Potty training a Great Dane puppy can seem daunting, but with these 11 simple steps, you’ll have your pup trained in no time! The most important thing to remember is to be consistent and patient.
Some puppies will take to potty training faster than others, so don’t get discouraged if your pup seems like it’s taking a little longer than expected. Just keep at it and soon enough they’ll be going outside like a pro!
1. Potty Training Great Dane Puppies Requires Establishing Routines
Great Dane potty training can be a bit tricky, however with these tips it will be a breeze! Great Dane’s are smart puppies but like all dogs, they should be taught where it is appropriate to go to the bathroom.
2. Regular Potty Breaks During Great Dane Potty Training
The first step in Great Dane potty training is establishing routines. Great Dane’s need to have regular potty breaks so that they know when it is time to go. Puppies usually need to go out every few hours, however as they get older they will be able to hold it for longer periods of time. During any and all Great Dane potty training days, use FREQUENT potty breaks to encourage your pup to use the bathroom. Remember that Great Dane potty training does not last forever!
3. Great Dane Potty Training Requires You to Figure Out a Schedule that Works Best
Additionally, it is important to remember that Great Danes are large dogs and will need more frequent potty breaks than smaller breeds. Altogether, establishing regular potty break routines is the first and most important step in potty training a Great Dane puppy.
Puppies typically pee RIGHT AWAY when they wake up in the morning. For that reason, you will want to be prepared to take them outside immediately when you/they wake up. During any and all days that you are working on Great Dane potty training, know that you may clean up accidents more so in the mornings.
As a rule of thumb for Great Dane potty training: your puppy will likely need to potty every hour per how many months old they are. So, if they are 8 weeks, they will need to potty every 2 hours (2 months).
4. Develop a Strong Crate Feeding Process During Great Dane Potty Training
Although the training process for a Great Dane puppy can be long and frustrating, crate training is a great place to start. Crate training helps puppies learn to control their bowels and bladders, as well as teaches them how to be calm in an environment where they may feel anxious. During the entire Great Dane potty training process, use the crate to encourage your puppy to stay dry and clean.
5. Develop a Strong Feeding Routine During Great Dane Potty Training
In order for crate training to be successful, it is important to develop a strong feeding process. Stop giving your puppies food late at night. It is my belief that puppies should always have access to fresh, clean water all the time. If your puppy is having a particularly hard time potty training overnight during the Great Dane potty training time, you can safely withhold water after dinner. Feeding in a safe crate will help form a designated area from a young age for your Great Dane to eat and sleep.
6. Feed at Consistent times and In the Same Spot During Potty Training
Most puppies will learn to hold their bladder for several hours if they are fed at consistent times throughout the day. Although food is the main motivator for most puppies, treats can also be used to reinforce good behavior. When training your puppy, make sure to feed them in their crate so that they associate the crate with positive experiences.
Check out our guide to the best training treats for Great Dane puppies.
By developing positive training routines with your Great Dane surrounding the crate and meal-times, your Great Dane puppy will begin the potty training process on the right foot.
House training your Great Dane will take patience, praise, and plenty of routine. Anytime you take your Dane out of the house, be sure to put them on a leash. This will help keep them from running off and getting lost, as well as allowing you to better control when they stop to potty.
When they do indeed relieve themselves outside, be sure to lavish them with praise. This positive reinforcement will help them remember that going potty outside is the right thing to do. At bedtime, take your Dane out for one last potty break. This will help reduce the chances of them having an accident in their sleep. With a little time and patience, your Great Dane will be successfully house trained in no time.
7. Explore on Leash to Build Potty Training with your Great Dane
House training your Great Dane will take patience, praise, and plenty of routine.
Leash Training and Play Time
Outdoor exploration with your new puppy should be full of play, pets and adventure. By spending more time outside, your Great Dane puppy is at less risk for pee accidents to happen in the wrong place. The less your Great Dane puppy has accidents in the house, the better!
7. How to Use Exploration to Get Your Great Dane Potty Trained
Great Dane puppies are full of life and adventure. They want to see the world and experience the fun. Take your dane for a walk as often as you can. Sit and watch as other dogs or people walk by! This exploration process can help your pup examine the world through their own eyes.
Stop frequently so that your pup can take frequent breaks to pee as needed. You will find that the more excited you are with their success, the more excited they will be!
Outdoor Safety While You Train a Great Dane
Anytime you take your Dane out of the house, be sure to put them on a leash. This will help keep them from running off and getting lost, as well as allowing you to better control when they stop to potty. When they do indeed relieve themselves outside, be sure to lavish them with excitement. This positive reinforcement will help them remember that going potty outside is the right thing to do.
8. Bedtime Routines When Trying to Potty Train
At bedtime, take your Dane out for one last potty break. This will help reduce the chances of them having an accident in their sleep. It takes time and patience, but with a little persistence your Great Dane will be successfully potty trained in no time!
Train a great dane, training, other breeds, dogs, likewise, as a result
9. Play Time is a Part of Teaching Your Dane to Potty Train
Great Danes are some of the smartest dogs out there. They can be potty trained to go outside like other breeds, but some of them (like all other breeds) require a little more patience and perseverance.
Playing Indoors
Your puppy is going to love to play! Setting up baby gates in your house can prevent them from having an accident inside while they are playing. Over-stimulated dogs tend to have accidents, so remember to have breaks in their indoor play sessions before accidents happen.
9. Use Socialization to Your Advantage
Bringing home a new pet is one of the most exciting things. Pet owners need to remember that they are not the only ones excited! Your puppy is full of new scents, new sights and new places to explore. In the early days you may not want to introduce them to new dogs due to their vaccination schedule. But, you can still practice socialization with outdoor training methods that will help your dog.
Fun Tips and tricks for Training Your Dog Outside:
- Off-Leash Sniffing: Take your dog to a park , or a nature reserve. There, you can let them off their leash to explore and sniff around. Stop frequently so that your pup can take frequent breaks to pee as needed.
- People-Watching: Sit in a parking lot with your puppy, and wait for people to walk by. Be sure to not allow people to pet or dote on your puppy as this will encourage overstimulation. It is best to ‘people watch’. This behavior teaches pups that they can be in the chaos but not apart of it.
- Scavenger Hunts: Throw some kibble in the grass and let your puppy’s nose do the rest! You will soon have a good girl or a good boy who loves to search through the grass to find their yummy snacks.
- Basic Commands: Practice basic commands with your puppy. Use the same language, voice commands or hand signals each time you’d like them to take care of business, always putting an emphasis on the positive!
10. Remember that Your Great Dane is still a Puppy Learning to Potty Train
When socializing with other dogs, remember that Great Danes are still awkward puppies. Even though they might look fully grown, they may not want to play too roughly just yet. As a result, it’s important to be patient and give your great dane time to warm up to other dogs. Once they get used to playing, they’ll have a blast – and you’ll be glad you took the time to properly socialize them.
11. Take Time Outs When Accidents Happen
Pets are a great addition to any family. They provide companionship, love, and endless hours of entertainment. But along with all the joy that comes with owning a pet, there is also the responsibility of potty training. For many pet owners, this process can be daunting and frustrating. But with a little patience and persistence, most pets can be successfully trained.
Use a crate for safe, healthy time outs with your puppy. Check out our list of favorites here.
Great Danes are no exception. Though they are large dogs, they can be successfully potty trained with the right approach. Here are some tips surrounding time-outs:
Accidents Happen
Accidents are going to happen with any dog. Your puppy is certainly no exception! In fact, it is best to begin potty training as soon as your dog arrives home. Initially, your dog will need to go out frequently – perhaps every hour or so. When you start potty training, it may be that your dog relieves itself in the wrong spot quite often. Acknowledging that house training is hard is an important part in the puppy process.
Taking Breaks When Accidents Happen
Even though you work to consistently train your Great Dane to pee outside, they will still pee inside of the house. When your dog has an accident, utilize the crate and sit them on their bed. Taking breaks is important. In fact, this shows your Great Dane that going potty inside is not okay, and they may lose out on play time if it happens again. Although it is hard to train a Great Dane, we know that this tip will help!
12. Mental Stimulation Matters
Mental stimulation is just as important as exercise when it comes to potty training your Great Dane.
You can provide mental stimulation through puzzles, brain games and other activities.
Puzzle Feeders
Currently, there are a number of different puzzle feeders on the market that are specifically designed for dogs. These games help to keep your dog’s mind active and engaged, which can be helpful in preventing accidents.
What Does Mental Stimulation Have to do with Potty Training?
In other words, by providing your dog with mental stimulation, you can help to reduce the chances of accidents happening in your home. Games that require your dog to use their nose or search for hidden treats are a great way to provide mental enrichment. There are a number of different options available, so take some time to explore what is currently on the market.
In Conclusion
There you have it – some tips for successfully potty training your Great Dane puppy. With a little patience and perseverance, you can have a house-trained dog in no time! Be sure to provide your pup with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, as well as consistent potty training, and they will soon be taking care of business like a pro.
Remember that taking your Great Dane out frequently is essential when potty training – even if they have already gone outside recently. When you see your dog begin to sniff around or circle, it’s time to head outdoors! And finally, be positive and patient when training your pup – accidents are bound to happen, but with time and effort, your Great Dane can be successfully potty trained.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you found this information helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And be sure to check back soon for more tips on training your beloved Great Dane!
