Question-Tammy in Pennsylvania would like your help with this question:I have a 7 month old male and he does this (relieves himself in his crate) quite often and I would love to know why. Can someone tell me if they know? We let him out often limit his water intake as the vet suggested, but he still does this. I have tried everything I can think of. If anyone knows why please send me information. He is neutered and healthy.
Our Answer
Several things could be going on here. First please understand that if he gets used to going in the crate it will be a difficult habit to break, and you will likely have to resort to another form of training. Also, when cleaning the crate, make sure you are not using a cleaner with amonia. Amonia is a scent also contained in urine, and cleaning the crate with amonia can actually encourage him to go in there again.
Now, there are several things to consider. First is how long do you leave your Miniature Pinscher in the crate? Do accidents happen while you are at work all day? Remember your Miniature Pinscher is still just 7 months and may not be able to hold himself all day. Actually, we recommend not keeping the puppy in the crate more than 4 or 5 hours a day if at all possible.
Second, how big is the crate? Does he have way too much room to move around? In other words, is he going in there because he can get away from it after he relieves himself?
A third possibility is that he has a bladder infection. But you say he is healthy so that is unlikely.
Have there been any changes in your house lately? Any new pets? Any changes in your schedules? These things can all cause stress which can be the problem as well.
Those are just some things to consider. If all of the above can be ruled out as the cause, your Miniature Pinscher may just be getting too used to doing it in there. How long has this been happening? Did he ever not go in his crate? If he is simply too used to going in there it may be time to put the crate away and start on another training method. As we mentioned, it is a very hard habit to break once it indeed becomes a habit. We always train ours using the newspaper (actually for us, potty pad) method with good success, although this is a slower process.
It is also important to catch your Min Pin "in the act". This way you can tell him "no" and take him to the place he is supposed to go. Do NOT rub his nose in it. Also, some have found it helpful to quickly wipe up the mess with paper towels (or if it is #2, pick up some of the waste) and take it with you when you take your Min Pin to where he is supposed to go. Set the waste or paper towel down at that point. He will likely sniff it and soon associate that as the place he is supposed to eliminate. But you must catch your pet in the act so he will know why he is being corrected.
Question-Allison in Wisconsin writes:
I'm going to be purchasing a Miniature Pinscher this month. The owner of the puppies said that her vet recommends waiting until they are about 3 months old to have their ears cropped. So, that leaves it up to me to have it done.
My question is on average how much does this cost? What is the healing time? Any other information about ear cropping would be appreciated. Also, this Miniature Pinscher is mostly just going to be a pet. The puppies are 5 weeks old. What confirmation points should I be looking for? Thanks.
Our Answer
First we'll answer the cost question. I would guess that it would vary widely depending on where you live. Where we are, the cost ranges from $150 to $175 for cropping a Miniature Pinscher. And yes, there are vets here who will refuse to do the procedure, believing it puts the dog through needless pain for strictly cosmetic reasons. In some countries, cosmetic ear trimming has even been banned.
Those that defend the procedure for reasons other than conforming to a breed standard, say it is beneficial for the dog's ear health. There are claims that cropped ears have fewer incidences of infection because of increased air circulation. Most vets I know say this is not the case. Cropping discussions can get very heated at times. Again, the choice is yours. Our choice was not to crop, but we certainly would not attempt to sway you. Our Miniature Pinschers are not show dogs.
The owner of the puppies is correct that the surgery is best done at about 12 weeks of age. It is generally accepted that ear cartilage is set permanently by 4 months, so training the cut ear to stand after surgery at that age is difficult.
After the procedure, you will be given specific instructions from your vet in caring for your Miniature Pinscher. Generally, your Min Pin will return to normal the same evening. Your job will be to keep the sutures clean and free of scabbing. Neosporin works well to soften any scabs.
You also want to try to keep your Miniature Pinscher from scratching and possibly pulling out one of the stitches.
Actual ear taping usually lasts as little as a month, but sometimes much more depending on the dog and your persistence in keeping the ear tapes. There is maintenance involved to get the ears to stand properly. If you do decide to have the procedure, please make sure you will be persistent with your care following the surgery.
As for confirmation points, your Miniature Pinscher should be sturdy, compact and balanced. The height should be 11 to 11 1/2 inches to the highest point of the shoulder blades, although anything between 10 and 12 1/2 inches is acceptable. The head should have a slight drop to a strong muzzle. The eyes slightly oval, the neck slightly arched into the shoulders. The look is an overall muscular body and well balanced.
Question:
Our Miniature Pinscher has horrid breath. We brush his little teeth and it's still bad. His gums bleed and we use a soft tooth brush. He is going to be seen by our vet. But as he has gotten older (4 1/2) he has slacked in his cleaning of himself including his teeth. He gets breath cleaning treats and regular vet checks but still has terrible breath. Is there something we can do. It's really, really bad. When he grooms himself and our female, they stink so bad from his itcky breath we have to give them baths and use doggie cologne. Please help.
Our Answer
First of all, continue brushing and giving crunchy treats. But we have always found that Chlorophyll is a trememdous help. Simply add it to your pets drinking water. If you're not sure where to get this, try your local pet store.
Question:
Our Black and Tan male Miniature Pinscher sheds terribly. Our Chocolate and Tan Miniature Pinscher doesn't shed that we can tell or notice when petting or bathing her. We bought the decrease shedding shampoo but it doesn't help much. How can we reduce the amount of shedding permanently?
Our Answer
Different animals, even in the same breed, can and will shed differing amounts. Stress can also play a major role in shedding. One of our Miniature Pinschers sheds like crazy every trip to the vet. Pregnancy and lactation can also cause shedding.
For the purpose of this answer, we'll assume your Miniature Pinscher is otherwise healthy. This means the shedding is of no real consequence other than the inconvience for the owner. So it's time to try some other products.
I know of several that you can probably find at your local pet store. Look for tablets that contains fatty acids, vitamins and even brewer's yeast. All have been known to help reduce shedding.
Question:
My Miniature Pinscher has a bad hip which was broken before we bought him when he was a puppy. Now he has arthritis and has mucsle loss in his rear hip. We were giving him Glucosimine tabs to help rebuild the joint material but now he won't take them any longer. Should we force feed him human pills?
Our Answer
Our obvious answer is that if your vet recommends Glucosimine, then continue to try and give him the Glucosimine. One thing that has worked with some but not all of our dogs is coating the tab in peanut butter. Otherwise, you may need to put the tab in the back of the mouth, and gently rub the outside of your pet's neck until he swallows. Again, I will always defer to what your vet recommends.
Question:
He also continues to urinate in the house even when there is a potty pad on the floor, which our female uses. He usually pees on something like the cupboard base, garbage can or clothing. How can we break this habit?
Our Answer
First of all, are both your pets fixed? If not, with a female around, he is simply marking his territory. Either way, it's highly unlikely that your Miniature Pinschers will share pads.
You will probably do best by starting the training process over again with this dog by secluding him in a different area of the house (with the pads of course), until he learns this is his area. Or maybe crate train him. Admittedly, the length of time this takes may be longer because I believe you mentioned the dog is 4 1/2 years old and is now pretty set in his ways.
Question-Hilda in Orlando writes:
My Miniature Pinscher is 2 years old. Potty training her has been a little difficult. She is crate trained, I take her outside to potty before I leave the house, then I lock her up in her crate to keep her from doing it around the house. I am sometimes gone from 1 to 6 hours. There are times when she waits till I get home to take her out and there are other times when she doesn't. When she pottys in her crate, she's stands in a corner because she doesn't want to lay or sit near it. I was told that dogs don't potty in their space but I am finding this not to be true. What can I do different?
Our Answer
Hi Hilda. There are several possible answers to your question so I'll try to go through the obvious ones first.
- Your Miniature Pinscher may have a medical condition. (Not likely).
- The crate may be too big. (Probably not).
- Your Min Pin simply can't hold it that long. (Again, probably not).
- She is acting out of rebellion for you being gone. (Once again, probably not).
So assuming all of the above are not true, then what can you do different? It is true that dogs do not potty in their own space 99% of the time. You also mentioned that you are letting her out before leaving. This is good.
Now it's time to regulate her food intake times. For instance, if you feed your dog 10 minutes before you leave, then let her out and make sure she goes, she is not getting rid of the waste from the food she just ate. You'll have to experiment a bit, but for starters, make sure your Miniature Pinscher eats at least an hour before you leave for an extended period. Take it out after it finishes and again before you leave. If this doesn't work, try two hours.
Also, use an odor neutralizer when cleaning up rather than just a deodorizer. These are available at most pet stores. A neutralizer should eliminate any left over scents what would cause your pet to go in the same area.
Finally, avoid using cleaners with ammonia since it is a normal part of canine urine and might do more to attract rather than repel your pet.
Question-Lynn in Las Vegas writes:
My husband found "Milo" six months ago abandoned. He had a chip but the owner wanted US to pay him to take him back. Milo is ours now, vet says he is a year old. He has the most awesome temperment. We made the mistake of letting him sleep on our bed, now when we go to bed he actually lifts the covers and gets under the sheets and sleeps in our backs.
My question is, Milo has plenty of toys, chew stuff and bones. But the minute we leave the house to go to work he finds something to chew up, mostly toilet paper from the roll, or a shoe, or anything really weird you wouldnt think he would chew on. He has been "puppy cam'd" as we call it and it happens the minute we close the front door. Is he mad at us for leaving? We always come back.
We are a professional couple skirting middle age, we have to work. We think it was because he was abandoned. But we treat him like he is our child. Smart animal. Are we reading too much psycho analysis into this? He also whines hard if we buy him a new bone and he has it in his mouth. We think he wants to hide it like he did in the yard of our old house (we went condo). Thanks for any advice on our new kid.
Our Answer
Hi Lynn. It always amazes me how some people will treat their pets. Thank you for taking Milo in and giving him a good home.
The abandonment issue you mention is real. Although we are not sure how Milo was treated before you found him, I'm pretty confident abandonmnet was a way of life. Yes, Milo is probably upset at you for leaving and that's why he acts out the way he does. It will take quite some time to undo the damage done in his first 6 months. Miniature Pinschers are typically tyranical and Milo is now running the house.
A couple of suggestions, the first you probably know. When you leave, confine Milo to an area where there is nothing for him to chew up besides his toys. A kitchen perhaps. Is he housebroken? If so this should not be a problem. He is old enough to "hold it" until you get home. If not, use paper, potty pads, or a crate. But if you use a crate, someone should come home for lunch so Milo can go out or run around briefly.
Second, on days when you are home, try to leave the house for brief periods of time, maybe 15 minutes or so, go get a Coke or cup of coffee. When you return home, greet Milo happily, then go to where he has done any misdeeds and scold him sternly. Do not spank. He will know by the tone of your voice that you are upset. Again, make sure you greet him happily first or he will associate your return with a scolding. Try to do these short "leaves" as many times a day as is feasible when you are home. Milo will learn soon that when you leave you are returning, and he will also learn what is considered "bad behavior", since you are likely scolding him immediately after or even while he is doing it.
I don't see Milo sleeping with you as a problem (our Miniature Pinschers sleep with us), but if you want him to sleep elsewhere, make sure you prepare him a bed with covers that is just for him. When he gets in bed with you, simply put him back down in his own sleeping spot. Again, he will learn quickly.
If all this sounds like you are raising a child, you're right. Miniature Pinschers can be like a very intelligent toddler. The keys here (as you already know) are to be consistant and persistant. Miniature Pinschers really will run the house if you let them and that's what Milo is doing now. It is very important that he learn that you are the masters and the only way that will happen is through consistant training.
As for the whining, again you are probably partly right, he is looking for a place to hide it. I'm not sure what you can do there. My Min Pins will hide things under the sofa, or between the cushions or anywhere else. Milo will probably learn this on his own.
I hope this is of some help to you and would love to hear about any progress you are making. Please write us back.
Question-Michelle in New York writes:
Hi there,I have a three month old Miniature Pinscher. I have had him for about three weeks. I originally tried to paper train him. He understands to pee on the paper (most of the time), but always finds a new place for poop. My initial plan was to train him to eventually go in the litter box, as well as outside but I have given up on the box, because the poop is overwhelming for me, he likes to find hiding spots for it, and sometimes I don't find it for hours. I am now crate trianing him and taking him outside every two hours. I'm worried because I heard that Min Pins cannot hold their pee or poop for more than maybe 6-8 hours because of the size of their bladder. Have you found this to be true? Do you think that he can be trained to do both? For when I'm away from the house for more than 6 hours?
Our Answer
Hi Michelle. I will try to answer your questions one at a time. First of all, yes your Miniature Pinscher can be trained to do both, but focusing on one is best. Both will require a lot of work, especially since you are gone for up to 6 hours at a time. As you are well aware, the puppy cannot be left in the crate that long. Nor should the puppy go that long without food or water. So focusing on the paper training seems to be your best bet.
You are correct (and a vet I frequently consult with confirms) that at such a young age, your Miniature Pinscher cannot hold it's waste for that long, and it should not be expected to.
My first question to you is, is there anyone that can come and take the dog out while you are gone? If not I would suggest leaving the dog in a small room, (perhaps a bathroom or possibly the kitchen where there is not much furniture for the dog to hide its waste behind) and cover the floor with paper. Make sure your Min Pin has plenty of toys to play with. I also prefer potty pads to paper for easier clean-up, and use a tall baby gate instead of shutting the door, but that's just personal preference. If you do use a gate, be sure your Miniature Pinscher cannot leap over it. They are great leapers.
When you get home you will start to notice the dog tends to go in the same spot repeatedly. GRADUALLY remove the pads or paper from the areas where your pet does not go. If you get home and your Miniature Pinscher has missed the mark, you've made its area too small, too fast.
What will make it more difficult is that you are not there to praise him or give him a treat when he uses the paper. Miniature Pinschers (like most creatures) love praise and will learn best when praised or rewarded. Still, when you get home and your pet has used the paper in your absence, give plenty of praise. And that goes double for when you are there using the crate.
It will eventually learn. Training your Miniature Pinscher requires lots of patience and persistance, but it is worth the effort.