Training starts with the basics. Here are the five essential commands every Schnauzer should master for better behavior fast.
Schnauzers weren’t bred to be couch potatoes. These dogs were originally working farm dogs in Germany, ratting, guarding, and herding with enthusiasm. That working heritage means your Schnauzer has energy, intelligence, and opinions… lots of opinions. Without training, you’re basically living with a furry, opinionated roommate who refuses to pay rent.
The good news? Teaching your Schnauzer basic commands taps into their natural desire to work and please you (when they feel like it). These five commands are non-negotiables, the foundation of every well-trained Schnauzer. Master these, and you’ll have a dog who’s not only obedient but genuinely happier because they understand what you want.
1. Sit: The Gateway Command
Sit is the foundation of literally everything else you’ll teach your Schnauzer. It’s like the ABCs before reading Shakespeare. When your dog understands sit, you’re establishing that you can ask for something and they’ll deliver. For a breed that likes to make their own decisions, this is huge.
Start with a treat held just above your Schnauzer’s nose. Move it back over their head slowly, and their butt will naturally hit the ground. The second it does, say “sit” and give them the treat. Practice this 5 to 10 times per session, twice daily.
Why is this command so critical? Because sit interrupts unwanted behaviors before they escalate. About to jump on a guest? Sit. Getting too excited before dinner? Sit. Spotted a squirrel and losing their mind? Sit first, then we discuss the squirrel situation.
Sit is the pause button for your Schnauzer’s brain. It transforms chaos into calm, one bottom-on-floor moment at a time.
Schnauzers learn sit incredibly fast, usually within a few days. But here’s the Schnauzer-specific challenge: they’ll pretend they forgot it when something more interesting appears. Stay consistent, reward every success, and don’t let those eyebrows manipulate you into accepting half-hearted sits.
2. Stay: Because Schnauzers Have Opinions About Everything
If sit is the foundation, stay is the scaffolding that holds everything together. This command teaches impulse control, which is something your energetic Schnauzer desperately needs. Without stay, your dog will sit for exactly 0.3 seconds before deciding they have better things to do.
Start by asking your Schnauzer to sit. Hold your palm up in a stop gesture and say “stay.” Take one step back. If they don’t move, immediately return and reward them. Gradually increase the distance and duration, but build slowly. Schnauzers will test boundaries, so rushing this command backfires spectacularly.
The real-world applications of stay are endless. Opening the front door without your dog bolting outside? Stay. Keeping them calm while you prepare their food? Stay. Preventing them from “greeting” other dogs by launching themselves across the park? You guessed it: stay.
| Training Stage | Distance | Duration | Distractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 1-2 feet | 3-5 seconds | None |
| Intermediate | 6-10 feet | 15-30 seconds | Mild (toys nearby) |
| Advanced | 20+ feet | 1-3 minutes | High (people, dogs, squirrels) |
Your Schnauzer will probably give you the stink eye during stay training. They’ll sigh dramatically. They’ll act like staying in place for ten seconds is a violation of their civil rights. Ignore the theatrics. Consistency wins, and soon they’ll understand that staying put actually gets them what they want faster.
3. Come: The Lifesaving Recall
Come isn’t just convenient; it’s potentially lifesaving. Schnauzers are curious and can be stubborn explorers. Whether they’ve slipped out the door, gotten off-leash accidentally, or decided to chase something, a solid recall command could save their life.
Start indoors with minimal distractions. Put your Schnauzer on a long leash, say their name followed by “come” in an enthusiastic voice, and gently reel them in if needed. When they reach you, throw a party. Treats, praise, the whole celebration. Make coming to you the best decision they’ll make all day.
Never, and I mean never, call your Schnauzer to come and then do something they hate. No baths, no nail trims, no leaving the fun dog park. If you poison the recall command, your Schnauzer will develop selective hearing at Olympic levels. Always make coming to you positive, even if you need to walk to them for the unpleasant stuff.
A reliable recall means freedom. Your Schnauzer gets to explore, play, and be a dog while you maintain peace of mind knowing they’ll return when called.
Practice come multiple times daily in different environments. Start in your quiet living room, then move to the backyard, then try a park with more distractions. Schnauzers are smart enough to understand that “come” in the house doesn’t automatically mean “come” when there are interesting smells elsewhere. Generalize the command across locations.
The secret weapon for Schnauzer recall? High-value treats. We’re talking small pieces of chicken, cheese, or whatever makes your dog lose their mind. Save these special rewards exclusively for recall practice. Your Schnauzer should think, “When I hear ‘come,’ amazing things happen.”
4. Leave It: Protecting Schnauzers From Themselves
Schnauzers are curious, mouthy, and convinced that everything on the ground is potential food. Leave it could prevent your dog from eating something toxic, grabbing another dog’s toy, or picking up that questionable street pizza. This command channels their “must investigate everything” instinct into self-control.
Hold a treat in your closed fist. Your Schnauzer will sniff, lick, and paw at your hand. Ignore all of it. The moment they back off, even slightly, say “leave it” and give them a different treat from your other hand. This teaches them that leaving something alone actually results in a better reward.
Progress to placing a treat on the floor, covering it with your hand, and saying “leave it.” When they stop trying to get it, reward from your other hand. Eventually, practice with items they shouldn’t have: dropped food, tissues, random outdoor treasures.
Leave it transforms your Schnauzer from a vacuum cleaner on legs into a dog who understands that not everything is theirs for the taking.
The Schnauzer-specific challenge here is their determination. These dogs don’t give up easily. If they want that fallen cookie, they’ll strategize ways to get it. Out-stubborn their stubbornness by being more consistent than they are persistent. And trust me, that takes commitment.
Real-world scenarios where leave it saves the day: dropped medication, chicken bones on sidewalks, dead animals at the park (why are Schnauzers obsessed with rolling in these?), other dogs’ toys, and your favorite shoes. Master this command and you’ll prevent countless emergency vet visits.
5. Down: The Ultimate Calm Command
Down is more than lying on the floor; it’s a vulnerable position that requires trust. For a Schnauzer, who often likes to be alert and ready for action, down represents submission and relaxation. This makes it harder to teach but incredibly valuable once mastered.
Start with your Schnauzer in a sit position. Hold a treat at their nose and slowly move it straight down to the floor between their paws. Their body should follow the treat into a down position. The moment their elbows touch the ground, say “down” and reward immediately. Some Schnauzers will resist lying down completely, offering what I call the “Sphinx position” with their butt in the air. Don’t accept it. Wait for the full down, even if it takes several attempts.
Why is down so important? It’s your emergency brake. A dog in a down position is calm, controlled, and less reactive. Use down at restaurants, in waiting rooms, or when guests visit. It communicates, “We’re chilling now, not in action mode.”
Many Schnauzers initially hate down because it feels like surrender. They’ll stand up repeatedly, offer sits instead, or give you those manipulative eyebrows. Stay patient. Practice on comfortable surfaces (not cold tile or rough concrete) to make it more appealing. Some trainers teach “place” or “bed” as an alternative, directing the dog to a specific mat or bed where down becomes more natural.
Combine down with stay for the ultimate control combo. A Schnauzer who can down-stay for five minutes during dinner has achieved serious impulse control. This level of training doesn’t happen overnight, especially with a breed that has opinions about everything, but the payoff is a dog who can accompany you anywhere.
Pro Training Tips for Schnauzer Success:
Keep training sessions short and sweet. Schnauzers are smart but easily bored. Five to ten minutes of focused training beats thirty minutes of frustrated repetition. End on a positive note, even if that means asking for an easy command they already know.
Use what motivates your specific Schnauzer. Some are food motivated, others prefer play or praise. Figure out what makes your dog tick and use that as your primary reward. Mix it up occasionally to keep things interesting.
Consistency across all family members matters enormously. If you say “down” but your partner says “lie down” and the kids say “get down,” your Schnauzer will be understandably confused. Everyone must use the same commands and rules.
Remember: Schnauzers are working dogs who thrive on mental stimulation. Training sessions aren’t chores; they’re bonding time that exercises your dog’s brain. A mentally tired Schnauzer is a well-behaved Schnauzer, and these five commands provide that mental workout while building obedience.
Your bearded companion has the intelligence and capability to master these commands quickly. The question isn’t whether your Schnauzer can learn them, but whether you’ll be consistent enough to teach them properly. Commit to regular practice, stay patient through the stubborn phases, and soon you’ll have a Schnauzer who’s as well-behaved as they are handsome. And trust me, that’s pretty darn impressive.
