Hi!
I really need help with training my schnauzer. He’s been really good with being potty trained. The only issue I am having with him is his barking at everyone and his BITING. I don’t think it’s normal for any dog to bite as much as him. I try to teach him commands but he does not listen. When we’re outside he pulls on the leash and run after our neighbors and act really aggressive. When I try to tell him to stop he bites. Have anyone experienced this with their mini?
Aggressive 7 month old Mini Schnauzer!!!
Moderators: Dawnspell, GaryThomlinson, zeta1454
Forum rules
Please do not post questions regarding your dog here. This area allows people to introduce themselves and get to know other members of the forum. Any specific issues can be raised in the appropriate section.
Please do not post questions regarding your dog here. This area allows people to introduce themselves and get to know other members of the forum. Any specific issues can be raised in the appropriate section.
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 12 Jan 2025, 18:55
- First Name: Senayah
- Dawnspell
- Moderator
- Posts: 4744
- Joined: 05 Mar 2013, 18:27
- First Name: Alison
- Dog #1: Barney RIP 8/3/19
- is a: White Mini Dog
- Born: 06 Feb 2013
- Dog #2: Jasper
- is a: White Mini Dog
- Born: 25 Apr 2019
- Location: Guernsey
Re: Aggressive 7 month old Mini Schnauzer!!!
Its not likely to be aggression is more likely to be a fear response. They do go through another fear stage when they enter adolescence which can start at around 7 mths. Hes just telling everyone "I'm not sure about you, keep away"
You say youre trying to teach commands but he doesnt listen. Where is this taking place ? If he's not listening then he is overwhelmed by the environment and you need to make it easier for him. You keep practicing in an environment he finds easy and gradually up the difficulty.
If he reacts to something then just take him away in the opposite direction or up a driveway where he cant see the trigger. He's not going to be able to listen to you asking him to stop so the best thing is just get some distance so he can calm down. If he accepts food then lead him away with food.
You say youre trying to teach commands but he doesnt listen. Where is this taking place ? If he's not listening then he is overwhelmed by the environment and you need to make it easier for him. You keep practicing in an environment he finds easy and gradually up the difficulty.
If he reacts to something then just take him away in the opposite direction or up a driveway where he cant see the trigger. He's not going to be able to listen to you asking him to stop so the best thing is just get some distance so he can calm down. If he accepts food then lead him away with food.
Our first family dog
Barney - Pocketpark Biali Eyebright 6/2/13 - 8/3/19 Gone too soon
Motto for owners who groom their own Schnauzers -"Never mind it'll soon grow back"
Barney - Pocketpark Biali Eyebright 6/2/13 - 8/3/19 Gone too soon
Motto for owners who groom their own Schnauzers -"Never mind it'll soon grow back"
- zeta1454
- Moderator
- Posts: 5185
- Joined: 19 May 2011, 16:58
- First Name: Leigh
- Dog #1: Magic
- is a: P/S Mini Bitch
- Born: 20 Apr 2010
- Dog #2: Trilby
- is a: P/S Mini Bitch
- Born: 15 Mar 2012
- Dog #3: Pip
- Born: 21 Feb 2014
- is a: P/S Mini Bitch
- Location: North Yorkshire
- Contact:
Re: Aggressive 7 month old Mini Schnauzer!!!
If your puppy is a miniature schnauzer, much of what you describe is quite normal. Miniature schnauzers are vocal dogs - most do bark more often than some other breeds of dog but they are not known to be aggressive. Puppies up to 6 months or older can be suffering teething pain and this will make them more likely to bite… and chew things they shouldn’t.This is a natural behaviour that they will grow out of as they mature but you can work on reducing this by specific training. They also love chasing and can be territorial which means, given the chance, if they think that someone or something has invaded their space they will chase and bark. These behaviours can be modified by gentle positive training basically by getting your puppy to focus on you and respond to you when you call his name.
As regards the biting, have plenty of safe chew toys for your puppy and keep one or more to hand so you can offer these to your puppy when he is going to bite something he shouldn’t or engage him in a game to distract his attention by offering something fun to do. Biting in a young puppy usually stops as they mature even without training but some activities to engage your puppy in something that is more fun than biting can help
If your puppy has not been well socialised before you got him, there may also be a fear element in his reactions to other people etc. Start by doing lead training at home and build up his confidence on lead outside your home gradually so he does not pull every time he sees someone or something exciting. Use plenty of high value treats (pieces of chicken, cheese etc.) to reward him for keeping his attention on you and you can also use them to distract him if he is getting too boisterous when he sees a neighbour or another dog. Always have him on a harness and short lead so you have more control..not a flexi-lead.
Puppies are often excitable when they are very young and this does result in barking and lead pulling but with gentle positive training they do grow out of this. If he is not paying attention to you, encourage him that listening to you is rewarding and that you are the source of good things in his life - games with a toy, cuddles, treats etc. The better the relationship you have with your puppy, the more likely he is to want to focus on you when you need him to.
Barking is the main way that many dogs have to communicate to humans - drawing their attention, trying to warn off something that scares them etc. Sometimes trying to put yourself in the dog’s position and understand what he is trying to tell you can help understand ways to reassure or adjust how your puppy will respond in particular situations.
This book is one of several good training books that can help you towards understanding why your puppy reacts as he does and how to overcome issues you are worried about.
https://www.amazon.com/When-Pigs-Fly-Tr ... 1929242441
As regards the biting, have plenty of safe chew toys for your puppy and keep one or more to hand so you can offer these to your puppy when he is going to bite something he shouldn’t or engage him in a game to distract his attention by offering something fun to do. Biting in a young puppy usually stops as they mature even without training but some activities to engage your puppy in something that is more fun than biting can help

If your puppy has not been well socialised before you got him, there may also be a fear element in his reactions to other people etc. Start by doing lead training at home and build up his confidence on lead outside your home gradually so he does not pull every time he sees someone or something exciting. Use plenty of high value treats (pieces of chicken, cheese etc.) to reward him for keeping his attention on you and you can also use them to distract him if he is getting too boisterous when he sees a neighbour or another dog. Always have him on a harness and short lead so you have more control..not a flexi-lead.
Puppies are often excitable when they are very young and this does result in barking and lead pulling but with gentle positive training they do grow out of this. If he is not paying attention to you, encourage him that listening to you is rewarding and that you are the source of good things in his life - games with a toy, cuddles, treats etc. The better the relationship you have with your puppy, the more likely he is to want to focus on you when you need him to.
Barking is the main way that many dogs have to communicate to humans - drawing their attention, trying to warn off something that scares them etc. Sometimes trying to put yourself in the dog’s position and understand what he is trying to tell you can help understand ways to reassure or adjust how your puppy will respond in particular situations.
This book is one of several good training books that can help you towards understanding why your puppy reacts as he does and how to overcome issues you are worried about.
https://www.amazon.com/When-Pigs-Fly-Tr ... 1929242441
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras
Pip - Darksprite Too Darn Hot
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud
https://www.facebook.com/people/Darkspr ... 526061248/
Pip - Darksprite Too Darn Hot
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud
https://www.facebook.com/people/Darkspr ... 526061248/