Leashes/Collars
Our puppies are between 2-4.5lb when they go home, so they need a tiny 6-7in collar. Below is links to a rolled leather collar and matching leash. The XXS collar will fit perfectly for pups coming home. The XS will have a little room to grow into. The next link is a Next are two different leashes. Typically, you don't want to start leash-breaking a puppy and taking them on walks until they are well attached to you and have all vaccines. I recommend using a slip lead to teach your puppy to walk properly when they come of age. I don't recommend harnesses or retractable leashes. Harnesses encourage dogs to pull against the lead, and retractable leashes lack control, giving no direction or discipline to the walk. A slip lead is a very effective tool to teach your pup to walk properly and respectfully at your side, allowing you to lead the walk. If you choose the slip lead, please watch the video in the training links on how to use it properly.
Please take the time to read everything, look at all the links and watch all the videos. Below are any and all things you need to know about your puppy before bringing them home. You do not need everything listed below; this is a compiled list of all my recommendations, I’m typically asked about. Each family's setup and situation are different for their pup. After you’ve gone through everything and watched the videos, don’t hesitate with any questions!!
Shampoo & Conditioner
I recommend the John Paul shampoo with oatmeal as it is soothing on their skin. Also, schnauzers' hair is much like humans; you ALWAYS need to condition their hair to restore the oils that were stripped away with the dirt during the bath. This helps keep their hair soft, healthy, and easier to brush. Unfortunately, mouth and foot staining can be almost impossible to remove in some dogs. It can be caused by a variety of things, like the high mineral content of the water they drink, the content of the food they eat, as well as their saliva and tears. Dog's tears, saliva, and urine all contain porphyrins; when porphyrin-containing tears or saliva sits on white fur for any length of time, stains result. So some dogs naturally have more staining than others based on the porphyrin excreted by their body and the amount of licking they do. For eye, beard, and foot stains, you can try mixing together one quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda, and one teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Apply this solution to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing off with clean water. Follow with conditioning! Test a small area first with this mixture to ensure your dog doesn't have an allergic reaction. Not all stains can be removed, but this mixture is a better bet than many products you can buy online.
Litter-Box
This is the type of litter-box the puppies use. Easy access to jump in and plenty of space to circle and do their business. Don't be surprised if they sometimes play or fall asleep in there; kids will be kids. I fill the box about 2 inches high. If the box looks sparse from pellets you've scooped out, but what remains looks fresh and clean, dump more pellets in the box. If the pellets all around look broken down or soiled, throw them all out and refill them. We have a lot of people in apartments who use the litter-box long-term in the house or on the patio with their adult schnauzers. We also have families who love using it with their adults or puppies in winter to avoid the hassle of bathroom breaks in the snow. You do not have to use the litter box and can move right to housebreaking on day one. This is an option for those who feel having it would benefit your lifestyle. You can begin housebreaking outside and still use the litter box for when they are penned long-term. It does not undermine their housebreaking outside.
Insurance
As a partner with Trupanion, new Chapman Schnauzers owners receive an exclusive Go Home Day Offer to jumpstart medical coverage and ensure your pup goes home covered for any unexpected medical expenses. This offer provides waived waiting periods for immediate coverage, no payout limits for the life of your pup, and no upfront payments. You don’t need to provide payment until you’re ready to continue coverage
(*excludes NY residents). THE OFFER EXPIRES 24 HOURS AFTER YOUR PET GOES HOME. you can ask questions or coverage in place by calling 855.266.2156 (available 24/7). Or activate online HERE
Use code: BR1CS1624 (For NY, use code: BR2CS1624). Click on this Video Link for further explanation of the benefits of the Trupanion Go Home Day Offer. Please inquire with Trupanion directly with any questions
Heartworm
The American Heartworm Society recommends that you start heartworm prevention for puppies at 8 weeks of age and keep them on it year-round. Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states and is spread through mosquitoes. At your first vet appointment, you will want to have your vet give you a 6-month to a year supply of heartworm to start your puppy on. It’s a pill they take once a month.
Vet
You will want to schedule your first vet appointment in advance to have it within 3 days of picking up your pup per our health guarantee. Many vets are very booked out or not accepting new clients since COVID. I aim to have all my puppies vaccinated between 7 to 8 weeks of age. They need a total of 3 booster shots so they are fully immune and ready to explore the world. Shots should be scheduled 3 weeks apart. The second shot will be needed between 10-11 weeks and then 13-14 weeks. After that, they will need their rabies shot per state law. My vet usually gives the rabies shot when they are in for spay/neuter. Spay and neuter typically happen around 6-12 months before or around sexual maturity. At about 6-8 months, females usually come into their first heat cycles, and males begin lifting their legs to mark when urinating versus squatting like females. Puppies lose all their baby teeth over the first 8-12 months; this is why they are so mouthy as pups. Sometimes baby teeth don’t fall out as they should. In case of this, be sure your vet checks for any retained teeth before spay/neuter as they can be easily removed while they are under anesthesia. This is the basic rundown of the first year with a puppy. State law requires rabies shots every three years from here. Most vets push annual booster shots, which is not backed by current sciences. Most dogs have 7 years to lifetime immunity from their first booster shots. I recommend titer testing your pup yearly to check for immunity before vaccinating. Below is an article that gives more information on that practice.
-Over Vaccination Info of Dogs
Heartbeat Puppy
Many of our families have reported using the heartbeat puppy toys to help soothe their puppy's first days home alone. Pups spend the first 8 weeks of their life with their siblings, always around them and always sleeping next to them. Puppies will acclimate to the new routine over time, but this pup can be a comfort and help smooth the transitions of leaving siblings and mom.
Crate
I always suggest crate training your puppy. Dogs are den animals, and their crate will become their safe place. Not only is it an excellent tool for potty training. But the crate is a good place to put your pup when you can’t keep your eyes on them while you cook, work, etc. You can throw their chew toys in with them to keep them occupied. The first months are critical in setting rules and boundaries with your pup. Were to go to the bathroom, what belongs to them and what belongs to you. The more often they have accidents in the house and/or chew on things that are not theirs, the longer it takes to correct and set these rules. Putting them in their crate at night and when you are away/unable to watch them ensures that they stay safe and do not get into potentially harmful things (chewing on cords, swallowing random objects, etc). The Amazon link is to the crate we use with our dogs, the 24-in w/ divider. You put the divider in as a pup to make their space smaller, making them less likely to soil in one corner and sleep in the other. Less space makes them want to hold it, not soil where they stand and sleep at night. I put the divider in the middle so they can comfortably move in a circle and lie down. After a couple of weeks with no accidents, I move the divider to 3/4 of the way and then, with a few more weeks, altogether remove it if they are fully holding it through the night with no issues.
Paper Pellet Cat Litter
This is the brand of paper litter we use with our pups. These pellets are the smell they are used to and know to use as their bathroom. By 8 weeks, our puppies are pretty good about using the litterbox. Some are better than others in their aim. But they are all about 90-95% going in the box. Sometimes front paws make it in, and they go with the back end still out, remember they are babies accidents might still happen.
Teeth Cleaning
Schnauzers are a breed known for having bad teeth. If you don't brush them yourself, it’s recommended to have your vet clean them every 2 years, depending on their condition. This prevents them from having many teeth pulled when they are older. My vet recommends wrapping gauze around your finger or using a finger toothbrush (linked below) and running it quickly over their teeth daily. Dogs on kibble are prone to have more issues with build-up on their teeth. Kibbles are made with a high percentage (30% to 70%) of carbohydrates/starches to make the kibble stick together, which are bad for their teeth. Each dog is different. I have some that have never needed cleaning in 8 years and others that need it every 2-3 years.
Ear Cleaning
It’s easy for dogs to get ear infections after baths if they get any moisture in their ears or if they swim and get wet often. This is a great product to put in ears when they are bathed or get wet to ensure their ear canal stays dry. It’s also suitable for routine cleaning in between grooming. Leaves their ears smelling fresh! Ensure your groomer pulls the hair from your schnauzer's ears to keep them open and clean in between grooming. An ear full of hair easily traps moisture, leaving way for bacteria and yeast to grow.
Food
Our puppies eat Smallbatch Sliders Freeze Dried Chicken, and their puppy pack will include a supply of this food. This is a FDA human-grade, organic, raw, freeze-dried food. It has no fillers or preservatives, and its 78% Chicken, 20% Vegetables, and 2% supplements. I strongly suggest keeping your puppy on this high-quality food, but I understand this may not be possible for all families. I've also included a link to a brand of kibble (Fromm) I recommend. This food comes from an FDA-inspected facility; all ingredients are sourced in the USA, there is no history of recalls, and it is made from human-grade food sources. Our adults eat the Fromm Adult mixed 50/50 with the small batch. Linked below is Fromm Puppy.
Depending on the puppy, I feed them about 6-8 sliders of the Smallbatch daily, split into 3 meals. I crush the sliders and feed them dry with water available. When they hit six months to a year, and their rapid growth slows, I often back down on the amount I feed. I have adults who eat about 5-7 a day. Puppies need more as they are growing quickly. Below is a link to the Smallbatch food. Schnauzers are prone to a slew of health issues linked to being overweight. It is imperative that you help your puppy and eventually adult maintain a healthy, lean weight if you want them to live a long, healthy life. The link below will give you information on correctly scoring your dog's body condition. This helps you determine if your puppy/dog needs more or less food per feeding. Just like people, dogs have faster and slower metabolism, and some dogs require less or more than the recommended portion sizes to maintain a healthy weight. Please take the time to read this page and the BCS chart. Every dog is built differently, and knowing how to score your dog's body condition will help you understand when to increase their daily intake of food and when to lower it. Feeding charts on the back of food bags aren't always correct to your dog. Each dog is built differently, with a different structure and metabolism.
- (BCS) Body Condition Score Diagram Link
Treats
I do not suggest treats in a bag from a grocery store like Walmart etc. These are full of processed junk and are not suitable for your puppy. There are many natural fruits and veggies that are healthy and will add to your pup's daily nutrition. My dogs love blueberries, carrots, apple slices, pumpkin, coconut oil, and fish oil. The links below list dog-friendly veggies and fruits. All of my dogs eat a fish oil pill daily as a treat, as recommended by my vet. It’s fantastic for their hair and skin; my dogs love it. I get the big bottle from Costco and feed them like treats. This link is to a Liquid Fish Oil pump bottle version so you can pump it on top of the puppy's food, as they are too small to swallow pills yet. I pump a day over a meal is recommended. All my adults eat the pills like a treat. Usually, pups will eat the pills by the time they are around 6 months old. But while they're small, adding it right to their food is easier.
For a training aid and or everyday treat, I put a link to Only Natural Pet MaxMeats my dogs LOVE this, and they are 95% meat and organs air-dried into jerky for dogs. Your pup comes home with a supply of this in their puppy pack. My pups eat 1/4 cup of this a day as a treat. This adds to their daily nutrition and is made with 100% natural ingredients. Our dogs also love these Smallbatch Turkey Bites.
For chewing treats, my dogs love Bully Sticks. All our pups come home with one, so you will find out if they like them immediately. They last them and are good for their gums and teeth to chew on. They will also come home with 2 Chicken Jerky Treats. I always get asked about these after pups go home because they LOVE them. Please DO NOT feed your pup the cheap white rawhide bones from the grocery store; they are bleached, processed, and glued together and can cause blockage requiring surgery. All the treats linked below add to your pup's nutrition. Also, remember if you give lots of treats during the day to cut back a bit of their food during feeding times.
Doggie Door/Bell Training
Below is the link to the doggie doors we use that fit our adult schnauzers 10-19lb in size; the medium-size. The flap measures 11 1/4” x 8 1/4”. The sliding glass doggie door works great for families wanting less permanent options, and the medium size also fits adult schnauzers. Lastly, for families that don't have or want a doggie door, it's possible to train your puppy to use a bell to alert you when they want to go outside. For those wishing to go this route, the link below is to a rope bell to hang on the door and a push bell for sitting on the floor. With bell training, you teach the puppy to use the bells by going through the motions with your puppy of pawing at the bell every time you take them out, and they will eventually associate ringing the bell with being let out. Below is also a YouTube link to a training video that shows in-depth how to train your pup to use the bell schnauzers are smart you may expect them to first realize
Doggie Door Dog Potty Training Bells Sliding Door Doggie Door
Potty Training
The videos below cover the routine, the first day home, and everything in between with active training. The first video shows how I like to utilize the crate to help avoid accidents and effectively potty train with a routine that fits around you and your puppy. The difference between your puppy from the one in the video is that your puppy has been litter box trained like a cat and is used to going to the bathroom on paper pellet litter. I send home a bag with some paper litter for you to sprinkle in an area in the yard where you plan to bring your pup out for potty breaks. For the first couple weeks, I recommend carrying the puppy out for each bathroom break and setting them onto the paper pellets; that smell is their green light to go to the bathroom and helps aid the potty training effort.
I feed my pups two meals a day. Around 7 am, they get three crushed Smallbatch Slidersfor breakfast with a small handful of MaxMeats. And then, around 3-4 pm I feed them the same three sliders and a small handful of Jerky. You can save the Jerky and use them as training treats at a separate time in the day. Or mix the total amount of food into three meals as she does in the video. But I love in this video how she utilizes feeding time to use the food as a reward to teach the puppy different things and create a positive experience with many different situations with their food. When they are ready for their meal, they are even more eager to work for their food, and they don’t even realize they are learning commands. Also, you don’t have to have the puppy out with you all day. Potty breaks, 45+ min of play and/or teach something, potty break, and then back in the crate for a nap. I always set a 10min timer for bathroom breaks. This gives them ample time to go to the bathroom as often as needed. Some puppies don’t empty their whole bladder and may go multiple times over 10 minutes. This routine sets you up for success as, almost always, once a puppy wakes from a nap or has finished playing, they go to the bathroom! This video shows the perfect routine that allows you to accomplish all you need in your day and fit play and training into the schedule. If both parents have to work or you know you’ll be gone for a solid eight-hour workday when the puppy is so young, I recommend getting the playpen. You can set up a litterbox so you don’t have to leave your puppy in the crate all night and then again crated all day. Many families buy two pens and connect them for a larger space. I encourage you to watch the videos repeatedly before bringing your pup home. This will help you feel prepared to structure your schedule and training with your puppy those first days home. This will help set you both up for success!
-First Day Home, Routine
-Night Routine First Night
-The Proper Way to Use Food With Training
-Puppy Training Exercise
Claiming Food/Space
The video below demonstrates how to effectively claim what is yours and off limits to your puppy. In the video, he demonstrates with food. But this technique of setting boundaries with assertive energy and mild correction can be used to teach your puppy what they aren’t allowed to have or chew on in the home and what things belong to you.
-Claiming Food/Space
Front Door Training
This video shows how to actively train your puppy not to run out the front door without your permission. Training is very important as dogs that don’t respect the front door have a high chance of getting hit by a car, injured, or lost if they run off. This also teaches them proper respect around the door when people knock or come over. Teaching them to respect it while young makes your life much easier when they are older and well-behaved.
Biting
Next to potty training, the #1 issue every puppy has when they go home is biting as they explore the world with their mouth. Their teeth are just coming in and are very sharp. The videos below go through how to help you train your puppy not to put teeth on you.
-Leadership and Biting
-Puppy Biting Training
-Correcting Biting!
Month Two Training Videos
As the days/month move on, below are more videos on additional training to help your pup become well-rounded and obedient as they grow.
-Activities To Wear Them Out
-How to Use a Slip Lead
-Walking Your Puppy, Crate, Discipline
-Teenage Phase
-Socializing
-How to Get Them to Drop Something
Basic Commands
These commands are great to spend 5/10 min a day working with your pup as they master one move on to another. If your puppy is very food driven, you can use part of the food from their meal or use the Max Meats Jerky, as its a great training treat, and pups love it.
-Learn Their Name
-Sit
-Down
-Come
-Leave it
-Heel
Home Grooming
These are the tools that I use to groom my own schnauzer and videos to help assist.
Straight shears - furnishings, skirt
https://www.chewy.com/laazar-pro-shear-straight-dog/dp/315710
Curved shears - for furnishings, eyebrows, skirt, ears
https://www.chewy.com/kenchii-show-gear-curved-dog-cat/dp/272296
Clippers
https://www.chewy.com/andis-agc2-2-speed-detachable-blade/dp/54098
15 Blade - stomach, butt, inside of back legs, paws and ears
https://www.chewy.com/andis-ultraedge-detachable-blade/dp/112712
10 blade - Body, head, chest
https://www.chewy.com/andis-ultraedge-detachable-blade/dp/54080
Nail Clippers
https://www.chewy.com/hh-pets-dog-cat-nail-clipper/dp/183903
Kwik Stop - (if you make a nail bleed)
https://www.chewy.com/miracle-care-kwik-stop-styptic-powder/dp/111488
Flying Pig Dryer - professional dryer
https://www.chewy.com/flying-pig-grooming-high-velocity-dog/dp/158279
Table & Arm
https://www.chewy.com/go-pet-club-dog-grooming-table-arm/dp/133875
Playpen
For those who don’t like the idea of a crate or will have to leave their puppy for 8+ hours or longer a day (for work/errands, etc), a playpen is an excellent alternative (or addition to) a crate as a safe place for your pup. Our puppies are litter box trained like cats, so you can leave them in their pen with access to the restroom and food and water if need be, and they do pretty well about using the box and keeping clean. This setup allows them to be self-sufficient while you are away and still be able to run around a bit. The links below are to the playpen we use that has a door. also linked is a washable pee pad. I put this under the whole playpen just in case of any accidents. The pad adsorbs liquid from pee or water bowls and makes for easy cleanup in the washing machine.
Brush
All our puppies come home with a metal comb. This comb is great for brushing and teaching puppies patients and is best for brushing their faces. But as they get bigger and have more hair, I HIGHLY recommend this slicker brush if you wish to keep them in coat with furnishings, skirt, and beard. It cuts brushing time significantly and loosens matted coats very well.
Beds
Below is the link to the 3 Types of puppy beds our puppies use in our home and their pens. The first link is to the donut bed, and the second is a fluffy rectangular bed. Both are favorites around the house and in the puppy's pens. The last is a crate matt/bed the pups love.
Puppy Pack
Below is the link to two videos I made that go over everything I usually tell families when they come to get their puppy about training, vet record, puppy pack etc. When you have the time, PLEASE watch the videos; they should answer many questions.
-Video Part 1
-Video Part 2
Out of state - Flight Nanny
Our flight nanny can fly to your nearest airport with your pup and meet you. The flight nanny usually costs $400-$1500, depending on flight cost and time of year.
If you are out of state and plan to fly into AZ, we can meet you at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and drop your puppy to you at baggage so you can jump back on a return flight (please check with us before booking a flight to ensure we can meet the day you fly). Here is the link to the Puppy Carrierwe use that is airline-approved. American and Southwest are the only airlines that allow you to fly in cabin with puppies at 8 weeks of age. You will need to call in, add a puppy ticket to your ticket, and pay for it at the desk once at the airport. Please let me know if you’d like to work out one of these options for your puppy.
Puppy Training Video
This is my all-time favorite dog trainer and the best all-around video that goes over basic things to do with your puppy that helps raise a well-rounded adult dog. Cesar Milan takes four puppies and shows everything he does with them over the first year of life. One of the dogs in the video is a Schnauzer puppy. Most important to note with this video is how to read your dog's body language and recognize your energy and how it can affect your puppy's behavior. Please watch this; it’s a great video! He also has a great book that goes along with this episode with more details on raising your puppy.
-Raising The Perfect Puppy Video