Grouchy Schnauzer

[AKParrotHead]

Any suggestions for a grouchy Schnauzer? We give her lots of love and she's only three....She just seems pouty all the time.

[woofgang]

can you be a bit more specific about her behaviour?

[drgnrdr]

Yes that would be helpful wouldn't it woofgang? LOL

Is she spayed also.

Give us details, what she does then what you do etc..

I don't think I 've seen a dog pout in the traditional sense like jut their lower jaw out and pucker their lower lip out...LOL

[AKParrotHead]

Sorry, so she is spayed. she doesn't get along well with other dogs. She's not aggressive, but she's stuck up with them. She loves her people, but any strangers she seems real parinoid about. She growls/talks a lot when she doesn't get her way and again, she's not aggressive with it, just well, grouchy. We play with her a lot and her happy place is up in the mountains hiking but when we're just hanging around the house she gets pouty and seems almost lethargic. She growls/talks at every little thing, noises, and even us when we go to give her love. I hope this info helps. Thanks for responding!

[drgnrdr]

Has she been thru any training? It sounds like she rules the roost, and she gets her way alot. She sounds like she only wants attention on her terms, and do you leave her for long periods so she has to be alone alot? And how much attention do you try to give her? does she growl at you or bark at you, or moan when you squeeze her? Growling is different than her talking to you, that is what I am trying to figure out. If she talks to you and you pet and pay attention she may be asking for it, but if she growls when you go to give her attention that is her asserting herself as boss of your home. All dogs need a leader if you don't become one they will take the job and you may not like their rules.

She sounds also like she did not get really good socializing when she was young and you have been putting up with this for how long?

 What is the difference with the mountains and home? does she get more outing and excercise when you take her to the mountains maybe, from what I see when you say "hiking"? She's a terrier type and needs adventure and to do something if they hang around the home they are not doing what they are bred to do.

From what little bit that I can read that is all I have, more questions.

If you were the boss and people forced you to do stuff would you be grumpy? Talked back to protest? That's all I can figure from what info you have given.

You need a class to show how to communicate with your dog.

[Snappy]

She sounds exactly like a little male schnauzer i know! He is very vocal, ranging from growling to the most ear piercing squeaking and squealing when he's happy! He never plays with other dogs, just follows them around, sniffing them but when they try to sniff him back he barks like mad! He's not cuddly at all and is a strange little thing to work out!

[AKParrotHead]

Thanks Snappy! I'm glad I'm not the only one with a schnauzer who has more personality than she knows what to do with. My Maggie also does the squealing thing when she's happy or sees someone she loves. I sure do love her though...