You might be shocked to see me suggest using an e collar on a puppy.
However, I’ve got some news for dog owners: Great Dane puppies don’t stay little for long.
One day, you’ve got this new puppy who is snuggly and sweet… but if you blink for just 1 second and open your eyes: you’ve got a puppy the size of an adult dog.
Let me explain. I’ve got some reasons why I believe that incorporating an electronic, stim collar into your training sessions with yes- even young puppies– will benefit both you and your dog.
WHEN SHOULD YOU USE AN E COLLAR WITH PUPPY TRAINING?
One of the most common questions new dog owners ask is when to start using a stim collar during puppy training.
The answer, of course, depends on a variety of factors, including the methods of which you plan to use the collar, the collar you buy itself, and temperament of your dog.
However, there are a few general guidelines that can help you decide when it’s time to introduce a stim collar into your pup’s training regimen.
First, you’ll need to use stim conditioning with your dog, which means teaching them that the collar is not a punishment.
Collar conditioning protocols will help the Great Dane owner equip the Great Dane with the ability to understand the training method as a form of communication and not as a punishment for undesired behaviors.
WHAT IS A SHOCK COLLAR AND IS IT THE SAME AS A STIM COLLAR?
A shock collar is a device that is worn around the neck of a Great Dane and delivers an electric shock to the dog when it is triggered by a remote control.
Shock collar training is NOT the same as using an ethical training collar.
Shock collars are controversial, and their use is banned in some countries.
Supporters of shock collars argue that they are a safe and effective way to train dogs, while opponents argue that they are cruel and can cause behavior problems.
LET ME REPEAT: WE THINK THEY ARE VERY DANGEROUS!
The use of shock collars is regulated in some countries, and only approved collars may be used. In the United States, there are no federal laws governing the use of shock collars, but some states have laws that restrict their use.
We stand by the belief that you should never use a puppy shock collar to prevent puppies from certain behaviors.
ARE SHOCK COLLARS SAFE?
Modern shock collars and shock training is NOT safe. Shock training requires the use of a shock collar that delivers an electrostatic shock to eliminate unwanted behaviors. With each shock administered, you are telling your dog that you are in control and will/can physically harm them if they are misbehaving.
Shock collar training is NOT a safe method of training- and shock collars are known to frequently cause painful burns. Great Dane owners should not use a shock collar or puppy shock collar to get a dog’s attention.
TEN REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD USE AN ETHICAL TRAINING COLLAR WITH YOUR DOGS
Now that we have talked about the reasons NOT to use a shock collar, let’s jump into the many reasons why you should start collar training with your puppy.
ONE: OUT OF ALL TRAINING METHODS, AN E COLLAR TRAINING DEVICE IS SAFEST
When it comes to training methods, there’s a lot of debate over which one is the best. Some people swear by using a positive only approach, deeming the use of stimulation collars as cruel or abusive.
But when it comes to safety, health and the LEAST ABUSIVE METHOD, there’s really only one winner: a collar with stimulation: NOT a dog shock collar.
When pet parents think of tools that are ‘painful’ they often think of prong collars, electric collars, and choke collars.
What Great Dane parents do NOT realize is that the most aversive and dangerous items of all often look the least harmful. Harnesses, flat collars, gentle leaders, and
It is important to note that electronic stim collars are much less aversive than other tools such as choke chains or prong collars. Matter of fact, Great Danes actually LOVE them!
Photo Credit to Hellen at Mumukodogsquad (Picture of sweet Dakota!) Photo Credit to Hellen at Mumukodogsquad (Picture of sweet Dakota!)
TWO: THERE IS NO ‘APPROPRIATE AGE’ FOR A SAFE TRAINING COLLAR
Your Great Dane has a small window of opportunity where their learning curve is huge and they are growing fast and learning quickly. This window is called puppyhood!
You should seize this as a learning opportunity for you and your dog!
There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer on what age you should begin using a dog collar on your dog.
However: it is crucial that your dog learn the basic command INDEPENDENT of the collar, before incorporating the collar into the regiment. If your dog responds to the ‘sit’ command, you can begin including the collar into their ‘sit’ routine.
THREE: E COLLAR TRAINING IS THE SAME AS REWARD BASED TRAINING
‘But using an electric collar on my dog removes the process of positive reinforcement…”
No… no it does not.
Using e collar conditioning with your dog is one of the most positive training methods you can use!
The e collar is a remote training tool that can be used to deliver positive or negative reinforcement. It is simply a device that helps you to more effectively communicate with your dog.
Like all training tools, the e collar should be used in conjunction with positive reinforcement such as treats, toys, and praise. Matter of fact- get ready to load up on treats! Here’s our favs:
Most of all, your Great Dane is RELYING on you to communicate with them to help them navigate what is right and what is wrong.
FOUR: BUT…PUPPIES NEED BOTH POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT AND NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
Every single dog and puppy needs boundaries.
Positive only training is NOT going to work! You will create a dog who consistently relies on the use of treats, rewards, and other incentives in order to do what they should just do as a citizen of this world: the right thing.
In life, humans and dogs alike need to know right from wrong. There should be positive praise and communication and reward when we do the right thing. And likewise, there should be negative reinforcement for unwanted behavior. This method of combined positive training as well as providing explanation for wrongs is called balanced training.
All of these behaviors can be prevented with proper boundary training and proper collar training.
An e collar can provide a safe and effective way to protect your dog from engaging in unsafe behavior.
The single most important part about dog training is helping your dog learn to avoid negative or unsafe actions. After all, it is YOUR job to keep them safe.
SIX: SET UP YOUR DOG FOR POSITIVE ADVENTURES WHILE THEY ARE LITTLE
When you first get a dog, you imagine your life with them being full of wild adventures.
You want to visit lakes.
You want to go on long hikes.
You want to take them camping with you.
But the reality is that most dogs are NOT ready for those things when they are a small, still learning, puppy.
They need time to learn how to be a dog and how to behave in different situations.
Work to set up your dog for off leash adventures right from the start. Eliminate their desire to participate in negative or unsafe behavior by communicating with them from puppyhood.
The adventures will be worth it.
SEVEN: PREPARE YOUR PUPPY FOR EMOTIONAL STRESS OF LIFE
One day you’re on a walk and everything seems fine, and then suddenly your puppy starts barking.
You have NO idea why your dog begins this unwanted behavior, and you have NO idea how to stop it.
What you don’t realize is the HUNDREDS of stressors that are bombarding your dog during every single walk, every single moment.
The squirrel.
The cat.
The car that drives by.
All of these things can be stressful for your pup, and can cause them to behave in ways that are unwanted.
E collar training can help your dog to learn how to cope with the emotional stress of life. By using positive communication between yourself and your dog, you can help your dog to learn how to cope in a busy and stressful life.
EIGHT: PREVENT AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR BEFORE IT BEGINS
A confident dog is a happy dog.
An anxious dog is a stressed dog.
A stressed dog is a dog that is more likely to lash out in aggression.
E collar training can help your puppy to become a confident and happy dog.
Aggressive behaviors typically stem from fear. Your dog’s temperament is NOT (typically) normally aggressive.
Helping your Great Dane overcome fear will help them remain even-keeled, confident, calm, and composed throughout their lives.
If you, as their dog owner, begin consistently implementing collar communication with your dogs while they are little sponges, you can help mold their temperaments into healthy, strong dogs.
NINE: STIMULATE YOUR DOG’S MENTAL ENDURANCE WITH MORE THAN BASIC CONCEPTS
It is very important that your dog knows basic manners.
Most Great Dane owners will have practice sessions with their pups on things like sit, down, stay, come, etc.
BUT- it is just as important to keep your dog’s mind active and challenged with more than the basics.
Stim collar training can provide a way for you to challenge your dog mentally, while also providing physical activity.
Need help with modern e collar training? Check out our guide.
HOW DOES USING A STIMULATION COLLAR PROVIDE MORE FREEDOM?
Using an e collar during activities such as activities, adventures, hikes, camping, and even just everyday life, will help you and your dogs find the most freedom possible.
Hunting dogs are often trained on electronic stim collars, as many find huge success working to train hunting dogs with the powerful form of communication.
Sports dogs can also benefit from training with a stim collar.
Off leash adventures will be much more enjoyable and safe for both you and your dog if they have a good foundation in recall.
Hiking on pet friendly trails will become more exciting as your Great Dane is able to sniff/smell like they are biologically designed to do.
Eliminate stress while camping/adventuring as you can be relieved and stress free knowing that your Great Dane is not going to run away.
TEN: THERE ARE HEALTH REASONS FOR USING A STIMULATION COLLAR
Believe it or not, stimulation devices are the single healthiest form of training for our pets (in my opinion).
You may be shocked to hear that some popular forms of training are actually very dangerous.
The use of a dog shock collar: Shock collars can cause contact burns, irregular communication, and skin issues.
Harnesses: Harnesses are proven to create joint issues, spinal problems, and soft tissue damage.
Gentle leader: The ‘gentle’ leader is not so gentle after all. Known for pulling your dog’s neck in the direction that you want it to walk, the gentle leader is also known for causing soft tissue damage, neck injuries, and tracheal collapse.
Anti Bark Collars: Use with discretion. Many anti bark collars actually deliver a very high level of stimulation that can cause your dog to be in pain.
Flat Collars: Even flat collars can be harmful if your pet is not trained in loose leash training.
USING A PUPPY E COLLAR: IN CONCLUSION
Your Great Dane deserves your best.
It is your job to provide them with safety, socialization, life skills and training.
An e collar is an amazing tool that, when used correctly, can provide your dog with everything they need and more.
Don’t be afraid to give it a try with a Great Dane of many ages!
Electronic collar training, often referred to as “e-collar” training, is a modern method used to train dogs. Unfortunately, it is riddled with myths and misconceptions that can cloud the understanding of this tool’s actual purpose and effectiveness. In this article, we will debunk some of the common E-collar training myths and shed light on the responsible and humane use of electronic collars in dog training.
It’s essential to separate fact from fiction to make informed decisions about this training technique!
What is an E-Collar?
An electronic collar, commonly known as an e-collar or shock collar, is a device designed for dog training and behavior modification. It consists of a collar that fits around a dog’s neck and a handheld remote control.
The primary function of an e-collar is to deliver electronic stimulation. This tactile sensation is a powerful way to communicate with a dog from afar, and it doesn’t have to be painful or unfair.
While the term “shock collar” may sound harsh, it’s important to note that modern e-collars have evolved significantly and offer adjustable levels of stimulation, allowing trainers to use them in a more humane and controlled manner. These devices are not meant to harm or punish the dog but rather to provide clear and consistent communication during training sessions.
When used responsibly, e-collars can be effective tools for teaching dogs to obey commands, prevent certain behaviors, and enhance their overall safety and well-being. However, it’s crucial to emphasize that e-collar training should always be carried out by knowledgeable and experienced trainers who prioritize the dog’s comfort and safety.
Think of it as a wireless leash, but without the physical restraint of a flat collar or harness that can be dangerous or damaging to you or your Great Dane. Today we are going to share 6 E-Collar Training myths that you MUST know about!
Modern Day E-Collars vs. Shock Collars
Many people are confused about the difference between a shock collar and an E-Collar. The difference is HUGE!
A shock collar will deliver a sharp zapping sensation that is meant to be aversive and painful. They are often inexpensive and may lack reliability.
Many people who resort to shock training are at their “wit’s end” with their pet’s behavior, and looking to get their attention with a beep, vibrate, or shock. Negative body language (cowering, running away, yelping, avoidance) is often seen!
E-Collars are different. Also known as “remote electric training collars”, they use electricity to stimulate the muscle. The sensation from a modern E-Collar is a touch sensation that is not meant to be aversive or painful
At low levels, where most pets are responsive, the sensation is imperceptible to humans. At higher levels, it can feel like tiny ants crawling around or a twitch or tickle, not a shock. At the highest levels, it is uncomfortable, but not sharp.
E-Collars offer a versatile, humane, gentle tactile communication that dogs respond to with enthusiasm and positivity!
The exchange of occasional, low-level muscle stimulation, that the dog knows how to turn off, is such an incredible, elegant, and simple trade-off for having absolutely NO leash pressure, no restrictions to movement, and the ability to run, jump, zoom, circle, sniff and explore naturally.
Why are dog E-Collars controversial?
E-Collars are controversial because people don’t understand them.
‘Positive only’ and ‘Force-free’ trainers use a lot of poorly done studies and emotional marketing to promote the idea that electronic training collars are abusive, no matter what.
They believe that shock collar training and e-collar training are the same things (they aren’t!) and that both tools are used deliberately and unfairly to hurt, scare, punish and confuse dogs.
The truth is that incorrect use of poor shock devices can and do cause pain and behavioral problems. No legitimate, ethical and professional dog trainer will recommend a shock collar, especially not to harshly punish aggression and reactivity.
The studies and case studies that people often cite in reference to electric training collars and similar tools (such as prongs) are typically based on harsh or punitive training and other incorrect use scenarios.
E-Collars are very different than shock collars. Many balanced trainers use and recommend high-quality E-Collars for off-leash reliability. The controversial part is that people just don’t know or understand the difference between correct use and abuse.
E-Collars are a communication tool that provides clarity and guidance, not confusion. Using this training tool correctly is all about providing information.
The end goal of proper e-collar training is to give your pet more autonomy, choice, and enrichment, without relying on physical restraint or harsh corrections.
Despite the controversy surrounding remote collar training, the truth is that dogs correctly and thoughtfully taught with this method are confident, balanced, obedient, and have more freedom and autonomy than others can only dream of.
We believe that reward-based training paired with thoughtfully balanced techniques (including e-collars and prong collars) can keep thousands (if not millions) of bored, ‘stubborn’ dogs out of shelters, too.
Myth #1: E-Collars make your dog afraid of you
We highly recommend watching Larry Krohn e collar training videos on his Youtube channel. He has an insane library of content where you can see videos of pets being trained with E-collars who are confident, friendly, and not afraid of Larry Krohn at all.
One mistake many pet owners make when training their dogs with a shock collar is that they rely on it as a punishment tool. Many feel guilty about that so they begin waving the remote as a threat, hoping to stop an act before resorting to zap corrections.
With the aforementioned approach, the pet quickly learns that the remote means they are in trouble. They don’t often know why, only that they should run away. This can make it appear that a remote collar-wearing dog is afraid of its owner!
What’s worse is that teaching an animal to fear the remote and the collar means teaching them run away from the owner, rather than to recall, check-in, and engage.
Correct modern e-collar training relies on both parties involved having mutual respect for each other, and that includes a recall (coming when called) foundation that is rock solid. The remote tool becomes a cell phone, not a big stick that you beat your dog with.
The remote tool and the collar should not be used as threats or for punitive punishments, and if you watch videos of animals being thoughtfully and correctly E-Collar trained you will see positive body language, mutual respect, and enthusiasm.
Train your companion with communication, not fear.
Myth #2: E-Collars burn dog’s necks
While a cheap shock collar can cause damage to the neck, it is impossible for an E-Collar to burn skin. This is another wild myth often promoted by people who have never even felt the stimulation from an E-Collar themselves.
We are a science-based blog, so let’s dig into this!
Cheap shock training devices from Amazon can malfunction, run hot, and shock your dog at the wrong time. Those collars can absolutely cause damage.
An E-Collar from a reputable, high-quality company such as Educator Technologies will cost $175 or more to purchase, and with good reason. Reliability and modern tech are huge when it comes to training ethically and humanely with any kind of remote collar.
The technology that uses electric currents for muscle stimulation (from an E-Collar) is more advanced than the technology required to deliver a sharp static zap (from a cheap shock device).
It’s the difference between buying an old used Samsung s3 and buying an iPhone 13, only this is used to train your dog (not flip through Tik Tok).
Because the electric output of modern electronic collars is less than .01amp at the highest level, it is impossible for this training tool to burn a dog’s skin.
Remember, this modern version uses electrical currents to stimulate the muscle, not cause pain.
Incorrect use of ANY remote collar, however, CAN lead to pressure sores. The contact points are made of metal and can be an irritant when they aren’t rotated and kept clean. This is not unlike a poorly fit harness or head collar, which can cause rubbing and sores too.
User error is a problem resolved only by education and dedication (hence the reason we are here)!
To eliminate the chance of irritation and pressure sores, the collar must be fit correctly (snug, preferably with a bungee collar), the contact points must be kept clean, and the collar must be rotated or removed every few hours.
Electric training collars should never be worn overnight or unsupervised. For pets with sensitive skin, contact points made of different materials are available to try.
This is true of shock devices, for which the only purpose is to punish, scare, and correct.
A properly used E-Collar on the other hand can provide guidance that will improve your relationship and provide your pet with enrichment and opportunities that only a well-behaved dog can have.
With E-Collar training, it’s important that your pup understands what the stimulation sensation means. Through a fun training process using basic obedience commands and conditioning, your dog learns how to respond to and be in control of the sensation.
The dog becomes a willing and active participant in the training.
This pressure becomes a communication, not a punishment, and the pup knows that it means good things to them. Training starts with a good foundation and lots of fun, not harsh punishment or ‘trigger happy’ corrections.
The application of E-Collar pressure is no more “inhumane” than the pressure from a leash and harness; the only difference is that there is no longer a reliance on physical restraint and thus, no damage to the neck, head, or shoulders. The pressure is ‘virtual’, in other words!
Your pet will be able to make choices and move freely, all in exchange for communication from their ‘wireless device’. With this method, the dog dictates every move, free of restraint and you can communicate using a language they understand.
A dog on a long line does not behave the same way as a dog off-leash using a modern wireless tool.
A dog on a long line cannot zoom, spin circles, safely play or climb on, around, or under trees.
Sniffing is great and awesome for dogs, calming, and extremely beneficial for helping them settle and lower their heart rates, but that should not be the only goal! The proper use of modern tools can offer both the “sniffari” and much-needed off-leash enrichment.
The proper fit of a comfortable E-Collar bungee strap: snug with two fingers of room.
The long line should be a backup, when required to satisfy leash laws. When possible, however, it should not be the only way that your Dane gets all of its enrichment and ‘free movement’.
A Dane getting tangled up in a long line is dangerous to you and to themselves.
The E-Collar training method is extremely effective, and those being trained correctly on modern, high-quality remote collars show positive body language and excitement. They can easily be redirected away from incorrect activities, too.
Can an E-collar be used at aversive levels to punish or correct a dog? Absolutely.
But there is a huge difference between punitive corrections and thoughtfully balancing ‘yes and no’ with rewards and the occasional use of an E-Collar correction.
A harlequin Great Dane wearing a remote electric wireless collar and enjoying a creek!
Myth #4: E-Collar training is not ‘science-based’
Well, where do we start! Buckle up, this is a big one.
Many ‘positive-only’ trainers claim to be ‘science-based’. This statement they use in their marketing comes from studies that have shown how positive reinforcement, aka “R+” (the quadrant, not the training method) is the most humane and effective technique for training new behaviors.
We LOVE using R+ to instill tricks, obedience, and confidence!
Positive reinforcement is not the same thing as ‘positive-only’ training, however.
One is a key piece of operant conditioning and a huge part of any good training program. The latter (positive-only or force-free training) is a training method.
The training method of ‘positive-only’ uses a lot of R+ to reward behaviors.
So does balanced training, actually.
The best trainers use a lot of R+ in their techniques, no matter where they fall on the positive to balanced spectrum (and yes, there is a spectrum! No wonder dog training is so confusing to people).
R+ is not some magical or exclusive gem that only “science-based positive trainers” use and live by. All good trainers use positive reinforcement whether they market themselves as ‘force-free’ or ‘balanced’.
Catch our drift, yet? ‘Science-based’ has been diluted to a marketing term in this case, and as a truly science-based blog, that makes us uncomfortable!
To better understand how canine learning science works, and why ‘balanced’ training is not abusive or inhumane as some people may have led you to believe, here is a little lesson for you!
There are four quadrants of operant conditioning, and people (including ‘professionals’) misunderstand them often. We get it, these can be confusing. BUT, in the interest of science, we’re going to dig in!
Here they are in layman’s terms!
Dictionary, for the purpose of understanding the four quadrants of operant conditioning in dog training:
POSITIVE = To add something NEGATIVE = To take something away REINFORCEMENT = To increase a behavior PUNISHMENT = To reduce a behavior
Positive Reinforcement (R+) = The dog gets a treat for sitting
Positive Punishment (P+) = The dog is hit in the face for barking
Negative Reinforcement (R-) = A barrier is removed when the dog waits calmly to go outside
Negative Punishment (P-) = Freedom is removed so the dog can’t run away
R+ should always be used to reward and encourage the repetition of all new skills!
This includes the obedience commands sit, down, wait, leave it, come, heel and place.
However, all dogs, even “good” ones, do things they shouldn’t do.
That includes pulling, barking, lunging, bolting out the door, chasing cats, stealing food, jumping the fence, and running away.
As a Great Dane owner, you have likely experienced some of this!
Many of these things are unsafe and even life-threatening, however, they are all normal dog behaviors!
The first step to combat this is, of course, using R+ to train the dog on what they should be doing instead. You cannot combat shenanigans unless you are willing to teach the dog with rewards, fun, praise and play what it should know!
Pulling: teach heel with high-value treats Stealing: teach “leave-it” with a toy and some kibble Door Dashing: teach the dog to turn away from open doors
Despite this training, however, many dogs will still unsafely bolt out a door, jump on somebody, pull on the lead after a squirrel, or blow off a recall…no matter how many treats you offer.
You know, because…DOGS are DOGS and they are going to do doggie things!
Did we mention this other scientific tidbit? For many dogs, chasing a squirrel or experiencing the freedom offered by door dashing is infinitely MORE rewarding than any treat you can offer.
This leaves all dog lovers, even those who believe ONLY using ‘R+’, with two options to fix the problem:
a. Negative Punishment: Remove choice, freedom, and access to things as a means to decrease something the dog does or is doing. This is essentially “management” to prevent behaviors and may need to be implemented for the life of the dog.
AND / OR
b. Positive Punishment: Add a correction (NO!) so the dog understands they cannot do something. A correction could be anything from a simple ‘ah ah’ to flat out hitting the dog in the face.
Not all corrections have to be painful or abusive. If the bank give you a $35 fine (bummer!) for bouncing a check, they’ve used positive punishment. It didn’t hurt you, but it will make you think twice about forgetting to balance your checkbook again!
Punishment abounds in dog training whether people admit it or not. Here are some examples:
Keeping a dog on a tether in a fenced yard because they escape (negative punishment)
Putting a dog behind a gate because they jump on guests (negative punishment)
A no-pull harness pulls the dog to the side if they lunge forward (positive punishment)
Science-based fact: even ‘positive only’ and ‘force free’ people use punishment in their training. This includes the use of training tools that punish and reduce behaviors, despite their promotion that ‘all punishment is abusive‘. ?
Another interesting science-based fact: modern E-Collar use relies primarily on negative reinforcement to reward and strengthen behaviors. Yay science!
Good, thoughtful balanced E-Collar trainers rarely use their E-Collar for corrections (“positive punishment“). If they do, it’s most often as communication to immediately stop a dangerous or unsafe behavior in dogs that know what they should be doing instead.
Unlike traditional punishment, this is one correction that a properly conditioned and trained dog knows how to respond to and control!
There is nothing wrong with thoughtfully implemented corrections, including behavior management.
Run from any “professional” trainer who tells you that all “balanced” professionals abuse, hurt and punish animals all day. This is misguided, uneducated, and inflammatory language.
Run further if a professional will claim to “never use punishment, corrections, or ‘negative reinforcement’ of any kind“. That is a clear sign that they don’t actually understand science or how tools and techniques, including the tools that they use, actually work.
Run just as far if the details they share indicate that you should shock, choke, kick, alpha-roll or hit to treat your dog’s reactivity. Remember, extremes are bad news!
Dogs have no clue why they are always on a long leash or never get to go on walks.
Isolation, physical restraint, and restrictions are sometimes necessary, but they are not actually clear or fair communication when you really search and start to think about it.
Strict behavioral management in the name of ‘errorless learning’ is the basis of ‘force-free’ training programs. Training dogs is so much more complicated than just ‘R+’, as you can see.
The marketing of “force-free” dog training and its overwhelming reliance on management to avoid corrections can be just as inhumane and unfair to a dog as harsh and punitive shock punishments.
It’s time we talk about that, folks!!!!
Good trainers will recognize that it requires skill to thoughtfully manage dog behavior, and will make the most ethical and humane choice for a dog between management and fair corrections.
In other words, while behavior management is an important piece of the training puzzle, there are times when it’s more humane, ethical, and fair to use a correction (and communicate, fully) than it is to rely on confinement and restrictions.
For example, just because a dolphin in captivity can be taught using ‘R+ only’, it doesn’t mean that keeping the dolphin in strict captivity is fair.
A captive marine animal cannot exhibit natural behaviors such as hunting and freely swimming long distances. These are behaviors for which “R+” on its own would be wildly ineffective in reducing.
These natural behaviors don’t have to be reduced because the animal is too confined to do them in the first place. It’s easy to avoid mistakes that happen with natural behavior when you don’t have the opportunity to act naturally in the first place.
Millions of dogs are living the life of the captive dolphin because so many owners and dog professionals market the misguided idea that you should just further manage (restrict) your dog instead of correcting and communicating with them. It’s devastating.
We are seeing an entirely new decade of methodology that believes pets must be babied and spoiled and never told ‘NO’.
Many of these dogs are not going on walks, cannot be safely off-leash, have to be in a crate when guests come over, are not trusted around an open front door, have to be gated away from the kitchen and definitely do not get to go on so much as a picnic with their owner.
We are seeing endemic levels of frustration-based anxiety and reactivity that have never been seen before in pet dogs.
We think there is a problem here, and what’s ironic is that it takes behavior science (yes, science!) to fix it. When we are working with our dogs, it’s important to give them the information they need to make the right decisions. That means saying a LOT of ‘YES’ and also being ok with saying ‘NO’!
Thoughtfully balanced training and e-collar use are, you guessed it, based on science. You can, in fact, say NO and hold your pet accountable without hurting, scaring, or abusing them.
Myth #5: E-Collar training will make your dog aggressive
This goes with our science-based training information above.
Aggression typically has roots in the following things: genetics, hormones, habit, poor socialization, past experiences, frustration, and fear.
You can cause frustration and fear in a dog by alpha rolling them. You can also cause it by shocking or punishing your dog for reacting, especially without addressing the underlying root cause. You can even cause aggressive reactivity with poor leash handling, even if the dog is in a ‘harness’ and being fed piles of treats.
Incorrect training of all types can cause aggression, modern positive E-Collar methods does not.
Myth #6: E-Collars are for lazy people
Balanced training using an E-Collar requires more time, more diligence, more educated ownership, and more attention to detail than people seem to be aware of.
There is no such thing as a good, fair, humane, or truly effective training program that is “quick and easy”.
Taking a dog off-leash, understanding dog interactions, training the dog what the language of their E-Collar means, using lots of praise, play, rewards, treats, freedom and toys, and giving a dog enrichment, opportunities, and experiences that most dogs never experience?
We think that is far from lazy. Don’t fall for the negative marketing!
Why should I use an E-Collar?
We believe that all Great Danes should be E-Collar trained because it’s the most humane way to remove the reliance on physical restraints (including head collars, harnesses, and collars) that can cause harm, frustration, injury, and damage.
Giant breed dogs are strong and powerful; if you are relying solely on your ability to physically overpower and restrain your dog with some kind of physical device such as a collar or harness, you are setting both you and your dog up for failure.
Off-leash freedom is just one benefit; having an amazing relationship with your dog and being able to control your giant anywhere at any time, even on a flat collar alone, are key reasons to choose modern, positive balanced low-stim E-Collar training.
When your dog understands what is expected of them, and what they can and cannot do, you’ll be giving them a precious gift that will help them thrive.
You can train your dog to walk politely on a leash using an E-Collar or a humane Herm Sprenger prong collar. Leash walking can be a tough skill to work on when your Dane can overpower you without even trying!
These tools will give you a gentle and effective way to communicate so that actual living and enjoying every moment of life can begin.
How long does it take to train with an E-Collar?
It depends on how good of a trainer you are, and how much of a foundation you’ve already installed using positive training techniques.
A dog that has 60% recall can be safely off-leash with 100% recall in their E-Collar within weeks, following the positive conditioning process.
A dog that is wild, frustrated, lunging, destructive, shut down, anxious, and even aggressive will require more time. We recommend working with a highly qualified positive-balanced trainer to address the root cause of these behaviors.
How do you train with an E-Collar?
When you teach your dog with an E-Collar, you start by using positive R+ training to teach basic commands such as sit, down, leave it, place and COME!
Then you find your dog’s “working-level”. This is the lowest level of stimulation that they respond to.
Most dogs are responsive and enthusiastic to learn on a Mini-Educator at between a level 3 and 7. Humans typically cannot even feel the same sensation until the remote has been dialed up to a level 12 or even 20.
They always report surprise that the stimulation, once they do feel it, is both nearly imperceptible and non-aversive!
This response is paired with treats, so the dog learns that when they feel that, good things happen.
Through a process of conditioning from that point forward, the dog learns to control when the stimulation is on or off and learns that they can turn it off themselves.
By using the continuous button instead of the tap button, the stimulation can then be applied as a constant sensation paired with a command such as ‘come’, and then immediately removed when the dog begins to recall.
This is also known as ‘negative reinforcement’ and is a very simple and rewarding ‘pressure on, pressure off’ communication that mirrors leash pressure, just without the leash.
This allows you to communicate with your dog by ‘touching’ them, which can be insanely helpful for deaf dogs, dogs with ‘selective hearing’ or when you are in noisy environments such as the beach.
Higher levels are used in higher-distraction environments, just like your friend might have to speak louder to communicate with you in a noisy bar vs. when you are at home. Higher levels aren’t necessarily more aversive!
The stimulation from a modern E-Collar replaces prong, head halter, long line and harness pressure so that you and your pet can enjoy safe movement free of restraint.
Does this gentle simulation annoy the dog? Sure. That’s one reason it works. Just like your ringing cell phone makes you pick it up and answer. The timer on your oven makes you get up and take the cookies out. Your pants getting too tight makes you undo the button. All of these activities are first annoying and second, inherently rewarding!
Pressure does not have to hurt or be painful to be effective at changing your behavior.
Is Larry Krohn a good dog trainer?
Larry Krohn is our recommendation for learning about positive E-Collar dog training.
You can watch some of our favorite videos from his YouTube channel below! YouTube is a great resource for both good and bad methods, so here are some trainer channels that we do and don’t recommend as well.
NO: Jeff Gellman (too much compulsion and flooding) Cesar Milan (outdated intimidation ‘dominance’ method) Most franchise-based trainer companies (unreliable, tend to be heavily punishment-based)
What kind of E-Collar does Larry Krohn use?
Larry Krohn uses and recommends the same collars that we do, by Educator technologies! You can purchase them from us below, with free U.S. Shipping and email support during training.
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)!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
When I first got my Great Danes (yes- 2 Great Dane puppies at ONCE- WHAT was I thinking?) I was SO excited to start finding dog trainers, learn different methods and ‘quickly’ have the most perfectly trained dog.
Boy, was I wrong! Getting dogs trained is not an overnight venture.
Dogs need balance in their lives, just like people do. Too much discipline and your dog will become resentful and disobedient. Too little and they will take advantage of you and become unmanageable. That’s why it’s important to follow a balanced dog training program that will keep your Great Dane happy, obedient, and well-adjusted.
Anyways, what’s more is as I worked with my Great Danes, I realized that not only does my dog take time to learn, but SO DID I. I realized I had no idea what training methods really fit my style and even what a well behaved dog SHOULD look like.
That is when I began my journey of finding the training method that worked best for my dogs and our mission: solving problem behaviors and building trust while at the same time building a bond between them and me.
FIRST, LETS DEFINE BALANCED TRAINING
What is balanced training?
Balanced training is a dog training method that uses both negative (-) reinforcement and positive (+) reinforcement training.
In short: This type of training looks at the whole picture- not just one side.
For example, if your dog is jumping on you when you come home from work, you could say “no” and put your knee up to block their jump (negative), or you could ignore the jump and instead, wait for your dog to sit and then give them a treat (positive). Some of our favorite treats here:
You could also do a combination of both- say “no” and push their butt down to help stop jumping, and proceed to give them a treat once their butt hits the ground.
This method is called balanced because you are using BOTH negative AND positive reinforcement training- not just one.
MY FIRST AND LAST EXPERIENCE WITH PHYSICAL CORRECTION
Raising a dog is hard. Raising a puppy can be even harder. Ever heard of the puppy blues? There’s an actual WORD for the depression that one might feel with the sheer amount of work and fatigue a new dog can cause them.
When my puppy came home, I had an entire training plan, I knew what I wanted my dog’s behavior to look like, I had watched the clicker training videos on youtube, and I had done my research.
But what I didn’t factor in was how TIRED I would be.
I quickly learned that no amount of research or videos could have prepared me for the real thing.
TRAINING DOGS REQUIRES YOU TO RESORT ON HABIT, NOT ‘PLANS’
In those first few weeks, I made a lot of mistakes. But- to be fair, she did too…
One being the time she RAN and I mean RAN out the front door when she saw our nice neighbor and their new baby walking past with a stroller.
I gasped, I panicked, I turned into the worlds WORST dog trainer.
I started running after her- screaming “NO! NOOOO!” as if that would somehow stop a speeding bullet.
And what did my puppy do? She thought it was a game and RAN FASTER. So there I was- running down the street like a maniac, screaming at the top of my lungs- embarrassing myself and my poor puppy.
When I finally caught up to her, I was so out of breath and angry that I grabbed her by the scruff of the neck, shoved her in the house, and slammed the door.
I was relying on plans, rather than having built strong habits to fall back on in the midst of a frustrating moment.
DOGS NEED CLEAR COMMUNICATION AND CONSISTENCY
My lesson books told me I was a force free trainer, but my HABIT told me I was a big meanie who used leash jerks, terrible body language, and even ‘mean verbal tone’ to my dog.
She was SO confused!
And I was devastated. How could I have been SO mean and strayed so far from the way I wanted to treat unwanted behavior?
I knew I wanted and needed to be better for my dog. I also knew she would be acting out again- and probably soon- so I needed to know exactly how to act when she did.
PURELY POSITIVE TRAINING WAS JUST NOT RIGHT FOR ME
That night I sat with my dog, thinking about the immense leash pressure (sigh) and the lack of effective communication I had granted my dog when she made a mistake.
That is when it hit me- no amount of “science based” verbal praise was going to get her back to me when all 45 lbs of her puppy energy was running off towards something WAY more exciting than myself- should it be a baby carriage, other dogs, or a squirrel.
‘What in the heck am I supposed to do when I can’t control my dog? And how can I get to a place that my dog understands me?’
MY ROAD TO FINDING BALANCED TRAINING
Que the mad google research for dog trainers. We’ve all been there.
The midnight quest to solving life’s problems, one search at a time.
‘Balanced Trainers’, ‘Balanced Dog Trainers Near Me’, the results started flooding in.
I finally found an article that talked about the importance of BOTH positive and negative reinforcement in training.
It made SO much sense!
How could I have been so naive to think that one or the other would be enough?
Dogs are living, breathing creatures with feelings, just like us. They need both- just like we do.
Finding a trainer who could show me how to properly use both positive AND negative reinforcement was my next task.
I was sold on the satisfying and bonding behavior modification that could be accomplished by positive punishment (the addition of an unpleasant consequence) and positive reinforcement (the addition of a pleasant consequence).
I was intrigued by the concept of completing training exercises with both positive motivation for successful new behaviors, and discipline for any unwanted animal behavior (negative punishment).
Yup- I bought the cute planner at Target, I memorized the four quadrants, and I knew that this was the route for me.
WHAT ARE THE FOUR QUADRANTS?
The four quadrants of operant conditioning are:
Positive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement
Positive punishment
Negative punishment
I’ll go more in depth with each one below!
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT (+R)
This is when you offer the dog a reward for completing a desired behavior.
The reward can be a treat, toy, a clicker or verbal praise. The most important part is that the dog finds the reward valuable.
Some dogs will work for food, while others prefer to play with a toy or receive petting and scratches.
You’ll need to experiment to see what type of reinforcement works best for your dog.
When used BY ITSELF, reward based techniques can actually be ineffective and put your dog at a huge disadvantage, in my opinion.
NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT (-R)
This is when you remove an unpleasant condition after the dog completes a desired behavior.
For example, if your dog doesn’t like to be restrained on a leash, you can immediately release him from the restraint (leash, collar, or harness) as soon as he sits calmly.
The dog learns that the desired behavior (sitting calmly) will result in the removal of the unpleasant condition (being restrained), so he is more likely to repeat the behavior in the future.
POSITIVE PUNISHMENT (+P)
This is when you add an unpleasant consequence after the dog completes an undesired behavior.
For example, if your dog jumps on you when you come home from work, you can immediately turn your back and ignore him until he calms down.
With +P, dogs learn that the undesired behavior (jumping on you) will result in the addition of an unpleasant condition (being ignored), so he is less likely to repeat the behavior in the future.
NEGATIVE PUNISHMENT (-P)
This is when you remove a pleasant condition after the dog completes an undesired behavior.
For example, if your dog jumps on you when you come home from work, you can immediately put him in his crate or kennel.
With -P, dogs learn that the undesired behavior (jumping on you) will result in the removal of a pleasant condition (being out of his crate), so he is less likely to repeat the behavior in the future.
WHICH ONE SHOULD I USE?
The thing is, you’re going to use ALL four sections of the operant conditioning quadrant when you are a balanced trainer.
Balanced training requires dog owners to be well versed in each section so that they can make the best decisions for their individual dog’s needs.
I’ll admit, at first I was a little discouraged. It felt like a lot to learn and keep track of! But I’m telling you, it is SO worth it.
Not only will your dog be a better dog, but overall, you will notice a change in yourself.
You’ll be more patient, more consistent, and better equipped to handle any dog training challenge that comes your way.
So how do you beging working on balanced training? Check out the steps below!
IDENTIFY NONNEGOTIABLE BEHAVIOR ISSUES AND DEVELOP HABITS
Every Great Dane is going to have their vice.
My pups have shown me it all.
Leash pulling, eating things, counter surfing, destroying furniture, separation anxiety, the list goes on.
The first step is identifying which behaviors are nonnegotiable for you and your family.
For example, if you live in an apartment and can’t have a dog that barks excessively, then barking would be a nonnegotiable behavior for you.
Canine behavior is complex. Living in a dog world, especially when you are new to training dogs, is NOT easy. Behavioral issues are GOING to pop up. That, I can assure you.
Grab your Target planner and decide on your house rules. You’re going to need them.
LOOK UP BALANCED TRAINERS IN YOUR AREA
Finding dog trainers is never easy. Every human has their own training methods, even amidst balanced dog training methods.
But, choosing the wrong dog trainer who uses the wrong training methods can be a lethal decision.
RUN FROM ANY TRAINING ENVIRONMENT THAT USES ‘ALPHA’ TECHNIQUES
I’m sure you’ve seen the movies. The dog trainer comes to the house, roughs up the dog a bit, and then everything is fixed!
The dog magically becomes this well-behaved, obedient creature that follows every command to a T.
If you want a happy and healthy dog, find another trainer.
Balanced dog training is NOT being an ‘alpha‘, being dominant, performing knee-chokes, or any of that other cruel baloney.
MY TRAINER USES PHYSICAL CORRECTIONS IN THEIR TRAINING METHODS
There is a place for balanced trainers who know how to correctly use force-free techniques in the dog training industry and RIGHTLY SO!
Physical corrections, when used appropriately, should never actually physically hurt your dog.
A physical correction is meant to startle or surprise your dog so that they can break their focus on the undesired behavior and refocus on you.
For example, if my dog is about to bolt out the door, I might give him a quick leash pop so that he knows to pay attention to me instead of bolting out (ultimately potentially saving its life from running away or entering a dangerous road).
E COLLARS AND BALANCED TRAINING METHODS
Another example of a correction used ethically during training is the use of an e collar. E collars, when used ethically and appropriately, are one of the most humane and effective dog training tools on the market.
E collars can be used for a variety of things, such as recall training, boundary training, and more.
If you are interested in learning more about e collar training, I suggest checking out some of my other blog posts or contacting a local balanced trainer in your area.
Need help with modern e collar training? Check out our guide.
WHAT IS POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT?
Now that we’ve talked about corrections, let’s move on to positive reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement is defined as any reinforcer that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
In other words, when your dog does something you like, you ‘reinforce’ that behavior by giving them something they find reinforcing in return.
The most common form of positive reinforcement is food.
Other forms of positive reinforcement include verbal praise, petting, and play.
Chippin’ Cricket Treats are known for being a powerful food topper for digestion- and dogs LOVE them!
WHEN SHOULD I USE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT?
Positive reinforcement should be used frequently to shape and mold desired behaviors.
If you find a trainer who ONLY uses positive reinforcement, it is our belief that you will not accomplish what you so desire.
Many dog owners spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars on a positive trainer, only to find their dog relying on dozens of treats to perform simple requests.
When used in correspondence with humane corrective and communicative tools, positive reinforcement is absolutely a necessity for every dog.
TOOLS TO CHOOSE FROM TO TRAIN A BALANCED DOG
PRONG COLLAR
A prong collar is a type of collar that has metal prongs that point inwards, towards the dog’s neck.
Prong collars should be fitted by experienced trainers who know how to correctly fit and use them.
When fitted correctly, prong collars will not even pop a balloon!
When fitted incorrectly and used to train dogs, a prong collar can cause serious injury.
E COLLAR
An e collar, also known as an electronic collar or remote training collar, is a type of collar that delivers a low level electrical stimulation to the dog wearing it.
E-collars are most commonly used for recall training and boundary training, but can be used for a variety of other things as well.
E-collar training is one of the most ethical forms of training for dogs and allows owners to communicate effectively with their dogs.
A slip lead is a primary example of applying something negative when dogs demonstrate negative behavior. The slip lead around their neck will tighten and become uncomfortable when they pull, which will teach them not to pull on the leash.
Shock collars and dog training should not be associated in the same sentence.
Cheap shock devices off of amazon are inhumane and will cause your dog more harm than good such as contact burns, sporadic and confusing shocks, and a lack of communication or understanding of why they are being shocked in the first place.
There is a huge difference between a shock collar and a stim (e collar).
IS USING TOOLS ON DOGS CRUEL OR MEAN?
Absolutely not! I found that once I began my research based training, filled with both treats and communication, my Great Danes finally UNDERSTOOD what I was asking them to do.
They can play, run, spend time with other animals, live like they are meant to. They can be off leash and on leash, in the house and out of the house, with children and without children.
They are finally able to be a part of this world in a way that didn’t involve stress or punishment, but instead pure understanding.
Dog training is not about being mean or forceful, it’s about showing your dog what you want them to do and then using body language and physical touch to help get them there!
Dogs are not born knowing how to “sit” or “stay”, we teach them these things through patience, love, and most importantly- communication.
GETTING STARTED ON YOUR DOG TRAINING JOURNEY
It wasn’t long ago that I was frantically doing the google searches, looking for absolutely anything that could help my dog.
I had tried everything from traditional obedience classes to hiring a personal trainer, and while both of those things helped in their own way, I still wasn’t getting the results I wanted.
I felt like I was stuck in this never-ending cycle of my dog doing something wrong, me getting frustrated, and then both of us giving up.
I knew there had to be a better way, and that’s when I found balanced dog training.
If you are on your journey to finding a better way of training dogs, I recommend seeing if balanced work is right for you!
Thinking about getting a Great Dane? Here’s how to find a reputable breeder.
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?
When it comes to choosing the best collars for Great Danes, we’ve got you covered! There are many different types of dog collars available for puppies or adults on the market today, from traditional buckle dog collars to harnesses, electric collars, and beyond.
So, which one should you choose?
Do you have a puppy? Does your dog pull? Do you have problems with running away, fence-jumping, lunging, or escaping? We’re sharing tons of information, and more, below.
Should a Great Dane Wear a Collar or a Harness?
A very small but notable study was done showing that harnesses, even the type that is meant to be ‘non-obstructive’ nearly always change the way that a dog moves and walks. This is something that has been theorized for many years.
More studies are needed but as owners of giant breed dogs, we should all take note!
While harnesses have their place, we believe that in general off-leash obedience and wide, flat collars are much better than harnesses for Great Dane’s orthopedic health and for Great Dane owners.
Collars are safer, less restrictive, and more humane overall for most dogs, especially when paired with positive training that will ultimately give you full voice control of your dog.
For more information on each type of harness that you might choose for a Great Dane, check the table of contents.
A Pet Safe ‘Easy-Walk’ harness is not recommended: note the restrictive strap across the chest.
Ruffwear Webmaster Harness for Great Danes
In a ‘less-obstructive’ harness such as the Ruffwear Webmaster or Front Range, your dog will have a lot of leverage to pull you around. If you must use a harness for your Great Dane dog, this can be a good option for dogs that don’t pull or lunge.
It’s also very helpful for dogs that may need a little assistance (it has a handle on the back), for example!
With Great Danes, you should be relying on voice control, training, and obedience, not your physical ability to hold your dog back.
If your Great Dane dog pulls, lunges, reacts or is less than obedient, harnesses will be dangerous for you and for others around you!
The Ruffwear Front Range Harness, a less obstructive and more comfortable harness option for dogs that do not pull.
If you must use a harness (some dogs with Wobblers or orthopedic disease that require mobility support and/or that cannot be off-leash, for example) then we recommend the less obstructive Ruffwear harnesses mentioned above.
The Y-front construction of the Webmaster or Front Range or Webmaster harness is less obstructive to movement than harnesses that are made to deter pulling behavior, and the Ruffwear harnesses are well-built! Plus they have a handle on the back if you need to support your Dane for any reason.
This choice for a regular dog collar is up to your budget and aesthetic needs! There are many options available including collars made of leather, rope, nylon, and Biothane.
A leather collar will be beautiful and there are many custom options available. We love a leather collar on a Great Dane! They look nice and last forever.
A personalized collar with leather stamping or embossing, for example, is an awesome way to make sure your dog has identification without the constant jingling of tags.
This type of ‘basic’ collar is great for everyday use, but still rugged enough to hold up to a Dane:
Some Great Dane dog owners love the look and rugged construction of a tactical dog collar! These are usually wide, heavy, and made with sturdy hardware that is less likely to break if your dog were to lunge or pull.
Many of them have handles, too and they typically come in camouflage colors such as taupe and green. We love and recommend this type of wide, heavy collar for large, full-grown adult Great Danes.
We don’t recommend leaving collars on dogs unattended, especially if your Great Dane tries to escape their crate, destroy things, get into stuff or play rough with your other house dogs.
Many Great Dane dogs have been hurt or killed by collars that were worn unattended.
If you are worried about your Great Dane running away without a dog collar unattended, we recommend off-leash training, obedience training, a remote electric training collar (more on this below), management, and a microchip!
What size collar does a Great Dane puppy need?
Great Dane puppies do best with small or medium-sized inexpensive nylon dog collars.
Blueberry Pet Collars on Amazon has a massive range of regular collar patterns and colors to choose from. An adjustable Great Dane collar with a range of several inches will last the longest as your puppy experiences explosive growth.
Measure your Great Dane’s neck; most puppies fit into a size small or medium to start.
Keep in mind that your Great Dane puppy is going to grow FAST and you’ll be needing to replace this soon enough, so save your money at this point!
You’ll need your cash reserved for food, supplements, vet care, and regular training collars for your adult Great Dane!
Never leave your Great Dane puppy unattended in a dog collar, training collar, or martingale collar of any type.
They can become trapped, chew it off and try to swallow it or get tangled up while attempting to escape or while playing with other dogs in the house.
The best dog collars for Great Dane Puppies
We recommend choosing a flat collar OR ergonomic harness for your puppy.
Do not introduce any kind of prong-style collars, head collars, ‘no-pull’ harnesses or otherwise until your puppy has a good positive basic obedience foundation and lots of socialization.
If your Great Dane puppy dog pulls, go back to basics! Leash training is 99% YES. Instead of punishing your Great Dane puppy for pulling, teach your puppy what you want them to do instead.
How to leash train a Great Dane Puppy
Use treats praise and fun games to reward your puppy for looking at you, walking next to you, and staying by your side around obstacles.
These are easy to teach in boring places. As your leash training progresses, you might even work with a trainer to build on those skills around distractions such as other dogs.
Use positive socialization methods and a longer leash to explore the world around you and encourage calm behavior.
What are the Best Dog Collars for Great Danes that Pull?
Many Great Danes learn quickly that they are bigger, stronger, and faster than you. They have a massive neck size, powerful chests, and shoulders and can really throw their weight around!
We tend to accidentally encourage these dangerous behaviors by using a tense leash and getting frustrated or chasing and scolding our dogs.
A Great Dane that pulls is a dangerous dog, even if they are friendly! For those dogs, a basic dog collar with a cheap leash attachment is unlikely to be enough.
In the next section, we will cover the best Great Dane collars, the best shock collars, and the ideal dog training collars for Great Danes, so that you can make an informed and humane decision for your gentle giant!
Are no-pull harnesses good for Danes that pull?
No-pull harnesses, also known as ‘Front Clip’ or ‘Easy-Walk’ harnesses are often seen as a positive and friendly alternative for dogs that pull, however, they are not good for Great Danes.
These harnesses punish and attempt to reduce the pulling behavior by restricting natural movement and adding pressure to the chest, ribs, front, armpits, and shoulders.
Many dogs will pull through this pressure anyways because the environment is still more rewarding than the damage they are doing to themselves.
These are also easy to escape and will do little to deter pulling caused by fear, overstimulation, frustration, excitement or anxiety.
An Easy-Walk harness, similar to the 2 Hounds ‘Freedom No-Pull’. Notice the strap straight across the front of the chest.
A front clip or ‘no-pull’ harness may or may not temper pulling behavior, but it will nearly always alter your dog’s natural gait and ability to freely and comfortably extend the front limbs.
Types of Harnesses you should not use with a Great Dane Dog
We never recommend the use of any kind of ‘no-pull’, front clip, or T-Strap harness for Great Danes!
Why are no-pull harnesses bad for Great Danes?
When worn, they keep your dog from moving naturally and don’t allow the front limbs to extend comfortably or fully, even when your Great Dane is not pulling!
Somehow, these have been marketed as ‘positive’, ‘humane’ and ‘force-free’ however they are definitely not. Even if a harness like this is fit correctly, used with a double leash system or marketed as ‘gentle’, it’s still working by restricting movement.
Great Danes are giant breed dogs with sensitive orthopedic needs. They need to be able to move naturally without having their shoulders restricted. At the same time, you as the owner needs to know that your Great Dane cannot and will not pull you down!
If you regularly have your Great Dane wearing an Easy-Walk, Balance, Freedom, or a similar ‘no-pull’ harness, we recommend switching to a good training collar instead (more information below).
Many dog parents who want to do the right thing for their dogs are surprised by this information, and that’s understandable!
A ‘Freedom’ no-pull harness.
Is a Martingale Collar Good for Great Danes?
A martingale collar is our top choice for walking Danes that don’t pull or lunge!
Martingale collars are escape-proof and the wide fabric version will be gentle and non-obstructive on a Great Dane’s neck.
Martingale collar pro tip: the collar should be made snug enough that if your dog were to pull into the collar or try to back out, the two D-rings would not touch.
Martingale collars should never be worn when your dog isn’t on a walk or being actively supervised.
Do Martingale Collars Hurt Dogs?
Martingale collars are wonderful in that they are not meant to be harsh or punishing, and they are incredibly difficult for a dog’s head to slip out of.
Newly adopted dogs and dogs that are a flight risk should ALWAYS be in a martingale collar or on a slip lead!
They also come in a range of stylish collar options from floral to superheroes, in soft fabrics and wide widths that make them ideal for walking your Great Dane.
A proper martingale collar for a Great Dane dog will be wide, flat, and made of nylon or fabric.
A Great Dane puppy in a wide, flat Martingale collar from Magnolia Mutts
Ruffwear Chain Reaction Martingale Dog Collar
Some models, such as the Ruffwear Chain Reaction dog collar have a metal chainlink paired with nylon that allows you to quickly zip the chain. The noise is an audible correction that will get your dog’s attention.
The chain reaction option is good for dogs that only gently pull occasionally or need a little reminder to focus at times, but will not be good or safe for dogs that pull wildly.
Those dogs need to be in a Herm Sprenger prong collar (more on this below).
Martingale collars are different than choke collars: choke collars have nothing stopping them from becoming extremely tight and restrictive. Martingale collars are ‘limited slip’ and will stop becoming tighter at a certain point.
Martingale collars are not meant not hurt your dog, but as with any training collar, if your dog is lunging, pulling, and acting as a freight train you should seek professional help.
A dog in that state of mind is a danger to you and to itself.
Like the no-pull harness, head collars (also known as ‘Gentle Leaders’ and ‘Halti’ collars) are promoted as a ‘positive’ and ‘humane’ alternative to prong collars for Great Dane dogs.
They are somewhat effective at reducing or eliminating pulling in Great Danes because they are so aversive and punishing!
The solid majority of Great Danes require an adjustment period when introduced to head collars. They are uncomfortable to wear.
The reality is that many dogs just don’t like them, even after weeks of positive conditioning!
A Great Dane wearing a Gentle Leader from Amazon
If your Great Dane pulls or lunges in a Gentle Leader (or similar), their head will be forced to the side.
This is fairly effective at deterring pulling and lunging, however, we believe it’s not ideal for their sanity OR their orthopedic health.
Dog lovers everywhere should take note of this before using or recommending this tool.
Gentle Leaders and similar devices are especially problematic for Great Danes that do tend to lunge, pull, react, or are prone to wobblers (which has a genetic link and by the moment of diagnosis, the damage has been done).
Many times, lunging and pulling will also mean that the skin on their face will be rubbed or pushed up into their eyeballs. A dog’s face has thousands of sensitive nerve endings.
Many Great Danes will paw, whine, lay down or frantically try and remove a head collar from their face. This is a strong indication that head collars are an aversive tool.
Head collars are an inappropriate tool for most Great Danes, despite their popularity and widespread use.
We only advocate for head collars when they are being used thoughtfully, with lots of positive conditioning on dogs with good structure and no genetic link to Wobblers disease…that also don’t pull, lunge or react wildly to begin with.
They can be an appropriate and subtle communication tool for people who are relying on their highly trained Great Dane for service work and public access, or who because of age or stature cannot physically manipulate a prong collar and fully physically control a Great Dane otherwise.
There is a time and a place for them, but as the go-to dog collar for Great Dane training? We believe it’s time to flip the script on this one, and give our Great Danes a much more elegant and humane option. (Read on, friends!).
Can You Use a Prong Collar on a Great Dane?
Prong collars are actually one of the most humane, effective and ethical tools to use if you have a Great Dane that lunges or pulls you around.
We hear you, prong collars look like torture devices and you’ve heard some negative propaganda!
However, unlike a nylon harness or Halti Gentle Leader collar, a properly used prong collar relies on a simple YES and NO communication, not physical restraint.
Prong collars provide a clear pressure-based sensation that when paired with positive reinforcement is incredibly effective, gentle and humane at stopping pulling and lunging.
Your Great Dane will then redirect their focus back on you!
A prong collar is meant to fit snugly on your dog’s neck, high and tight if possible. Loose, poorly fit and poorly made prong collars ARE aversive, so make sure you do it right.
A properly used prong collar will not pop a balloon! They work by causing even pressure around your dog’s neck; this pressure is annoying to your dog but NOT painful and not damaging.
We we only recommend HERM SPRENGER prong collars for dog training, which have blunt ends and construction that protects the trachea and creates pressure, not stabbing.
Cheap prong collars are not made the same and may harm, confuse or frustrate your Great Dane.
Is it cruel to use a prong collar on a dog?
It’s a myth that prong collars are ‘inhumane and rely on pain, stabbing and harsh corrections’.
(We will show you how to introduce a prong collar to a Great Dane in the tutorial below).
A poorly fit prong collar on a brindle Dane with cropped ears – this should be higher and snug so as not to rub, pinch or poke.
A prong collar is not cruel, but would you like to know what may be?
-Never feeling like you can take your dog places with you because they pull too much on a leash (frustrating to you AND your dog).
-Having your dog become increasingly more frustrated, anxious, bored and under-socialized because you cannot control them in a harness (and people told you that a prong was abuse, so as above you don’t take your dog places).
-Letting your dog jerk themselves around on a collar, harness or head collar because you don’t have a clear, concise way to communicate both YES and NO to your dog.
-Being at your wits end with your dog, unsure what to do, hesitant to consider a prong collar because somebody misled you into believing that it was inhumane and should never be used.
We believe the Herm Sprenger prong collar is one of the best, simplest and most humane Great Dane collars available, however you must learn how to use it correctly!
If your Dane is rubbing their face raw in a head collar and you still think that it’s the more humane choice vs. a prong, read on to learn how the prong collar is actually a very positive tool!
How to use a prong collar on a Great Dane
Start off-leash in a boring room. Use treats and praise to reward your dog for standing at your left side and looking at you.
Take a step (lure your dog to step with you if needed) and then reward your dog. YES! Treat. Gradually add steps between rewards. Once you can walk 10 steps and have your dog stay by your side for the reward, add the ‘heel’ command.
Begin walking more than ten steps. Add in turns and obstacles. Keep it positive and fun!
Fit your Herm Sprenger prong to your dog (High and tight, snug and ideally with a second leash clipped to a backup collar. Add a good leather or nylon leash and hold it loosely in your hand. Do not add tension! Practice walking around in your boring room with the obstacles and turns, and continue to reward your dog. This ongoing practice will give you voice control, which is much more effective and safe than physical restraint.
Next, allow your dog to sniff around or walk away, or take a step back from your dog until there is tension in the leash. When you feel that tension, plant your feet on the ground (don’t move towards your dog) and continue to apply a little gentle ongoing tension from the leash.
As soon as your dog gives into the pressure and comes towards you, the pressure will release automatically; your dog is in charge of releasing this tension, not you!
You can mark this moment with a YES and reward your dog! Your dog should not yelp, cower, scream or act fearful. Remember, a properly used high quality prong uses pressure, not stabbing.
Practice step 5 several times in your boring room and then try it outside in low-distraction environments as well! Your dog should learn very quickly that when they feel gentle pressure from the prong, they can make it stop by releasing the tension on the leash and coming to you for guidance. Notice that you are NOT jerking your dog around, popping the collar, allowing your dog to pull wildly, stringing your dog by the neck or being harsh!
Practice the HEEL position with your dog as above, and continue using ‘pressure and release’ randomly to remind your dog to walk next to you, look at you, or re-engage when distracted. Fade out treats and rely mostly on praise. Remember, KEEP THE LEASH LOOSE! Never add tension unless you are deliberately communicating to your dog. When you do add tension, imagine the tension being so gentle; there is no need to yank or pull back. Gradually increase the distance of your walks and the distraction factor of the environment. Always teach your dog from kindergarten to college: do not expect PHD level obedience at Home Depot out of a dog that is used to pulling wildly and having their way! Work up to that over time.
When your dog fully understands how their collar works, you can also add quick short ‘pops’ of the prong collar if your dog is not paying attention to you. A quick pop should result in your dog looking at you, at which point you can mark with a YES and a treat! Always reward the behavior that you want.
With prong collar training the goal is to be as gentle as possible. If you are yanking your dog around, feel like the leash is always tight, have tense hands or are having to constantly correct your dog with ‘pops’, you haven’t set your dog up to understand their collar or how to respond to it. Go back to step one.
If your dog is ‘leash reactive’ and acts like a fool on a leash, the prong collar will not be a quick fix. As with any tool (including harnesses) you can make this behavior worse if you are relying on the tool only as a ‘punishment’ or physical restraint device. Make sure to use lots of positive reinforcement and set your dog up for success by maximizing the distance between your dog and things that set them off. You can gradually close this gap as your Great Dane becomes more comfortable with their prong collar and relationship with you.
Bark collars are an automated device meant to deter or stop nuisance barking. They use sound, noxious smells (such as citronella), shock or uncomfortable levels of muscle stimulation to reduce barking.
Some offer multiple training modes, but in general a bark collar is meant to be a fairly basic, easy to use automated tool.
Bark collars have their place, but it’s important to remember that if your dog barks there is often a reason. Boredom, anxiety, frustration and habit are common causes that should be addressed before using any kind of bark collar!
A training shock collar will be inexpensive and offer three training modes: beep, vibrate and a few levels of aversive shocks. The shock is meant to punish and reduce behavior.
We do not recommend the use of inexpensive shock collar devices on Great Danes or other large breed dogs!
The other two training modes (vibrate and beep) are more gentle than the sharp static zap of the shock collar, so many people rely on those modes when training their Great Dane dog.
Remote dog training collars (also known as ‘E-Collars’ or ‘Educator Collars’), on the other hand, are not they same. Far away from a traditional old-school shock collar, they are an excellent choice for Great Danes.
Educator Remote Collars work differently than shock and rely on a wildly effective positive training and conditioning process.
Are E-Collars Good for Great Danes?
Many people who do not understand these more modern devices will tell you that all electric training collars all use aversive shock and that you will harm and abuse your dog by using one.
Many people are uneducated about modern remote collar tools and have never used them or felt the stimulation from a proper one themselves, so take negative opinions with a grain of salt!
(We will elaborate more on this below!)
Do shock collars work on Great Danes?
Of course, shock is very good at deterring behavior. That’s why it works; it’s easy to wave a remote at a dog and scare them away from repeating a behavior.
When you have a giant breed dog, obedience is extremely important for their safety and yours!
A more appropriate choice than a shock collar is to use an Educator Remote dog collar properly to teach your Great Dane dog to come enthusiastically towards you, not run away.
This is very helpful when you want them to stop doing something they shouldn’t be doing, or run to you when something dangerous could harm them.
This is why we advocate for the proper use of modern E-Collars (proactive training), not shock collars (reactive training).
Need help with modern e collar training? Check out our guide.
How do E-Collars work?
A modern electronic training collar uses low levels of gentle muscle stimulation that will feel like a touch sensation, not harsh shock or aversive vibration. Following some quick, fun training exercises dogs learn to respond to this stimulation.
The best part about a modern electric stimulation collar is that it relies on communication, not physical restraint! This is the best and most humane thing for our dogs.
E-Collar trained dogs:
Come when called, reliably
Will happily walk away from something when asked
Can be taught to walk off-leash or in a loose leash position
Are under voice control, not physical restraint, which is much safer and better for their orthopedic health
Are kept safe: a dog that has excellent recall and off-leash obedience is not running away, bolting out of the door or jumping over fences
Have more enrichment: an off-leash trained dog will always have better access to natural physical and mental activities such as swimming, running up and down hills, zooming around, climbing, playing and circling than an on-leash, long-leashed or yard-only dog.
Cannot damage their gait, neck or shoulders as they can in choke collars, flat collars, harnesses and head collars.
Training your dog with an E-Collar means FREEDOM.
Other dog collars cannot offer any of what we listed above. The modern E-Collar is an elegant, gentle and effective tool.
Many people have told us that our positive E-Collar training method, paired with an Educator collar changed their lives!
We are hearing from Great Dane dog owners who are quickly seeing more freedom, more fun, less frustration, less anxiety and a better relationship between them and their dog.
If you are looking for the best training collar for a Great Dane, we believe that Educator Collars and the positive remote collar training method is key.
The Easy Educator and the Mini-Educator are the best training collars for Great Danes and large breed dogs. They are rugged, waterproof, have a fantastic battery life, and offer 100 levels of stimulation that at low levels cannot be felt by humans.
If you are looking for the best shock collar for your Great Dane, start looking for remote Educator collars instead. We promise it will be worth the extra investment and a little time spent on dog training!
Choose this option if you want more features and have a slightly bigger budget for choosing the best remote single or multi dog system for your Great Dane.
Biothane Bungee Educator Collar
All Educator receivers (the part that your dog wears) should be paired with a bungee collar made of Biothane. The bungee makes it comfortable for your Great Dane to wear the electric dog collar and ensures a good fit!
A collar like this will NOT have a leash attachment, as its meant to be worn on its own.
As above, we believe the Herm Sprenger Prong collar is the most effective, humane and gentle option for Great Dane dogs that pull, lunge and struggle to focus. A properly used prong is one of the safest and most gentle Great Dane collars you can choose! Work with your dog using positive reinforcement and plan to fade this one out over time.
Magnolia Mutts Custom Fabric Martingale Collar
We love Magnolia Mutts because she donates a large portion of her income each month to Great Dane rescues! She makes beautiful Martingale dog collars for Great Danes that are fashionable and well-made.
We believe that a Magnolia Mutts martingale collar is one of the best Great Dane collars available for dogs that have been trained to not pull or lunge on a leash.
A slip lead works by fitting snugly on your dog’s neck and making it so that there is no way for them to escape. Slip leads are a MUST have for dogs that will escape a dog collar or harness. They are also so helpful for quick trips!
Lastly, we recommend keeping slip leads in your car and around the house; you never know when you might need one.
Blueberry Pets Everyday Collar
Blueberry Pets on Amazon has lots of choices in dog collars for your Great Dane. We like this option if you are looking for a good inexpensive and basic regular collar to hold dog tags or wear around the house.
This is a good collar choice for puppies! Choose an inexpensive, adjustable collar that will fit your Great Dane’s neck size as they grow, and that has a leash attachment for those early socialization experiences and leash training exercises.
Blueberry Pets offers different collars to catch the eye of many different dog parents.
Stylish Leather Collar
A leather collar is a rugged, beautiful dog collar for your Great Dane!
The great thing about a leather collar is that it is bound to last. They are tough and tend to wear well with age. Choose this for dogs that don’t pull, when you want something more rugged and more stylish than a basic nylon collar!
The Ruffwear Chain Reaction is a dog training collar for dog owners that need a little extra control than they get from a martingale or basic flat collar.
It’s a mid-option between martingale and prong dog collars that will help your Great Dane dog understand that they need to focus on you.
When you are looking for the perfect collar for your Great Dane dog, we hope to have been helpful.
We have covered everything from the best collar material, the best dog collar for puppies, how to choose a waterproof dog training collar, the best Great Dane collars for adult dogs that pull, and shock collar training (including information about the best shock collar options for your pet).
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?
There’s a reason why Great Danes are called the “gentle giants.”
They are one of the most docile and loving dog breeds out there. But this doesn’t mean that they don’t need training. In fact, if you don’t train your Great Dane, you’re in for a world of trouble.
This hilarious Great Dane fail post will show you why it’s so important to train your Great Dane and what can happen if you don’t!
This week we saw this video (above). A huge blue Great Dane has escaped from his leash or gate and is on the run, terrorizing everyone in his path. He’s chasing people, bouncing around, and just being an all-around menace. The people in the video are TERRIFIED!
Great Danes are massive dogs. They can weigh nearly 200 pounds and stand over six feet tall when they’re fully grown. They’re also incredibly strong.
So when they’re not properly trained, they can be a real handful.
THIS DANE FAILS VIDEO IS HILARIOUS, OF COURSE
Sure, it’s funny to see a Great Dane running around and having a great time. But it’s not so funny when they start knocking things over, jumping on people, chasing people, or worse.
The people in the video were afraid of this dog, and that’s not fair. This dog could have easily been hurt or seriously hurt somebody in the process of what only looks like innocent fun.
It’s very clear that this dog has no reliable off-leash recall and is lacking an appropriate amount of physical and mental enrichment overall.
Did you know that a wagging tail does NOT always mean that a dog is friendly and well-intentioned? Wagging tails can mean all sorts of things, and play is just one of them.
Three well-behaved Great Danes in a ‘place’ command.
Find a good trainer: If you’re having trouble training your Great Dane yourself, it’s a good idea to find a professional trainer. We recommend finding a trainer that uses a lot of positive reinforcement and balanced training tools such as e-collars, martingale, long leashes, treats, clickers, and prong collars.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Steps to training your dogs
There are several steps you can take to build strong foundational skills:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Introducing a new E-Collar to your Great Dane can be a daunting task. It is important that you take the time to properly condition and train your dog with the E-Collar before using it in real-world situations.
In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks for how to introduce an E-Collar to a Great Dane. We will also provide some helpful tips on how to use the E-Collar for training purposes. Let’s get started!
Need help with modern e collar training? Check out our guide.
This guide assumes you are using a quality E-Collar, NOT a shock collar from Amazon or the Pet Store! We recommend E-Collar Technologies or Dogtra only.
Step One: The proper fit is important. Make sure that the E-Collar fits your dog properly. It should be snug, but not too tight. You don’t want it to be so tight that it’s uncomfortable for your dog, but you also need to make sure that the stimulation prongs make consistent contact and don’t rub.
Step Two: Start with basic obedience commands. Before you begin using the E-Collar for training purposes, make sure that your dog understands basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. These are easy to teach using positive reinforcement and will make the E-Collar training process much easier.
Your dog doesn’t have to be amazing at these basic commands yet, but they should be able to do them when you are indoors at your house.
HOW TO FIND YOUR DOG’S WORKING LEVEL ON THE E-COLLAR
Once you have the E-Collar fitted properly and your dog knows some basic obedience commands, you can begin E-Collar conditioning. This is a process where you gradually get your dog used to the E-Collar and the language of stimulation.
Give the command to ‘come’ while simultaneously pressing and holding the E-Collar button on ‘Continuous’ mode. (Use your dogs working level).
As soon as your dog starts to come towards you, release the E-Collar button immediately and praise them lavishly! Reward them with a treat and more praise when they come to you.
Repeat this process many ways and in many places. The more you practice, the more confident you can be that your dog understands the stimulation and will respond to it.
Troubleshooting
If your dog doesn’t turn to come to you, they may be too far away, too distracted, or confused. A gentle tug on the leash may help communicate the command.
Think of your E-Collar like a cell phone!
A long leash is a landline.
The stimulation is the phone ringing. When your dog ‘answers the phone’, the ringing goes away and they are rewarded!
Good E-Collar use means relying on the tool as a communication device, not a corrections one.
Do not use your E-Collar as a threat or as a correction until you are well past the first several weeks of ‘conditioning’.
Spend more time saying yes than no, stay at your dog’s working level and keep it positive.
Rotate the collar every 2-3 hours.
An increase in your dog’s working level will likely be required as you move into more distracting areas! This higher level does not hurt or punish, it simply overrides the excitement of the environment.
It’s the difference between hearing your cell phone ring at home, vs. hearing and responding to it while at a noisy party.
Messy home issues aside, letting your dog get dirty may actually be one of the best things for them!
Great Danes LOVE mud and many dogs have a hard time keeping out of it.
There are actually biological and behavioral reasons for this! When your dog refuses to stay clean, they aren’t being stubborn. They are simply satisfying a desire to enjoy the moment.
SHOULD I ALLOW MY GREAT DANE TO PLAY IN THE MUD? MUD IS NATURAL PLAY FOR DOGS
So many dogs are not getting the physical and mental enrichment that they need.
A few rubber toys and a leashed walk on pavement is the human equivalent of living in a basement and walking on a treadmill. No wonder so many Great Danes are anxious, destructive, frantic and ‘stubborn’!
1000’s of years ago, dogs would roll in the mud to mask their scent from predators.
These days, dogs find this behavior to be very fun and enriching. The mud is cool, fun to play in and feels great on their paws!
Dirt and mud are full of unique and interesting smells. It feels good on paws and feet and provides an incredible opportunity to exercise the shoulders, hips, pasterns and core while digging, running and playing.
Dogs that dig up the garden and the lawn have given themselves an important job to do!
Pro tip: If you don’t want your dog digging up your garden, use supervision to prevent the behavior and make sure your dog is getting plenty of enrichment outside of the yard. You can also dedicate a ‘digging spot’ and redirect your dog to it until they understand that they are allowed to dig there.
Remember, lean & fit dogs live on average 2 years longer than dogs that are allowed to become lazy and overweight. Not only that, but the stress reduction can mean a reduction in bloat risk, too!
Once you’ve let your Great Dane enjoy the mud, you have to get them clean again.
Here are a few tips:
Make baths and cleaning part of a positive routine. If your dog is resistant, start slow and work up to making baths ‘no big deal’ by using treats, praise and fun. We recommend this Natural Dog Company Shampoo.
Use a MUDBUSTER; keep this by the door and train your dog to calmly wait while you wash each paw. Simply plunge their paw into the cup and watch it come out clean. This is GREAT for people who have muddy yards!
Use a microfiber paw dirt catcher mat.These feel great on paws and will pick up loose dirt, snow and water quickly as your dog runs over it.
Pro tip: Don’t use squirt bottles as a training method; all they do is teach your dog fear being sprayed with water (which they need when they are muddy)! (What is Great Dane Dominance Training?)
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. We do our best to present the most up-to-date research, however it is up to the reader to make decisions regarding the health and well-being of their dog. We make no claims here to prevent or treat bloat, Panosteitis, DCM or any other condition related to Great Danes. Find a veterinarian with GIANT breed experience, and chat with them.
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