Schnauzer newbie

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woofie1
Posts: 2
Joined: 12 Oct 2018, 18:36
First Name: Marie
Dog #1: Maya
is a: B/S Mini Bitch
Born: 23 May 2018
Location: West sussex

Schnauzer newbie

Post by woofie1 »

Hello!
We have just got a mini schnauzer puppy called Maya. She is 20 weeks old and we have had her for about 2 weeks now. She is a little older then normal as we bought her to the uk from Poland and so had to wait for the necessary jabs ECT. Unfortunately this also means she hasn't been properly socialised (to a standard i would like!) from the appropriate age (from what I've read 4-12 weeks?) She is pretty calm and placid but seems frightened of strangers and dogs...I have been walking her to try and get her use to everything and we have started puppy classes. She is not overly vocal at home but is when walking and today was a very barky day :-@ she is our first schnauzer (although my husband had a giant schnauzer as a teen) so any advice with do's and don't's is very welcome :)
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Schnauzer Sam
Member
Posts: 743
Joined: 28 Sep 2017, 20:40
First Name: Sam
Dog #1: Rosie
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 06 Jul 2017
Dog #2: Edie
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 11 Jun 2018
Location: Guernsey

Re: Schnauzer newbie

Post by Schnauzer Sam »

Hi Marie,

Welcome to you and Maya. She looks adorable :)

My youngest girl is 19 weeks so is a similar age but we got her at 8 weeks and she is fairly bombproof. Generally a pup is open and receptive to new situations but as time goes on - usually around 14 to 16 weeks, they become more cautious to new situations and people.

My first mini, we got at 12 weeks and by the time she had her jabs and was able to get out at 16 weeks we had lost that socialisation period. We had to take things much slower with her and to be honest, even now she doesn't seek out the company of any other dog except our other mini and it took a little work to get her to be happy walking past strangers on the lead but we got there in the end. She will still show anxiety in the house when anyone comes in apart from the 4 of us who live in the house.

My in-laws, who we have round for a couple of meals every week took about 8 weeks before being accepted (you may think being the in-laws that's a good thing) but she will still bark to let us know of their arrival.

I'm not at all suggesting that Maya will be the same but try to ensure that you don't push her beyond what she is happy with. Find a friend or neighbour with a calm dog of a similar age and meet up at a park and let the dogs find the distance that they're happy to be at and you'll find in time (or maybe immediately) that they will be playing.

Don't let anyone force themselves on her, make sure that she approaches them (if she wants to). Obviously a good way is to lure her with some tasty treats but they shouldn't try to stroke her or lift her unless you tell them. You'll know whether she's comfortable in the situation.

Put the work in with Maya now and you won't be disappointed. The mini schnauzer is a wonderful companion. Just don't expect to have any privacy anymore :)
Country Girl at Heart (Molly) 8 April 2003 - 22 December 2018

You're never alone when you own a schnauzer

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woofie1
Posts: 2
Joined: 12 Oct 2018, 18:36
First Name: Marie
Dog #1: Maya
is a: B/S Mini Bitch
Born: 23 May 2018
Location: West sussex

Re: Schnauzer newbie

Post by woofie1 »

Hi Sam!
Thanks very much for your reply, it's very comforting to know there are others out there in a similar boat and got through it as everything I've read so far has made me panic a bit! Maya sounds similar to your first mini. Maya has also been offish with my bro in law in particular but is happy to approach and play with his girlfriend and young son so it's not all bad just a few things to Work on. I fully intend to work hard with her so she can become a somewhat stable member of society ;)
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