If your Schnauzer barks at everything that moves around him, or when guests arrive, you’ll need to teach him to bark only when appropriate. Schnauzers, especially miniature schnauzers, do so enjoy barking. This may be because hunting terriers like a mini schnauzer would have to bark to alert the hunter of their location and the location of the prey. Today, Schnauzers still have this natural behavior, and it sometimes is difficult to change.
As pet parents we all love our furry best friends, and constantly want them around us. But to do this, your Schnauzer need to understand the basics of obedience training. Barking is one of the most common behavior problems. It’s important to recognize that there are various reasons for your Schnauzer barking excessively. These need to recognized immediately before problems become more serious. Many Schnauzers with this problem end up being surrendered to shelters.
Why Does Your Schnauzer Bark?
There are many types of barking. Barking is used to express a threat, warn an intruder, get someone’s attention, or show boredom or anxiety. Nonetheless, it’s very important to understand the many different types of barking, and what your Schnauzer is trying to say. As a pet parent, one has to take note of the intensity of a dog’s bark, and the changes in inflections into consideration. Every Schnauzer bark has a meaning. Keep in mind that our furry best friends bark when they’re excited, and that some breeds enjoy barking. These breeds like the terrier breeds are much more vocal than other breeds. If you’re looking for a serene dog breed, the miniature schnauzer may not be a good match for you. Still, they are so wonderful in many other ways - you may need to balance out the good points with the less than good points for your home situation.
Why Does My Schnauzer Bark Excessively Outdoors?
Lack of Exercise -- Watchdog Schnauzer or Boredom Barking?
Many Schnauzer parents fail to take into consideration how important consistency is when training an excessive barker. All dog breeds need consistency throughout their lives. If you let your Schnauzer get away with this occasional bad behavior, he will most likely end up ignoring you when you try to get him to stop repeating that behavior. Schnauzers are stubborn, and also very intelligent.
Adolescent Schnauzers need to learn to respond to all basic cues right away, such as sit, stay and come. Keep in mind that sometimes with Schnauzers, even negative attention will be regarded as a reward for an unwanted behavior such as barking. If you’re trying to prevent excessive barking behavior from occurring, be proactive and deal with the behavior before it happens. Encourage your Schnauzer to do something else, and keep him mentally stimulated with interactive dog toys and puzzles. Nina Ottosson food puzzles and the frozen Kong stuffed with your Schnauzers favorite treats work well. Try salmon with a brown rice veggie mix, or ground cooked chicken with pureed steamed vegetable stuffing as Kong fillers.
- Keep your Schnauzer well-exercised. An under- exercised dog will bark excessively because it’s a physical activity that provides an outlet for boredom and anxiety.
- If your Schnauzer is not on a scheduled exercise or walk schedule, set one up for him. All dogs, regardless of breed or size need to go for long walks, offleash hikes, trips to the beach, and have plenty of interaction and socialization with other dogs, people and pets. Have fun with your Schnauzer, each and every day! Appreciate him and show him how much you care!
- If you’re not giving your furry best friend regular walks , you’re setting him up for failure. Young dogs, most especially adolescent dogs need at least an hour or more of exercise daily, as well as free play, that’s off leash without any form of restriction on movement.
- Make sure that your Schnauzer is not distressed or depressed. Canine depression happens often, and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Consult with your veterinarian.
- Visit your local positive dog training center, and enroll in some dog training classes.
Fearful Barking in Schnauzers
- There are times when your Schnauzer may bark excessively if someone strange approaches your home. This is normal. If you’re not wanting him to bark at neighbors, you can try confining him to his own special area outside, or a crate indoors. He needs to be able to see you from his crate. This is not a time out. You can even plant hedges or new foliage to obscure his view if he keeps barking at neighbors.
- If your Schnauzer stands on a garden chair and starts barking excessively, try removing the garden furniture and giving him more outdoor dog toys to entertain him. Apply this to indoor furniture as well. Many Schnauzers love climbing up onto furniture to get a better view. Keep in mind that Schnauzers should never be left indoors, or outdoors for long periods of time to fend for themselves. If you’re leaving for work, try leaving DOG TV or Animal Planet on. Classical music also relaxes stressed out Schnauzers.
- Fearful barking or distressed barking tends to happen when your Schnauzer feels isolated, sad or fearful. This may occur when you’ve just moved home, or if you’ve just started a new work schedule. With that said, hire a pet sitter or ask a neighbor to drop by throughout the day. Doggie daycares are also a wonderful option, so as to prevent your Schnauzer from feeling all alone at home.
Indoor Schnauzers and Excessive Barking
Request Barking From Your Schnauzer
If you have an indoor Schnauzer that doesn’t spend a lot of time outdoors, and enjoys barking at outdoor things, try curbing his view. Keep in mind that your Schnauzer still needs to have a stimulating environment, and needs to see what’s happening outdoors. Perhaps try opening the curtains in another room, and allow your Schnauzer to view the outdoors from there, so that he can view the birds, trees and squirrels chasing each other. Allow for a soothing vanilla scented aroma or a dog mother’s calming pheromone hormone dispenser within your Schnauzer’s favorite room, and create a soothing canine sanctuary that will satisfy any curious or bored Schnauzer. Here’s where you have to think like your Schnauzer, and understand what he really treasures. You can even take notes and video him when he’s alone, so that you’re able to see what he does when you’re not there.
A great way to decrease boredom, separation anxiety or fear is to bring in some interactive toys, such as food-dispensing toys for your pooch to work on. Schnauzers will also bark at you to ask for something. Try to understand what your Yorkshire Terrier is wanting. He could be trying to warn you of danger. On the other hand, he could be asking for his favorite treat! Reward him after any good behavior!
Separation Anxiety Barking in Schnauzers
A normal amount of barking should always be allowed within your home. Almost all Schnauzers will bark when excited, or out of boredom occasionally. Many herding breeds will bark at people that walk past their homes, so as to keep intruders away. If your Schnauzer barks when you’re not at home, leave on some TV or classical music for your pooch. Schnauzers who regularly bark and growl will need the help of a positive trainer and plenty of interactive dogs. Consult with your veterinarian if you still have a problem with excessive barking.
Schnauzer Puppy Training Tips For Excessive Barking
- Always be proactive during your Schnauzer's first year with you. Deal with any problem behaviors right away. Don’t ignore them. They won’t go away. Positive training is the right way to train your Schnauzer. Never use punishment. Miniature Schnauzer Training
- Keep your Schnauzer busy and focused when you’re away from home. Teach your puppy that he’s fine alone, and that you’re coming back.
- Food –dispensing toys from Nina Ottoson or Kong type toys can be stuffed with many differently flavored foods. Find out which ones your Schnauzer enjoys the most. Freeze small Kong toys with stuffing for teething Yorkshire Terrier pups. Freezing small dog chew toys like the Kong also makes playtime longer for your furry best friend. He has to work harder to get the stuffing within the toy. He’ll also feel that he’s achieved something similar to his hunting for food.
- Small and colorful chew toys keep your Schnauzer content. They give him something to work on while you’re running errands. After your Schnauzer has finished chewing, he’ll feel very relaxed and less anxious. Learn how to understand your Schnauzer and what he needs.
There are so many products on the market that promise a quick fix to excessive barking. Many of these don’t work, or are extremely harsh and possibly cruel like the electronic shock collar. Never use these! There are also bark-activated noisemakers that you may place in your home, so that every time your Schnauzer starts barking excessively, the sudden sounds will discourage any barking from your Schnauzer. The anti-bark collars send out a citronella scent when triggered by excessive barking. This works with a sudden scent release, giving your Schnauzer a fright.
Never choose debarking surgery. Dogs that have gone through this surgery still can bark. The surgery just removes tissue, and the bark is less loud. It’s a cruel option. Use positive training methods instead, interesting dog toys, and keep your Schnauzer well exercised and socialized. Remember that the Shake Trainer is always one option for conditioning the smart furry one to limit barking.
As always, take into account your Schnauzers exercise schedule, and try to match his small body type to the type of activity he was bred for. All breeds will have different needs for training and exercise. Small dog breeds like the mini schnauzer do not need an intense exercise schedule; nonetheless Schnauzers still require plenty of socialization, long and interesting walks, and plenty of mental stimulation to prevent excessive and annoying barking. Preventing any behavior problems like excessive barking is just as important as feeding your Schnauzer the right foods. Start from day one, and help your Schnauzer become a well integrated pooch! Give them a head start with this excellent training program - Miniature Schnauzer Training
