Tag: No-Pull Harness

Why You Should Not Use Harnesses on Great Danes
Everyone LOVES using Harnesses for Great Danes… well, everyone except for me…

I, personally, cringe when I see a dog harness on Great Danes.

Why, you might ask? Well, you came to the right place to hear my rant about why I hate Great Dane harnesses.

Let’s discuss the common dog harness that both you and your dog love so much (well, at least you do) and determine whether or not this tool is actually right for your dog’s health and well-being.

Harnesses for Great Danes

Of course, you’re a Great Dane owner– you want the best for your Gentle Giant. We all do…

We can’t WAIT to get home from work just to squeeze our big dogs to bits and pieces, spoil them and proceed to spend the better part of the time we have off with them.

So, if you’re using a dog harness, chances are you probably are doing so for one of two reasons:

REASON NUMBER 1: You think the harness is the safest option for your giant breed dog.

REASON NUMBER 2: You are in over your head with your BIG DOG and cannot keep them from pulling and choking themselves on walks!

Let’s go ahead and discuss both reasons.

Reason #1: You believe a harness is the safest option

So, you did your research on large dogs, you looked for the ‘no pull harness’ with the mesh lining and padded chest which ought to be extraordinarily comfortable for your Great Dane.

You paid extra for that reflective stitching that is sure to keep them safe from oncoming traffic! You even got fast release buckles incase you ever need to get your large dog out of their harness in a pinch.

Your dog’s comfort matters to you- and it shows.

So, did you cross all your T’s and dog all your I’s?

Well, not exactly.

Great Dane harnesses are BELIEVED to be safe for large dogs and their thick necks, big chests and long spines, but….. they aren’t exactly that.

We will talk about why in just a moment. But first, let’s discuss the second reason you may have purchased a dog harness for your Great Dane.

GENTLE LEADER REVIEW
IS THE GENTLE LEADER ACTUALLY GENTLE?

Reason #2: Your giant dog pulls a lot

Let’s face it. You might be here because you have a large dog that seems to be walking you and not the other way around.

Great Dane dogs are strong, big dogs!

If you got a Great Dane without fully understanding the training requirements and minuscule window of time you have before they become bigger than you, well, it’s probably getting pretty hard to get them to stop pulling.

So, you did what Sally in the facebook group told you to do… You purchased an Extra Large dog harness that claims to provide EXTRA CONTROL, has a ‘no pull design’, and the reviews even stated that this extremely high quality harness completely TRANSFORMED their dog’s body overnight, changing the owner from a miserable walk to having better control… IN JUST ONE WALK!

RED FLAG…. PLEASE, see the red flag….

Anyways, continuing onward.

Let’s discuss the fun stuff.

Why are harnesses dangerous for a Great Dane’s neck?

The neck of a Great Dane is as fragile as porcelein and should be treated as such.

Great Danes are prone to spinal and joint disorders such as Wobblers Syndrome and Hip Dysplasia, which are common in large breeds.

Head Harnesses & Gentle Leaders

So, taking in to affect that the neck of a Great Dane is quite literally attached to the dog’s head, any dog harness that is directly placed onto their snout or head in order to gain better control should be completely eliminated.

Think of it this way, when you’re using that ‘Gentle’ Leader to gain complete control on that nice, brisk walk with your Great Dane, you’re ultimately yanking their neck, whether you think so or not.

READ OUR GENTLE LEADER HEADCOLLAR REVIEW

Additionally, you may even see the dog visible struggle, stress, and get anxiety from using a head halter. There is always a reason for your dog’s stress! “Harnesses that go around the muzzle, also known as a head halter, can present a unique challenge because few dogs easily adjust to them”, Schade says.

“Most do not enjoy the sensation and fight it by pawing at their nose, rolling on the ground, or rubbing their face on their person’s leg,” she says. “Additionally, if the dog races ahead and is jerked back, it might injure its neck.”

Why is a No-Pull Harness Bad for Great Danes?

Harnesses are a straight up nightmare for Great Danes.

Why? Because…
1. They restrict the way your dog’s body is designed to move
2. They create whiplash that is not natural for their skeletal system
First, harnesses restrict the way your dog moves. And if you wake up every single day and restrict your dog’s body from moving in the way it is supposed to move, eventually (and soon) there are going to be issues.

Secondly, using a harness as a means to gain control over your dog on the leash and ‘make them stop pulling’ is inevitably going to make YOU pull on the harness, creating whiplash on their joints.

“I have studied the effect of restrictive harnesses using a well-validated gait analysis system and demonstrated that there are significant alterations in a dog’s gait (both the amount of forward extension of the legs and even the amount of weight borne on the front legs) when wearing the harness, even without a leash attached.” –Christine Zink, DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVSMR

“As a specialist in canine sports medicine, I have significant concerns about the use of harnesses that wrap around the front of dog’s forelegs, particularly in circumstances like this, where a dog is exercising using a gait that requires forelimb extension”, Zink says.

Why could a harness hurt a dogs chest and shoulders?

The canine body is all connected, just like the human body.

Manipulating the body of a Great Dane with a tool that pulls from their chest or shoulders can cause long term damage, just as it would to a human.

“If a harness doesn’t fit well and a dog pulls hard on his leash, there is some potential for a chest injury, says Dr. Susan C. Nelson, clinical professor at the Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University.“

“Front-hook harnesses, on the other hand, can affect a dog’s natural gait and hinder shoulder movement.” Nelson says these particular harnesses may not be a good choice for dogs who engage in athletic activities.

So, not only are front-hook harnesses dangerous for your dog’s health, but they could also hinder their ability to perform certain activities or exercises! Constant nagging or even slight yanking on everyday walks can add up, affecting the ability of your dog to walk in the way their body has designed them to.

A recent study was conducted at Veterinary Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Group in Annapolis Junction, Maryland to evaluate how five commercially available harnesses affect canine gait characteristics at the trot using a pressure-sensing walkway. The study was conducted by Brittany Jean Carr, DVM, CCRT and Chris Zink, DVM, PhD, CCRT, CVA, CSMT, DACVP, DACVSMR.

“The results of this study demonstrated that wearing a harness affects gait. Interestingly, regardless of the harness type, some dogs were found to be highly reactive to wearing a harness. In fact, even dogs who had been wearing harnesses most of their life and that were thought to be well accustomed to wearing a harness were still found to have significant alterations in gait while wearing a harness, regardless of the type of harness. Overall, wearing a harness was also associated with a longer forelimb stride length, shorter forelimb step length, a greater forelimb total pressure index percentage, and a shorter forelimb gait cycle.”

What is a dog’s “gait”?

You might not know what a dog’s gait means off the top of your head- but you would really quickly learn what it means if your dog started declining in their gait.

A dog’s gait is used to define how they move their legs when walking or running. This includes how high they hold their legs, how much weight is put on each leg, and even the pattern in which they move their legs. All of these factors play into how well a dog moves.

As described above, some many harnesses are actually studied in clinical studies and CHANGE the gait of your dog! THAT’S NOT GOOD- INCASE YOU NEED IT SPELLED OUT.

Long term affects of wearing a harness that alters gait

Your dog may seem fine today. They may seem fine tomorrow. But what about in a few years from now, when they are older and not as spry?

Slowly, you will start to notice changes in the way your dog moves. You may not quickly attribute these changes to the harness, but take it from the data and the experts.

Even some of the ‘best harnesses’ that Sally recommends over and over in that Facebook group may just be causing your Great Dane to age much quicker than you hope.

Common risks of Great Dane harnesses

Even what you think might be a ‘good harness’ can have detrimental affects on your dog or Great Dane.

Some of the best harnesses pose threats to our Great Danes. Have a look at some of the risks that Great Dane harnesses could be posing:

Sleeping in a harness

A proper harness is NOT meant to be slept in. Dogs should NOT sleep in a harness OR a collar!!

Sleeping in ANY item can be a huge owner error and cause serious long-term damage, eg. callouses, sores, traumatic injuries, etc.

Sleeping in a harness is potentially risky because it could get caught on something (like the dog’s crate) and become a choking hazard, Nelson adds. “It can also be uncomfortable for a harness to be on 24/7.”

Using a wet harness that doesn’t dry

Be weary of keeping a wet harness on a dog’s body, especially a leather harness.

In addition, pet parents should not leave a wet harness on their dog for a long period of time, as it can cause skin infection, advises Dr. Katie Grzyb, medical director at One Love Animal Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.

Wet items can create yeast and infection, which may go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Leather is also a breeding ground for bacteria, so keep that in mind if you do choose to use a leather harness.

Signs that your dog may have an infection from their harness include:
1. Sores or rashes
2. Hair loss
3. Scratching or chewing at the harness
4. Hot spots
5. Reddened skin
6. Inflammation
7. Drainage
8. Bad odor
Great Dane Dry Skin: 4 Causes and 4 Treatments
How to Know if Great Dane Skin Bumps are a Problem

Infections on dog’s skin

An entire harness in general can cause infection and irritation on your dog’s skin.

Your dog can develop hot spots at the leash attachment points, irritation along their chest and even painful chafing.

Chin Acne Treatment for Great Dane Dogs
Great Dane Hot Spots

Your dog can also develop skin diseases underneath a harness, such as folliculitis and pyoderma.

Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles, and pyoderma is a bacterial infection of the skin.

“Monitor hidden areas such as armpits and under the chest a few times a week to make sure that the harness is not causing skin irritation from rubbing,” Grzyb adds.

Using Great Dane harnesses can in fact harm their throat and trachea.

ESPECIALLY for dogs with pre-existing throat conditions or breathing problems, it is crucial to not use a front clip adjustable harness. This no pull design can put a significant amount of pressure on your dog’s windpipe, which can cause more coughing and hacking, and irritate an already pre-existing condition.

“A halter with a back clip, as opposed to a front clip, may be better for brachycephalic (short-nosed dogs), small breeds, and dogs with tracheal collapse or other tracheal issues. This is because front-clip harnesses may put too much pressure on the throat region when the dog pulls on the leash”, says Dr. Susan C. Nelson, clinical professor at the Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University.

Harnesses are not a replacement for training

Buying a harness for Great Danes is not a ‘quick fix’ for training your dog.

You can buy a sturdy harness with high quality materials. You can buy a $200 Great Dane tactical harness, research endlessly the best harnesses for Great Danes… look into durable materials and superior comfort.

But, the ultimate control of your dog on leash lies in the training and relationship that you build with them.

Victoria Schade, a dog trainer, notes that a harness does not, by definition, decrease pulling.

It is time to stop making excuses for our dog’s behavior on the leash and start taking actions to make them more successful– without the dangers of a harness.

Why is Leash Training Dogs So Dang Hard? 8 Things I Learned About Leash Training
3 Fast Tips on How to Train Your Great Dane to Walk on a Leash
What is the best leash for Great Danes?

Harnesses for car safety

Driving with dogs can be very scary and extremely dangerous.

Dogs should be contained in the car.

The Center for Pet Safety is the ONLY resource that you should use to verify whether the tool you are looking at has been crash tested and approved to keep your dog safe in the car.

According to their website, as of July 2019, only 2 dog car safety companies making harnesses that have been tested and approved by the Center for Pet Safety.

DO YOUR RESEARCH! Our gentle giants deserve it.

11 Ways to Calm Dog Anxiety in Car Rides

Good harnesses for Great Danes

The answer is, not that many, but yes.

The best harnesses for Great Danes include those that:
1. Do not limit your dog’s ability to move in their natural gait
2. Serve a purpose: Working dogs/service dogs wear a harness at times for a specific reason (should still not limit their gait)
3. Are crash tested and to be worn as a seatbelt
4. Veterinarian checked and approved for your dog’s specific body
First off, even though I think I have a good grip on dogs and what they need- I usually have found that I don’t.

So, I trust science, data and experts.

Now that you know that- here are the recommendations for the best harness based on safety, health and features.

Best crash tested harnesses

If you’re looking for a crash tested harness, you’re really only given a few options.

In 2011 the Center for Pet Safety conducted a pilot study to investigate the crashworthiness of pet travel harnesses. Based on the findings of that study CPS went on to complete a landmark pet travel harness study in 2013, sponsored by Subaru of America.

VIEW THE HARNESS STUDY RESULTS HERE

Right now, there are only two harnesses that have been crash tested for dogs in vehicles.
1. Manufacturer Website: Sleepypod.com
2. Manufacturer’s Website: ZuGoPet.com
Since the ZuGoPet Harness only proved to be effective in dogs up to 25 lbs, we can count that out for your big ol’ Great Dane.

That leaves us with the Sleepypod.

SLEEPYPOD CRASH TESTED X LARGE HARNESS

The Sleepypod Harness comes in two styles: The Sport and the ClickIt.

Since the Sport is only crash tested for dogs under 25 lbs, again we are left with the ClickIt.

CLICKIT SLEEPYPOD HARNESS

The ClickIt Harness by Sleepypod is currently the only (and best) harness on the market for car safety for large/giant breed dogs.

It is crash tested up to 110 lbs (for the XL), secures nicely into your dog’s seatbelt through two leash attachment points (somewhat around the shoulders), and has a reflective material / reflective trim.

The company states that the harness can be worn for working dogs or as a standard harness for leash walking, but we always recommend speaking to your veterinarian regarding your dog’s specific gait.

HELP-EM-UP Harness for Mobility Issues

If you’re like me- you are a Great Dane mama to a pupper with a mobility disease.

My Great Dane has struggled with Wobblers for over 1 year now and I do everything to help her mobility.

There are Great Dane harnesses made for the purpose of being able to help them maintain their mobility through all life stages.

HELP-EM-UP HARNESS CAN HELP YOU PROVIDE MOBILITY

I recommend the Help-em-up Harness which is used for Great Danes (and all other dogs) that struggle with:
1. Hip Dysplasia
2. Arthritis
3. Elbow Dysplasia
4. Luxating Patella
5. Wobblers
6. IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease)
7. And More!
The Help-em-up Harness is one of the best on the market for mobility support.

So, if you’re looking into harnesses for your Great Dane- think again.

There are other purposes for harnesses, but they should never be used as a main walking/hiking harness.

Your dog’s mobility and health matters.

READ MORE:
5 Big Reasons to Have Your Dog’s Teeth Cleaned by a Veterinarian
Why Prong Collars ROCK
Gentle Leader vs. Prong Collar: Which is Better for Your Dog?
October 25, 2022
What is the best leash for Great Danes?

The Best Leash for Great Danes

A proper leash for a Great Dane will be well-made, sturdy, and have a substantial solid metal clip on it. The last thing we want is for our giant breed dogs to get loose and run off because their leash breaks!

Inexpensive nylon leashes with plastic clips can easily break, setting your dog free to run and cause havoc off-leash!

Talk about embarrassing (hey, many of us have been there)!

Viper 15ft Training Lead

Leather Dog Leash

Leather Slip Leash

The Best Leashes for Walking a Great Dane

Once your Great Dane has excellent walking skills and does not pull you around, lunge, or react, we recommend walking your Great Dane off-leash (with a positively-implemented E-Collar) and/or on a 6-8 foot leather leash connected to a flat or Herm Sprenger Prong collar.

Leather wears well, is easy to clean, feels nice in your hand, and will often be more sturdy and well-made than an inexpensive nylon leash.

PRO TIP: Buy a set of leather horse reins from the farm store and add a substantial clip to each one. If your Great Dane pulls, it’s so important to have peace of mind that your equipment is solid.

When your Great Dane is trained to walk nicely and be 100% responsive to you while off-leash, the leash becomes nothing more than an extra item your dog will wear on walks only because it has to be there for leash laws.

While off-leash obedience training is the gold standard, some Great Dane dogs require more control than others.

For dogs that aren’t there yet or that may be dangerous and require additional control, a sturdy leash is a must!

The best leash for training sessions

We recommend a sturdy 4-8 foot leather leash for training sessions.

The ideal collar for a Great Dane is either a martingale or a prong collar. Flat collars are only for dogs that do not pull ahead or lunge.

Headcollars (also known as ‘Gentle Leaders’ or ‘Halti’) often work ‘quickly’ but many dogs find them aversive and frustrating. We don’t recommend them for a number of reasons.

The Best Training Collars for Great Danes

A Herm Sprenger prong collar is our tool of choice for teaching Great Dane dogs how to politely walk on a leash. While a prong collar may look like a torture device, it is actually one of the most gentle and clear ways to communicate with our gentle giants!

Prong collars work by applying gentle, even pressure to the neck when the dog pulls ahead or lunges. A good training program will utilize positive reinforcement to teach the dog that this pressure is something they can control and easily get rid of by turning back towards you as the handler.

This ability to control the sensation from the collar is very rewarding and empowering to dogs!

This pressure is a deliberate and clear yes and no communication that can result in an incredible transformation for dogs that lunge, pull or struggle to focus around little distractions.

A properly used, high-quality prong collar such as the Herm Sprenger will not pop a balloon.

PURCHASE A HERM SPRENGER PRONG COLLAR

A Herm Sprenger Prong Collar – see it on Amazon

We do not recommend using any kind of training collar on a puppy, however.

Prior to 5-6 months of age, a lot of time should be spent first teaching the correct position (heel) and loose leash skills by utilizing positive reinforcement in low-distraction areas. This will set your pup up for success and ensure that your training efforts utilizing a prong collar on your more mature dog are much more effective!

Basically put, if you wait until your Great Dane puppy is pulling before you start leash training, you’re making a huge mistake.

The best leash for recall training

Training recall should be fun! If you want your Great Dane to consistently come when called, you need to first prevent your Great Dane from running away (and practicing that behavior on repeat).

A long line leash is a must for recall training (whether you are using an E-Collar or not!).

We recommend choosing a 15-30 foot Biothane leash (our favorite is below).

Biothane is waterproof, stink-proof, and easy to handle. Plus it comes in super fun colors! Your Biothane leash can last a lifetime, too.

Biothane Long Leash on Amazon

When teaching your Great Dane to come when called, use lots of positive reinforcement. Start small, just a few steps away, and say ‘COME!’. As soon as your pup starts towards you, say YES and then deliver treats, praise, play, or fun.

Gradually add distance, distractions, and duration. Make sure to occasionally grab the collar, reward, and release so that your pup doesn’t accidentally learn that coming to you and having the collar grabbed always means the fun is over.

Never scold your dog for ignoring your recall command. That’s the fast track to making sure that your pup NEVER comes when called.

Slip leads for safety

We believe all Great Dane parents should keep a few inexpensive slip leads on hand. Slip leads are escape-proof and fantastic for new rescue dogs, puppies, dangerous dogs and when you need a leash and collar combo QUICK!

Keep one for each dog in your home in your coat closet; this way you’ll always have access to something in case of fire or otherwise. Keep some in your car, too.

Slip Collars: Black and white striped, neon green, and thin chord.

The best retractable leash for a Great Dane

Retractable leashes are dangerous and offer very little control. Most are rated only for dogs under 100lbs, and if your Dane reaches the end and warps the cord around somebody or something, they can cause serious damage to themselves and others.

The only appropriate time to implement a retractable leash for a Dane is on smaller, well-trained Danes that have excellent recall and obedience skills both off and on leash.

A fancy retractable leash with a high weight limit can be helpful for handlers that cannot physically manipulate a proper long leash.

This may be helpful for providing some dogs additional freedom to move and explore, however, we don’t recommend it for walking in high-distraction areas or with Danes that are reactive in any way.

As always, we believe that modern positive E-Collar training is much safer and more humane than any kind of contraption that relies on physical restraint.

The truth is that a properly E-Collar-trained dog of any size can safely be on a retractable leash (to satisfy leash laws), too.

All about the wireless training leash

Did you know that modern technology has brought us the wireless leash?

With modern E-Collar training, your dog can be reliably off-leash in just weeks.

This is very different than traditional shock collar training, as it uses a very gentle muscle stimulation (not zaps and punishment) to communicate in a positive and humane way.

We use and recommend E-Collar Technologies Mini Educator or Easy Educator collars for off-leash training mature (5+ months) puppies and adult Great Danes.

By freeing our dogs of physical restraints, we greatly reduce the chance of orthopedic damage, anxiety, and frustration that can come from tension on a no-pull harness, collar, Gentle Leader, or long leash.

E-Collar trained dogs come when called, can walk politely next to us (even on a leash), and are amazingly responsive-without harsh physical communications.

Thankfully, a wireless E-Collar can provide you with peace of mind that your dog will, with training, come when called, turn away from distractions, stop before running into traffic and return to your side in an automatic sit when asked.

Getting started with an e collar.

The Best Harnesses for Great Danes

There are times when you need to physically restrain your dog and make sure that your dog’s neck or shoulders aren’t injured by lunging or pulling. This can be necessary for dogs who have Wobblers disease, orthopedic issues, or who are genetically predisposed to those conditions.

For this reason, something ergonomic will be the BEST choice when paired with lots of positive training. It’s especially important to train your Great Dane not to pull, even for short distances, if they are struggling with orthopedic issues.

Choose one with a Y-front, as below:

The Ruffwear Front Range Harness, a less obstructive and more comfortable harness option for dogs that do not pull.

All about ‘no-pull’ and front-clip training tools

We do not recommend the long-term use of ‘no-pull’ or ‘front-clip’ harnesses for giant breed dogs. These tools are obstructive to the shoulders and chest and can cause frustration, pain or even joint damage.

An obstructive harness labeled as a training device for loose-leash walking is built to use pressure, punishment, gait alteration, and behavior suppression and teach your dog not to lunge ahead.

Of course, this can help you accomplish your ‘no-pulling’ goals, but restricting natural movement and gait is not the most humane or ethical choice.

When your dog pulls into the straps, it adds additional pressure to the chest and shoulders. If the pressure is not immediately released, it then forces them to the side so they cannot continue moving forward.

This is hard on joints, and can be damaging to dogs that are predisposed to structural problems (including Wobblers, arthritis, and other joint problems). It is not very effective at the clear communication needed to form good leash skills, either.

Somehow these have been marketed as a ‘positive’ training tool, however, don’t be fooled. Some dog trainers will tell you that it works like a ‘Thundershirt’ to calm anxious behavior and pulling.

What they are really saying, but don’t want you to understand, is that the tool they recommend is physically restrictive and suppressive to behavior. We find this to be particularly alarming.

If you do use a restrictive ‘no-pull’ harness for Great Dane leash training, we recommend teaching your dog to respond immediately to the pressure on their chest and turn back to you for a treat and reward. Never leave it on your dog unattended in one, and don’t use it as a tie-out.

Unfortunately, harnesses of most kinds tend to be pretty easy to slip out of as well, and that can be very dangerous for you and your dog, especially if your dog doesn’t have a rock-solid recall and off-leash obedience!

Make sure it is properly fitted, and spend lots of time teaching and rewarding the desired behavior of walking next to you and checking in. Work on recall and obedience as well, every day to establish good skills!

Training Great Danes to walk nicely in a harness

Leash training in a harness is not impossible, but can also require a restrictive long-haul approach (to avoid pulling) that can be frustrating to both you and your dog.

An ergonomic (non-obstructive) harness will give your Great Dane leverage to lunge, pull, and take YOU for a walk. That, as you know, is incredibly dangerous for them and for you!

If you do plan to stick with a harness for loose-leash training, we recommend making sure that you put a lot of time into practicing obedience indoors and off-leash!

Your dog cannot lunge and pull you to the ground if they have solid recall, focus, and engagement skills in other words.

Practice makes perfect; many dog owners who are experiencing frustration with pulling on walks are simply being subjected to natural dog behavior from dogs that need a lot more training and guidance. It’s not stubbornness or dominance.

Great Dane E Collar Training

Great Dane Puppy Leash Training

It is important to start leash training your Great Dane puppy immediately. Don’t wait for puppy classes or pulling to start!

Adult Great Dane dogs who pull, lunge, and act wild on a leash are dangerous; take advantage of the time you have for teaching and reinforcing good behavior and correct leash skills while your puppy is still small. Even if your puppy seems to be ‘calm’ and easy, it’s important to start young!

Some people proudly think that their small, sweet Great Dane puppy is “perfect and doesn’t pull on a leash“, so they don’t put the time into leash training.

These puppies grow into large dogs and learn pretty quickly (usually around 5-6 months) that they can throw their weight around (especially in a harness)!

Don’t be fooled. Your Great Dane puppy may not pull yet, but if you don’t put some time into good walking and engagement skills now, that day is coming.

Good loose-leash training actually starts off-leash! If your Great Dane puppy can walk next to you with no leash at all, they will have a solid foundation for on-leash walking skills.

Positive Reinforcement Great Dane puppy Training

Great Dane puppies should always be taught how to walk on a leash using positive reinforcement! Treats, praise, play, and attention, for example, can be used to reward your pup for behaviors that you like.

The more that you reward your dog, the more likely it is that you see your Great Dane puppy repeat behavior that you like to see such as sit, leave it, down, off, and heel.

Practice these skills daily in short 2-3 minute training sessions indoors and in your yard. This habit will help you create an amazing, obedient, calm, and friendly adult Great Dane!

Leash training for Great Danes

Once your Great Dane puppy has spent time around your house learning how to walk on a leash, it’s time to go outdoors and leash train around distractions! In many ways, this may feel like you are stepping backward, but it’s important to start small.

Keep a short leash by neatly bundling the excess into your right hand. Keeping your dog on the left, take a step forward. Mark with a YES and offer a reward.

You may find that your pet will pull harder when outdoors: for these dogs, the environment is just too exciting, or maybe causes a lot of anxiety.

Either way, stop walking and hold your ground. Wait for your pup to release the pressure from pulling you forward. Mark with a yes and then turn and walk in the opposite direction so that your dog follows you.

As always, mark with a YES and a reward when they come to your side and engage with you! Walk ahead with purpose and repeat this process until your dog is very good at releasing tension instead of adding it.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

Do you like modern positive+balanced off-leash dog training, science-based information, life with Danes, educated ownership and chatting with other like-minded people?

Join our growing Facebook group!

HELLO DANES ON FACEBOOK

May 11, 2022
How to Teach a Great Dane to Walk on a Leash
There is almost nothing more dangerous than an out-of-control giant breed dog. Good leash skills are one of the most important things that you can teach your Great Dane! If you are ready to learn how to teach a Great Dane to walk on a leash, read on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leash Walking Basics: Teach Focus and “With Me”

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

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

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

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

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

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

HOW TO TRAIN A GREAT DANE TO BE CALM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE BEST LEASH FOR GREAT DANES

We recommend that all Great Dane owners have three leashes:

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

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

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

Viper 15ft Training Lead

Leather Dog Leash

Leather Slip Leash

How Do I Stop My Great Dane From Pulling?

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

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

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

GREAT DANE TRAINING TOOLS

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

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

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

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

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

Leather Slip Leash

Herm Sprenger Collar

Wide Flat Martingale Collar

E-Collar Training for Great Danes

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

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

We use and recommend only E-Collar Technologies.

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

Should I Use a Harness for my Great Dane?

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

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

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

Is the Gentle Leader an Abusive Tool?

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

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

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

RUFFWEAR FRONT RANGE HARNESS FOR GREAT DANES

Off-Leash Obedience for Great Danes

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

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

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

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