To Cage or not to Cage?

"A dog who lives in a cage or with a leash grow up more hyper and aggressive" 

Train your pet, so, they can live without a cage or a leash. Cage/leash only when outdoor walking/exercise or when traveling. You could also cage/leash them if you’ll leave them alone in the house, until, they can be trusted on their own. 

Dogs are smart, it would be a shame to make them live on a cage. But, don't let them roam on their own outside your house compound either.

If you have to cage/leash your dog, make sure to get them out for a time period during the day – for walk, exercise, and play. Regularly doing this could help lessen aggressiveness and hyperactivity every time your dog gets a taste of freedom.

The cage should allow your dog as much space to move around as possible.

Dog MANNERS

The only time that you should give them food/treat directly is during training/discipline process or if they do something GOOD that calls for a reward. 

When going outdoors or traveling with your dogs, bring their food bowl/dish. For long trips, you could also feed them in the vehicle if they don't get road sick, feed them slowly in small amounts. 

Some dogs/puppies get dizzy on the road and could throw up their food, so, don't feed them before or while in a moving vehicle. Usually, they learn to enjoy traveling after a couple of trips.

There was a time that I was eating my lunch at the kitchen table, and Danda sat beside my legs looking up. I ignored her, but, she barked and jumped on my knees. This behavior was not acceptable as we have already trained her not to beg for food. The culprit, as it turned out, was my mom. She was secretly giving Danda pieces of food while eating merienda. We had to re-train Danda.

Humans need to be consistent with rules “AT ALL TIMES” or dogs will get confused.

Heat Stroke . . .

Summer in the Philippines could sometimes induce heat stroke and it's not just people who could feel the rough weather, animals are even more affected. Specially, dogs with thick fur. 

Make sure that your pet stays in a cool area with sun shade and their water bowl is always filled with water.  

Always provide water to your dogs.

Danda sometimes nap in the bathroom or in cool cement floor area during hot days. Most of the time, we put electric fan in her daytime area (at night, she sleeps alternately with us in our rooms).  She loves licking cold water and ice cubes. If it gets too hot, I rub cold towels in her head and neck.We also let her join us in our air-conditioned rooms.  

Danda's favorite word is AIRCON, just say aircon and she'll run inside the bedroom, and, sit in her spot (at night she sleeps under the bed). If the aircon is not working, she'd bark at it a lot. Never joke AIRCON with Danda  :)

Heatstroke:

This often occurs if the dog is kept in a house or car without shade, ventilation or water.  It can also happen as a result of the dog getting overexcited or being under stress or hot weather.

Signs are panting, slobbering, raised temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea. And, ultimately, collapse, then, coma if not treated early. It could also cause death on worst cases.

If signs of heat stroke occur, remove the dog from the hot area into a cool or shady area. Gently massage its legs and body until you reach the vet or the animal's temperature returns to normal. Cool the dog down slowly and gently, working from the limbs towards the heart, with cold water or damp towels. Do not shock the dog's system with sudden cold immersion, do it gradually. 

*If the dog's temperature goes up (or higher) than 39.5 degrees Celsius check for either fever or heat stroke symptom.  Be aware of your pet's normal daily temperature.

Danda and her DOG BEST FRIEND

In 2009, Danda came into our household. She is our very first mini dog, also, the first one to live inside our house. She’s a mini dog, perfect for indoors.
 

About a year later, we got Beauty, a princess shih tzu puppy. She instantly loved Danda. But, Danda was indifferent and stayed away from Beauty. She'd walk away whenever Beauty wanted to play with her. At least, Danda was respectful of the new puppy joining the family, she didn’t bark or bite. It took some time before they became best friends.

The change happen when we brought them to the mall for grooming. They shared a cage while they waited for their turn.  Danda can get quite nervous at grooming salons, while, Beauty is very friendly and cool with other dogs and people grooming her.  I think Beauty helped Danda stay calm while waiting for us.   Her soothing energy helped Danda relax in the salon cage.  Since then, Danda and Beauty became super close.  They take naps together, play, and share food/water.  

We acquired more dogs after Beauty and all of them get along pretty well. 

Danda watching over a sick Beauty. Beauty with a wet towel and 

ice-cold bottle to help bring down fever temperature.

Grooming and Maintenance

Danda's different looks:

Miniature Schnauzers, unlike average dogs, have thick fur, originating from a cold climate country, they are designed to withstand cold.

To get the standard schnauzer look, Danda goes to the grooming salon every 3-4 months. We usually don't let her beard grow long to make her look less handsome (since, Danda's a girl, hehe). Also, for less trouble when she's eating and drinking.

It is important to keep fur away from the eyes, if fur touches or obstructs their eyes it could cause eye problems/disease. Nails should not grow too long. Be careful clipping nails or you could cut nail flesh. Ask vet/groomer on how to properly cut nails. Ears should be cleaned occasionally. 

If you plan on doing the grooming and cutting fur on your own, take into account the eye area, ears, and nails.
 

Danda bathes 2-3x a week. We use mild dog shampoo or soap. Look for herbal brands, they are milder. We usually use a towel and hair blower for drying. MS should be dried well or fungus could develop on wet ears, feet, and other body parts. MS fur needs to be brushed after every bath. Keep the fur smooth and untangled. If fur gets matted or knotted, it needs to be fixed or cut, even worse, your MS might need shaving.

There was a time that we got lazy brushing Danda's fur for about 2 weeks straight, as a result, Danda had to be taken to the salon for shaving. Her matted fur was beyond fixing. It took a month for her to start looking nice again. She even got a bit depressed seeing herself in the mirror. She barked at her reflection the first time she saw her shaved body thinking it was another dog, lol.

If your dog gets fleas/ticks, you could use flea powder if it's minimal. For serious affliction, use medicated soap/shampoo. Or you could use flea drops. Use only FRONTLINE brand (flea/tick drops). We used another brand before and she got sent to the vet for poison treatment.  Take caution in using anything to kill fleas/ticks as they are tough on the dog's kidneys. You can manually remove fleas/ticks too, then put them in a cup of alcohol. Keep your area clean and always check out for flea/tick hives.

DOG FOOD and Poisonous foods

Danda eats mainly DOG FOOD.  We rarely give her human food, since, most are poisonous to dogs. Before her teeth became fully developed, I soften dog food with water at least 20 minutes before feeding. Dog food should be as soft as bread or marshmallow. We feed her 3x a day. We fed danda about 1/8 - 1/4 cup dog food every meal up to her 4 months. We've tried a couple of dog food brands, before settling with a certain brand that suits her well. Sometimes, I mix dog food brands for variety.

Give your dog the same water that humans drink.  Tap water can cause kidney stones in dogs when they get old.

Observe how much your puppy can eat, like kids, you'll know if they're full or too full. Don't overfeed or they might throw up/vomit or become obese. As a puppy grows, dog food amount increases. Check your dog food brand about proper amount of feeding.  Your dog's water bowl should be filled at all times. Puppies SHOULD eat 3x a day.  Adult dogs can eat 2-3x a day.

Instead of adding water to soften dog food, you can crush/grind dog food into little pieces, see which one your puppy prefers. When teeth become fully developed, no need to soften or crush. 

Before Danda turned a year old, she got poisoned twice.

Danda almost went to dog heaven on her 1st bday . . .

WARNING:

Iodized salt, MSG/vetsin, chocolates, and candies are very poisonous to dogs

If your dog eats something toxic, it could be released through vomit. Sometimes, your dog does it on its own, or it needs to be induced by the vet. For any sign of poisoning/toxicity, call vet immediately.

Some poison invade your dog's system instantly, in a matter of minutes, hours, or even 1-3 days before symptoms occur.

Sometimes, your dog gets lucky and does not get poisoned, but, NEVER take that chance. My niece once gave Danda a piece of bubble gum, but, luckily, it came out in her poo. We were worried for 2 days.

If your dog ingests shards of glass or bones, feed them small pieces of cotton balls immediately (you can add sugar or honey to make it palatable).  Cotton could help bind the shards to prevent them from cutting the stomach walls and intestines. Hopefully, they poo them safely. Bring dog to the vet quickly if they show any sign of pain or weakness, lost of appetite, and energy, also, if blood shows up in their mouth/saliva, and pee/poo.

Big dogs, local dogs, stray dogs, and roaming dogs have better digestive system than small, house dogs.

Dog Doorbell/Barking Dog

My brother met Danda when she was about 7 months old. Sweet, cautious, quiet, cheerful, and curious about new people coming to our main house. My bro said that soon, Danda won’t be as friendly.

Surprise, surprise! The next time my brother went home to my parents’ house, Danda greeted him with constant barking and intense eyes. 

You see, puppies during their early months are still discovering their family and territory. Once, they’ve established that, they get protective and wary of strangers and those they don’t live with.

Teach your dog how to behave when there are guests in the house. Introduce your guests to your dog as they come inside to show that they don't mean any harm. Dogs should stop barking and they should not jump on your guests. Use the same reward system in my ITCHY TEETH post. Use word commands “STOP”, "NO", or “SHHH”. If they stop barking after your command, praise them, say “GOOD” or “VERY GOOD”, then, give your MS a treat/reward.  Later on, your dog should learn to follow word/voice commands even without getting a treat/reward.

If they don't behave, put them on a leash or in their cage, until, they learn to behave around new people.

Danda serves as our doorbell, we’ve already disabled our electric bell as Danda has proven to be 100% effective. She barks when people come towards our house, make a sound at our gate, or call on us.  If people come inside our house, Danda barks non-stop, until, we include her in entertaining the guests or SHHHH her. Danda wants to sit with humans while listening to conversations. Mostly, we command her to stay in a corner away from guests.

 

Danda attending my mom's meetings  :)

Mini Schnauzers can be a barker as they grow older and get territorial. Danda barks at Beauty (shih tzu) if she pee/poo at the wrong place or if she's doing something not allowed. Danda also barks at our other pets if they fight. 

 On the bright side, MS never really barks for nothing, so, check out why they are barking and what they want you to know.

It is important to train MS as early as possible when to stop barking. MS ears are also very sensitive, little or loud noise can make them very uncomfortable and irritated.  Assist them during News Year's eve.

Danda easily learned routines and boundaries. If I wake up later than usual, she goes near my bed and softly barks at me. Also, she used to bark whenever we would leave the house, now, she knows that if we don't bring out her leash, she's not coming with us. MS are really smart and they understand commands/routines easily.  MS are very respectful of boundaries, if they were taught not to enter a room or touch something - they'll never enter and touch, even, when you're not around.

Pack Leader ... YOU!

It’s always time to show your dog who is the pack leader – YOU and the other humans in your pack/family. 

During training, discipline, and in everything - assert your leadership.  Your dog/dogs should understand that YOU are their leader. You need to take the leadership role or your dog would feel the need to dominate you.  As pack leader, you should treat your dogs with respect and love, never hurt/spank your dogs.

The way dogs learn is different from humans. Treat your dogs as dogs, not as humans. Treat dogs with respect and love, but, remember they are dogs. They can't digest most human foods, they don't really like clothes/jewelry/accessory (so keep it to a minimum), they don't learn things the way humans learn, and they react differently from humans.

Watch National Geographic Channel’s DOG WHISPERER, Cesar Millan is an amazing dog trainer/psychologist.

Cesar Millan's Mastering Leadership Vol. 1 click link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C86E6MFHY4o&feature=related

Hugs, Licks, lots of Saliva

DANDA at 4 months ... ungroomed ....

May 2009 pic

Danda is soooo sweet and adorable, she loves being showered with love and affection. She also loves to lick her human companions.

Puppy/dog saliva should be washed off after playing with your dog.

Never let your dog lick your wounds because that's a pathway for virus or rabies infection.

Don't kiss your dog on the lips. They smell/lick their genitals and they smell/kiss other dog’s butt.

Dog rabies is transmitted through their saliva. Keep your dogs' anti-rabies vaccine updated ever year. Keep your pets away from stray dogs and dirty places/water.

If you get bitten by your pup/dog, wash your wound immediately. If your dog is rabies-free, then, you won't need anti-rabies shots. But, you might need an anti-tetanus shot. Take your dog to the vet for observation to make sure they're rabies-free. Be careful not to step on your dog, and don't play too rough with your dog or you could get accidentally bitten.

Dogs infected with rabies die within weeks. These dogs are aggressive and they act stranger than usual. If a dog intentionally and viciously bites without reason, that dog is probably infected with rabies.

Potty Training ...

From what I've heard, Mini Schnauzers and most dogs naturally want to pee & poo in one place. True enough, Danda learned to go potty in one place as she grew up. Danda has been using her toilet area for more than 2 years now. It's in one of our house rooms that we covered with a square plastic mat. For weeks, after we got her, she kept finding a nice spot to go. Those times I caught her in the act of peeing in our living room, I'd say NO.   Other times, after her meal, I guide her to do her business in a certain spot using rugs or newspapers. Whenever, she potty at the right place, I say VERY GOOD, pat her on the head, or give her a treat. Be patient, some dogs take weeks to master their toilet area. You have to watch them early where they potty, since, the scent of their previous excrement would make them go back to that area for future potty. As early as possible, guide them to the spot that would serve as their toilet.  You can also wipe their pee with a door mat, then, put it where you want them to pee next time.

At first, your new pup/dog would want to mark their territory, so, they will pee everywhere.  They also have poor bladder control at this stage, so, they need to go as soon as nature calls.

Some dogs prefer a certain area to go potty. Outdoors, they like grassy land. Indoors, they like a corner that is far from where they eat and sleep.

Remember, you have to catch them in the act to say
"NO" or "VERY GOOD/GOOD GIRL/GOOD DOG/GOOD"

If you do so AFTER the deed, they will have no idea what you're talking about and why you're reprimanding them.
 
If your dog is caged or leashed, they could bark when they need to go potty, then, you can bring them to the toilet area. Most purebred dogs don't like the smell of poo/pee, they hate doing it in their cage/leash area, so, you need to bring them out. If there's no one to assist them, they would learn to potty inside the cage, but, they'd be uncomfortable and restless, until, you clean their mess.

* * * Don't kiss your pup/dog on the nose/lips/mouth, they smell the butt of other dogs to identify them. Every dog has a distinct butt scent (a liquid secretion). They could identify a dog better through their butt scent than the way they look.

Danda smelling Beauty's butt on the 1st day they met . . .

June 2010 pic

Itchy Teeth

Danda was very reserved and quiet during her first day with us. I've noticed that when we left her alone (in a cage, so, she won't run around the house), she cried. Whimpering sounds and soft barks. At night time, she slept in my room, under my bed in a soft cotton rug.

The next day, Danda's more active, energetic, and playful. We ran around the house (she loved chasing a piece of cloth that I was carrying).

Her teeth started itching, they're coming out, and she kept trying to softly bite my shirt and my finger, which is a big NO NO.  I'd hold her mouth shut and say a firm NO.

Danda moved on to slippers, chairs, and tables. As I catch her in the act, I would hold her on the shoulders and say a firm NO.

Finally, I got her toys to chew on. I got her some balls and baby teether. You can also give your old pair of slippers. If you buy toys, make sure they're not toxic as your dog might eat some bits and pieces.

Danda's Chew Toys

You could also buy edible dog teether, dog treats that are big and hard. Dog shops sell bone-like teethers which are safe for pups/dogs.

Don't give pork/chicken bones to your dog, they might choke or their stomachs could get pierced by bone fragments.

* NEVER spank or hurt your puppy. Only reprimand them when you catch them in the act, otherwise, they won't know why you are reprimanding them. 

If you say NO, and, your puppy stops biting/chewing on things, say GOOD, then give them a treat. I usually give doggie biscuits, bananas, or sky flakes. For every GOOD deed, give a small piece of treat. If you use a banana, cut it in pieces, give a teaspoon size for every GOOD reward treat. If you use biscuits, cut it in small pieces as well. 
 

Use a firm medium loud voice to say NO. The best way to train/discipline your puppy/dog is through reward system and voice commands.

You need to watch your puppy during their teething stage or your beautiful sofa and cabinets would have bite marks. Hide your shoes and slippers from the puppy’s reach. You might need to leash or cage them initially if you need to leave them on their own. When their teeth become fully developed, the itching stops, your dog won't be eager to bite/chew on things anymore.

about Miniature Schnauzers (MS)

MINIATURE SCHNAUZER  (from various sources)

The Miniature Schnauzer is a breed of small dog of the Schnauzer type that originated in Germany in the mid-to-late 19th century. Miniature Schnauzers developed from crosses between the Standard Schnauzer and one or more smaller breeds such as the Poodle or Affenpinscher. The breed remains one of the most popular, and as of 2008 is the 11th most popular breed in the U.S.

The Miniature Schnauzer dog is probably one of the best family pets you could find. He is a loving and friendly dog who craves attention and company. Although small, he is not a toy dog. His sturdy build and smart looks make Miniature Schnauzers particularly handsome pets.

The Miniature Schnauzer is a distinctive and handsome dog. Most instantly recognizable feature -- bushy eyebrows and long beards.

The Miniature Schnauzer doesn't just look intelligent; they are alert and clever, lively and mischievous.  In many ways, they are the perfect family dog. They thrive on attention, and are quick to learn vocal commands. Eager to please, they will fit in well with your family routines and habits. MS also make an excellent guard dog for your family as they are quick to bark at a stranger, but do not become aggressive.

The dogs are very energetic and can sometimes become bored if not given the attention that they crave. Regular exercise and proper diet are essential to keep your MS from becoming bored and destructive. 

He is as much at home in the city with a small amount of exercise as he is in the country where he appears tireless. And, he easily adapts to any change of condition or climate. His deepest need, however, is to live as a part of the family, going where they go, doing what they do. Sleeping on with people, or in his own, beside his owner is his greatest joy. The Miniature Schnauzer does not shed, so, he often can be enjoyed by people who are allergic to other breeds of dogs. In return, the owner must keep him groomed to maintain his handsome appearance. Miniature Schnauzers are a breed of dog that likes to be with people, and they do best when they are with the family most of the time.  

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small robust dog, nearly square in proportion. This dog is literally made up of rectangles. The head is rectangular in shape, which is accentuated by the long, thick beard, and heavy eyebrows. The muzzle is parallel to, and as long as, the top skull, and ending in a blunt wedge. His teeth should meet in a scissors' bite, with no signs of an overbite. The eyes should be deep-set, small, dark brown, and oval-shaped.

Ears can either be cropped, or left natural. If cropped, they should be identical in appearance, set high up on the skull. When left natural, they should be small, v-shaped and folded close to the skull. In the UK, it is illegal to crop ears and dock tails, making for a complete opposite appearance than what is normally found in the US.

The body should be sturdily built, with a strong arched neck that blends seamlessly into the shoulders. The shoulders themselves should be well-muscled, yet well-laid back to make a vertical line from the tip of the shoulder to the elbows. The ribs are well sprung, extending well back to the loin; the belly should not be tucked up. The backline is straight, slightly declining from the withers to the tail. The tail is usually docked around the third vertebrae. It must be tall enough to be seen over the backline; it is to be carried high and erect. Height at the withers should equal in length from the chest to the buttocks. Any suggestion of toyishness will be disqualified in the ring; this breed is meant to be small and compact, not frail. 

The front legs should be straight, long, and muscular, with elbows held close to the body; there should also be long heavy feathering on the legs. The hindquarters are also muscular. There should be enough angulation for the hocks to extend well beyond the tail. The feet are small and round, with arched toes.
 

What size and weight are Miniature Schnauzers?

The breed calls for the height at the withers or shoulder blades to be at least 12" and no more than 14". It does not specify any particular weight for the breed. That will depend on size and bone structure. A dog measuring 12" to 14" will be 11 to 20 lbs. Some breeders are producing Miniature Schnauzer that are under 10" tall. This is a disqualification according to the breed standard. Sometimes the term 'toy' is used to describe them. The 'Toy' Schnauzer is not a separate breed, it is simply an undersized Miniature Schnauzer.

Different colors of Schnauzer:
Black
White
Salt and Pepper (light and dark)
Black and Silver

Schnauzer types:
Standard Schnauzer
Giant Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzer

Meeting a super cute puppy (April 2009)

Danda at 3 months old

MS around 1 week:
Tail docked and declawed front paws
It took 2 days to heal. MS at this stage can forget the experience quickly, they only cry during the process, then, they're fine.

Before 3 months:
Deworm 2x
6-in-1 vaccines  (4 shots, 2-3 weeks interval per shot)

At 3-4 months:
Anti-rabies vaccine
Deworming:  every 3-4 months.
Multivitamin syrup:  everyday

At 6 months:
Heartgard capsule/chewable once a month or heartgard once a year vaccine
 

At 3-4 months:

Ear cropping ... We didn't get her ears cropped as the process is bloody and painful for an MS whose pain sensor is already developed. Dog months are like human years in age. Ear cropping is banned in other countries. The operation uses anesthesia, but, the healing process is painful. It's about a month of intensive caring and torture for your dog. Some vets say it's just like getting their ears pierced, NOT TRUE! Try having your ears cropped and see if it's just like ear piercing! Ear cropping serves no purpose other than physical appearance enhancement, so the ears stay permanently upright. They are already so handsome even without pointed upright ears.

"Cropping of ears was done originally to protect the dog from injury while working or hunting. Then as breeds began to attend dog shows it became the norm and is now part of the official breed standard for many breeds. There are no benefits at this time for cropping any miniature schnauzers' ears. Some people claim that cropped ears are healthier and there is less risk of ear infection in a cropped dog, this is not scientifically proven in any way for the schnauzer breed. Proper care and cleanliness of the ears are required, not ear cropping. A lot of show dogs are still done, but, hopefully that will change when people's attitudes change about what really matters when it comes to form and function in dogs. Since, cropping of the ears is a complicated and painful surgical procedure that requires anesthesia, we see no purpose for it in the future of most breeds of dogs. Not only that, more and more vets are reluctant to do the procedure without very good reason, and some schools do not even train new vets how to do it at all. Many Veterinary Medical Associations are banning their members from doing such painful unnecessary cosmetic procedures, and enacting such bylaws and/or legislation is long overdue! Cropping ears is becoming a VERY *taboo* thing to do. It is already illegal in many countries, and that will hopefully become a much more widespread thing"     - internet source

Schnauzer with Cropped Upright Ears

Schnauzer with Uncropped Ears

Schnauzer with Uncropped Natural Upright Ears

 

Schnauzer with undocked tail and uncropped ears
(In some parts of Europe, tail docking and ear cropping are illegal)