[jonahqiao]

Hi, I'm 16 years old and just yesterday my family and I got a mini schnauzer pup from a pet store. We plan to raise him in our apartment. Hes currently over 3 months old. I just have a lot of questions because I'm completely new to this. First off, its currently in a crate because they told us its best to be in there for a while until he's older. They said i shouldnt let him out frequently which I find weird. I have taken him out every hour just to get him some exercise and move around(not outside but in the apartment).

Should I let him around the apartment frequently and how long exactly?

I want him to be potty trained as soon as possible but the crate blocks him from doing anything. What should I do? Thanks, please give me any other advice or feedback too about raising him.

One more thing, in the crate I enclosed half of the area with a soft flooring and the other empty. My crate is in bars so below it is a tub that if he decides to excrete, it would go beneath into the tub. So far, hes been doing his business on the flooring though which is frustrating because I must get the junk off myself and put it in the tub everytime. What do I do about this?

P.S hes not finished getting his vaccines

 

[Kendalle]

When he wakes up take him out to potty, after he eats he will have to go about 10 mins later, after he plays he will have to go, then nap.


Just take him outside every hour or so (let him sleep if he's sleeping, but take him after he wakes)

if he cries in his crate take him out to potty

You can let him out of the crate but if you aren't watching him put him in it. Less times for accidents equals quicker potty training.

 

[Blacksheep]

Your first mistake was getting a dog from a petstore (google puppy mill.)
I'd go get him vet checked right away.

Anyway I can't picture your crate but take out the soft bedding till your pup is house trained. I know this sounds cruel but having anything that can absorb is sort of forgiving. Dogs won't piddle where they sleep but I can tell you from experience that if they do, they will sometimes push the bed/pad to the other side of the crate where they went.

A pup should typically go after a meal and after a nap.

are you indoor potty training him?

Also I wouldn't lock a pup up all the time like that. No there are other things in life that need to be learned besides where to potty. House manners, obedience, and all that (accepting grooming would be another one for you) are best learned now.

 

[Purple-Hops]

Congrats on the puppy but I'm sorry it's a puppy mill dog. I hope your lucky enough to have a healthy one. Have him looked at by a vet. Some pupy mill dogs are so overbred that they develop genetic diseases and behavior problems later on.. Get an early start on training and I would suggest more out-of-kennel time. He's not a hamster. He's a dog. While crate training is important, for instances where you are gone from the house or asleep, a crate is NOT a cage for them. Rather, crate training means that the dog has a safe place for him only. It's not to be used as punishment and they should never be locked in there for long periods of time (unless your gone from the house).

First and foremost, did you research the breed you got? You have yourself a terrier. The most energetic smart and loyal dogs you can find (maybe a bit of a biased account ) but you need to give your puppy hours of playtime and exercise to keep him out of trouble. My dog Coco used to run a field for about 2 hours a day and still have 15 minute play sessions in between. They are high energy dogs. Keeping him crated is cruel and unnecessary imo.

Take Blacksheep's offer on crate training, about the soft spot and him urinating. I didn't have much luck with a crate and now I have an anxious dog who, when left alone and undiapered, pees and poops in the house. Most people would re-home a dog like this.

He will need to be set up with obedience right away. He's 3 months now, he's old enough. He needs to be trained and socialised. Take him to a park or something and let children, dogs, adults- let everybody touch and play with him. Take him in the car, take him to groomers and the vet so he learns to behave there. Socialization now will help eliminate aggression or fear later on. (trust me again on this one, my dog is living proof of a lot of things you can do wrong)..

Anyway, we are all here to help you. I know you are 16 and maybe this is your first dog. We want him to adjust and live well with you. All 15 years of him!! We want this to be enjoyable to you. And you can, if you let us help you

 

[wishbone]

What a situation your dog been, hope everything goes fine with your family, congratulations. That's really big challenge and you should keep reading information about your dog, especially it's temperament and health issues so you know what to do. Crate training is important for dog to gain confidence and security as a place he own.