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How to Teach a Great Dane to Walk on a Leash
There is almost nothing more dangerous than an out-of-control giant breed dog. Good leash skills are one of the most important things that you can teach your Great Dane! If you are ready to learn how to teach a Great Dane to walk on a leash, read on.

Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. With a little patience and some positive, thoughtful balanced dog training, you’ll have your Dane walking nicely on a leash in no time. Here’s what you need to know.

Step One – Teach Your Great Dane to Walk on a Leash 101

Step one: start with basic obedience commands like sit, look (at me), and touch (the palm of your hand).

You’ll need to have these commands taught at a basic level before you can move on to really teaching your dog how to walk on a leash. All of these skills are easy to teach using positive reinforcement!

What is the Best Leash for Great Danes?
Great Dane Fail: Off Leash and Out of Control
3 Tips for Leash Training Great Danes

Use lots of rewards. This helps your Dane build confidence and will help you install correct behaviors (which will come in handy if your Great Dane pulls a lot when you leave the house)!

You’ll notice a massive difference in your dog if you practice these skills even just 5-10 minutes each day.

Be consistent with your commands and rewards – always praise and treat your dog when they follow your instructions

Leash Walking Basics: Teach Focus and “With Me”

In this stage, you will work with your dog off-leash in your home or in a fenced yard.

If you don’t have space for safe off-leash work, use a long leash and an ergonomic harness (we do not recommend using ‘Petsafe’ or ‘Easy Walk’ no-pull harnesses on Great Danes).

Use lots of treats and with your Great Dane on the left side, take a step. Praise, treat and repeat.

Practice this until you can walk 10 steps or more between rewards. Add obstacles such as cones or balls, too, and practice walking around them together. Reward your dog for engaging with you!

Gradually introduce the leash, making sure to keep the training positive and upbeat.
Keep the leash loose in your hands. It is only there for safety.

We like a basic slip lead or a martingale collar + leather leash.

HOW TO TRAIN A GREAT DANE TO BE CALM

Many people struggle in this step of teaching focus, engagement, and calm behavior in all environments.

You may notice that your Great Dane does AMAZING with these leash training exercises when you are at home, but when you go somewhere new they forget everything that you’ve taught them!

Here are some tips for teaching your Great Dane to be calm in ALL environments:
- Use structure and routines at home to encourage ‘calm’ settling behavior
- Teach a ‘place’ command and build this skill up until you can say ‘place’ and expect your dog to settle there, no matter what
- Make sure your Great Dane is getting enough physical and mental enrichment! The world is much less exciting to a dog that is satisfied. Proper enrichment will reduce anxiety, boredom, and the frustrating behaviors that result from not getting enough. (Read our blog post on bored Great Danes! and also the best toys for Great Danes)
Practice Leash Walking

Now it’s time to increase the difficulty! You’ll want to work on your leash skills in a variety of places with varying distractions.

Start off slowly, with just a few minutes of walking at first. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend walking together as your dog gets more comfortable ignoring the world and focusing on YOU.

When you encounter a distraction, ask your dog to engage with you and continue moving.

Continue to use a lot of positive reinforcement! This is how you teach your dog the correct behavior and increase the chance that they will repeat the behavior that you want.

THE BEST LEASH FOR GREAT DANES

We recommend that all Great Dane owners have three leashes:

1. A good long Biothane leash (for off-leash training and being in places where being off-leash is not legal)

2. A leather leash with a sturdy clip for everyday use and walking with a flat collar, martingale, headcollar, or prong collar

3. A leather slip lead for ease of use, training, and safety (slip leads are escape-proof!)

Viper 15ft Training Lead

Leather Dog Leash

Leather Slip Leash

How Do I Stop My Great Dane From Pulling?

We recommend that all Great Danes who pull revisit leash walking 101, outlined above.

However, there will come a time for all Great Danes where the environment is simply more rewarding than any treat or praise that you can offer!

You can make two choices here: never go places, or use tools to communicate with your dog. Let’s dig into this below.

GREAT DANE TRAINING TOOLS

We recommend the use of well-fitted Herm Sprenger Prong Collars for Great Danes that pull.

Prong collars are commonly used for Great Danes, but it is important to use them correctly. If you’re not sure how to use a prong collar, ask a highly qualified positive-balanced dog trainer for help.

Herm Springer is the ONLY brand worth buying; they cost more but they are built correctly and created with rounded edges so that your dog feels evenly distributed pressure, NOT pain during use.

We recommend the use of a wide, flat martingale collar for most Great Danes.

A properly used prong collar, introduced with lots of positive reinforcement can be implemented in a way that is less harmful, less frustrating, less aversive, and safer for you and your Great Dane than a flat collar, ‘no-pull’ harness, choke chain or head collar.

Leather Slip Leash

Herm Sprenger Collar

Wide Flat Martingale Collar

E-Collar Training for Great Danes

Modern E-Collars are introduced in a positive way and use muscle stimulation as a communication (not sharp static ‘shock’). When used and conditioned properly, E-Collars from E-Collar Technologies can be an amazing and helpful tool for off-leash work AND developing better on-leash skills.

E Collar Training Guide
E Collar Myths
What is an E Collar?
What is the Difference Between an E Collar and a Shock Collar?
9 Reasons to E Collar Train Your Great Dane Puppy

We use and recommend only E-Collar Technologies.

You can purchase a mini-educator E-Collar for your Great Dane HERE.

Should I Use a Harness for my Great Dane?

Harnesses have their place, however, for most Great Danes they are the wrong choice.

The only appropriate harness to buy for a Great Dane will have a y-front on it.

All other harnesses (including those marketed as ‘No-Pull’ such as the ‘Freedom’ or ‘Easy-Walk’ harness) work by squeezing the shoulders, throwing the dog off-balance, and restricting movement.

Is the Gentle Leader an Abusive Tool?

No-pull (front clip) harnesses are NOT good training tools for Great Danes. They rely on physical restraint and restrictions to movement that can be damaging to their shoulders, chest and gait.
Just because it’s made of ‘nylon’ doesn’t mean it’s a ‘positive’ or ‘humane’ tool.

One big problem with choosing a y-front harness for your Great Dane is that if your Great Dane were to pull you, they have a ton of leverage to do so.

A proper Y-front harness should be used with a long leash and only with dogs that do NOT pull, lunge or react. We recommend the RUFFWEAR FRONT RANGE HARNESS.

RUFFWEAR FRONT RANGE HARNESS FOR GREAT DANES

Off-Leash Obedience for Great Danes

We believe that all Great Danes should also be reliably off-leash trained. Good off-leash skills translate to great on-leash skills!

Reducing the reliance on a leash and collar for every activity is much healthier for them from a physical and mental enrichment standpoint, too.

Off-leash dogs cannot damage their gait, neck, or head by lunging into collars, harnesses, or ‘Gentle Leaders’. They also get to experience the freedom of movement which is very enriching to them.

For more information about off-leash training, visit our E-Collar and off-leash obedience category!
March 12, 2022
Mantle Great Danes

Mantle Great Danes have a black and white coat pattern that is both striking and regal.

The Great Dane Club of American (GDCA) recognizes two Mantle patterns: the traditional Mantle and the Merle Mantle.

Today we are going to share photos of Mantle and Mantle Merle Great Danes!

MANTLE GREAT DANES

Below is an example of the traditional black and white Mantle pattern.

This dog has a black coat with white markings on the chest, neck, muzzle, underparts, and legs.

The GDCA standard describes the ideal Mantle as follows:

Color – Black and white with a black blanket extending over the body.

Patterns and Markings – Black skull with white muzzle; white blaze is optional; whole or partial white neck; a white chest; white on whole or part of the forelegs and hind legs; white-tipped black tail. A small white break in the blanket is acceptable. Black pigment may be seen on the skin of the white areas.

MANTLE GREAT DANE MARKINGS

From the Great Dane Written Standard

MANTLE MERLE GREAT DANES

There is also a merle variety of Mantle Great Dane, which has a marbled or mottled coat with patches of black, gray, and white. The GDCA standard describes the ideal Merle as follows:

Color – A pale gray to dark gray merle base color with black torn patches within.

Patterns and Markings – May be a Solid Merle (white on chest and toes permissible) or a Merle with a Mantle Pattern ( solid merle blanket extending over the body; merle skull with a white muzzle; white blaze is optional; whole or partial white neck; a white chest; white on whole or part of the forelegs and hind legs; white tipped merle tail. A small break in the blanket is acceptable.

Black pigment may be seen on the skin in the white areas.

Many people think of merle Great Danes as having a solid coat, but the mantle coat pattern is considered ideal.

Note: a merle or a mantle merle dog is not the same as a ‘Merlequin’. Merlequin Great Danes are the result of spot-to-spot breedings and are genetically a double-merle dog.
A ‘Merlequin’ Great Dane will have a Harlequin coat pattern, but instead of torn black patches all of the patches will be merle.

MANTLE MERLE COAT PATTERN

From the Great Dane Club of America written standard

MANTLE AND MANTLE MERLE GREAT DANES

We ADORE this image of a mantle and mantle merle Great Danes from @altitudegreatdanes in Utah. They have some of the first Champion merle Great Danes and we love seeing their gorgeous dogs!

OTHER MANTLE COAT PATTERNS

A show-marked Harlequin Great Dane is very similar to a mantle, only with torn black patches (spots), instead of the solid black. They will have a white chest, white feet and white-collar, just like a mantle!

Some breeders breed for unusual off-standard colors such as brindle mantle, blue mantle and fawn mantle. These are considered ‘off-standard’ colors and not accepted by the Great Dane Club of America.

KEEP READING:

Blue Great Danes
Mantle Great Danes
14 Exciting Things about Black Great Danes
Double Merle Great Danes
Miniature Great Danes: The Pocket Size Version
Colors of Great Danes
The Top 5 Adorable Facts About Great Dane Brindle Dogs
What Kind of Dog is Scooby Doo? The Many Mysteries of Scooby’s Thrilling Breed

March 10, 2022
Great Dane Puppy Fear Stages

Fear stages in Great Dane puppies often happen without warning and can be alarming to pet parents. If your puppy is suddenly acting scared of things they were not previously bothered by, they may be experiencing this phenomenon!

The great news is that puppy fear periods are temporary, and most will eventually overcome them. How you handle the moment when it happens, however, is of key importance.

Great Dane puppyhood is full of big changes and new experiences. It’s not surprising that puppies can sometimes become afraid of things that they’re encountering for the first time. Fear is a normal survival instinct that all animals have.

However, if a puppy’s fear response is excessive or prolonged, it can become a real problem. Read on to learn more about fear periods in puppies!

Great Dane Puppy Fear Stage from 2-8 Weeks of Age

There are several known fear periods in puppyhood, and each one is associated with a specific stage of development.

Two Weeks of Age

The first fear period begins at around two weeks old and lasts until about four weeks old. During this time, puppies are often afraid of sudden noises and movements. They may easily startle and should be handled calmly and gently, but still be exposed to a variety of sounds, motion, textures, and touch.

Six Weeks of Age

The second fear period begins at around six weeks of age. Puppies at this age are learning how big the world is and may explore new behaviors such as resource guarding. While puppies at this age should be generally curious and confident, they may have a day (or a week) when they show fear about things that previously didn’t bother them.

Choosing ethical breeders can make a massive difference in your experience! Good breeders use positive reinforcement and dedicated positive socialization challenges such as ENS and Puppy Culture to encourage confidence.

GREAT DANE PUPPY FEAR STAGES: OLDER PUPPIES AGED 8 WEEKS- 6 MONTHS

EIGHT WEEKS OF AGE

The next fear stage usually hits when a Great Dane puppy is about eight weeks old. This is when socialization should be in full swing, as the puppy is becoming fully aware of its surroundings and the people and animals in it. At this age, a puppy may show some fear of new environments, loud noises, or fast movement.

Thoughtful puppy socialization and positive reinforcement are key at this stage to help the puppy overcome fears that may try to stick around.

Spend a lot of time exposing your puppy to various textures, sights, and sounds. These experiences should be fun, positive, and varied. Challenge your puppy with tunnels, balls, cushions, and new things to see.

The Great Dane breed standard states that Great Danes should be ‘friendly and courageous’, NOT timid or aggressive.
If you are seeing extreme fear or aggression, find a positive-balanced trainer to work with ASAP.

A lilac-fawn Great Dane puppy

GREAT DANE PUPPY FEAR STAGES: AGES 6-14 MONTHS

The next fear stage comes between 6-14 months of age and may happen more than once.

A puppy that was well socialized and who was previously fine around people, other dogs, or in the car may suddenly show fear. They may growl, bark, shy away, or try to get out of the situation.

If your puppy is still exhibiting signs of fear during this stage, it’s important to continue positive socialization and positive reinforcement training.

Fear stages that pop up will typically come and go, especially if you make an effort to help your suddenly fearful puppy have a positive experience.

If your normally confident puppy is suddenly afraid of something, don’t coddle but don’t force, either.
Stay calm, stay positive and practice positive exposure to the scary thing.

A black Great Dane Puppy that is yawning. Yawning can be a sign of stress.

HOW TO HANDLE FEAR PERIODS IN GREAT DANE PUPPIES

If your puppy exhibits signs of fear during any of these stages, it’s important to take action.

Positive reinforcement and socialization are the best way to help a puppy overcome his fears.

Ensure your puppy has plenty of opportunities to see new people, animals, and environments in a safe and controlled setting. Don’t let people fuss over your puppy and scare him! Advocate for your dog.

Reward your puppy for displaying brave behaviors, and encourage your puppy to ignore people, dogs, and things in the environment.

Confident adult dogs are able to ignore the world around them.
Fussing over a puppy or forcing them into scary situations doesn’t build confidence.
Choose positive exposure and thoughtful challenges instead.

A confident young great dane running through a snowy field.

THOUGHTFUL SOCIALIZATION FOR GREAT DANES

With patience and guidance, your puppy will work through his fear stages and become a confident adult dog.

– Thoughtful socialization experiences are key

– Positive reinforcement, fun challenges, and obedience training help puppies build confidence and overcome fears

– Provide new experiences in a safe setting, listen to your dog, and don’t coddle or force

ETHICAL GREAT DANE BREEDING AND FEAR IN PUPPIES

Choosing an ethical breeder is going to put your Great Dane puppy one step ahead of the rest in regards to temperament and confidence.

If you are choosing a breeder, you should do your due diligence in finding one that health tests and raises their puppies with strong socialization skills like Puppy Culture.

Badly or poorly bred Great Danes tend to be overwhelmed with structural (and health) issues.

March 8, 2022
The Scary Great Dane Bloat Timeline
Did you know that Great Danes are one of the dog breeds that are most prone to bloat? The Great Dane bloat timeline, from the time a dog gets sick through the time that they may die, is very short.

Bloat is a serious condition that can kill dogs within hours. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms and to know what to do if your dog starts showing signs of bloat.

In this blog post, we will discuss the Great Dane bloat timeline. Bloat happens quickly and needs to be considered an emergency no matter what.

If you are worried that your Great Dane might be bloating, it is important that you seek veterinary care immediately.

GREAT DANE BLOAT TIMELINE

Here is a basic timeline of what bloat can look like for a Great Dane:

– The initial signs of bloat can be subtle. Your Great Dane may whine or act a little nervous with no known reason.

– If bloat is happening, the symptoms will continue to worsen, and your dog may begin to appear restless and uncomfortable.

-This can quickly progress to the dog visibly becoming bloated and beginning to drool, pant, and attempt to vomit.

-Great Danes can die within a few hours of showing the symptoms of bloat. This is especially true if treatment for the symptoms of bloat is not sought immediately.

If your Great Dane had a Gastropexy (stomach tack), bloat can still happen! If you see any signs or symptoms of bloat, seek emergency veterinary care.

THE SYMPTOMS OF BLOAT IN GREAT DANES

The most common symptoms of bloat include:
- A distended abdomen
- Restlessness and pacing
- Panting
- Drooling
- Retching without producing vomit
- Collapse
Your veterinarian will take x-rays to confirm that bloat is happening. The treatment for bloat can range from $500 – $10,000, depending on your location, veterinarian and complications.

To treat bloat, the veterinarian will often begin by decompressing the stomach to release the pressure of gas, fluid and air. If the stomach has rotated (torsion), surgery may be necessary to put it back in place. Organ damage is common with torsion.

GREAT DANE BLOAT SURVIVAL RATES

Many Great Danes will survive bloat if it is caught and treated early. Gastropexy can help buy you more time to get to the veterinarian if bloat occurs.

Left untreated, bloat can be fatal within just hours. This is true, even if you have attempted to ‘prevent’ bloat with common preventative advice and gastropexy.

Great Danes that experience bloat are more likely to experience it again. Bloat is believed to have genetic links; check with your breeder and ask about the history of bloat in your dog’s lineage.

Bloat is not preventable. There are things you can do to lower risk, however the most important thing is understanding the risks and the signs.

GREAT DANE BLOAT STUDY FROM TUFTS UNIVERSITY

https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=11165&meta=Generic&id=3848657

MORE GREAT DANE BLOAT RESOURCES
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. We do our best to present the most up-to-date research, however it is up to the reader to make decisions regarding the health and well-being of their dog. We make no claims here to prevent or treat bloat, Panosteitis, DCM or any other condition related to Great Danes. Find a veterinarian with GIANT breed experience, and chat with them.

Some of the products we list on our website contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, we may receive a small commission for referring you. We only recommend products that we truly believe in. This commission does not affect the price of the product and is used to fund our content and expenses related to operating this website.

READ MORE:

Black Great Dane Puppy – An Adorable Addition to Your Family

Bad Great Dane Breeders

READ MORE:

Is My Great Dane Puppy Knuckling?

Find a Great Dane Rescue
March 8, 2022
The Best Crates for a Great Dane: Crates that Fit 100 lb+ Dogs
Finding the best crates for a Great Dane is no easy feat when your pup is over 100 pounds.

Crate training a Great Dane is one of the best ways to make sure that your dog is safe, less able to make mistakes (such as peeing on your favorite rug), and less likely to chew up dangerous things such as cords and socks.

How to Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy
Crate Training for Great Dane Sized Dogs

kennel for great dane

Great Danes are giant breed dogs and most dog crates are NOT big enough! If you are looking for information on the best crates for a Great Dane, including the best custom crates for Great Danes, we’re sharing our favorite below.

The Frisco XXL 54″ Double-Door Dog Crate for Great Danes

THE BEST CRATES FOR A GREAT DANE

It is unlikely that you will be able to find appropriately sized Great Dane cages at your local pet store.

Most of the ‘largest’ dog crates sold are 48″, which most Great Danes will outgrow by 7-8 months of age! Great Dane kennel size is SO important because Great Danes need to be able to stretch their joints even inside of a crate.

Look for a giant breed 54″ crate. XXL crates typically come with a divider panel that can be used to make the interior smaller while your puppy is growing.

There are two main players for Great Dane Crates in the market: Frisco and Midwest Homes

PRO TIP:
Crate time should be limited to 1 hour per month of age. A 3 month old puppy should not expect to be comfortably crated for more than 3 hours between potty and movement breaks.

MidWest Solutions XXL Double-Door Wire Dog Crate for Great Danes

DOUBLE DOOR VS. SINGLE DOOR CRATES FOR GREAT DANES

We recommend double-door crates, as they offer more options for placement in your home.

SHOP ON CHEWY

Frisco Double Door 54″ Crate

MidWest Solutions Double Door 54″ Crate + Crate Pad

Frisco Single-Door 54″ Crate

SHOP ON AMAZON

MidWest Solutions 54″ Double Door Crate

MidWest Solutions 54″ Single Door Crate

K-9 Ballistics Elevated Cot

CRATE PADS AND CHEW-PROOF COTS FOR GREAT DANES

For orthopedic health, Great Danes should always have a soft and supportive surface to lay on.

If your Great Dane is destructive, we recommend the K-9 Ballistics Elevated Cot. It’s spendy but much cheaper than having to purchase a new bed every month! The K-9 Ballistics cot is nearly indestructible.

For a basic, simple made-to-fit crate pad, try the 54″ MidWest Dog Bolster Bed.

Midwest 54″ Crate Pad

CUSTOM CRATES FOR GREAT DANES

If you are wanting a crate that fits your home decor, consider a custom crate for your Great Dane! These are typically made out of wood and can have different stains, doors and exteriors.

Many Great Dane owners use custom dog crates as their TV stand!

Learn more about ordering a custom dog crate, starting at $1699 from BB KUSTOM KENNELS.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW7cla6r-RZ/

CRATE TRAINING RESOURCES FOR GREAT DANES
- 5 Dog Trainer Red Flags (and How to Spot Them)
  With countless dog trainers competing for your attention and hard-earned money, navigating the selection process can be daunting. It becomes even more challenging if you’re unsure about what makes a dog trainer good! I’ve compiled five dog trainer red flags, and am including some information to help you easily spot the warning signs. The dog… Read more: 5 Dog Trainer Red Flags (and How to Spot Them)
- Stop Puppy Biting in 3 Easy Steps
  Ouch, puppy teeth hurt! Dealing with puppy biting can be challenging. While puppies are undeniably cute, they are not polite with their sharp little teeth. Puppy biting can be concerning for pet owners worried about aggression and frustrating for those trying to address it. I’ve boiled this down into 3 easy, effective steps, which can… Read more: Stop Puppy Biting in 3 Easy Steps
- New Great Dane Puppy? This Guide is For You!
  December is a popular time to get a new Great Dane puppy. I believe that a lot of this is related to the Holidays; puppies are readily available, adorable, and popular to receive or give for Christmas! If you are new to the world of Great Danes, or ready for a refresher, let’s jump in.… Read more: New Great Dane Puppy? This Guide is For You!
- Do Dogs Get Lonely? The Fascinating Truth Behind Canine Depression
  Do dogs get lonely? Dog owners have long suspected that their furry friends get lonely for a variety of different reasons. Some dog owners report lonely dogs when they have to leave their dogs home alone for too long, their dog is the only dog in the household, or their dog isn’t getting enough mental… Read more: Do Dogs Get Lonely? The Fascinating Truth Behind Canine Depression
- Are Great Danes Easy to Train?
  Are Great Danes easy to train? Many people believe that Great Danes are stubborn, spiteful, and defiant. It can lead to questions about whether or not Great Danes are hard to train, especially as they are so large and can easily be destructive or dangerous. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for… Read more: Are Great Danes Easy to Train?
READ MORE:
How to Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy
HOW TO TRIM YOUR PUPPIES NAILS
HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR DOG’S FEET
Miniature Great Danes: The Pocket Size Version
Is My Puppy Too Skinny?
Supplements for Great Danes
How Much Do Great Danes Eat?
March 7, 2022
Great Dane with Cropped Ears
Ear cropping is a surgical procedure done on Great Dane puppies when they are 7-12 weeks of age. A Great Dane with cropped ears is regal and majestic!

The ear cropping procedure in Great Danes also requires aftercare and posting. Posting takes months and is the process by which the cropped ears are trained to stay upright.

If you have ever seen a Great Dane with ears that stand up, you have seen a Great Dane with cropped ears! Read to learn more about ear cropping.

Shown above: a mantle Great Dane puppy with cropped ears that are being posted, image courtesy of Kindlefire Great Danes (used with permission). Notice the taping around the ears. That must be cleaned and changed often, and the puppy must wear them for months.

GREAT DANE WITH CROPPED EARS

Great Danes are born with large floppy ears.

During a cropping procedure, the puppy is sedated and the ears are shaved.

A veterinarian then removes a large portion of the pinna (ear flap), sutures the edge and tapes the ears to a cone or to the puppies head.

Once the ears are fully healed from cropping (up to 2 weeks), the posting process can begin!

Here is a photo of two Great Dane Puppies that were just cropped. Image courtesy of Glacier Danes.

https://www.facebook.com/glacier.danes/photos/4476024949111243

Below is the same mantle puppy from Glacier Danes a few weeks later. In this image, the ears have healed and have been put into posts.

https://www.facebook.com/glacier.danes/photos/4750586351655100

Here is a photo of a Great Dane puppy before cropping, and then again after cropping as an adult. Notice how the ears stand up on their own.

GREAT DANE EAR CROPPING INFORMATION

Ear cropping should be performed by a licensed, insured and highly qualified/experienced cropping veterinarian.

We recommend asking your breeder for recommendations on the most talented ear crop veterinarians for your Great Dane. The best breeders will have puppies cropped before they are sent home.

If you live near Ohio, Dr. Anne Midgarden is highly regarded as one of the best Veterinarians in the Country for Great Dane ear cropping.

You can see some of her work here:

https://www.facebook.com/midgardenearcrops/photos/a.950153698467923/950153758467917

https://www.facebook.com/midgardenearcrops/photos/a.950153698467923/950168341799792

https://www.facebook.com/midgardenearcrops/photos/a.950153698467923/950181965131763

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GREAT DANES WITH CROPPED EARS?

Shown above: A Great Dane puppy with cropped ears that are not fully standing yet. These ears need a lot more time in posts before the cartilage will be mature enough to help the ears stand on their own.

We have tons of resources for cropping, with more added often! Ear cropping is a permanent procedure that requires skill and owner dedication; we support you either way!

MORE POSTS ON EAR CROPPING FOR GREAT DANES:
- The Anti-Ear Cropping Argument (& Why It’s Wrong)
  Today’s post is going to be quick and simple. The anti-ear cropping argument is misleading, and I think we need to talk about it. This morning somebody started a post in a Facebook group. It was one of THOSE posts. The “this is a hot topic and the initial take on it is controversial” type… Read more: The Anti-Ear Cropping Argument (& Why It’s Wrong)
- Ear Cropping & Taping Cropped Ears on Great Danes
  Ear cropping and taping cropped ears on Great Danes is a lengthy, involved process. If you have found this article, you are either on this journey or about to be, and we’re here to help! If you want your Great Dane to have erect ears that stand up, you may want to consider this procedure… Read more: Ear Cropping & Taping Cropped Ears on Great Danes
- Great Dane with Cropped Ears
  Ear cropping is a surgical procedure done on Great Dane puppies when they are 7-12 weeks of age. A Great Dane with cropped ears is regal and majestic! The ear cropping procedure in Great Danes also requires aftercare and posting. Posting takes months and is the process by which the cropped ears are trained to… Read more: Great Dane with Cropped Ears
- The 2 Sided Debate: Great Dane Ear Cropping
  Today we are chatting about Great Dane Ear Cropping! Are there any benefits to cropping Great Dane ears? When is ear cropping done on puppies? We will highlight the risks and benefits of Great Dane clipped ears and ear cropping, as well offer as a little bit of history, information on what to expect if… Read more: The 2 Sided Debate: Great Dane Ear Cropping
March 7, 2022
How to Stop a Great Dane Jumping Up
Today we are talking about how to stop a Great Dane jumping up. These are large dogs that can easily hurt somebody, even if their intentions are friendly.

This behavior is often based in excitement and friendliness but it must be discouraged.

Does your Great Dane jump:
- On you or kids?
- All over guests or strangers?
- Over and onto other dogs?
It’s time to put a stop to jumping once and for-all! Read on.

HOW TO STOP A GREAT DANE JUMPING UP

Jumping up is frustrating, however it does not have to be. We’re going to make this very simple:

To stop jumping, you must do three things:
a. Manage the behavior
b. Teach and reward the correct behavior
c. Make the incorrect behavior less rewarding

STEP ONE: MANAGE THE JUMPING UP BEHAVIOR

Practice makes perfect! A dog (or a puppy) that has been asked to jump up or encouraged to do so is a dog that is practicing the wrong behavior. If you want to stop your Great Dane from jumping up, you must first prevent the behavior.

Manage the environment so that your dog isn’t regularly put into situations where jumping happens.

Lower anxiety, stress and excitement levels by keeping yourself calm, too.

This temporary restriction to freedom is necessary so that you can break the cycle and your dog can no longer practice jumping.

Management may mean putting your dog behind a gate or on a leash when guests come over, and never asking the dog to jump up onto your shoulders ‘just for fun’.

(Don’t worry, you’ll be able to do that again once your dog understands the difference between jumping up on command and jumping up at will).

STEP 2: TEACH AND REWARD THE CORRECT BEHAVIOR

Before you can fairly fix the jumping problem, you must teach and reinforce (reward) the correct behavior. Instead of jumping, what should or could your Great Dane be doing instead?

Training Mistakes
Why is Leash Training so Hard?
5 Leash Training Tips
Puppy Training: 5 Mistakes in Training
What is Balanced Training?
E Collar Myths
What is an E Collar?
What is the Difference Between an E Collar and a Shock Collar?

Here are some ideas:
- Sit on a mat / place command
- Keep four feet on the ground
- Turn away from people
- Run to a crate and lay down in it when the doorbell rings
- Sit politely on your right or left side
- Grab a toy
- Touch their nose to the palm of your hand
All of these behaviors are easy to teach using positive reinforcement. Use treats, praise and play and make it fun. Do short training sessions and end on a positive note.

If you are properly e-collar training and have fully conditioned your dog on an EZ or Mini-Educator, you can also layer in gentle negative reinforcement to further strengthen the correct positively-trained behavior.

Here is a great video from Tom Davis (Upstate K-9) on teaching the ‘Place’ command with positive reinforcement:

A Great Dane in a solid ‘place’ is calm, confident and cannot jump on guests

STEP 3 – MAKE THE JUMPING UP BEHAVIOR LESS REWARDING

Once you’ve reduced the behavior through management and spent time thoroughly teaching your dog the correct behavior, you can fairly and humanely correct the jumping. We’ve included 5 appropriate corrections for jumping below!

The goal with this step is to balance things so that it is more rewarding for the dog to go to a place or sit by your side than it is for them to jump on guests.

When your dog begins to jump:
1. Immediately turn your back and walk away. Jumping = no attention.
2. Sharply say ‘AH’ and apply a quick leash correction/pop. When the dog is then doing the correct behavior, praise and reward. This correction MUST be quick, snappy and deliberate. Constant pressure and escalating frustration will not work and will be a sign that the dog doesn’t know what to do instead.
3. Bring a knee up to make it uncomfortable for the dog to jump. (Do not whack or knee your dog in the chest! Just bring the knee up and pair that with ‘Ah Ah’, then reward when the dog chooses the correct behavior).
4. Walk into the dog as he/she starts to jump. This will allow you to use body pressure to discourage jumping before it starts.
5. Following proper E-Collar training, apply E-Collar pressure then release the pressure as a reward. (Use this ONLY if you are using a real E-Collar, have studied the proper use and have fully conditioned your dog to the language of the collar. We recommend watching Larry Krohn & Tom Davis before using this tool and method.
We do not recommend:
Kneeing or Whacking the chest
Squirt bottles
Alpha rolls/pinning
Shock collars
‘Vibration or beep’
Holding the dog by the paws
Frustrated corrections of any kind

TEACHING A GREAT DANE PUPPY NOT TO JUMP

Great Dane puppies need to learn how to have calm interactions with people so that a jumping habit doesn’t develop.

Never allow a stranger to come up, squeal in excitement and rile your puppy up! This is how you teach and encourage excitement and anxiety about people.

Advocate for your puppy.

Make sure that people are only giving your Great Dane puppy attention when they are calm and your puppy is calm. These interactions should be positive and gentle!

Do you have a jumping Great Dane? Share your story below!
March 4, 2022
Should I Allow My Great Dane to Play in the Mud?
Should I Allow My Great Dane to Play in the Mud?

We love a dirty dog.

Messy home issues aside, letting your dog get dirty may actually be one of the best things for them!

Great Danes LOVE mud and many dogs have a hard time keeping out of it.

There are actually biological and behavioral reasons for this! When your dog refuses to stay clean, they aren’t being stubborn. They are simply satisfying a desire to enjoy the moment.

@deardanes

SHOULD I ALLOW MY GREAT DANE TO PLAY IN THE MUD? MUD IS NATURAL PLAY FOR DOGS

So many dogs are not getting the physical and mental enrichment that they need.

A few rubber toys and a leashed walk on pavement is the human equivalent of living in a basement and walking on a treadmill. No wonder so many Great Danes are anxious, destructive, frantic and ‘stubborn’!

1000’s of years ago, dogs would roll in the mud to mask their scent from predators.

These days, dogs find this behavior to be very fun and enriching. The mud is cool, fun to play in and feels great on their paws!

@deardanes

IS PLAYING IN MUD BAD FOR DOGS?

Playing in mud and dirt is incredibly enriching for dogs.

Puppy Training: 5 Mistakes in Training
Great Dane Puppy Fear Stages
How to Stop a Great Dane from Jumping Up
How to Teach a Great Dane to Walk on Leash

Dirt and mud are full of unique and interesting smells. It feels good on paws and feet and provides an incredible opportunity to exercise the shoulders, hips, pasterns and core while digging, running and playing.

Dogs that dig up the garden and the lawn have given themselves an important job to do!

Pro tip: If you don’t want your dog digging up your garden, use supervision to prevent the behavior and make sure your dog is getting plenty of enrichment outside of the yard. You can also dedicate a ‘digging spot’ and redirect your dog to it until they understand that they are allowed to dig there.

@deardanes

DIRT, ALLERGIES AND HEALTH

A dog should never ingest or inhale mud; it can contain parasites and other things that may be dangerous to their health. Supervision is necessary!

What Foods Help a Dog’s Upset Stomach?

However, access to free-play in dirt, mud and the outdoors can:
- Help reduce stress and anxiety (Bloat and Gut Health and Anxiety)
- Combat depression (Engagement for Your Dog)
- Reduce boredom (Your Puppy is Bored)
- Boost the immune system
- Help with digestion and cardiovascular health (10 things you should know about Great Dane Health)
- Reduce allergies (GREAT DANE SKIN ISSUES)
- Soften toenails, paw pads, skin and fur
- Improve balance and coordination
- Strengthen muscles (HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR DOG’S FEET)
Remember, lean & fit dogs live on average 2 years longer than dogs that are allowed to become lazy and overweight. Not only that, but the stress reduction can mean a reduction in bloat risk, too!

LEARN ABOUT BLOAT HERE
IS BLOAT PREVENTABLE?
GASTROPEXY SURGERY- STOMACH TACKING
DOES GUT HEALTH RELATE TO BLOAT?
HOW FAST DOES BLOAT HAPPEN?

Paddington the Dane

CLEANING A MUDDY GREAT DANE

Once you’ve let your Great Dane enjoy the mud, you have to get them clean again.

Here are a few tips:
- Make baths and cleaning part of a positive routine. If your dog is resistant, start slow and work up to making baths ‘no big deal’ by using treats, praise and fun. We recommend this Natural Dog Company Shampoo.
- Use a MUDBUSTER; keep this by the door and train your dog to calmly wait while you wash each paw. Simply plunge their paw into the cup and watch it come out clean. This is GREAT for people who have muddy yards!
- Use a microfiber paw dirt catcher mat. These feel great on paws and will pick up loose dirt, snow and water quickly as your dog runs over it.
Pro tip: Don’t use squirt bottles as a training method; all they do is teach your dog fear being sprayed with water (which they need when they are muddy)! (What is Great Dane Dominance Training?)

@JacksonandMatilda

Do you let your Great Dane play in the mud?

READ MORE:
Great Dane Not Eating – What to Do
Great Dane Farts: The Funniest Collection of Photos and Videos on the Internet
Blue Great Danes – Facts, Photos, and Care
Be Careful Who You Allow to Train Your Dog

Share your photos by tagging us on Instagram @hellodanes, and join our Facebook group here.

Paddington the Dane

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. We do our best to present the most up-to-date research, however it is up to the reader to make decisions regarding the health and well-being of their dog. We make no claims here to prevent or treat bloat, Panosteitis, DCM or any other condition related to Great Danes. Find a veterinarian with GIANT breed experience, and chat with them.

Some of the products we list on our website contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, we may receive a small commission for referring you. We only recommend products that we truly believe in. This commission does not affect the price of the product and is used to fund our content and expenses related to operating this website.

READ MORE:

Black Great Dane Puppy – An Adorable Addition to Your Family

Bad Great Dane Breeders
February 25, 2022
From Running Away to Off-Leash: Recall for Great Danes Is The #1 Most Important Skill
Recall for Great Danes is the difference between you screaming at your Great Dane while they run off at the terrified mailman and you enjoying a nice, peaceful walk.

Coming when called is arguably the most important skill you can teach your Great Dane.

We believe that off-leash obedience is a MUST for our giant-breed dogs!

Having off-leash freedom means that your dog will be able to move, explore and exercise without the use of frustrating physical restraints such as long leashes, harnesses and collars.

Does your dog:
- Bolt out of doors
- Jump fences
- Run away
- Ignore you when you say ‘COME!’, often blowing you completely off?
- Make you chase them
- Lunge and pull on a leash
- Have to always be on a long leash
This post is for you. We’re going to show you how to take your Great Dane from running away to being completely OFF LEASH!

RECALL FOR GREAT DANES: BUILD A FOUNDATION

Good recall starts with a good foundation.
- Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog that when you say ‘COME’, good things happen!
- Positive reinforcement means treats, praise, play, fun, games, attention, affection and access to things such as freedom, a car ride or a room they want to be in.
- Practice in a low distraction area such as the living room or backyard.
- Don’t let your dog off-leash until you know you can count on them.
- Incorporate food rewards heavily if your dog is learning.
- Never scold your dog for blowing you off; you’ll only teach them to run farther (and faster) away from you next time.
E-COLLARS FOR RECALL

The modern E-Collar is THE most gentle, humane and reliable training tool available. It is not a shock collar and will not hurt your dog. Shock collars are different, and we don’t use those here. Bark collars are also different- more on that here.
E-Collars work by causing a barely perceptible muscle stimulation that feels like a tickle or a twitch, which is much more gentle than the constant pressure and restrictions offered by a harness or leash.

Matter of fact, a harness could actually be HURTING your dog!

E-Collar training is one of the most responsible and humane things you can do as the owner of a giant breed dog! Think of it like a walkie-talkie; with it, you’ll be able to communicate even when you are in a noisy environment (the beach) or your dog is far away (on a hiking trail).

If your dog ignores you when you call them- check out our recall resources.

Even if you think modern E-Collars are ‘abuse’ (they aren’t) and even if you plan to use ‘only’ positive reinforcement (works for some dogs, not all), we encourage you to read and learn!
Read more here

We do not stand behind the practice of using cheap shock collars on ‘beep, vibrate or shock’ as an easy-button training method. If you are waving a remote at your dog as a threat so they stop and run away, you’re doing it wrong. The goal is to make your dog WANT to come to you.

RELIABLE RECALL TOOLS FOR GREAT DANES

10 Things To Know If You Are a Great Dane Owner

10 Tips for Caring for Great Danes

Quality E-Collars are typically $175 or more. They are waterproof, rugged and use modern technology.

Cheap shock collars from Petsmart and Amazon are not the same and cannot be used for this.

We use and recommend E-Collar Technologies. The Mini-Educator is a perfect simple easy-to-use collar, while the Easy Educator is great if you have multiple dogs.

We recommend using a Mini-Educator, high-value treats and a biothane long leash.

The sensation from this collar feels like ants crawling around or a gentle tapping. It does not hurt or punish. This stimulation is so gentle that dogs are enthusiastic and responsive at levels that humans cannot feel.

HOW E-COLLARS WORK FOR RECALL

E-Collars work by giving the dog a tactile cue to return to you.

Instead of shouting COME, your dog will feel the sensation and run to you. It should not make them feel afraid or fearful.
In the introduction phase, the dog is taught through positive reinforcement that the neutral muscle stimulation means treats, praise, play and fun. Because they have a positive association with this new sensation, they are enthusiastic and want to learn!

For dogs that are more interested in the environment than coming when called, the stimulation can be used at a higher level. This higher level will get their attention, exactly how you may have to turn your cell phone up, or how somebody may have to shout to get your attention at a loud concert.

When your cell phone rings, you answer it. The ringing may be mildly annoying but is not painful or punishing.
Answering it makes the sound go away, and you are rewarded by the voice of your friend on the other end of the line.
A modern E-Collar is a cell phone, a long leash is a land line, and a dog wearing nothing at all is a liability.

GETTING STARTED

We are linking some resources below for you to get started with E-Collar and recall training for your Great Dane! Before you get started, we encourage you to watch as much positive E-Collar content (two trainers we recommend are below) as possible, and work with a modern E-Collar trainer who uses positive methods.

Here is a video of a trainer (Tom Davis, Upstate K-9) using an E-Collar on a client so they can see how ‘shocking’ it is.
Fast forward to 2:52 to see that part of the video, especially if you are new to E-Collars or believe they will hurt!

Teaching recall to a dog using an E-Collar with Tom Davis:

Positive-Balanced Great Dane Trainers

Larry Krohn is an expert on modern E-Collar use. All dog owners should watch his content.

Larry Krohn on Youtube, demonstrating the E-Collar on his daughter:

Larry Krohn’s book, ‘Everything You Need to Know About E-Collar Training’

Shop now
February 24, 2022
What Makes a Great Dane Breeder Good?
What Makes a Great Dane Breeder Good? Choosing the right Great Dane breeder for your next puppy can be the difference between having a dog live a long, robust, active life and having a timid or aggressive dog that suffers from heart and structural problems.

Not all Great Dane Breeders are created equal! Today we’re talking about what makes a Great Dane Breeder good. If you are looking for a Great Dane puppy, you need to read this list!

What Makes a Great Dane Breeder Good?

The reality here is that there are a million things a breeder can do wrong, and only a few they can do right.

Abusive breeders with sick puppies are generally easy to spot, but the reality is that they aren’t in the majority.

So what about the others? What makes a Great Dane breedergGood?

Where are all of these aggressive, fearful, poorly structured dogs coming from? Why are the rescues full of dogs with questionable health, poor temperaments and terrible former home lives?

The ‘friendly’ backyard breeders with nice websites and who ‘health test’ are super sneaky and easy to fall for. Yet, they are actually the ones responsible for the majority of health, temperament and rescue problems in Great Danes!

A sick puppy from our bad breeders list, produced by a ‘reputable’ friendly backyard breeder.

HOW TO SPOT A GOOD BREEDER FOR GREAT DANES

Here is a list of the top 5 things that your Great Dane breeder should be able to prove to you before you consider purchasing a puppy from them.

Keep in mind that the ‘sneaky’ backyard breeders will be friendly, will have a nice website and will make you think they are reputable. Verify everything!

1. FULL HEALTH TESTING OF BOTH PARENTS, NO EXCEPTIONS

Many ‘friendly’ backyard breeders will tell you that they ‘health test’, but this testing will stop short. Verify that both parents have completed the following:
- Hip & Elbow x-rays, OFA or PENNHIP certified
- Eye exam with a board-certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist (OFA)
- Echocardiogram (OFA)
- Thyroid panel (OFA)
- Genetic screening as needed for color and genetic disorders such as bloat and IMGD
- A thorough study of the pedigree, which should be healthy and robust
Pro tip: remember, fear/aggression, bloat and heart problems are largely genetic AND are just three of the primary reasons that Great Danes ‘don’t live long’.

The breeder you choose can greatly impact your new puppy’s lifespan and overall health.

2. HEALTHY PARENTS, HEALTHY TEMPERAMENTS & HEALTHY PEDIGREE

To put this simply, the parents should be robust, healthy, friendly, courageous examples of Great Danes.

Read the written standard here for more information.

The pedigree should be free bloat, seizures, heart failure, thyroid disease, megaesophogus, poor structure, fear, anxiety, aggression, Wobblers, Von Willebrand’s and clotting disorders. Ask the breeder to verify this, and don’t take excuses for an answer.

Breeding dogs together because they ‘are great dogs’, are ‘Euro’, have a neat color or AKC papers is not enough.

(Read more about ‘Euro’ Danes here)

One the left: A rescue Dane that originated with a backyard breeder. On the right, a well-bred brindle Dane.

On the left, a Harlequin Great Dane from a ‘friendly and reputable’ backyard breeder. She is aggressive and has health problems. On the right, a well bred champion Great Dane. The dog on the right is more likely to live a long, robust life, pain-free life and make an excellent family pet.

Perpetuating genetic, structural and temperament problems in Great Danes through careless, profit-driven breeding ‘friendly backyard breeding’ practices is extremely unethical.

3. PUPPY CULTURE SOCIALIZATION

It’s not enough to expose a litter of puppies to the yard and some kids or goats.

Good Great Dane breeders learn from others, study, understand basic behavior and training concepts and implement dedicated practices such as Puppy Culture and ENS.

These programs are designed to socialize the puppies and teach them to be confident, adaptable, people-focused and trainable. Puppy Culture and ENS can take already outstanding, thoughtfully bred dogs and make them amazing family pets that are calm, focused, easy to train and a joy to be around.

Puppies should be deliberately exposed to a variety of handling, sounds, people, obstacles and experiences, and kept with the litter for a minimum of 8 weeks.

Stress is a leading contributor to bloat risk, so this one is important.

4. DEDICATION TO THEIR DOGS

A good breeder is dedicated to their dogs. They provide them with robust, enriched lives and maintain their health and well being with an appropriate diet, training, teeth & nail maintenance and access to socialization experiences.

You will also find that good breeders title their dogs. Titles can come from conformation (show), obedience, tricks and sports.

Ask about previous puppies and their experience! If the breeder is selling puppies to dedicated, caring and deliberately chosen owners those puppies will also have received titles such as CGC, trick titles or even conformation and show titles.

Contrary to popular belief, showing dogs is not just a ‘snobby hobby’. Show dogs prove that the breed health and structure is being maintained. Proving a dog’s conformation in the show ring is in the best interest of the breed as a whole, and puppies from show dogs with proven, AKC CH. pedigrees are more likely to have robust structure, health and temperaments.

A sickly, timid looking double-merle (‘Merlequin’) Great Dane puppy from Petland, a store that sells puppies from unethical breeders and puppy mills.

5. LIFETIME SUPPORT

Good breeders care about every puppy they produce and will never allow a single one to end up in a shelter or rescue.

They will support buyers through hard times, take puppies back at any time for any reason and are available to puppy buyers for questions and advice.

A Great Dane from a thoughtful, careful and diligent breeder is not a dog that will ever clog the rescue system; this reason alone should be enough for people to understand the importance of choosing carefully before giving money to a ‘friendly’ backyard breeder.

WHAT GOOD BREEDERS DO NOT DO

Good breeders:
- Never use their breeding program and contracts to promote, sell and profit from MLM commission products such as Life’s Abundance or NuVet; these products promote the idea of breeding for profit and are not fully tested nor are they formulated by board-certified Veterinary Nutritionists.
- Will never stud their dogs out to random other ‘breeders’
- Don’t use social media to sell entire litters of puppies; this is a sign that a breeder bred dogs together before finding dedicated potential owners, and is willing to sell to anybody with $$.
- Will not cut corners on health testing (heart, hips, eyes, thyroid) or make excuses for why they only did some of it.
- Good breeders often have terrible, outdated and sketchy looking websites! Good breeders are out working with their dogs and their puppies, not wasting time making pretty marketing.
- Will not simply/easily ship a puppy to you or sell it to you with a ‘buy now’ button.
- Are affiliated with the parent club (GDCA) in some way, either as a member, in the community as a breeder that is showing their dogs, or as a breeder who is mentoring under and learning from a member of the club while building their program. Their reputation is positive in the Dane breeder community, not just in the Dane pet-owner community (where most friendly backyard breeder referrals tend to come from).
- Will never allow owners to breed their puppies without extreme diligence, and will not allow any puppy from the litter to go to a ‘breeder’ home.
- Are choosy about potential homes.
- Are extremely unlikely to allow you to purchase littermates/multiples at the same time.
READ MORE:

Bad Great Dane Breeders
February 22, 2022