AboutKaren Brittan Expertise I have been showing miniature schnauzers in conformation, obedience, and earthdog for forty years, and am a professional dog groomer.
I am not a veterinarian and cannot answer questions of a veterinary nature. However, I can give my opinion or share some experiences on some health issues. If your dog is sick, it should be seen by a licensed professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Experience I have taught obedience classes and have taught people how to groom for many years.
Member: American Miniature Schnauzer Club; Twin Cities Miniature Schnauzer Club; Elk River Kennel Club; Minnesota Professional Pet Groomers Association. Learn more about me and my dogs: http://britmorschnauzers.com
Expert: Karen Brittan Date: 7/3/2008 Subject: house break
Question i need tips to house break 4 wk old puppy
Answer A four-week-old puppy is too young to housebreak. In fact, it should still be with its mother and littermates for 3-4 more weeks.
I do start taking my puppies outside at five weeks, weather permitting, but it is more to introduce them to the outdoors rather than to be serious about housebreaking. Puppies at this age have very little bladder control, and very little memory retention. One can get more serious about housebreaking when the puppy hits seven weeks of age and has adult brain waves (but still has little bladder control).
Basically, the puppy must be confined when it cannot be watched. It is put out first thing in the morning, after it wakes, eats, or plays. The first couple weeks it will have to go outside during the night. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1548&articleid=157
