How to Train a Miniature Schnauzer Advanced Tricks
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Introduction
You love how high-spirited and energetic your little dog is. While your kids are tired from running around, she is still raring to go and barely getting started. Miniature Schnauzers are also known for being obedient and intelligent, and yours is no different. You probably already spend a lot of time exercising your dog, but she still has energy that you need to channel. So you taught her a range of basic tricks, from 'roll over' to 'high-five', but now it’s time to take it to the next level.
Training your Miniature Schnauzer advanced tricks will only bring with it benefits. Firstly, you’ll have some awesome tricks to entertain guests with. You’ll also soon find yourself circulating online as news spreads of both your skills. Training is also a great way to simply bond with each other. Not to mention, you may finally tire your little gal out so you can get some rest in the evenings.
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Defining Tasks
Training Miniature Schnauzers advanced tricks is never going to be easy, hence why they’re advanced! However, you will still be able to yield results if you work hard and find the right motivation. Like most dogs, Miniature Schnauzers are known to have a soft spot for anything they can eat. So, finding the right mouth-watering food will be important. Once you have conveyed to your dog what it is you want them to do, you simply need to reinforce training with the incentive.
If your Miniature Schnauzer is young and eager to please then training a new trick could take just several days. However, if your pooch is older and not so great at following instructions, then they may need several weeks. If you get training right, you’ll have a great way to keep your little dog stimulated and productive, all the way into old age.
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Getting Started
Before getting to work, you will need to go out and gather a few bits. Stock up on tasty treats or break your dog's favorite food into small chunks. A selection of their favorite toys will also be needed, as will a clicker for one of the methods.
You’ll need a quiet space to practice in where there isn’t a risk of valuable items getting broken, such as a TV. Then just set aside 10 to 15 minutes each day for training.
Once you’ve ticked all those boxes, just bring patience and a positive attitude, then training can begin!
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The Dancing Method
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Positioning
Stand in front of your dog and hold a treat in your hand. You can also get animated to get them worked up. Miniature Schnauzers learn best when they think they are playing a game. Also, make sure you’re close to them so they can rest up against you.
‘Dance’
Issue the command in a playful voice. You can use any word or phrase you like, Miniature Schnauzers can learn hundreds of different commands. Also make sure you give the instruction just once, you don’t want them to think they don’t have to respond to you first time.
Encouragement
As you give the command, pat your chest and encourage the dog to jump up. It may take a little while to start with, so be patient. You can also gently lift a paw up to help show them what to do.
Reward
As soon as they jump up on you, take them by the paws for a second or so. Then hand over a treat to reward them. You want to encourage any promising signs that they are jumping up to dance.
Increase the time
Now you just need to spend a few minutes each day practicing. Continue to give them treats, but make them stay up for a bit longer each time before they get a reward. Also start to move around and dance with them a bit more. Note it will take a while for their balance, strength and confidence to develop.
The Pass the Post Method
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Setting up
Enlist the help of a friend to spend a few minutes each day "posting" or "mailing" items through your door so you can practice. Make sure Cocoa is close by, then have the friend post the first item.
Encouragement
You now need to draw your dog's attention to the sound and the object. Point, get high-pitched and continue to encourage them until they pick it up. You can then play a little tug of war so they hold onto it.
Call them over
Now call your dog over to you. You can use a phrase such as ‘bring’ or you can call their name. Stay relatively close to start with and hold out a treat to further lure them over. You can increase the distance later on.
Reward
As soon as they get to you, use the treat to encourage them to drop the item and then quickly reward them. Note if your dog doesn’t get the treat within three seconds then they may not associate it with the action.
Increase the distance
Continue to have the friend post a few items through the door to practice each day. However, wait farther away each time so they get used to coming to find you. The trick is to build up the distance gradually. Then just continue to reward them each time and they will always be the first one to run for the mail each day.
The Take A Bow Method
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Stand before the dog
The 'take a bow' is a great, fun trick to teach your Miniature Schnauzer. Simply stand before them with a treat or toy in your hand. Also make sure they are standing and try not to get them too worked up just yet.
‘Bow’
Give a ‘bow’ instruction in a playful voice. Also give it just once, you do not want them to think they can wait until you have pestered them a few times before they follow your command.
Guide them
At the same time as the instruction, hold a treat in front of their nose and slowly move it towards the ground. This should naturally guide them into a bow. You can also use your other hand to gently guide them into the position to start with.
Click & reward
As soon as your dog bows, give a click to signal that they have done a good job. A clicker is a fantastic way to signal to them when they have done something right and used correctly can seriously speed up the learning process. You can then hand over a tasty treat and some verbal praise.
Practice
Now all you need to do is practice several times a day. Continue to use the clicker and food until they get the hang of it, then slowly phase both out. Soon enough your little pooch will be in the habit of bowing when asked.
Written by James Barra
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/15/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
