The miniature pinscher is an active, inquisitive and demanding dog. Despite being small in size (25-30 cm high at the withers) it is a real concentrate of energy and determination. Its small size makes it an excellent apartment dog, but it is very important to indulge its desire to move and explore. To find out if it is the right dog for you, learn about the physical and character needs of the miniature pinscher and, once you understand that it is the friend you are looking for, read this article to find out how to keep it healthy and make it happy.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Assessing the Temper of a Dwarf Pinscher
Step 1. Take into consideration the dog's predatory instinct
The dwarf pinschers may seem delicate animals but, from the character point of view, they are very tenacious; they were originally selected as working dogs, tasked with hunting small vermin such as rats.
Take this aspect into account, especially if you keep small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters or mice; the pinscher might consider them prey and hunt them down
Step 2. Determine if your miniature pinscher has an independent temperament
Evaluating it is very important to establish how to train the animal. Being a working dog, the dwarf pinscher is inclined to think for himself and to decide accordingly; if you are not an experienced trainer or do not know exactly how to behave, you may have problems during the training process.
If this is your first time getting a dog and you simply want a companion animal that doesn't have much time to devote to its training, the miniature pinscher is not the best choice for you
Step 3. Consider the type of reaction a miniature pinscher may have in the presence of strangers
Most dwarf pinschers have a certain propensity for guarding and this natural instinct can make them wary of strangers; this aspect can create behavioral problems, such as when, for example, the dog constantly guards the front door or shows its territoriality in an aggressive manner towards strangers.
The courage that the pinscher shows in flushing out harmful animals also characterizes his attitude towards strangers; this means that, when the dog feels threatened, he is more inclined to attack than to run away
Step 4. Evaluate how curious a miniature pinscher can be
It is in the nature of these dogs to feel free to run and explore, which is why dwarf pinschers are skilled escape artists.
- As soon as the owner opens the door of the house, the typical miniature pinscher is ready to sneak out passing under his legs; if you decide to get a miniature pinscher, be prepared for this eventuality.
- If you have a backyard, make sure it's escape-proof, as dwarf pinschers are able to find the slightest passage in a fence and sneak inside to escape.
Step 5. Determine if the dog is meant to be around children
If you have very young children, the miniature pinscher is not the ideal dog for you; these animals have very delicate legs and a particularly restless child could inadvertently injure them.
Another factor to consider is the dwarf pinschers tendency to attack when they feel threatened. Children are not always able to interpret the warning signals that the dog gives when he feels uncomfortable; if the child ignores these warnings and approaches a frightened pinscher, the latter is likely to attack
Part 2 of 5: Socializing a Dwarf Pinscher
Step 1. Start socializing your dog as soon as possible
Given their distrust of strangers, it is essential that dwarf pinschers are well socialized from an early age, dealing with all kinds of people, animals and experiences. If you got your miniature pinscher from a breeder, make sure it has gotten to know men, women and children and has been used to a variety of sounds, smells and images.
In addition, it is better to choose a puppy that has grown up inside a home, rather than in a playpen outside; this ensures that the dog is accustomed to the typical sounds of the house, such as that of the toilet, washing machine or TV, and to those that people normally produce
Step 2. Continue socializing the dog throughout his teens
When you bring your puppy home, continue socializing and involve him in your daily activities, so as to make him familiar with the most diverse situations. If the dog is not yet fully vaccinated and cannot be placed on the ground, carry him or use a pet carrier so he can experience what it is like on a busy road or near a school when the children go out to to play.
Lack of socialization and not having had certain experiences can make the dog anxious and, in the case of the miniature pinscher, this can lead to aggressive behavior
Step 3. Stay close to him
These dogs need companionship and it is not recommended to leave them alone for long periods. Make sure your dog is mentally stimulated at all times, and to keep him busy when you are not with him, provide him with toys, puzzle boxes filled with food, or a stuffed kong.
Step 4. Teach older children to interact with the dog
Unlike small children, older ones can learn to interpret the dog's body language when the animal is agitated, so they can interact with it more safely. Signs that the animal is uncomfortable and is about to attack include:
- Look directly at the person he intends to attack.
- He yawns excessively.
- He licks his lips frequently.
- He arches his back and crouches, then straightens, raises his head and shifts the weight of the body to the forequarters.
- It keeps its tail straight and swings it slowly (without the typical wagging of its tail that denotes a friendly attitude).
- Straighten back and body hair.
- He growls and lifts his lips.
Part 3 of 5: Train a Dwarf Pinscher
Step 1. Be steadfast and train your dog regularly
Given its independent nature, the dwarf pinscher must be trained decisively and consistently, otherwise it may not take the educator seriously. Methods based on a reward, such as the one that uses the clicker, are particularly suitable, because they reward the dog for behaving well, minimizing the stress deriving from training.
Step 2. Train your dog regularly
Teach him to respond to basic commands, such as sit, stand still, and lie down on the ground; train him twice a day, for 10 or 20 minutes, depending on his level of concentration.
Successfully conclude each training session. If the dog seems distracted, give a simple command, such as "Sit"; when he obeys, reward him, then resume training on another occasion
Step 3. Teach them to respond to your call from an early age
Since the dwarf pinscher loves to explore the world around him, it is very important to teach him to return when he is commanded, so as to allow him the freedom to get away without the danger of him escaping.
Remember the most important of the rules: if the dog takes a long time to return, do not fall prey to frustration and do not scold him; if he associates the call with a punishment, he may not respond to the command the next time you call him
Step 4. Train him using a dog cage
The dog should have a safe place to retreat to when he wants to be alone or you have guests in the house. During training, use rewards; keep the cage open and reward the dog when he stays inside, or feed him inside the cage, so that he associates the tool with a positive experience.
Never use the cage as a prison or a tool of punishment, otherwise the dog will no longer consider it a safe place and using it will no longer make any sense
Part 4 of 5: Feeding a Dwarf Pinscher
Step 1. Check the weight of your miniature pinscher
The miniature pinscher is an active dog but tends to put on weight; caring for such a dog means feeding him responsibly, so that he is neither overweight nor underweight.
To understand if your Pinscher is fit, you should be able to spot his ribs by touch, without having to move the fat to find them; the dog should have a raised waist when viewed from the side, and curved inwards when viewed from above
Step 2. Give him good quality dog food
Among the first three ingredients listed on the product packaging there should be a type of meat; to find out which food brands are best for your pinscher, ask your vet for advice.
Make sure that your miniature pinscher always has water available; having access to a source of clean water is important for all dogs
Step 3. Don't make him exercise immediately after feeding him
The Dwarf Pinscher is a dog with a distinctly marked chest and can suffer from the syndrome of dilation and torsion of the stomach; to reduce the risk of the animal contracting this disease, wait for at least 90 minutes to pass between the meal and physical activity.
Part 5 of 5: Taking Care of a Dwarf Pinscher's Health
Step 1. Brush your dog regularly
The dwarf pinscher is a short-haired dog and its coat requires minimal grooming; despite this, brushing it regularly is always advisable, because it stimulates blood circulation and tones the hair.
The operation also helps to create a deep bond between dog and owner
Step 2. Keep your pinscher warm
Given the short coat and the lack of body fat, this dog is particularly sensitive to cold; If the weather in your area is very harsh, buy a dog vest for your pinscher and make sure he has a warm bed to snuggle in at night.
Step 3. Take your dog for regular checkups
Being a responsible owner and caring for your miniature pinscher means taking him for regular checks to make sure he is in good health; getting vaccinated annually (against rabies, for example) is also advisable.
- Your vet will be able to tell you which diseases are most common in your area and what vaccinations are needed.
- Give your dog the preventative treatments your vet recommends (such as pest control and worming).
Step 4. Get your dog spayed
If yours is a companion dog and not a breeding dog, consider having him spayed. It is advisable to undergo the operation before 6 months of age; this will reduce the risk of contracting certain diseases, such as breast cancer in females, and will make the animal more docile, regardless of sex.
Step 5. Consider taking out dog health insurance
Dwarf pinschers are purebred dogs and, compared to mestizos, are genetically predisposed to suffer from certain diseases, such as Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (a hip problem), patella luxation, hypothyroidism and epilepsy.
These problems can be treated or controlled, but this can be costly; make sure you have the financial resources to deal with certain unforeseen events or take out a health insurance policy for your dog
Advice
- Training your dog is important to both you and him. These animals have a strong herd sense and expect their owner to command them what to do. For hierarchical reasons, dwarf pinschers often prove aggressive towards other dogs, regardless of the size of those in front of them.
- Purchase a good quality, tall and sturdy fence. The dog should not be able to climb on it, dig under it, or pass through it. The typical dwarf pinscher has a strong predatory instinct and, if he sees a pet beyond an electrical network, he loses control, risking to get shocked.
- Dwarf pinschers have a wild character and a strong personality; they love being at the center of attention and being pampered; they are very funny and will certainly make you laugh with their constant antics.
- Some dwarf pinschers like to bark; if this behavior bothers you, correct it as soon as possible and with some consistency.
- Due to the sharply marked chest, most of the dresses you buy for your miniature pinscher will need to be small, not XS.
- Dwarf pinschers have a keen sense of ownership and can hoard their stuff; if you have more than one dog, try to correct the pinscher behavior and give each of your pets toys and treats in abundance.
- Teach your Pinscher to walk properly as soon as possible when you take him for a walk. Purchase an anti-escape harness for him or educate him using a collar with a martingale closure; Dwarf pinschers are true escape artists and can easily get rid of the most common collars and harnesses.
