Tips for a Caring for Your New Puppy

• Remember you are the owner and it is the pet; however, show your puppy affection every day.
  
  
• When leaving your pup unattended keep you it on a surface that is easy to clean until housebroken but also keep something in their area they can walk on and now slip. It is important for their joints to have a non slip surface to play on.
  
  
• Consider getting a crate/enclosed carrier. Mini schnauzers develop a sense of security with their crate. Don't use the crate for punishment.
  
  
• Puppies are very fragile so be careful when letting children play with them. Even short drop or getting tripped on can severely hurt the pup.
  
  
• Pick a food and stay with it. Changing food can upset their little stomachs. Try feeding him/her only once or twice a day, moistened with water. Avoid leaving food out all day to snack on. This causes housebreaking more difficult.
  
  
• Raw hides are great for keeping your dogs teeth clean but also consider brushing his/her teeth often. Some products, such as Pet Kiss, are added to your pet's drinking water to help eliminate plaque and bad breath.
  
  
• Dogs will be dogs so consider bathing yours at least every 2 weeks.
  
  
• Housebreaking can be difficult but hang in there. At first take your pup outside often and not to talk to it until it has gone to the bathroom. Once it has show it lots of love and tell it how it did a good job. Take him/her out after every meal, when you wake up, and before you go to bed. Accidents happen, so show the dog its mistake and tell it "outside". Mini schnauzers are very smart and will quickly learn that word so be careful saying it out loud - they may think you're offering to take them out. Luckily mini schnauzers can be housebroken much sooner than most breeds but every puppy is different so keep at it.
  
  
• Some schnauzers are very protective and will bark when guests arrive. A good way to stop this behavior is to put some pennies in a plastic soda bottle and throw it near the door when they bark.
  
  
• Discipline your dog as needed. You don't want a spoiled brat for a pet but you also want your pet to love you so show your pet you still love them after correcting the problem.