Fix these 7 annoying Schnauzer habits today for a happier home. Easy solutions that improve behavior and strengthen your bond.
Living with a Schnauzer is like sharing your home with a furry comedian who forgot they’re supposed to follow your script. One moment they’re adorably posing by the window, and the next they’re staging a full-blown protest because you moved their food bowl two inches to the left.
These quirky dogs pack enormous personalities into compact bodies, which sometimes means enormous behavioral challenges too. The behaviors that drive Schnauzer owners up the wall are surprisingly common across the breed. Even better news? They’re fixable. Today, we’re tackling seven of the most frustrating Schnauzer habits and showing you exactly how to nip them in the bud.
1. The Endless Barking Symphony
Schnauzers were originally bred as farm dogs and ratters, which means they came hardwired with an alert system that would make any security company jealous. Unfortunately, this translates to barking at everything: the mailman, falling leaves, their own reflection, or absolutely nothing you can detect.
Why they do it: Your Schnauzer isn’t being deliberately annoying. They’re doing their job as they understand it, protecting the home and alerting you to potential threats. Their breed instinct tells them that every sound, movement, or change in the environment deserves a vocal announcement.
The key to fixing excessive barking lies in teaching your Schnauzer the “quiet” command while addressing the root cause. When your dog starts barking, acknowledge what they’re alerting you to (“Thank you, I see it”), then give a firm “quiet” command. The moment they stop, even for a second, reward them immediately with a treat and praise.
Consistency is absolutely everything when training a Schnauzer. These clever dogs will find every loophole in your training routine if you let them, so make sure everyone in the household follows the same rules.
You’ll also want to work on desensitization. If your Schnauzer loses it every time the doorbell rings, practice having someone ring it repeatedly while you calmly reward your dog for staying quiet. Over time, the doorbell becomes boring rather than exciting.
2. Destructive Chewing Adventures
Come home to shredded couch cushions? Discover your favorite shoes have been redesigned with teeth marks? Welcome to the Schnauzer chewing club. These dogs have powerful jaws and an intense need to keep themselves occupied.
Chewing becomes problematic when Schnauzers are bored, anxious, or teething (in younger dogs). An under-stimulated Schnauzer is a destructive Schnauzer. Their intelligent minds need jobs, and if you don’t provide appropriate outlets, they’ll create their own entertainment at your expense.
The solution involves a two-pronged approach: providing appropriate chewing alternatives and increasing mental stimulation. Invest in durable chew toys, rotating them regularly to maintain novelty. Kong toys stuffed with frozen peanut butter can keep a Schnauzer occupied for extended periods.
Exercise is crucial. A tired Schnauzer is a well-behaved Schnauzer. Before leaving them alone, ensure they’ve had a good walk or play session. Mental exercise counts too – puzzle toys, training sessions, or hide-and-seek games with treats can exhaust their brain just as effectively as physical activity exhausts their body.
When you catch them chewing something inappropriate, don’t just say “no.” Redirect them to an appropriate toy and praise them enthusiastically when they switch. This teaches them what they should chew rather than just what they shouldn’t.
3. The Separation Anxiety Meltdown
Schnauzers bond intensely with their humans, which sounds wonderful until you try to leave the house. Some Schnauzers take separation personally, responding with destructive behavior, excessive barking, or even house soiling when left alone.
| Separation Anxiety Signs | Typical Duration | Severity Level |
|---|---|---|
| Pacing and whining | First 15 minutes | Mild |
| Destructive chewing | Throughout absence | Moderate |
| House soiling (despite being trained) | Variable | Moderate to Severe |
| Excessive barking/howling | Entire duration alone | Severe |
| Self-injury attempts | Throughout absence | Severe (requires professional help) |
Building independence starts with small steps. Practice leaving for just 30 seconds, then return calmly without making a big fuss. Gradually increase the duration. The key is keeping departures and arrivals low-key so your Schnauzer doesn’t associate your leaving with drama.
Create a positive association with alone time by giving your Schnauzer a special treat or toy they only get when you leave. This could be a puzzle feeder or a favorite chew. Before you go, ensure they’ve been exercised. A tired dog is less likely to spiral into anxiety.
Crate training can actually help anxiety-prone Schnauzers by providing a den-like safe space. Never use the crate as punishment, though. It should be their cozy retreat filled with comfortable bedding and positive associations.
For severe cases where your Schnauzer is genuinely distressed (not just bored), consult a veterinary behaviorist. Some dogs benefit from anxiety medications combined with behavioral modification, especially during the training process.
4. Food Aggression and Resource Guarding
That sweet Schnauzer face can turn surprisingly fierce when they’re protecting their food bowl, favorite toy, or prime spot on the couch. Resource guarding stems from insecurity and the fear that their valuable items will be taken away.
Never punish resource guarding. This confirms your dog’s fears and can make the behavior worse or even dangerous. Instead, teach your Schnauzer that hands near their resources mean good things happen.
Start by hand-feeding meals occasionally so they associate your hands with food provision rather than food removal. When your Schnauzer is eating, walk by and toss an extra-special treat into their bowl (something better than their regular food, like small pieces of chicken). They’ll start anticipating your approach with excitement rather than defensiveness.
The goal isn’t to constantly take things from your Schnauzer to show dominance. Instead, you’re building trust and teaching them that sharing resources and having humans nearby makes life better, not worse.
Practice “trade-up” games with toys. When your Schnauzer has a toy, offer something more enticing in exchange. Once they drop the first toy, give them the better item, then return the original toy too. They learn that giving things up doesn’t mean permanent loss.
If your Schnauzer’s resource guarding includes snapping or biting, please work with a professional trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods. Safety comes first.
5. Leash Pulling Like a Sled Dog
Walking a Schnauzer who hasn’t learned leash manners feels like being dragged by a surprisingly strong furry locomotive. These determined dogs will pull toward every interesting smell, sight, or sound, turning pleasant walks into arm-wrenching exercises.
Schnauzers pull because it works. When they strain against the leash, they generally get where they want to go, which reinforces the behavior. You’ve accidentally trained them that pulling is effective.
The solution requires patience: stop moving forward whenever the leash becomes taut. Stand still like a tree. The instant your Schnauzer releases tension on the leash, even slightly, praise and continue walking. At first, walks will be frustratingly slow. You might only make it down the driveway in 10 minutes. That’s okay. Consistency pays off.
Consider using a front-clip harness rather than a collar. These harnesses gently redirect your dog’s momentum toward you when they pull, making it harder for them to drag you forward. Pair this with the stop-and-go method for maximum effectiveness.
Reward frequently when your Schnauzer walks nicely beside you. Carry high-value treats and give them every few steps initially when they maintain a loose leash. Gradually increase the distance between rewards as the behavior becomes habitual.
6. Jumping on Everyone and Everything
Schnauzers are enthusiastic greeters who express their joy vertically. While you might tolerate muddy paw prints on your jeans, your grandmother or toddler niece probably won’t appreciate a jumping Schnauzer. Plus, it’s a dominance behavior that shouldn’t be encouraged.
Dogs jump up to seek attention and affection. When someone squeals, pushes them down, or even scolds them, the Schnauzer still got what they wanted: attention. Even negative attention reinforces jumping behavior.
The most effective method is removing all attention when jumping occurs. When your Schnauzer jumps, immediately turn your back and cross your arms. Don’t look at them, speak to them, or touch them. Wait until all four paws are on the ground, then calmly praise and pet them at their level.
This requires coordination with everyone your dog interacts with. Brief visitors on the protocol before they enter. If they undermine your training by allowing jumping, your progress will be slower.
Training a Schnauzer means outsmarting a dog that was bred to think independently. Stay one step ahead by being more stubborn and consistent than they are, which is no small feat.
Teaching an alternative greeting behavior helps too. Train your Schnauzer to sit when greeting people. Once they’ve mastered this, they can’t simultaneously sit and jump. Reward the sitting heavily, and it becomes their new default greeting.
7. Stubborn Selective Hearing
Ask your Schnauzer to come inside when they’re investigating something fascinating in the yard, and suddenly they’ve gone completely deaf. These dogs have mastered the art of ignoring commands when something more interesting competes for their attention.
This isn’t actual deafness or spite. Schnauzers are independent thinkers bred to work autonomously on farms. They naturally evaluate whether following a command is worth their while. If the environment offers more compelling options, your command loses the competition.
Make compliance more rewarding than the distraction. This means drastically increasing the value of your rewards during training. Forget the dry kibble. Use real chicken, cheese, or whatever makes your Schnauzer lose their mind with excitement.
Practice recall in progressively more distracting environments. Start in a boring room with no competition. When they come reliably, move to a slightly more interesting location. Gradually build up to outdoor areas with squirrels, other dogs, and exciting smells. Rush this progression, and your training will fall apart.
Never call your Schnauzer to you for something unpleasant like nail trimming or ending playtime. This creates negative associations with coming when called. Instead, go get them for unpleasant necessities. Reserve the recall command exclusively for positive or neutral outcomes followed by rewards.
Use a long training leash during practice sessions so your Schnauzer can’t rehearse ignoring you. If they don’t respond to your call, gently reel them in (don’t drag or yank), then reward as if they came willingly. They learn that responding is inevitable, so they might as well do it and get the treat.
The beautiful truth about Schnauzer training is that these dogs are incredibly intelligent. The same qualities that make them stubborn and occasionally infuriating also make them highly trainable. They learn quickly when properly motivated and consistently guided. Your Schnauzer isn’t broken or bad, they simply need clear communication about what behaviors earn rewards in your household.
With patience, appropriate techniques, and genuine consistency, you can eliminate these annoying habits and unlock the wonderful companion hiding beneath the mischievous exterior. Start with one habit, master it, then move to the next. Before you know it, you’ll have the well-mannered Schnauzer you always knew was possible.
