Life with a Miniature Pinscher: Buzz's Journey from Puppy to Companion

Bringing Buzz Home

After losing our first Miniature Pinscher to a brain tumor, I declared we would never get another dog. That resolution crumbled in just three weeks.

I found a puppy online, a Min Pin in Minnesota, and arranged for him to be flown to us. At the airport, when the crate was set down, it wobbled violently, as though something wild was trapped inside. We opened it to find a tiny brown dog, under five pounds, radiating pure, unstoppable energy.

Once home, his playful stunts kept us laughing as he explored every corner. Surprisingly, house training went smoothly. We simply had to be consistent: take him out right after meals and naps. He always did his business. Cold weather posed a slight challenge, but he managed as long as we didn't leave him outside too long. Min Pins struggle in the cold.

The Min Pin Temperament

This breed is famous for its stubborn streak. They are loving and deeply affectionate, but they insist on doing things their way unless you establish yourself as the leader. Leadership is essential with a Min Pin.

Our little Buzz was adorable but also a handful. Our extended family includes many dogs—each of our children has at least one, and two have two. At gatherings, we spent most of our time preventing Buzz from harassing the other dogs, even a St. Bernard. When Buzz turned six months old, we signed up for puppy kindergarten. It was the best decision we made.

Puppy Kindergarten

Class began with free play. Smaller puppies stayed in a pen, while larger ones roamed outside it. Buzz would have none of the pen—he always escaped to join the big dogs. Nothing intimidated him. We discovered Buzz is highly food-motivated and will do anything for a treat. Our trainer, Doc Karen, was excellent. Buzz wasn't the smallest in the class, but he was the most conspicuous. Over six weeks, we learned how to get Buzz to listen. I suspect we learned more than he did, but we bonded and grew together. Our Min Pin is truly our dog!

Min Pin asleep

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Training Buzz: Sit and Leash

Learning to Sit

Teaching Buzz to sit was an adventure. We guided him by pressing his hindquarters down and rewarded him when he sat. We repeated the command and treat time after time. Then one day, he sat on command!

But we celebrated too soon. The next time we tried, he stood with ears perked and head tilted, refusing to move. When we gave up and walked away, he sat. This pattern continued for several sessions until he understood the treat only came when he sat on our command.

It required patience and daily practice, not just in class. We did 10-minute sessions each morning and afternoon. Classes were one hour a week, but by the end of six weeks, he was sitting on command. Every time he sat, we praised him and gave a treat. Now, if we ask where our good boy is, he sits and waits for his reward!

Leash Training

The leash was another battle of wills. We walked one way, Buzz another. Dragging him seemed cruel. We coaxed, talked, and bribed, practicing daily. Finally, one day during a walk, Buzz took off and pulled me! We had succeeded—we could walk our dog without being reported for animal cruelty. An interesting side note: Buzz ate his leashes. When he was on his third leash, I mentioned it to my vet. After laughing, he recommended a Lupine leash, which is unconditionally guaranteed against damage, including chewing. I bought one, and when Buzz chewed through it, Lupine replaced it without question!

Basic Obedience

After Puppy Kindergarten, we knew we had more to learn, so we enrolled Buzz in Basic Obedience. Buzz was the class clown, as Min Pins often are. He loved attention, good or bad. Luckily, I have a sense of humor, so we were often the example of what not to do. But by the end of six weeks, Buzz was a star pupil. We continued to Basic Obedience II.

So, how is life with Buzz? That's what this is about.

In a rare moment, Buzz is at rest. (That’s a bone behind Buzz on the floor, in case you were wondering.)

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Buzz at Home

Every day with Buzz is an adventure. He eats everything in sight. We spent months trying to rid him of parasites, but his diet of frogs, worms, birds, dirt, rocks, grass, and more kept undoing our efforts. We eventually succeeded, but it wasn't easy. This dog eats anything not nailed down! Fortunately, "leave it" from obedience school finally stuck. After countless hours chasing him, he now drops what's in his mouth when told—unless it's a bone. That's another story.

Min Pin Affection

The best part of any Min Pin is their affection. When I sit at the computer, he jumps into my lap and snuggles, any time of day. At bedtime, he stands at the stairs and looks at us, signaling he wants to go to bed. We lift him onto the bed, and he immediately burrows under the covers and sleeps against our feet. He can jump three feet in the air but can't seem to jump onto the bed himself. While watching TV, he jumps on the couch and snuggles as close as possible. He'll sleep anywhere and loves to be in your arms. He truly loves his humans.

Buzz is playing with one of the big guys before agility class begins.

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Min Pin Agility

Because Min Pins are so active and energetic, agility classes are a great idea. They exercise both body and mind. Buzz is in his third class. The first was an exercise in futility. Buzz jumped only when he wanted, not on command. He went over the tunnel instead of through it. He ran around jumps, not over them. The frame and walk were his favorites even then.

Some of Buzz's issues were due to my tripping over jumps and forgetting the order. Now in his third class, I brought my 14-year-old grandson to try. He and Buzz did great! They both love it and move at incredible speed.

But the next class didn't go as well. Buzz decided to be stubborn and uncooperative. He preferred wandering the course looking for food. The following week, he wanted to play in the tunnel, running back and forth through it or jumping over it, ignoring commands. We haven't given up. Min Pins are very smart but also very stubborn, as I've said.

Next week, we're bringing his gentle leader to see if we can guide him around the course instead of dragging him by the collar, which we've had to do for two weeks. His age—17 months—plays a role. This is when Min Pins test who's boss, wanting to be the alpha. So this is the time to be vigilant with training. We'll see what happens.

FYI, at age six, Buzz has mastered all agility and will do it without being asked. I just have to point.

This is Buzz playing with his toy rabbit.

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Min Pin Habits

Opinions vary on dogs licking faces—some say it's dominance, others submission. Buzz loves to lick faces. Our 20-month-old grandson thinks it's the best treat. He offers his face and says, "kisses." Buzz immediately complies, licking his face. They wrestle, with Buzz nibbling my grandson's hair, and chase each other. What one doesn't get into, the other does. Min Pins aren't known for being great with children, but Buzz is an exception. He loves our grandson, and our grandson loves him.

Buzz likes to nap, but when he wants to play, he pulls on your pant leg. He'll play anytime, anywhere. He loves to run and be chased. Toys are a challenge; he destroys most. He loves squeaky toys but eventually finds the squeaker and removes or eats it, depending on our speed. Stuffed toys get gutted, and rubber toys are chewed to bits.

He loves car rides. We took him everywhere from the start. Now, when you put on your coat, he jumps in his crate, ready to go! He wants to be with you and is eager to please.

Buzz is chewing his crate in this photo.

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Our Min Pin, Our Joy

Buzz remains our joy. Everywhere we go, people stop to admire him and ask about him. His chocolate coloring makes him look as special as he is. Many think he's a small Doberman, and I explain that the Min Pin predates the Doberman and they aren't related. We enjoy Buzz every day, even when he digs new holes in my flower garden. I love him.

At six, he now plays with my two-year-old granddaughter, who loves his kisses too. When he's had enough, he goes to his crate.

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Further Reading

• My Min Pin Eats Everything Anything is game: bugs, worms, paper, rugs … my Min Pin eats it! For such a small dog, he sure does have an appetite. Life with my Min Pin, who eats everything, is an adventure.

© 2011 Mary Craig