Training a Great Dane

There is some uncertainty about the history of Great Danes as some reports claim the breed originates in Tibet and others say Great Danes originate as part of the Irish Wolfhound and Greyhound family of dogs. For a long time Great Danes have been much loved and loyal companions for humans. Tasks such as guarding castles, pulling carts and participating in battles are some of the areas Great Danes have been used throughtout history. Due to their speed and size they have also been used for hunting. The size of the Great Dane makes it a good candidate for being a watchdog dog. Great Danes have a sweet and affectionate nature and are known as gentle giants.

Consider these tips before buying a Great Dane:

Great Danes are part of the working dog family and require plenty of exercise. If you jog or run your Great Dane will be your perfect companion as it needs 1-1 1/2 hours of exercise per day. If you are not at home very much and have little time for dog walking you might want to consider a smaller dog breed that requires less attention. Great Danes are big dogs and they need a lot of space in a yard to roam around in. Your Great Dane will only stay in the yard if you have a good strong fence. Your Great Dane will get bored just like any other puppy, so you will need to provide it with some interesting toys while you are out. Remember, Great Dane’s can dig big holes!

Training suggestions

It’s a good idea to start training at an early age, with a large dog like a Great Dane. At around eight to twelve weeks puppies are able to understand some of the simpler commands. Start slowly and reward it for coming when called, sitting when asked to and remember to apply lots of positive reinforcement. The earlier you start leash training, the better. It’s good to get into the practise of forbidding your Great Dane to jump up ever. This may seem harsh but you won’t want the experience of your dog jumping up on a child and bowling it over. This could cause some major damage. . This is particularly important for large dogs as a large dog with dominance issues can be a serious hazard. As cute as it might seem to have your giant puppy taking up all of the lounge room chair, it will be a difficult problem to rectify when your puppy is a fully grown giant. If your dog is allowed to sit in a higher position than you, it will believe it has dominance over you. This is not what you want! Positive reinforcement is crucial in helping your dog understand when it’s doing the right thing and the timing with treats will really solidify your dogs understanding of what you expect. Never hit or yell at your dog when it’s not doing what you want. Your dog will become fearful of you and will not respond to your commands. Your dog will understand a stern voice and respond in a way that pleases you. Your new puppy is a quick learner, if the instructions are clear. To train your dog effectively, you need consistency.

To learn more about Training Your Great Dane or other dog behavior modification such as reducing dog licking check out our DIY Dog Training Review.