A dog show is not the place to discover that your Miniature Pinscher doesn’t like to be handled.  The judges will carefully examine your dog which will include touching their stomach, hind quarters and even their testicles.  It’s important to know how your Min Pin will react to this kind of attention.

 

Grooming is a great opportunity to train your dog to sit still and pose during grooming.  Use a bench or stool for grooming and have them practice sitting and standing while you brush their coat, clean their ears and eyes, and trim their nails.  Teach your dog to climb up onto the table (if you don’t have a grooming table, any table with a non-slip mat on top will work). 

 

Handling classes are also very important.  You and your Min Pin will learn together what is expected of you.

Try using the tips and guidelines I’ve set out above to travel with your pet instead of boarding him.  If that’s not possible, have a trusted friend come and stay at your house to dog and house-sit while you’re gone.  Simply having someone come over a few times a day when you’re gone isn’t enough for this little guy.  If you really don’t have time to be home with him, he might not be the dog for you.

 

If you must board your Min Pin, prepare for the following:

 

Bordatella (aka Kennel Cough)

This type of doggy bronchitis is easily transmitted in the kennel environment.  It is characterized by a dry, hacking cough that may make you think that something is lodged in your dog’s throat. 

 

You can have your dog vaccinated against kennel cough but it is not effective if they are already incubating the virus. 

 

Loneliness

Most dogs really don’t like the kennel.  The Min Pin, who requires a lot of attention, can suffer separation anxiety if left in the kennel where his only company is other, unfamiliar dogs.

The sooner you get your Min Pin used to the tote bag, the easier it will be to have him escort you out in public.  Being able to take him with you increases the amount of time you spend together and keeps you from having to leave him home alone.

 

The first few times you try it out, do it in your own home.  Gradually work up to waking him around the yard or apartment hallway in it, then move on to busier, more crowded places.  Use positive reinforcement and praise to teach him to stay in the bag and settle while you go about your business.

 

Our Miniature Pinscher loves his bag. If we leave it in the hallway and go wash a few dishes, he might even sneak into it and nap for a bit.

It’s your job to keep your dog under control in parks and other open areas where other dogs and people might be present.  I don’t personally like dog parks where animals are allowed to roam free as your Min Pin has that dominant personality we’ve talked about and is liable to challenge a much larger dog.  Let him run in the yard or better yet, take up running yourself and jog with him on the leash.

Call the restaurant ahead of time to be sure they will allow your Min Pin to visit with you.  Plan on having him in his tote or on a very short leash, sitting at your feet under the table.  Even in restaurants where dogs are allowed, it is your responsibility to follow a few common sense guidelines in the etiquette department:

 

·        Your dog should not be in the aisle where he could trip up another patron or server.

·        Never, ever allow your dog to eat off of your plate or fork in a restaurant.

·        His leash must be short enough that if something startles or excites him, you are in control and he can’t reach anyone close by.

·        If he does have an accident, you are responsible for cleaning it up, including covering the expense of professional cleaning if needed.

 

A Miniature Pinscher is small and light enough to be able to carry with you to stores or while running errands.  Use a pet tote to carry your pup with you.  Make sure you let him do his business just before you enter the store to prevent an embarrassing incident.  And for the guys out there who are concerned about not seeming manly enough, don’t worry, if there pet stores nearby don’t have a bag for you, there are plenty for sale online.

When it’s nice weather outside, I can hardly count how many dogs I see sticking their heads out of a car window.

 

Some dogs just love to go riding in the car! Come to think of it, I’d love riding in the car too if I was cooped up inside all day.

 

I don’t know whether one breed enjoys getting in the car more than another, but I do know Miniature Pinschers like it. They just love checking things out, scanning the nearest window for pedestrians, bikers, dogs, squirrels… any moving object!

 

Luckily for your Min Pin, she doesn’t take up a lot of room. So you’ll be able to bring her along even if you drive a Mini Cooper.