Miniature Schnauzer puppy

[OhnowhatwasIthinking]

I have a gorgeous 4 month old miniature schnauzer and despite having dogs when I was a child I feel that she is the first dog which has really been my own.
She is very good, happy to sleep all night in her crate, coping with my mad kids and just a joy to have around.
But I am stressed and worried I'm doing everything wrong. So can I ask you some stupid questions?
How long is in ok to leave her alone? (I'm not really leaving her much at all)
How much should I be walking her? (I'm doing about an hour a day)
And how on earth can such a tiny creature I've know such a short time become SO Important to ME so quickly!
You don't have to answer the last one.

[woollybean]

Hi, firstly congratulations on your new puppy, she sounds fabulous!
Re the walking, do you do an hour in one go or split it up? I think the guide is 5 minutes per month old up to twice a day so for a 4 month old that would be 20 minutes maximum, once or maybe twice a day. This is to protect their bones while they are still growing.
It depends on the puppy how long you can leave her, if she is happy to be left for 30 minutes or so then build it up to however low you HAVE to leave her but IMO not longer than an hour or so. I tend to take my pups out and about with me if I can to socialise them but I do realise that sometimes you cant take them with you and they do need to learn to be left when needs be.
How they take over your heart? Well thats a doggy secret only they know so they can get us to love them and take care of them!!
Enjoy your puppy!!

[OhnowhatwasIthinking]

Thanks Woolly. I tend to break it up into two 30 minutes work but I will make it a little less. I think she would cope with an hour especially if she is sleepy. She is just adorable.

[BestIsWest]

Ooh lovely , pictures please! We've got an 11 week old mini schnauzer pup and he's gorgeous.

[OhnowhatwasIthinking]

She is a bit of a titch. I think she is going to be small. She is just the new love of my life, I hate going to work and have to ring up and see how she is.

[ottothedog]

Here is my 5 month old. I work so he is left 8-3 twice a week with a dogwalker popping by. He is v chilled out and fine in his crate. We do about 30 min walk plus a few quick strolls round the block. Have you asked his breeder for advice as well?

[emotionsecho]

Looking at that picture Ohno it's pretty obvious what the answer to your last question is, how could your heart not be taken over by something so adorable. Hook, line and sinker comes to mind.

[OhnowhatwasIthinking]

Oh he's lovely. Yes I will ask her, she is very helpful. I also work twice a week and have various people popping in to see her, she is never alone for long. She enjoyed puppy training and is getting better at coming back when I call her. Luckily we have a very big garden so she can go out there and explore. Did I mention how much I love her? I'm obsessed.

[BestIsWest]

Oh they are both gorgeous. Here's our pup

[emotionsecho]

Will you lot just stop it I'm coming over all gooey.

[woollybean]

She is GORGEOUS!

[OhnowhatwasIthinking]

Oh yes so sweet. I really need to get a grip.

[Schoolchauffeur]

Aww I'm all puppy broody now! We've got two mini boys now aged 7. They are such adaptable dogs- some days they get short walks and others they love a good yomp for hours! They are permanently in our faces in the house- can't do anything without a schnauzer helper in this house! We've had so much love and joy from the little monkeys - real little characters and very loving. Good luck and enjoy!

[TPel]

Oh my. How lovely they all are. I've often thought about getting a miniature schnauzer. I'm not sure my lab would be impressed though.

[ExasperatedAlmostAlways]

I got a puppy three weeks ago today so she's 13 weeks.

Iv been leaving her up to a couple of hours a day when needed. They are left all night themselves so can manage a couple of hours is my thought. I leave the TV on for her or radio for a bit of background noise.

Mine hasn't had her second jag yet, she gets it on Tuesday so can't help with that yet.

And I know what you mean about how much they mean to you we are all besotted with her.

[RJnomaaaaaargh]

Oh stop it they're one of the few dogs the asthma association endorses...

[BestIsWest]

They are a great breed. This s our second mini. The first one was my shadow.

[OhnowhatwasIthinking]

She does follow me around now causing mayhem. She loves my OH when he arrives how she rolls on her back and waits for him to rub her tummy.
We got her because my daughter is allergic to most dogs and she is fine with her.
I want another next year I am addicted.

[Girolle]

How fantastic this thread came up as we are hoping to get our first mini in a few weeks ( and it will be our first dog). Gorgeous photos and so lovely to hear such wonderful positive things. We have looked after our friends' mini a couple of times and I have been totally besotted.

[BestIsWest]

You must come back and post some photos when you get your pup.

[AnnMumsnet]

Here's my 4 year old girl in her lovely new bed! Great dog and agree re the walking: sometimes a long run, other times quick walk round the block and she's happy! So long as there's something to sniff!!

[BestIsWest]

Gorgeous girl. Agree re the sniffing. Nothing they love more apart from their family.

Just to add to the schnauzer love, here is our beloved Paddy who we lost in August.

[Raahh]

My 11 month old boy. He brilliant, bit squeaky- very possessive of me Happy with long or short walks- but absolutely hates the rain.

[vikjul]

They're all absolutely gorgeous!!

Joining here as we're hoping for a puppy from a litter of black mini schnauzers that are to be born early December. I e-mailed the breeder yesterday and was expecting her to say they were all already accounted for (as this particular breeder has a very good reputation), but she seemed unexpectedly positive!

By the way, how did you all decide whether to go for a dog or a bitch? I grew up with a wire-haired dachshund boy, so always assumed I would want a boy, but lately I have met several miniature schauzer girls with wonderful personalities, so not sure any more...

[OhnowhatwasIthinking]

They are all so lovely. I let my children decide if they wanted a girl and boy. I tried to take advice about what was beat but everyone had their own opinion mainly based on nothing concrete so we went with a girl. She is lovely so I'm happy.

[BestIsWest]

I'spd always had girls growing up and our first dog (a Golden Retriever) was a girl. When we had our first mini, we went footprint a boy for a change. He was so lovely, we went for another one this time round. Hoping to get a second next year, not sure what sex yet.