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General Care
A medium size crate is an excellent investment for house training, preventing unwanted chewing during teething, for traveling and as your dog's bed in your home. Use a nice thick blanket or dog bed to make a comfy pad that is easily laundered. Far from viewing the crate as punishment, your puppy will probably use it for an occasional quiet nap, where he feels very secure.
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Foster Family Schnauzer Colours Breed Information Your Dogs Health
DIET :
Our puppies are weaned onto goats milk and raw dog food. Since most families choose to feed kibble, puppies can be transitioned to kibble. Offer an 8 week puppy about 1/4 cup, 3x per day. Moistening the kibble with hot water ensures adequate fluid intake and is healthier for the kidneys (don't be alarmed if they really aren't very interested in a mid-day meal). Switch to 2x a day at about 5 months and feed 1/3 cup at breakfast and 1/3 - 1/2 cup for supper, adjust for weight control. Offer small snacks during the day (piece of fruit or veggie, cooked liver) and offer goats milk, kefir or yogurt for added calcium, until they are 5 months old.
I strongly recommend feeding your pup/adult Schnauzer a raw dog food diet from a reputable company. I feed my dogs raw (www.bigcountryraw.ca) , a rotation of hemp seed oil, herring oil, salmon oil or coconut oil, kelp and 1 tbsp plain organic kefir or probiotic yogurt at least once, daily. I will also add pure pumpkin from time to time .. lots of nutrients and great fibre.
If you are going to kibble feed, a good quality kibble is recommended and it's best to avoid wheat, corn and soy which are common causes of food allergies/skin issues! Some choices to consider : Performatrin Naturals Chicken n' Veggies for puppies (Canadian company). Fromm - All Life Stages Chicken a Le Veg. Fromm is a good quality kibble with a variety of grain-free flavours. Fromm is the only kibble that I trust that is made in the USA ... a family owned business. Higher protein/fat %'s are okay when your Schnauzer is a growing pup but I highly recommend changing to lower protein/fat %'s as your Schnauzer matures, moistening the kibble with hot water (at least one meal a day) makes digestion easier and healthier for the kidneys. * The key to a healthy diet is rotation, whether it be raw, home cooked or processed.
Over feeding your puppy can cause loose stools, even diarrhea, not to mention a fat puppy. If your Miniature Schnauzer develops diarrhea, prepare a 50/50 mixture of boiled chicken breast and sweet potatoe OR pure pumpkin and offer small amounts, 3-4 x, a day. As the stool begins to firm, increase the amount and feed 2x daily. When he is feeling better, gradually return to the regular diet. If the diarrhea continues or is nasty looking/foul smelling, see your veterinarian right away!! Blood in stool or vomit and repeated vomiting is a medical emergency - get help immediately.
TOYS/CHEWS:
De-hydrated bull penis (pizzles), chicken or turkey feet, beef tendons are all natural and great for chewing! Split deer or elk antlers offer lots of good nutrients ... run the antler under hot tap water to enhance flavour. All chews given should be supervised. A hard rubber ball , rope toy and soft dog friendly stuffies are fine! Closely monitor soft rubber toys that can be torn and pieces swallowed. NO rawhide - some dogs will eat & swallow significant rawhide pieces, which do not digest and can cause intestinal blockage ... sometimes even resulting in surgery.
TEETH:
Monitor your puppy's mouth to make sure his baby teeth are falling out properly as his adult teeth come in. Occasionally a puppy tooth might need to be pulled so they won't misplace adult teeth .. however, don't rush this, Toy size Schnauzers are often a little later getting their teeth in, as well as loosing their puppy teeth. We just ask that you keep a watchful eye on your pups mouth!! You should brush the adult teeth with a finger cot or soft child size tooth brush and either a homemade or store bought pet friendly toothpaste. If tartar builds up, it produces excess bacteria that can cause permanent heart and liver damage, so check in your area for non-anesthetic dental cleaning clinics OR have your veterinarian clean your dog's teeth. Allowing your dog to chew on large RAW bones, pizzles or deer/elk antlers will help to scale tartar. NEVER give your dog a cooked bone as it can cause small brittle pieces to come off and may cause choking or intestinal blockage. NEVER give your dog rawhide for the same reasons!!
GROOMING:
A Miniature Schnauzer needs to be brushed well once or twice a week to prevent matting - more often if they wear a sweater in the winter , as the armpit area mats quickly. Gently but firmly insist the puppy hold still, perhaps on your lap, with no struggling, no chewing on your fingers or the brush. Then comb through with a double tooth metal dog comb or slicker brush to make sure all the mats are out. Bathe with an all natural shampoo, rinse well and towel dry. Brush upwards with the brush as you blow dry to make the furnishings fluffy. Your pet puppy needs to be clippered about every 2 months. Remember, the longer the coat grows, the more it tends to mat. Your Miniature Schnauzer will be much prettier and easier to care for if you keep him clean and neat.
HOUSE TRAINING:
I found this important training tip elsewhere on the web - "A rolled up newspaper can be an effective training tool when used properly. For instance, use the rolled up newspaper if your dog chews something or has a housebreaking accident. Take the rolled up newspaper and hit YOURSELF over the head as you repeat the phrase, "I FORGOT TO WATCH MY DOG, I FORGOT TO WATCH MY DOG." If your dog laughs at you when you do this, praise him."
. . . . . let your puppy sleep in his crate at night and whenever you need to be away from home. Reward him with a treat as you put him in his crate, this will form an association of crating being a good thing! Your young puppy needs to go outside every time he wakes up, right after eating and frequently while playing (every 30 minutes or as soon as his attention wanders, his eyes glaze as he heads for the corner - it's time to go outside!)
Take your pup to the same location outdoors, stay with him to make sure he goes and reward with lots of praise and a small treat!! Unless you catch him goofing, he won't understand punishment - rubbing his nose in anything is barbaric, messy and solves nothing!!!! Clean any mistakes with white vinegar/water solution or an enzyme deodorizer, so the spot doesn't 'smell good' and encourage a repeat. An accident usually means the puppy was given too much freedom before he was ready. We all tend to get busy and time gets away on us ... the timer on your stove or microwave can be a great tool for a reminder of frequently needed potty breaks!
There is nothing sweeter than Puppy Dog Kisses!