schnauzer training question

He's simply marking his/her territory which means he is the leader of the pack and you should be the leader of the pack. What you need to do is roll up a news paper and womp him in the butt next time you catch him doing that. Hot wire the places, like a hot wire fence......it won't happen again.

Even if you find a "present" a while after the fact, drag him over to it and womp him on the butt with the newspaper.

He's simply marking his/her territory which means he is the leader of the pack and you should be the leader of the pack. .

I thought you were going to tell me that I need to be marking my territory.

He does learn quickly when there is a bit of a shock involved. I have a wireless fence and he stays far from the boundaries. Don't know how I would get wire around all of the posts though. How about a water cannon?

I thought you were going to tell me that I need to be marking my territory.

He does learn quickly when there is a bit of a shock involved. I have a wireless fence and he stays far from the boundaries. Don't know how I would get wire around all of the posts though. How about a water cannon?

between the newspaper, wireless fence and the water cannon that poor dog's going to be scared to mark his territory anywhere.

between the newspaper, wireless fence and the water cannon that poor dog's going to be scared to mark his territory anywhere.

I doubt I could ever catch him at it with a newspaper in hand. I have spent much time out there with him giving the "NNNTTT" when he starts lifting on the posts and other stuff, he will head out to the yard but as soon as he goes out alone, he is right back at it. I'm sorry but when he marked my KAYAK!!!!! that is when I decided it was time to fight back.

look on dr.s foster and smith, there is a spray called no-go, that may be something to consider.

both of our dogs are males, one hikes the other squats. the one that hikes killed my new hydrangea.:angry:

A lite misting of bleach works for cats, not sure if it will work on the dog.

I was wondering about bitter apple which people use in their houses to break dogs. I
know we have critters out here competing for territory (they get in my garbage) but to desecrate a girls kayak....that is just not right

My step son (you know all about them) got in big trouble today and his punishment was scrubbing the carport and other spots with pinesol...maybe that will help

Found a PEE POST from Foster and Smith...something about pheromones attracting the dog to pee where you want him to. hmmmmm, worth $8 bucks to find out, I guess.

Do a google search on Warren Eckstein. He has a national radio show on pets. He lives part of the year in Sedona. I have been friendly with him since his days in NY. Call his radio show , I believe it is on Saturdays, and ask him what you should do. He is absolutely the best !!!

Is he neutered? If not, neuter him, because that marking territory will only get worse.

I'm not an advocate of hitting animals or kids- hitting does not work when trying to make a behavioral change like this.

You may need tos tart over with potty training. Take him to one spot in the yard every time he goes out, and reward him when he goes to the spot. Keep him on leash and don't give him the chance to pee in the wrong places. It will take some patience and time.

Is he neutered? If not, neuter him, because that marking territory will only get worse.

I'm not an advocate of hitting animals or kids- hitting does not work when trying to make a behavioral change like this.

You may need tos tart over with potty training. Take him to one spot in the yard every time he goes out, and reward him when he goes to the spot. Keep him on leash and don't give him the chance to pee in the wrong places. It will take some patience and time.

He is neutered. You are probably right about having to retrain him and working on the right and wrong places. He is definitely terrier stubborn and was a pound rescue so there are some hurdles

I'm not into hitting kids or dogs either, maybe I should send the dog out there with the pinesol bucket from now on!!!
(just to clarify, the electric wireless fence was necessary because we rent and he is a runner. He got zapped one time and now the collar is set to beep only, there is no correction needed. Didn't want people thinking I am electrocuting my pup.)

He is neutered. You are probably right about having to retrain him and working on the right and wrong places. He is definitely terrier stubborn and was a pound rescue so there are some hurdles

I'm not into hitting kids or dogs either, maybe I should send the dog out there with the pinesol bucket from now on!!!
(just to clarify, the electric wireless fence was necessary because we rent and he is a runner. He got zapped one time and now the collar is set to beep only, there is no correction needed. Didn't want people thinking I am electrocuting my pup.)

I have 2 terrier (terrorist) mixes. I understand completely about terrier stubborn.

I would talk to your vet as well.

I have 2 terrier (terrorist) mixes. I understand completely about terrier stubborn.

I would talk to your vet as well.

What Jdarg said! We have 2 schnauzers, although they'd be offended if they knew we called them that.

We don't have the problem you are experiencing. Although, I have one that's OCD. He's addicted to fetching. Seriously! Our tiny girl is just addicted to yipping at any thing that moves.

We do have a link to a "Schnauzer" hotline, as it were. PM me if you'd like that link. Gotta run. Yip and Yap have cornered something in the yard, probably their shadows. Gotta love 'em!

Even if you find a "present" a while after the fact, drag him over to it and womp him on the butt with the newspaper.

I don't believe in hitting my dogs because it will only make them cower and fearful. I have a Mini Schnauzer too. When I first brought her home for the 1st couple weeks I leashed her and led her to a corner of the yard for her to do her biz, until she got the idea. TRY THIS! However I find that she saves it for our walks! Of course I bring a poopy bag to clean up afterwards. I've heard that male Schnauzers are difficult to potty train. Good luck.

Thanks everyone else for all your tips I'm going to order some No-Go for all the other dogs who pee on my fence getting my new rose bush:angry: Just yesterday I sprinkled some Hav-A-Hart Critter Ridder along the fence. I saw one dog sniff, then sneeze and didn't pee there. Yippee!!!

We do have a link to a "Schnauzer" hotline

Hi gotothebeachmom, I too have a F mini Schnauzer who nips me as I pull the trash can out. She also herds me!! When I first got her she went after stollers but I got her to stop, not wanting to make new moms fearful when they saw her. Once in awhile she'll chase a skate board.

I Googled Warren Eckstein- http://warreneckstein.com/ but could you please send me the Schnauzer hotline link?

P.S. It sounds like Yappy Hour at your house!

Thanks!

He's simply marking his/her territory which means he is the leader of the pack and you should be the leader of the pack. What you need to do is roll up a news paper and womp him in the butt next time you catch him doing that. Hot wire the places, like a hot wire fence......it won't happen again.

Even if you find a "present" a while after the fact, drag him over to it and womp him on the butt with the newspaper.

Dog's do not have "memories" like we do. If you correct them AFTER the fact, they have no idea why you are correcting them. You have to catch them in the act of whatever it is you want to correct. I do not advocate hitting them either. I used a spray bottle of water with my two. Also, a can filled with coins works well also. When the dog is in the act of doing what you don't want it to do, throw the can right beside them, or shake it right beside them, with a stern NO. Time and patience is a virtue with training a dog, but know that it can be done in time.

He is neutered. You are probably right about having to retrain him and working on the right and wrong places. He is definitely terrier stubborn and was a pound rescue so there are some hurdles

I'm not into hitting kids or dogs either, maybe I should send the dog out there with the pinesol bucket from now on!!!
(just to clarify, the electric wireless fence was necessary because we rent and he is a runner. He got zapped one time and now the collar is set to beep only, there is no correction needed. Didn't want people thinking I am electrocuting my pup.)

I have an electric fence as well to keep my digger, and escaper in my yard. I would much rather him get zapped than find him in the middle of my road. It works, and he has not escaped since I got it. Good luck BMR!!!!

I don't think he will be stopped. Yesterday he got the skateboard. He makes the rounds on the carport and hits everything out there. He must save it up so he has enough to get every object....garbage cans, posts, tires. At least the cleanup is a good chore for errant boys.

Hopefully helpful!

Definitely sounds like marking/dominant behavior. Does he do this on your walks as well? My other question is, do you have a training collar? (one of those w/the 'horrible looking spikes'--they don't actually hurt the dog btw --or another version of a training collar?)
Do you notice a pattern as to when this seems to take place? Is is always when you're gone? Is it always when he enters that area of the house, after a walk, etc.? If there seems to be a 'pattern' then neurologically he's got a 'routine' that needs tweaking, and the best time to work on this behavior is going to be during that 'routine'. If it appears to be random, then it's just marking/dominance and he simply needs to learn you're the pack leader and not to do it in the house on your stuff ...

I worked as a basic trainer for about a year, and based on what's been shared, here's a few ideas:

With the training collar/leash on. Have the leash loose, but have one hand holding a few feet away from the collar. Walk him around the area (you mentioned the carport posts)... make the rounds w/him, stopping at each object that he likes to 'christen'
If you've noticed he goes in a set pattern, follow that pattern.
Stop and wait a few seconds at the object --if he lifts his leg/or begins to sniff/do any of the 'pre-behavior' excitement stuff, he gets a correction verbally and w/the collar (do them at the same time--the collar correction is a quick jerk back and release w/the leash using your wrist, it acts as a fellow pack mate would for correcting inappropriate behavior--not to patronize, but to be clear;-)Have him 'sit', 'wait,' 'down' whatever command you'd like for a few seconds before releasing him ('okay') circling around and coming back to that same object.
Go through all the 'spots' this way. You're trying to break the association of him 'hiking' his leg and it being 'okay' for him to do so w/these objects/in that space, etc.
The reverse is also true...if you don't care that he 'marks' the trees in the yard, then take him outside to these 'ok' areas, let him mark, and give praise.
But for awhile, you're going to have to be 'tough' on entering that area of the house w/him on the leash w/the corrections for him to begin to understand/make that connection.


I would also recommend, depending on how much he already gets, more exercise. This 'routine' could also be in part to him not getting enough satisfaction out of his current exercise. If every time he's out for a walk, he's having to 'mark' his territory then his mind is focused on that instead of moving on to just enjoying the walk/being active outdoors. So, even when he's home, his mind is 'stuck' on maintaining his turf instead of resting. Boosting his exercise could help lessen his 'need' to mark...especially paired w/showing him where it is appropriate for him to do so.

Someone else also recommended a 'fresh' start at potty training. This too, could be a good solution. You CAN teach an 'old' dog new tricks, but it generally takes longer, and you have to be so consistent, that the people usually bail out before the dog does!

This isn't going to 'fix' things overnight...and as someone else said, this will take consistency and patience on your part. And everyone in the family has to be in on it (they have to behave consistently w/the dog) for it to really be effective.

I would also recommend the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan's book, Be the Pack Leader...his website is also a treasure trove of information that may help w/this situation.

Okay, that was hard to explain in words! It's soo much easier to show people how to do all of this stuff!...maybe when I move, I'll do 'house call's for problem behaviors
Sorry so long! but hope it was helpful!

That is very helpful. I will say that there is no pattern and YES he does this on walks. Walking him is absolutely no fun at all. He constantly stops to mark. Maybe it stems from his first three years, apparently he lived with several dogs and was taken to the pound because the owners could not handle them all. He was so matted and neglected that he had to be completely shaved. He was a few pounds under weight too. That was nearly four years ago. When I pull at the leash to make him keep walking, he just sits down and digs in. Ceasar would have him under control in no time. ME, not so much

He even peed on Buddha!!! I have a laughing Buddha right next to the front door...he got that too! That has to be bad for his kharma!

Great advice totaljen!! I guess I got lucky. My lil girl told me she needed to go by running in circles. I'd immediatly let her out. I 'adopted' her from a pet shop. She was a week shy of 7 mo's old. When they let her out for me to go to the little play area, the poor lil thing had stiff legs and walked like she was wearing heels. Still, she was so very easy to train. I took her to puppy obedience classes but all she wanted to do was play with the others. Bu teverything she needed to learn to be a good little girl, she learned from me. Like Ceasar I make a loud noise orally, and she obeys. Even when she tries to leave the yard. Mostly she hangs in a sunny spot out in the grassy area of the yard. The worst thing about having her in my life is the expensive grooming every 2 mo's. Recently I had her shaved for the summer, now she won't need grooming until Sept.

I feel blessed to have gotten a dog who trained so easily but I can feel for blumtnrunner.

That is very helpful. I will say that there is no pattern and YES he does this on walks. Walking him is absolutely no fun at all. He constantly stops to mark. Maybe it stems from his first three years, apparently he lived with several dogs and was taken to the pound because the owners could not handle them all. He was so matted and neglected that he had to be completely shaved. He was a few pounds under weight too. That was nearly four years ago. When I pull at the leash to make him keep walking, he just sits down and digs in. Ceasar would have him under control in no time. ME, not so much

He even peed on Buddha!!! I have a laughing Buddha right next to the front door...he got that too! That has to be bad for his kharma!

It sounds like he definitely thinks he's the pack leader Cesar certainly has a gift...but I firmly believe it's one that others can learn; otherwise, he wouldn't be so successful at his craft. None of his rehabilitations would truly be successful if he weren't able to train the owners too.

My guess is you're not having fun on these walks b/c you're not in control;-) (I wouldn't be having any fun either!) He can feel that, but if he's in control, he's not going to care b/c he's taking YOU on a walk and not the other way around! Your role, according to him, is to follow his lead whether you want to or not.

I think the constant marking could stem from his time w/these other dogs in his former family. If he was neglected then basically, he had to fend for himself and/or took a more submissive role when he didn't want too. Since there was no balance (as a pack should have), he learned not to trust, and that he has to look out for himself. Now, he's got a great family, and probably more out of fear than 'personality', he's taking on a dominant role to ensure his survival. He's never experienced a balanced, healthy way to be a pack member who could trust a pack leader.

Again, this is me saying this solely based on what you've shared. Meeting the dog/seeing first hand the behavior and interactions between him and family members is always crucial in really getting to the bottom of these behaviors and setting the stage for modifying them.

Do you ever go on runs w/him? Biking w/him? Beginning a habit of taking him on 'active' walks could also help keep his mind focused on the walk and not his 'territory'.
Also, do you go the same route every time you walk him? Changing things up is also crucial to breaking 'mindless' patterns of behavior.
What kind of collar do you use? If it's not a training collar (doesn't have to be the metal kind, they make lots of great nylon ones too), then your corrections may not be 'getting through'. A 'tug' on a normal collar usually doesn't work, unless, like Cesar, you KNOW you've got the authority...that calm/assertive state. Then, the simple verbal noise and/or touch is all it takes because it's your 'presence' that's really delivering the message. But usually, when the roles are shifting, the training collar is a great tool for people to begin to step into that role of pack leader.

I really don't know what kind of help this post can offer, except to say that this behavior could be from his former 'pack life' as you mentioned...and it sounds like the role of pack leader needs to be re-established. Cesar does have a collar that is specifically for re-training the walk, so I would check out his website. It's definitely one of the best resources you could get your hands on...
Short of meeting him in person, I'm not sure what else I could suggest I do hope it's been somewhat helpful!
Good luck!!

Thanks Totaljen, I'll keep working with him. At least he is house trained and he always sits when food is being put out and waits for the release command. I know it is in him and in me.
I did take him running with me for awhile but again we could never get it worked out. I take him on different routes when we walk and will keep trying to get him to follow.

I'm sure ya'll will work things out! Good luck and happy running!

Actually mine leaves her mark alot while out walking. Sometimes she gets into place and nothing comes out.

Actually mine leaves her mark alot while out walking. Sometimes she gets into place and nothing comes out.

Poor thing! I guess it's the thought that counts!