked me too - especially when most of the other stuff is so good - odd! I guess it is easy for people with some knowledge and experience to take what they need from a book - but not so easy for someone with limited knowledge and experience.

Off to check out "The Perfect Puppy" - thanks!

Trish

[Animal House]

I would highly recommend "The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey.

Read it before you get a pup, its like the puppy owners bible.

[Bonmedia]

Hi there,

We are after a good book (or two) on how to care for a puppy. At the moment we have our hearts set on a Standard Schnauzer and met some breeders yesterday (which was great) - should a book be specific to the breed o puppy?

I have no experience in caring for a puppy, and as we have a little time before we get one I wanted to read up BEFORE getting one . I also want to train her highly, with small children I think obedience will be key. Maybe I need an extra book for my daughter (3.5years) to give her some basics with pictures etc. too. Any ideas??

Thanks a lot,

anna

Quote:- There is an excellent book called "Who's the Boss"? It has been said this is a book all dog owners should have. There is also a new D.V.D. Puppy Pet or Pest being released early January;. Would suggest that either or both of these is the way to go.

Bonmedia.

[Gerda the Schnauzer]

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

[sidoney]

No, and no. Those statements are not as extreme as the one I mentioned but he does make some statements that I disagree with.

I have bred several dogs that are competing at the highest levels in obedience and they were well socialised but did not sit, lie down or roll over on request at eight weeks.

They spent the first few weeks of their life inside but went into a puppy yard after that, with regular people interaction, and lots of supervised general backyard play.

Some of us have a life as well as puppies, and also have a house that would not do well to be overtaken by large numbers of puppies and all the cleaning up that has to be done. My small house would be unlivable if we had eight or nine puppies living inside at seven and eight weeks. I do plenty to socialise pups and accustom them to noises, surfaces, toys, people, and so on, but to have all of the eight week old puppies performing several commands would not leave me time to do all the other things that I am responsible for.

I will mention that I have a breed that is probably more likely to be stable and social naturally than some others.

Edited January 1, 2008 by sidoney

[Gerda the Schnauzer]

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