Depending on your climate, Standard Schnauzers are adaptive to both indoor and outdoor living. However, the Standard Schnauzer is a very athletic dog. He must receive lots of exercise and stimulation. He has a keen and sharp mind and high energy level. He must receive exercise regularly.
A casual walk around the block won't cut it. They need to walk briskly, not short distance running and need it regularly. A Standard Schnauzer has a natural athletic ability and loves, if not craves to play games and other stimulating activities. They need and love a play session where they can just run freely. If you are currently out of shape, your Standard Schnauzer will help you get back into shape.
Playing a simple game of catch might not be challenging enough for the Standard Schnauzer. You might throw a little bit of hide and seek into the mix. The Standard Schnauzer needs to exercise his mind as well as his body. He loves to solve complex puzzles and is always up for a good challenge. The Standard Schnauzer has been used as a drug searching dog, so you might want to train him in games of sniff and find. Use caution when you do this and with what you might use as a reward in the game. He might circumvent the game and just for the reward when you are not around!
It would be a good idea to engage your Standard Schnauzer in some various doggie sports. They love the competition and this provides another form of exercise for them. They are very competitive and possess a natural ability for many of the doggie sports that are available.
The Standard Schnauzer is very good at the sport of agility. Agility is simply an obstacle course that the Standard Schnauzer will run through at the direction of his handler. The handler is not allowed to touch the dog. The Standard Schnauzer loves the challenge and the stimulation that the various jumps will provide for him. It is a great exercise for them both mentally as well as physically.
The Standard Schnauzer will also excel in the sport of Schutzhund. There are very few dogs which can successfully compete in such a sport, but the Standard Schnauzer is a natural athlete in this area. The test consists of three separate components and the dog must pass each component in order to progress through the competition. The dog must pass in the areas of tracking, obedience and finally in protection work. This sport is similar to the training of a police dog. The Standard Schnauzer is a natural in this as they are used for police work in Germany.
This dog needs to be taken out to participate in athletic activities. The most important thing is that you get the Standard Schnauzer out of the house and yard and become active!
|
