Miniature Schnauzer Dog Training: Learn When Praise Should & Shouldn’t Be Used

December 17, 2006 on 12:45 am | In Miniature Schnauzer Articles |

In daily life with the Miniature Schnauzer puppy, praise and petting should be used as rewards when the pup actually does something the owner desires. Otherwise, praise should be withheld. When a new command is taught, the owner should accompany it with some physical movement or posture to show the pup its meaning. As quickly as the puppy starts to make the proper movement, it should be praised. When the pup completes the desired action, it should be gently petted, preferably on the throat and chest.

An example of this highly effective form of instrumental conditioning involves teaching “Sit.” If the puppy’s name is followed by the word “Sit,” and the hand is held a few inches above, then moved slightly behind the pup’s head, the pup will raise its head and sit to keep its eye on the hand. After 3-20 such commands, the pup should sit without the hand signal. Each time the pup’s haunches even begin to sink, the pup should be praised by saying “Good sit.”

Teaching sessions should be short, no longer than a few minutes, and should end with much praise and petting. A puppy so treated soon learns to earn rewards of praise and petting from its “leader.” People have dubbed this type of dog training the “learn-to-earn-praise-and-petting,” or the “No free lunch” program. In the family situation, all members who are old enough should teach the puppy as a demonstration of consistency among the pup’s people.

training with treats at this stage is not recommended. While bait training techniques are effective, it can interfere with two aspects of life: Establishing owner leadership and housetraining, since the pup’s after-mealtime defecation schedule can be upset.

A Miniature Schnauzer puppy who enjoys a “follower” role with family members gains a behavioral foundation that makes all of life’s later lessons more easily learned. Because they have competent leadership, subordinate (follower) dogs are less easily frustrated and, hence, less apt to violate (chew) their leader’s belongings, steal their food, soil their property (house), etc. Therefore, a solid leader relationship with one’s dog has the added advantage of avoiding most unwanted behavior associated with family dogs. This in itself seems a worthy goal.

Most older Miniature Schnauzer dogs also respond well to the total social attraction regimen of teaching. However, because months or years, during which the adult dog has assumed dominance, usually precede such behavioral therapy, the owner must be prepared to spend more time than with a puppy.