Help with our Mini Schnauzer puppy

[Rainmaker]

We have had our Airstream for about a year. And now we are also the proud owner of a Mini Schnauzer puppy. I have conquered most things AS, but our puppy is another story. I think I have bit off more than I can chew, or rather our puppy has. Two things I would like to have help with. First some tips on traveling with a dog, and secondly how do you break these little guys from chewing on everything, especially me.

[TheGreatleys]

We travel full time with two dogs. They have less trouble with the small space than their people do, so I imagine yours will adapt just fine. Lots of exercise helps.

For chewing, best thing I can recommend is to have things around that they are allowed to chew, and like to chew, and encourage them to chew that. Our dogs like the wishbone style Benebone chews, which last forever. We also use treat dispensing busy toys like the Busy Buddy Barnacle to give them something to do when we're stuck inside on rainy days, or if they're just especially antzy.

[jcanavera]

I have a 7 month old pup who is a chewer. I give her lots of chew toys but there is no guarantee she won't go after something else. So right now she is not allowed to be alone unless she is crated. We go on our first campout and she will be in the crate when we go to bed or if we have to leave her in the trailer. The good thing is that eventually she will stop chewing. But unless you can catch her in the act and correct her then, realize that the idle mind is the devil's play child.

Jack

[ROBERT CROSS]

We also are the proud owners of a PWD puppy, now 11 months old, the puppy teeth are gone, so we no longer have to assure strangers we are not drug addicts. 🥴
But... the chewing continues. Plenty of toys and constant attention has worked for us. They need a den, we use a large Midwest crate set up in a kitchen corner. Pirate will go there on his own or when he hears "crate". He also travels in one, he is never loose in a moving vehicle.

Bob
🇺🇸

[bwoodtx]

Deer antlers for chews.

[rmkrum]

Crate training is the answer. It doesn’t stop the chewing, just prevents them from getting to stuff to chew on...

The big thing is that it provides a ‘safe place’ at all times. Dogs need that safe place all their lives, is what I have learned. Even some separation anxiety is relieved with the right use of a crate.

[SteveSueMac]

Bob - the photo of the dog-tasted training DVD kit is the BEST! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Arrrrrrrr! Go Pirate! [emoji3]

[xrvr]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

We also are the proud owners of a PWD puppy, now 11 months old, the puppy teeth are gone, so we no longer have to assure strangers we are not drug addicts. ��
But... the chewing continues. Plenty of toys and constant attention has worked for us. They need a den, we use a large Midwest crate set up in a kitchen corner. Pirate will go there on his own or when he hears "crate". He also travels in one, he is never loose in a moving vehicle.

Bob
����

Now thats a funny!!! Photo!!

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Crate training is the answer. It doesn’t stop the chewing, just prevents them from getting to stuff to chew on...

The big thing is that it provides a ‘safe place’ at all times. Dogs need that safe place all their lives, is what I have learned. Even some separation anxiety is relieved with the right use of a crate.

Well said, plus lots of lap time, cuddling, and exercise as already suggested.

Dealing with puppy chewing problems is easier in the stability of an actual home, after which a trained dog is more comfortable on the road. Training a pup on the road is more difficult IMO.

Good luck,

Peter

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Bob - the photo of the dog-tasted training DVD kit is the BEST! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Arrrrrrrr! Go Pirate! [emoji3]

Yeah, that was good.

[Wayne&Sam]

Crate training and traveling with a crate works well. Not that the dogs are always crated, but they travel in the car in crates and can spend down time in them with the rear hatch open.

When we had a smaller dog (a 15 lb. Jack Russell) I took the door off a storage compartment and put a bed in it. She loved it.

[AlinCal]

Another vote for the crate. We fed our dog in his open crate when a puppy and now sleeps in it nightly and is his safe place. Make it a place they want to go into and not punishment.

[Caffeinated]

Agree with the crate training. We did this with our min Doxie Clara when she was a pup, and although it was difficult for the first couple of weeks, (she would cry at night wanting to be with us in bed instead of the crate at the end of the bed) as others stated, it is now her safe place. She eats there, sleeps there, and if she thinks she is in trouble she runs to it.

Mike

[rmkrum]

Yup. If ours feel stressed at some point the crate is a refuge for them. Traveling there is a crate in the back seat that three of them prefer to ride in. The other has a harness that hooks to a seatbelt so he is safely restrained. They all sleep while underway.

[weirdstuff]

Things our puppies destroyed:
1. Ski goggles
2. Socks
3. Seat belt in the truck
4. Hardwood stairs in the house
5. Baseboard in the house

Like others have said...keep them in a crate when unattended. When you are home, if you're working or something (not giving them 100% attention) keep them on a leash so that they're right at your side. Two minutes of unattended puppyhood can end up costing you a ton of money and frustration!!

In our case, we had two puppies we'd adopted, so, twice as much destruction. Now, one of them has passed on, and the other is 14.5 years old. I can finally laugh about all the destruction we endured.

[FCloud9]

Our latest fur baby is now two years old, a small 9 lb. poodle who loves traveling with us everywhere in our 20' Airstream. Another vote for crate training! Our pups sleep in crate & are crated after a long walk when we need to leave her alone in the camper. For small breed dogs, crates large enough for them to walk around and stretch fully are small enough footprint to easily store in our under bed storage area to be out of the way when not in use. We also love using a dog car seat- we use the Kurgo skybox in backseat center position. Highly recommend use of car seat for small (under 30 lb. dogs). We all travel more comfortably and safely with everyone buckled in their seats. We also use front pack carrier to accomplish shopping, library and other errands where dogs are usually not permitted. We've never been booted out carting our pup in such places. As you are probably aware there are many varieties of chew objects which are not suitable for all type pups. As this is our third miniature poodle, we know smaller breeds often have sensitive stomachs and must be careful selecting appropriate chew items. Strongly reading lots of info available & recommendations from your vet for best chew items. Ours loves special smoked marrow bones made in USA only. But spendy $$ and limited availability led me to roast my own for fraction of cost. Marrow bones found in many local grocers usually come 10 to a pkg. I roast in 400° oven, cool and pop into small individual bags then in a quart freezer ziploc bag and freeze. Only give fresh one every two-three weeks (due to richness of marrow). They provide endless hours of recreational chewing fun. Have trained ours to do first 30 min. chewing on small washable carpet or outside....after marrow is consumed there is no mess. We inspect bones regularly and have never found chips or cracks. Another great find is Walmart pet section has pet wipes in canister similar to Wet Ones for humans. The pet wipes come in several scents and are terrific for in between baths clean ups.
Good luck with your new fur baby! Dogs certainly add so much joy to our lives.

[jimfa440]

When you find the solution, please post it here. Our's is a Shihpoo that loves to chew.

[Woosch]

For us, crate traning is the way to go. If puppy is unattended at all, he goes to the crate. As for chewing, we like the Nylabone and Kong products. Our last puppy has been a challenge but destroying things has not been an issue.

Puppy never wins!!!!

Good luck

[nipperguy]

Crate training is the fair solution for puppy and parents. Our mini was crated while a puppy which kept him from not only destructive behavior but kept him safe, e.g., chewing on wires, etc. while we were away. Also, once allowed the freedom to roam, be aware minis like to “dig” a spot to lay. We keep covers on all sensitive surfaces like sofas!

[Darby Mc]

All good suggestions for training your pup. I’ve trained 3 Irish Setters, and haven’t killed one yet. Kidding!!! They always remain pups. Love them.

What I can add is to be consistent, and often. Take a clean used soda/beer can and put a few pennies in it. Use something like duct tape (1000+1 uses) to seal it. Every time your pup starts chewing shake your can (not your booty) to distract. A sharp NO CHEW pulling pup away, then substitute an acceptable chew item (no shoes etc). Repeat as necessary. Do use crate training.

I take Miss Darby camping with me, and it’s all good.