HELPFUL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR SCHNAUZER PUPPY

Here are a few tips to care for your new puppy:

Inside your AKC Registration packet, I have included statements showing that your puppy has had his tail docked and dewclaws removed. Also, statements showing what shots have been given and when the third shots are due. Notice that the next booster shots are due ___________________________. Take the statements showing what shots have been given to your vet so that the vet will have a history of your pup’s vet visits.
Your puppy was given Interceptor _________________and Frontline _______________. These should be given monthly. When the weather gets cold and ticks are no longer a problem and if you do not notice that your dog has fleas, Frontline can be discontinued. I resume Frontline as soon as the weather warms and ticks are out again.

Remember, when you get your puppy home the puppy is not fully protected against canine diseases until after the third shot. Do not take your puppy to pet stores or outside where airborne diseases may infect your puppy. Parvo as well as other infections are very serious diseases and your puppy should be protected. It is best to keep your puppy inside and away from other dogs.

I will give you enough puppy food to feed your pup for a few days. I use Iams Puppy Food in the orange bag (dry kibble). I also use Iams canned food-Chicken and Rice-yellow can. I feed a little canned food in the morning only. Of course you may have your own favorite puppy food. If you use a different food be sure and mix the new food gradually with the food I give you so that the change will not upset your puppy’s stomach.

Hypoglycemia: Toy breed puppies do not store much body sugar and have to replace it often. You will need to watch your tiny pup for this for about 4-5 months. If you notice your pup acting weak and lethargic, give him a little Karo syrup or sugar water immediately. Some pups will pass out, and get comatose and seizure, just get that sugar on the gums or in the mouth asap. (approx ¼ tsp every 20 minutes till they are standing and eating). (I have never had this happen to my toy schnauzers. The vet told me that after puppy shots I should put a little Karo syrup on my finger and put it in the puppy’s mouth. I did it once when I got home, but never did it again with other shots. I have never experienced this situation.) I feel it is important to point out these symptoms since it is something that can happen with toys. I want you to be aware of Hypoglycemia as it relates to toy puppies.

Potty Training is probably the most difficult part of owning a new puppy. Until the pup is 12 weeks old, it is unable to really control or give you much warning when it needs to potty. Most pups act nervous or sniff the floor and walk in circles. Watch for this and say your command you choose, “need to go outside?” “need to potty?” and take the pup outside or to your potty location. Usually by 12 wks a puppy can hold it about 6-7 hours at night too.

There are several methods you can use: The very most important part to potty training is to keep the pup on the same schedule and the same location every day. Right now the pup needs food and water available all day, but by 3-4 months old you can start a feeding schedule 3 times per day and by 6 months 2 times per day and by 1 year, once per day. This eating schedule will help you predict when the pup will need to go. They will almost always go within 10 minutes after they have eaten. So you can see how important a feeding schedule is!

Crate Training while you are away and at night. You will need a crate about 2-3 times the size of your pet, do not get a huge crate because the pup will just potty in the corner and be able to get away from it. The idea behind crate training is to teach the pup to hold it so that it does not dirty itself. From a very young age, I see the puppies get off their bedding towel to potty on the training pads so that they do not have to lay in wet bedding. So this is an instinctive behavior. You must not put food or water in the crate at night. If you are gone all day long to work, you will need to leave food and water. Sometimes with a small pup, a water bottle is the cleanest method of watering. They will usually turn over their water and get all wet. I would leave a tiny crate type bowl with about ½ a cup of puppy food in it. Let the pup out at the same time everyday, first thing in the morning. When the pup hears people getting up it will start becoming active and want out to potty, do this before you do anything else. Take pup out to same area every time. You might also want to leave the poop on the ground for a few days so that it knows it is okay to go there. I would then allow the pup to eat and drink and 10 minutes later let the pup out again. You may need to confine a small area to make the pup realize this is breakfast time, not play time. Provide water and food bowl outside of the crate. It would be nice if you could go home at lunch to let the pup out. Provide at least one dry towel for the pup and one or two toys. Repeat the breakfast routine again, take pup out to potty first thing, bring it back in and feed and water it and take it out again. Offer extended playtimes outside of crate whenever possible, at least 2-3 times per day. Do not scold the pup for mistakes, they will happen. If you scold the pup, it will learn that potty is a bad thing in general and will go hide to do this in a hidden location. Make sure that you excessively praise the pup for pottying in the correct location EVERY TIME. Small soft training treats are great too for puppies.

Puppy Training Pads are good if you live in an apartment and can’t take the dog out several times during the day. Keep them in the same location. You can buy pad holders that keep the pup from playing with and tearing up the pads!

Doggie Door/ Outside Training is the best method by far. To get pup familiar with doggie door, have someone on the outside and you inside and pass the pup thru the opening several times to help the pup understand and not to be afraid, praise the pup after using it correctly. You may need to combine this method with some of the above methods. But be careful not to confuse the puppy.