🐾 Struggling with Your Stubborn Schnauzer? These 8 Tips Will Amaze You!

Stubbornness is part of their charm. Use these expert techniques to handle your Schnauzer with calm confidence.

Schnauzers are not Golden Retrievers. They won’t eagerly comply just because you asked nicely. They’re not Border Collies either, hanging on your every word waiting for the next command. No, Schnauzers are something else entirely: pocket sized philosophers who question everything. Every. Single. Thing.

This isn’t defiance for the sake of being difficult. Your Schnauzer genuinely wants to understand why they should sit, stay, or come when there’s a fascinating smell over there that clearly requires immediate investigation. Once you understand that their stubbornness stems from intelligence and curiosity rather than disrespect, everything changes.

Understanding the Schnauzer Mindset

Schnauzers weren’t bred to be yes dogs. Whether you have a Miniature, Standard, or Giant Schnauzer, you’re dealing with a breed developed for independent work. These dogs spent centuries ratting in German stables, a job that required them to think on their feet (or paws) without constant human direction. That genetic programming doesn’t just disappear because you want them to drop your favorite shoe.

This breed’s intelligence is both a blessing and a challenge. Schnauzers learn commands quickly, but they also learn your weaknesses even faster. They’re constantly assessing situations, looking for loopholes, and testing boundaries. It’s exhausting. It’s also kind of impressive when you think about it.

The key to handling Schnauzer stubbornness isn’t dominance or force. It’s understanding that these dogs need a reason to cooperate beyond “because I said so.” Make obedience worth their while, and watch that stubborn streak become focused determination.

Establish Yourself as the Leader (Without Being a Tyrant)

Schnauzers respect confident, consistent leadership. They do not respect bullying, yelling, or physical corrections. In fact, harsh methods typically backfire spectacularly with this breed, creating either a fearful dog or an even more resistant one. Neither outcome is what you’re aiming for.

Leadership with Schnauzers looks different than it might with other breeds. You’re not dominating; you’re being the calm, reliable decision maker. This means consistency above all else. If jumping on the couch isn’t allowed, it’s never allowed, not even when you’re tired and don’t feel like enforcing the rule. Schnauzers will absolutely exploit inconsistency.

Control resources strategically. Your Schnauzer gets meals, treats, toys, and attention when you decide, not when they demand it. This isn’t about deprivation; it’s about establishing that good things flow from you when they make good choices. A Schnauzer who learns that polite sitting earns dinner will become very good at polite sitting.

The Power of Motivation Based Training

Forget the idea that dogs should obey out of respect or duty. Schnauzers especially need better motivation than abstract concepts. What they do understand is cost benefit analysis. Will obeying this command result in something awesome? Then maybe they’ll consider it.

High value rewards are non negotiable. Figure out what your Schnauzer finds irresistible. For some, it’s tiny pieces of chicken or cheese. For others, it’s a favorite squeaky toy or a game of tug. Whatever flips their switch, that’s your secret weapon. Regular kibble as a training reward? Your Schnauzer is insulted by the very suggestion.

Make training feel like their idea. Schnauzers hate feeling bossed around but love feeling clever. Frame commands as opportunities for them to earn something they want. When “come” means exciting treats and praise, suddenly coming becomes far more appealing than ignoring you.

Master the Art of Timing

Schnauzers need to see immediate connections between behavior and consequences. Delayed rewards or corrections mean nothing to them. If you call your Schnauzer and they eventually meander over three minutes later, rewarding them then just reinforces meandering. You’ve got about a two second window to connect action with outcome.

This is where many owners struggle. They reward the sit, but not quickly enough, so the dog has already shifted position. Or they try to correct digging five minutes after it happened. Your Schnauzer has zero idea what you’re fussing about. They live entirely in the moment, which means your feedback needs to live there too.

Use a marker system, like a clicker or a specific word (“yes!”), to bridge the gap. The instant your Schnauzer does what you want, mark it. Then deliver the reward within seconds. This clear communication helps even the most stubborn Schnauzer understand exactly what behavior you’re rewarding.

Turn Stubbornness Into a Training Asset

Here’s a perspective shift: your Schnauzer’s stubbornness is actually useful. That determination means they’ll work hard for something they want. Their persistence means they’ll keep trying to solve puzzle toys when other dogs give up. Their strong will makes them excellent watchdogs who won’t back down from protecting their family.

Channel that stubbornness productively. Teach complex tricks that challenge their intelligent minds. Try nose work or scent detection games. Set up agility courses in your backyard. A mentally stimulated Schnauzer is a more cooperative Schnauzer because they’re getting an outlet for all that intense personality.

Stubborn dogs aren’t broken dogs. They’re dogs who need their intelligence engaged. A bored Schnauzer invents their own entertainment, and you probably won’t like their creative choices. Keep that sharp mind busy, and watch the “stubbornness” transform into impressive focus.

Physical exercise matters, but mental exercise is crucial. A tired Schnauzer is lovely. A tired and mentally satisfied Schnauzer is downright angelic. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, and interactive games should be part of your daily routine.

Anticipate and Prevent Rather Than Constantly Correct

Schnauzers thrive on routine and clear expectations. They’re more likely to be stubborn when they’re confused, understimulated, or in situations that trigger their genetic drives. Smart management prevents many behavioral standoffs before they begin.

Know your dog’s triggers. Does your Schnauzer become selectively deaf around other dogs? Practice recall in gradually more distracting environments. Do they refuse to come inside from the yard? Make inside time more appealing than outside time with special treats or play sessions that only happen indoors.

Environmental management is your friend. If your Schnauzer counter surfs, don’t leave food within reach while you’re still working on impulse control. If they bark territorially at the window, limit window access during trigger times. You’re not giving up; you’re being strategic while training takes effect.

The Schnauzer Specific Communication Style

Schnauzers read energy and body language with uncanny accuracy. Your frustrated sighs, tense posture, and irritated tone tell them everything. If you approach training sessions stressed and angry, your Schnauzer will either shut down or match your energy with resistant behavior.

Stay calm and matter of fact. When your Schnauzer ignores a command, don’t escalate emotionally. Simply withhold the reward and try again, possibly making the task easier. Big emotional reactions (positive or negative) can actually reinforce stubborn behavior because Schnauzers love being the center of attention, even if it’s negative attention.

Use a happy, upbeat tone for commands you want them to love, like “come” or their name. Use a neutral, firm (not harsh) tone for commands like “leave it” or “stop.” Your voice is a powerful tool. Schnauzers respond better to confident pleasantness than drill sergeant barking.

When Stubbornness Becomes a Safety Issue

Some stubborn behaviors aren’t just annoying; they’re dangerous. A Schnauzer who refuses to come when called near traffic or bolts out open doors is a Schnauzer at risk. These situations require different strategies than teaching polite leash walking.

For safety critical behaviors, use management and training together. Keep your Schnauzer on a long line during recall training until it’s bulletproof. Install baby gates or barriers to prevent door dashing. Never rely on obedience alone when safety is at stake until you’ve practiced in hundreds of scenarios with perfect success.

The stubbornness that seems like personality quirk in your living room becomes a serious problem near busy streets or off leash areas. Safety behaviors need to be practiced until they’re muscle memory, and that takes far more repetition with Schnauzers than with biddable breeds. Accept this reality and train accordingly.

Consider working with a professional trainer who has specific Schnauzer experience for serious stubbornness issues. These dogs require different techniques than many other breeds, and generic training advice often fails with them. A knowledgeable trainer can spot issues you’re missing and provide Schnauzer specific solutions.

Consistency Across All Family Members

Your Schnauzer will absolutely play family members against each other if given the chance. If you enforce the no begging rule but your partner sneaks table scraps, your Schnauzer learns that persistence and strategic positioning pay off. This fragments your training and amplifies stubborn behavior.

Everyone in the household needs to use the same commands, enforce the same rules, and follow the same protocols. Have a family meeting. Write down the rules if necessary. Your Schnauzer should experience consistent expectations regardless of which human they’re interacting with.

This extends to guests too. Brief visitors on your rules before your Schnauzer has a chance to test them. A quick “please don’t pet him when he jumps” prevents reinforcing behavior you’ve worked hard to eliminate. Most guests are happy to cooperate once they understand.

Celebrate Small Victories

Progress with stubborn Schnauzers often comes in tiny increments. Your dog might sit 50% faster this week than last week. They might come when called three times out of five instead of one time out of five. These improvements deserve recognition, even if they don’t look like the perfect obedience you’re envisioning.

Acknowledge growth. When your previously stubborn Schnauzer chooses to obey on the first command, throw a party (metaphorically or literally with treats). Positive reinforcement isn’t just for during training sessions; it’s a lifestyle. Catch your Schnauzer being good and reward it heavily.

Remember that backsliding happens. Schnauzers sometimes need to retest boundaries they previously accepted, especially during adolescence or when routines change. Don’t interpret this as training failure. It’s normal. Calmly reinforce your expectations and move forward.

The Long Game

Transforming a stubborn Schnauzer into a cooperative partner isn’t a weekend project. It’s an ongoing relationship that requires patience, humor, and flexibility. These dogs mature slowly, with many remaining puppyishly mischievous well into their third year. Accept that you’re in this for the long haul.

The payoff is worth it. A well trained Schnauzer is an incredible companion: loyal, protective, entertaining, and deeply bonded with their family. That stubbornness becomes tenacity in everything they do, from learning new tricks to defending their home to loving their people with fierce devotion.

Your Schnauzer’s strong personality is exactly why you chose this breed (or why they chose you). Don’t wish it away. Learn to work with it, redirect it, and yes, sometimes just laugh at it. The battle of wills becomes a dance when you understand the steps. And honestly? Life with a Schnauzer who keeps you on your toes is never boring.