How to Care for an Affenpinscher
To care for your Affenpinscher, take it on a 30 minute to 1 hour walk every day and play with it often as this breed has lots of energy. Since Affenpinschers are also very friendly, you should regularly socialize your pup with other people and dogs, such as by going to the dog park. As a small toy breed, your Affenpinscher can't survive outdoors so you should let it live inside your house. You may even want to dress it in warm dog clothing when you take it out during the winter. It may seem hard at times, but stick to your dog training and house rules as Affenpinschers are known to be a stubborn breed. For example, you should maintain regular feeding and play times.
Teach your dog basic commands. Teaching your dog some basic commands is an excellent way to establish your dominance, encourage your dog to be polite, and begin building a relationship with your dog. You can begin by teaching “sit,” and then move on to teaching “stay,” “lay down,” and “heel.” Stand in front of the dog and give the verbal command. When the dog completes the action, give them a treat and offer praise. Wait until your dog has mastered each command before teaching them a new one. Establish clear boundaries. Dogs are pack animals, and as such, they enjoy understanding the rules of a given situation. Decide what boundaries you would like to set for your Affenpinscher. For instance, you may not allow your dog on the furniture, or may not want them to jump on people. It will be important for you to make these rules clear, and to stay consistent with your dog. Each time your dog does the undesired behavior, redirect their actions. (Move them off of the furniture or stop them from jumping). Offer them praise when they do the correct action. Avoid physical punishment or yelling. Be consistent in your dog training. Affenpinschers are fun and affectionate dogs, but they are also known to be quite stubborn. It is crucial to be consistent with your dog training. Stick to a daily routine with regular feeding times, walk times, and play times. Don't bend the rules. If they are not meant to be on the furniture, don't ever allow them on the furniture. Avoid giving attention to negative behaviors. Instead, use reward-based training methods and offer praise and rewards for good behaviors (positive reinforcement). Try crate training. Like other toy dog breeds, Affenpinscher dogs can be difficult to housetrain. Crate training is strongly recommended. Crate training draws on your dog's natural instinct to find a safe den for sleeping. Select the right crate for your dog. Your dog should be able to stand, sit, and lie down inside. Place it in a good location. You want it to be someplace it can stay all the time. Create a positive association. Make the crate comfortable with a soft blanket, and provide toys and/or treats that your dog enjoys. (Do not include anything that could be a choking hazard.) Allow the dog to “find” the crate and enter it on their own. Never force the dog into the crate. Work toward getting the dog to stay in the crate through the night. (If your dog is a puppy, give them a bathroom break every 4 hours). Since dogs do not like to soil their “nest,” crate training is a great way to housebreak your dog. Socialize your dog. Affenpinschers are very friendly and sociable dogs. Frequent socialization with people and other dogs is crucial for your Affenpinscher to grow into a well-rounded dog. Allow friends and family to come over, and take your dog to a popular dog park. Expose your dog (especially a puppy) to different kinds of people. Introduce your dog to people of different ages, genders, and races. It is also good for your dog to encounter people who wear glasses or hats, or have facial hair. Introduce your dog to other dogs. Visit the home of a friend with dogs or go to a dog park. Doing this outdoors works best. Be patient when exposing your dog to new people or animals. Provide praise and watch for signs of stress (such as whining, growling, exposing teeth, or trying to hide). . Provide food and fresh water Start by selecting the right food. Affenpinscher dogs are known for having dental problems later in life, so select a small, dry kibble. Look for a product with fresh ingredients and few preservatives, and choose a blend suitable for small dogs. Follow any packaging instructions, as well as any instructions from your vet. Select a dish for food and one for water. Stainless steel is best. Place your dog's food and water dishes in a regular location in your home. You may want to place them on a mat. Measure your dog's food. The exact measurements will vary based on the type of food, your dog's exact weight, your dog's age, and the recommendations of your vet. In general, an Affenpinscher will consumer 1.5 cups of dry food once per day. Feed your dog at the same time each morning. Affenpinschers thrive on routine. Feeding your dog at the same time each day help establish a daily rhythm. Get your Affenpinscher proper medical treatment. Make sure that you take your dog to the vet to get all necessary vaccines, get parasite prevention medication, and to undergo a desexing procedure. Additionally, make sure to take your dog to the vet if they ever seem to be sick or injured. Getting routine vaccines will prevent your Affenpinscher from getting different kinds of diseases, such as Parvovirus and Hepatitis. Make sure to give your dog preventative heartworm, intestinal worm, and flea medications on a regular basis. Have your dog either spayed or neutered as soon as possible once they've reached at least 3 months of age. Desexing can keep your Affenpinscher from getting certain types of cancer and from developing certain behavioral issues. Give your dog lots of exercise. Affenpinschers are an enthusiastic, high-energy breed. As such, they need to be walked every day. Plan on taking your Affenpinscher on a good long walk daily. Additionally, you can let them run and play indoors or in your yard. Include a long, daily walk in your routine. Walking for 30 minutes to 1 hour is great exercise for your Affenpinscher. Try playing fetch or tug of war. Because of their small size, Affenpinschers are well-suited for apartment living, although their frequent barking may disturb your neighbors. Keep your dog indoors. Small toy breeds, such as Affenpinschers, cannot survive outdoors. Affenpinschers can be left outside for several hours in warm weather, but during the winter, they can only venture outdoors for short periods. You may consider dressing your Affenpinscher in dog clothing during the winter months. If you absolutely must keep your Affenpinscher outdoors in the cold, be sure to provide a well-insulated and heated doghouse. Some Affenpinschers like to sleep with a hot water bottle to stay warm. Groom your dog regularly. Affenpinschers have a rough coat that needs regular attention. You should comb your dog's fur 2-3 times a week at home. You should also bathe your Affenpinscher and trim their fur approximately every 3 months. Using a wide-toothed comb, comb your Affenpinscher's fur roughly every other day. Work out any tangles. Every 3 months or so, give your Affenpinscher a bath using dog shampoo. After the bath, use a sharp pair of scissors to trim away any fur that falls into your dog's eyes. You may consider bringing your Affenpinscher to a professional dog groomer. Be careful around small children. Despite being generally social, Affenpinschers tend to feel threatened around toddlers and small children. Affenpinschers do well around older kids, but consider passing on this breed if you have little ones at home. If you have children over to your house, encourage them to give the dog space. Always watch for signs of distress in your dog, such as growling or showing teeth. Allow your Affenpinscher to approach people (children or adults) in their own time. Be wary around rodent pets. Affenpinschers were originally bred to keep rat problems at bay. As such, these dogs are genetically built to kill rodents. If you have hamsters, bunnies, or other rodent pets at home, an Affenpinscher may not be the best choice for you. If you have rodent pets, keep them up high or in a room that your Affenpinscher does not have access to. Don’t worry about other dogs. Affenpinschers tend to get along great with other dogs. If you have other dogs at home, adding an Affenpinscher should be no problem. They tend to find their place within a pack and they make great additions to a dog-loving household. Be sure to provide individual bowls for food and water for each dog. Provide a separate sleeping space (such as a dog bed) for each dog. Give the dogs plenty of space to get to know each other, as well as retreat from one another. 
Teach your dog basic commands. Establish clear boundaries. Be consistent in your dog training. Try crate training. Socialize your dog. . Get your Affenpinscher proper medical treatment. Give your dog lots of exercise. Keep your dog indoors. Groom your dog regularly. Be careful around small children. Be wary around rodent pets. Don’t worry about other dogs. 