Grooming
Affenpinschers have fairly moderate grooming needs. Here are some tips to keep in mind for your Affen:
Brushing: Their wiry coats and long hair around their face and neck need a brushing twice a week to prevent mats. But here’s the good news: Keep up with brushing, and your Affenpinscher’s shedding will be minimal. And to create that furry Ewok look, an Affenpinscher’s face and beard should be combed daily away from their eyes. Twice a week, brush out their coat with a bristle brush, slicker brush or pin brush.
Nail trimming: Their nails should be trimmed about once a month to prevent gradual injury to their paws and legs. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you hear them tapping on hard surfaces.
Bathing: Affenpinschers need a good scrub in the bath once a month—more if your Ewok doppleganger is prone to taking their adventures off the moon of Endor and into the dirt.
Haircuts: A haircut every 2-4 months will keep your Affenpinscher’s coat healthy, and keep the hair out of their eyes so they can continue to gaze adoringly at you.
Dental care: Vets recommend brushing your dog’s teeth daily. Your vet can teach you how to do it, and it’s best to start when your Affenpinscher is a puppy, so they’ll get used to it. Dental disease can not only cause problems with their teeth and gums but can lead to other health issues, like periodontal, heart or kidney diseases. An annual professional cleaning with your vet is also key to keeping your Affenpinscher’s teeth healthy.
This might sound like a lot, but remember: Keeping up with a regular grooming schedule will help your pup stay healthy and happy. It will keep your house cleaner, too!
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Training
Your clever little monkey-terrier needs training to ensure they learn manners and to understand that they aren’t the ones in charge (though, similar to small terriers like the Silky Terrier, they would really, really like to be).
Obedience training: Affenpinschers are smart cookies, and they quickly pick up commands like sit, stay, shake or speak. Building obedience skills also builds confidence—and and means a happier pup and pet parent alike.
Potty training: Housebreaking an Affenpinscher can be challenging depending on their personality traits, but consistency and patience go a long way. Start potty training immediately. If an accident happens, remember your puppy is energetic and a little bit strong-willed—not malicious. Your dog is smart, so trust they will learn in good time.
Socialization: Just like any other dog, start socializing your Affen while they’re puppies to get them used to many new people, dogs and situations. Puppy preschool is a great place to start. Your pup gets to meet other puppies and learn how to play nicely with other dogs, and they get to interact with other adults.
Finally, set yourself up for success by prepping your space before you bring an Affenpinscher home. What tiny spaces might they escape into? Which items should you place on a shelf instead of the floor so your pup isn’t tempted to investigate where they shouldn’t? (Remember, the Affenpinscher breed is nosy—er, we mean, curious.) Plan to use positive reinforcement and a few treats to teach your Affenpinscher which spaces and furniture are allowed versus off-limits.
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Diet
Affenpinschers typically do well on a high-quality commercial dog food diet. Your veterinarian can help you nail down how much, how often and what to feed your dog. As your dog ages, you might also need to adjust to a dog food formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, or senior).
Because Affenpinschers are so small, one extra pound can adversely affect your pup’s health. This is why it’s so important to keep your pup healthy. As you’re portioning out meals, don’t forget to include the snacks you give during training and just because you love your pup. (Those calories count, too!) If you see your pup gaining weight, consult your vet. They can help you put together a mealtime and exercise plan to help your pup shed the extra weight and maintain the nutrition your Affen needs to stay healthy.
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Exercise
“Jeopardy!” whizzes and “Wheel of Fortune” aficionados, come on down! If mental activity really gets your heart—and your brain—pumping, you have something in common with the Affenpinscher. These dogs require more mental than physical activity, but they do still need brisk walks and romps in the park. (Aim for 30 minutes every day.) Pet parents should plan to exercise their Affenpinscher once or twice a day, whether it’s a walk, a playful tussle or a fun chase around the house.
Don’t forget to exercise their minds as well. When Affenpinschers don’t have the opportunity to use their smarts and their social skills, they may get into destructive behaviors or sink into depression. A game of fetch, a chase around the apartment or an opportunity to learn new tricks can help them burn off energy. Keep in mind that Affenpinschers’ exercise needs and speed will change as your dog ages.
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Environment
Thinking about welcoming an Affenpinscher into your home? The good news is that size doesn’t matter! These dogs need lots of affection, but they don’t need much space as long as their exercise needs are met. An ideal environment for Affenpinschers is one where they have plenty of companionship from humans who offer consistent, positive reinforcement and guidance.
Because they’re so active, Affenpinschers would benefit from supervised play with young children. Not only could your Affen’s sudden movements scare toddlers, but a tiny tot’s sudden movements or rough play may frighten your pup. So, be sure to socialize and train your pup and teach children how to interact with dogs.
Because the Affenpinscher is the nosy type, be sure to look at your home from their POV before bringing your new friend home. What curious things are at their level that you may need to place out of reach, like a child’s toy that looks a lot like your Affen’s toy? Or, are there small spaces they can escape to for an impromptu game of hide-and-seek you didn’t know you were playing?
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