I have a 21-month-old miniature schnauzer, and his behavior has gotten worse as he’s grown older. He’s always been a playful biter (I admit we should’ve dealt with it sooner, but everyone in the house works or is in school), but now he’s obsessed with biting baggy trousers. If someone gets off the couch or is sitting at the table, he’ll latch on with his teeth and tug aggressively.
When guests come over, he’s really aggressive; biting, pulling on their clothes, and generally terrorizing them for up to 30 minutes before he calms down. I’ve started trying positive reinforcement training by making him sit when he goes for trousers and rewarding him when he listens, but it hasn’t helped much yet.
We’ve looked into local dog trainers, but with Christmas coming up and money being tight, we can’t afford it right now. Does anyone have tips for training a schnauzer in this situation? I know we waited too long, so it might be harder, but any advice would mean a lot. Thanks.
Has a vet checked him out? Sometimes health issues can make behavior worse.
How much exercise does he get daily, both physical and mental? And how much sleep does he get?
When he bites pants, try to figure out why. Does he want attention? Is he overexcited or maybe even not feeling well? Is he trying to make you move? Once you know why, it’s easier to redirect the behavior.
For guests, it’s probably best to keep him in another room with treats or a toy. Don’t let him meet visitors until he’s calmer; biting is a liability issue. You could also look into muzzle training to make things safer. Muzzle Up. Project is a good resource.
You might also check out Leslie McDevitt’s Pattern Games or training methods like BAT (Behavior Adjustment Training). They’re great for reintroducing dogs to people in a positive way.
You’re in a tough spot, but you need to prioritize training. If your dog bites someone seriously, there’s a chance he could be taken away or even put down. Aggression toward humans is no joke, and if the wrong person gets hurt and reports it, things can escalate quickly.
For now, keep him separated when guests are over; use a crate, a safe tie-down, or a leash. When he’s calm, slowly introduce him to guests while he’s under control. If he growls or barks, stop and remove him. He should not be unsupervised around visitors.
I know professional training is expensive, but it’s so important. It might save you a lot of money and heartbreak in the long run if you can find a way to do it sooner rather than later. Good luck.
Why are you using treats for bad behavior? Positive reinforcement is great, but timing is key. When he bites, say a firm ‘NO’ first. Then, once he stops the behavior, reward him.
If you need to redirect him, give him a toy or something else to focus on before the biting happens. For example, if you know someone is about to get up, distract him with a toy and reward him for playing with that instead.
You need to be consistent. If you’re only doing training halfway, it’s not going to work. Positive training is more than just giving treats for sitting. Please try to find a professional trainer as soon as you can.
I get that money is tight, but putting off training could cost you more in the future. If this escalates, you might need expensive trainers or even deal with vet or medical bills if someone gets hurt.
It’s not too late to help him, but you really need to commit to working on this now. If he’s not neutered, that might help a bit, but it’s not a fix by itself.
You’ve got to set firm boundaries. If he grabs a pant leg, tell him ‘NO’ loudly and firmly. Then calmly place him in another room or a crate until he calms down. Don’t allow bad behavior to slide, even once.
If he behaves well around guests, give him lots of praise and maybe a treat. Consistency is the key here. You’ve got to stay on top of it every single time. If this feels overwhelming, consider rehoming him to someone who can handle his needs.
@Angelina
Be careful with things like pinning a dog. That can make the problem worse, not better. It can trigger fear or even more aggression. A firm ‘no’ and removing him from the situation is safer and more effective in the long run.
You’ve let this go on too long. When he bites or pulls at clothes, correct him immediately with a firm ‘NO’ and stop the behavior right there. Use a leash if you have to.
Don’t wait and try to fix it with treats later; stop it as soon as it starts.