Your Miniature Schnauzer training will be much more successful if praise is only used as a reward in daily training with your puppy. That’s when your pup actually does something you want. Otherwise, the praise should be withheld. When teaching a new command, you should use a physical movement or posture that helps show your dog what it means. Then, as soon as your pup starts to make the appropriate move, give him praise. That is, when your dog performs a desired action, you should pet and pamper him.
This important conditioning of your Miniature Schnauzer associating the behavior with praise shows when you teach him basic dog commands like “Sit.” Say your puppy’s name first, followed by the command “Sit.” At the same time, hold your hand a few inches above your dog, then move it a little behind your dog’s head. He will raise his head to watch your hand and sit down. Gentle pressure can be used on your dog’s rear if necessary. When he sits, praise him. Repeat this exercise followed by praise (petting and saying “good boy/girl” in a friendly, upbeat tone) when successful and your Schnauzer will begin to sit without a single hand. This is very effective because it is the need for attention and positive praise that drives your dog to sit.
Training sessions should be short and no more than 10 minutes at a time and should always end with lots of petting, praise, and play. Caring for your pup in this way soon makes him understand that doing what you ask and following you as a “leader” results in great rewards. Professional trainers often call this type of dog training the “win and praise” method or the “No Free Lunch” system. Consistency is the key to training all puppies, and this applies to all members of the family. Otherwise, your pup may get confused or learn the easy way to receive praise without trying.
By working like this with all of his training, your Schnauzer puppy will learn and enjoy being a “follower” within the family. This foundation of behavior will make all of your future training and socialization work that much easier, as your dog will be eager to please. Showing your dog that you are a competent leader allows your pup to be a subordinate which, in turn, makes him less frustrated and aggressive (protective). This leads to a happy, gentle, well behaved and obedient dog who is a joy to be around and to own. Miniature Schnauzers that do not have a leader will assume this role for themselves and can become aggressive, unruly, irritable, destructive, and disobedient. You have been warned! Therefore, becoming the leader of the pack, in your dog’s eyes, is vitally important and has the added benefit of avoiding most of the undesirable behavior associated with this breed.
Dominant older Miniature Schnauzer dogs will respond well to the total “social attraction” training regimen with praise and leadership as well. However, due to the months or years during which an adult dog has been dominant, owners will need to be very strict, gentle, and patient in changing the balance of power. Consistency is key again, as is praise after each successful change in behavior your dog displays.
Treats are very effective in training stubborn older dogs to stick to their habits but are not as necessary with puppies as the reward of praise is usually sufficient in itself.