Q&A for How to Train a Miniature Pinscher

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  • Question
    Are mini pinschers easy to train?
    Jessica Powell
    Certified Professional Dog Trainer
    Jessica is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Proud Paws Dog Training, a small business offering private coaching and in-home dog training services to dog parents across the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. With nearly ten years of experience, she has extensive knowledge and experience in dog behavior, effective communication techniques, animal welfare, manners training, behavioral modification, and enrichment. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Management and is also an experienced shelter professional.
    Certified Professional Dog Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Try not to let breed labels get in the way of your training goals and concentrate on your dog’s individual personality and pace of learning. Tapping into a dog’s breed history, however, can help you understand many of their natural behavioral choices and tendencies. For example, miniature pinschers were bred to hunt small mammals and giving them working enrichment activities can be a valuable part of preventing inappropriate behaviors and keeping them fulfilled.
  • Question
    Do different dog breeds train differently?
    Jessica Powell
    Certified Professional Dog Trainer
    Jessica is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Proud Paws Dog Training, a small business offering private coaching and in-home dog training services to dog parents across the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. With nearly ten years of experience, she has extensive knowledge and experience in dog behavior, effective communication techniques, animal welfare, manners training, behavioral modification, and enrichment. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Management and is also an experienced shelter professional.
    Certified Professional Dog Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Not so much, but many strong-willed breeds need a lot of exercise before they can focus, while some may appreciate their independence or be prone to becoming overstimulated. That said, the fundamental aspects of training are pretty much always the same: think about what your dog enjoys, what motivates them and what situations they do well in as a starting point.
  • Question
    How do you discipline a strong willed dog?
    Jessica Powell
    Certified Professional Dog Trainer
    Jessica is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Proud Paws Dog Training, a small business offering private coaching and in-home dog training services to dog parents across the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. With nearly ten years of experience, she has extensive knowledge and experience in dog behavior, effective communication techniques, animal welfare, manners training, behavioral modification, and enrichment. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Management and is also an experienced shelter professional.
    Certified Professional Dog Trainer
    Expert Answer
    A dog with a strong will simply means we have to work a little harder and be more creative with how we train, what we use as rewards, or what kind of stimulation we provide them with to keep them engaged.
  • Question
    We messed up somewhere in the training and now our min pin won't come close enough to let us put on a leash without fighting to get it on, nor will he allow us to pick him up. Any ideas?
    Community Answer
    How are you approaching your dog with the leash? Did he/she have a bad experience with the leash? If so, you will most likely need to retrain. Let your dog investigate the leash; if he is good with it, rub him all over with the leash. Drape it over him and see how he responds. You mentioned he fights; what does he do? Don't fight with him; correct him with a firm yet gentle voice command such as "No."
  • Question
    My mini pin is 10 years old. He is a biter and barker with people he does not know. Is it too late to change these patterns?
    Community Answer
    It's never too late; it may just take longer than with a younger one.
  • Question
    My 4 year old Min Pin escapes my yard and then won't come when called. He thinks it's a game and is so fast I cannot catch him. How can I get him to come to me?
    Community Answer
    Use treats. Find a way to let him know you have treats and he might follow you. You can also just walk home and he might not think of it as a game anymore and he will follow you back.
  • Question
    When picking my mini pin up, while he is sleeping, he has a nasty growl. How do we stop this?
    Community Answer
    He might be accidentally doing this, like he just woke up and didn't realize who you were yet. In this case, try letting him sleep until he decides it's time to wake up. Or, maybe he is just annoyed. But it could be a problem, so talk to your vet if you're worried.
  • Question
    How to stop our min pin chasing cats?
    Corrina
    Community Answer
    Introduce slowly first by having meals times for each of them on different sides of a shut door. Once they are able to share meals with no outbursts and have gotten used to each other's scent, it is time for them to meet face to face. For this, you need treats for each animal and a leash for your min pin. Let them smell each other but try to keep pup calm and if the cat decides that she wants to leave, then let her but do not allow the dog to chase her. Keep doing this until they can get along, rewarding each with treats and praise when they start getting along. This should work - they just need time to see that they are not there to torment each other or rather that the dog is not there to torment the cat.
  • Question
    Can I train my 12-week-old mini pin to use a pee pad?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Using pee pads is less mess and easy to use. It is never too early to start training your dog for the pad!
  • Question
    What is the temperament of a mini pin?
    WildAnimalGirl
    Community Answer
    The Miniature Pinscher is a clever, spirited dog and a bit of a comedian. He trains well, although it may take some persistence. He keeps his playful personality well into old age, and combined with his devotion, the Min Pin will be your BFF for life.
  • Question
    She is very aggressive with people out on walks. How do I train her to be calm around strangers?
    WildAnimalGirl
    Community Answer
    The best way to treat aggression toward strangers is to prevent it in the first place. Socialize your dog when she is young, exposing her to lots of different situations and people in a safe, controlled environment. Teach her that strangers are not a threat to you or her.
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