Hello,

This is my first post. I own three grown (ages 4,4, and 1) mini Schnauzers and I am about to buy a Giant Schnauzer puppy to add to the pack. I have completed a full background check on the breeder and stud owner, the Dam and the Sire, and everything looks good. There are full OFA certifications on the eyes (CERV), thyroid, hips, and cardiac on both parents. The Dam (88 pounds) is a certified therapy dog with agility training; the Sire (105 pounds) has a great temperament and is a champion dog. He comes from a highly respected kennel. Both have full pedigrees. My concern is with regard to adding a Giant to a three mini-Schnauzer pack. My dogs are housedogs but stay in a fenced backyard when we are not at home. They behave well but are not really trained and I have little formal experience in training dogs. My children are grown and gone, we frequently have adult company and mostly teenage children (or older) as visitors. I realize the importance in socialization of this new puppy. My three minis get along great; I have one neutered male, one spayed female, and male non-neutered yearling. I have listened to and printed the Leergurg (Ed's) pod casts. All this being said, I am having reservations about bringing this Giant (to be) puppy into the mix. I know this is a huge topic but I'd sure appreciate thoughts, opinions, and recommendations before I mail off a non-refundable deposit on the Giant Schnauzer puppy. Please help me to make a good decision and avoid mistakes along the way!

Sincerely,
Rick in Tennessee

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They behave well but are not really trained and I have little formal experience in training dogs. I realize the importance in socialization of this new puppy. My three minis get along great; I have one neutered male, one spayed female, and male non-neutered yearling. All this being said, I am having reservations about bringing this Giant (to be) puppy into the mix. I know this is a huge topic but I'd sure appreciate thoughts, opinions, and recommendations before I mail off a non-refundable deposit on the Giant Schnauzer puppy. Please help me to make a good decision and avoid mistakes along the way!

I'll add my 2 cents: sounds like a rather bad idea to add a dog (any dog) to the mix. What is glaring in your post is that the dogs that you currently have are not trained. Is there a reason they aren't trained? Is it lack of time on your part? Whatever the reason, my feeling (and that's all it is, not speaking from experience) is that if you are unwilling or unable to fully commit to having full control of the 3 dogs you currently own, why would adding a 4th untrained dog to the mix be a logical, safe thing to do? <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

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All this being said, I am having reservations about bringing this Giant (to be) puppy into the mix. I know this is a huge topic but I'd sure appreciate thoughts, opinions, and recommendations before I mail off a non-refundable deposit on the Giant Schnauzer puppy.

I think you are answering your own question. You are contemplating getting a very large dog. With a large dog training and a confident owner is a must. I wouldn't get another dog until you have done some training work with the dogs you already have. And then maybe consider a standard instead of a giant.

Hi there! It's good that you're asking questions and are open to the idea that this might not be the right time to add a dog to your existing pack.

My personal opinion is that you might be sorry if you get another dog, of any size. I only say that because it's very hard to give proper individual attention to that many dogs.

We have 2 well trained family dogs now and am getting a GSD pup in early December. I decided that this was a good time for me to do this as I work at home and am committed to spending massive amounts of time with all the dogs, and I will hopefully compete with the GSD if all goes well with him.

But believe me...I am fully aware that I am taking on a huge responsibility and time commitment.

If you do decide to get another dog...I would strongly suggest that you get involved in training ALL of your dogs. And that will be A LOT of time spent on your part. Ask yourself honestly if you're up for that.

Good luck.

I have to agree with what everyone else is saying.

having 3 untrained small dogs is bad enough, but throw in an untrained Large dog and its going to get even worse. The little ones may have some bad habits due to lack of training that, although probably are more of an annoyance right now due to their small size, and you might not realize that a little dog jumping up to greet people might seem cute, having an 80 or 90 lb dog do that same thing would be disasterous.
I hope I am explaining myself well enough here. I am not saying because the other 3 dogs are little that they don't need as much obedience training as a larger dog. All dogs, no matter what the size should be properly trained. But a large dog untrained can cause way more damamge and problems for you than the smaller ones. I hope that comes out right...lol.

I would wait until you have more time to devote to training and bonding with a new pup.

Giant Schnauzers are usually guardy, can be high-drive, and sometimes dog-aggressive (these are generalizations, of course, but still must be carefully considered!) -- GS ownership requires serious commitment & dedicated training right from the get-go (they aren't a breed to be left unattended in your backyard, especially with another dog of the same sex)...

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... You are contemplating getting a very large dog. With a large dog training and a confident owner is a must. I wouldn't get another dog until you have done some training work with the dogs you already have. And then maybe consider a standard instead of a giant.

You could listen to Ed's free podcasts
http://www.leerburg.com/dogtrainingpodcasts.htm
while waiting for the Basic Obedience video
http://www.leerburg.com/302.htm
and learn a ton about pack leadership and basic training. Not only would this improve your bond with the dogs you have --- it would teach you so much that you'd know whether you had the time and energy to commit to the real training of another dog.

It's definitely not a decision to make impulsively. Good for you that you know that and are questioning the wisdom of it.

Basic obedience training is fun, rewarding, and very good for the dog. I'd get immersed in it with these dogs you know (and it's never too late; I have manners-trained young green dogs, badly-trained rescues, and seniors who were never trained) and *then* decide. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hi, I own a Giant Schnauzer. She is a terrific dog. Barks up a storm at people coming to the house, just like we wanted. I mean, she goes absolutely nuts, and people are afraid. We encourage this. We have young kids at home, and we appreciate the fact that only a real nut would try to get in there and mix it up with our Giant. Of course, what these peole don't realize is that all our dog wants to do is sniff them and get her ears rubbed. Also, Giant's are very smart and need training and lots of attention. She needs a ton of exercise, off leash. Which requires a ton of training. She is very obedient, but I work her constantly on the obedience. Eevry day. In short, Giants are great dogs, but are very territorial, aare very atheltic and need lots of exercise, and because they are so big, they really must be well trained so they can be controlled.

If someone doesn't have the time to train and exercise their Giant, they should not get one.

Well we did the opposite , we added a small breed to 3 Gsd pack.All the gsd are trained for Schutzhund and are trained 5 times a week for the sport.Now our little king charles he did not listen for one moment and thinks he can pee and poo where ever he wants.SOOO he now takes obedience lessons with my 10 year old son (his master)every Saturday morning cause MOM(me) will not have a untrained dog.I think that it's really best that your dogs get a little training.Maybe when you get your puppy(if you decide to get him) try some local obedience classes with him and practise that on your little ones at home.That is an idea too.With a big breed you must have some training with it and establish who is the pack leader right off the bat.You'll enjoy your dogs company so much better and when you have guests it's better to have control of your dogs any ways.I think that it's not a bad idea to add another dog ,find out about some obedience classes you can take with your new pup.

I think under your present circumstances adding another dog is a bad idea. If your current dogs were well-trained and absolutely respected you as the pack Alpha it would be different, but the aren't and don't.

Take some time to read the training material, watch the podcasts and also seriously consider getting professional training help. Once your current dogs are trained, that will be the time to consider adding another dog.