Category: Puppy Basics

  • Great Dane Puppy Care 101

    Great Dane Puppy Care 101

    Welcoming a Great Dane puppy into your life is an exciting and heartwarming experience!

    These gentle giants are known for their immense size, affectionate nature, and unwavering loyalty. However, as with any new addition to your family, caring for a Great Dane puppy requires knowledge, patience, and dedication. In this comprehensive guide, “Great Dane Puppy Care 101,” we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to ensure your Great Dane puppy grows into a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted adult.

    From nutrition and socialization to training tips and healthcare essentials, this article will equip you with the knowledge and tools to provide the best possible start in life for your furry companion. So, let’s embark on this incredible journey of puppy parenthood together and make sure your Great Dane puppy thrives every step of the way.

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    Great Dane Puppy Care 101

    Taking care of a Great Dane puppy involves five key elements for their well-being and happiness.

    • Nutrition
    • Socialization
    • Training
    • Exercise
    • Veterinary Care

    Providing a balanced and high-quality diet tailored to their specific needs is crucial to support their rapid growth. Equally important is socialization, as early exposure to different people, animals, and environments helps them develop into well-adjusted and confident adults. Adequate exercise is another vital component, as Great Danes are active dogs that require daily physical activity to maintain their health and prevent boredom-related issues.

    Training plays a pivotal role in shaping their behavior and obedience. Consistent and positive reinforcement-based training methods help ensure that your Great Dane puppy grows into a well-behaved and respectful companion. Lastly, regular veterinary care is imperative for their overall health. Routine check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive measures are essential to catch and address any health concerns early on, ensuring a long and happy life for your Great Dane puppy.

    Let’s dig into each of these topics below!

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    What to Feed a Great Dane Puppy

    Choosing the right puppy food for your Great Dane is a crucial decision that can significantly impact their health and development.

    When it comes to large or giant breed puppies like Great Danes, it’s important to focus on nutrition tailored to their specific needs. Look for puppy food formulas designed explicitly for large and giant breeds.

    Yes, I said puppy food! You may have heard from other puppy owners or even your breeder that you should feed your new Great Dane puppy adult food. This is an outdated practice and no longer considered the gold standard of care!

    A properly formulated large or giant breed puppy food will typically have controlled levels of calcium and phosphorus to support slow and steady bone growth, reducing the risk of skeletal issues that can be common in rapidly growing puppies.

    Additionally, ensure the food contains high-quality protein sources to aid in muscle development. Consult with your veterinarian to select a brand and formula that meets your Great Dane puppy’s unique dietary requirements.

    Our opinion mirrors that of board-certified veterinary nutritionists, who say that the following formulas are ideal for all Dane puppies under the age of two:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

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    How to Train a Great Dane Puppy

    Training a Great Dane puppy is a rewarding journey that requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. It’s also really, really important! The last thing you want is a giant breed dog taking YOU for a walk.

    Begin with basic obedience commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” in a controlled, distraction-free environment. Use treats and praise as rewards to reinforce desired behaviors. Practice these behaviors several times a day, especially at first, in a variety of locations. Puppies thrive on repetition!

    For leash training, start with short walks to get your puppy used to the leash and gradually increase the distance. Encourage loose leash walking by stopping and changing direction when they pull, rewarding them when they walk calmly by your side.

    Off-leash training can be challenging for large breeds like Great Danes, but it’s essential for their safety and well-being. Start in a secure, fenced area (or use a long leash, like this one) and practice recall commands like “come.”

    Gradually increase the distance and practice in different environments with varying levels of distractions. Never scold your puppy for failing to come to you, and always make coming to you a positive experience.

    Remember that Great Dane Puppies BITE! This is a normal, playful behavior that usually results from excitement. When your puppy gets too amped up, cross your arms, SIGH, and walk away. This teaches your puppy that you will disengage if they become rude with their teeth; they will learn (with repetition), to chill out.

    To take your training to the next level and ensure your Great Dane is a well-behaved canine citizen, consider pursuing the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title. This program evaluates a dog’s obedience and temperament, including behaviors like sitting politely for petting and walking calmly on a leash. Earning a CGC title not only showcases your Great Dane’s training and good manners but also demonstrates your commitment to responsible dog ownership. Remember that consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience are the keys to successfully training your Great Dane puppy.

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    How Much Exercise Should a Great Dane Puppy Get?

    Exercising a Great Dane puppy requires a delicate balance due to their rapid growth and susceptibility to bone and joint issues.

    While they are a large breed known for their energy, it’s crucial to avoid excessive forced exercise during their puppyhood. Examples of something to avoid include long leashed walks on hard pavement, or super long hikes that result in pure exhaustion.

    Generally, Great Dane puppies should have short, controlled play sessions and moderate walks. Most of their movement should actually come from free play on soft, varied terrain!

    A rule of thumb is 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to a maximum of 20-30 minutes for young puppies (for leashed walks and hikes). Focus instead on low-impact activities to protect their developing joints, like interactive play and exploration of various textures (which doubles as socialization).

    Swimming is an excellent option as it provides exercise without putting stress on their limbs. Consulting with a veterinarian or canine specialist can help you tailor an appropriate exercise regimen for your Great Dane puppy based on their individual needs and growth rate. Remember, the goal is to ensure their physical development is gradual and healthy.

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    Veterinary Care for Great Dane Puppies

    Veterinary care for Great Dane puppies is a critical component of their overall well-being. We believe in and trust science and veterinarians!

    These large breed puppies are more susceptible to certain health issues, making regular check-ups and vaccinations crucial. Start with a comprehensive wellness exam shortly after bringing your Great Dane puppy home, and follow a recommended vaccination schedule to protect them from diseases like parvovirus and distemper.

    Given their size, it’s important to monitor their growth and development, ensuring they’re growing at an appropriate rate to avoid skeletal issues. Great Dane puppies should be grown slowly!

    Regular check-ups also allow the vet to address any concerns early on. Discuss a proper nutrition plan with your veterinarian to support your puppy’s unique dietary needs during their rapid growth phase. Additionally, consider discussing preventive measures such as flea and tick control and heartworm prevention.

    Veterinary care is not only about treating illness but also about proactive health management to ensure a long, healthy, and happy life for your Great Dane puppy.

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    Great Dane Puppies are Easy to Care For

    Caring for Great Dane puppies is both a rewarding and responsible undertaking.

    These gentle giants require specialized attention to ensure their health, happiness, and well-being. From choosing the right nutrition and providing early socialization to maintaining a balanced exercise routine, proper training, and regular veterinary care, each aspect of their care is essential in fostering a thriving companion.

    Great Dane puppies may be large, but they’re also known for their boundless love and loyalty, making the effort to raise them well truly worthwhile. By dedicating time and effort to their upbringing, you not only nurture a strong bond but also help them grow into the well-behaved and content adults that this remarkable breed is known to be. Enjoy your puppy and have fun!

  • Getting a Puppy: The Good, The Bad, The Unexpected and The Inevitable

    Getting a Puppy: The Good, The Bad, The Unexpected and The Inevitable

    Bringing home a puppy is exciting and full of potential, but it’s also a big commitment that comes with many challenges. Before you bring your four-legged friend home, it’s important to understand the good, the bad, and the unexpected that come along with owning a pet.

    Top Ten Things to Know When Getting a Puppy

    Bringing a puppy home is a big decision and should never be taken lightly.

    If your family has decided that a puppy is the right fit, it’s important to do some research and know what to expect. Here are ten things you should be aware of and research when getting a pup:

    1. Puppy Food
    2. Puppy Training Tips
    3. All The Supplies a Puppy Might Need
    4. The Time and Commitment New Puppies Require
    5. Learn About Your Puppy’s Health
    6. Potty Training Your Puppy
    7. Keeping Your Puppy Clean
    8. Puppies Chew!
    9. Crate Training
    10. Are Your Family Members On Board?

    Puppy Food

    Your puppy requires different dog food than the other pets in your home. As your puppy grows, new pet parents will need to research the right dog food and puppy treats to provide their new canine companion.

    No, a new pup should NOT be on the same food as an adult dog. Puppies require PUPPY food and should NOT be on adult dog food.

    Pet parents should do their research and speak with their veterinarians about what is the best option to feed their new puppy.

    Puppy Training Tips

    Getting a dog trainer to help train your puppy is a vital part of having your first puppy.

    A young puppy is not going to turn into a well behaved dog overnight.

    To help your puppy grow up into a loyal and dedicated member of your family and society, you need to be consistent with your training and set aside time every day to practice.

    You will also want to look into puppy classes and other activities that can help socialize your pup.

    When hiring a dog trainer, look for one that always uses positive reinforcement AND helps your dog understand right from wrong. This is called balanced training and will help your canine companion become accustomed to life.

    All The Supplies a Puppy Might Need

    A new puppy is not cheap. New pet parents should set aside money monthly to save up for their new puppy. Puppy essentials add up. There are lots of items that a new puppy needs to be successful.

    Puppy gates, food and water bowls, grooming supplies.. the list goes on. Puppy parents should research these items to get the best ones for their pup and their budget.

    New Puppy Checklist

    A new puppy checklist is important for dog parents to figure out what they might need to buy when bringing home a new puppy.

    Puppy supplies included on a new puppy checklist include:

    1. Grooming Tools: Nail clippers, puppy shampoo / dog shampoo, baby wipes, poop bags,
    2. Puppy Toys: Dog toys to help your puppy succeed at teething, a chew toy (or a bunch!),
    3. Baby Gates: Help your puppy stay safe in the house (and keep your carpets clean!)
    4. Food and Water Bowls: Opt for a ceramic set and clean often.
    5. Dog Bed: A bed your pup can call their own. You may want to start off with a dog bed that is cheaper incase those puppy teeth go at it, and then move to something orthopedic like a Big Barker once you trust your new puppy more.
    6. Crate/Kennel: Opt for one that is big enough so they can move around in it but still feel secure.
    7. Leash, Harness and Collar Set: Choose one that fits your puppy’s neck size, being careful not to pull too tight.
    8. Treats: Most puppies will thrive on training with treats or a good chew toy. Low calorie treats can help significantly with teething puppies and house training.

    The Time and Commitment New Puppies Require

    Raising a puppy requires lots of time, patience, consistency and dedication from all family members involved.

    A puppy is not like a stuffed animal that you can just leave in a corner or a dog crate when you want to be gone all day and all night.

    Get informed about the time that dogs actually require before getting one. Puppies will need to be taken out for walks and potty breaks, get lots of playtime, and require attention from their humans.

    If you are not sure if your lifestyle allows you the time it takes to own a puppy, consider doing some research before adopting or buying your new pet.

    By understanding what is needed to raise a healthy and well-behaved puppy, you can be sure that you are the right fit for your new furry friend.

    Learn About Your Puppy’s Health

    Canine companions are not all fun and games. With adorable puppies comes a LOT of vet bills.

    Pet insurance early on can help to mitigate the cost of a new dog.

    When looking for pet insurance, find a plan that covers both routine visits and emergency medical services.

    It is also important to learn about the breed of your puppy. Knowing their common health concerns and needs can help you prevent problems or catch them early on.

    Your veterinarian is always a great resource if you have any questions regarding your pup’s health. They will be able to provide advice on what pet insurance would be best for your puppy.

    Potty Training Your Puppy

    Potty training is probably one of the toughest things to help your puppy learn.

    Be prepared with all the essentials to help your puppy learn to use the bathroom in the right spot. This includes puppy pads, a designated potty area, and lots of patience.

    Consistency is key when it comes to potty training your pup. Take them out on regular intervals, give them verbal cues such as ‘go potty’ so they understand what you are asking of them and reward them with treats when they go in the right spot.

    Lastly, never punish a puppy for having an accident as they are still learning. Be patient and understanding while teaching your puppy this important skill.

    Keeping Your Puppy Clean

    You can puppy proof all you want, but it is inevitable that you are going to have a mess if you have a dog or puppy. Dog hair, accidents, and muddy paw prints are just part of it.

    It is important to keep your puppy clean and hygienic in order to prevent any health issues.

    A regular bath schedule (not too often!) with specific dog shampoo should be kept, as well as brushing your puppy regularly and cleaning their ears. Baby wipes also come in handy for quick clean ups in between baths.

    Finally, always remember to check their paws after they have been outside playing or walking, as dirt can build up and cause problems if left untreated.

    Puppies Chew!

    Puppies love to chew things up. If you have your own space with valuable items, it is YOUR responsibility to keep your puppy safe from that area, not theirs!

    Using a dog crate is a fantastic way to keep your pup safe and secure.

    In addition, providing chew toys can help keep them distracted from the items that could cause harm.

    The best chew toys are those made of rubber or nylon as they are harder for puppies to destroy and safer if swallowed than rawhide chews.

    Crate Training

    A dog crate is the perfect way to provide a safe and secure place for your puppy.

    Crate training is great for teaching puppies how to stay in one area, sleep through the night without having accidents, and learning when it’s time to be quiet.

    It is important that you start crate training as soon as possible with your new pup.

    Are Your Family Members On Board?

    Making sure that all members of your family are on board when you decide to bring home a new dog is of utmost importance.

    Otherwise, it can be difficult to create a harmonious environment at home.

    Talk with all members of your family to make sure that everyone is aware of what needs to be done and is willing to take part in the pup’s care.

    From potty training to feeding schedules, having everyone on the same page will help ensure your puppy’s successful transition into your family.

    Commonly Asked Puppy Questions from New Puppy Parents

    With puppies, come many questions! Here are some of the most commonly asked questions from new puppy parents.

    Where should a puppy sleep the first night?

    Starting your puppy off the first night in their new routine is important. But, remember that a puppy can not go longer than a few hours without a potty break.

    So, it is recommended to create a safe space for them in their crate and set an alarm for every two hours to take the pup outside to go potty.

    What are the first things to do when you get a puppy?

    The first things to do when you get a puppy include setting up the puppy’s sleeping area, establishing a feeding schedule, and introducing them to their potty spot.

    It is also important to start socializing your puppy and enrolling them in an obedience class.

    Finally, remember that puppies needs lots of love and attention , so make sure to spend quality time with them!

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    Keep your puppy safe with a Tractive GPS collar!

    What should I know before getting a puppy?

    Before getting a puppy, it is important to know what type of breed best fits your lifestyle, and whether you are ready to make the commitment that comes with owning a dog.

    Puppies need lots of attention, exercise, and training in order to stay healthy and happy. It is also important to have a plan for potty training and prevention of destructive behavior.

    In addition, you should research what type of supplies you will need to have on hand for your new pup. This includes a crate, food and water bowls, chew toys, grooming supplies, and more!

    Finally, make sure to budget for regular vet visits and potential medical costs that may arise.

    How much money should I save up before getting a dog?

    It is recommended to save up at least $1000 before getting a puppy. This money can go towards supplies such as food, treats, toys, and a crate; as well as costs associated with vet visits and potential medical expenses that may arise.

    Having this money saved up ahead of time will help you be prepared for any unexpected costs.

    How long can a puppy be left alone?

    The rule of thumb for puppies going without potty breaks is about one hour for every month of age.

    So, a three-month-old pup should not be left alone for more than three hours. However, it is important to note that puppies need lots of attention, so it is best to limit their alone-time as much as possible.

    It is also recommended to have someone watch your puppy for you if you will be gone for any length of time. A pet sitter can help to make sure to keep your dog safe if you will be gone longer than the recommended amount of time.

    Following these steps and doing the necessary research before bringing home a new pup can help ensure that both you and your pup have a positive transition to their new home. With patience, love, and dedication, owning a puppy can be an incredibly rewarding experience!

    Should you let a puppy cry at night?

    No, you should not let your puppy cry at night.

    Puppies may cry during their first few nights in a new home as they adjust to their new environment, so it is important to provide comfort and reassurance. Taking them outside for potty breaks (every two hours) and giving them a safe space to sleep can help them feel more secure and can reduce the amount of crying.

    Giving your pup lots of love and attention during their first few nights in a new home will also help to make them feel safe and secure. With patience, consistency, and plenty of positive reinforcement, you can ensure that your puppy has a smooth transition into their new home.

    What to consider before buying a dog?

    Before buying a dog, it is important to consider your lifestyle and make sure you are ready for the commitment that comes with owning a new puppy. You should also research what type of breed best fits your lifestyle and be prepared to purchase all necessary supplies such as food bowls, a crate, toys, grooming supplies and more. Don’

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  • Introducing a Puppy to an Older Dog: Tips for a Successful Transition

    Introducing a Puppy to an Older Dog: Tips for a Successful Transition

    Introducing a puppy to an older dog can be stressful, but bringing a puppy home is so much fun! If you have an older dog and are bringing home a new puppy- don’t fret!

    Dogs teach one another new things all the time. Both the puppy and the other dogs in your home can learn from this experience.

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    Adding a new puppy to the family can be an exciting time, but it can also be challenging if you have an older dog at home. Older dogs may not be used to having a little one running around and might become agitated or defensive.

    Let’s learn how to introduce dogs in a way that helps both the senior dog or adult dog and puppy stay calm and respectful during their first meeting.

    INTRODUCING A PUPPY TO AN OLDER DOG REQUIRES PLANNING

    It may be hard for you to face the truth: your big dog is not a frisk, young pup anymore.

    That’s okay! Older dogs can still enjoy life, but you will need to take some extra considerations into account when bringing home a new puppy.

    PREPARATION IS KEY

    Before introducing a new puppy to your older dog, you’ll want to do some planning and prep. Take some time to think through the following items:

    1. What is a good, neutral territory that you can have the dogs meet?
    2. Does your dog have any health issues that might cause the pup to scare or hurt them? (Arthritis, for example, can make some older dogs grumpy if they’re not feeling well.)
    3. What is the personality of your current dog? (This will help you better understand how they might react to a new puppy in the home.)
    4. Do you have any other pets in the house that need to be considered in this equation?
    5. Does your existing dog tolerate puppies, or are they afraid/uncomfortable with younger puppies?

    Answers to these questions will help you better prepare for a successful puppy-dog meeting.

    PICK A GOOD TIME FOR THE INTRODUCTION

    You’ll want to make sure that both the puppy and your dog are calm and not too tired or hungry before introducing them. A good time might be after a walk when they’re both relaxed.

    SET UP THE INTRODUCTION

    Once you’ve decided on a good time and place to introduce the dogs, it’s time to set things up for success.

    Here are a few things to consider:

    1. Make sure both dogs are on a leash during the introduction. This will help you keep control of the situation in case things get too rowdy.
    2. Do not introduce your dog in an area where other canines are around.
    3. Create a toy free zone. Some dogs will get annoyed easily when puppies are rude/steal their toys, as puppies tend to not have any manners at all when it comes to sharing.

    CHOOSE A NEUTRAL TERRITORY

    Choose an area for the dogs to meet where there are no fights for territory.

    DO NOT INTRODUCE A NEW PUPPY IN RED FLAG ZONES

    A negative example of where NOT to introduce a puppy would be the kitchen.

    Kitchens are full of temptations such as food bowls and treats. You don’t want the dogs to go after each other’s food and end up having sibling rivalry.

    CHOOSE NEUTRAL GROUNDS

    It is best to introduce your new puppy to your dog in an area that neither dog knows too well, such as a quiet park or friend’s house, in a fenced backyard (with no other dogs present).

    Putting two new dogs in the same room when the resident dogs already have ‘ownership’ of the home could lead to the resident dog feeling resentful right off the bat- which could result in some territorial behavior.

    KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET

    Older dogs and especially a senior dog will have way less stamina than your new pup.

    Do not ever expect your existing dog to ‘babysit’ your new pup. Your current dog is just that- your dog- do not turn them into puppy raisers!

    You- the owner- made the decision to bring home a wild, spunky, energetic puppy. Your senior dog is going to be TIRED after just a few minutes.

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    CRATE- AND QUICK!

    Before you see your existing dog show body language of being annoyed and tired- grab your puppy and head for the crate.

    Crate training requires a LOT of practice, so why not get started now?

    Using treats and a fun, excited voice, practice showing some fun and energetic body language with your pup nearby the crate. Throw a treat inside and see if they’ll go in after it.

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    How to crate train a Great Dane: click here

    If you’ve properly introduced the crate and made it a happy place- your puppy will be more likely to ‘self soothe’ and not cry or fuss when you put them in there for some down time.

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    BABY GATES AND BOUNDARIES

    Introducing a new puppy to an existing dog doesn’t just stop after the dogs meet.

    Dogs need quality time and patience to grow into being best friends. And most of all- older dogs need SPACE!

    Introducing a Puppy to an Older Dog

    Keeping your puppy inside a confined area, away from your other dog/dogs, is a fantastic way to teach your puppy that not only do they need to stay calm- but they also need to be QUIET.

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    You can use baby gates, x-pens, or even a dog crate to help confine your puppy when you’re not able to watch them like a hawk and you want to give your dog a break.

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    ONE-ON-ONE TIME WITH ADULT DOGS

    At times, when bringing home a young puppy, some dogs struggle to understand why there is a new dog in the home.

    The new dog is suddenly taking all of your attention away from them. This is a scary feeling for some dogs and they may start to act out or become destructive.

    Be sure to give your other dogs extra attention and love during this time- even if it means getting up earlier in the morning or staying up later at night.

    They need to know that they are still your number one and that you haven’t forgotten about them.

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    POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT AND ADULT DOGS

    Introducing a Puppy to an Older Dog

    A great way to show your puppy some love is through positive reinforcement- such as treats, petting, and verbal praise.

    Make sure to give your puppy a ton of verbal praise whenever they display any type of good behavior- no matter how small it may be!

    And there you have it! These are just a few tips to help make the transition from one dog to two (or more) as smooth as possible.

    Remember- every dog is different and will require a different amount of time, patience, and training in order to successfully live together in harmony.

    But with a little bit of guidance and a whole lot of love- you’re sure to have happy, furry family members in no time!

    TRAINING MULTIPLE DOGS

    Introducing a Puppy to an Older Dog

    Since training is a lifelong practice, what better time to work with your adult dog AND your new puppy than when you’ve just brought home your new pup?

    Set aside time each day to do some training with both your pup and your older dog.

    You may be surprised at how much your new puppy learns from watching your older dog practice some of the basic commands- such as sit, stay, come, and down.

    Training is a great way to help your dogs bond and build a positive relationship with one another.

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    FIND THE BEST TREATS- AND FEED THEM SEPARATELY!

    Introducing a Puppy to an Older Dog

    An adult dog will require different treats than your new puppy, so be sure to do some research as to which treats are best for your new dog and your older dog.

    Most dogs love to work hard for treats- and this can be a great way to help your new puppy learn some basic commands while also giving your older dog some much-needed attention.

    WATCH BODY LANGUAGE

    Dogs communicate with their bodies! They can’t speak English, after all.

    When you bring your puppy home into your house for the first time, and everyday after, you will want to play close attention to the communication that your dogs are demonstrating with their bodies.

    SIGNS OF STRESS:

    1. TAIL TUCKED
    2. EARS BACK
    3. YAWNING
    4. LICKING LIPS

    When you see any of these signs in your dogs- take a step back and help your dogs avoid territorial behavior.

    SEPARATE ROOMS

    Separating your dogs in different rooms can help make it a more positive experience when they do spend quality time together.

    Every dog does need a break from one another, but especially senior dogs or an older dog.

    Make sure to have a space in your home, in completely different rooms, where each dog can relax and feel comfortable without the other dog present. This will help to avoid any conflict or stress between your dogs.

    WALK THEM SEPARATELY

    One great way to avoid any territorial behavior is by walking your dogs separately.

    This gives each dog the chance to explore their own backyard or neighborhood without any worry or stress of the other dog being present.

    Plus, it’s a great way to get some exercise in for both you and your dogs!

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    FEEDING THE TWO DOGS SEPARATELY

    Your adult dog is not used to sharing their food with anyone, let alone a new puppy. New puppies can be really invasive!

    So, to avoid any conflict or stress at mealtime- it’s best to feed your two dogs in separate rooms.

    This way each dog can enjoy their own meal without having to worry about the other dog taking their food.

    FEEDING BONES AND CHEWS

    If you decide to give your dogs some special bones or chew toys, make sure to set them up for success.

    Give your puppy their own bone or chew in their own space, and do the same for your adult dog.

    If your pup tries to steal your older dog’s chew toy repetitively, they may start to be annoyed at the pup, and this can cause behavioral issues such as guarding or reactivity.

    INTRODUCING YOUR PUPPY TO OTHER ADULT DOGS OUTSIDE OF YOUR FAMILY

    It is important that your puppy have adult dogs as role models.

    But, what kind of role models are you choosing?

    Pick wisely which adult dogs you allow your puppy to play with and interact with.

    1. Only allow your new pup to play with adult dogs whom you completely trust.
    2. Never allow your pup to play with unvaccinated dogs. Choose an adult dog who you know is up to date on their vaccines. If you are not sure if the dog is up to date, you should ask the owner.
    3. Encourage your puppy to play with adult dogs who have the same play styles as ‘puppy energy’ and enjoy playing with puppies.
    4. Choose an older dog that you’ve already met countless times- like a friend or family member.

    Your puppy relies on you to provide them with positive experiences interacting with other dogs. Make sure to set your puppy up for success by choosing the right adult dogs for them to interact with.

    PUPPIES NEED TO GET EXERCISE

    Introducing a Puppy to an Older Dog

    One great way to set up both your puppy and your current dog for success is to make sure your puppy is getting the exercise it needs.

    A tired puppy is a good puppy.

    Puppies need a lot of exercise- at least two hours a day. This may seem like a lot, but it should be easily broken up into smaller sessions at proper times throughout the day.

    A tired puppy is less likely to have the energy to jump on and annoy your current dog.

    Plus, if your puppy is properly exercised, they will be less likely to guard their food bowl or toys from your current dog.

    So, make sure to get out there and tire out your pup! Both you and your current dog will be happy you did.

    IS INTRODUCING A PUPPY TO AN OLDER DOG HARD?

    Puppies are a lot of work- but they can also be a lot of fun for both you and your older dog!

    If you think your older dog is stressed, try moving a little slower with the introductions.

    Give your older dog time to adjust to the new puppy in their home. It may take a few days, or even weeks, but eventually they will warm up to their new furry friend.

    Just be patient and take things at your older dog’s pace. Never force them to interact with the puppy if they do not want to.

    With a little patience and some extra exercise, introducing a puppy to an older dog can be a fun and rewarding experience for the whole family!

    READ MORE:
    ARE GREAT DANES GOOD WITH KIDS?
    CANINE GOOD CITIZEN TRAINING
    PUPPY SOCIALIZATION
    IS DIRT HEALTHY?
    OFF COLOR DOGS
    SOCIALIZATION TIPS
    WHAT MAKES A BREEDER GOOD?
  • Excited Puppy Peeing – What to do when your Great Dane Pees!

    Excited Puppy Peeing – What to do when your Great Dane Pees!

    Excited puppy peeing is a common, fixable problem that happens when a Great Dane puppy is nervous or excited.

    If your Great Dane puppy peeing and you are looking to stop submissive urination, we’re sharing some tips and ideas below!

    A confident dog comes from good training and socialization. This means addressing puppy submissive urination correctly so you can get rid of this unwanted behavior and enjoy your new dog!

    Excited Puppy Peeing & Great Danes

    What is submissive urination?

    Submissive urination episodes in Great Dane puppies happen when they are anxious, nervous, scared, or excited.

    You may have noticed that your puppy will pee on the floor right in front of you, for no apparent reason as if they cannot control themselves.

    Some people call this ‘submissive urination’ because they believe it’s a dog being ‘submissive’ to you as the handler. To be fair, submissive peeing is often seen in submissive dogs: these are dogs that are naturally more inclined to follow than they are to lead.

    You may notice your Dane puppy dog urinates submissively when you make direct eye contact or assume a dominant position. Doing so can be very intimidating to dogs, especially puppies that are fearful or don’t know yet if they can trust you.

    Your body language and response to your puppy dog can actually have a lot to do with submissive urination and even separation anxiety!

    Submissive urination also happens when puppies (or adults) are excited. Their immature bladder cannot hold the pee as they jump, wiggle, and bounce around the room.

    Most Great Dane puppies outgrow inappropriate urination by the time they are fully and reliably house trained. Most dogs mature out of this behavior, so it’s important to stay calm and be patient.

    Submissive urination has nothing to do with dominance, stubbornness, or spite! Toss those old dog training ideas out the door, they are irrelevant.

    Excited puppy peeing in Great Danes

    Is submissive urination a medical problem?

    Submissive or excitement urination is not usually the result of medical reasons, however, it’s helpful to take your dog to the veterinarian if you are concerned.

    For example, a urinary tract infection can cause a dog to pee often and lose all of the work you put into positive reinforcement potty training. This condition must be treated by a veterinarian; your pet’s health and comfort matter and your vet can offer the best course of treatment for your dog.

    Urinary incontinence may also contribute; puppy bladders are immature and often just need time to develop. Dogs that urinate submissively often just need time to mature and grow up both physically and emotionally.

    An older or elderly dog may develop urinary incontinence (including complications related to kidney disease) as they age; in this case, a veterinarian can give the best advice.

    Why is my Great Dane puppy peeing when scared?

    Fear, anxiety, and stress can absolutely cause a Great Dane puppy to pee when scared.

    For these puppies, it’s important to assume a non threatening posture and act like the dog pee on the floor at your feet is no big deal.

    You may have a negative response and feel like becoming angry when your pet pees in front of you, but that is one of the worst things you can do.

    Stay calm, focus on non dominant postures and use management techniques to avoid the behavior popping up in the first place.

    It can be helpful to lower your body down to your dog’s level and use calming touch and voice to encourage relaxed behavior.

    If you notice submissive peeing when your pet is being greeted by other dogs or people, it is important for you to step in at that moment and advocate for your dog. This reaction is based on fear and insecurity.

    Some socially dominant dogs may hover over insecure dogs. This can cause fear that may make the problem worse. Take control of this situation and encourage your pet to be confident and walk away from dogs that are rude.

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    Great Dane puppy socialization and training

    Good socialization using positive reinforcement and lots of friendly exposure to novel things in the environment will go a long way to reduce inappropriate urination.

    We recommend following our guide, which outlines everything you need to know about socializing your Great Dane puppy so they are friendly, confident, and resilient.

    Young dogs have a small window of opportunity to work on this, and if you are reading this article chances are that time is now!

    Calm, confident Great Dane dogs are less likely to struggle with house training, submissive peeing, and separation anxiety.

    The American kennel club recommends socializing your puppy with the Canine Good Citizen test in mind as your goal. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/puppy-socialization/

    How do I fix excitement urination in dogs?

    The following tips can help you reduce inappropriate peeing so that your puppy dog is on the right track when it comes to their house training.

    • Use an enzymatic cleaner such as Skout’s Honor or Rocco & Roxie to clean up any big or little accident that has occurred. It’s important that no urine scent remains, especially if other dogs in your home have urine marking issues or might view that area as an appropriate spot to pee.
    • Don’t look your dog directly in the eyes or use a hovering, intimidating posture. Remember, intimidation can lead a timid or excited dog to submissively urinate out of fear.
    • Encourage calm behavior; amping your pup up can cause and worsen excitement peeing!
    • Use puppy pads in areas where you know your pup tends to do this. Common places include the front door or just outside of the crate. This simple tip will help with cleanup!

    Excitement peeing is not a potty training problem

    While it may be frustrating, excited peeing is not something that becomes a habit overnight. It’s primarily related to immaturity and emotions and not necessarily a potty training problem.

    Use simple commands that your dog knows to encourage calmness and confidence without peeing. Avoid direct eye contact unless you are teaching your dog the ‘look’ command, where your pup is rewarded for focusing on you.

    Puppy pee can stink up your house fast, so we recommend Rocco and Roxie urine odor remover to clean up messes. It smells amazing and works beautifully on dog pee.

    For more Great Dane potty training tips, read here!

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    Rescued dogs Submissive urination

    Rescued dogs and dogs from the humane society may need extra time here: for those dogs, we recommend revisiting potty training 101, just like you would do with a young dog. This is true even if you were told that your new rescue dog was potty trained!

    We also recommend a minimum 2-3 week low-key dog decompression period.

    This means keeping your new pet in a calm specially prepared area where they can feel safe, engaging them in fun active play and positive training that they enjoy, and developing a positive relationship based on trust.

    Training methods that make the problem worse

    It will be very hard to get rid of submissive or excitement urination if you use a lot of rough treatment or harsh, intimidating dog training methods.

    Do not scold your dog for peeing, even if the peeing continues as you try and usher them out the door.

    Rubbing a dog’s nose in their urine only teaches them to avoid peeing in front of you.

    Incorrectly and harshly trained dogs urinate when they know you aren’t watching, often behind furniture or in bedding where they can bury it.

    This is not spite nor is it stubbornness! It’s simply a symptom of what they are being taught.

    If you want your pup to confidently pee outside, on a leash, or when you watching it’s important that you don’t resort to punitive training.

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    What should I do when my dog pees in front of me?

    While it seems counter-intuitive, the best thing you can do in this situation is to ignore the pee.

    If your pet is fearful, reduce your presence and clean up the mess when your pup isn’t watching.

    Turn your body to the side and crouch if you need to. You may have to walk away and give your dog space. Fearful dogs need confidence building, basic obedience training, and lots of positive socialization.

    If your puppy is excited, it’s also very important that you are very calm! Teach your dog a gentle demeanor by being gentle and cool yourself.

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    Potty training for Great Danes

    Dogs pee whenever and wherever they want, especially without diligent management and training. For information on how to potty train your Great Dane dog, read below!

    Do adult dogs have submissive urination?

    Yes, adults can also have this problem! If you have an older dog that urinates in the wrong place or when scared, you may want to seek out the help of a dog trainer.

    Medical causes for peeing

    A pet dog with bladder stones, kidney problems, incontinence, infection or a UTI may urinate in your home.

    Medical causes should always be ruled out, especially for older dogs that use to be perfectly house trained. Being an educated pet owner means recognizing the difference between training problems and medical problems! Always talk to your veterinarian if you are unsure.

    When to see a veterinarian for excitement urination in dogs

    If your dog pees uncontrollably despite calming protocols, positive training, management, and confidence-building you must see your veterinarian.

    A pet dog that has separation anxiety and other signs of timid, anxious, or stressed behavior may have underlying health and temperament problems that can be addressed by professionals.

  • Respect Training Tips: How to Train Your Puppy Great Dane

    Respect Training Tips: How to Train Your Puppy Great Dane

    If you are the proud owner of a Great Dane, then you will want to make sure that you start training them as soon as possible. What is puppy respect training for Great Danes? Let’s dig in.

    These dogs grow to be large, strong, and powerful! It is important that they learn how to behave themselves early on. In this blog post, we will discuss some respect training tips that will help get your pup on the right track!

    If your dog is biting, stealing, running away, pulling, lunging, dangerous, or out of control there may be things you are doing (or not doing) in your own home that are making these things worse.

    Puppy Socialization
    Puppy Culture: A Way to Socialize from the Start
    Puppy Socialization Guide
    How to Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy

    We are here to help you!

    Read on for more practical tips including Great Dane puppy respect training, basic commands, advanced training, and more.

    WHAT IS PUPPY RESPECT TRAINING?

    Puppy respect training is, in essence, obedience training.

    Keep in mind that a Great Dane is not going to respect you if you rely on harsh, forceful, intimidating, or punitive training techniques!

    These ‘old school’ training ideas (often marketed as a way to establish your rank as the ‘pack leader’) may produce quick results, but in the long run, will do more harm than good.

    DOES YOUR DOG SEE YOU AS HIS RESPECTED LEADER?

    The day that you bring your dog home is the day that you should start establishing this positive relationship.

    PROTECT – TRAIN – LEAD – COMMUNICATE

    Protecting your dog means making sure that their health, comfort, and physical and emotional needs are met.

    Training your dog means that you spend time teaching your young pup what behaviors you like and don’t like.

    Leading your dog means that you teach, guide, and lead with respect. The unbreakable bond you build with your dog by being a positive, trustworthy, and benevolent leader will pay off!

    Communicating with your dog means telling them everything they need to know to make mature decisions: yes and no.

    respect training

    Get the family involved in teaching your dog!

    Other members of the family can take advantage of your puppy’s natural desire to connect with others and feel safe.

    Training, praise, treats, toys, play, fun, and cuddles are amazing ways for everybody involved to reinforce engagement and good obedience skills.

    Establish house rules for your dog and encourage everybody to follow them.

    HOW TO MAKE YOUR DOG ENGAGE WITH YOU

    We recommend that you spend quality time with your puppy focused on showing them new places, things, sounds, textures, and experiences. Find things that your dog loves and use them as a reward!

    By sharing these experiences together, your puppy will come to learn that you can be respected and are a source of good things.

    It’s important that you teach your new dog what you expect of them, and teach them to be calm, confident, and cool in a scary, busy world.

    How do you discipline a puppy but not be mean?

    All puppies are going to do things they should not do! Don’t give them the wrong idea by being forceful and intimidating, or by accidentally rewarding the wrong things.

    Puppies, especially as they mature, will jump, steal, pull, whine, bark, chew, and run away.

    Many times, the best correction is the most simple! Removing your attention from your puppy is one of the most powerful early forms of ‘NO’ that puppies understand.

    Dog problems

    The truth is, those behaviors are normal, natural, and VERY rewarding to them! That doesn’t mean, however, that it’s ok for your dog to be out of control.

    Great Danes are sensitive animals.

    While correcting your dog it is important to note that if you want to prevent future behavioral problems, you don’t have to be mean or harsh.

    A few rules and boundaries, paired with positive teaching using food rewards is an amazing combination.

    Train the dog to repeat things that you want to see by using a lot of positive reinforcement. When you do this, the corrections that you have to use make much more sense to your dog!

    respect training

    BALANCED TRAINING

    Balancing your dog training and your dog’s behavior is very simple. Balanced dog training for Great Danes is humane and science-based!

    Discipline and corrections that you might use for a Great Dane puppy include:

    • Reducing their access to something
    • Redirecting them to something appropriate
    • Preventing the behavior by managing the environment
    • Walking away and removing your attention
    • Saying ‘AH AH’ or ‘NO’ to stop behaviors that could be dangerous to them
    • Popping their leash with a quick pop to ‘snap them out of it’

    Once your dog is older, appropriate corrections and communication may be implemented with the use of tools such as prong collars and E-Collars, following a conditioning phase.

    E-Collars and prong collars for Great Danes

    We highly recommend doing a lot of research on these tools prior to using them! We have a huge collection of E-Collar resources to help. For more information on E-Collar conditioning, read our blog post!

    BAD DOG TRAINING ADVICE

    Never hit, kick, pinch or pin your dog to the ground. If you think you have to do that to get control of your dog or to ‘be the pack leader’, there are bigger issues at play. We highly recommend that you seek out the help of a highly qualified positive-balanced dog trainer.

    If you lead with punitive punishments, chances are that your dog will redirect their own building aggression, anxiety, and frustration into other training problems (or worse, onto you!).

    Positive Reinforcement vs. Corrections in dog training

    Positive reinforcement (R+) is the best way to teach your dog new skills.

    Sit, down, wait, leave it, stay, heel, and come are all things that are easy to reinforce with treats, praise, play, fun, freedom, and access to things.

    Training sessions should be short, fun, and always end on a good note!

    Bad behaviors, on the other hand, require that you work on two things:

    OPTION 1MANAGEMENT & PREVENTION

    This option is helpful for things such as chewing, biting/aggression/resource guarding, fence jumping, and destruction, where the problem is both dangerous and hard to control.

    OPTION IICORRECTIONS AND COMMUNICATION

    Corrections and communication are helpful when the dog knows what they should be doing instead. This can be used for things such as running out of doors, fence jumping, stealing food off the counter, and pulling.

    Respect Training Great Dane Puppies

    Some trainers will tell you never to use corrections or say ‘NO’ to your dog.

    They will tell you to only use ‘option 1’.

    These trainers often claim to be ‘positive only’ or ‘force-free’, and they rely heavily on physical restraint and management.

    Managing movement, freedom, and access to the world so that a dog never has to be ‘corrected’ is, for many dogs, restrictive, frustrating, and inhumane.

    This is why we recommend a much more comprehensive and fair balanced training approach that relies heavily on positive experiences, the relationship that you have with your dog and transparency about what your dog can and cannot do.

    Should I use a spray bottle to discipline my Great Dane?

    We do not recommend giving even a ‘quick squirt’ with a squirt bottle. This form of training seems ‘gentle’ but is not harmless.

    Training Mistakes
    What is Great Dane Dominance Training?

    The last thing you want is for your 140lb giant dog to be afraid of water! Handling, spray medications, hoses, and baths are just some things that your giant breed dog may resist if you utilize this method to punish your dog.

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    HOW DO I GET MY DOG TO RESPECT ME AS THE ALPHA?

    The entire concept of the ‘alpha dog’ is deeply flawed. It was based on poorly done, outdated studies of captive wolves, and the original findings were actually retracted!

    Run from any dog trainer who is still telling you that dog training boils down to a power contest between you and your pet!

    You do need to provide guidance, boundaries, leadership, exercise, and training, however.

    Several short, fun teaching sessions each day paired with structure, routine, and fair corrections will always be the way to go. If you want your dog to respect you, build your relationship on trust!

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    HOW TO GET YOUR DOG’S RESPECT

    Here is our list of tips for getting your dog’s respect:

    1. Honor their body language: learn what they are telling you, and be open to listening! Make them feel safe with you.
    2. Encourage them to be confident. Push them a little bit out of their comfort zone, but not too far. Then reward them like crazy!
    3. Ask them for eye contact and give them lots of attention for it.
    4. Reinforce and reward all good behavior.
    5. Stay calm. Don’t resort to aggression or frustration while leading your dog.
    6. Make sure your dog is getting plenty of mental and physical enrichment.
    7. Don’t baby your dog! Contrary to popular belief, Great Danes can play in the mud, run, jump and play.
    8. Spend more time saying YES than saying NO to your dog.
    9. Remember that most behavior problems stem from boredom, anxiety, frustration, fear, habit, and hormones. If you are frustrated, that’s a sign that your dog is as well!
    10. Have fun with your dog. Be the BEST part of their day!
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    IS DOG RESPECT TRAINING HUMANE?

    You cannot force a dog to ‘respect’ you, and certain things will for sure erode trust. By being calm, trustworthy, and thoughtful you are being a humane dog owner!

    As a matter of fact, one of the most humane things you can do is to train your dog.

    Well-trained dogs that are taught both YES and NO will be well-balanced, confident, and resilient.

    Great Dane Dogs + Freedom to make choices

    A dog that can be trusted off-leash enjoys freedom and autonomy that other dogs can only dream of.

    A dog that can safely go on a walk anywhere will quickly have access to enriching socialization experiences and new environments.

    A dog that has been taught that it’s never acceptable to jump, lunge, steal or run out of a door is a dog that is being kept safe.

    Using balanced training methods for your Great Dane puppy is the best, most fair, most humane and most effective thing you can do for your dog!

    SIGNS THAT YOU NEED OBEDIENCE WORK: RUDE GREAT DANE BEHAVIORS

    Bad behavior is frustrating to you and dangerous to others. It is important for dog owners to understand how to teach and correct their Great Danes before the problems become a dangerous uphill battle.

    The three-step process for solving training issues:

    1. Manage

    2. Teach & Reward

    3. Communicate or Correct

    RUNNING AWAY

    Does your Great Dane puppy run away from you and refuse to come when called?

    We recommend the following:

    1. Don’t let your dog off-leash until they have excellent recall. (Manage)
    2. Use dog treats, praise, and play to make it fun to come back. (Teach)
    3. Practice recall in low distraction areas, then work your way up
    4. Use a long Biothane leash when out walking, and practice recall
    5. Never chase your dog or scold them for running away. This is the wrong approach that makes recall and running away worse!
    6. E-Collar train for off-leash reliability anywhere you go (Communicate)

    STEALING FOOD

    If your Great Dane likes to steal food from people or from the counter, they risk harming themselves with toxic or dangerous foods. Dogs love this game and are very rewarded by it. Despite what you may think, they don’t feel guilty about it but they ARE afraid of your reaction!

    1. Keep the counters clear of tasty food they may want. (Manage)
    2. Teach ‘leave it’ (Teach)
    3. Teach ‘place’
    4. Implement an appropriate correction

    JUMPING ON PEOPLE

    Jumping is dangerous because a Great Dane can seriously hurt somebody.

    How to Stop a Great Dane from Jumping Up

    1. Make your dog wait before being pet so that you can reward calm behavior with attention.
    2. Teach ‘place’
    3. Teach ‘off’, ‘sit’, and ‘leave it’
    4. Correct the behavior, when appropriate

    REACTIVITY

    Telling ‘off’ people & dogs

    A Great Dane dog that displays growling, lunging, barking, or aggression is a dog that requires obedience training.

    Is My Great Dane Being Aggressive?

    1. Teach and reward sit, down, leave it, wait, stay, come, off, and place.
    2. Make sure your dog feels protected: don’t make a habit of exposing your dog to situations where such reactivity puts them in an out-of-control headspace.
    3. Make sure all family members understand how to manage reactivity and use training and counter-conditioning to reduce it.

    THE BEST DOG EVER

    Everybody dreams of having the perfect pet. A dog that listens has respect, and has developed a strong bond with its owner is wonderful. Dogs that are well trained have a lot more freedom, choice, and autonomy, too!

    Puppies vs. Adult Dogs

    It’s important to remember that an adult dog will be more mature than a young one; many ‘problems’ are a simple factor of immaturity, missed teaching opportunities, and a lack of experience!

    Bad behavior in dogs also happens often because of boredom, anxiety, or poor leadership (and teaching).

    Hopefully our blog post today will help you get on the right track with your dog!

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  • 5 Common Mistakes Made When Training Great Dane Puppies (and How to Avoid Them)

    5 Common Mistakes Made When Training Great Dane Puppies (and How to Avoid Them)

    Raising a puppy can be a fun, joyous, and sometimes frustrating adventure. It’s important to avoid making common training mistakes when training Great Dane puppies.

    If you’re not careful, you may end up with a giant disobedient dog that barks, pulls, and jumps on people! Don’t let their cute, snuggly little puppy bodies fool you; an untrained Great Dane is a dangerous animal and if you are reading this post, you probably need to start working on training yesterday.

    In this blog post, we will discuss five common mistakes made when training Great Dane puppies (and how to avoid them). If you want to have a well-behaved dog, this is the place to be!

    Mistakes Made When Training Great Dane Puppies

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    #1 – Waiting Too Long Before Training

    One common mistake made when training Great Dane puppies is not starting early enough.

    It’s important to begin training your puppy as soon as possible so that they can learn good habits from the start. If you wait too long to start training, your puppy may develop bad habits that will be difficult to break.

    Training starts on day one. Fill your pocket with treats and remember that your puppy doesn’t know anything!

    Don’t wait for training classes to start. Don’t wait until your puppy has had all of its shots. Don’t wait until bad habits have already set in!

    If your breeder was reputable, he or she would have also established some early crate training, leash training, attention and bathroom habits.

    Good training means using a lot of positive reinforcement to teach your puppy what behaviors are the most rewarding. By keeping your puppy close you can start teaching the basics such as:

    • Go potty
    • Sit
    • Down
    • Leave it
    • Wait (at doors)

    These are all simple and easy to teach and will help minimize the bad behaviors from popping up later!

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    #2 – Not Being Consistent with Dog Training

    Another common mistake is not being consistent with training.

    If you only train your puppy once in a while, they won’t learn as quickly or as effectively. It’s important to be consistent with training so that your puppy knows what is expected of them. Training doesn’t stop once your puppy has been through puppy classes!

    Great Dane puppies benefit the most from 2-3 minute sessions, several times per day. It is also helpful to use a crate, gate, or leash to manage behavior (and keep your puppy from practicing the wrong thing!).

    By establishing some boundaries and rules in your home (for example, NO running through doors!) you can maintain predictability and consistency for your dog which will pay off in the long run.

    Use this time to teach the foundations of an off-leash heel, look at me, touch (my hand), sit, down and stay.
    These sessions should be fun, short and full of rewards!

    Here are some of our favorite Great Dane puppy training treats (click to view):

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    A lilac Fawn Great Dane Puppy

    #3 – Relying on Force & Punishment in Training

    Another common mistake is using too much force and punishment when training.

    This can be counterproductive and cause your puppy to become scared or aggressive. It’s important to use positive reinforcement when training your puppy, such as praise and treats.

    It is unfair to punish, scold, or correct a dog that doesn’t know what they should be doing instead.

    We believe in balanced training (saying YES often and saying NO when appropriate) but we do not recommend using punitive, harsh, forceful, or aggressive training methods.

    Spend more time saying ‘YES’ to your puppy than saying ‘NO’. If you find yourself constantly saying ‘NO’, your puppy needs more positive training, management and guidance from you.

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    #4 – Not Socializing Your Great Dane Puppy

    A fourth common mistake is not socializing your puppy enough.

    Socialization is important for Great Danes so that they can learn how to interact with other dogs and people. If you don’t socialize with your puppy, they may become shy or anxious around others.

    Socialization means so much more than meeting people and dogs! It means taking your puppy to new places, exposing them to different sounds, sights, and tactile experiences while also teaching them how to behave in various situations.

    Socialization means positive exposure to novel things. Flooding a puppy with rude people and dogs is not socialization.
    Having fun exploring new textures, sights, smells and sounds, is.

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    A harlequin Great Dane puppy exploring a new environment

    #5 – Avoiding Professional Help

    Finally, a fifth common mistake is not seeking professional help when needed. Many people think they don’t need to take classes or get professional help because they’ve had dogs their whole lives.

    If you’re having trouble training your puppy, don’t be afraid to seek out the help of a professional trainer. They can give you valuable advice and guidance on how to train your puppy effectively. For puppies that are doing well, a professional trainer can provide guidance so that together you can achieve even better obedience and training than you thought possible!

    Many times, a ‘stubborn’ puppy is actually just confused!

    We recommend finding a highly experienced positive trainer who uses balanced training methods (positive reinforcement + appropriate and fair corrections).

    We recommend that all Great Danes be trained to a Canine Good Citizen level or better.
    Sign up for classes beyond puppy 101 and keep going!
    Having a well-behaved, polite, well-socialized dog is a joy.

    Have Fun Training Your Great Dane!

    Avoiding these five common mistakes will help you to raise a well-behaved and obedient Great Dane puppy.

    With patience and consistency, you can train your puppy to be a well-mannered, polite, calm dog that you can be proud of.

  • Great Dane Recall with an E Collar: The Ultimate Guide

    Great Dane Recall with an E Collar: The Ultimate Guide

    Teaching a Great Dane E collar recall can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. In this dog training guide, we will discuss the best ways to provide recall for dog owners.

    Recall with an E Collar

    Read on to be able to provide your dog off leash freedom.

    We’ll also cover how to use clicker training and positive reinforcement training. These skills are useful for the purpose of stopping the behavioral issues and getting reliable recall in your dog’s training. By following these tips, you can teach your giant breed dog recall with an e collar with this highly recommended training method.

    Recall with an E Collar

    Before Teaching Recall with an E Collar You Need Foundational Skills

    It is highly recommend that you practice foundational training skills before teaching recall with a training collar. Teaching recall with an e collar is NOT a basic skill. Work on foundational skills first. These skills include: training on a flat collar/gentle leader, loose leash skills, and helping your dog to stop pulling on the leash. Your Great Dane should master basic skills before you begin teaching recall with an e collar.

    Again, is crucial to teach basic skills before beginning to teach your Great Dane any type of recall.

    It is important that every dog owner teach these basic skills. Foundational learning happens before beginning to teach your Great Dane Recall with an E collar.

    You can work with a professional trainer to establish how to use these collars on big dogs. Also ask them to help maintain control over their off leash recall. Teaching recall with an e collar sometimes requires professional help, depending on your comfort level.

    Recall with an E Collar

    Different Methods of Teaching Skills Necessary Prior to Training Recall with an E Collar

    Remember that it is important that your dog is trained prior to beginning training recall with an e collar. We put together a short list of a few methods in which you can help your dog learn foundational skills.

    Clicker Training

    Clicker training is a type of positive reinforcement training that uses a clicker tool to mark desired behaviors. The sound of the clicker tells the dog that they have done something right and that they will be rewarded with a treat.

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    Clicker training is a very fast and effective way to train dogs, and it can be used for basic obedience commands or more complex behaviors. Clicker training is a great way to build a positive relationship with your dog while teaching them new things!

    One of the great things about clicker training is that it is very easy to get started. All you need is a clicker tool and some tasty treats that your dog loves. You will also need to find a quiet place to train where there are no distractions. Once you have all of your supplies, you can start training your dog!

    To begin, you will want to click the clicker tool and immediately give your dog a treat. Do this several times so that your dog associates the sound of the clicker with getting a treat.

    Next, you will want to start teaching your dog some basic obedience commands. For example, you can start with the command “sit”. To teach this command, hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose and slowly move it upwards until they sit down. As soon as they sit down, click the clicker tool and give them the treat. Repeat this process until your dog is consistently sitting on command.

    Positive Reinforcement

    Positive reinforcement training is a type of operant conditioning. It rewards desired behavior in order to increase the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. Positive reinforcement is a way of “reinforcing” or encouraging a desired behavior. It does so by providing a pleasant consequence after the behavior is displayed. The most common form of this is giving a dog a treat after it has performed a desired behavior. This can be done after they sit or lay.

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    One of the main advantages of positive reinforcement training is that it is relatively easy to learn and can be used with both dogs and other animals.

    Additionally, positive reinforcement training is often considered to be more humane than other types of training methods, such as punishment or dominance-based training. Finally, positive reinforcement is a very versatile form of training and can be used to teach a wide variety of behaviors.

    recall with an e collar

    There are a few things to keep in mind when using positive reinforcement training. Make sure the rewards you use are meaningful to your dog and that you deliver the rewards consistently.

    Additionally, remember that positive reinforcement is not a magic bullet and will not work instantly. It may take some time and patience for your dog to learn the desired behavior. However, when done correctly, positive reinforcement training is a safe, humane, and effective tool.

    Great Dane Recall with an Electric Collar: What is it?

    Recall is an important skill for any Great Dane, or any dog, to learn. Following commands is a basic part of dog training and a vital/essential part of training a Great Dane. Teaching your Great Dane recall with an E collar may be one of the most important things you ever teach them. Why? Because one day, it could protect them from dangers or even save their life!

    recall with an e collar

    Shock collars or bark collars are very different than e collars. Many people stumble upon articles about training collars when looking up the best shock collar for training their dog in behavior. Recall, pulling, or other unwanted behaviors are common problems. Many times, owners resort to shock collars or bark collars for these common behaviors.

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    There is a difference between a shock collar and an e-collar. We will discuss which training tool is better. Before training your dogs with any shock collar, please be sure to investigate the differences between a shock collar and e collars.

    Recall with an e collar

    Great Dane Recall with an E-collar: Why does it matter?

    Using e-collars in training Great Danes (even a young Great Dane) allows you to train them to come back to you when they are off leash, which can be helpful in many situations. Teaching recall with an e collar provides safety, something that all pet parents value for their pets.

    There are certain situations where the behavior of running off can be life threatening for dogs. Any experienced trainer will tell you that you must work on this behavior while your dog is a puppy in order to build focus and control. If you are concerned that your Great Dane might run off, run into the street, or even run away, you should consider teaching them recall with an e collar.

    recall with an e collar

    The ability to train your dog (or two dogs) to return when called is, of course, an important skill for any Great Dane to learn because it can help keep them safe. Teaching recall with an e collar allows you to provide your Great Dane with freedom to run and play, while also protecting them.

    If your Great Dane ever gets off leash and runs away, being able to call them back to you can mean the difference between life or death. For example, if your dog is getting too close to a busy road, you can call them back to you before they have a chance to run into traffic. For that reason, we believe that teaching a Great Dane recall with an e collar is one of the most valuable lessons you can teach them.

    Life Changing Collars for Dogs

    If your dog is focused on their owner, a command can be given which could save their life.

    We believe that recall is one of the most important skills that any owner of dogs can teach, since safety is so important, from puppy to adulthood.

    Many want to jump directly to more flashy ‘quick fixes’ such as training their dog with a shock collar or training their Great Danes with the ‘best shock collars’ for fast training, but rest assured: It is always best to start dog training on a standard collar and providing solid a solid command that your dog will understand throughout life.

    recall with an e collar

    Additionally, using a shock collar in training your Great Dane can actually instill fear and intimidation, which could result in them becoming more defiant.

    Step 1 to Teaching Recall with an E Collar: The Importance of Dog Training with a Leash

    Before you begin teaching recall with an e collar, you must follow step one. Practice basic skills before you start teaching your Great Dane higher level skills with any training collar.

    The Best Leashes for Great Danes

    Working on a flat collar or regular collar will help ensure that your dog is listening to you and following your commands the entire time that you are out on walks together.

    The foundation of teaching a Great Dane recall with an e-collar begins with basic, good citizen skills on a basic collar.

    recall with an e collar

    Training your Great Dane starts the day you bring them home. Dogs begin learning at birth, when they are born blind and deaf in a world they have to navigate!

    When you meet your Great Dane, it becomes your responsibility to help them be the best dogs that they can be.

    recall with an e collar

    Steps to training your dogs

    There are several steps you can take to build strong foundational skills:

    1. Use a lead and collar that is comfortable for both you and your dog. This will help make walks more enjoyable for both of you and prevent any potential injuries, pulling or focus issues.
    2. Start with short walks around the block or in your neighborhood with your dog. As your dog gets better at walking on a standard collar, you can gradually increase the length of and, at times, command them to wait next to you in a ‘heel’ position.
    3. Make sure to provide plenty of positive reinforcement training during walks. This can include treats, petting, or verbal praise. There is an abundance of videos on how to include positive reinforcement while you train.
    recall with an e collar
    1. If your dog starts to pull on walks, stop walking and wait for them to calm down before continuing to give them any further commands. Pulling can be a sign of over-stimulation, and you should train this behavior with small and frequent training sessions to help dogs remain calm and collected.
    2. You can utilize other tools during foundational dog training such as a prong collar, regular/flat collar, or a verbal command to help your dog train in a correct way.
    3. Work on maintaining eye contact with your dog during walks. This training method will help your dog to focus on you and listen to your commands the correct way.

    By following these steps and working with your Great Danes, you can build strong skills help them focus and not pull. Once you have a correct foundation, you can start on the course of working on teaching higher level skills with a training collar.

    Please note:

    Using a training tool such as a prong collar or e-collar is very different than a shock collar. We do not promote training your Great Danes or other dogs with the use of shock collars.

    Using shock collars as a form of training is unethical and can have an impact on the way your dog views life, accepts a command, or represents the breed in regards to temperament and disposition. We do not recommend anybody to shock their Great Danes, and will not be recommending any shock collar or discussing the ‘best shock collar’ to train your dogs.

    Once your Great Dane has basic leash skills, you can begin the process of teaching them recall with a long leash.

    Step 2 to Teaching a Great Dane Recall with an E Collar: Using a long leash

    Long leashes are very helpful when teaching recall because they allow your dog to have some freedom while still being under your control.

    There are a few things to keep in mind when using a long leash:

    • Make sure the long leash is long enough to provide freedom.
    • Attach the leash to a comfortable collar and find a space with plenty of room (20 feet or more).
    • Start by calling your Great Dane’s name and then giving the command to come. As they start to walk towards you, praise them and give them a treat.
    • If your dog does not come when called, do not pull on the leash or drag them towards you. This will only make them scared or resistant to coming when called.

    (If you need more information on the important difference between a SHOCK (sharp static correction meant to scare/startle) collar and an E-Collar (gentle muscle stimulation meant to work as a communication), read our blog post here).

    It is now time to discuss the different settings on your e-collar. You will need to know these settings in order to teach recall on a long leash. Please note, when discussing these settings, we are referring to e-collar technology 900 series.

    • Continual Stim– This is when the e-collar is sending a continuous signal to your dog. During continual stim, hold down the stim button.
    • Momentary Stim– This is when the e-collar sends a signal to your dog for a brief moment. This is the most common setting used, but not always the best, depending on the dog’s personality.
    • High Performance/Boost– This setting is a mix of both continual and momentary stim. It starts off with momentary stim and automatically switches to continual stim if your dog does not respond.

    Now that you understand the different settings on your e-collar, it is time to discuss how to properly use them when teaching recall.

    Step 3 to teaching Recall with an E Collar: Timing

    E-collar training (even while on a long leash) is all about timing.

    When your Great Dane is on the end of the long leash, apply a bit of leash pressure, and direct them to come towards you with the word “come”. At the same time, press and hold your stim button (at their working level) with your e-collar programed to ‘Continual’ stim.

    Watch your Great Dane and the MOMENT they turn their body to move towards you, begin dialing the ecollar down slowly with your thumb.

    recall with an e collar

    You will also want to use a marker word, such as ‘YES’.

    Use the marker word when they turn their bodies to you. Using a marker word allows your Great Dane to understand the exact movement that you expect from them, and feel rewarded for it.

    Think of it almost like a game of ‘hot and cold’. If your Great Dane moves closer when hearing the ‘come’ command, you get ‘colder’. If they move further, you get hotter!

    Play this game consistently and daily so that your Great Dane knows what the word “come” means and associates it with returning quickly.

    Step 4 to Teaching Recall with an E Collar: Introduce a Safe, Off-Leash Practice Area

    Next, we will introduce a safe place for your Great Dane to practice recall without a leash.

    Find a large fenced area where they can run around freely. It is important that the fenced area is secure and escape-proof.

    When your Great Dane is off the leash, supervise them at all times. Do not leave them unsupervised even in a fenced area for risk of danger.

    recall with an e collar

    Additionally, you want to make sure that this ‘practice area’ is very low distraction.

    Areas that would make bad practice spots may include dog parks, busy public parks, or areas that may remind them of fun memories they’ve had with friends.

    Areas that make great practice spots include large backyards, quiet/empty parks away from streets, or fenced in, dog-friendly areas with no other dogs present.

    Once you have found your practice location, begin implementing the same procedure of the ‘hot and cold’ technique, without the long leash this time.

    Make sure to heavily reward them when they return by using the marker word, lowering the stim, and using treats (if you want).

    The lifestyle of freedom, fun and exploration is waiting for you.

    Step 5 to Teaching Recall with an E Collar: Practice Makes Perfect with Your Great Dane

    Using any tool in training with your dog/dogs is going to take dedication and time. Great Danes require patience in their training and the use of electric collars is not a quick fix. Be patient with your dog and remember that this training skill is something that is going to take time.

    Even though people claim that shock collars are an ‘overnight fix’ in training their dogs, we recommend taking the time to train slowly and patiently with your dog on a reliable training collar such as the devices we highly recommend.

    If you’re interested in purchasing one, be sure to check out our favorite collars for training dogs here:

    We hope that you and your Great Dane love the process of learning recall as much as we do. The lifestyle of freedom, fun and exploration is waiting for you. Hard work and patience will pay off! Be sure to reach out with any questions you have.

    Read more:

    Off-Color & Designer Great Danes

  • How to Teach a Great Dane to Walk on a Leash

    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.

    How to teach a Great Dane to walk on a leash

    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!

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    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

    Teach a Great Dane to Walk on a Leash

    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.

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    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)
    Teach a Great Dane to Walk on a Leash

    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.

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    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!)

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    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.

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    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.

    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.

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    We use and recommend only E-Collar Technologies.

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

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    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.

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    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!

  • Great Dane Puppy Fear Stages

    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!

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

  • From Running Away to Off-Leash: Recall for Great Danes Is The #1 Most Important Skill

    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.

    Recall for Great Danes

    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!

    adult tan great dane standing on top of mountain under white sky

    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.
    Recall for Great Danes

    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

    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.

    EASY Educator collar

    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.

    Recall for Great Danes

    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’

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