Adopting a Miniature Schnauzer Puppy – The Right Choice for You?

Adopting a Miniature Schnauzer Puppy

Adopting a Miniature Schnauzer puppy sounds like a great idea, but are you sure this is the right choice for you?

It is pretty likely that you have decided to adopt a Miniature Schnauzer because you have a friend who owns a lovely and irresistible Miniature Schnauzer puppy.

Now I don’t blame you for falling in love with your friend’s puppy and deciding to adopt a Miniature Schnauzer yourself. It’s a good enough recommendation as far as I’m concerned. 

But, a little research on different breeds of dogs is something I consider worthwhile before making a final decision on which puppy is the right one for you.

Remember that you and your puppy will be together for several years, maybe 10 or 15 years. Therefore knowing the various aspects of the kind of dog you are adopting will be very helpful.

 

 

Is the Idea of Adopting a Miniature Schnauzer Puppy Yours?

An essential factor to consider is whether adopting a Miniature Schnauzer puppy is your decision. Maybe you agree to a Miniature Schnauzer because it is your children’s wish. But it is vitally important that this puppy is your choice too.

It is almost a certainty the time will come when your children will move away from your home. When this happens, you will become the primary carer for this little puppy. By then, your Miniature Schnauzer will no longer be that ‘little puppy’. He will be a much older dog needing extra care and attention to what a puppy will require at this time in your life.

I remember family members leaving home to study or moving permanently overseas. Consequently, my husband and I became the primary carers of a middle-aged through to elderly dog. It wasn’t that we didn’t love him; we most certainly did love him, and he deserved to receive the attention needed.

As both my husband and I had business commitments, it meant that our dearly loved dog was without companionship for the working hours of Mondays through to Fridays.

Fortunately, our weekends were free to devote time to our dog. Saturdays and Sundays were enjoyable at home with Muffy or taking him out for walks or driving in the car.  

We gave this puppy all the care and love that we could. Still, we consider that his life was not quite the same because he didn’t have those young ones around him to who he had become so loyal and who had played with him daily. 

When I look back, as parents, we were the ones who agreed to adopt this puppy at the time we did, not having the foresight to see ahead. So that is a factor I feel is worth your serious consideration.

 

Thoughts To Consider Before Adopting Any Breed of Puppy

Before deciding on adopting a Miniature Schnauzer or any breed of puppy, I recommend giving serious thought to what will be necessary immediately and long term, for example:

  • Are you sure about wanting a small breed of dog, such as the Miniature Schnauzer?
  • Is the Miniature Schnauzer temperament suited to the age of your children?
  • Could it be that you would prefer a larger-sized dog?
  • Will your property be suitable for a puppy, e.g. do you have a garden area where he can play?
  • Is the garden area fenced so that he can’t escape?
  • Have you carefully considered the ongoing expenses such as food, toys, veterinary services, including vaccinations, and boarding costs while you are on vacation?
  • Will a family member be at home during the day to care for your puppy?
  • Or will your puppy be left at home alone while the family are at work, school or college? If so, how will he be provided for during the day, especially when young?

The above list includes just some points to bring to your awareness.

Resources to Assist You with Information About Dog Breeds 

If you are still considering which breed of dog would be most suitable to join you and your family, Helena Troy’s Dog Breed book could be of assistance.

1. This book contains information about 50 different dog types.  Unfortunately, the Miniature Schnauzer is omitted.

 Click on the Image to Learn More about this Book   

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2. Some good news is that valuable information about the delightful Miniature Schnauzer can be found on Wikipedia.  This link will take you to Wikipedia and accessible information about Miniature Schnauzers.

3. Modern Dog Magazine is another excellent resource for learning about dog breeds.

Modern Dog Magazine is fascinating as it includes excellent information about various types of dogs within each publication.  

By registering for a free newsletter, you can benefit from helpful information about canines in general.

In addition to the free newsletter, a one-year subscription at a very reasonable cost of just $16 annually will keep you well-informed about life with an adorable canine pet.

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I hope this post is of help to you if and when you decide to bring a puppy into your home.  

There is importance in weighing up anything you may see as a disadvantage of being a pet parent against the pleasure a puppy should add to family life.  

Bringing a puppy into your life will be exciting, should that be your decision.

Whether a Miniature Schnauzer or another wonderful breed, introducing a new puppy into your family will undoubtedly add much pleasure for now and many years.

This article was initially published in February 2016 and updated in April 2023.

 

How to Puppy-Proof Your House & Keep Pup Trouble Free

how to puppy-proof your house

How to puppy-proof your house is important to consider. Careful planning about how to keep a new puppy safe should be done before he joins the family.

When you plan to adopt a new puppy it is natural for family members to be excited. Excitement is sometimes greater when this is a family’s very first puppy.

Children in a family are sure to dream about the fun they will have with a new puppy.  The excitement of the children is great and normal. However, the focus needs to be on keeping the puppy safe from obstacles that could harm him.

How Will Your Puppy Feel In His New Home?

When it is time to bring a puppy into your home he will not be excited like you and your family. He will have just left his mother and siblings, the only life he has known until now.  As time passes puppy will get to love his new home with you.  But he will need much love and understanding to make him feel he is loved.

In fact, your new puppy will undoubtedly be very nervous and fretful and incidents are almost certain to happen. You will need to cope with these issues. This is a reason you will need to have puppy-proofed your house well in advance of his arrival.

To help you with the puppy-proofing procedure here are some important tips to follow.

Stock Up on a Supply of Cleaning Cloths a Clean Bucket and Quality Disinfectant

It would be wise to talk with your Pet Supply Shop or Veterinary Clinic about disinfectants to remove urinary odour.  Thorough removal of urine is important. If the urine odour remains your puppy will think that this is his toilet area.

With the best of intention on your part to take the puppy to his designated area for potty training, there will in the early days be accidents that you will have to deal with.  Be patient and don’t punish or yell at your puppy because that will disturb him while he is so very young.  Understanding the situation is the better way to manage this issue.

Identify a Sleeping Area for Puppy

It is advisable that your puppy does not sleep in your bedroom unless you want him to sleep with you for the rest of his life.  Naturally, your puppy will be fretful for the first few nights but if you are patient and work through this period he will eventually become the best-behaved puppy in the neighbourhood when it comes to sleeping through the night.  Put a warm blanket in his bed and a soft toy for him to snuggle up to.

Identify Where Puppy Will Have His Meals

Have suitable sized bowls for his food and water and always feed him in the same place.

How to Feed Puppy when He First Comes Home

Feed him the same food as he has been having, at least for the first week or two; you can change it later.  Find out from the breeder/provider of your puppy about the food he has been given prior to you bringing him home.

Declutter Your House

Make sure that there are no small objects at floor level that your puppy can find and try to eat, such as pens, pencils, erasers, rubber bands, clips, pins etc.  He could harm himself if he swallows any of these objects.  Keep shoes, slippers and any items of clothing well out of his reach as he will delight in playing or chewing these articles.

Give Puppy One or Two Toys of His Own

Teach your puppy that these are his toys and help him to learn to play with them.

Keep Electrical Cords Out of Puppy’s Reach

Puppies will chew anything they can get their mouths around. I once knew a Golden Labrador puppy that chewed the electric blanket cord more than once.  It was quite amazing how he would find his way into the bedroom when no one was looking and have a good old ‘chew’.  It’s incredible how he survived – he grew into a lovely adult Labrador, thank goodness!  I certainly don’t recommend that any dog tries this out as they may not be so lucky.

Puppy-Proof All Escape Routes

Your property (or part of your property) needs to be fully fenced with absolutely no gaps in the fence. You can be sure that if there is a gap your puppy will find it and go through to the neighbour’s property, or out onto the road which could prove disastrous.

Closed Doors Are Essential

An open door is a great attraction for your puppy; even a door just slightly opened as he can nose his way around that and escape into the wide-open spaces. Oh, what fun he thinks.  However, it will not be fun for you to attempt to catch him.

Hopefully, your puppy will be safe within your fenced property but what if someone has left the gate open?

So as not to cause concern about your puppy being out of doors alone it is important that all family members, as well as guests, are consistent in keeping doors that lead to the outdoors closed at all times.

Outdoor Hazards

Ensure that outdoor areas are free of hazards such as old paint tins, sharp tools, broken glass etc as these could cause your puppy serious harm.

Also, make sure there are no plants on your property that are poisonous to dogs.   If you are uncertain about any plant it is advisable to check with your garden nursery or look for information on the internet.

There are many more aspects related to bringing your new puppy home and training him to be an obedient and much-loved pet. But, these tips on how to puppy-proof your house should help you, your family and your puppy through the first two to three weeks of your lives together.

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