How to Train a Miniature Schnauzer Easy Tricks
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Introduction
Your Miniature Schnauzer is the center point of the family. While you may argue with the kids over homework and your partner over dinner, you all find common ground over Lucky. You simply can’t be annoyed with him, he’s just too cute. He’s also extremely switched on and intelligent. He knows when food is approaching. He knows when the best time is to sit there and look cute. He knows how to win you over if he’s misbehaved. So now you want to put his intelligence to good use, by training him some easy tricks.
Training him some basic tricks is a good idea for a number of reasons. Firstly, it will lay the groundwork for teaching him some more advanced tricks later down the line. It’s also a great way to bond with your Miniature Schnauzer in a productive way. This type of training will also assert your control and position as pack leader.
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Defining Tasks
Fortunately, training Lucky to do easy tricks is exactly that, fairly easy! This type of obedience training is straightforward and should be easy for him to pick up. You simply need to guide him through the beginning stages of tricks using some mouth-watering rewards. Toys can also be used to get him dancing to your tune.
If Lucky is a Miniature Schnauzer puppy then he should be a fast learner. This means you could see results in just a few days. But if he’s older and more interested in napping than learning new tricks, then you may need up to 10 days. If you can yield results from training then you’ve laid the perfect groundwork to teach him more sophisticated tricks. Furthermore, you’ve got a great way to lighten the mood when you have guests over.
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Getting Started
Before you start training you will need to collect a few bits. You’ll need a generous amount of treats or his favorite food broken into small pieces. For one of the methods, a toy and a clicker will also be required.
Set aside just 5 to 10 minutes each day for training. Try to practice at a time where you both won’t distracted by a noisy household. We know that can be easier said than done!
Once you have the above, just bring a pro-active attitude and patience, then work can begin.
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The ‘Roll Over’ Method
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‘Down’
Lure Lucky into a room with a tasty treat in your hand. Once you have his attention, instruct him to lie ‘down’. Make sure he is comfortable there and wait for him to calm down. Stroking him gently may help.
‘Roll over’
Give your ‘roll over’ command in a happy, playful voice. Miniature Schnauzers learn best when they think they are playing a big game. You can use any word or phrase you like for the command.
The roll
As you give the command, slowly rotate a treat from one side of his face up and around so he’s forced to roll over to follow the treat. You can use your spare hand to guide him over the first few times.
Reward
Once he has indeed rolled over, quickly give him a treat and some verbal praise. If you use a clicker when you train, you can also click now to signal to him that he’s performed the trick correctly.
Practice
Now you just need to practice this several times each day. Once he’s got the hang of it you can then slowly phase out the treats. You will now have a Miniature Schnauzer that hits the ground and rolls over on command.
The ‘High-Five’ Method
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‘Sit’
The first thing you need to is get Lucky to sit. From the sitting position it will be easier to offer up a paw. Then kneel in front of him with a treat in your hand or one of his favorite toys.
Empty hand
Now put an empty hand facing palm up in front of him. He’s probably a curious little Miniature Schnauzer so will sniff your hand to see if you’ve brought him something edible.
Wait
Now you just need to play the waiting game. He will eventually wonder why your hand is there and will reach his own paw up to touch it and investigate further. He may want to try and pull your hand down so he can look closer.
Reward
As soon as he touches your hand with his paw, hand over a treat. To start with he doesn’t need to leave it there. You want to encourage any promising signs he’s getting the hang of it.
‘High five’
Continue to practice this for a few minutes each day. Once he gets the hang of it, you can introduce a playful ‘high five’ command. Simply give this each time and he will soon associate the phrase with the action. Once he’s got the hang of it and responds to the phrase, you can gradually cut out the treats.
The ‘Spin’ Method
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Setting up
Teaching Lucky to spin around in a circle is guaranteed to get guests smiling. Plus, it’s really easy to teach him. All you need to do is take him into a room and capture his attention with a tasty treat.
Guide him
Hold the treat by his nose and then slowly rotate it back around his head so he follows you. He should naturally follow you around in a circle as he tries to keep up with it.
‘Spin’
As he starts to turn, you can then give a ‘spin’ command. While you can use any word or phrase you like, make sure you give the command just once, otherwise he may think he doesn’t have to respond straight away.
Reward
Once he has finished a full circle you can give him a treat or toy as a reward. The more you praise him now and the happier he feels, the more eager he will be to play again.
Speed it up
Practice each day for a few minutes. However, you don’t want to make him too dizzy so take it easy to start with. As he begins to get the hang of it, you can then speed up the spin and make him swivel a number of times before you give him his reward.
Written by James Barra
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/09/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Bojack
Miniature Schnauzer
2 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
I am having difficulty with Bojack listening to me especially when I call for him or give basic commands. He looks over at me and then ignores me. What should I do?
Aug. 31, 2020
Bojack's Owner
Alisha Smith - Alisha S., Dog Trainer
253 Dog owners recommended
Hello! At this age, it is really difficult to get puppies to respond more than about 50% of the time. And that is even a stretch. Your best bet is to work on basic commands in 10 minute blocks of time. Increase the level of difficulty as he becomes more attentive, but also only focus on teaching 1 command per week right now. As he gets older and matures, he will start to understand expectations more and become much more responsive to you in every environment.
Aug. 31, 2020
Koko
Miniature Schnauzer
2 Years
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Trying to teach to roll over . Want to teach to not bark as much.
July 10, 2020
Koko's Owner