Tag: Puppy Training

Are Great Danes Easy to Train?

Are Great Danes easy to train?

Many people believe that Great Danes are stubborn, spiteful, and defiant. It can lead to questions about whether or not Great Danes are hard to train, especially as they are so large and can easily be destructive or dangerous.

In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for training your Great Dane puppy or adult dog. We’ll also cover some common behavior issues that Great Danes can have and how to deal with them. We are going to show you that training Great Danes is EASY!

Are Great Danes Hard to Train?

We believe that it’s not that Great Danes are hard to train, it’s that they are often misunderstood.

People see their large size and think that they need to be handled with extreme and forceful techniques. In reality, Great Danes are gentle giants.

They are loving, loyal, and affectionate dogs that just want to please their owners.

The training process should be fun. Basic commands are super easy to teach using positive reinforcement, and it’s never too late to start training important commands the right way!

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Great Dane Temperament

Despite their large size, Great Danes are really gentle souls. They have a mild and loving temperament, which is why they make such great family pets.

Well-bred and properly trained Great Danes will generally get along well with children and other animals in the home.

However, as a large breed, their size can be intimidating to some people, especially if they have training problems that need to be addressed!

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Great Dane Size

Great Danes are one of the largest dog breeds. They can weigh anywhere from 100 to 200 pounds and stand as tall as 36 inches at the shoulder.

Because of their size, they can easily pull you around or knock you over, without meaning to hurt you!

For this reason, it is incredibly important to start early and work hard to reinforce simple commands and basic obedience training.

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Common Great Dane Training Problems

Great Danes are huge dogs, so when there are training problems, they feel much, much bigger by comparison to other dogs.

When a Great Dane jumps, chews things up or pulls on the leash they are a danger to themselves and to others. Smaller dogs often get by with some of these things, where as giants really cannot.

Common Dane training problems include:

Jumping
Mouthing/Nipping
Barking
Destructive Chewing
Separation Anxiety
Pulling on the Leash
Reactivity towards people and dogs
Poor recall (not coming when called)

All of these things are fixed with diligent attention to rules, boundaries, management, and training; but it takes time.

Great Danes are not hard to train, but they DO require proper behavior management and obedience training. We’re providing more tips on this for you below!

Are Great Danes good for Beginners?

We believe that Great Danes can make excellent family pets and incredible dogs for many people.

However, people who have never owned a dog before may benefit from adopting an older shelter dog with a known temperament, instead.

The most common reasons why Great Danes are often surrendered to rescue include:

Aggression, which is largely related to genetics and poor socialization
Out-of-control behavior, which is related to poor socialization, poor enrichment, poor handling, and poor training
Grew too large, which is related primarily to a lack of education about Great Danes and their size
Plays too rough with kids, which is related to poor socialization and training, as above

All of those things require new Great Dane owners to be well educated on the breed’s size, temperament, and training requirements as well as how to find an ethical preservation breeder.

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Is Training a Great Dane Easy?

We believe that the answer is YES, but where most people fail is that they:

a. Use a heavy-handed punishment-based training approach

b. Don’t correctly manage or handle their dog’s behavior, social needs, and enrichment requirements

b. Don’t realize how many times a dog has to be rewarded for something, and how many times and places it needs to be practiced during training sessions before the skill becomes automatic

We’re going to offer some tips on Great Dane training below, but if you need more help, please consider hiring a certified professional dog trainer in your area.

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The Best Training Methods for Great Danes

Not all dog training is created equal!

At Hello Danes, we stand firmly against heavy-handed dominance, ‘alpha’, ‘be the boss’, ‘intimidation’, and harsh-punishment-style dog training.

These methods cause an increase in fearful and anxious behavior, and may increase the risk that the dog will bloat as a result!

Below we will outline acceptable training methods for Great Danes and other big dogs.

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Use this link to get a FREE Jolly Ball with the purchase of a Big Barker bed.

Positive Reinforcement Training

Positive reinforcement is the process of rewarding a dog with a treat, favorite toy, play, affection, or praise.

Doing so increases the chance that a dog will repeat good behavior!

All new behaviors should be taught this way, including sit, down, heel, come, leave it, wait, touch, and place.

You must practice and reward these skills many times in many different places!

Some people are so impressed that their Great Dane puppy will sit in the kitchen for them every time. They are later shocked, however, when their puppy will not sit on command anywhere else.

Dogs don’t generalize well. They have to learn that sit means sit here, sit there, sit anywhere when asked. It’s imperative that you practice this in different places with lots of distractions.

Everyday life is much more complex than what happens in your living room.

Once they have their lightbulb moment, you are home free and can add additional layers of difficulty, including other commands, and phase out the treats to use only verbal praise!

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Balanced Training

We recommend pairing positive reinforcement with gentle, modern balanced training.

Balanced training is when you reward your dog for behaviors that you want them to repeat, and then if needed you either manage (prevent) or correct behaviors that you do not want them to repeat.

Some examples of this include:

-Leash walking: you would reward your dog for walking calmly by your side, and then manage or correct them if they pull ahead or lag behind

-Jumping up: you would reward your dog for having all four feet on the ground, and by keeping your dog on a leash when they tend to jump, you can manage and correct the behavior

-Chasing kids: you would reward your dog for calm behavior around kids, and then manage or correct the behavior if they start to chase

-Digging: you would reward your dog for playing near digging spots without digging, and then manage the behavior or balance it by providing an appropriate outlet such as a sandbox or digging pit

Remember that management is not a punishment, but overuse of restrictions and isolation is unfair to your dog.

Corrections don’t have to be harsh, forceful, scary, or painful and can bridge the gap between freedom and ongoing restraint for your dog.

Read here to learn why we don’t recommend “Force-Free” or “Positive Only” dog training!

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The Best Training Tools for Great Danes

We believe that the best training tools you can use meet the following guidelines:

Work primarily as a form of communication, not a form of physical restraint
Do not obstruct the way a dog moves its shoulders, head, feet, or neck
Result in dogs gaining more freedom and more enrichment opportunities, without long-haul ongoing processes that may be unreliable or frustrating in the long run
Are high quality and work without months of conditioning
Will allow Great Danes to be off-leash and free of restraint as much as possible

For example, no-pull harnesses and Gentle Leaders are aversive tools that rely on physical restraint. They work by altering the dog’s natural movement and restricting forward momentum through physical force. Head collars in particular tend to be distressing and aversive to dogs, even when introduced slowly.

These tools are unfortunately marketed as ‘positive’ and ‘gentle’. However, if you look at the actual mechanics and science of it, they are anything but that.

We are a science-based blog, so when people claim that head collars and harnesses are not aversive, we have questions about their motivations and their scientific thought process!

Keep in mind that Great Danes are GIANT breed dogs. They can and will pull, lunge, and take control of the leash. A Great Dane in a harness can easily become dangerous.

We recommend the use of positive reinforcement, paired with flat collars and a long leash or off-leash work to teach all skills. Engagement and rewards are key!

Following that, the use of a positively implemented, correctly fit prong collar (which uses pressure, not pinching or stabbing) for leash walking is a surprisingly humane and appropriate way to keep your Great Dane safe and be able to go places together without months of incremental ‘positive only’ training or restrictive nylon tools.

Additionally, the use of modern E-Collars, which use gentle muscle stimulation to replace leash pressure, is our favorite go-to training tool for Great Danes.

E-Collars are the ONLY tool that uses absolutely no physical touch or restraint. The sensation the dog feels is more gentle than the pressure from any head collar or harness; it does not shock or punish the dog.

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Gentle Leader	Prong Collar
Aversive to wear, no matter the fit	Non-aversive to wear with correct fit
Requires conditioning for wearing & using	Requires training for using, not wearing
Looks ‘Gentle’ and seems positive	Looks scary and painful, but is misunderstood
Inexpensive	Spendy
Can damage nerves, eyes, neck, and spine when used normally	Can only cause damage to the skin if used abusively or incorrectly
May cause sores on the bridge of the nose	Does not cause skin sores or abrasions
People rarely judge this tool	People are often judgmental
May exacerbate underlying health problems	Unlikely to cause orthopedic damage
Dangerous for dogs with orthopedic issues, especially wobblers	An alternative choice for dogs who should not be pulling into a harness or collar for any reason
Negative body language is seen with normal ‘positive’ use	Negative body language is seen with harsh and incorrect use
Effective at reducing pulling	Effective at reducing pulling

Canine Good Citizen

The AKC Canine Good Citizen test is a fantastic list of goals to work towards.

When your pup can successfully do the following things, it can pass its CGC test (with an accredited AKC CGC Evaluator).

The CGC title, which can then be added to your dog’s registered name, is a great way to show the world that your dog is well-mannered.

Here are the test items:

Politely greets a friendly stranger
Sits politely for petting
Welcomes being groomed, and brushed; and allows paws and ears to be handled
Walks as directed on a loose leash
Moves politely through a crowd
Sits, lies down and stays in place on command
Comes when called
Behaves politely around other dogs
Reacts with confidence to distractions
Can be left with a trusted person

Take the Test

What Commands Should Great Danes Know?

All Great Danes should be taught the following commands. Keep training sessions short, exciting, and rewarding!

To avoid giving too many treats, keep the rewards small and frequent. Your dog doesn’t need a WHOLE treat for each behavior, they just need a tiny bite.

Sit
Down
Leave it
Back up
Wait
Touch
Look at me
Heel
Place
Free
Crate up
Come (arguably the most important command)

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Great Dane Puppy Training

With Great Dane puppies, you have an incredible opportunity to start training at an early age. Great Dane puppies are intelligent dogs and will respond well to treats, praise, play, and attention.

Great Danes are in fact easy to train, so long as you are willing to put the time in!

PRO TIP: most bad behavior is a direct result of poor training, incorrect socialization, inadequate enrichment, and handling or management issues. It’s rarely because a dog is ‘stubborn, willful or defiant’.

Canine Good Citizen Training for Great Danes
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How to crate train a Great Dane: click here

Crate training for Great Danes

The biggest mistake people make when they crate train their Dane puppies is letting them scream, cry and panic inconsolably. This is a bad training technique that literally encourages the puppy to practice the wrong behavior and emotions.

Instead, use a modern training method that makes the crate a fun, safe, and rewarding space.

This may mean starting slow and introducing the crate over several days. Feed meals inside of the crate, and play games where your puppy can learn the basic commands of ‘FREE’ and ‘CRATE UP’!

By making ‘crate up’ and ‘free’ into a game or fun trick, your puppy will be crate trained in no time at all.

Teach your Great Dane to love their crate, and it will be a safe place for them for years to come.

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How to Socialize a Great Dane Puppy

Socialization is one of the most important things you can do for your Great Dane puppy.

Start socialization early, and continue throughout the puppy’s life. Socialization is how your puppy learns to be comfortable around people, other animals, new environments, and different sounds and situations.

A well-socialized dog is a happy dog! The best way to socialize your Dane puppy is to expose them to as many new people, places, and things as possible. But, do NOT scare them. If they are fearful, this exposure can actually make things worse.

Every experience must end on a positive note. The more positive experiences they have, the more confident and well-rounded they will be!

Avoid having constant tension on the leash; this mild pressure will result in poor socialization experiences.

Our Great Dane puppy socialization guide will tell you everything you need to know!

Need ideas for healthy socialization?

All about Great Dane Puppy Training Classes

We recommend starting puppy socialization and 101 obedience classes by 10-12 weeks of age.

Puppy classes are an excellent way to train and socialize your Dane. They will give them a solid foundation of obedience commands that will result in good behavior.

Classes are also a great way to meet other dog owners in your area, receive feedback on your technique, and work with your dog around distractions.

If you only ever train your dog inside of your house, don’t be shocked when they ignore your commands outside of the house!

Most trainers offer intermediate and advanced obedience classes as well. Don’t stop at puppy classes! As your Dane grows, so should their education.

Once your puppy has advanced, you may even consider taking classes for fitness or scent work. Fun tricks can be built upon and used to obtain AKC trick dog titles as well!

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Private Training for Great Danes

Sometimes, group classes aren’t the best option. If you have a dog with special needs, or if you’re looking for more personalized attention, private training may be the way to go.

With private training, you can work one-on-one with a trainer to address specific training goals. This type of training is great for dogs who are shy, fearful, or aggressive.

The bottom line is this: if you want a well-trained dog, you need to put in the time and effort!

Training takes patience, consistency, and commitment.

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Learn about this dubious marketing practice that may be harming your dog! ↗

Adult Great Dane Training Tips

We’re going to provide some of our favorite Great Dane training tips below!

Having a well-trained, well-socialized Great Dane is an absolute joy. The following basic commands are easy to master if you break them down and start at a level where your dog can learn.

Loose leash walking

We recommend a two-step process for teaching loose leash skills for dogs that pull, lunge, and drag you down the street.

Step One

Practice off-leash in your living room. Use high-value rewards (small bites!) to reward your dog for taking steps next to your left hip and looking at you as you walk together, turn corners, and navigate obstacles.

Gradually increase the difficulty, distance, and distractions. Once your dog can take 10 steps, clip a loose leash onto a flat collar and keep practicing both indoors and out in low-distraction environments.

Step Two

Once your dog is happily following you around off-leash or on a loose leash, it’s time to add a prong collar.

A correctly fit prong collar will not hurt your dog and will give you the ability to keep your dog safe while walking in high-traffic areas or around other dogs.

You must first teach your dog how to respond to the pressure from the collar. Here is an excellent video on this training technique!

Remember to use reinforcement (praise, treats, and toys) when your dog is walking politely on a leash!

How to choose the best prong collar for your Great Dane.

Read more here ->

Coming when Called

We recommend first installing an amazing recall. This means rewarding your dog with treats, toys, and praise when they come to you.

Offer a cue word or phrase such as “here” or “come” while your dog is not paying attention to you, then immediately reward them when they turn their head towards you.

Do this in short training sessions throughout the day, and gradually increase the distance and distractions. Never scold your dog for blowing you off or not coming when called!

Once your dog has a good recall, it’s time to layer in the E-Collar so they can safely be off-leash.

Polite Social Skills

Great Danes MUST have polite social skills with people and dogs. It is dangerous for them to be humping, jumping, mouthing, or being rude in any way.

Positive socialization, obedience training, and working with an accredited AKC CGC Evaluator/Trainer will ensure that your Great Dane is a polite, friendly, calm, confident citizen anywhere you go.

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Stay & Place

Stay and Place training is critical for all dogs, but especially important for Great Danes.

This is because Great Danes are giant dogs and can easily knock over small children or elderly people when they jump up or lean on them.

As with all new skills, this is easy to teach using rewards!

Start with your dog in a sit or down, then take one step away from them. If they move, simply stop and go back to the beginning. Train your Great Dane to stay by starting at a very basic level, and working your way up.

When they stay put, even if it’s just for a second, reward/treat and then repeat.

Gradually increase the distance, time, and distractions.

Training Great Danes is Easy

We believe that training Great Danes is easy. Start at a young age if possible. Use lots of verbal praise, small treats, and rewards.

If you find yourself saying NO more than you are saying YES, ask yourself the following questions:

Does my dog actually know the behavior that I am asking, in this level of distractions?
Is my puppy mature enough physically and mentally to respond to this?
Am I being fair with my corrections, or am I being frustrated?

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August 17, 2022

Fear Aggression in Dogs 101
In the intricate tapestry of canine behavior, fear aggression in dogs emerges as a complex and often misunderstood facet. Dogs, inherently social beings, can exhibit aggression rooted in fear when confronted with perceived threats or anxiety-inducing situations. You may have experienced this with a puppy suddenly acting fearful or defensive!

This form of aggression is a poignant expression of a dog’s attempt to cope with overwhelming fear, manifesting in defensive behaviors that range from growling and barking to more overt displays of aggression. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a result of ‘stubbornness’ or ‘dominance’.

Fear aggression can be directed at people, other dogs, or animals. It can also be generalized, which means the dog is afraid of anything and everything.

This post aims to:
- Understand why fearful dogs can act aggressive
- Address puppy fear stages (and how they can impact future aggressive traits)
- How to properly train, manage, and socialize dogs to avoid fear aggression
What Causes Fear Aggression in Dogs?

The most common cause of this behavior is a lack of socialization during the critical period (between 3 and 12 weeks old).

This is when puppies should be exposed positively to as many different people, animals, and situations as possible so they learn to cope with new things and don’t become fearful. However, many pet owners make the mistake of flooding puppies with these experiences and disregarding their emotional state while it’s happening.

For example, a timid puppy brought to a dog park and hides under a bench the whole time quickly learns that other dogs are scary! This is not a good experience and can result in defensiveness as the puppy grows.

Other causes of fear aggression include prior traumatic experiences, such as being attacked by another animal or being abused. Fear aggression can also be caused by health problems, such as brain damage or an injury that makes the dog sensitive to pain.

Fear aggression is a serious problem because it can lead to bites and other injuries. It can also make it difficult for the dog to be around people or other animals. This can make their life (and yours) very stressful!

Not all is lost, however! Many of us have had or worked with timid, fearful dogs and there are things you can do to help.

Fear Aggression is a Compounding Problem

In most cases, dogs that show aggression are doing so after a history of displaying more subtle signs of discomfort. By the time it gets to the point when we humans take notice, it’s gone too far.

Dogs give such subtle signals of distress that they can be easy to miss, or mistake for other emotions! Here are some examples of clues dogs give us that they are uncomfortable (and may escalate to aggression):
- Ears are pinned back
- Tense body
- Hunched posture
- Avoidance and hiding
- Lifting lips/showing teeth
- Tail tucked
- Shaking
- Skittishness
- Growling and grumbling
- Nipping or snapping
If a dog has a high-value food item and you try to take it away, they may initially react by cowering or lifting their lips. But if you ignore these signals and begin to take those items away (and punish the dog for showing teeth), the behavior often escalates to bites and severe aggression.

Dog aggression does not happen overnight. Many dogs will demonstrate one small behavior at the first sign of discomfort.

It is for this reason that many pet owners will say their dog “bit somebody out of the blue” or “snarled and lunged, but that’s not like him!” With certainty, we know those dogs had body language leading up to becoming aggressive. Their communications had been ignored.

What is the Difference Between Aggression and Fear Aggression?

Aggression and dangerous behaviors caused by fear are closely related. It can be hard to draw a line between the two! However, there are some forms of aggression caused by health problems, genetics, hormones, and overall temperament that have nothing to do with fear.

It is important to work with a highly qualified dog trainer if your dog is exhibiting dangerous reactivity and behaviors.

How Aggression Builds in Dogs

When dogs feel threatened, they react. For example, most humans are very frustrated by other people who cut in line or steal their food out of the employee break room.

Depending on the day, and the history of these occurrences in the past, humans may react to these situations with empathy and understanding, or anger and aggression. Dogs are not much different!

The BSAVA created a great demonstration of the ‘dog aggression ladder’, as shown below.

This ladder demonstrates that dogs do not just wake up one day and decide to bite. Instead, they travel through a known escalation of signs and signals before eventually snapping.

Common Triggers of Aggression in Dogs

Dogs experience fear and aggression for all sorts of different reasons. There are certain situations or “triggers” commonly seen for dogs. Take a look at this list and evaluate your pet. How many of these triggers are present in their life?
1. Interactions with people of all kinds
2. Interactions with unfamiliar dogs or dogs in general
3. A stressful or chaotic environment (such as the Farmer’s Market or an elementary school at recess)
4. The Veterinarian
5. Small children, especially those that run, squeal, or interact unsafely with dogs
How many of those triggers could be reduced, or better managed?

You may not fully understand what your dog is afraid of or why, but if they are fearful, it’s up to you to protect them and prevent their behavior from escalating.

Some great examples of ways to prevent fearful behavior and aggression in dogs include:
- Walking in quiet areas or during the day when less people and dogs are around
- Observing scary or chaotic environments from a distance
- Teaching children how to properly interact with dogs
- Working with a certified Fear Free Veterinarian
Is All Aggression in Dogs Caused by Fear?

There are many reasons for scary and aggressive behavior in dogs and no, they aren’t all related to fear.

Some other reasons that dogs can show aggressive behavior include:
1. Anxiety (ANXIOUS DOG)
2. Excitement
3. Chronic pain or new pain (TREATING PAIN)
4. Possessiveness (Resource Guarding)
5. Dominance
6. Protective Instincts
7. Socialization Issues (SOCIALIZATION GUIDE)
8. Heredity & Genetics
9. Mental Health Problems
In addition to speaking with your veterinarian to resolve health problems, we recommend feeding a correct diet, reducing stress and anxiety with mental enrichment, and working with a good dog trainer to address and treat behavior problems.

How to Socialize an Aggressive Dog

A lack of socialization can seriously impact a dog’s behavior. While the key socialization window is in puppies from birth to 3 months, all dogs benefit from socialization throughout life!

We will touch on socializing puppies to prevent aggression below. If you need to socialize an aggressive dog, start here!
1. Start Gradually: Introduce the dog to new people, animals, and environments in a controlled and gradual manner.
2. Positive Reinforcement: Reward calm behavior with treats or praise, reinforcing positive associations with social situations.
3. Professional Guidance: Consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist to create a customized socialization plan.
4. Desensitization: Expose the dog to triggers at a distance and gradually decrease the distance as they become more comfortable.
5. Consistency: Maintain a consistent socialization routine, ensuring positive experiences to build the dog’s confidence over time.
Don’t make the common mistake of exposing your aggressive dog to something and harshly punishing them for reacting! This outdated training method can cause dangerous behaviors to escalate. Read here for more information on why reality TV dog training methods are unsafe.

As the owner of an aggressive dog, it is also of key importance that you manage your pet. Use an appropriate muzzle (like this one) and a quality slip-proof martingale collar to prevent mistakes.

How to Socialize Puppies to Prevent Aggression

When socializing puppies, look for the following key experiences. Remember to keep exposure positive, fun, and rewarding! If your puppy seems nervous, take a step back. Look for ways to build their confidence around scary things (including the veterinarian). Use treats, praise, and play to make these experiences fun!
- Walk around on different textures such as grass, sand, and gravel
- Explore water such as puddles, kiddie pools, and ponds (with clean water)
- Touch your puppy all over. Brush their teeth, and praise them for letting you examine them.
- Play the sound of fireworks on your phone, and have treats magically appear after the sound is heard (fireworks predict treats)
- Visit a park and watch children and dogs from afar
- Have short, supervised play sessions with dogs that are known for being gentle and safe with puppies
- Avoid leash tension! (More on this below)
How Leash Tension Causes Dogs to Become Leash Reactive

Cute puppies get by with a LOT.

By that, I mean, many owners will put their puppy in a harness and let it bounce, pull, and lunge around on walks. Puppies are excited and direct their enthusiasm into their leash.

Over time, the puppy learns that there is a lot of tension associated with being out in the world. This is especially true if they pull to greet humans and other dogs.

Think about this logically for a moment.

For a more mature dog, what does that same tension mean? That sensation can be frustrating and dare I say, anxiety-inducing!

Instead of letting your puppy lunge around in a harness and learn bad leash manners, use a long leash to explore a field. Then take an AKC Star Puppy Class and learn how to install positive leash skills around other dogs.

Puppy Fear Stages

Puppy fear stages, also known as fear periods, are developmental phases during a puppy’s early life where they may exhibit heightened sensitivity and apprehension towards new stimuli.

These stages typically occur at key points in a puppy’s growth, often between 8-11 weeks and around 6-14 months. During these periods, puppies may become more cautious, startle easily, or be reluctant to engage with unfamiliar people, objects, or environments.

The reasons behind these fear stages are rooted in the puppy’s instinct for survival and self-preservation. It’s believed that these stages coincide with crucial developmental milestones, including brain and sensory system maturation.

To support a puppy through these developmental milestones, owners should provide positive exposure to new experiences, people, and surroundings. Gentle socialization, using treats and praise to reinforce positive behavior, and avoiding forceful or punitive measures can help build a puppy’s confidence and reduce fear-based responses.

Consistent, patient, and positive interactions during these stages contribute to a well-adjusted and resilient adult dog.

Chronic Pain & Aggression in Dogs

A dog who is in pain might begin to show behavioral problems. If you have ever been in pain, you might remember how short-tempered it made you!

Dogs who are typically well-mannered and have positive behaviors that suddenly begin to demonstrate aggression might be experiencing pain.

Hip Dysplasia or bad teeth are common reasons pets become more nippy and unstable than usual. Dogs with ongoing health problems related to kidney or heart disease may also have a short fuse.

If you think your dog’s sudden aggression might be due to pain, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. We recommend ruling this out first anytime your pet isn’t being themselves.

For L/XL dogs, we recommend clinically backed joint support; this can be helpful for pets living with chronic joint pain! Talk to your veterinarian.
- Cosequin Hip & Joint Chewable Tablets
- Cosequin Omega 3 Hip & Joint Soft Chews
- Dasuquin Hip & Joint Chewable Tablets
- Dasuquin Joint Soft Chews
- Dasuquin Advanced (Veterinary Formula) Chewable Tablets
- Dasuquin Advanced (Veterinary Formula) Soft Chews
Dog Aggression Caused by Dominance

Dominance aggression in dogs refers to aggressive behaviors displayed by a dog attempting to assert control over a person, another animal, or a particular situation. People often refer to these dogs as “alpha”, implying that they are a leader.

It is essential to understand that the concept of dominance in dog behavior has been debated among experts, and some believe that the term may not accurately describe canine behavior.

If we look at our current scientific understanding of animal behavior, we now know that dogs are not always trying to assume the dominant position. However, this misunderstood concept still has a strong-hold in the community.

That’s not to say that dominance in dogs doesn’t exist, though! Like humans, dogs will position themselves for the best access to resources. These resources might include attention, food, toys, treats, or a spot on the couch.

Traditionally, dog trainers have approached rude ‘dominance’ behaviors with harsh punishment. Several wacky theories have even surfaced, surmising that owners can get control of their pets by biting their ears, jabbing them in the neck, or eating food first (while the pet watches).

This outdated methodology is known to cause and increase aggression and is no longer a gold standard approach for pushy pets.

If you have a dominant dog, look for ways to provide them safe access to resources while establishing good boundaries. Use positive reinforcement training to encourage the correct behavior, and don’t let them have free will to do as they please.

This may mean changing your routine.
- Don’t let a “dominant” or pushy dog be rude to other dogs. Say “uh-oh” and remove them from play.
- If your alpha dog is guarding resources (such as a couch), don’t give them access to those things
- Establish boundaries in your home. Rude dogs should not be allowed free roam.
How to Help a Fearful Dog

If you think that your dog is displaying signs of fear aggression, there are things that you can do with your dog to help their fearful behavior.

1. Create a Safe Space
- Designate a quiet and comfortable area where the dog can retreat when feeling scared.
- Provide a cozy bed, toys, and water to create a positive association with the safe space.
2. Gradual Exposure
- Introduce new people, environments, and stimuli gradually and in a controlled manner.
- Use treats and praise to reward calm behavior during exposure, reinforcing positive associations.
3. Positive Reinforcement
- Reward confident and relaxed behavior with treats and affection to build the dog’s confidence.
- Avoid punishment, as it can intensify fear and anxiety.
4. Desensitization
- Gradually expose the dog to fear-inducing stimuli at a distance and slowly decrease the distance as the dog becomes more comfortable.
- Patience is key; progress may take time, and each dog will respond differently.
5. Professional Assistance
- Consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for a personalized plan.
- Professionals can provide guidance, assess the dog’s fears, and offer effective strategies for overcoming fear-based behaviors.
It is always best to seek a qualified professional when it comes to a dog that is fear aggressive. Fear aggressive dogs can be unpredictable. Fearful dogs are not bad dogs, but they can be dangerous if not properly trained.
July 11, 2022
Housebreaking Great Dane Puppies: 10 Realistic Action Steps

Housebreaking Great Dane puppies means a giant size amount of pee and usually stress. But Great Dane puppies are quick learners (sometimes) and owners can pull some fast ones on them to get them house trained in no time.

If you’re the proud owner of a Great Dane puppy, then you know just how adorable and sweet they can be. But like all puppies, they need to be housebroken in order to learn proper bathroom etiquette. In this blog post, we will provide you with the ultimate guide on how to housebreak your Great Dane puppy quickly and effectively!

HOUSEBREAKING GREAT DANE PUPPIES: THE GREAT DANE POTTY TRAINING PROCESS

Potty training is never easy , but it can be especially challenging depending on your Great Dane. They are one of the largest dog breeds and can be quite stubborn, so it’s important to be patient and consistent when teaching them where to relieve themselves. The process will take some time and patience, but we promise it’ll be worth it in the end!

CRATE TRAINING YOUR GREAT DANE PUPPY

The first thing we recommend with your new puppy is crate training them.

Training your Great Dane puppy with a crate allows them to have their own space that is just for them. It’s important to make sure that the crate is not too big or too small – you want them to be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but you don’t want it to be so spacious that they can use one end as a bathroom.

How to Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy
Crate Training: The Best Crates for Great Danes

You’ll begin to train your pup with a crate the day they come home. You never want your puppy to be anxious or fearful in the crate. It might take time for them to enjoy being in the crate by themselves, but training them to enjoy it will significantly help the potty training process.

Shop the best crate for Great Danes on Chewys

USING AN XPEN TO CRATE TRAIN

Use an Xpen to create an area where your Great Dane can play, walk around and have some room.

Put the crate in the room and let your Dane play for a little while. Sit with them and make sure that this area is a positive space.

Keep the crate door open so that they can go in and out. You can make them want to walk inside by putting fun things in the crate, like toys or treats.

You will be surprised that eventually your pup will venture inside the crate on its own and consider it their own designated area for rest.

Shop for this Xpen on Amazon.

THE BEST CRATE FOR A GREAT DANE PUPPY

If you are looking to get your pup potty trained, you want to make sure you get the right crate.

Great Danes grow very quickly so you want to get a crate that will be big enough for them as they grow.

However, giving any dog a space that feels overwhelming will create anxiety. Additionally, puppies usually do not potty where they sleep, so you want to make their crate as small as possible without making them feel cramped.

A great way to do this is to buy a crate that has a divider. This way, you can make the space smaller when they are younger and gradually make it bigger as they age. Otherwise, your puppy might use the front of the crate to sleep and the back of the crate as a bathroom area.

The Best Crate for a Great Dane Puppy: Click Here

SHOULD I USE POTTY PADS TO POTTY TRAIN MY GREAT DANE?

It is not recommended to potty train your Great Dane with potty pads. The reason potty pads are looked down against is that although accidents happen, pee pads can encourage your Great Dane to have accidents inside.

Your pup might start to associate the pee pad with peeing inside and begin to have accidents in the house without even knowing it is the wrong place.

Stay away from pee pads as much as you can while working on Great Dane potty training.

SHOULD YOU PUNISH A GREAT DANE PUPPY WHEN THEY HAVE AN ACCIDENT INSIDE?

No puppy should be ‘punished’ when they have accidents.

Your pup is experiencing so many new things all at once and pet owners should be patient.

Accidents happen all the time with puppies.

Never push your puppy’s nose into the pee. Your puppy will just be confused and have no idea what they did wrong.

TIME OUTS FOR A PUPPY HAVING AN ACCIDENT INSIDE

Some pet parents give ‘timeouts’ for puppies having accidents in the house while potty training.

It is crucial to know that at such a young age, your puppy did not know that they went pee in the wrong spot.

Giving them a timeout after they pee will likely just confuse them and begin to cause them to associate their crate with something negative.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN MY GREAT DANE HAS AN ACCIDENT?

If you are working hard to potty train and your puppy goes to the bathroom in the house, the first thing you should do is immediately take them outside to go potty.

Find a designated bathroom area outside and wait until your puppy goes potty.

Most puppies will begin to associate these moments with quickly being taken outside after each accident and house training will begin to ‘click’.

USING A BELL TO POTTY TRAIN MY GREAT DANE PUPPY

Using a bell for dogs who are potty training can be a great strategy.

If your puppy is ready to go to the bathroom, take them to the door of the house that leads to the potty space you want them to use.

Hang a bell on the door and before leaving the house, hit the bell with your hand or the hand of your Great Dane.

Then, go outside and take your puppy to go potty in the same spot each time. You are training your puppy to go potty outside just by continuing to practice this routine.

Soon, your puppy will start to realize that whenever they hit the bell the door will open and they can go outside to go to the bathroom.

You can purchase a potty training bell here, on Amazon.

USING POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT WHEN POTTY TRAINING A GREAT DANE

Using positive reinforcement is crucial when potty training Great Danes.

This form of training means that you praise your Dane when they go to the bathroom in the right spot.

Some dogs are highly motivated by food and some are more motivated by praise.

Training Mistakes
Best Training Treats for Great Dane Puppies
Why is Leash Training so Hard?
5 Leash Training Tips

Whether you are using food for your puppy or praise for your puppy, make it a very big deal when they potty outside!

USING TREATS WHEN POTTY TRAINING A GREAT DANE

We recommend keeping treats on you while Great Dane potty training.

You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to reward and praise your puppy for going potty in the right spot.

We recommend using this treat bag, which you can read our full review here.

Day Pouch Treat Bag Review

The Olly Backcountry treat pouch for Great Danes

The Olly smaller treat pouch

Most Great Danes will do just about anything for treats, so stock up while potty training.

Our favorites are here:

Code HELLODANES10 for 10% off all Dr. Harveys products

USING BABY GATES WHILE POTTY TRAINING A GREAT DANE

Your house is going to have some puppy damage while you are getting your puppy potty trained.

It is smart in the early days of potty training your Great Dane to keep baby gates up in your house.

This not only keeps your puppy safe from anything you don’t want them to get into, but also helps to contain the mess to one area.

You can find baby gates here, on Amazon.

KEEPING A SCHEDULE WHILE GREAT DANE POTTY TRAINING

As much as possible, put your puppy on a regular schedule.

This will help them learn when it is time to go and make potty training easier for both of you.

A good rule of thumb is taking your puppy out first thing in the morning, after every meal, before bedtime, and anytime they have been playing or napping.

Schedule for Bringing Home a Great Dane Puppy

If you notice that you are seeing more pee accidents, increase the potty breaks.

POTTY TRAINING A GREAT DANE PUPPY WHEN YOU WORK

If you work full time, there are a few things to keep in mind for potty training your Great Dane.

The first consideration is that you are most likely going to need to hire a dog walker or dog sitter to come let your puppy out at regular intervals throughout the day.

Great Dane pup, Maysie, standing

Great Danes are going to need to use the bathroom throughout the day while house training.

A Great Dane puppy will not be able to wait all day while you are at work for a potty break.

PROVIDING PLAY TIME AND ENRICHMENT FOR A GREAT DANE PUPPY

Allowing play time and interaction with other dogs is crucial for your Great Dane pup.

Your puppy can watch how other dogs socialize and interact and pick up on cues. This is why it is super important that you pick closely who you want your dog to play with while they are still impressionable and young.

Puppy Socialization Guide
Puppy Training: 5 Mistakes in Training
Your Puppy is Bored

Keeping your puppy socialized doesn’t always mean putting them in a dog park and allowing them to play with every dog in the neighborhood.

You can also provide socialization opportunities by taking your puppy to parks and letting them watch other dogs, going on walks in the neighborhood, and set up play dates with dog friends.

POTTY TRAINING A GREAT DANE PUPPY CAN BE EASY

With a little bit of patience and consistency, potty training a dog does not have to ruin your house or cause stress on you and your family.

Start potty training right away and be consistent with your pup.

It will take time and patience but soon will be a blurb in the road.

June 15, 2022
How to Find and Choose the Best Dog Trainer for Your Great Dane
It can be stressful to find and choose the best dog trainer for your Great Dane or giant breed dog!

Training is so important, especially with these big dogs. An untrained, under-socialized giant dog may be destructive and can be a danger to you and to the people around you. Good training starts on day one and never stops; all big dogs should be taught that pulling, lunging, jumping and running away are never acceptable.

The confusing part, however, is that there are many schools of thought when it comes to how to train dogs and teach them these important skills.

When it comes to training your Great Dane, you want to be sure that you find and choose the right dog trainer to help you. You want somebody who is thoughtful, educated, up-to-date, humane and driven by real behavior science!

We are here today with some GREAT info, including our honest take on different training methods, tools and more.

Dog Training Methodologies

Many trainers use methods that are unfair to dogs, ineffective, frustrating, or punitive.

It doesn’t matter if they label themselves ‘positive’, ‘balanced’, or ‘natural’, you’re going to run into people who are not operating as ethically or humanely as they should.

The primary core training methods run a spectrum and include:

Force Free / Purely Positive

Balanced

Natural / Dominance / Alpha

Compulsion / Koehler / Old School

Here are a few tips on how to find and choose a humane dog trainer for your Great Dane!

A merle Great Dane puppy being trained

Force-Free & Purely Positive Dog Training

Positive reinforcement and ‘force-free’ dog training seek to utilize treats, praise, and play without corrections to teach all behaviors. This sounds amazing and has its merits, however, this method is also highly restrictive for many dogs.

In ‘positive-only’ dog training, the use of corrections and most tools is prohibited, leaving dog owners with only one other choice when it comes to reducing unwanted behaviors.

Restrictions to freedom, movement, and autonomy that often last a lifetime are key principles in this method.

With all unwanted behaviors, you either have to either correct them or manage them. Management is a form of punishment that can be needlessly restrictive, confusing, and inhumane for some dogs.

REAL LIFE EXAMPLE:

In force-free/positive training, if a dog jumps a fence, positive reinforcement (to increase the value of staying in the yard) will be paired with a loss of freedom (to decrease the chance of recurrence). A long leash may be used, and no corrections are allowed. The fence may also be made more secure.

To put it simply, ‘Force-free’ trainers will only use management and physical restraint, often ongoing, to address unwanted or dangerous behaviors.

Positive reinforcement itself is wonderful and backed by science; you should always use positive reinforcement to teach new behaviors such as leave it, wait, heel, sit, down, and come.

When it comes to addressing behaviors such as lunging, barking, running away, or jumping the fence however, you can see how the method of ‘positive-only’ may fall short and can even be dangerous.

Many extreme force-free and positive-only trainers will adhere to self-made guidelines and refuse to make humane, common sense accommodations for certain dogs.

Examples include:
- Refusing to use a gentle, modern E-Collar on a deaf dog for recall
- Requiring a harness on all dogs, even a 3-legged dog whose body doesn’t fit naturally in one
- Not allowing the use of bitter apple spray to deter a dog from chewing itself
- Putting fence jumpers on a restrictive long leash for life instead of considering a wireless fence or E-Collar system
- Keeping cat-chasers, tire-chasers, jumpers, humpers, barkers, runners, rough players, and chicken killers isolated from freedom, family life, socialization, and the yard to avoid having to use corrections
- Will prescribe behavioral euthanasia before allowing you to seek a second opinion from a balanced dog trainer
Force-Free and Purely Positive red flags

Run from any force-free or positive trainer who shows any of the following red flags:
- Claims to be ‘science based’ (this is an unregulated marketing term, often contradictory in this context as it is scientifically impossible to ONLY use ‘positive reinforcement’)
- Spends a lot of time bashing other trainers, tools, and techniques (MAJOR red flag!)
- Encourages you to always take a long-haul ‘positive-only’ approach, even if doing so seems to be extremely restrictive, confusing, and frustrating to you and your dog
- Won’t allow you to use any kind of correction, corrective action or appropriate tool, even if the dog is doing something dangerous, damaging, rude, or destructive to himself, to you or to others
- Encourages you to ignore professional veterinary advice when it comes to things such as nutrition, wound care and medications
- Relies heavily on front-clip harnesses or head collars (often while still claiming to be ‘force-free’ and ‘science based’)
- Blindly promotes the idea that all ‘balanced’ training, prong collars, flat collars, and modern E-Collars are ‘aversive’ and ‘abusive’
- Are unable to make a notable, reliable, lifelong, positive difference in dogs who have difficult unwanted, dangerous or rude behaviors, especially when the end recommendation is to add additional restrictive management or seek behavioral euthanasia
- The dogs they train are over-excitable, unable to ever be off-leash, anxious/frustrated, and/or have to be managed to prevent jumping, leash reactivity, chasing or otherwise
If you want to work with a force-free or positive dog trainer, ask lots of questions! There are some amazing positive trainers out there, but you must do your research and avoid the extreme version of this training method.

Balanced Dog Training

Balanced training means to use positive reinforcement, corrections and management as needed. Balanced training is positive reinforcement training with more options.

REAL LIFE EXAMPLE:

In balanced training, if a dog jumps a fence, positive reinforcement (to increase the value of staying in the yard) will be paired with a correction (to decrease the value of jumping out of the yard) or wireless fence system. The fence may also be made more secure.

Hence the word ‘balance’.

Like positive-only training, balanced training runs a spectrum from trainers who are mostly positive but utilize spare corrections as needed, to trainers who rely heavily on strict boundaries, routine, structure and corrections.

This makes it that much more difficult to find an ethical trainer! Ideally, you want to stick with balanced trainers who fall clearly on the ‘positive’ side of things.

Properly used prong collars and modern E-Collars are NOT abuse. Do not fall for inflammatory marketing from people who don’t know how to use those tools correctly.

Balanced dog trainers are more likely to choose prong collars and E-Collars, though they may also use head collars at times. The best balanced trainers use a training method that relies heavily on positive reinforcement, and will utilize modern E-Collars to release dogs from constant physical restraint.

We recommend modern balanced training for all dogs. All large and giant breed dogs should ideally be trained to at least CGC level (Canine Good Citizen) and have excellent off-leash obedience skills using a modern E-Collar.

Large and giant breed dogs are prone to orthopedic issues. The Modern E-Collar is the only training tool available that unlike a harness or flat collar can cause absolutely no physical damage to your dog’s physical structure, gait, neck or trachea.

Which training methods are cruel, and which are not?

Balanced Dog Trainer Red Flags

Run from any balanced dog trainer who shows these red flags:
- Wants to put an E-Collar or Prong collar on your dog so they can use harsh punitive ‘yank and crank’ training methods
- Uses any training technique that clearly makes your dog fearful, scared, or distressed
- Tells you to dominant, intimidate, alpha roll, pin, scold, kick, or roughly handle your dog
- Spends more time saying NO than saying YES
- Forces your dog into extended down-stay position and may use a shock collar at aversive levels to force compliance
- Uses penny cans or bags of chains to scare or startle your dog
- Floods dogs by deliberately exposing them to triggers
- Quotes Cesar Milan or Jeff Gellman
- Is constantly tugging, pulling and snapping a slip lead around your dogs neck
- Doesn’t use treats and/or claims that treats are ‘bribery’
- Tells you that all bad behavior and reactivity is the result of defiance, dominance or stubbornness
- Encourages you to ignore veterinary advice related to nutrition
- The dogs they train appear shut down, fearful, short-tempered, or nervous
We recommend searching the IACP certified trainer database to find a safe, humane and professional qualified balanced E-Collar trainer for your Great Dane or giant breed dog.

Natural/Dominance/Alpha Dog Training

Alpha dog training (often called ‘Natural’ or ‘Dominance’) is an outdated training method that has very little scientific backing to it.

This training method was made popular by Cesar Milan, and involves a lot of hovering, intimidations, corrections and forward body language.

REAL LIFE EXAMPLE:

In alpha training, if a dog jumps a fence, the dog will be harshly corrected at the fence line with neck jabs and leash pops. Additionally, steps will be taken to ‘lower the dog’s status’ through other forms of intimidation and force.

‘Be the Boss’, ‘Be the Alpha’, and ‘Be the Pack Leader’ are common phrases, based on incorrect observations that were made of a captive wolf pack.

Trainers who subscribe to this method generally believe that treats and positive reinforcement are forms of bribery that should be used sparingly, and that a well trained obedient dog is always in a state of ‘calm submission’. For many dogs, ‘calm submission’ is actually a form of behavior suppression, fear and anxiety.

Additionally, they believe that behavior problems are easily solved by putting the dog into a lower pack position, and may teach you to use ‘woo’ training techniques such as:
- Walking through doors before your dog
- Keeping your dogs eye level below yours
- Eating food first, in front of your dog before serving your dog his food
- Pretending to eat your dogs food
- Biting your dogs ear or neck
- Neck jabs (‘Alpha dog corrections’)
Alpha theory is considered laughable in the science of modern dog behavior.

Alpha Dog Training Red Flags

Run from any ‘alpha’, ‘natural’ or ‘dominance’ dog trainer who:
- Says that aggression is the result of a lack of leadership
- Tells you to stick your hands in your dogs food bowl to show them that you are ‘the boss’
- Uses intimidation to make your dog appear ‘calm and submissive’
- Tells you to choke, jab, neck jab, scruff, shake, hit, kick or roughly handle your dog or puppy
- Shows you how to use an ‘alpha roll’ to pin your dog down until they give up
- Uses physical pressure and force to keep your dog in a sit, down or stay
- Says ‘PSSHhhhhTTTTT’
- Uses a lot of leash pops, scolding and harsh corrections
- Uses flooding techniques until your dog ‘gives up’ and is no longer ‘dominant’
- Shows ‘quick fix’ videos
- Tells you to ignore the advice of your veterinarian
Dog training techniques that rely on outdated notions of being the “alpha” and use confusing, punitive tactics may harm your bond with your dog.

Compulsion / Koehler / Old School Dog Training

Finally, this method of dog training goes back to the days where a lot of compulsion and force was used.

REAL LIFE EXAMPLE:

In compulsion training, if a dog jumps a fence, the dog will be harshly corrected at the fence line, and the use of a livestock hot wire may be prescribed. The dog may also then be put on a leash or chain (not unlike we see in ‘force-free’ training).

A compulsion dog trainer will teach ‘sit’ by pushing down on the dog’s rear end until they submit by sitting. They will teach ‘heel’ by using pressure into a slip lead to force the dog by their side.

Forced compliance is the name of the game with this method. The use of slip leads and choke chains are common. You are most likely to happen upon Koehler method trainers in the hunting dog community or when seeking the help of trainers that have ’30 years of experience’.

Compulsion Trainer Red Flags
- Tells you that they can fix all behavior problems quickly
- Uses a slip lead or chain to pop, pull, tug, and move your dog around
- May keep a sharp tack in one hand and use it to pinch the ear when forcing compliance
- Doesn’t want you to talk to your dog or show affection
- Encourages the use of physical handling and manipulation
- Implies that modern dog training and ‘positive reinforcement’ is a scam
- Has dogs that appear robotically obedient and that may lack enthusiasm and spark
How to find a trainer for your Great Dane

We highly recommend hiring a modern balanced dog trainer who uses a lot of positive reinforcement.

This type of trainer will use management to avoid needless punishment, but they’re not afraid to use appropriate corrections when necessary. Balanced dog training avoids the extremes, which can be harmful and frustrating to your pet.

A qualified balanced trainer will also show you how to humanely and properly use a modern E-Collar for off-leash training, which is the necessary to protect your dogs orthopedic health.

We recommend searching the IACP database for a humane, positive balanced trainer in your area.

IACP BALANCED TRAINER SEARCH

Questions to ask your dog trainer

Here are some questions to ask potential trainers:
- What happens when my dog does something right?
- When my dog does something wrong, what do you do?
- Can you tell me about the tools you often recommend, how they work and why you use them?
- Are you able to share legitimate references with me?
- What are your goals for the dogs you train?
- Do you offer CGC testing, scent work, Snake Avoidance, Fitpaws or any other enrichment classes?
Great Dane training should be fun!

When it comes to finding a trainer for your Great Dane, be sure to do your research.

There are a lot of trainers and franchise training companies out there who claim to be experts, but not all of them will be a good fit for you and your dog.

If you have questions about balanced dog training, E-Collars, prong collars, or more we are here for you!
June 13, 2022
A New Puppy Checklist: 9 Important Purchases When Bringing Home a Puppy
When you bring home a new puppy, there are a lot of things that you need to do to ensure that he or she is comfortable and safe in your home. It can be a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it! In this blog post, we will provide you with a checklist of items that you should take care of when bringing home your new furry friend.

Photo credit to @born.greater

New Puppy Checklist
1. Safety Items: Baby Gates and Dog Crate for Crate Training
2. New Dog Bed
3. Puppy Food and Dog Treats / Puppy Treats
4. Grooming Tools
5. Pet Insurance
6. Puppy Toys
7. Dog Trainer
8. Pet Sitter
9. Leash and Collar
Dog Crate and Puppy Gates

Your new puppy is going to be into EVERYTHING, no matter how much you puppy proof.

Dog parents really want to be with their new puppy as much as they can, but their new pup needs eyes on it ALL the time for safety.

By using tools like gates and crates for your first puppy, new dog owners can rest assured that your puppy stays safe in the house.

The Best Crates
How to Crate Train Your Puppy
How to Potty Train Your Puppy
Excited Puppy Peeing
What To Expect When You Bring Home a Puppy

Puppies teeth can be stronger than you think and they will be getting into just about everything.

How to Stop Puppy Biting

Use a baby gate to keep teething puppies away from anything they shouldn’t get into.

CRATE TRAINING

Use a crate to keep your dog safe while house training– and your carpet will stay safe too!

Crate training is an important part of bringing home your new puppy.

The Best Crate for a Great Dane Puppy: Click Here

Your new puppy will likely not love the crate at first and that is okay! But if you keep practicing, you will find that your puppy ends up finding their crate a safe spot.

Shop for the best crate for Great Danes on Amazon

New Dog Bed

Before your new puppy thinks that your bed is it’s own bed- you should invest in a high quality dog bed.

Puppies love to have their own space, even if they are a bit anxious at first. New puppy owners can help their puppy feel better about sleeping alone by comforting them and making sure they feel safe.

We recommend getting a dog bed that comes with a waterproof liner as you will likely have lots of puppy pee in those first few weeks!

Big Barker Washable Covers

THE BIG BARKER DOG BED

Our recommendation for a bed for your new puppy is the Big Barker dog bed.

Burgundy Big Barker

Chocolate Big Barker

Charcoal Big Barker

Khaki Big Barker

You are going to have to invest in many products for your new puppy, but Big Barker is one that comes with a 10 year guarantee and is worth the extra spend.

The bed will protect your dog from orthopedic issues like arthritis and hip dysplasia by keeping their joints off of the hard floor.

This is one item on your new puppy checklist you do not want to skimp on.

Get a FREE Jolly Ball with the purchase of a Big Barker bed.

Puppy Food and Puppy Treats

When you bring your puppy home it’s important to choose a dog food that you plan to feed them. Switching up the dog food choice frequently can cause an upset stomach.

Should I Feed Adult Food or Puppy Food?
Should I Feed Grain Free?
What is the Best Puppy Food?
My Dog Is Picky
Puppy Feeding Chart

New puppy parents should research the dog food ahead of time.

New puppies should be on puppy food while they are growing as it is better formulated for their needs. Some unbalanced dog foods can cause issues like knuckling or Panosteitis.

What is Knuckling?
Is My Puppy Knuckling?
How to Fix Knuckling
How to Prevent Knuckling

Puppy food is also smaller in kibble size for tiny mouths and easier to digest.

What are our favorite puppy foods? Check out our favorites here.

TREATS FOR YOUR NEW PUPPY

Dog treats are a great way to train your puppy, but make sure you get pup-specific treats.

Training Treats

Puppy treats should be small, easily digestible, and yummy! Your new puppy will love training sessions when there is something yummy to work towards.

Code HELLODANES10 for 10% off all Dr. Harveys products

Grooming Tools

Grooming supplies like nail clippers, puppy shampoo, a dog toothbrush, a Dremmel, and a soft bristle brush are important for keeping your new pup clean and comfortable.

Baby wipes are a great way to keep your puppy clean while you’re out and about.

Poop bags are often forgotten about- but definitely essential. Most new puppies will require way more poop bags than pet owners would have thought!

Poop Bags

During potty training you’ll want to keep lots of cleaning supplies on hand for accidents. Make sure to keep all the supplies out of the puppy’s reach as most cleaning items are toxic to puppies.

The Hardest Parts about Potty Training
Potty Training in an Apartment
How to Potty Train a Puppy
Tips and Tricks for Potty Training

Dog Shedding and Brushes

Loose fur can get quite annoying- and most puppies shed quite a lot!

You want to choose the right dog food as that can have an impact on the amount of dog hair your puppy will shed.

But also, it’s just VERY normal for dogs to shed!

When puppies reach certain ages, they also shed their coats.

Do Great Danes Shed?

This is called “blowing their coat.”

It happens when they are around six months old and can last for a few weeks.

Get a Sleek Ez to help eliminate the shed as much as possible.

See the 5″ Original Sleek EZ Great Dane Brush on Amazon

Puppy proofing your home is an important step in bringing home a new puppy– but don’t forget to get the supplies to keep them looking and feeling good too!

Pet Insurance

Accidents happen, and sometimes they happen to puppies.

New pet parents should look into pet insurance plans that cover their pet’s health from puppy to adult dogs.

Your new puppy can get basic health essentials covered like vaccines, routine check-ups, and more.

As your puppy matures into a dog you will have the assurance of having more serious issues covered by insurance as well as accidents like broken limbs or torn muscles.

Pet insurance is something that not every owner thinks their new puppy needs, but it can be a lifesaver down the road.

Puppy Toys

Your puppy is going to need lots of mental stimulation in addition to physical activity.

Puppy toys that are designed for their age group can help with this!

Look for dog toys that are soft on gums, easy to carry, and make noise.

The Best Toys for Great Danes

Your puppy requires extended periods of both sleep and play. Use a chew toy to teach them what is okay to chew on and what is off limits. Dog chew toys can be a great way for your canine companion to get their energy out as your puppy grows.

Bark Box offers Super Chewer monthly themed boxes delivered to your door with adorable toys and best of all- they are made for SUPER CHEWERS! Click here to check them out.

We love homemade chew toys too! Let your pup use a cardboard box as a chew toy- it’s exploratory and fun!

Dog Trainer

Many new puppy parents choose to invest in a dog trainer.

A dog trainer can help you with housebreaking, obedience training, socialization, and more.

Leash Training a Puppy
Balanced Training
E Collar Training a Puppy
Teaching Your Dog to ‘Come’
My Dog Won’t Stop Running Off

You will have the guidance of a professional as you start your journey of raising a puppy into a well-rounded adult dog.

Dog trainers can help with puppy training, potty training and even help you to know what to do during your own training sessions with your puppy at home.

All puppies need different methods of puppy training, but no puppies require ‘alpha’ or ‘dominant’ training.

Look for someone who gives puppy training tips that utilize positive reinforcement and humane methods only.

A good dog trainer will help you to understand your puppy’s needs and how to properly communicate with your new furry friend.

Pet Sitter

Some dog owners forget that they should probably look for a dog sitter and dog walker prior to bringing their new puppy home.

Bringing a new dog into the house can be exhausting, and sometimes even overwhelming.

It is so important during those first few weeks for dog owners to be able to get away and take a break.

Having someone that you trust available to take your puppy for a walk or even spend an evening with them is priceless.

You want to be able to relax and not have to worry about your new puppy while you’re away from home.

Don’t forget- your puppy needs socialization!

Look for a pet sitter that will take your new puppy on adventures, to the park, or even on playdates with other puppies.

Leash and Collar

A leash and collar is something that is so much fun to shop for for puppies.

Viper 15ft Training Lead

Leather Dog Leash

Leather Slip Leash

Leashes and collars come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and materials.

You want to make sure that you get a collar that is comfortable for your puppy to wear and that will also fit them as they grow.

Custom velvet collar, bowtie and leash set. Make your own here.

The same goes for leashes! You don’t want a leash that is too heavy or too light for your pup.

Look for a leash that is comfortable for you to hold on to and gives you enough control without being too constricting.

4 feet, 6 feet, or 8 feet options

Now that you know what supplies you need for your new pup, it’s time to get shopping!

And don’t forget- have fun and enjoy every minute! Puppies are only small for a short window of time. Soon your puppy will be a dog and your relationship will be entirely different.

Enjoy while you have them as teeny puppies!

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

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

Join our growing Facebook group!

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June 10, 2022
My Review of the Gentle Lead Head Harness
Pet parents, of course, LOVE the word ‘gentle’. I mean- who wouldn’t? As a Great Dane owner, I’m always looking for new ways to train my dogs, and that’s what brought about this review of the Gentle Lead Head Harness.

Everyday walks are supposed to be fun and humane! Dog owners are supposed to be kind, ethical and patient. Every training tool is supposed to be safe, effective and gentle.

It’s no wonder that the Gentle Leader head harness is so popular; we can see from a quick search on social media that it is very effective at stopping dogs from pulling.

Is a Gentle Leader Head Harness Actually Gentle?

But there’s one giant elephant in the room that no one likes to talk about…

I don’t believe that a Gentle Leader is gentle…at ALL.

I purchased a Gentle Leader Headcollar to see what all the hype was about. Many Great Dane owners swear that it immediately transformed their pulling, lunging, wild dog into one they could easily and safely walk.

That’s when I found the mess that Gentle Leader is hiding behind their ‘gentle’ marketing scheme.

Follow along as I prepare my 3-year-old Great Dane, Banks, for her walk with the Gentle Leader Head Collar. I’ll explain EVERYTHING…

I chose to purchase the Petsafe brand Gentle Leader Head Collar because it is extremely popular with over 50,000 reviews on Amazon and almost a complete 5 star rating.

It stated that it came with a training dvd, but mine did not. My order only had the Petsafe Gentle Leader – no training DVD

🙁 womp womp.

Myth: The Gentle Leader Head Collar Will Solve All of Your Problems

Red flag.

You will not and should not be given any promises of a ‘new dog’ after using ANY tool. The Gentle Leader is marketed as a fast, gentle way to transform your pet.

The Petsafe brand itself states that you will be able to fix poor leash manners and discourage excessive jumping or lunging.

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Petsafe brand also states that there is “NO MORE COUGHING AND CHOKING: A padded neoprene nose loop puts pressure on the back of the neck instead of your dog’s throat, which prevents choking and gagging”.

The directions say to, “use the adjustable nose loop and quick-snap neck strap to properly fit the head collar on your furry friend in minutes.”

Well, let’s get started.

I’ve never been one to believe in training dogs in ‘minutes’, but miracles are miracles, right? And who isn’t down for an easy leashed walk with their canine companion.

Following the Gentle Leader Head Collar Directions

I am no no scientist, but I nearly needed to be one in order to follow the directions that Gentle Leader provided. Nonetheless, I was VERY determined to follow them step by step in order to make sure I really used this head halter correctly.

Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Put the Head Collar around the neck

My very well mannered, 3 year old Great Dane stared at me as I read through the first steps:

Position the neck strap as high up on the dog’s neck as possible. Neck strap must be so snug only one finger can fit under it, and it cannot rotate around the neck. (Per Petsafe brand directions found above).

We were able to successfully accomplish steps 2 and 3 on my pup’s neck.

I tried placing gentle pressure underneath the collar to make sure one finger could fit through. We were good, besides the fact that I couldn’t believe it was correct that the collar sits high on her trachea like this.

Oh well, I’m no vet.

Step 2: Fit the Nose Loop

Next, Petsafe brand recommends that you remove what you’ve just done so that you can condition your dog to the nose loop.

Conditioning dogs to their training tools is VERY important, and the nose loop is aversive to most dogs.

Keep the nose loop open while luring your dog through it by ‘offering a treat’. You will want to ‘be ready with tasty treats’ for this part.

Step 3: Use Treats To Lure the Dog

Honest truth, your dog will HATE this thing.

Most dogs probably don’t want something putting pressure and removing full range of their mouth, nose, breathing and face- that’s just my thoughts anyways.

Nonetheless, we survived stages 4 and 5 of the Petsafe brand directions. We survived the nose loop fitting and we managed to get it around my dog’s neck and dog’s nose. (Not, I will say, without concern for the amount of intense pressure on my dog’s nose).

It is VERY common for dogs to paw, whine, fight, roll, and rub trying to get a head collar off of their face. That’s a sign that this tool is NOT as ‘gentle’ as the company wants you to believe.

Step 4 – Adjust the Straps for Proper Fit

Steps 3 and 4 of the Petsafe brand directions directed me to make sure that the strap was high and tight on my dog’s head, and tight enough that it does not fall off of the dog’s head, but not too tight that it can’t be pulled slightly down the nose of my dog. (Call Customer Care Center for our short nosed dogs or furry friends).

As shown, I gave it a good gentle tug against my dog’s desire and we were still up to par with the fitting

instructions.

So far so good. 5 stars on the thorough instructions thus far- apart from the fact that my dog was coughing and could barely open her mouth.

Step 5: Make sure that the Petsafe forms a “V”

Next, you want to make sure your tool is actually on correct, since you may have missed a step somewhere along the way.

When properly fitted, Gentle Leaders should resemble a ‘V’ from the side, and the center bar will rest ‘just above’ the tracheal area. (Brand’s words not mine).

Taking a look at my dog- I think we have the V mastered.

I can ALREADY tell we’re going to have greater control now that I can slash her delicate throat with this durable nylon whenever I want!

We were ready to embark on our first walk. I was really impressed with my dog’s focus.

Or maybe it was just that she couldn’t breathe. Either way, she was being super quiet, and that’s all that mattered.

Is Gagging and Coughing Normal with a Head Harness?

Before we left, I made sure to read the big, bold ‘CAUTION’ at the bottom of the Petsafe Gentle Leader Head Collar Directions.

Incase you can’t read it, here’s what it says: “Follow instructions carefully when fitting and using on bulldogs and other breeds with genetically limited airways or flat noses. It is typical for these dogs to frequently experience breathing difficulties when exercising or under stress because of their physically limited airways. If their breathing difficulties increase when wearing the headcollar, immediately discontinue use and consult your veterinarian.”

Phew, good thing my dog is a Great Dane. I feel bad for other dogs that have to worry about not breathing in this great training tool! Off we go!

Video Fitting of the Gentle Leader Head Collar on a Great Dane

Incase you’re like me, and have an attention span of 0, here’s a video from start to finish of me fitting the Gentle Leader onto my girl.

Attach the Leash to the Gentle Leader

The Gentle leader is not like traditional collars. Unlike traditional collars that you typically find the leash attached behind your dog’s head, the Gentle Leader requires you to attach the collar underneath the dog’s neck.

Intrigued about the placement of the leash and the fact that the collar sits high against her neck (and tight), I did a few google searches of the anatomy of a dog’s face.

Of course, I wasn’t at all worried about making sure the Gentle Leader didn’t paralyze my dog… I just, you know, have always been interested in the nerves my dog carries in her head… Regular, everyday research here people.

DOG FACE ANATOMY

This image shows where the dog’s nerves are located, including (orange) the Trigeminal Nerve and (yellow) the Facial Nerve. The “trigeminal nerve is the part of the nervous system responsible for sending pain, touch and temperature sensations from your face to your brain”.

Hmm… It seems like, it feels like, no… it couldn’t be that the Gentle Leader Head Collars is smashing directly over the two main nerves in my dog’s face… No way- the company itself says they are GENTLE!!!!

KEEP IGNORING THE RISK AND KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

Eyes on the prize, people. Remember the goal. Basic obedience is WAY more important than your dog having function of its face.

Do not fret- putting pressure of this astronomical weight MIGHT damage their Trigeminal Nerve, BUT, it really will make SUCH A DIFFERENCE when your dog pulls.

Finally: Take Your Dog for a Walk

Next, you guessed it, begin to take your dog for an easy walk. Using the front clip harness and Petsafe GENTLE Leader, venture out to see your new dog in action.

Off we went!

My Dog Banks

A little bit of background- since you probably don’t care.

My dog is just a really good girl, always carries a loose leash and makes for an easy walk.

She never demonstrates ‘unwanted behaviors’. But I can relate to the frustrations that other dog owners feel when choosing a tool like this. Untrained Great Danes are big, strong dogs that can be dangerous!

Walk Your Dog Like Normal in a Head Collar

Next, just walk your dog like normal while they wear the gentle leader headcollar.

I encourage you to take a video while your dog walks, turns, and moves in the easy walk harness.

Taking a video will help you notice what happens when the nose loop ‘redirects’ your dog as they turn or move or when they see a rabbit and take off or when you drop your phone and yank that leash on accident.

So yeah, your dog won’t pull on leash with the gentle leader harness.

Because THEY CAN’T. Because they are trapped. As the quick snap buckles choke your dog, the Gentle leader ‘gently’ moves to trap their face, making it physically impossible for them to NOT behave.

I believe that your dog deserves better than the Gentle Leader.

TAKE NOTICE OF WHEN YOUR DOG MOVES / PULLS OR TURNS

If they pull forward, the nose loop ‘redirects’ them.

Every single ‘redirect’, is attached to your dog’s head, which is attached to your dog’s neck, which not only is attached to your dog’s face but rather plastered onto their facial nervous system.

Out for a nice walk?

You see a friend and pull your arm upward to wave hello- nerve pain.

Your dog stops to smell the roses- neck crank.

You forgot your phone and turn suddenly to go inside unbeknown to your dog- neck / spinal issues.

Your dog sees other dogs up ahead and gets excited and begins to pull on leash- major no no buddy- you know better than that- here’s some chronic face pain due to damage on your Facial Nerve.

ANSWER THIS QUESTION

Do you want your dog to listen to you because you want a dog who has a great life, is happy and healthy and a functioning citizen of society?

Or, do you want your dog to listen to you simply so that you can prove that your daily walks are easy, manageable, and you’re the boss?

The Gentle Leader is a Control Device, not a Gentle Device

The Gentle Leader Headcollar is not gentle.

Actually, in my opinion, it’s one of the most dangerous tools on the market for dogs.

It is not gentle on your dog’s neck, their spine, their trachea, their throat, or their face.

The Gentle Leader Headcollar is a control statement.

A way to show the world that you are in charge and your dog will do as you say- no matter what.

Video of My Dog Walk With the Gentle Leader

The Gentle Leader Head Collar is Dangerous

The Gentle Leader is a marketing scam.

How foolish of pet parents to think that they can correct excessive barking safely by sewing their dog’s mouths shut.

How dangerous of pet parents to think their is an easy fix to leash pulling- all at their dog’s muscular skeletal and nervous system’s disadvantage.

The Gentle Leader Head Collar is Lazy

Not only is the Gentle Leader absolutely dangerous and dog’s hate it- but it’s SO LAZY.

You are telling your dog “Do as I say or else”.

You are not teaching your dog anything about how to behave on a leash, you are not creating a relationship with mutual respect, and you are not showing your dog that walks can be fun.

A dog in a head collar cannot comfortably move, sniff, or explore like they can in a harness, collar, or off-leash.

Active Dogs Deserve Daily Walks and Freedom of Movement

Your dog should be allowed to stop and smell the roses.

Your dog should stop and sniff the neighbor dog’s pee from earlier.

Dog’s live their entire lives enclosed in the house. They don’t go to work and they don’t have social lives the same way that humans do.

Allowing dogs the freedom to safely explore on their leashed walks is a gift for both parents and dog.

Restricting their every single movement down to the flinch by garnishing their face is a strip of their complete freedom- one that I will not ever stand for with my own dogs.

The Gentle Leader is One of the Most Aversive Tools I’ve Seen

Overall, it was fascinating for me, as an avid e collar user, to test out a tool that I consistently see positive trainers rave about.

The Gentle Leader is spoken so highly about in the world of positive training.

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But, would you rather have a tool that communicates with your dog (whether aversive or not!) WITH or WITHOUT potentially PERMANENTLY damaging their entire structure, muscles, nerves, or worse.

The Gentle Leader is Not Appropriate for Many Dogs

The Gentle Leader scared me for many reasons:
1. It is SO easy to put on incorrectly
2. It can be permanently damaging if your dog pulls or turns wrong
3. It is SO tight that it DEFINITELY restricts air flow- my dog was coughing the second she got it removed
4. It is a ‘control’ tool- pet parents can yank when their dog is not listening and ‘snap’ them into better behavior
5. It is being advertised to prevent other unwanted behaviors such as barking- which implies it DOES NOT allow dog’s to open their mouths to achieve a full pant/bark
6. The immense pressure on the face can irreversible damage
7. Dogs hate them!
There are better options out there that don’t damage your dog’s face, neck, or spine.

I would not recommend the Gentle Leader to anyone. The only thing gentle about this tool, is the name: Gentle Leader.

Opt for an E collar.
June 10, 2022
Why is Leash Training Dogs So Dang Hard? 8 Things I Learned About Leash Training

It’s no secret that leash training dogs can be a huge pain.

In fact, according to yours truly: me, it has been proven as one of the most challenging things about owning a dog.

Why is it so difficult?

I really will admit when I got my first puppies (yes- that’s right, I got two 8 week old dogs at once), I thought that daily walks would be fun, and we could start walking right away.

Peaceful, nice, enjoyable.

NOT.

My dogs were terrible. It’s one thing to have your dog pulling on the leash and killing your back (you can just pretend it doesn’t hurt, wave kindly to people passing by, and act like you have everything put together), but when your puppy is rapidly gaining weight (Great Danes) and becoming stronger than you- the pull becomes a problem: physically, mentally AND emotionally.

I was really stressed. Matter of fact, I was doomed.

LEASH TRAINING DOGS STINKS

I said it. Leash training dogs is NOT FUN!!!

It is SO much work.

Why are all these people walking all of their perfectly behaved dogs around the neighborhood?

Meanwhile, me: My dog’s leash is tangled around my entire body like a trap, my dog starts pulling and I do everything I can to pretend it isn’t about to trip me to the concrete. I’m trying to walk nicely- wait, aren’t the dogs supposed to be the ones who are walking nicely? Don’t even BEGIN to think about carrying a COFFEE on this walk. I need BOTH hands.

Dog walks are no freaking joke.

LOOSE LEASH: MORE LIKE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

One day, I took one puppy on a walk (que the pulling) with a friend.

She said, ‘you should really teach loose leash walking with her’.

Gulp. I am pretty sure you could see the sweat beads on my forehead. WHAT THE HECK IS LOOSE LEASH WALKING? I think my friend could probably HEAR my panic.

‘Of course I am practicing loose leash skills with her… We practice loose leash walking ALL the time’…. I could barely muster the words.

We walk forward a few steps- my puppy pulling on both her collar and leash as I pretend to know what I’ve gotten myself into.

GOOGLE QUERY: LOOSE LEASH WALKING TIPS

Panic sets in and I set to the googling.

Loose leash walking. Dog training. Dog walks that don’t create anxiety attacks.

Google dings back with 1 billion results.

“Loose leash walking in dog training: it means that the dog walks on a loose leash, without pulling ahead of or behind the person holding the end of the leash. In order to train your dog to walk on a loose leash, you’ll need patience and consistency.”

Well that’s just great.

I’m going to need more than just patience and consistency- I’m going to need a MIRACLE.

Wish me luck. Slam computer shut.

LEARNING TO LOVE LEASH TRAINING

Well, my dogs new how to grow fast, but they did not know how to walk nicely even though we continued to practice walking.

Photo credit to @lexi.aspen.rayna

Photo credit to @lexi.aspen.rayna

Photo credit to @lexi.aspen.rayna

But, I knew I needed to keep practicing leash training or else we would literally never be able to leave the house.

I started my quest for teaching loose leash walking.

THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT TO LEASH TRAIN

I quickly learned that in order to get these two demons, I mean puppies, leash trained- we were going to need the right stuff.

All I had was a flat collar, and it felt like every time we went to practice leash training it was more like a ‘choke your puppy’ training session.

No, really. Both dogs would end up coughing from the amount of pulling and strain on their throats.

How to Stop Leash Pulling

I’m no professional- but I knew that was not healthy. So, I investigated which items are healthiest for dogs to walk on a leash.

Here is what I found:

FLAT COLLAR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS A ‘REGULAR’ COLLAR FOR NOOBS LIKE ME

Your dog’s collar might be adorable but if it is hurting your dog, what’s the point?

I found that a flat collar was actually really uncomfortable for my puppy and it constricted her breathing. (Yes- every dog DOES need a regular collar for multiple reasons, including tags/identification, but is it best for training? Not really.)

Heres a cute one… because it’s cute…

Custom velvet collar, bowtie and leash set. Make your own here.

Anyways, I knew I needed to find something different if we were going to make any progress with leash training.

Using a regular collar can put strain on your dogs throat and neck, ESPECIALLY when they pull or if they are regularly pulling on the leash.

MARTINGALE COLLAR

A martingale collar is a type of dog collar that provides more control over the animal without the choking effect of a slip collar.

Ruffwear Chain Reaction

If it Barks Martingale Collar

Dazzber Martingale Collar

A martingale collar is often used on dogs who pull on their leash.

The martingale collar was specifically designed for sighthounds, which have necks that are larger than their heads and can easily slip out of standard collars.

Martingale collars have become popular with dog owners.

SLIP COLLAR OR CHOKE COLLAR

A slip collar (also called a choke chain or check chain) is a type of dog collar that consists of a loop of material that tightens when pulled, and is loosened when the lead is slackened.

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

Slip collars are used to train dogs to not pull on their leash, as the tightening of the collar around the neck punishes the dog for pulling.

At first, I thought that training your dog to walk on a choke collar or slip collar seemed cruel. But, as I looked into it, I learned that it is actually WAY better for the dog and their entire body to use a slip/choke collar rather than constantly yanking their neck around on a regular collar and leash.

GENTLE LEADER

The Gentle Leader is one that really got me angry.

The marketing of the ‘gentle’ leader is brilliant- and EVERYONE falls for it- it’s gentle of course, right?

WRONG.

The gentle leader is actually a head halter that puts pressure on your dog’s muzzle- not their neck like a regular collar.

Which training methods are cruel, and which are not?

This type of leash is used by putting the loop around your dog’s muzzle and clipping the leash to the ring on the back of the head.

I’m sure you can imagine how this would feel, being yanked or even pulled by the muzzle.

I can’t imagine anything less gentle.

LEASH

Since my puppy was pulling incessantly on the leash, I opted for a short, tight one that was within my control. I didn’t want them to pull me over or hurt themselves, so I went with a sturdy, comfortable leash.

4 feet, 6 feet, or 8 feet options

I also got a long leash, which is very helpful in the training process.

Affordable Long Lead in Different Lengths

PRONG COLLARS

Prong collars are another one of those items that are scrutinized by pet owners but used nicely by a good professional trainer.

A prong collar is a type of dog collar that has metal “prongs” that point inwards, towards the dog’s neck. Prong collars are NOT cruel.

Buy your own prong collar.

Prong collars are used to train dogs not to pull on their leash, as the prongs will pinch the skin if the dog tries to pull away from the owner.

RETRACTABLE LEASH

I quickly learned that most dogs will be extremely dangerous on a retractable leash.

They can get tangled up in it, or worse- run out into the street without you knowing and get hit by a car.

I decided against using one for my own safety and the safety of my dogs during training.

E COLLAR

E collars were intriguing to me! An e collar is NOT a shock collar. An e collar is a collar that helps you COMMUNICATE with your dog.

The collar you choose to buy REALLY matters. Click to see the devices we vouch for.

Inside of the e collar is a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver goes on the dog’s collar and the transmitter stays with you, usually around your neck.

The e collar is used to leash train, and teach your dog what is right from wrong.

MY CHOICES FOR TRAINING SESSIONS AND EQUIPMENT

I REALLY loved the fundamentals behind the e collar methods to training your dog with both positive reinforcement as well as correcting when the dog is wrong- so I opted for using an e collar, a regular collar, and a standard leash. I also got a long leash for using inside the house or backyard to begin to start leash training.

Now that I had all the right equipment, it was time to start training!

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL LOOSE LEASH WALKING

Start in a distraction free area- like your backyard.

Put the long leash on your dog, and let them walk around without you doing anything.

This is called “getting used to the feel of the leash.”

Offer treats when your dog is walking nicely, keep your sessions short, and

Once you regularly see good behavior you can gradually increase to spending more time on the lead and add in some distractions.

ADD IN DISTRACTIONS

Have a family member or friend stand about 20 feet away from you, holding your dog’s favorite treat.

If your dog pulls ahead and creates leash tension, ask them to stop pulling by saying “stop” and “sit”.

Keep practicing this until your dog is really good at it, then move on to other distractions like another person or animal walking by.

Remember- baby steps! Rome wasn’t built in a day.

INCORPORATING TREATS

In my opinion, treats are an essential part of training your dog.

I made sure to include a treat every few minutes or even seconds during short periods of training. I got a treat pouch and kept the treats close by at all times!

Here are the treats that my puppy absolutely LOVES!

Code HELLODANES10 for 10% off all Dr. Harveys products

Now it’s time to start walking!

As you walk, keep the slack in the leash- don’t let your dog get ahead of you or lag behind.

If they start to pull, stop walking and make them sit until the slack is back in the leash.

PRACTICING PATIENCE (WHILE YOUR DOG PULLS ON THE LEASH)

One of the most important things to remember while leash training is to be patient!

Your dog has probably been pulling on the leash their whole life, so it’s going to take some time for them to adjust.

Be consistent with your commands and using treats as rewards, and eventually you’ll see results!

WALKING YOUR DOG: ENJOYMENT VS. SURVIVAL MODE

If you are as desperate as I am to teach your dog to walk on a leash, you probably understand that there are times that your dog really might not listen, might pull constantly and walking might not be fun.

SPOILER ALERT: sometimes your dog just needs to go for a quick walk to potty and it might not be the right time to train your dog.

Set aside collar and leash time daily if you can, be intentional about correcting behavioral issues, but do not be a perfectionist.

Walking with your dog is a process that sometimes comes in waves of ups and downs. Be sure to really recognize when your dog is ‘off duty’ and can have some ‘free time’ to stop and smell the roses.

DOG WALKS: THEY CAN BE FUN! (I PROMISE)

I started off thinking that getting a dog to walk appropriately was absolutely miserable.

But as I continue walking my dog every single day, I have learned that every walk is different.

Sometimes, I will have my dog’s attention completely, and sometimes I won’t.

Enzo, 9.5 years old

But, EVERY single walk does teach me something new about them, and I have learned that in order to train your dog you have to dig inside of yourself as well.

Some of my most cherished memories and moments are just me and my dog out for a walk. I promise, it does get better!

LEASH TRAINING: THE FINAL VERDICT? WORTH IT. YES. A MILLION TIMES OVER.

Although training a puppy or older dog is NEVER easy- when you get a dog you have to start leash training.

Over time, with a million of hours of practice, blood, sweat and tears, my dog has become reliable both on leash and off leash.

I trust my dog with my life- something I NEVER would have guessed I would have been able to say about the floppy/clumsy/terribly behaved puppy I brought home.

Teaching your dog to walk nicely is a civic duty of pet parents- and I promise, it is so worth it.

Need help with modern e collar training? Check out our guide.

June 2, 2022
What is a Dog E Collar? 99 Reasons Why They’re Great & Shock Ain’t One
What is a dog e collar?

Is it abusive? Is it a shock collar? Does it cause pain?

Or do e collars help build strong, confident dogs, while removing undesirable behaviors and creating a bond between pets and pet owners?

E collars are a form of remote training collar.

But – do they work? And even more-so- what the heck are they?

THE FOUNDATIONS: WHAT IS A DOG E COLLAR?

An e collar is a training tool for dogs. But more importantly, it is a way for dog owners to communicate the rules and ‘norms’ of life with their pet, set strong boundaries, and help them to be successful in life.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SHOCK COLLAR AND AN E COLLAR?

Most people think that e collar use is the same thing as shock collars.

This is simply NOT true. E collar training is VERY different than training with shock collars.

Shock collars are known to create painful skin burns, cause extreme harm to the neck / skin, and can actually CAUSE negative behavior. Shock collars are made with the intention to punish a dog for bad behavior – and are NOT an effective way to train your pet.

What is the difference between a shock collar and an e collar? Read more here.

Additionally, one of the main difference between shock collars and e collars is on the inside. On the inside of a shock collar is a shock unit- when you push the button on the remote control your dog will get shocked. The shock collar can be VERY unreliable- sometimes it will shock and sometimes it will not. A ‘cheap’ shock collar from Amazon or something of the like is known to create pressure sores and thus, negative associations with your dog.

Do not get sucked into thinking that a shock collar is the training tool that you should use to perfect your dog’s behavior. It will simply cause harm, pain and unnecessary behaviors or new behavioral issues over time.

ARE ELECTRIC COLLARS CRUEL?

If you are using a shock collar to train dogs, it can be considered cruel. Using a shock collar on your dog for any form of behavior modification can create confusion.

However, e collars work entirely different than a shock collar, and therefore the training sessions associated with these collars are also very different. In result- your dog will FEEL very different physically, emotionally, and their behavior will be very different when working with this effective training tool.

Not all collars for dogs are the same. E collars work with positive reinforcement AND negative reinforcement (YES- negative reinforcement IS a good thing- ALL dogs need correction in order to correct behavior when training).

What is balanced training? Read the story of how I found balanced training with my Great Danes.

So- when deciding if remote training collars are cruel- you need to know the difference between all the different types of collars for dogs. Bark collars, shock collar, or stimulation collars for dogs.

Choose a stimulation collar! We call these e-collars. This is the most ethical form of training collar for your pup and is NOT cruel.

WHAT IS ON THE INSIDE OF AN E COLLAR?

On the inside of ethical, modern e collars is what makes them an effective training tool.

Have you ever been to the chiropractor?

The chiropractor uses a tool called ‘stim‘. In humans, stim is used for muscle therapy, rehabilitation, long-term injury care, pain management, and sports recovery.

The collar you choose to buy REALLY matters. Click to see the devices we vouch for.

What BETTER item to use on your dog’s neck than electronic collars with electronic stimulation that not only helps with their training but provides healthy muscular benefits as well?

WHAT DOES THE ‘E’ IN ‘E COLLAR’ MEAN?

The ‘e’ in e collar means ‘electronic’.

But what does that mean?

It means that there is a small stimulation box on the inside of the collar that sends out a electric charge to two metal contact points on either side of your dog’s neck. The electric charge is not harmful- and actually feels similar to a ‘tingle’ or ‘buzz’ that you might feel if you were to touch your tongue to a battery.

The charge is not harmful, and is actually very low level. The level of stimulation can be increased or decreased depending on what training stage your dog is in, as well as their individual personality and needs.

Any collar that does not include Electrical Muscle Stimulation is considered a ‘shock collar’, and should be treaded easily. Stim will train your dog what is right and wrong and allow them to understand your communication whereas shock collars will condition your dogs to the idea that you are going to harm them and cause pain when they are not responding correctly.

WHAT DOES AN E COLLAR DO FOR DOGS?

An e collar is used by dog owners or a professional dog trainer to help dogs succeed in ALL aspects of life.

Great Dane Trainer Guidelines: How to Choose a Trainer

Because e collars are ‘communication’ devices, rather than ‘corrective’ devices, they are used not to control your pet, but to help as your dog learns right from wrong.

Additionally, e collars teach dogs how to be safe, avoid dangerous situations while off leash, and gain strong recall.

E Collar Training for Off Leash Freedom

E collars can also be used for maintaining positive obedience skills like walking on a leash, not jumping on people, avoiding counter surfing, and being able to gain the freedom to live their best lives while also being safe and healthy.

WHAT DOES AN E COLLAR FEEL LIKE?

E collars, unlike shock collars, DO NOT hurt or cause pain.

The level of stimulation can be increased or decreased- but should always start at the lowest setting.

The electronic e collar that we highly recommend has a ‘momentary’ and a ‘continuous’ setting.

The momentary is a quick stimulation that’s purpose is to get your dog’s attention or remind them of a certain behavior. It is similar to what you might feel if you were to briefly have your hand fall asleep, for 1 second.

Coopers Treats Himalayan Yak Cheese Long Lasting Chews are a fantastic and healthy way to keep any Great Dane busy for hours.

The continuous stim is where the owner has control over the electronic collar with the remote, and can dial the volume of the e collar up and down, depending on the dogs behavior.

For example: if you are wanting your pup to recall while off leash from 100 yards away, you can begin to dial up on the continuous stim. As your dog returns to you, you will begin to dial down. This is a strategy that I like to call the ‘hot and cold’ game.

Either way, when using e collars with stim inside of them, the e collar feels like a slight buzzing- and does not hurt.

Most dog owners will try the collar on themselves before trying it on their dog to train.

DO E COLLARS TRAUMATIZE DOGS?

E collars and e collar training does NOT traumatize dogs.

In fact, the opposite is true.

Shop for the best crate for Great Danes on Amazon

E collars provide a way for dog owners to have clear communication with their dogs- and help them learn how to be safe and make good decisions.

Without e collars, many dogs would never be able to experience all the joys that life has to offer- like being off leash hiking in the woods, running and playing on the beach, or even just being able to have a safe walk around the neighborhood.

E collars provide dogs with a way to have freedom- while also keeping them safe.

Viper 15ft Training Lead

Leather Dog Leash

Leather Slip Leash

However, having said that, using a low quality collar with your dog will put you at risk for contact burns, random harsh shock, and in turn: unexplainable behaviors.

HOW DO YOU USE AN E COLLAR?

E collars are meant to communicate with your dog.

First and foremost, before you begin dog training with e collars on any behavior, your dog should know the basic verbal commands.

Training a Great Dane

For example, if you are wanting to train your dog to associate the use of ecollars in their dog training to the ‘sit’ command, they should ALREADY be able to perform the sit command.

If you are hoping to strengthen your dog’s leash skills- they should already have a foundation of training on leash skills in which you maintain control over your dog on leash.

WHERE DO I START WITH USING AN E COLLAR?

The first place to start using e collars on your dog is with their name.

Your dog should know their name already.

If they don’t- that is the first place to start.

You will want to get your dog’s attention before using any type of stimulation with the e collar.

The way that you do this is by saying their name in a happy, excited voice and then immediately following with a treat. Our favs here:

Code HELLODANES10 for 10% off all Dr. Harveys products

IDENTIFY THE WORKING LEVEL OF YOUR DOG

After you have done this a few times, you will then want to begin using the e collar.

Start with the lowest level of stimulation and work your way up as needed.

I like to start on the lowest level and then increase the level if my dog is not responding.

Once you find the lowest level of the collar that works for your dog you are ready to begin training them to associate their name with the collar.

TEACH YOUR DOG TO ASSOCIATE THEIR NAME WITH THE COLLARS

Next, you will want to put the collar on your dog.

You will then want to say your dog’s name in a happy voice and immediately follow it with a treat.

Repeat this process several times until your dog is responding consistently.

Now you are ready to begin adding in the stimulation with the e collar.

Start with the lowest level of stimulation.

Remember to always start with verbal praise first and then follow it with a treat as well as a ‘marker word’. A marker word means that you are telling your dog that they have done something correct.

I like to use the word ‘yes’ as my marker word.

So, when I say my dog’s name and they look at me I would then say ‘yes’ and immediately follow it with a treat.

Once your dog is responding consistently, you can begin to add one extra step with your wireless remote.
1. Say your dogs name
2. Wait for them to look at you
3. Press the stim button
4. Simultaneously provide a treat (positive reinforcement) as well as a marker word ‘YES’!
SHOULD YOU TRAIN YOUR DOG WITH AN E COLLAR?

In short, we LOVE seeing healthy training of dogs using an e collar! Feel free to check out our guide below:

Need help with modern e collar training? Check out our guide.

If you feel uncomfortable getting started, get some help from a professional trainer who can help you get started. With proper techniques, using an e collar can significantly help most dogs thrive and be confident members of society.

READ MORE:

Is My Puppy Too Skinny?
Scam Breeders: What to Look For
Breeders: Shady Business
What is the Difference Between an E Collar and a Shock Collar?
9 Reasons to E Collar Train Your Great Dane Puppy
Is the Gentle Leader an Abusive Tool?
May 24, 2022
E Collar with Puppy Training: 9 Exciting Reasons You Should Use an E Collar With Your Puppy
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.

It can be detrimental not to begin training positive behavior into your dog from a young age.

But really- electronic collar training? On a puppy?

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.

The collar you choose to buy REALLY matters. Click to see the devices we vouch for.

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.

What is the difference between a shock collar and an e collar? Read more here.

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

Check out this review of the ‘gentle’ leader. Spoiler alert: It is NOT gentle!

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!)

And unlike those devices, the e collar does not cause any lasting physical harm such as joint pain, joint damage or neck issues.

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.

E collar 900 review: honest and unbiased

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:

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When you start e collar training, you are going to have a reserved pup who has NO idea what is right and what is wrong!

Incorporating different training methods, treats/verbal commands/leash training/etc, is exactly what your Great Dane needs.

Tips for Leash Training Great Danes

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.

What is balanced training? Read the story of how I found balanced training with my Great Danes.

FIVE: E COLLAR TRAINING CAN HELP PROTECT FROM UNSAFE BEHAVIOR

Dogs are unsafe. That is just the truth of the matter.

Dogs like to run randomly into the street. (Que the lack of recall)

Dogs like to eat things they shouldn’t.

Dogs like to jump on small children.

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

Life is stressful.

CBD

Crate Training

Socialization

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.
1. 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.
2. Sports dogs can also benefit from training with a stim collar.
3. Off leash adventures will be much more enjoyable and safe for both you and your dog if they have a good foundation in recall.
4. 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.
5. 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.
1. The use of a dog shock collar: Shock collars can cause contact burns, irregular communication, and skin issues.
2. Harnesses: Harnesses are proven to create joint issues, spinal problems, and soft tissue damage.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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!

Happy training! 🙂
May 23, 2022
How Much Do Great Danes Cost? The Truth About Great Danes ‘1 Million Dollar’ Price Tag
If you’re considering adding a new dog to your family, you may want to ask one important question: How much do Great Danes cost?

Paris Valentine

Paris Valentine

Paris Valentine

The price of the breed can vary depending on a number of factors. Where you live, the breeder you choose, the food you feed, and many other factors play into the average cost of a Great Dane over the course of these hugs dog’s lives.

In this blog post, we will break down the cost of owning a Great Dane so that you know what to expect and do not get blindsided with their yearly cost and lifetime cost.

How Much Do Great Danes Cost? Can I Afford a Great Dane?

Great Danes are among the largest dog breeds in the world, and their impressive size comes with a corresponding price tag. A Great Dane puppy can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000, and the cost of feeding and caring for a Great Dane can be significant.

Paris Valentine

Paris Valentine

Paris Valentine

Great Danes are huge dogs, and they require a lot of food and exercise. They also tend to have health problems related to their size, so veterinary bills can be expensive.

As a result, Great Dane ownership is not for everyone. Before you commit to buying a Great Dane, be sure to do your research and make sure you can afford the up-front cost and ongoing expenses.

Let’s dive in to some of the factors to consider with Great Dane price.

A Great Dane puppy is likely to cost between $500-$1,800 with the average price being $1,000. First-year expenses are around $3,415 and will be about $2,075/year (or $173/month) after that. Through the dog’s lifetime, the average cost of owning a Great Dane is $20,015.

Upfront Costs: Puppy Prices of Great Danes

The cost of actually purchasing a Great Dane puppy varies TREMENDOUSLY.

Some Great Dane breeders sell puppies for $300-$500, and some sell for up to $5000.

Just know, the cost of buying a Great Dane is USUALLY a red flag. If the price of your Great Dane is being estimated at just a few hundred dollars for ‘purebred’ Great Danes from a breeder: Red Flag. Those Great Dane puppies are definitely not health tested and genetically sound.

Bad Breeder Hall of Shame

Bad Breeders Info

Scam Breeders

Likewise, if you are speaking with a breeder who wants to sell you a Great Dane for upward of $4000-$5000, they are most likely scamming you.

The average price range you should expect to pay from reputable breeders to become a Great Dane owner is about $2000. By doing your research into a quality breeder, you will ensure that you are looking at quality dogs.

A word about getting a “show quality dog”

We hear many people state that ‘they don’t care if their dog is a show dog’ or ‘they don’t want to make their dog go to shows’. That is COMPLETELY fine, and you can make your decision as it is your dog.

However, I think there is a misconception that show dogs are ‘different’ or ‘snobby breeders’ create show dogs. A show breeder will put hours and hours of time into your litter, complete all of the ethical health tests for the bitch and sire, and ensure that you are receiving a wonderful dog- no matter if you choose to show him or not. Do not automatically negate the option of pursing a dog from a show breeder just because you do not want to take your dog into the show ring. A show breeder typically has had professional training with the breed and produces breed standard dogs.

“I need a pet, not a show dog”

A word about the AKC

MANY scam breeders use the words ‘AKC Registered’ to try and sell you on a dog that might otherwise not be healthy.

Ultimately, the bar is set VERY low for a breeder to register their litter with the American Kennel Club. The American Kennel Club requires NOT health testing. In other words, you COULD be buying from a backyard breeder with an AKC paper to prove… well, nothing.

AKC Papers are NOT Enough! Read Here

Do your due diligence!

So, if you’re looking for a quality dog with minimal health issues or health conditions, you’ll want to find a reputable breeder who can provide you with a purebred Great Dane that comes from genetic lines that have been FULLY health tested.

What is OFA Health Testing? Click here to find out!

And yes, be prepared to pay a higher, but fair price for one of these dogs.

Pet Insurance for your Great Dane Puppy

The very first thing a new dog owner should consider is pet insurance.

Every experienced dog owner knows that veterinary expenses can add up VERY quickly- especially with Great Danes.

Vet visits usually average about $200 for standard care / puppy vet visits and vaccines / or routine check-ups. With additional treatments like stool samples, bloodwork, or tests for complications the price for Great Dane health care can increase tremendously.

Medical procedures such as spay / neuter can cost anywhere from $400 – $2000 depending on the licensed veterinarian that conducts the procedure.

Emergency vet visits are much more expensive, costing an unpredictable amount of money. Emergency health care is something that many owners don’t plan for- broken limbs, torn muscles, bloat, or random need for stitches, etc. Emergency health care can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars for a giant dog with a larger health problem who needs to spend one or more nights in the emergency vet.

Pet insurance is one way for a dog parent to provide quality health care for their large dog without completely draining their savings and monthly income.

In my opinion, if you are the owner of a large dog, it is almost an essential purchase.

Adoption Fees for Large Breeds

When it comes to adopting large breed dogs, many people wrongly assume that they need to pay large adoption fees.

However, the truth is that puppy mill puppies are typically the most expensive.

In contrast, average-quality large breed dogs can often be adopted for a very reasonable fee.

While these animals may not have perfect markings or the best bloodlines, they can still make excellent pets and will provide plenty of love and companionship. The downside of adopting a Great Dane from a rescue is that you are unable to trace its genetics, and therefore the health of your Great Dane in the long term is pretty unpredictable.

Buying Great Danes from Pet Stores

Additionally, please beware that buying a Great Dane from a pet store absolutely should not be an option. Pet store puppies are fueled by puppy mills who outsource their dogs to these pet shops in order to benefit financially and stuff their pockets with income. It is tempting not to want to ‘save’ pet store puppies, but you have to remember the breeding stock of adult dog that remains back at the puppy mill- a problem that you are paying to continue by purchasing Great Dane from a shop.

Rescuing a Great Dane Average Price

The average price of most gentle giants from adoption is about $400, which is significantly less than purchasing a Great Dane from a breeder. So, if you’re looking for a puppy but don’t want to break the bank, consider adopting a larger dog from your local shelter or rescue organization instead of buying one from a puppy mill. After all, every dog deserves a loving home, no matter what its size or pedigree!

How Much Does Great Dane Grooming Cost?

The average cost of grooming your Great Dane is relatively minimal, considering a few factors.

Do You Want to Use a Dog Groomer?

If you want or plan to use a dog groomer with your Great Dane, the cost of grooming will increase tremendously. Due to the size of Great Danes, most groomers charge an extra $20 – $40 for the added time it takes to complete the grooming process.

At-Home Grooming

If you are comfortable grooming your dog at home, the cost of doing so will be very minimal. Great Danes have short coats that do not require a lot of special care. A simple brushing like the Sleek-Ez will be enough to brush them at home.

See the 5″ Original Sleek EZ Great Dane Brush on Amazon

If you’re interested in more information about shedding, be sure to click here:

Do Great Danes Shed?

Licensing Your Great Dane

Many owners forget that there are fees associated with bringing home a new dog. One of those costs associated with owning a Great Dane is the cost of licensing your Great Dane with your city or town.

The cost of licensing a Great Dane typically ranges from $15 – $30 per year, depending on where you live.

However, some states offer discounts for spayed or neutered dogs, so be sure to ask about that when you license your dog with the city.

How Much Does It Cost to Microchip Your Great Dane?

A microchip is a device that is implanted under the skin of your dog that contains information about you and your dog.

The cost of microchipping typically ranges from $30 – $50, depending on where you have it done. The purpose of a microchip is so that if your dog ever gets lost, the animal shelter or veterinarian can scan the microchip and get in touch with you.

We highly recommend that all dog owners have their dogs microchipped, as it could potentially save your dog’s life one day.

Keep in mind, many shelters and rescue organizations will microchip your dog for free or at a reduced cost when you adopt from them.

Seek veterinary advice on getting your dog microchipped, as you never know when the unfortunate event of losing track of your dog could happen, and a microchip is one method of keeping them safe and being returned to you.

This is one category you do not want to try and save money on!

Pet Care and Dog Walkers for a Giant Breed Dog

Caring for a Great Dane from a puppy to an adult dog comes with ‘odds and end’ fees such as a dog walker or pet sitter. The average cost of a dog walker is anywhere from $10-$20 / walk which usually consists of 30 minutes to 1 hour of walk or play time.

For pet sitting, the average cost is $20-$40 / day which can include feeding, walking and playing. Usually, pet sitters will charge more to stay at your house rather than their own house. Also, pet sitters will charge additional fees for staying the night.

These services are important to have in place when you first get your dog as they need socialization and exercise just like any other puppy. As a rule of thumb, if your puppy is 8 weeks old, (2 months), they should not be asked to go more than ~2 hours without a potty break, and so forth.

Do Pet Owners ALWAYS Need Pet Care?

But as they grow into adults, these services are not required but may be something you want to consider to keep them socialized and exercised especially if you are at work all day. Typically, pet owners prioritize dog walking regardless of if they have a puppy or senior dog, as it benefits their Great Dane no matter what the age.

Some countries even have laws against keeping your dog in a crate or alone for longer than about 8 hours per day.

Great Dane Prices for Treats and Bones

Great Dane expenses are typically more than other dogs. The one category that Great Dane owners really do not have to pay more for is treats.

Great Dane Treats

Great Danes can usually eat the same treats that other dogs eat, no matter what their size is. That is because even though they are large dogs, you don’t want them to eat large treats as their weight is extremely important.

Interested in making your own homemade treats? Coopers Treats offers kits to make your own baked treats and pupcicles.

It is totally manageable to motivate a large dog with little training treats, the same as you would a medium sized dog.

Some of our favorite treats are linked below, and run anywhere from $10-$20 per bag, depending on the quality of treats or ingredients that you’d like to purchase.

Code HELLODANES10 for 10% off all Dr. Harveys products

Great Dane Bones

As for giving your dog a chew or a bone, unfortunately they do get more expensive the larger you want them to be.

The key is finding a chew or a bone that lasts your Great Dane a long time, while also at an affordable price.

Farm Hounds Sun Dried Hide

Our favorite are from Farm Hounds, as they are SUN DRIED hide (NOT) to be confused with standard Rawhide. These bones are chemical free AND glue free, allowing for a safe experience. Best of all, they typically last my Great Danes over a month of chewing- off and on as I do not let them chew all of the time.

Here is the link. By using this link, you will receive $20 off:

$20 off Farm Hounds, click here.

Bully Bones

Another good option for bones are bully sticks. bully sticks come in all different sizes, but the larger the size, the more expensive they become.

They are a good alternative to rawhide as they do not splinter and are easily digestible.

They are a pretty pricey option, as they last quite a long time and are safe. We like this Bully Bone Holder set as I do regularly fear that the dogs will choke on the last inch or two of the Bully Bone.

Disclaimer Against Rawhide

Rawhide is very dangerous for any dog, including a Great Dane.

While it is cheaper to give your dog a rawhide bone, we recommend against it as there have been too many cases of dogs choking or getting sick from the chemicals used to treat rawhide.

Rawhide is also sealed with glue, which can get caught up in their stomachs and cause a blockage. There have been many reports of dogs getting extremely sick and even dying due to rawhide.

Do not try to save money by giving your dogs rawhide.

A Great Dane Safe Crate

We are huge advocates for safe and ethical crate training.

Crate training is not cruel, and in fact, it can be very beneficial for both you and your Great Dane.

A safe crate will ensure that your dog has a place to go when they need some time to themselves or when you are away from home.

How to crate train a Great Dane: click here

The best way to find a safe crate is to look for one that is made from metal or heavy-duty plastic.

You need to avoid a crate where your pup cannot lay down AND stand up completely. A Giant crate is a must-investment for every new giant dog owner as you can start it small for puppyhood and make it larger as they grow.

The Best Crate for a Great Dane Puppy: Click Here

A Big Bed for a Big Dog

It is true, a Great Dane’s price DOES include a bed.

Why on earth does the price of a Great Dane include a bed? Can’t I just grab one at TJ Max?

The answer is, unfortunately, no.

Great Danes have giant joints- elbows, hips, shoulders. They are also very prone to getting arthritis and hip dysplasia.

A regular dog bed will not do as the stuffing will flatten within weeks due to their weight and size.

What you need is an orthopedic foam bed that will contour to their bodies and give them the support they need to keep their hips off the ground.

The support from a Big Barker bed can provide them with prevention from things like sores, hygromas, and joint disease.

Click here to shop for Sofa Big Barker beds.

Doggy Daycare for Big Dogs

Some pet parents find that one method to give big dog plenty of exercise and socialization is daycare.

Dogs are most happy when they can run, play, and socialize with other large dogs, and most daycares have plenty of space for this type of activity.

We do not, however, recommend daycare facilities with high dog to human ratio, that keep dogs in kennels for most of the day, and those that you do not completely (and I mean completely) trust. Most franchise dog daycares would fit under the previous category- and we recommend being VERY careful sending your dogs to these places.

Photo Credit to Chelsea & Harleigh at @mixedwithout

Many in-home daycare programs are a great way to socialize your pup, IF you know/trust them personally and are aware of the techniques that they believe in for training a Great Dane and behavior management.

You can NEVER be too careful with who you leave your dog with!

The costs of a full day of daycare can range anywhere from about $50-100 for a giant dog. Pricy right?

And regardless of what type of breed your dog happens to be, most daycare facilities cater to all kinds of dogs big and small but DO NOT cater to unspayed or unneutered dogs.

So if you are on the ‘wait to spay/neuter’ train, doggy daycare might not end up being the place for you.

Read more about the pros and cons of spaying your Great Dane prematurely (before 24 months) here:

Can early spay or neuter hurt your dog? Check out our blog here.

The Expenses of Feeding Great Danes

Anyone who has ever owned a Great Dane knows that these dogs appetites can range tremendously.

In fact, it is not uncommon for a full-grown Dane to eat more than a pound of food per day if raw fed and over 5 cups of food on kibble. Alternatively, some report that their Great Dane is finicky and picky with its food- not eating much above an average dog.

No matter what, feeding a Dane can be an expensive proposition.

Not only do they require more food than most other breeds, but they also benefit from higher quality food.

While cheaper brands of dog food may be fine for smaller breeds, they simply don’t provide the level of nutrition that Danes need. For owners who want to give their dog the best possible diet, it is often necessary to spend more on premium brands of dog food.

Of course, the expenses associated with feeding a Great Dane are just a small part of the overall cost of ownership, but one of the big ones.

We have several resources regarding our favorite foods for Great Danes here on this website.

If you are raw feeding your Great Dane, you can expect to spend anywhere from $150-$300 per month, and if you are feeding kibble you can anticipate about $100/month.

Raw Grass-Fed Beef

Surf & Turf

Turkey

Genetic and Common Health Concerns that Add Up in Great Danes

Danes are big dogs, and unfortunately, that comes with some big health concerns which, in turn, results in some big expenses.

Joint Disease

Hip dysplasia, for example, is a condition that affects the hip joints and can cause pain and lameness. It’s estimated that up to 20% of Danes will develop hip dysplasia at some point in their lives.

Arthritis in Great Danes? Read here.

Great Danes are also susceptible to arthritis, which can lead to stiffness and difficulty moving around. Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints and can be very painful.

Other Diseases

Other health problems that Danes are prone to include bloat, cardiomyopathy, epilepsy, and cancer.

Bloat Myths: What is True and What is Not?

Prevention

While there is no guarantee that your Dane will never experience any of these health problems, you can take steps to reduce the risk.

For example, regular exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce the chances of your dog developing arthritis or other joint problems.

Additionally, many of these diseases or conditions (hip dysplasia, heart disease, bloat) are highly genetic, so looking into a high quality breeder who OFA Health Tests their dogs is one way to help prevent it from happening in your own Great dane.

Costs
- Both hip dysplasia and arthritis can be expensive to treat, with the average cost of hip dysplasia surgery running around $3,000.
- Bloat surgery in a Great Dane can cost up to $5000, whereas if you are planning to do the Gastropexy surgery, you should plan on about$2000.
- Cancer treatment can be even more expensive, with the average cost of chemotherapy running around $15,000. (Insurance people- make sure to get insurance!)
Of course, these are just averages and the actual costs will vary depending on the severity of the condition and the individual dog.

These are just a few examples of the potential costs you may face if your Dane develops a health problem.

Collars, Leashes, and Necessary Supplies

There are some items that are necessary for just about every dog breed. Some supplies you can find for a variety of price and that depends on the material, quality and brand that you are looking for.

Let’s look at a few items you will need, no matter what.

Long Leash

We believe that if you are raising a Great Dane puppy you will need a Long Leash. The long leash is a crucial part of teaching a puppy what a leash is, how to come when called, and introducing them to basic leash skills. The long leash is an important tool for socialization.

You can find a long leash made of different materials such as rope, leather or nylon and they come in a variety of lengths.

The price for a long leash ranges from $15-$50 depending on the length, material, and brand.

Here is our favorite and very affordable long leash:

Affordable Long Lead in Different Lengths

E Collar

A staple in my own Great Danes list of necessary items is an e collar.

E collar training is a humane, ethical and very appropriate way of communicating with your dog. The e collar allows you to have a conversation with your dog about their choices and behaviors in a way that is clear, consistent, and fair. You should NOT use a ‘shock’ collar or begin e collar training your Great Dane until you have taught them the basic skills.

Need help with modern e collar training? Check out our guide.

E collars come in a variety of sizes, styles, and brands. Prices range from $30-$200 depending on the features you are looking for, however we ONLY recommend the e collars within the upper range, which is about $200. The reason we do not recommend the cheaper e collars found on Amazon is that they are ‘shock’ devices, and the higher technology ones are actually made with stim units- VERY different!

Here is our favorite which can be purchased with free shipping in our shop:

Regular Collar

Your dog will obviously need a standard collar. A regular collar is a must for every dog for dog walking and obedience training. You will use this to put your dog’s tags on, and it is also a good backup in case your dog ever gets out of the house.

You can find collars made out of nylon, leather, or other materials. They come in a variety of colors and materials.

Every great dog needs a fun collar, right??!

Viper 1″ thick Biothane Collar, comes in a range of colors.

Regular Leash

A standard, 3-5″ leash is an obvious must. You will use this for walking, running, and obedience training.

You can find leashes made out of nylon, leather, or other materials. They come in a variety of colors and sizes.

The price for a standard leash ranges from $15-$50 depending on the length, material, and brand.

Here is our favorite:

Viper 15ft Training Lead

Leather Dog Leash

Leather Slip Leash

Fun Expenses for your Giant Lap Dog

When its all said and done, there are some things that you’re simply going to WANT to buy for your Great Dane.

Some of the ‘fun’ expenses include clothing / winter jackets (most dogs do not NEED these items, but they can be quite fun), scarves / snoods, Embark DNA kit (It can be very fun to check for relatives as well as genetic conditions for safety), extra treats etc, and toys.

Here are some of our favorite items as well as their associated costs:

Embark DNA

Embark can be a REALLY fun thing to do for/with your dog. Embark DNA kit will test for over 185 different dog breeds, tell you your pup’s ancestry, and provide information about any genetic health conditions that may be passed down.

The kit itself costs $129 and that includes the health portion AND the breed factor which tells you exactly the genetics of your pups breed.

Even if you already know that your dog is a Great Dane, it’s really fun to see if they have any nearby relatives.

Extra Treats, Feeders, Puzzles, Etc

It’s hard to imagine that you watch your Great Dane eat as much food as they do, and then they can consume MORE food.

But, extra treats, feeders and food puzzles can be a pretty fun thing to shop for.

Once you get started working with your pup or dog on their training, you will soon find it extremely fun to motivate them with fun treats.

There are also an abundance of fun treat dispensers like Toppls’, Kongs, etc, that make it very engaging for your dog to eat its meal.

Shop Kong Durable Rubber Toys Here.

These treats and toys can range anywhere from about $10-$30, depending on the purchase. Some fun items linked here.

The Best Toys for Great Danes

Slow Feeders

Slow feeders and puzzles can help work your dog’s brain and give them a little extra stimulation.

A lot of times, people do not think about how much time their dog spends sleeping or laying around during the day.

If you have a high energy dog, they may need even more stimulation and activity.

Puzzles and slow feeders can help with that! Prices for these fun items can range from $15-$30.

Some of our favorites linked here.

PetDuro has creative ways to slow feed your dog in a standard slow feeder, an engagement slow feeder or a slow feeder licky mat.

Toys

We called toys a ‘fun’ and ‘optional’ purchase, but really every Great Dane SHOULD have at least a few toys.

Having a few items to call their own will minimize destructive chewing and help with boredom.

Some of our favorite toys for Great Danes are below.

Prices for these items range from $12-$40. There are also subscriptions, like our favorite from Super Chewer, where you can get a box of chew proof toys delivered monthly for a very fair price.

A dog’s life is not complete without a little bit of fun!

Bark Box offers Super Chewer monthly themed boxes delivered to your door with adorable toys and best of all- they are made for SUPER CHEWERS! Click here to check them out.

Snuggle Buddies

Snuggle Buddies are an option that many pet parents opt for when they bring their puppy home.

These are essentially stuffed animals that have been designed to have a ‘heartbeat’ like their mother.

The idea behind it is that the puppy will feel more comforted and secure if they have something that feels like home.

Snuggle Buddies cost around $30. You can find them here.

Shop here for your own Snuggle Puppy.

In conclusion

In conclusion, the Great Dane cost can vary by thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars. The most predicting factor that varies is medical expenses, followed probably by food.

We hope that this article has helped give you some clarity into what goes into the cost of a Great Dane as well as some helpful tips on how to cut down costs.

So, if you’ve wondered how much does a Great Dane cost- the answer is- well, priceless.

The truth is, a Great Dane is worth every penny (and then some). They are amazing, gentle giants that will fill your life with love and laughter.

Read more:

Off-Color & Designer Great Danes

Find a Great Dane Rescue

The Two Sided Debate: Great Dane Ear Cropping

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May 2, 2022