From high-fives to show-stopping stunts, these clever tricks will make your schnauzer the star of the room.
Your Miniature Schnauzer might already be the star of your household, but imagine the delight of friends and family when your little bearded buddy shows off some jaw-dropping tricks.
These clever pups are not just adorable companions, they are also whip-smart and eager to learn. With a bit of patience, practice, and plenty of treats, your Schnauzer can master tricks that will leave everyone clapping and laughing. Get ready to turn your living room into the ultimate doggy talent show.
The Foundation Tricks: Building Your Pup’s Confidence
1. Shake Paws
Let’s start with the granddaddy of all dog tricks. Teaching your Schnauzer to shake paws is like giving them a proper introduction to the world of performance. This classic crowd-pleaser transforms every greeting into a moment of charm. Your Schnauzer extends a paw for a handshake, and suddenly every guest feels like they’ve made a new best friend.
The beauty of this trick lies in its simplicity and universal appeal. Kids giggle with delight when your pup offers them a “proper handshake,” and adults can’t help but smile at the unexpected politeness. Start by holding a treat in your closed fist near your dog’s chest level, then gently lift their paw while saying “shake.” Repeat this motion until they naturally lift their paw when you extend your hand.
2. Spin in a Circle
Nothing says “showtime” quite like a spinning Schnauzer. Teach your pup to twirl on command, and you’ll have a furry little dancer who steals the spotlight every time. This trick works particularly well because Miniature Schnauzers have that natural spunk and energy that makes their spins look effortless and joyful.
Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose and slowly guide them in a complete circle while saying “spin” or “turn around.” The key is keeping the treat close enough that they follow it with their whole body, not just their head. Once they complete the circle, reward immediately and shower them with praise.
3. Sit Pretty
Picture this: your Schnauzer balancing gracefully on their back legs, front paws raised like they’re begging for an Oscar. Sit pretty is both adorable and impressive, plus it’s a fantastic photo opportunity that’ll rack up likes on your social media faster than you can say “good dog.”
This trick requires a bit more core strength from your pup, so make sure they’ve mastered the basic “sit” first. From a sitting position, hold a treat slightly above their head and slowly move it back. As they reach up, their front paws will naturally lift off the ground. The moment they balance, even for a second, mark it with a “yes!” and treat.
Intermediate Showstoppers
4. High Five
Consider this the cool older sibling of the handshake. An upgrade from the basic paw shake, this trick makes your dog look like a true teammate ready to celebrate every small victory. There’s something incredibly satisfying about high-fiving your dog after they nail a particularly tricky command.
Start with your Schnauzer in a sitting position and hold your hand up flat, palm facing them. Use the same technique as the handshake, but lift their paw higher to meet your palm. The timing here is crucial. You want to catch their paw at the peak of the motion for that perfect slap sound that makes everyone cheer.
5. Play Dead
Few tricks get bigger reactions than the dramatic death scene. A theatrical flop to the floor followed by a perfectly still pose will have everyone in stitches. Miniature Schnauzers, with their naturally expressive faces and theatrical tendencies, are born for this role.
Teaching “play dead” requires patience because you’re asking your dog to go against every instinct they have (staying alert and ready for action). Start with your dog lying down, then use a treat to guide their head to one side until they roll over onto their side. Add a verbal cue like “bang!” and a finger gun gesture for maximum drama.
Pro Trainer Tip: The secret to a convincing death scene isn’t just the fall, it’s the stillness that follows. Practice the “stay” command extensively before attempting this trick, as the real magic happens when your Schnauzer can hold that motionless pose while you count to ten.
6. Roll Over
This playful move combines cuteness and athletic skill, making it a guaranteed applause-getter. The roll over demonstrates your Schnauzer’s trust in you and their willingness to be vulnerable, which makes it extra special to witness.
Begin with your dog in the “down” position. Hold a treat close to their nose, then slowly move it from their nose toward their shoulder, encouraging them to follow the treat with their head. As their head turns, their body should naturally follow. Be patient here, some dogs catch on immediately, while others need several sessions to coordinate the full motion.
Advanced Crowd-Pleasers
7. Speak on Command
Harness that natural Schnauzer sass! These dogs have opinions, and teaching them to bark when asked suddenly gives you a built-in performer with perfect comedic timing. The trick is teaching them when to speak, not just how (most Schnauzers have the “how” down pat).
Wait for a moment when your dog naturally barks, then immediately say “speak” and reward them. The challenge isn’t getting them to bark, it’s getting them to bark only when asked. Practice in different environments and situations to ensure they understand the command applies everywhere, not just during training time.
8. Fetch Specific Toys
Now we’re entering genius territory. Go beyond basic fetch by teaching your dog to bring a particular toy by name. This trick shows off both memory and intelligence, and it never fails to impress guests who watch your Schnauzer sort through a pile of toys to find the exact one you requested.
Start simple with just two distinctly different toys. Name each one consistently (“Get your ball” or “Bring me the rope”), and reward only when they bring the correct item. Gradually add more toys to their vocabulary. Some Schnauzers can learn dozens of toy names!
The Practical Showoffs
| Trick Name | Difficulty Level | Training Time | Wow Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shake Paws | Beginner | 1-2 weeks | High |
| Spin in Circle | Beginner | 1-3 weeks | Medium |
| Sit Pretty | Intermediate | 2-4 weeks | High |
| Play Dead | Advanced | 3-6 weeks | Very High |
| Fetch by Name | Advanced | 4-8 weeks | Very High |
9. Wave Hello
Have your Schnauzer lift a paw and wave to guests like they’re greeting old friends at a neighborhood barbecue. This trick is irresistible and melts hearts instantly. It’s basically the canine equivalent of being a natural-born host.
Build on the handshake foundation, but instead of grabbing their paw, encourage them to lift and move it in a waving motion. Use an enthusiastic “wave hello!” command and make sure you’re waving too, dogs often mirror our body language.
10. Take a Bow
After a stellar performance of tricks, what could be better than teaching your pup to bend down in a bow as the grand finale? This trick combines elegance with showmanship, turning your Schnauzer into a true performer who knows how to work an audience.
The bow is all about the front-end stretch. Start with your dog standing, then hold a treat low to the ground between their front paws. As they reach down for the treat, their front end will lower while their rear stays up. The moment you see that perfect bow position, mark and reward.
11. Back Up
Whether it’s part of a silly routine or just for laughs, teaching your Schnauzer to walk backward always gets a surprised reaction. There’s something inherently funny about watching a confident little dog moonwalk across your living room.
Face your dog and step toward them while saying “back up.” Most dogs will naturally step backward to maintain their comfort zone. Reward each backward step until they can take several steps in reverse on command.
The Ultimate Showstoppers
12. Put Toys Away
Here’s where practical meets impressive. This trick doubles as entertainment and cleanup duty. Watching a Miniature Schnauzer methodically tidy up their own toys is absolutely unforgettable and saves you from stepping on squeaky toys in the middle of the night.
Start by teaching your dog to “drop it” into a specific container. Hold the toy basket or box, ask for the toy, and when they drop it in, celebrate like they just solved world hunger. Gradually increase the distance between your dog and the container.
Reality Check: Don’t expect your Schnauzer to become Marie Kondo overnight. This trick takes serious dedication and patience, but the payoff is incredible. Plus, you’ll never have to pick up dog toys again!
13. Ring a Bell
Train your dog to tap a bell with their paw or nose, and you’ve got yourself a four-legged butler. This trick can serve multiple purposes: signaling when they need to go outside, announcing dinnertime, or simply amazing visitors with their cleverness. It’s practical and impressive.
Hang a bell at your dog’s nose level and encourage them to touch it. The moment they make contact and it rings, reward immediately. Some dogs prefer using their paw, while others go for the nose approach. Either way works perfectly.
Training Insight: The bell trick often becomes your Schnauzer’s favorite because they quickly realize it gets them immediate attention. Be prepared for a dog who rings the bell just to see you come running, they’re smart enough to figure out cause and effect pretty quickly!
Your Schnauzer’s Time to Shine
Training your Miniature Schnauzer to perform these tricks isn’t just about the entertainment value (though watching friends’ jaws drop never gets old). It’s about building a deeper bond with your pup and giving their active minds the stimulation they crave. These intelligent dogs thrive on mental challenges, and trick training provides the perfect outlet for their energy and eagerness to please.
Remember that every dog learns at their own pace. Some Schnauzers will master a new trick in a few days, while others might need weeks of practice. The key is keeping sessions short, positive, and packed with rewards. Your patience and consistency will pay off when your little performer takes center stage and shows off their incredible skills.
