These obedience commands are essential for every Schnauzer’s safety and happiness. Training will be more rewarding, and your bond will grow stronger.
You brought home a Schnauzer, and now you’re living with what can only be described as a tiny, bearded genius with an opinion about everything. Congratulations! These dogs are phenomenal companions, fiercely loyal, and entertaining beyond measure. They’re also stubborn, vocal, and convinced they know better than you about pretty much everything from dinner time to who should be allowed on the porch.
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Training isn’t optional with this breed; it’s survival. But don’t worry, Schnauzers actually love learning when it’s done right. They thrive on mental stimulation and challenges. Master these nine essential commands, and you’ll unlock a well-adjusted, obedient companion who still maintains that signature Schnauzer sass we all adore.
1. Sit: The Foundation of Everything
Think of “sit” as the gateway command to your Schnauzer’s education. This simple position is the building block for practically every other behavior you’ll teach. When your Schnauzer learns to sit on command, they’re learning impulse control, focus, and that good things happen when they listen to you.
Schnauzers are naturally springy and energetic, which means getting them to park their fuzzy bottoms can feel like asking a jackrabbit to meditate. Start with treats held above their nose, moving slowly backward until they naturally sit. The moment that butt hits the ground, reward instantly. Practice this everywhere: before meals, at doorways, when guests arrive, and especially when they’re demanding attention with those soulful eyes.
The “sit” command transforms chaos into calm. It’s your emergency brake, your reset button, and your secret weapon for managing an excitable Schnauzer in any situation.
2. Stay: Teaching Patience to the Impatient
If “sit” is the foundation, then “stay” is the roof that completes the structure. This command teaches your Schnauzer that sometimes doing nothing is the best thing to do. For a breed that thinks every moment should involve action, adventure, or at minimum some quality barking, this is revolutionary.
Start small. Have your Schnauzer sit, then take one step back while holding up your palm in a stop gesture. Return immediately and reward. Gradually increase distance and duration, but here’s the key: always return to them rather than calling them to you. That’s a different command entirely, and mixing the two will confuse even the brightest Schnauzer brain.
The real magic of “stay” reveals itself in practical situations. Imagine your Schnauzer staying calmly while you answer the door instead of launching themselves at visitors like a furry missile. Picture them remaining in place while you prep their food bowl instead of dancing around your ankles. That’s the power of a solid stay command.
3. Come: The Lifesaving Recall
Let’s get serious for a moment. A reliable recall command can literally save your Schnauzer’s life. Whether they’ve slipped their leash, spotted a squirrel, or decided to investigate something dangerous, having them return to you immediately is non-negotiable.
Schnauzers have selective hearing. They can hear you; they’re just evaluating whether what you’re calling them for is more interesting than what they’re currently investigating. This is why you need to make coming to you the absolute best decision they could possibly make. Use high-value treats, enthusiastic praise, and never, ever call them to you for something unpleasant.
Practice recall in controlled environments first. Use a long training lead in enclosed spaces. Make yourself exciting: crouch down, use a happy voice, even run away from them to trigger their chase instinct. When they reach you, throw a party. Every single time. Your Schnauzer should think that coming when called is equivalent to winning the lottery.
4. Down: The Ultimate Relaxation Position
“Down” takes submission and calmness to the next level. While “sit” is great for short-term control, “down” signals to your Schnauzer that it’s time to truly settle. This position is naturally calming for dogs because it’s harder to launch into action from a lying position.
Teaching “down” to a Schnauzer requires patience because this breed doesn’t naturally love vulnerable positions. They prefer to stay ready for action. Lure them down with treats, moving your hand from their nose to the ground and slightly away. Some Schnauzers will fold right down; others will perform what looks like yoga poses trying to get the treat without fully committing to the position.
| Command | Difficulty Level | Average Training Time | Best Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sit | Easy | 1-2 weeks | Greetings, meal prep, basic control |
| Stay | Moderate | 2-4 weeks | Safety, household management, vet visits |
| Come | Moderate to Hard | 3-6 weeks | Emergency recall, off-leash control |
| Down | Moderate | 2-3 weeks | Calming, extended waits, public spaces |
5. Leave It: The “Don’t Touch That!” Command
Schnauzers are curious creatures with zero respect for the concept of “that’s not yours.” They will investigate garbage, chase wildlife, pick up questionable items on walks, and generally interact with things that should remain uninteracted with. “Leave it” is your verbal force field.
This command means “ignore that thing and pay attention to me instead.” Start with training treats: place one on the ground, cover it with your hand, and say “leave it.” When your Schnauzer stops trying to get it and looks at you instead, reward them with a different, better treat from your other hand. This teaches them that leaving things alone actually results in better rewards.
Progress to more tempting scenarios gradually. Drop food near them on walks. Practice with toys. Eventually, your Schnauzer should be able to walk past a bacon cheeseburger on the sidewalk without breaking stride. (Okay, maybe that’s ambitious, but you get the idea.)
6. Drop It: For When Prevention Fails
Let’s be realistic: your Schnauzer will occasionally get something they shouldn’t have. “Drop it” is your emergency extraction command for those inevitable moments when “leave it” wasn’t enough or wasn’t used in time.
Never chase your Schnauzer or try to pry things from their mouth. That’s a game to them, and you’ll lose every time. Instead, offer a trade. Show them an amazing treat or toy, and when they drop the contraband to investigate, say “drop it,” then reward them. They learn that releasing items results in good outcomes, not confrontation.
Practice with low-value items first. Hand them a boring toy, ask for “drop it,” and reward when they release. Gradually work up to more exciting objects. Eventually, your Schnauzer should willingly spit out anything, even half-eaten pizza found in the park, when you give the command.
“Leave it” prevents the problem; “drop it” solves the problem. Together, they form your defense system against your Schnauzer’s tendency to interact with the entire world using their mouth.
7. Heel: Walking Without the Sled Dog Impression
Schnauzers may be small to medium-sized, but they pull like they’re training for the Iditarod. “Heel” teaches your dog to walk politely beside you without treating the leash like a towrope. This command transforms walks from shoulder-dislocating ordeals into pleasant strolls.
The goal is having your Schnauzer walk with their shoulder roughly aligned with your leg, maintaining that position regardless of distractions. Start in boring environments with minimal distractions. Hold treats at your side, and reward your dog for staying in position. Stop walking whenever they pull; resume only when there’s slack in the leash.
Consistency is everything with loose-leash walking. Every single walk is a training session. If you sometimes allow pulling and sometimes don’t, you’re teaching your Schnauzer that pulling works occasionally, which means they’ll try it constantly. Commit to the training, and in a few weeks, you’ll have a Schnauzer who walks like a gentleman or lady instead of a runaway train.
8. Quiet: Taming the Schnauzer Voice
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Schnauzers bark. They bark at noises, strangers, other dogs, the wind, suspicious-looking trees, and sometimes apparently nothing at all. While you can’t completely eliminate this behavior (it’s genetic), you can certainly manage it with the “quiet” command.
First, understand that barking serves a purpose for your Schnauzer. They’re alerting you to perceived threats and doing their job as guardian of the realm. Acknowledge this, then redirect. When they bark at something, calmly say “quiet” and immediately redirect their attention to you with a treat or toy. When the barking stops, reward lavishly.
Never yell “quiet” at a barking Schnauzer. To them, you’re just joining in the barking, which validates their behavior. Stay calm, be consistent, and reward silence. Your neighbors will thank you, and your Schnauzer will learn that being quiet gets better results than volume.
9. Place: Creating a Home Base
“Place” or “go to your spot” gives your Schnauzer a designated location where they should go and settle. This could be a dog bed, a mat, or a specific area of the room. This command is incredibly useful for managing your dog during meals, when guests visit, or when you need them out from underfoot.
Start by making their designated spot the best place on earth. Feed meals there, give special treats there, and make it associated with positive experiences. Then begin adding the command: lure them to the spot, say “place,” and reward when they settle. Gradually increase the duration they’re expected to stay there and the distance you move away.
The beauty of “place” is that it gives your Schnauzer a job and a purpose. Instead of anxiously wondering what they should do while you’re cooking dinner or working at your desk, they know exactly where to be. It reduces stress for both of you and creates structure in your household routine.
A well-trained Schnauzer isn’t a robot; they’re a confident, secure dog who understands their role in the family. These commands create a framework for communication that strengthens your bond and makes life together infinitely more enjoyable.
Training your Schnauzer takes time, patience, and consistency, but the investment pays dividends for years to come. These nine commands form the foundation of a well-adjusted, obedient companion who’s welcome everywhere from the dog park to your best friend’s white couch. Start with one command at a time, practice daily in short sessions, and remember that every Schnauzer learns at their own pace. Before you know it, you’ll have a bearded genius who not only knows these commands but actually follows them (most of the time, anyway).
