So you’ve decided to get a Great Dane. All that is left is to train it. Which are a much bigger responsibility then most people realize. This article offers tips and hints that Great Dane owners have been using during this time consuming but rewarding process. Here are ten suggestions that many Great Dane owners go by when it comes to raising and training your puppy:
1.) The Great Dane is one of the biggest breeds of dog but it needs to be an inside pet. They need human companionship and do not fare well being alone living outdoors. Even though they are known to be gentle creatures, when we consider their size, you have to teach them right away who is boss.
2.) Never feed your Great Dane high protein meals. They are prone to many diet related health issues (such as bloating) and you need to educate yourself on their nutritional needs.
3.) Great Danes are really energetic animals. If you do not live in the country or have a fenced in yard for them to run it off, be prepared to run them (not just walk them) at least twice a day. Otherwise their pent up frustrations can lead to a destructive side showing and you might not have much of a house left if one of these massive creatures starts tearing through it.
4.) The key to having any dog be friendly with others is to introduce them to a lot of people at an early age. You need to socialize an animal in order for it to become social.
5.) Even if you do not have children, you Great Dane will more then likely meet up with a few in the future. You must be prepared for this possibility by getting the dog used to the loud behaviors of children now, before an unforeseen tragedy can occur. If nothing else, take him to a local park while he is just a pup so he can meet and greet others babies.
6.) Make sure that the puppy is up to date on all immunizations though before introducing him to other outside animals.
7.) Use the proper voice response for different behaviors. If your puppy is scared and tries to bite a person that comes near him, never coddle him and coo ‘I won’t hurt you baby’. Do not yell either. Simply pet him gently and say in an even tone ‘He won’t hurt you.’ Dogs go by the tone in your voice, not the words behind it. If you raise your voice in a sympathetic tone, puppies read that the same way they do the higher-pitched praise words. They will take it to mean that what they are doing is all right. Instead, if you maintain a calm normal pitch, they will begin to understand that if a situation is not upsetting you, then it shouldn’t bother them either. If they react badly to a situation and you use this method, make sure to praise them immensely, if during the next similar situation, they act appropriately.
8.) Do not, under any circumstances, allow even the youngest puppy to challenge you. After he is told no, some will back off and begin barking at you. This is just like a toddler screaming after being told that he can not do something and just like a child, he has to be taught that this behavior is unacceptable. There is much debate on the methods used to correct this problem in Great Danes but there is one thing that is generally agreed upon. If your puppy consistently continues to do react this way towards you, you should seek advice from a behaviorist. You do not want these dogs to reach their massive size thinking that they run your household.
9.) Choke chains or the infamous studs turned inside collars should never be used to train any dog. This is a lazy way of forcing the dog into what you want him to do, instead of teaching him the proper behavior. If you do not want to take the time to train your animal in a respectful way, then do not expect respect in return or better yet, do not get a dog at all!
10.) If your dog is older (6 months or more) and still has not been trained, it is wise to seek help from a behaviorist or certified obedience school. These dogs are too large by this time to teach them all of the things they need to know by someone who isn’t an expert on it. Don’t risk your safety, the safety of others, or the Great Dane’s safety just to save a few bucks or to avoid embarrassment. Most of these people have seen everything and your story will not seem at all odd to them.
