Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all;

I'm new to this board. We just received a new schnauzer puppy (six weeks old) about four days ago. I have always loved this breed and consider them very intelligent. Since I haven't had a puppy in over 20 years, I thought we'd go through a lot of trouble with house training.

I can't believe it, but the puppy hasn't had ONE accident in the house yet! I take her out frequently, she almost always goes, and then I praise her and play with her. Tonight she was napping in her crate, right after she had her dinner, and about two hours later she started whining and crying. I opened the crate, took her to the front door and out we went. She immediately peed twice and also did #2 twice. Then she promptly turned around and headed back to the porch (she is so small she can't make it up the first step). She looked around at me as if to say "ok, let's go in" so I opened the door and in she went.

Am I dreaming? I mean, isn't this unusually smart for a six week old puppy? I'm almost afraid to sneeze. She is quite friendly, loves to be kissed and held, is having no problem with eating/drinking.

Am I living in a dream world? Also, her ears are natural and I want to have them docked. She is visiting the vet tomorrow for a puppy checkup, what is the usual age they do this, and do they use some kind of anesthesia? I've had some breeders tell me they "do their own" and they heal up quickly without a problem but I don't like the sound of that.

Thanks for input!

I'd say you are doing great! Keep up whatever routine you have going and your puppy will continue to have great success. It typically isn't quite this "easy" to house train a puppy, but keep up the good work. You've obviously found what works for your situation.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

This afternoon we put her in her crate and left for over three hours. She isn't particularly happy about the crate and does cry, but I'm adamant about not getting her out, and usually she stops after about ten minutes.

Anyway after leaving her she was sooo glad to see us and went to the door and out we went. She did both of her things, played for about five minutes and then went to the front door and waited for me.

I can't believe my luck! I always knew these dogs were smart - my sister claimed to have trained her male schnauzer in two weeks.

I know however at six weeks (too young to leave home IMHO) her bladder control isn't that great, but she really seems to have made the connection.

I take her for a long walk down our suburban street around 11 or so, and she follows me all the way. She's usually ready for bed after that.

>>Hello all;
>>
>>I'm new to this board. We just received a new schnauzer puppy (six weeks old) about four days ago. I have always loved this breed and consider them very intelligent. Since I haven't had a puppy in over 20 years, I thought we'd go through a lot of trouble with house training.
>>
>>I can't believe it, but the puppy hasn't had ONE accident in the house yet! I take her out frequently, she almost always goes, and then I praise her and play with her. Tonight she was napping in her crate, right after she had her dinner, and about two hours later she started whining and crying. I opened the crate, took her to the front door and out we went. She immediately peed twice and also did #2 twice. Then she promptly turned around and headed back to the porch (she is so small she can't make it up the first step). She looked around at me as if to say "ok, let's go in" so I opened the door and in she went.
>>
>>Am I dreaming? I mean, isn't this unusually smart for a six week old puppy? I'm almost afraid to sneeze. She is quite friendly, loves to be kissed and held, is having no problem with eating/drinking.
>>
>>Am I living in a dream world? Also, her ears are natural and I want to have them docked. She is visiting the vet tomorrow for a puppy checkup, what is the usual age they do this, and do they use some kind of anesthesia? I've had some breeders tell me they "do their own" and they heal up quickly without a problem but I don't like the sound of that.
>>
>>Thanks for input!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I certainly would not put this puppy through ear cropping. It is very traumatic for dogs. It could damage her trust and also her housetraining habit. That would not be worth it to me.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Both of my sister's dogs have cropped ears and it hasn't seemed to hurt them at all. Both are lovable and well trained. I just don't think a schnauzer looks like a schnauzer without it. I guess it's just a personal preference. My vet has done show schnauzers and she uses very light anesthesia, and only keeps them down for about five minutes or so. She has done all of my cats neuters and spays, and they have all done great - and the scar is so small you cannot even find it. She also knows a little about persian show cats so she is careful to not wreck the coat.

I don't understand however how a breeder "does it themselves". Obviously they just whack them off when they are young and the thought of that is yuck.

My dog is going to be spayed by six months and I've thought about waiting for that, but the vet says that the ears sometimes don't stand properly if you wait that long.

I forgot to tell you - she won't be cropped until she is much older. She is only six weeks and far too young now.