Chewy is potty trained ALMOST

[Clown9644]

We have been doing well with Chewy going outside to go potty, mostly by me making sure he goes out often into his fenced in yard, He does very well I am happy to report UNLESS it is cold or raining. He does not like to get wet feet and will go out but only under the eaves and will not go potty! I give him enough time outside and let him back in and he will leave me a present within minutes.

I wonder if a kitty litter would help or am I creating a different problem. He is only 17 weeks old and I have not really made huge headway in training him. I am not into obedience class, all I want is a dog that comes when called (yes I have very yummy rewards) to stop barking when I tell him its ok and to go outside to do his business, rain or shine! Oh and to stop biting me during play would be neat too (I know that is a puppy thing),

I have tried to keep him in a confined area but the whining and barking are overwhelming and will go on literally for 4 hours! I am frustrated and wondering why a 73 year old man actually got a 8 week old puppy!

Thanks for listening, I feel better now.

[Schnauzer Sam]

Hi David,

Things will get better as I'm sure you realise!

I only have experience of mini schnausers but I'm sure that aversion to rain is not peculiar to them.

Rosie taps at a bell on the back door when she wants to go out. I'll open the door for her and if it's raining she'll look up at me as if to say - "Just cancel that bell", before edging backwards away from the door.

It was only at 6 months or so that she had the ability to delay a potty visit and I'm sure Chewy will get there too.

[Clown9644]

Thanks Sam, I needed those words of encouragement.

I notice there is a means of counting "thanks" but have no idea how to do that and feel bad as i have had you and a couple of others that have been very helpful and deserve the recognition.

Dave

Cancel the above, I found the icon!

[Oscar 12345]

David

With both my schnauzers I decided I wasn't going to put up with this "aw Mum but it's raining" malarkey. So right from day one if it was raining at their normal walk times then the lead would go on and out they would go whether that was in the garden or outside. That worked, Otto tolerates the rain although a gentle hand under the tummy to help them over the door step was always necessary when they saw a wet floor outside. Once over the door step he is off because for him a good sniff beats the rain If I hadn't done this then I would have been constantly worrying about where and when they would go inside and I wouldn't be able to get anything done. It does help to have a good set of waterproof clothing so that you don't mind going out and plenty of towels and/or hair dryer to sort out a very wet schnauzer. Otto quite enjoys the hair dryer now that he knows it is a compulsory end to a wet walk. I always have the job of taking Otto out in the rain because my husband seems to have developed the schnauzer rain averse trait and wants to hurry the walk and Otto won't be rushed. Several times he has come back late at night when it is raining saying "he won't go" so out I then go to do the job properly. ;) It does get better when they can hold on longer but at some time they have to go out and if they are used to going in the rain then so much the better.

[Clown9644]

I am like your husband and my dog, I do not like going for a cold rainy walk! I have a beautiful back yard (to those in the UK that is a garden if you will) that is totally fenced in and puppy proof so I let him out (if raining more of a push him out) and do have a towel waiting for his return. At this point in his life he just hangs out under the overhang where it is not raining until I open the door. I wish he would figure it out he can go potty there and does not have to go to the center of the yard! Oh I know, in due time this too will pass.

[Oscar 12345]

David

Have you thought about putting some astro turf (piece of artificial grass) down under the overhang and training him to use it. My sister has done that to great effect with her dog.

[Clown9644]

I will try that! Thanks!

[zeta1454]

Some good advice from others above re the house training in the rain but just a few thoughts on the other issues you mentioned:

Miniature schnauzers are a vocal breed and were bred from dogs that were used as watchdogs so always ready to alert their family of any sound or sight that might be a problem You may be able to train Chewy to be quiet on command but this will take time as you are trying to change a 'natural trait' in this breed.

Miniature schnauzers are also a very companionable breed that love to be with their family, taking part in anything that is going on or just snoozing on a lap or beside you on the sofa. This means they are not happy to be left alone or away from you for very long. When you say that Chewy will bark / whine for 4 hours this seems a very long time to be leaving him confined away from you (unless this is at night?)

Training classes for puppies are generally not about "obedience" training in any advanced way but the best ones will offer useful advice and guidance on how to achieve some of the things you are looking to do with Chewy: recall (coming back when called) and stopping barking on comand. If you have a really good training class nearby, it could be worth trying it out to see if it may help. Do go along and watch a class first though without Chewy as you need to be sure they use kind methods of training and have small numbers of puppies attending (less than 6).

If you definitely do not want to use a training class, I recommend this book which is very helpful:

https://www.amazon.com/When-Pigs-Fly-Tr ... sible+dogs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Puppies can be a challenge for any of us at any age but with love and patience they do come through the biting phase and, with training, will learn to toilet outside whatever the weather and settle down when left alone. If you have brought Chewy into your home as a companion and want to build a bond with him, spend as much time with him as you can, play, train, go out in the yard with him, take him on little walks out etc. Unless there is a strong reason not to (?) let him snuggle on the sofa beside you, have him sleep in a crate or bed in the bedroom if he cannot settle at night. I think that some puppy training manuals can make people think they need to establish a hierarchy or dominance over their dog/s or anarchy will follow but miniature schnauzers are social, adaptable creatures who love human company and are not looking to rule the household - power is in the hands of those who control the resources (food in particular ) and it is rare to find a dog who has control of the shopping and meal preparation in any family!

Puppies are tiring and challenging in the first year but the work you put in now will really pay dividends in the years ahead with Chewy. Make sure he has plenty of fun time with you and plenty of rest too - puppies need their sleep through the day as well as at night and an overtired pup is always grouchy and bitey. I am sure you will get there with him but don't expect too much too soon - he is still a baby and has so much to learn about the human and canine world

[schnauzer]

Hi David
Welcome to the forum as others have said it will get better, with our girl it was hard work but then i was still working so it was all down to my husband to train her as he had taken early retirement & I desperately wanted a mini Schnauzer, sadly we lost her last April 2017 when she was just 3 wks short of her 13th birthday.

She left an enormous gap in our life so much so that our routine was all to pot, so we decided to have another have to say I wondered what I was letting myself in for taking on an 8 wk old puppy when I was 13 years older.

Admit it was hard work but I just had to get on with it, going out in the garden in the rain to make sure he had done the toilet, doing this every 3-4 hours. Going to puppy classes which I didn't really want to but knew it was best for our boy Gino to help socialise him.

We couldn't believe that he was dry all night on his first night home with us & every night there after, admit we did have a few accidents during the day in the house but only 6 but it was all down to me thinking about this new puppy. My hubby would sit & read the paper & forget about him.

What you put into it pays off & going out in the rain is one of the joys of having a dog yes I don't like going but once I'm out its fine as this is all part & parcel of owing a dog . Yes plenty of dog walking gear waterproofs etc all help. Have to say having a MS opened up a whole new world to me they are super little dogs.

It will get better & yes he's still young at 17 weeks. Enjoy

Have you posted photos... Good luck

[Clown9644]

Thanks to Leigh for the thoughtful response, even though I did not express myself properly. I know Minis are vocal but the first 2 were not so I guess I am spoiled. I could just say "It's OK" and both would be quiest, hoping the same for Chewy.
Chewy is always with me. The comment about 4 hours of noise was when I listened to one of those "Highly Esteemed" trainers that this would be a faster way of Potty Training. I tried it for only the one time. I prefer his company over the clean floor.
I had observed a training class at the local Pet store and was surprised that this trainer was a very young girl, probably still in college and this was a part time job. I did not like one tool she used which was a can of gas or compressed air that made a loud hissing noise and frightened every dog in the class (I think 8). She did have goodies, but gave them out for no reason, not as reinforcement. I have not found any organization that teaches or certifies teachers in Ohio but am still looking.
Oddly enough I have that book on order, hope to see it in the mail very soon. It will be the 4th book I have bought and read so far.
We are together a lot. The only time we can sit together is for about a half hour in the morning when he will lay in my arms and we chat. It is great time but then the Chew instinct kicks in and I have to put him down with a toy. If I spend any more time bonding with him I will not get anything else done, honest! Yes he is in a crate in my bedroom next to my bed and is very happy to sleep in there.
Thanks for the advice.

[Clown9644]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Christine. I have a couple of photos, one being with me and another on the photo section. I have shared it a couple of times when I did the new member page.

Chewy is a good boy but it does frustrate me when he has been outside for several minutes and come in and almost immediately go potty. We are getting better and gosh I didn't mean for my posting to sound like I was complaining or whining about it, mainly was wondering if any of you guys had used the litter box technic which was suggested in one of those on line books I read about training dogs.

Yes they are super little dogs. Chewy is my 3rd. I rescued a Grey female that was actually near 9 years old. Put her down due to stomach cancer after 3 or 4 years with her, she was a sweetheart and loved to snuggle. After she was gone I got Bear, a salt and pepper male from a breeder that had held him back as a possible show dog but his legs got a tad too long. He was a terrific companion that won the hearts of the folks at the resort I go to in the winter as well as my neighborhood in Ohio. I had to lose him to cancer as well just before i got Chewy. Chewy is my true first mini puppy and am amazed at how headstrong he is. My other 2 just wanted me to be happy and did what I wanted without any fuss. I am sure in time Chewy will to.

Have a great day and thanks again.
Dave

[zeta1454]

Hi David, it sounds as though you are doing all the right things and it is just a question of time for Chewy to begin to be reliable at toileting outside (even in the rain ) and stopping barking on command.

A lot of minis do not like to go out in wet weather but as they get older they can hold on to pee or poo (unlike a young puppy). You could try a litter tray right by the door to outside. We did use newspaper on the floor by the outside door many years ago with our very first mini schnauzer puppy who came to us at 8 weeks old in a freezing cold and wet January. She was keen to go outside when the weather was less severe and quickly moved on to going outside all the time as she matured. It was more our fears for her catching a chill when we first got her that led to us putting down the paper for her. However, if Chewy has not been that enthusiastic from the start about going outside to toilet then setting up a litter tray now when he is 17 weeks may not be a good idea as you do want to encourage him to go out and not think the litter tray is a regular alternative!

You are right to be wary of the training class at the pet store which does not sound good at all. Actually, if there are no really good classes nearby, you are better doing your own training with the help of the books you are reading. I have known really well raised pups from a good breeder be badly affected by poor quality training classes which is very sad as young puppies can easily be traumatised by negative experiences in a situation which should be supporting and educating them and their owners.

I think that some of the issues you are going through may be just due to Chewy being your first puppy. It is amazing how much dogs can change in behaviour as they mature with the right love, care and training. There are always temperament differences between individual dogs and no two will ever be the same - even closely relate dogs can have quite different personalities - but puppyhood and adolescence is the most challenging for sure. By the time Chewy is 18 months to 2 years old I am sure he will be as rewarding a companion as your previous two dogs.

Sometimes the dogs who take up the most of our time trying to resolve issues they may have are the very ones we bond with most deeply. We rehomed a mini schnauzer years ago who had some traits that were trying to put it mildly - especially barking. She was not really that keen on meeting people or dogs outside the family at all and would bark relentlessly at them given the chance. She liked car journeys but barked loudly every time the car stopped - even at traffic lights. However, she and I became so very close - a real "heart dog" and never forgotten.

Enjoy Chewy's puppy days and let us know how he progresses

[Clown9644]

Thanks for the encouragement! I am happy to report that my book came in yesterday's mail and I have been reading as fast as I can. I am starting to do the clicker conditioning and hsould be able to move rather quickly through the first few phases as Chewy does know his name but i will have to erase some of the negative times where I said something like "Chewy NO!" (or worse I am sure). We will make his name a happy sound as quickly as possible.

Chewy does have some things that need to be stopped as soon as possible and I am now confused as to how to address them. He has a penchant for the stuffing in his toys, bed as well as some of my furniture. I know the stuffing can cause health issues so am very quick to take action when I see him with some in his mouth. I no longer will buy toys with the white fluffy stuffing and am spraying things with the bitter apple. Unfortunately he seems to like that flavor! The damage to my furniture is less of an issue that you ladies would tolerate but I know it is old and should have been replaced years ago, so will just work on him to stop and then go shopping for new stuff.

My question: How do I get him to stop doing bad things such as chewing my furniture to get to the stuffing? I had been saying "Chewy NO, or Bad Chewy" type stuff. Do I just pick him up and take him to something he is allowed to have?

As always, thank you so much for your encouragement and guidance. This is a terrific Forum!

[Oscar 12345]

David,

Sounds like you have a plan. The best command for me is LEAVE IT. It is the basis for so many things. You train it by starting with a piece of food/treat in your closed fingers so that chewy can smell you have something but wouldn't be able to get it if his mouth was next to your fingers. Then put your fingers to his mouth so that they are touching his nose almost and say LEAVE IT. Keep saying it until eventually Chewy looks away from the treat. At the very second he looks away say take it and give it to him. Keep doing this until he promptly looks away from the treat as soon as you say LEAVE IT. Then the next lesson is to put the treat in front of Chewy on the floor and say LEAVE IT. If he tries to get it quickly take it away. As soon as he does look away and leave it say take it. Next steps are to move the treat/food further and further away. Get to the point where you can get Chewy staying in one room and hiding the food in another go back to him to release with a go find it. When Chewy understands LEAVE IT means that he can't have something you can extend it to objects and things you don't want him to touch or eat. If he leaves something then always follow up with a treat so it reinforces the good behaviour. The command has been so valuable for me, preventing Otto eating stuff he shouldn't, chewing labels on blankets, chewing the shoelaces of guests etc. It obviously doesn't prevent him chewing stuff when you aren't there so you are best to remove all vulnerable stuff. I have had to replace Otto's soft beds with the indestructible type. I used to come downstairs to a snow mountain in his pen. He has however at 9 months grown out of the chewing the bed stuff. The last time he did it when he was in his pen I shouted LEAVE IT down the baby monitor I have and he has never chewed it since. (His face was a picture wondering where the voice was coming from). Takes time David but LEAVE IT works. Good luck

[Oscar 12345]

PS. When he starts to get it, you can use the command every time you are feeding Chewy, put his bowl down and use LEAVE IT so that he sits or stands and waits a few seconds until released with a take it, that way you are practising at lots of different times.