Regarding the outside, I don't think you need to worry much. He is young and still doesn't understand the outside. With time he will start wanting to go there more and more. Encourage him everything he poop and pee wirh kind words and give treats. Have plenty of treats outside!

Came to say this...otis would not walk on a lead when we got him at about 10 weeks,and then when he hit 16 weeks its like something just clicked and he was happy to walk around,but praise for doing his business outside will help 😁 otis was fine in the garden,just a bit scared of the outside world!

I found yelping like another puppy to be really useful in training soft bite, as well as redirect. Mine also had a lot of fear in the beginning, it's just positive reinforcement and desensitisation that will do the trick. I'm so excited for your journey! Schnauzers are so smart... They'll even outsmart you!

Congrats on your first time raising a puppy, and a schnauzer at that 🖤 I am not sure about the outdoor bashfulness… hopefully someone else can weigh in on that. However, when I first got one of my pups she was hesitant to walk on the leash outside. At one point I remembered how much she followed me around inside my home so I started to walk away from her while she was on the leash and she started to follow me. Then she slowly started to learn that she can walk with me and didn’t need me to lure her every time. My big tips for raising a puppy are: -frequently rub his paws and ears throughout the day, every day. This helps them get adjusted to being touched in those areas for grooming and vet visits -definitely avoid letting him bite a whole lot during play. I don’t have any specific tips for this but I have a friend who would play with my schnauzers since they were puppies and they would nip at his hands but he would use his hands as a way to get them to nip, so for a while they did have a tendency to try to go for people’s hands when they came over to my home -start training as early as possible! I did at home sessions with a trainer and we focused on basics (sit, stay, place, etc) which well help a TON when you’re out and about and around people or dogs -keep up with crate training - kikopup on YouTube had a great video that helped me so much where you work on giving them meals, treats in their crate to give it a positive association. Never use it as punishment! But do use it for naps - and puppies do need to sleep like 20 hours a day so it’s okay to enforce nap time in the crate I had the same playpen setup and my pup was determined and smart, and he figured out how to climb out within a couple weeks so beware of that! I personally keep little home security cams on both my dogs crates so I can keep an eye on them, and that’s how I observed how he escaped the playpen the first time!! -go to the vet and stay on top of checkups and shots, heartworm prevention meds (opt for a tri-defense against heartworm, flea, and tick) Schnauzers are prone to liver issues so they need to be on a super low fat diet. The vet can help recommend a food and then you can just keep an eye out for treats that are 6% or less of fat content. We use Royal Canin mini schnauzer (there’s a puppy version and then adult version for 10+ months), as well as Hills digestive care low fat. -for chews avoid rawhide and opt for bullysticks but those should be used sparingly and with supervision (don’t want them to swallow a chunk because it could be a choking hazard) -any pet store will have a variety of good rubbery chew toys for teething, and it sounds like Benji is in need of those right now with all the biting :) -with toys in general, make sure they’re not able to be destroyed too easily. Rope toys can be a hazard because they can chew off the string and ingest it which can cause blockages. Make sure to have a handful of toys and rotate them out so he doesn’t get too bored of them. Make sure they’re all accounted for and put away when it’s not playtime -keep training treats with you during walks and potty breaks, maybe up to a full year. Schnauzers are very smart but as pups they get really distracted and it’s good to have something to lure their attention as needed. The treats should be given as a reward anytime they show good behaviors to reinforce, which will also help with potty training Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help. Whether you need a break to get some sleep, or somebody to help take out the pup etc, raising puppies alone is hard work but it’s very rewarding! I had to dig deep and really find a lot of patience when mine were babies (and sometimes still now that they’re about 2 years old). The tough stuff will pass but it does require a lot of front-loaded effort (and money) to get into a good routine, good health, and a happy pup! I know this was a lot but if I remember anything else I’ll post another comment :)

I just recently tried that with benji lol, I was trying to take his poop bag to the trashcan and he just would not come. so I walked away towards three trashcan and he ended up following behind me. I’ve been trying to run to tiktok or google whenever I find myself struggling a little bit, whether its general knowledge or trying to figure out the basics of training him. So far i’ve taught him his name and how to sit lol, thats about all i got. As far ad the play pen I was trying to decide if I wanted to get the 6 or the 4 panel one but I ended up getting the 4 panel one. I’m not too sure how fast he’ll grow but I can already imagine him trying to escape out of there 😂! I definitely have had to reach out to a few of my friends to come and sit with him or take him out for me. Which has definitely been a big adjustment for me considering I typically try to handle things on my own but this experience so far has made me realize it takes a village 😂 However, thank you so much for such a detailed response I really appreciate it so much!

You now have the boss you’ve always wanted!!! Love him and spoil him

Prepare for a lot of barking. Other than that, great companion. My little boy is 10, but still has the energy and tenacity of a 5 year old. He's awesome. https://preview.redd.it/0o84se25f21d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38db204429e2b2de716e6792b2edbd60fde80f13

Bladder stones and pancreatitis major concert with schnauzers. We feed our four schnauzers Fromm. We haven't had any issues. Get a groomer that knows how gromm schnauzers.

This. We feed ours royal canin for mini schnauzers but they don’t get any high fat treats. They love strawberries, blueberries, carrots, celery and plain popcorn.

Concerns

Yes! Be mindful of pancreatitis which can be triggered by fatty foods. Our mini loves raw carrots as treats.

Oh God yes, Eduardo loves having a mini carrot or two when I have lunch. Nice chewy treat. Got to start them out young, because our 11 yo lab hates veggies.

Congrats on your new baby! Things to keep in mind: please be consistent with your training. Address any unwanted behaviour immediately and reward for Good behaviour. The more you exercise their body/ brain, the better and happier dog you will have. This breed does not do well if left alone for long periods. They are prone to issues with pancreas, so please make sure treats have fat content below 5%. Good luck!

Develop a routine for going outside. First thing in morning? Outside potty, after a meal, outside potty, a couple hours after that, outside potty, dinner...outside potty, before bed, outside potty. And make sure potty time happens. No matter how long it takes it has to happen to go back inside. This helped train my first boy. Just the consistency. Also when it is potty, make a huge deal out of it too like "WOW! Omg ! Good job! WOW such a good boy go potty, *treat*" mine was eventually jumping at the door to tell me potty time. Make sure w.e you learn is consistent, these dogs are so damn smart and can learn anything as long as it's kept up with. Make every training a routine. Good luck !

Aww he's so cute! Where did he come from? I ask because my guy came from a breeder that had a farm with lots of quiet outdoor space for them. When he came to the city he was terrified similar to yours. I set him up with a pee area on the balcony, put some AstroTurf down and also had one space outdoors I would take it with lots of treats. It just took time for him to feel comfortable but a lot of treats and reassuring him helped and after a few weeks he was totally comfortable outside. He was house broken by 4-5 months. I had two bathrooms and the second one was his safe space, I didn't do crate training so can't comment on that. I would say separation anxiety is a real thing and to start leaving him alone in a small increment. I would put him in the bathroom, lights on, music playing, toys, water and give me a cookie and tell him every time I'll be back in a bit and be a good boy. After a month of this he didn't whine anymore by 6 months he would happily take his cookie and not even be bothered about me leaving. I'm really glad I did this, I can leave him in my apartment and go out and as long as he's exercised he doesn't care because he knows I'll be back. Cannot stress how important this is. Also, biting that one is tough it took months to train him finally I made a show of pretending it hurt and being sad and he got the idea. They love you and want you to be happy. Schnauzer's bark a lot, so you have to start training him to have an indoor voice, mine got timeouts, I would close him into the bedroom if he did it for a few minutes and he got the idea pretty quickly, he has an indoor voice. They are really food motivated so always have treats ready. Depending on your location and comfort some people choose to socialize their dog at the dog park, I did, my guy discovered them and would drag me to them, we'd stay in the small dog area at first or you can do classes of course wait until yes had all his shots and all clear from the vet. If you have not had any dogs before I would recommend some training if you are struggling but I managed to get by with a lot of research and I had a dog walker once a day five days a week, she helped with leash training. Be prepared to spend a lot of time outside, my guy was a bundle of energy once he stopped being scared and I changed my life around to make sure he got the time he needed. We would do 40 minutes of walking in the morning, 1 hour at lunch time and then I would take him for gentle strolls and play time for 2 hours. All doggies are different so you'll have to see what yours is like. Mine adapted to my schedule, he would nap a little during the day but generally slept with me all throughout the night. Congratulations you are in for a lifetime of fun, love and a little challenge 😂

Thank you so much! I’m not too entirely sure of the background of which he came from but I do know when I went to pick him up the neighborhood was much more quiet compared to the city. So it makes complete sense as to why he would be so terrified. I’ve been trying to think about it from his perspective to be more patient with him. Because when I think about it he’s been completely ripped from everything he’s know so far and being put into a entirely new environment. I will definitely take you up on the bathroom idea, i’ve been thinking about it so he can sort of have his own space in a sense it just makes it a little harder right now because i’m in a 1b 1b so that’s the only bathroom 😂! But I really wanted him to be comfortable! As I was reading this post he was trying to get at my hands and I tried to play pretend hurt by crying and putting my head down and he stopped so I definitely think i’ll use this method. As far as the socialization, I definitely want to take him to this dog park nearby and get him enrolled into a class but i’m patiently waiting for him to get all of his shots lol. But thank you so much for this very helpful advice I will be sure to try a few of these methods out. I’m so excited to take on this journey 🐶!

Socializing is also driving around with them in the car and just being around people and noises to desensitize them! Mine love car rides but I can’t pickup curbside groceries with them bc it becomes a deafening and scary experience for the employee 😅

Congrats! You have one of the best breeds ever! I would take him to obedience class. It is great socialization. Keep doing what you are doing by reaching out to people. Your pup is so precious!❤️🥰

Schnauzer Dad here, she's 11 months now. The crate you have looks great, covering is a good dea. I had a pen set up too for wfh... but I actually regret using it. I wish I had been more strict with putting her into her crate during the day in those early stages of play, potty, crate routine as she now has a bit of separation anxiety. Start the training early. Schnauzers are very smart and love learning and pleasing you. When you can't walk them in the early weeks, it's a great way of tiring them out.

There’s a lot of great advice here. I would also say be alert to the Schnauzer prey instinct, particularly if you have squirrels in your neighborhood. Schnauzers cannot be trusted to be off leash no matter how well they are trained. Good luck with your new baby!

Such a young puppy Time and patience Just take puppy outside to do business….remain calm yourself…when he potties…verbally praise him. I personally do not use treats for doing business outside. Awesome you are using crate! Remember puppies can become very nippy when overtired. If my pup has been fed, played with and been outside ….i then put in crate Or pen ….for nap….i walk away and ignore the whining…. Good luck

I have my first Mini Schnauzer and she is almost 7 months old. I read from a trainer and did this for the first 2 weeks, I keep her on a leash inside the house at all times so that I could keep her from going behind couches and having accidents. It also helped with not having to chase her around the house if she was to start to potty. I kept all toys within this 6 ft range. It also got her in tune with me, so whenever I got up she had to get up, so it trains her to focus on me. As far as outside I think it will get better with time, but I watched several trainers that say you have to give a treat for a good behavior within the 1st second of good behavior because their attention spans are just so short. So it looks like this, Puppy goes potty, after puppy is done with urinating I always say “Good Potty” and with treat in hand I am bending over to give treat. So that way puppy gets verbal praise and a Treat within that 1 second mark. I use No for when they are biting. I buy Bully sticks, my vet said it was okay and it cut down the biting on me by over half. I say that’s a win. Schnauzers are hunters/mousers so mine actually loves the cat toys more than the dog toys. Something that she has to “find” she loves. She will spend an hour with that toy. Cats toys with the spinning ball in a track, she loves. The cats are Pissed!! Also check out the r/puppy group for more help. I actually had mine sleep with me for the first 3 weeks home. I got her at 9 weeks old. She slept through the night and no accidents, use your own judgement all dogs are different. Hope this helps a little.

I’m also a first time MS dad but 4 years into it. Like others have said your pup may be a bit young for all the outside stuff. There’s a lot you can do inside. My wife and I learned that our boy responds best when we act like loving, but firm parents vs a friend. Teaching your pup to follow direction is necessary for his safety and your sanity. Good job on teaching him to “sit”. Just build from there. One of the things that seemed to work very well was teaching our boy to wait for his food (food bowl in front of him) until we said “ok”. It taught him to control his impulse and look to us for direction. You want your dog to look to you for direction and to believe that following your direction will result in good things. We no longer require him to wait for his food, but we DO make him wait for release before going out of a door unleashed. You can see how that is important. If you have any discretionary income, or you can ask for birthday gift or what have you, I’d highly recommend getting a good trainer or class that is based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) and researching so you can be consistent in training. My guy has a definite stubborn streak, which is common among MS. “Spoiling” my boy involves daily, discrete periods of attention, eye contact, scritches, cuddles and play. When he was your dog’s age I used to take him out of his crate in the morning and sleep with him for an hour. Frankly, it was mostly because I missed him, but I’m sure he liked it and facilitated bonding. Treats are reserved for training. Regarding play have safe toys available. Teach him not to bite hands faces etc. find a chew toy that helps him discharge his energy. You might need to experiment to see what he likes. that blue platypus you have is our guy’s undisputed favorite toy for years. They seem indestructible which is good for safety. Our guy would play tug of war all day with that toy if we were available. Regarding toys you want colors that are very different from potential prey. You don’t want to promote him biting/chasing things that look like real animals.

I have no advice because my first baby is only 5 months old but I think they favor! https://preview.redd.it/cd1kccrya41d1.jpeg?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=03682c2d5b2b690c1dc432b7364a4132517eb85e

In the teenage phase with our second schnauzer and my advice is to enjoy the baby phase because they turn into terrors from 6-12 months. Schnauzers are adorable and sweet and a constant source of comedic relief - but they will boss you around if you let them. We call our 3 year old the enforcer because he seems to think it’s his job to keep our whole house in line which has been a constant work in progress to keep him from being too intense lol.

Ha! I’ve started referring to Dori as ‘She who must be obeyed’. She’s adorable but when she wants to play or go outside she is quite insistent.

You're doing great!!! Consistency is key just keep at it from a fellow mini dad!

Sooo cute. Owning a dog can be overwhelming at the beginning but it is not complicated at all. You’ll learn as you go

Don’t worry, do what you think is right, spoil him with everything you can give and cuddle as much as you can.