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Are behavior problems common with Miniature Schnauzers
Serious behavior problems are not especially common in Miniature Schnauzers. When they do happen, they usually come down to boredom and pent-up energy, inconsistent rules, or fear and anxiety, and all of these can be worked on.
The Miniature Schnauzer is intelligent and in general obedient. They are easy to train and learn new commands quickly. In fact, they rank 12th on psychologist Stanley Coren’s list of dog breeds for working and obedience intelligence. His ranking was based on assessments from obedience trial judges of how quickly breeds learn and how reliably they obey.
Coren places the Miniature Schnauzer in his “excellent working dogs” tier. He describes dogs in this tier, in general terms, as typically learning a new command in 5 to 15 repetitions and obeying the first command around 85% of the time or better. These are tier descriptions, not measurements taken on Miniature Schnauzers. For more on Miniature Schnauzer intelligence see here.
In addition to being intelligent, the Miniature Schnauzer is also high energy. Many behavior problems are the result of boredom and pent up energy. It is crucial to provide sufficient exercise and mental stimulation for a Miniature Schnauzer to prevent behavior issues developing.
A further personality trait of Miniature Schnauzers is that they can be strong-willed and spirited. It is crucial to be consistent with rules and boundaries so they know what is expected of them and acceptable behavior.
You may hear problems in small dogs blamed on “small dog syndrome” and be told you need to show your dog who is boss. In reality, problems like excessive barking, pushiness, or reacting to bigger dogs usually come from a small dog never being taught what to do instead, being allowed behavior that wouldn’t be accepted from a bigger dog, or feeling worried. For more about anxiety in Miniature Schnauzers see here.
Rather than trying to be the authority figure, focus on clear, consistent rules and on rewarding the behavior you want. Praise, treats, and play for calm, polite behavior will teach a Miniature Schnauzer far more than punishment.
Potential Miniature Schnauzer behavior issues
As discussed Miniature Schnauzers are generally obedient and well behaved. If your Mini Schnauzer has developed some behavior problems it is most likely the result of three things.
Boredom and pent up energy – being high energy and highly intelligent means your Miniature Schnauzer will require plenty of exercise and activities, enrichment, and mental stimulation.
Rules and boundaries – a lack of consistency with the rules and boundaries can leave a Mini Schnauzer unsure of what is expected of them.
Fear – this can result in behaviors such as lunging and barking at people or dogs and anxiety such as separation anxiety.
We will look at some common behavior issues with dogs and how to go about fixing the problem.
Excessive barking
Many Miniature Schnauzers can like to bark and vocalize. There are many reasons dogs bark including being overexcited, warning somebody is there, anxiety, boredom, and attention-seeking behavior.
Yelling at your dog to stop usually doesn’t work and often makes them bark more. To a dog you yelling is like barking. They think you are barking so they think they should bark some more.
With excessive barking, a dog will often get into a more aroused state the more they bark. The trick is to stop this state before it gets too high. Teach them a “quiet command” and provide redirection. This can be as simple as getting their attention from the first bark with a treat or toy they like.
Digging
Digging is an instinctive behavior in dogs. Many Miniature Schnauzers can be diggers due to their origins as ratting dogs that included digging up the burrows of prey. You can’t completely train instinctive behavior out of a dog, but you can redirect it.
Often a bored Miniature Schnauzer can resort to digging either to escape to find adventure or to occupy themselves. For more on stopping a Miniature Schnauzer digging see here.
Destructive behavior
Destructive behavior usually involves chewing and destroying your property. This can include furniture, clothing, and items around the house. In puppies, a certain amount of destructive chewing is expected as they are exploring the world and around 5 to 6 months will also be teething.
The most common reason for destructive chewing is boredom. Ensure your Miniature Schnauzer is not only getting plenty of physical activity but plenty of other forms of enrichment to challenge their minds also.
Another way to tackle this problem is to remove items they may chew if possible or use a deterrent such as a bitter-tasting spray. See chew deterrents on Amazon here.
Redirect the behavior by providing your Miniature Schnauzer with plenty of chew toys. Chewing itself is not a bad thing for your dog to do unless it is your stuff. Chewing is good for dental health, to occupy your dog, and for stress relief. When a dog chews they release endorphins to the brain making them feel calm and happy.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a psychological and behavioral problem and can be improved and even fixed. This may be fear-based anxiety or separation and isolation anxiety. Miniature Schnauzers are generally very confident and have a big personality. If your Miniature Schnauzer has an anxiety issue it is preventing them from being who they really are.
For helping a Miniature Schnauzer with anxiety see here.
Toileting inside
If your Miniature Schnauzer is toilet trained and suddenly starts toileting inside there may be a medical cause. Consult your vet to eliminate any possible health issues. Another reason for a sudden change in toileting behavior may be psychological. Has something changed in their environment or has something unsettling happened?
Lunging towards other dogs and people
This behavior is based on fear and it is the perception by the dog of a potential threat or danger. This can also occur with dogs that haven’t been socialized well.
Often this can be a serious problem and you may need the help of an experienced qualified dog behaviorist.
Leash pulling
There are many reasons a dog will pull on the leash. They may be in a hurry to get where they are going, to meet another dog, or chase something. Ultimately, all these things have the same cause. The dog is getting into an excited state. It is not about stopping the dog pulling. Rather about keeping the dog calm and relaxed on the leash.
Summary – Behavior issues in Miniature Schnauzers
In general Miniature Schnauzers are well behaved and obedient. When they do have a behavior problem it is very often the result of boredom and pent up energy. It is crucial to provide your Miniature Schnauzer with daily exercise and mental stimulation.
Mini Schnauzers can also be quite spirited and strong-willed. Being consistent with the rules and boundaries will let them know what you expect and what is not acceptable.
Miniature Schnauzer related posts you may like:
Anxiety in Miniature Schnauzers
Leaving a Miniature Schnauzer home alone
Looking for more? Our complete Miniature Schnauzer guide brings together everything we have written about Miniature Schnauzers, from temperament and training to grooming and health.