Everybody wants to take amazing photos of their pet. Today we are sharing our 5 top phone photography tips for dogs!
Here is the good news: you don’t need a fancy camera. Most cell phones take great photos, once you know the tricks of the trade. We are here to help!
Good photography is all about lighting and the story being told. Are you ready to learn how to take better photos of your dog? Let’s get started. ?
Dog Phone Photography 101: Lighting is Key
The difference between an ‘ok’ photo and a great photo of your dog is lighting!
If you are indoors, get near a window and put the window behind your back. The light coming into the window will help illuminate your pet and make their eyes shine bright!
If you are outdoors, here are some other dog photography lighting tips:
On sunny, bright days find a patch of open shade. Avoid harsh shadows and squinting by finding nice spots under trees and next to buildings!
On cloudy days, hold up your hand. Is it gray and dull? Turn your body around until the skin on your hand looks nice and warm. That’s where you want your dog to be when you take the photo!
On snowy days, get out and play! The bright snow and clouds consistently make for gorgeous, well-lit photos!
Use natural light as much as possible. Lightbulbs put out a color that will make your images look too warm, dingy, green, or pink. One exception is daylight-balanced LED lighting, which can help illuminate your indoor dog photos!
Put the window behind your back to illuminate your pet when taking a photo indoors.
Train Your Dog to Stay for a Photo
All of this beautiful lighting won’t matter if your dog won’t sit still for a minute!
We recommend starting small with lots of positive reinforcement. Reward even the smallest ‘stay’ position and work your way up to stepping back with your phone in your hand.
You can also use a toy as a reward!
Teach your dog that in order to get the toy, they must SIT or WAIT! Practice this several times: sit, toy, sit, toy. Gradually increase the length of the sit, then reward with the toy.
Once your dog can sit and stay, politely waiting for their toy or treat reward, for 5 seconds, add the camera. Make sure to be fun, upbeat and positive.
When you are done taking photos (quickly, of course), say ‘FREE’ and praise your dog for a job well done.
When your dog is REALLY good at this, you’ll even be able to use the toy to get their attention. This is how you will get those adorable dog expressions!
Choose the Right Mode for Dog Portraits
We recommend portrait mode for the best dog photos.
This mode on most modern phones will identify your subject while blurring the background, giving your images a professional finished look.
If you don’t have portrait mode, play with ‘flower’ or ‘macro’ mode and see what you can come up with!
We also love to use wide-angle photos to capture the scenery and tell a story.
Don’t be afraid to stray from the auto button, especially once you’ve got your head wrapped around how to use light when taking photos of your dog.
How to Get Your Dog to Pose
There is almost nothing worse than taking a beautiful, well lit portrait of your dog to see that their body language is well, stressed.
Pinned ears, lip licking, stiffness, hunched back or shoulders, and tucked tails are signs that your dog is not wanting its photo taken.
If you want your dog to perk their ears and look adorable in photos, follow these simple steps:
Don’t overwhelm your dog! Asking for a photo when they are already stressed is a recipe for disaster
Find a low-distraction area to work in
Be gentle with pressure. Don’t scold, physically handle or get too excited around dogs that are nervous about having their photo taken.
Remember that a little patience goes a long way
Make kissing and squeaking sounds, or use a toy
Say your dog’s favorite words, such as “treat” to get their attention (and be ready to click!)
Use high-value treats and reward often. Make this a fun experience and part of your routine!
Catch them in action, instead of asking them for a pose
How to Edit your Dog Photos
One of the biggest ways to improve your dog phone photos is to edit them!
I highly recommend the Adobe Lightroom mobile app.
You can use this app to adjust everything from the basics to individual colors, and you can even remove distracting objects from your photos!
This app does have a learning curve but it’s incredibly functional, fully featured and free of junk and ads, too.
Presets (in Lightroom) can help you apply a cohesive look to every image that you take, too. This will make your IG Feed look amazing!
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Dog Iphone-ography Summary
If you follow this formula you will notice an immediate improvement in your dog photos!
Lighting – Pose – Editing – Patience
Want more phone photography tips for your dog? Here is another great article we found:
What is WSAVA, and what are WSAVA Guidelines? Why should I consider WSAVA recommendations and guidelines when choosing pet food? What are the WSAVA approved brands?
This is a topic we recieve a lot of questions on, so I’m going to clear it up in one post! Before we begin, I want to make one thing very, very clear.
WSAVA does not ‘approve’, ‘endorse’, or ‘recommend’ any brand of dog food. Any perception that they do is incorrect and likely misguided by other sources.
What WSAVA does do, however, is provide pet owners with some easy to follow recommendations for choosing dog food.
First, a little history:
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is a non-profit global veterinary association that was founded in 1994. It’s similar to the ADA as it related to toothpaste, for example.
The mission of the WSAVA is to improve the health and welfare of small animals throughout the world.
Today, the WSAVA has grown to include more than 200 member organizations in over 80 countries. Their collective efforts involve creating guidelines and recommendations that provide information, consistency, and standards between organizations and different countries.
WSAVA is a non-profit organization that generates revenue from contributions, fundraising events, and activities. Anybody can contribute resources and financial support to help the cause.
One way that they promote science and research is by developing guidelines for veterinarians and pet owners to follow. In this blog post, we will discuss what WSAVA is and how you can use their common sense guidelines to choose food for your dog!
The WSAVA has developed a set of guidelines to raise awareness for consumers who are looking to choose a quality, science-backed food for their pets. It’s important that I repeat this: the WSAVA does not endorse, certify, or recommend any single brand or formula of dog food.
These common-sense WSAVA pet food guidelines offer pet owners a sense of security that they are making the right choice in pet food.
Unfortunately, the pet food industry is complicated and many consumers have been misled by dubious marketing practices.
I’m outlining the WSAVA Dog food recommendations below:
#1 – Does the Dog Food Company Employ a Nutritionist?
The most important thing to look for when choosing pet food is to find out if the company employs a legitimate nutritionist.
You may be surprised to find out that the solid majority of pet food brands have NO nutritionist on staff at all! (More on this below).
Appropriate qualifications for a dog food nutritionist are either a PhD in Animal Nutrition, or Board Certification by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) or the European College of Veterinary Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN).
World Small Animal Veterinary Association
It’s important to understand that not all nutritionists are created equal! There is a massive difference between somebody who took a short online course, and a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist (with a Ph.D. in animal nutrition).
Somebody with an M.S. in Animal Nutrition or Animal Science is NOT qualified.
When a company has no nutritionist on staff, they often rely on outdated recipes or consultants to formulate their food. Oftentimes, the company may even state that they “work with a team of nutritionists”. While this sounds great, it’s code for “we hired a consulting firm to look over our recipe”.
Some people may be ok with this corner-cutting practice, but it’s been proven time and time again that having a qualified nutritionists on staff is necessary to ensure safe, reliable pet food formulations.
So be sure to check what ‘kind’ of a nutritionist is on staff, if there is one at all!
Author note: nutritionists who carry certificates from places such as DNU or DNMU (Dogs Naturally Magazine) or other online blogs and course platforms are not legitimate. These people often spread dangerous misinformation and may even be practicing veterinary medicine (such as treating and diagnosing allergies or stomach problems) without a license.
To be clear, however, just because a company employs a qualified nutritionist, doesn’t mean that nutritionist is being used to formulate the diet your pet is eating, which brings us to the next point.
Many consumers are surprised to learn that a lot of boutique dog foods are formulated by people with very few qualifications in small animal medicine and animal nutrition.
When you are choosing puppy food or food for your adult or senior dog, verify that the company employs and is using a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist (DAVCN Diplomate) or a PhD in Animal Nutrition to formulate and test the food.
Some companies employ a full team of DACVNs, who work in tandem with on staff companion animal veterinarians and professionals that have an M.S. or PhD in animal nutrition and related sciences.
Other companies say they employ a “team of nutritionists” however what they really mean is that they only consult with people who don’t work for them. It’s important to read between the lines (read more about this HERE).
Fromm family foods, for example, are formulated by a chemical engineer. It is only in 2023 that it seems they have hired somebody with an M.S. in Animal Nutrition (marginal qualification).
Solid Gold “consults with” a nutritionist with a PhD (but doesn’t employ one).
Diamond Naturals (also Kirkland/Costco, Taste of the Wild, Nutra Nuggest, and 4Health brand) “consults with” a nutritionist with an MS in animal nutrition (but doesn’t employ one).
Victor Foods are formulated by somebody who has an online certificate in dairy cattle nutrition.
When a company “consults with” or “works with” a nutritionist, what they are saying is that they have somebody only mildly qualified in their field being paid to formulate the food, or they are using a formulation software and then a consultant looks it over on paper.
Many companies will respond to this question by indicating that they have a ‘team of highly qualified nutritionists‘. This is smoke and mirrors, as their ‘team’ is often comprised of off-site consultants who have no allegiance to the brand itself.
Make sure the company actually has qualified people on staff and if they gloss over this answer? Look elsewhere…especially if the foods aren’t also being subjected to proper lab analysis and feeding trials to prove that they are safe, nutritious, and bioavailable.
#3 – What is the quality control process for ingredients & the finished product?
When it comes to quality control, not all companies are created equal.
The best companies have a rigorous quality control process that starts with sourcing the highest quality ingredients from suppliers that they trust.
They then test the ingredients upon arrival to ensure that they meet their high standards.
After the food is manufactured, they test the finished product to ensure that it meets their nutritional specifications. This is assuming that when the diet was originally formulated, it was also subjected to a range of labs, testing, and feeding trials.
Only then is the food sent out to be sold in stores.
The best companies have a comprehensive food safety program in place that includes regular testing of ingredients and products, as well as sanitation protocols at their owned manufacturing facilities.
They are also ready and willing to issue recalls if something goes wrong. When a company says ‘no recalls’, we get nervous! Companies without recalls may wish to uphold that term regardless of safety, and may not have been established long enough to yet have a recall (new and inexperienced) in the first place.
Don’t be fooled by unregulated marketing terms such as ‘made in our kitchen’, ‘family oriented company’, and ‘human grade’. These things are NOT an indication of whether or not the food is manufactured with strict protocols.
Many companies now like to gloss over their formulation practices and lack of feeding trials and nutritional lab results by putting a big emphasis on how they use a 3rd party lab to test for things such as aflatoxins and salmonella. Make no mistake, that’s important, but is that really all they are doing?
#4 – What kind of product research or nutrition studies have been conducted? Is it published in peer-reviewed journals?
The best companies invest time and money into research and nutrition studies to ensure that their products are of the highest quality, and that our understanding of small animal health is always getting better.
They also make sure that this research is published in peer-reviewed journals so that other experts can review it, verify its accuracy and learn from it.
When a company says “we do our own research“, we get skeptical (and you should too).
Any food brand can conduct ‘research’ by feeding a dog some food and making anecdotal judgments about their health. That’s not proper research, and there is a reason that many ’boutique’ food brands do not submit their research for peer review.
Many dogs who appear robust, healthy, and shiny die suddenly from nutrition-related (secondary) DCM. The appearance of ‘health’ is not an indicator of actual health.
In addition to participation in the greater scientific nutrition and animal health community, food companies should also be participating in comprehensive lab analysis of the finished products and AAFCO feeding trials (or better) to prove their formulation in real life, not just on paper.
If they did not substantiate their food in actual trials, YOUR dog is the guinea pig.
(See below, the highly tested and researched Royal Canin Giant Breed line from Puppy through Adult)
Feed until 8 months of age.
Feed from 8-24 months of age.
Adult formula from 24 months on.
What to Look For on a Dog Food Label
When you are looking at a dog food label, there are a few things that you should pay attention to:
– The guaranteed analysis (GA)
– The nutritional adequacy statement
– The feeding instructions
The guaranteed analysis is a set of minimums and maximums that must be met by law. We’ve included more information below!
Many people look to the ingredients list when choosing a dog food, however, this is a practice that often results in owners choosing poorly researched low quality foods.
What dog owners need to understand is that the ingredients list is used for marketing.
If you ‘like’ the way an ingredients list reads, chances are, it’s been strategically developed to appeal to you. Tricks such as ingredient splitting and fairy dust (dried blueberries and spinach, for example) are often used.
Not only that, but ‘realmeat as the first ingredient‘ or ‘first 5 ingredients are meat’ are actually a marketing trick, and in many cases, meat may not actually be the predominant ingredient in the finished product.
This is an important one to look for. This statement must be present on all pet food labels in the United States and it indicates that the food and its nutrient analysis have been formulated to meet, or substantiated in tests to meet AAFCO standards.
For puppies, you want to see a statement that the food was ‘substantiated in feeding trials’ for growth, for example.
‘Animal feeding tests using AAFCO Procedures’ means that actual science and research (AAFCO feeding trials) went into proving the nutritional adequacy of the formulation.
‘Formulated to meet’ simply means the food meets the minimum standard, but was not subjected to AAFCO feeding trials.
‘Comparable in nutritional adequacy to foods substantiated in food trials’is less common, but still occasionally seen from small ‘family’ food brands.
This is another important piece of information that you’ll want to look for.
You can use this information to determine how much food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight and activity level.
Some foods are more nutrient-dense than others! A higher quality food will, in general, have more calories per serving.
When you switch to a science-backed diet for your pet, you may find you have to feed much, much less, so watch your dog’s body condition!
Does the company provide contact information?
You want to be able to reach the company if you have any questions or concerns about their food.
A good company will have a customer service team that is ready and willing to help you with whatever you need.
Look for signs that they are truly a science-based company, and not using fluffy marketing to make you ‘feel good’ about the food.
Here are some unregulated, but common “feel good” marketing terms that can be used in misleading ways:
Holistic
Family-Owned & Operated
Super-Premium
No By-Products
Meat as the first ingredient
Home cooked
Fresh
Made in our ‘kitchen’
Tested in our ‘kitchens’
No Recalls
Ancient Grains
Formulated by veterinarians
We use a nutritionist
We have a team of ‘nutrition experts’ (but no DACVN or ACVN in sight)
Wholesome
Who makes the food?
The best companies will be upfront about who makes their food, and they should own and operate their own facilities, especially if they are producing prescription or specialty diets that require detailed protocols and strict attention to detail.
Many boutique food companies use a co-packer and don’t own or operate their own manufacturing facilities.
This is a red flag, as they won’t have as much say in quality control, testing, or nutrition protocols.
There are a small handful of all-purpose, unbranded pet food manufacturing facilities in the United States. These companies make a huge amount of co-packed boutique pet food brands.
It’s essentially a lot of the same food and same practices…with a different label on it.
Ask questions. Boutique foods are one of the biggest marketing schemes in the pet industry right now, and many people are falling for it!
The WSAVA does not approve or sponsor any dog food. However, they do have guidelines that they encourage companies to follow in order to ensure the safety and quality of their products.
It is a myth that foods are ‘approved’ or ‘sponsored’ by the WSAVA.
What Dog Foods Follow WSAVA Guidelines?
Only a handful of dog and pet food companies actually meet and stringently follow all WSAVA guidelines.
These manufacturers include and are limited to:
Purina Dog Chow, Purina One and Purina Pro Plan
Hills Science Diet
Royal Canin
Eukanuba
Iams
Where most other companies fall short is in not owning their own manufacturing facilities, and not employing qualified nutrition professionals. There are a select few companies who DO come close to meeting guidelines, but aren’t on the list above.
The WSAVA does not receive kickbacks from any companies, because they don’t specifically promote any particular company.
In fact, they are a non-profit organization with the mission to “advance animal health and welfare worldwide.”
Food companies of any type (both those that follow WSAVA guidelines and those that don’t) may contribute science, research, time and financial resources to the WSAVA.
Ask questions about why boutique companies do not participate in research or the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and the global community this way!
Additionally, food companies can choose to follow (or not follow) the established guidelines. These guidelines are common sense, so when a food company doesn’t follow them or spins their marketing to make you think that they do, we should be asking a lot of questions.
Here is our list of science-backed large and giant breed puppy foodsthat meet WSAVA guidelines:
Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.
Do Veterinarians Receive Kickbacks from Dog Food Companies?
This is a common myth, but it’s not true! In the United States, it is illegal for veterinarians to receive kickbacks from any companies, including pet food companies.
If a food company gives a veterinarian a doormat with its logo on it, they cannot force the veterinarian to recommend that food. That would be unethical. Giving veterinarians sponsored items and asking them to promote the food are two different things.
Some veterinarians might have a wholesale account to sell certain foods in their lobby. They will often do this so they can offer highly researched and scientifically formulated prescription diets to pets that need them.
The question is not actually about whether or not veterinarians ‘receive kickbacks’ then, but truly about why veterinarians promote certain brands and not others.
For a number of reasons, most veterinarians promote science-backed brands such as Purina, Hills, and Royal Canin. They are approached often about promoting ’boutique’ food brands, but they tend to steer clear (because…science and well, laws).
It is not, however, illegal for pet store employees, ‘nutritionists’ with weak credentials, influencers (us included) and brand reps to earn commissions and ‘kickbacks’.
As a matter of fact, these people make TONS of money recommending dog food to you. Remind yourself that the next time a pushy Blue Buffalo rep at Petsmart is telling you about how ‘gross’ and ‘nasty’ Purina is.
But they did go to 4 years of undergraduate school, followed by 4 years of veterinary medicine where they studied companion animal health, surgery, nutrition, and welfare.
They took upper-level nutrition classes, usually taught by veterinary nutritionists, and then went on to apply this knowledge to every facet of health from the endocrine system to healing, urinary health, thyroid disorders, diabetes, allergies, and liver and kidney function.
That’s definitely more than most of us and definitely more than your dog trainer, an employee at a pet store, the ‘Dog Food Advisor’ (a human dentist), or somebody you met in a Facebook group who ‘read the ingredients list’.
The information in those courses and textbooks are often coming from ‘the Big 5’ food brands (Hills, Purina, Eukanuba, Royal Canin, and Iams), because those food brands are the ones most dedicated to health sciences and research, and thus have a lot of important and relevant information to share.
The Purina Institute, for example, has contributed an insane amount of peer-reviewed data that is helping animals all over the world with everything from bloat to hip dysplasia, cancer and diabetes.
Some of the veterinarians go on to gain additional certifications in nutrition (MS or PhD). Most veterinarians then, as a result, tend to look up to the resources and information coming from their more educated veterinary peers.
So when a veterinarian is giving advice about dog food brands, they are getting their advice from actual science.
Pet store employees, on the flip side, are not veterinarians at all and receive the information they share from food companies that want them to sell their products for, you guessed it, kickbacks.
We will say this often: look past the feel good marketing start asking big QUESTIONS about boutique dog foods! Have more questions about nutrition? Leave a comment below!
There are a lot of different options available when it comes to choosing a dog collar. Today we are comparing the Gentle Leader vs. Prong Collar, so you can make an informed decision for your pet!
Two of the most popular tools to reduce pulling and lunging are the Gentle Leader (also known as “Halti” or “Head Collar”, and the prong collar.
Both have their pros and cons, so which one is right for your dog? In this blog post, we will compare the two collars and help you decide which one is best for your pup!
What is a Gentle Leader?
A Gentle Leader is a type of head halter or harness that your dog wears on their face. It is made of nylon webbing and will typically wrap around the dog’s muzzle and over the back of the head.
The leash is then typically attached at the bottom of the muzzle at the dog’s throat, or from the back of the head. Some head collars have a ‘martingale action’ loop that will cause the straps to further tighten if the dog pulls.
The design of the collar makes it very uncomfortable for the dog to pull, run, sniff the ground, or lunge and allows you to direct your dog’s head back towards you.
Common brands include the Halti and the Gentle Leader. Many people with large and giant breed dogs rely on this training tool, citing an immediate difference in their dog’s pulling behavior and leash manners.
Is the Gentle Leader actually gentle?
The short answer is…no! The Gentle Leader (or any similar head halter type training device) is actually very aversive, frustrating, and annoying to most dogs.
This is why they work so quickly!
A training tool like this will require a lot of conditioning to encourage the dog to accept it. Even following that, we see many dogs show negative body language while wearing them.
The signs of frustration, anxiety, and discomfort associated with the Gentle Leader include:
Rolling on the ground
Rubbing their face on your pants, the carpet or grass
Pawing at their face
Shaking their head
Running away from it when you try to put it on
Resisting and hiding their face when you try to put it on
Scratching their face and eyes until they break the skin
Whale eye (wide eyes)
Pinned ears
Hiding behind your legs
Head down and hunched shoulders
Becoming ‘hand shy’ (shying their head away from petting or facial handling)
While it’s important for your dog to learn how to walk nicely on a leash, we’re not convinced that the ‘quick fix’ of a head collar is the most humane choice.
Positive training sessions using just a flat collar in a low distraction area are a great way to start training your dog on how you want them to behave on a leash.
This is especially true for puppies and young dogs who have not yet developed a preference for lunging and pulling. If you are struggling with your dog’s pulling, we recommend seeking out the help of a highly qualified dog trainer in your area.
The short answer is again, no. Head collars are a surprisingly aversive tool that should only be used as a last resort by experienced dog trainers, or for highly-trained service dogs where small communications are necessary while in public.
This type of dog training collar can cause a lot of physical and emotional damage to your pet dog, especially when implemented without a lot of conditioning and positive reinforcement training.
We honestly do not recommend head collars for any dog, despite their widespread popularity and ‘positive’ marketing.
‘Positive’ implies that the dog will enjoy wearing it and have a good experience being taught not to pull. When it comes to training tools, the head collar is one of the most aversive options available.
What is the difference between a Halti and a Gentle Leader?
There is very little difference between these two training tools. When it comes to head collars, there are several brands and models on the market.
The concept is the same, however, no matter how the webbing and the final fit are actually styled and implemented.
Many dogs do better in one brand than another; it depends on the shape of their face. A dog’s head is full of sensitive nerve endings and every dog is different!
Can my Dog Wear a Gentle Leader if they have Wobblers?
Absolutely not.
As a matter of fact, a major reason we do not recommend head collars for large and giant breed dogs is that they can exacerbate existing or not yet known health conditions.
Wobblers disease is a condition that affects the vertebrae and spinal cord of the neck. Many dogs who have the disease show only mild symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. These symptoms are easy to miss and all the while, the damage is being done day by day.
Dogs with this disease should not wear any type of collar that regularly puts physical pressure on their head that can cause a whipping motion of the spine.
For dogs prone to wobblers disease (including Great Danes), the head collar should never be the tool of choice. We understand that this opinion may be upsetting to many people who are struggling with their dog’s leash walking.
The good news is, there are other dog training collars available that won’t hard your dog’s neck, alter the way they walk or physically harm them in any way. Read on!
(We highly recommend that you use lots of positive reinforcement when training your dog! Shop our favorite treat bags below).
Most dogs hate the Gentle Leader. It doesn’t matter what brand you choose, either.
Head collars are a foreign object to dogs, and they are not natural for them to wear.
This is why it is so important that you only use a head collar as a last resort, and only after you have tried other more positive methods of training first.
If your dog hates the head halter, we recommend taking it off and trying another method. Do not force your dog to wear this device, and tread cautiously with dog trainers who continue to promote this as a ‘friendly’ and ‘positive’ tool.
Why Shouldn’t You Use a Gentle Leader?
The main reason why we do not recommend the Gentle Leader is that it is a very aversive and potentially damaging tool.
Aversives are anything that causes your dog discomfort and stress, and should only be used as a last resort.
There are many other positive training methods available that do not require the use of aversives like this.
We understand that they have been marketed as a ‘positive’ device. This is, unfortunately, marketing that was designed to be misleading.
Many people are looking for a gentle and positive training tool to help their dog walk properly, politely, and gently on a leash. Enter the front clip harness!
There are several front clip no-pull harness options available, and some are better than others.
Traditional ‘no-pull’ harnesses such as the ‘Easy Walk’ (with a strap across the chest) work by applying pressure to the chest and forcing the dog to the side if they lunge into it. They suppress the dog’s ability to move naturally and restrict the forward movement of the shoulders, whether the dog is pulling or not!
If you do wish to use a no-pull harness, consider it a temporary training tool only. Choose a version with a Y-front, such as the Ruffwear Front Range or TrueLove harness instead, which are designed to be comfortable for the dog to wear and non-obstructive to their shoulders and gait.
Do NOT use an ‘Easy Walk’ or similar obstructive type device, which can be frustrating to your dog, painful to wear and potentially damaging. The following harnesses with a Y front are acceptable, however:
Make sure to use lots of positive reinforcement (ideally off-leash in a low distraction area to start) and ideally, consider a two-leash system where one leash is clipped to the front and one is clipped to the back.
We do recommend the use of an ergonomic front-clip harness system (see two choices above) before choosing a Gentle Leader, if you are not ready to look into prong collar training yet.
For some dogs, such as the American Eskimo Dog and other sled dogs, it will be very difficult to train in a properly fit ergonomic (non-obstructive) harness. These are dogs that were built and bred to pull!
Teaching dogs not to pull (when they are in a harness that allows them to do just that) is an exercise in frustration for many, many people.
Additionally, people who have large and giant breed dogs such as Great Danes may find that a harness gives the dog too much leverage and becomes dangerous to walk as a result.
Use common sense here and don’t be afraid of a prong collar or a gentle correction if it ultimately will give you and your dog more peaceful and enriching walks together.
There is a time and a place for using a training tool like this! If you still believe in using a Gentle Leader or similar head harnesses for your dog, start slow and don’t look at it like a ‘quick fix’.
The conditioning and training process will be much easier on you and your dog if you start in a low-distraction environment, such as your backyard.
Remember that your dogs head has thousands of nerve endings, and your dog may find the nylon webbing to be uncomfortable to wear. Be patient if you want your dog to have better leash walking skills.
Make sure that your dog is very well-versed in basic obedience commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’ before you attempt to put a Gentle Leader on them.
It is also helpful if they have a good foundation of the basic heel position, which is easy to teach using positive reinforcement.
Use small, high-value treats and introduce the collar to your dog.
Gently put the loop over your dog’s nose, say ‘YES’, offer a treat then slide it off again. Repeat this process until your dog willingly offers its nose for the loop on the collar.
Once your dog is comfortable with the Gentle Leader or head collar nose loop, you can put it on them, clip it closed, treat, and then immediately remove it. Practice this several times until your dog has a positive association with the collar.
For some dogs, this conditioning process may take weeks. Many dogs will continue to appear distressed while wearing a ‘Gentle Leader’ despite the conditioning process; you know your dog best!
Do this a few times before you actually take them for a walk. When you are ready to walk, make sure that you have treats handy and keep your voice calm and cheerful.
Start with short walks in low-distraction area. Discourage your dog from pawing at the collar or rubbing their face on your pants.
Be careful that you never deliver a harsh leash pop through the Gentle Leader. Avoid any kind of correction or movement that will cause your dog to whip their head around.
Additionally, we absolutely do not recommend the Gentle Leader training collar (or similar head halters) for dogs that struggle with extreme lunging, jumping and reactivity.
A prong collar is a type of dog training collar that is made up of metal links with blunt prongs on either side. The prongs are designed to distribute pressure evenly around the dog’s neck so that when the dog pulls, pressure is applied. When they stop pulling, the pressure goes away.
Prong collars look scary because of their design, but when used correctly, they are a very safe, humane, and effective way to train your dog not to pull on the leash.
Contrary to popular belief, prong collars will not hurt your dog. The prongs are blunt and rounded; if they are sharp and pointy, you’ve bought a cheap knock-off dog training collar!
Prong collars were originally designed to protect the dog’s trachea by distributing pressure evenly. Flat buckle collars, slip collars, choke collars and martingale collars cannot offer this.
When a dog pulls into a regular buckle collar or anything like it, all of the pressure goes into the front of their neck and yes, their trachea!
This can be painful and damaging to the dog.
Many people believe that prong collars are much worse than Gentle Leaders, which is unfortunate and based on a lot of misguided marketing.
They are a safe, effective and surprisingly gentle way to train your dog not to pull on the leash.
Many dogs that have been trained with prong collars live happy, healthy lives without any adverse effects.
For dogs that cannot be walked because of pulling, lunging and dragging their owners down the street, the prong collar is a game-changer. When used correctly, there is no negative body language.
I’m in an advanced training class with my large male Great Dane. In the class there are some dogs on flat collars, some dogs on prong collars, and some dogs on head halters.
The dog owners who chose Gentle Leaders for their dogs did so because they believed it was the more humane choice. Our trainer is a positive reinforcement balanced trainer who is fine with either option.
However, if you watch the dogs in this class, the negative and stressed body language we see is coming exclusively from the head halter dogs!
On the flip side, the prong collar dogs are happy, enthusiastic, comfortable, and engaged.
Despite 2 years of positive reinforcement training, the Gentle Leader dogs are still frustrated with the nylon webbing on their face. They show signs of stress including whale eye, pawing, shyness, rubbing, rolling and pinned ears.
If you use a prong collar correctly, it will not damage your dog or lead to ongoing frustration and annoyance with the tool being used. That’s a simple fact.
Tread cautiously with marketing that is designed to make you feel otherwise.
Prong collars are a safe, effective and humane way to train your dog not to pull on the leash.
They are not cruel or abusive, and when used correctly, they will not damage your dog in any way.
In fact, correctly used, high-quality prong collars have been shown time and time again to be much more gentle, dog-friendly and humane than head halters (Gentle Leader)!
Remember, the prong collar works by distributing pressure evenly around the dogs neck.
They are not pinching the dogs skin or causing pain (unlike a regular collar which can damage the dogs trachea if they lunge or pull into it).
High quality prong collars (such as the Herm Sprenger, the brand we recommend) have a trachea plate on the front to further reduce the pressure a dog may put into the front of their throat when pulling.
We would rather see a dog out and about, properly trained in a prong collar, than a dog who has to stay home because they are too difficult to handle on a leash.
What is the difference between a pinch collar and a prong collar?
There is actually no difference between a pinch collar and a prong collar. They are two terms for the same thing.
The term ‘pinch collar’ came about because you have to ‘pinch’ two links together to close the collar around your dogs neck. The pinching of the link has nothing to do with pinching your dog’s neck.
People think that prong collars look like torture devices, so they took the ‘pinch’ collar word and ran with it.
Because the word ‘pinch collar’ evokes the concept of ‘pain’, people think it means that a prong collar is teaching dogs avoidance and fear.
The reality is that prong collars are just a tool, and dog trainers who use them are often very focused on ethics, positive training and helping dogs and owners live their best lives possible.
All dog training collars and tools available can be used humanely or inhumanely. This includes the prong collar, martingale collar, choke collar, e-collar, flat collar and yes, even harnesses.
It ultimately boils down to the individual using the collar or tool, not the tool itself, however. This is why, if you are willing to put the time into positive conditioning and addressing lunging or other dangerous behaviors as well, a Gentle Leader can be an acceptable choice for you.
Positive trainers believe there is a war to wage against training tools that they have determined to be aversive and inhumane. This includes prong collars, which look scary.
Some tools by nature are more aversive than others. In our opinion, the head collar is naturally more aversive to dogs than a prong collar.
Because they don’t understand how a prong collar works or is used, they assume it’s a torture device and market it as such. This fanatic war against tools has even made it to politics, where lobbyists have successfully outlawed certain tools in some Countries by using poorly done ‘studies’ and inflammatory language.
When comparing the gentle leader vs. the prong collar, we believe there is so much more to it than the fact that the prong collar simply ‘appears’ harsher.
It doesn’t matter that the tools ‘positive’ trainers tend to recommend (no-pull harnesses and Gentle Leaders) have serious pitfalls and are far from ‘positive’. Some people have drawn an arbitrary, uneducated line in the sand.
We believe that the best kinds of dog training rely heavily on positive reinforcement AND the ethical, thoughtful use of the right tool for each dog being trained.
Run from any dog trainer who advocates for the ‘yank and crank’ method of prong collar or choke collar training, of course. That is not the correct use of any tool.
Alternatively, run from any dog trainer who tells you that ‘balanced’ training and properly used prong collars are abusive.
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
What is the Best Prong Collar?
The only prong collar brand we can confidently recommend at this time is Herm Sprenger.
The company has been around for over 100 years and has pioneered the design and use of prong collars. One of the key features of a proper prong collar is the round, blunt ends.
There should be no sharp points to poke or pinch your dog. We recommend choosing a model with the martingale loop, which will allow you to quickly apply and release pressure into the collar.
This pressure is a communication that your dog will understand.
Pulling in and of itself is dangerous, but isolation from experiences and life because of pulling behavior can be unfair and unethical, too. The prong collar has helped millions of dog owners bridge that gap.
All good dog training starts with positive reinforcement.
We recommend starting your prong collar training in a low distraction environment, off-leash.
Have your dog wear the prong collar. It should fit snuggly and not rub or poke. Loose prong collars are dangerous and uncomfortable to wear. A properly fit one should feel no different to your dog than a flat collar.
While your dog is off-leash, use treats and praise to reward your dog for standing by your side, taking a step forward with you, and staying focused on you as you walk.
Ideally, your dog should have a basic understanding of ‘heel’ and ‘look’ or ‘focus’ before you add prong collar pressure to your training.
Once your dog has a great understanding of this, it’s time to teach your dog how to control the pressure from the prong collar.
Attach a sturdy leash to the prong collar and get started.
Allow your dog to sniff, noodle around, and walk away. Take a step backward and gently apply constant pressure to the collar through the leash. Do not snap, tug or pop the collar. Just apply a gentle, ongoing tug until your dog yields to the pressure.
Your dog will turn and start coming to you. The pressure will release naturally. As SOON as they do this, mark with a YES and then reward your dog and walk forward a few steps together.
This process teaches the dog how to ‘turn off’ the pressure from their prong collar. They are in control! Repeat this step as often as possible, over the course of several days.
Make a fun game of this where your dog is encouraged to stay near you and focused on you as you zig-zag and weave around obstacles.
Use lots of rewards and make sure that your dog is consistently able to respond to the pressure of their prong collar and release it themselves.
When comparing a prong vs. a Gentle Leader, the beautiful thing here is that a dog can turn off the pressure from a prong collar and has full control of it. They cannot turn off the pressure from a Gentle Leader, it will always be on their face, irritating the sensitive nerves whether they are pulling or not.
With these basic positive training exercises, your dog will become very confident in its understanding of the collar, what it means and how to turn the pressure off. You will notice positive body language and enthusiasm!
Leash reactivity is common and is most often caused because dogs are nervous about the constant tension they feel from the leash. It prohibits them from moving naturally and they feel trapped. Reactivity builds and many dogs who are leash reactive are perfectly fine and friendly off-leash.
Fear-based reactivity is often the result of poor genetics and poor early socialization or experiences such as abuse. This kind of reactivity requires diligent monitoring and thoughtful attention to confidence-building and avoiding triggers.
General reactivity can be caused by the dogs preferences that you not mess with their food, pain or other medical issues. Always speak with your vet if your dog develops sudden reactivity.
Stress, anxiety, leash tension, unfair corrections and being ‘over threshold’ are contributing factors.
When it comes to choosing the right tool to use on a dog with reactivity, it’s important to keep in mind that good training starts by keeping the dog comfortable, and creating positive experiences around triggers.
For dogs that are extremely aggressive, a martingale collar is required. It is the only truly escape-proof option.
All training tools (including ‘no-pull harnesses’, Gentle Leaders, and Prong collars) can lead to increased frustration in reactive, fearful, and aggressive dogs if they are not implemented correctly.
We recommend working with a professional balanced positive reinforcement trainer to help you choose the best tool and training method for your dog, and show you how to help your dog have positive experiences that will build their confidence.
When used correctly, prong collars (AKA ‘pinch collars’) can be a very effective way to train and communicate to dogs with reactivity issues. But they should only be used under the guidance of a qualified trainer, on certain dogs who have already build on the basics of good obedience (sit, down, leave it, wait, place, stay, come).
Gentle Leaders are not recommended for use on reactive dogs or dogs that lunge, buck, or pull wildly as they risk damaging their neck, spine, eyes, and sensitive nerve endings.
While we strong advocate for the use of the prong collar as we believe that it the safest and most humane and effective choice, especially on large and giant breed dogs, the truth is that you should use the tool that works for you and your dog.
If your dog is showing positive body language and enjoying freedom, enrichment and safe walks because of the tool you chose, then you are doing the right thing!
Do not let ANYBODY make you feel bad for choosing a training tool, especially not a prong collar, if your dog is enjoying life as a result of the tool.
Get out in the world and stop isolating yourselves and your dog from life because they pull, lunge or cannot walk politely on a leash!
It’s time to make a humane, ethical choice and train your dog with the tool that works for you.
Dealing with red bumps on the muzzle is one of the most common problems that Great Dane dog owners face. Luckily, chin acne treatment for Great Dane dogs is simple!
A dogs acne can be caused by a variety of things, including allergies, poor nutrition, and hormonal imbalances. Choosing the proper Great Dane acne treatment can help you clear this up once and for all!
In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of acne on the chin and surrounding skin in Great Danes, and provide treatment options for this condition.
Why does my Great Dane have pimples on his chin?
There are several reasons why your Great Dane may have chin pimples and redness around their nose, neck, and mouth.
The most common causes of acne are dirty bowls and environmental allergies.
Your dog may be allergic to his food, the environment, or even his own shampoo! If you notice that your dog’s chin pimples seem to flare up after he eats certain foods or comes in contact with certain materials, allergies may be to blame.
Other possible causes of include poor nutrition, dirty food and water dishes, plastic food and water dishes, and hormonal imbalances.
A diet that is lacking in certain nutrients can cause your dog’s coat to become dry and irritated, which can lead to pimples, itching, and other annoying skin conditions.
Hormonal imbalances are also a common cause of acne and skin irritations in dogs.
If you notice that your dog’s pimples seem to be getting worse during certain times of the year or during his heat cycles, hormonal imbalances may be the cause.
For example, a female dog that is going into heat, or a male dog reaching maturity, may be more prone to acne.
Dirty bowls are one of the most common reasons for acne in dogs.
If your dog’s food and water bowls are not cleaned on a regular basis, they can become breeding grounds for bacteria.
Bacteria can then transfer to the skin and cause pimples. We recommend cleaning your dog’s food and water dishes daily with hot, soapy water, especially if you are experiencing a flare up!
The most common symptom of dog acne is the presence of one or more pimples or red bumps on your dog’s chin.
These pimples may be white, black, pink, or red and can range in size from tiny bumps to large cysts.
Your dog may also have redness around his nose and mouth, as well as excessive licking and scratching. Canine acne is irritating and severe cases may be uncomfortable to your dog.
Some acne on dogs may even bleed!
While this is nothing to be completely alarmed about, you may wish to have your veterinarian perform a skin scraping and bacterial culture if your dog’s skin seems particularly irritated.
Adolescent dogs are more prone to experiencing great dane acne.
This is due to the hormonal changes that they are going through during this time.
Spaying or neutering your dog can help to reduce the occurrence of acne, as well as other health problems. As always, however, we recommend waiting to spay or neuter until your dog is 18-24 months of age.
You don’t have to worry about your dog passing his pimples on to you or your other pets! However, it is important to keep your dog’s chin clean and dry to prevent secondary infections.
We also recommend washing your hands anytime you clean your dogs chin, and especially after you apply topical medications.
If your dog is experiencing this as a result of irritation from a fungal infection or certain types of bacterial infection, that can spread to you or others, however, and it’s important to take precaution.
White dogs may be more prone to irritating skin conditions!
How do I Get Rid of my Dog’s Acne?
As always, the best way to treat your dog’s acne is to start with a trip to the vet.
Your licensed veterinarian can perform a skin scraping and bacterial culture to rule out other possible causes of skin irritation and dog acne. A skin biopsy may be requested if the dog’s acne has a certain clinical appearance that your veterinarian finds concerning.
Address the root cause of dog acne, first
Your veterinarian will be able to determine if your dog’s muzzle acne is caused by an allergy or hormonal imbalance, demodex mites, dirty bowls, poor hygiene, or fungal infections.
They may recommend cultures of the affected area and prescribe a comprehensive initial treatment, depending on the results.
There are a number of different treatments available, including oral antibiotics, topical steroids, benzoyl peroxide and medicated shampoos, depending on the root cause.
The best course of treatment will depend on the severity of your dog’s condition and the underlying cause of his pimples. We recommend seeking professional advice anytime the condition seems to be severe or worsening.
Mild cases of acne can often be treated at home with a simple cleansing routine and the use of topical ointments. You should begin to notice a difference in less than a week if the root cause is simple.
You can find these from your vet, at your local pet store, Walgreen’s, Chewy or Amazon. Each of our favorites is linked below.
Oral medication and antibiotics from your veterinarian
When you treat dog acne, it’s important to be patient.
You may not see results immediately, and it may take some time to find the right combination of treatments that work for your dog. Human acne is often much the same.
Do Dog Bowls Cause Dog Acne?
One of the most common causes of dog acne is dirty food and water bowls.
The bacteria responsible for muzzle folliculitis and other conditions can build up in your dog’s bowl and cause irritation when it comes into contact with your dog. A young dog or one with a lower immune system will be more at risk of developing a reaction.
We recommend cleaning your dog’s bowl daily with hot, soapy water.
You may also wish to invest in a stainless steel bowl, which is easier to clean and less likely to harbor bacteria.
Plastic food and water dishes can also cause chin acne.
The plastic can harbor bacteria and when your dog’s chin comes into contact with it, the bacteria can cause irritation and pimples.
What are the best bowls for dogs with red bumps?
We recommend switching to stainless steel or ceramic bowls to avoid this, especially if your dog is prone to acne problems. You don’t want this to become a chronic condition, so it’s helpful to start treating it at the source.
If you are looking for a more natural way to treat your dog’s chin acne, there are a few things you can try.
Some people find that feeding their dogs yogurt or kefir helps to clear up pimples and soothe irritated skin. Make sure that the addition of toppers and supplements does not exceed 10% of your pet’s diet.
You can also add omega-fatty acids to your dog’s diet, which help with skin, coat, joints and eyes.
Regular bathing with a soothing shampoo can help remove irritants from the skin’s surface. Just make sure you don’t overdo it and dry your dog’s skin out!
We recommend that you use a warm cloth to clean your dog’s face daily, and that you apply a small amount of aloe vera to the affected area after cleansing.
You can also try using a small amount of diluted apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball to help dry up pimples. Just be careful not to get any in your dog’s eyes!
As always, if you notice any changes in your dog’s skin or if his acne seems to be getting worse, contact your veterinarian right away.
Short haired breeds such as German Shorthaired Pointers, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Bulldogs and Pugs are also susceptible to developing acne.
Other dogs with long hair may also be prone, as bacteria and dirt can get trapped in the hair and cause irritation.
Dogs with sensitive skin or allergies may also be more prone to developing pimples and dog acne. Irritated hair follicles and canine chin acne is a common problem for many breeds of dog.
Great Danes are not the only dogs that can suffer from chin acne!
Canine Acne Treatment Summary
Proper treatment of canine acne will depend on the underlying cause of the condition.
Great Dane dogs are especially prone to developing this condition due to their large chin folds. Treating skin problems can be frustrating when you have those folds to deal with!
The most common dog acne treatment options include medicated wipes, soaps, shampoos, and ointments. In some cases, oral medications or antibiotics may be necessary.
It is important to be patient when treating this condition as it may take some time to find the right combination of treatments or appropriate antibiotics that work for your dog.
Finally, be sure to clean your dog’s food and water bowls on a regular basis to help prevent the build-up of bacteria.
If you are looking for a more natural way to treat your dog’s chin acne, there are a few things you can try, such as adding yogurt or kefir to his diet, or using diluted apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball.
If you notice any changes in your dog’s muzzle or if his acne seems to be getting worse, contact your veterinarian right away.
There are many reasons to e-collar train your dog.
Some people may be hesitant to use this type of training because they think it is cruel or inhumane. However, nothing could be further from the truth!
When used correctly, e-collar training can provide a variety of benefits for both you and your dog. In this blog post, we will discuss five of the top reasons to e-collar train your dog.
1 – Off Leash Enrichment
One of the great benefits of e-collar training is that it allows you to have your dog off-leash in a safe and controlled manner.
This type of training provides your dog with the opportunity to explore and sniff things that they would not be able to if they were on a leash!
Off-leash dogs run, walk, circle, speed up, slow down, zig-zag, climb on things, go under things, play in the water, play chase with other dogs, and bounce through fields.
This kind of enrichment simply does not happen for dogs who are kept on a long leash. As a matter of fact, allowing a dog to move naturally like that, while on a long leash, is dangerous!
Being off-leash allows them to get much-needed freedom of movement, which can greatly benefit their mental and orthopedic health, too.
When working with training your dog to be off-leash, we recommend using a long line (30-50 feet) in addition to the e-collar, but only at first.
The long line is for your dog’s safety and will give you peace of mind while they are exploring and learning how to respond to their collar.
Only take your dog fully off leash when you are confident in their training, and when you are in a safe area where it is legal to allow your dog to be free of restraint.
2 – Reduce Stress & Anxiety
Modern E-Collar training is fun and positive! It should not be associated with punishment or negativity in any way.
You can use the e-collar to help give your dog a positive association with the things they may find scary or overwhelming. Because they are able to move freely in an E-Collar and aren’t trapped by a leash, many dogs who are fearful and reactive naturally become calmer and more confident!
When we reduce stress, anxiety, and reactivity by giving our dogs choice and freedom, we are also helping to improve their immune system and overall health.
Stress is one of the proven factors in bloat risk; so it’s important that we use positive, fun training methods that reduce anxiety! Modern e-collar training is FUN and positive!
E-Collar training should always be conducted in a positive manner, with the goal of helping your dog feel happy, confident, and safe.
If you have a dog who is fearful or anxious, we recommend working with a professional trainer who can help you create a positive training environment.
A key reason to E-Collar train your dog is the simple fact that, unlike harnesses, collars, head collars, or leashes, the E-Collar does not put any physical restraints on the dog’s body.
This is important for two reasons: first because it allows the dog to move freely without any risk of injury; and second, because pulling and lunging simply cannot happen in an E-Collar.
The gentle stimulation from a modern remote training device (e collar) replaces leash pressure. It works just like a cell phone; when your cell phone rings, you answer it. Your dog will learn to ‘answer their phone’.
Because there is no physical pressure or restraint, many timid and reactive dogs become more balanced and well-rounded!
Large and giant breed dogs are plagued with a number of orthopedic health conditions that can make traditional training tools such as ‘no-pull harnesses’ and head collars dangerous.
E-Collar training is a great way to provide your dog with the freedom they need and crave, while still keeping them safe and under your control.
Never again will your large or giant breed dog drag you down the street, and hurt themselves (or you) in the process!
There are many different types of e-collars on the market, so it’s important to do your research and find one that is right for you and your dog.
One of the most important benefits of E-Collar training is the safety it provides for both you and your dog.
An e-collar can be used as a ‘virtual fence’, preventing your dog from running into traffic, chasing wildlife, or getting lost.
A dog that jumps the fence, runs out of the door, or is running around uncontrollably off-leash with nothing on is a liability to itself and to others.
When you choose to e-collar train your dog, you are choosing safety for your pet!
An e-collar-trained dog is amazing reliable off-leash, which gives you peace of mind knowing that your dog will come back to you when called, no matter what.
The added safety an e-collar provides is one of the main reasons we recommend remote collar training for all dogs!
5 – Responsible Dog Ownership
Being a responsible dog owner means making sure your dog is well-behaved and under control at all times.
An e-collar can help you do just that!
E-Collar training provides you with a positive, gentle, modern way to keep your dog safe and under control in any situation, whether you’re out on a hike, at the beach, or even just in your own yard.
By training your dog to be responsive to you off-leash, you reduce the need for physical restraint and increase the chances that you have a calm, friendly canine citizen who can be with you anywhere you go.
Other Reasons to E-Collar Train
Here are just some additional benefits:
Simple way to communicate accurately and quickly from a distance
No more tangled up long leashes
Gentle & positive training method
Pulling, lunging and leash reactivity become a thing of the past
You may never have to worry again about about a door left open, broken fence or your dog running away
Go hiking, explore the beach, visit a friend or hang out in your front yard with no worries at all
Incredible solution for deaf dogs that will give them freedom!
Do you have questions about modern e-collar training?
We are happy to answer any questions you have, give you more reasons to e-collar train, and help you get started on the path to responsible dog ownership!
E-Collar Technologies has a wide variety of e-collars and training resources to fit your needs. Visit our shop to see more!
The large and giant breed dog communities are a literal stew of opinions, advice and ideas.
Heavy-handed dog training, resting after meals, and ‘Euro’ dogs are just some of the common big dog myths that I want to cover today!
Come sort through the stew with us!
You Must Rest Your Big Dog Before & After Meals
You’ve definitely heard this one.
“You MUST rest your dog before and after meals so they don’t bloat!”
You and your dog may be looking at a schedule like this:
AM Walk Rest Food Rest PM Walk Rest Food Rest Bed
That’s a lot of um…shall we say, sitting?
Bloat is a painful, dangerous, and DEADLY condition that plagues large and giant breed dogs. Great Danes tend to be the most susceptible! Bloat is scary, and ‘preventatives’ make us feel better about it.
Let’s bust this myth. Studies have found absolutely NO correlation between BLOAT and EXERCISE!
Not only that, but most dogs who bloat do so while resting and on an empty stomach.
Bloat incidence has increased by 1500% in the last 30+ years, despite this common ‘advice’ to rest dogs before and after meals.
It’s time to let go of this old, unsubstantiated old wives’ tale. Rest your dog if it makes you feel better, but don’t encourage your dog to spend its entire life sitting around. If your dog is going to bloat, it won’t matter if they are moving or being a couch potato.
You’re walking down the street with your Great Dane by your side when you are stopped by somebody gushing over how beautiful your dog is.
(Because it’s true, your dog is gorgeous).
Then she says “I just could never own one. They don’t live long”.
STOP. IT.
We are so over this myth. Sure, large and giant breed dogs are plagued by a number of health problems that shorten their life span…but it doesn’t mean that all large and giant breed dogs will be dead by age 7.
A solid majority of these dogs come from breeders who are NOT actively seeking to better the breed.
Minimal health testing, questionable pedigrees, and profit-driven practices are literally ruining these dogs and their genetics for generations to come.
If you want a robust, long-lived large or giant breed dog, choose an ethical, reputable breeder who is beyond diligent with the pedigree and actively seeks to eliminate common ‘early death’ problems.
This includes heart failure, bloat, fearful temperaments, poor structure, cancer, and arthritis which all have a genetic link.
Everything ‘EURO’ Dogs
“He’s not overweight, he’s EURO”
Buckle up, this is a fun one!
Any dog being labeled as ‘EURO’ is a dog that is being labeled with an unregulated marketing term.
EURO does not necessarily mean ‘EUROPEAN’.
It’s important to note that actual well-bred European dogs are not, in fact, meant to be larger, stockier, or droopier than American dogs!
Each Country will have a written standard for its breed. When you compare the legitimate, real written standard for the breed from each individual Country, you will notice that the standards are nearly identical!
The ‘EURO’ term plagues Great Danes, Mastiff’s, Rottweilers, and Dobermans in particular.
EURO nearly always just means one thing: out of standard.
Droopy eyes, blocky heads, and stocky, oversized bodies are considered significant faults in the breed standard for Great Danes in both countries.
The appeal of a larger, beefier dog with an exotic title (‘Euro’) is popular and persistent, however.
It’s fine to wish for a slightly larger dog, but NEVER at the expense of the health, comfort, and robust and proven genetics of the breed.
Reality television has taught us that we need to ‘pSSHHhhTTT’, intimidate, pin down, and harshly correct dogs, especially when they are large or giant breeds like Great Dane or St. Bernard.
People believe that big dogs need bigger shock collars, bigger corrections, and more forceful training methods overall.
Big dogs CAN and WILL destroy your house and take you for a walk if you don’t train them. Small dogs can try, but they don’t have the mass to make it happen. That’s the only difference.
It’s NOT that big dogs are more stubborn or defiant! They are just…bigger.
Being bigger doesn’t justify the use of fear, pain, and harsh punitive training.
Training must start on day one. With large and giant breed dogs you definitely have to teach ‘off’, ‘heel’, ‘down’, and ‘come’. These things are easy to teach with positive reinforcement!
We recommend that owners consider taking a class with an AKC ‘Canine Good Citizen’ instructor to learn how to teach, guide (and yes, correct when appropriate) their large and giant breed dogs.
Danes and other giant breed dogs are not dumb. They learn the same way that all other dogs do. Applying more ‘force’ just serves our egos, not the dog or the relationships we have with it.
This is one big dog myth we can put to rest, once and for all.
Need help with modern e collar training? Check out our guide.
Adult Food Only, Never Puppy Food!
This common belief is rampant in the large and giant breed dog community.
For years, many giant breed dogs have been fed adult formula dry dog food from their first solid meal.
10+ years ago, this was acceptable and recommended because adult formulas were literally the only acceptable option for maintaining slow growth.
Thankfully, we have science, research, food trials, and updated large-breed puppy foods!
‘Adult food only’ is dated and dangerous advice for large and giant breed dogs. They should now be fed an appropriate, science-backed LARGE or GIANT breed PUPPY formula.
Make sure you choose a science-backed food brand. Boutique foods have not participated in the same level of diligent research and may not be correctly formulated for the growth of your large breed dog! For more information about choosing puppy food for your big dog, read here.
Knuckling, flat feet, low energy, HOD, or Panosteitis are just some of what you may experience if you choose the wrong food. Many large and giant breed dogs that are fed ‘adult food only’ will also struggle to develop lean, strong muscle and maintain an appropriate weight. Adult foods simply don’t have enough nutrition to support their growth.
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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.
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.
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!
After years of searching, trial and error I think I’ve found a near-perfect treat training pouch.
A bait bag like the OllyDog Backcountry is made to carry treats for your dog during luring, training, sports, and activities.
Having a great treat training pouch that is easy to use, rugged and simple to wear is so important. At Hello Danes we believe in positive reinforcement (and modern balanced) dog training, and treats are a HUGE piece of that puzzle!
OllyDog Backcountry Day Pack Treat Pouch Review
I ordered my OllyDog treat pouch directly from Amazon. What really caught my eye was the fact that they had several colors to choose from, including CUTE patterns like the one I chose (with pine trees and hearts. I’m obsessed!).
It came fast with one-day shipping (YAY! I needed it for a training class after my old treat pouch bit the dust).
Some of the colors were out of stock or took longer to arrive, so be aware of that before you fall in love with a color or pattern they have!
OllyDog Treat Pouch First Impressions
I LOVE this pattern so much, it’s adorable. I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that I was worried about the white getting dirty (because you know, dogs) but it’s worth the risk.
The pattern part with the white background does appear to be a high quality, possibly waxed canvas material. I suspect like similar products from that fabric that it’s going to hold up VERY well.
This bag is well-made and sturdy, from heavy canvas, zippers and linings. It’s actually much nicer in quality and build than other treat pouches I’ve had (and believe me, I’ve had several).
I personally like that this dog treat pouch is substantial in size. Many of the smaller ones will spill treats out if you bend over, but this one is deep and wide.
OllyDog Backcountry Treat Pouch Features
This treat pouch offers:
Sturdy construction
Beautiful decorative details
A LARGE deep pouch with a zipper closure, for holding your favorite dog treats
A zipper pouch for your keys and cell phone (keep them secure!)
A pouch with a dispenser hole for doo-doo bags (we prefer the biodegradable or compostable kind)
A stretchy side-pocket made of webbing, may be useful for clickers and small toys
Two of the biggest complaints that people (including me) have about treat pouches (in general) is that they are NOT deep enough OR that their hand doesn’t easily fit into the pouch. OllyDog has solved both of these problems.
How to wear (and use) a dog treat pouch
You can attach your new OllyDog Treat Pouch to your body with the included (removable) belt OR the metal clip. Your choice!
We recommend using positive reinforcement to teach your dog new behaviors. These include things such as:
Sit, Down, Stand
Stay
Wait
Leave it
Let’s Go!
Look
Touch
Place
Heel
Back up
COME!
Positive reinforcement means to add something to reinforce (increase) a behavior.
Professional dog trainers use treats and dog food to motivate and reward dogs.
When using treats for positive reinforcement, HIDE the treat until your dog completes the behavior!
When you hide the treats (in an OllyDog or similar treat pouch), the treats become a surprise reward.
The goal with all treat training is to fade out the reliance on treats, so don’t spend too much time luring!
Keep your hands off the treats until your dog shows the behavior you want. Storing the goodies in a treat pouch, but still easily accessible, is the professional way of doing things.
A good treat pouch is a must-have for training classes, rewarding good behavior around the house (especially for puppies!), hiking, and more.
A simple clip on the outside front would have made it so that the remote could be attached to this bag, and you could also have the treats within reach. E-Collar training should always be taught with lots of positive reinforcement, and the Mini-Educator (low stim, feels like a touch sensation) paired with treats = magic for you and your dog.
Until I figure out how to fashion my own clip for this, I’ll continue to wear my E-Collar remotes around my neck.
The OllyDog Treat pouch comes in two versions: the Backcountry (my personal favorite, as we walk and hike off-leash often), or the smaller goodie bag with magnetic closure.
The smaller version is perfect for dog owners who want something more compact with fewer features.
Like the Backcountry treat pouch, it comes in a range of gorgeous designer colors and patterns.
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?
Post after post from dog owners whose previously voracious puppies and dogs have suddenly ‘become picky’, ‘stopped eating’, or are rejecting their meals.
We have this inherent desire, as humans, to feed animals.
Even when they don’t want to be fed.
A common response to picky eating in dogs is to add toppers or treats such as canned food, chicken, ground beef or raw food.
Many other people switch brands on repeat, trying to find a food that “doesn’t cause runny stools” or “allergies”.
Both of these paths are dangerous territory, and we’re going to talk about why below!
Dogs Know What They Need
It’s important to understand that biologically, most dogs know what they need.
When we try to bribe otherwise healthy (no medical problems) dogs into eating, we are basically encouraging them to over-eat.
Overfed dogs become overweight dogs, all because we didn’t trust them to moderate their own intake.
A dog’s appetite and metabolic needs will fluctuate not only during growth, but depending on the season, the weather, treats offered, and activity levels.
We should never assume that dogs need the exact same portion of food every single day.
Humans don’t eat like that, why would dogs?
Around 7-10 months of age, many Great Dane puppies drastically reduce their food intake. This happens in line with the natural slowing of the explosive growth that happens from birth to 6 months.
Many dog owners find this alarming, and start believing that their dog has become picky.
What people don’t realize here is that their dog is actually…full.
All of this food switching, bribery and unbalanced nutrition is likely the culprit behind the health issues and pickiness, NOT necessarily grains and chicken!
It’s important to note that actual grain, chicken, and food allergies are exceptionally rare in dogs. The only legitimate way to rule out food allergies is through a hydrolyzed protein food elimination trial with veterinary guidance.
Health Weight, Matters.
Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is step one. Many people believe that their dog is underweight and needs to be bribed to eat more, when in reality, they are perfect!
Healthy weight dogs are leaner than you think. Puppies in particular can look positively gangly at times, and that is ok! If your dog is vibrant, energetic and building muscle, you don’t likely need to be concerned.
It is a rare situation when a dog actually needs to be fed more to gain weight.
That most often happens when there are medical problems at play such as parasites, malnutrition, unbalanced diets or metabolic disorders that need veterinary attention.
If you think your dog is underweight, talk to your veterinarian!
Many times a simple switch to the correct formulation (puppy, adult, or senior dog food) can help a dog build muscle and fill out a bit, too.
Here are some examples of a healthy-weight Great Danes of all ages, for reference.
Ear Cropping Great Danes
What About Toppers?
Toppers DO, however have their place. As a matter of fact, some studies indicate that the addition of fiber and fresh foods to a dry kibble diet may help reduce the risk of bloat.
We recommend adding toppers as a way to promote health, NOT as a way to bribe a dog to eat.
Our favorite toppers include balanced raw, Olewo Carrots, Dr. Harvey’s, and fresh fruit or veggies (in moderation). Keep toppers to less than 10% of the diet. We’ve linked Dr. Harvey’s below.
How do I Stop My Dog from being a Picky Eater?
Now that we understand the pitfalls of bribery and food switching, it’s time to address picky eating in dogs.
Fixing a picky eating issue requires you to change your routine and take steps towards healthier habits.
Step 1:
Talk to your vet to rule out medical issues. Allergies can be determined by using a hydrolyzed protein prescription diet paired with an elimination food trial. Giardia is a common parasite that may need antibiotics to treat. A dog with low energy, dull coat and a lack of muscle will likely benefit from both medical attention and a change to a science-backed diet.
Parasites, bad teeth, thyroid problems, heart problems, joint issues, and being overweight can lead to a reduced appetite.
Step 2:
Choose a well-balanced, professionally formulated and science-backed food brand that will have all of the nutrients and amino acids that your dog needs.
Our top pick is Purina Pro Plan Large Breed (Puppy, Adult or Senior depending on life stage). The Sensitive formula is perfect for dogs with icky tummies and stools. Eukanuba is another solid choice.
Step 3:
Measure your food out. Use an 8oz measuring cup and follow the guidelines on your bag of food. The amount stated will be for the entire day.
Reduce the amount of kibble by 10% if you are adding toppers of any kind. Reduce it further if you will be doing treat training. If your dog is overweight, choose a weight management formula or cut back again.
Add only enough toppers to make up the amount that you reduced from the kibble portion.
Pro tip: Grab a handful of the total amount and put it into your training pouch!
Tell yourself that it’s OK if your dog doesn’t eat all of it!
(Below we’ve linked to some balanced raw that can be used as a topper):
We Feed Raw provides complete mixes in a variety of proteins including Beef, Venison and Turkey.
Step 4:
Dine and dash!
First, DINE: Feed your pup a portion of their daily intake and save the rest for other meals later in the day.
Then, DASH: Put the food down for your dog, walk away and set a 10 or 15 minute timer.
If your dog doesn’t eat the meal, pick it up when the timer goes off. Save it for lunch time.
If your dog does eat and seems hungry still, sprinkle in a little more from the daily intake pile.
Offer your dog a meal 2-3 times over the course of the day, but put a time limit on it. Don’t make a fuss. Don’t bribe. Don’t make it a thing.
Eliminating picky eating means giving your dog a little tough love.
Your dog will NOT let itself starve to death.
Step 5:
Rinse and repeat.
Use food in puzzles and for training! This fun enrichment can encourage eating, if you are concerned.
Stop worrying too much about your dog’s food intake. Stress is not good for us OR for our dogs!
If you are offering a science-backed diet or balanced raw, and your dog has a healthy body condition and good energy, chances are you’re doing just fine.
If you see anything else unusual, instead of switching foods again, talk to your veterinarian.
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?
Today, we’ll be providing a comprehensive Gentle Giants dog food review, offering fresh insights to help you make an informed decision when choosing food for your Great Dane or other giant breed dog. We are experts in large and giant breed dogs, and share science-backed information!
This review is part of our ongoing series on dry dog food.
Here are some things I will cover in our Gentle Giants review:
Where Gentle Giants dog food is manufactured
If Gentle Giants food will make your dog live longer
The carbohydrate content of Gentle Giants dog food
Whether or not Gentle Giants can be fed to puppies
Our opinion on the quality of this pet food brand
Science and research behind dog nutrition
Gentle Giant Dog Food Ingredient Analysis
Here is a list of the ingredients in Gentle Giants’ chicken dog food formula. While they have other formulas, they are all comparable. For this review, chicken and rice will be used as an example.
Author’s Note: It’s important to note that we are not Veterinary Nutritionists, so our assessment is limited to a cursory examination, and we cannot provide a definitive judgment on commercial dog food recipes or the specific ingredients in this formula.
The addition of fruits and vegetablesin Gentle Giants is a marketing gimmick; the amounts of each of these would be so low that they essentially amount to fairy dust. Each one is listed after salt in the ingredients, which means they make up less than 1% of the final formula.
Green Lipped Mussel has some promising indications for joint health, but as with fruits and vegetables in this formula, there is very little of this product in the final food. It is unlikely to have any benefit at all.
According to Gentle Giants, this food is classified as a “natural formula” designed to offer balanced nutrition for dogs of all ages and sizes.
Carb Content of Gentle Giants Dog Food
It does appear to be high in starchy ingredients such as barley, brown rice, oatmeal, and peas, especially compared to many other dog foods and dry food recipes.
Brown rice is an excellent example of a typical healthy grain in Gentle Giant Dog food. Brown Rice may contain higher levels of arsenic than white rice, so brown rice must be included thoughtfully and only from companies that do a lot of product lab testing during and after production. It is unclear what their testing processes are.
This puts Gentle Giants dog food at a much higher carb content than Purina One Large Breed Chicken and Rice, which lands at 44% carbs, and higher than Purina Dog Chow Chicken which lands at 51% carbs.
This means that the Gentle Giants formula has LESS meat than other more established and known pet food brands.
It is priced at $44 U.S.D. for 30 pounds.
Author’s note: Purina Puppy/Dog Chow is $28 for 40 lbs. It’s a less expensive food by far, yet, has a lower carbohydrate content than Gentle Giants.
Dog Chow also has an insane amount of research (including lifetime feeding trials) behind the formulation. If you would not feed Purina Dog Chow to your pet, you should begin to recognize how Gentle Giants is unquestionably the lower quality option between the two.
Where is Gentle Giants Dog Food Manufactured
As of this update (2024), it is believed that Gentle Giants Pet foods are manufactured by Consumers Supply Distribution in Sioux City, Iowa. It is made in the U.S.A.
While marketing would like to lead consumers to believe otherwise, Gentle Giant pet food is a classic example of a mass-manufactured brand coming from a co-packing factory that is responsible for hundreds of other labels, formulas, and products.
Because it is unclear where Gentle Giants Dog food is made, I did a deep dive for this blog post!
Gentle Giants has a video on their website showing how their food is manufactured.
It starts with sweeping views of a factory, where a computer-generated version of their logo appears on the signage and distribution trucks. This would be believable to the untrained eye, but once you realize what is happening, it is clear that they are attempting to white-label the factory.
The video takes us inside the facility where this dog food is made, and we can see employees wearing “Consumers Supply” polo shirts.
Gentle Giants do NOT manufacture their food; they contract it out. While this is an acceptable albeit sub-standard practice (it’s better to choose pet foods coming from owned manufacturing facilities with strict quality control and dedication to the safety and bioavailability of the final product), it’s so much worse that they attempt to lie about it!
Consumers Supply manufactures and distributes several products that service the pet, wildlife, and livestock industries including food, minerals, salts, bird seed, and even rope and twine. They are commissioned by companies to make and distribute products and have no affiliation otherwise with the mission or branding of the product being sold.
Is Gentle Giants dog food made in China?
No, it is made in the U.S. However, most, if not all dog food companies (even ‘natural’ ones) source vitamins and minerals from other countries (including China).
Many people believe that their dog has grain allergies, however, this condition is exceedingly rare. Grains provide important nutrients and energy that dogs need to thrive.
Unfortunately, many grain-free dry dog foods have been associated with a preventable and deadly form of heart disease. We do not recommend feeding grain-free dry diets to dogs.
Is Gentle Giants dog food holistic?
The term ‘holistic’ is a marketing term that is not regulated. It’s made up!
Anybody can claim that the food they make and sell is “holistic”. It’s a catchy term that encourages well-meaning pet parents to make a purchase.
Holistic should imply that a food is formulated to treat the “whole body”.
Any good science-backed food would thus, actually be holistic. Comprehensive veterinary care including prevention is thus, holistic.
Gentle Giants dog food does claim to be “holistic”. Take that with a grain of salt. It doesn’t mean anything.
Gentle Giants is an “All Life Stages” food, meaning that it’s formulated for puppies and adults.
All Life Stages foods are essentially puppy foods. This can be okay in some cases, but in others, it’s simply a way for companies to minimize the need for different formulations, bags, and feeding trials.
When evaluating whether a food is appropriate for a large or giant breed puppy, it is critical to assess the calcium and phosphorus levels.
An appropriate food for a big puppy will have 1.2% or less calcium, a CA/PH ratio of as close to 1:1 as possible, and 3.5g or less calcium per 1000 kCal. It will also have the AAFCO large breed growth statement.
Ideally, the food will have also undergone feeding trials, extensive lab testing, and research, proving the availability of other important bone-growth nutrients such as Vitamin D, zinc, and phosphorus. From what we can tell, Gentle Giant’s food has not been subjected to rigorous and thorough testing.
Gentle Giants Chicken and Rice does have the AAFCO Large Breed Growth statement, indicating that the calcium level is expected to be 1.8% or less.
However, it is impossible to find calcium and phosphorus levels for this food. Without this information published and easy to find, we cannot verify that the food is 1.2% or less (the value recommended for giant breed puppies in particular). Additionally, we can not calculate how much calcium is in 1000 kCal of Gentle Giants puppy food.
As above, the food is co-packed in a massive manufacturing facility that makes many other brands and labels. This facility is probably responsible for the nutritional formulation as well, yet there is no indication of the qualifications of the individuals overseeing this process.
Tread cautiously when choosing to feed this food to a large or giant breed dog under the age of 2.
Incorrect nutritional values in puppyhood can increase the risk of dysplasia, bone damage, painful growth disorders, and even osteosarcoma bone cancer or wobblers disease!
Behind the Gentle Giants Food Brand
Our Gentle Giants dog food review would be incomplete without some information about what goes on behind the brand.
Not only does this food come with bold, in-your-face marketing geared toward pet owners with gentle giants, but it also has some interesting stories behind it. Read on, friends.
The Gentle Giants Rescue
Burt Ward (the owner of this brand) has been rescuing dogs with his wife in California for decades.
This unusual rescue makes wild claims about the longevity of the dogs (20+ years in some cases) living on their “all-natural dog food“, and says they have rescued over 14,000 pets.
Meanwhile, as of this writing, they have no animals available for adoption.
Many of the ‘available’ breeds they offer via this rescue are unusual and rare, including Staghounds, Xolo, “woodles”, and Saluki. They have had many, many litters of puppies, too.
Many people, including us, believe that this ‘rescue’ operation is nothing more than a glorified puppy mill.
They claim that 30-40 dogs live with them in “peace and harmony” on their property and that all are seniors exceeding their normal lifespan because of their “world-classfood and training program”.
There are many verifiable reports of neglect, poor living conditions, and uncontrolled dogs breeding at will in the unsupervised ‘Gentle Giants’ pack.
People seem to associate ‘celebrity’ with ‘trustworthy’.
Burt Ward played Robin in the 1960s Batman TV series.
That doesn’t make him a nutrition expert, last we checked…
Is Gentle Giants Dog Food Good?
We don’t stand behind any dry dog food that doesn’t stand with science. It’s that simple. The people behind Gentle Giants dog food do not participate in research, studies, or food trials.
The only “proof” they have of the efficacy and safety of their food is the claims made that their pack of “rescue” dogs are all over the age of 10.
A cursory glance at dog food reviews of this product indicates that some people have had no trouble feeding this food and swear by it while others experienced blood in the urine, inflammation, loose stools, and itching.
Has Gentle Giants Food Ever Been Recalled?
As of this writing, it appears that Gentle Giants food has never been recalled.
We see this as a red flag. Why?
A company that will recall its food is a company that wants to control the quality and the consistency, even if the problem that led to the recall is minor.
When a company has never issued a recall, voluntary or otherwise, you can pretty much bet that they are casually overlooking some things so that they can continue to say ‘no recalls’ in their marketing.
Boutique Dog Foods vs. Science
Boutique ‘feel good’ dog foods, including Gentle Giants, rely on careful marketing to sell the brand.
They tend to use buzzwords such as “human grade”, “all-natural”, “no recalls”, “super-premium”, or “holistic”. This can lead consumers to feel that they are purchasing something healthier for their pet (even if no actual health benefits have been proven by any legitimate science).
Even the word “farm-raised chicken” is meant to evoke a certain feeling or emotion about the food. All chickens are raised on farms!
Common ’boutique’ companies that you may have heard of or seen include Fromm, Orijen, 4Health, Halo, Solid Gold, Nulo, Nutro, Zignature, The Farmer’s Dog, Muenster, and Life’s Abundance.
What’s interesting about boutique dog food is that, despite the health claims they make, there is very little science going into the food itself.
Many people are shocked to learn that very few (if any) boutique food companies have a legitimate nutritionist formulating their foods. In many cases, the person making the recipe is even less qualified than a veterinarian.
For example, Fromm (who relies on the ‘ family-owned’ mantra to sell food) is formulated by a chemical engineer.
Victor Foods are formulated by somebody with a master in science and an online certificate in dairy cattle nutrition.
Diamond brand foods (including Taste of the Wild, Costco/Kirkland, Diamond, and Nutra Nuggets) are formulated by a computer and packaged in different bags to appeal to different markets.
Boutique brands also don’t participate in nutrition research and science. In many cases, the pet foods they make are only “formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO”, on paper.
This sounds great, but all that means is that on paper they’ve added enough nutrients to satisfy a minimum legal guideline. It doesn’t mean that they’ve tested and proven the formulation itself.
So when a brand is telling you they are “super-premium” and “holistic”, ask yourself if you are being sold to, or if that food has legitimate science backing its claims of being “healthier”.
Want to see how YOUR current dog food stacks up? Visit the Pet Nutrition Alliance and look your brand up.
Each food company was asked to provide information about just a few key things, including who formulates their food.
You’ll notice that many boutique dog food brands refused to share the requested information because it is damning to their brand.
We smell something fishy here, folks, and it’s not the fish meal in your bag of kibble.
The Great Grain-Free Debate
So what is inherently wrong with a “super-premium”, “natural” dog food from a boutique company, anyways? Let’s talk for a moment about the great grain-free pet food debate.
Many otherwise ‘healthy’ shiny dogs ‘with good poop’ who randomly die while playing or after going for a walk have been diagnosed with, or even passed from DCM, and the owners never knew something was wrong.
No official pre-death diagnosis means that very little data is collected on the dogs who die this way. The devastated owners move on with their lives, assuming that their dog had a genetic problem. Veterinarians around the country are seeing it happen over and over again.
While genetics do play a role in primary DCM, secondary DCM is believed to be caused by unbalanced nutrition. These dogs are essentially starved for certain amino acids and micro-nutrients: the heart enlarges and eventually gives out.
This brings us back to the fact that a sound majority of boutique dog food brands do not employ a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to formulate their food. This includes Gentle Giants.
As a Great Dane owner, you could not PAY me to feed Gentle Giants dog food.
Nutritional levels established by AAFCO
AAFCO is a non-profit agency that works in tandem with government regulatory agencies. Regulatory agencies moderate and enforce nutrition and food safety, and AAFCO was established to help with definitions and requirements.
The AAFCO label on every dog food bag is there to help you establish if the formula is correct for your dog.
All of this canine nutrition information can be frustrating and alarming to Great Dane owners who want to choose the best foods for their giant dogs!
We recommend picking a highly-researched, truly science-backed brand that employs highly qualified professionals (Veterinary Nutritionists) to formulate their food.
Find out if the formulations from those brands are substantiated in actual food tests, or if they just look correct on paper.
Ask if the brand has made any contributions to widely accepted canine nutrition science (the very science that has also now made it possible to feed Great Danes puppy food instead of adult food, YAY!).
Contrary to what small boutique brands want you to believe, the blueberries and spinach they have added in minuscule amounts to make you ‘feel good’ are doing nothing but lining their pockets.
If you want your dog to have blueberries, toss a few whole ones into their food, instead! Serving a balanced meal is important, however, so no matter what, make sure that toppers make up less than 10% of your dog’s overall dry dog food diet.
We recommend Large Breed Purina Pro Plan (puppy or adult, salmon recipe) or Royal Canin Giant Breed foods as the gold standard in healthy, highly researched dog foods for your gentle giant. However, Eukanuba and Iams have solid choices for you as well, at all price points!
Picky dogs hate their food after a short time. If you have a picky gentle giant, we recommend sticking with the same food, avoiding bribery, and making food FUN by offering it in puzzles or for training.
Senior dogs may eat less, too. Don’t mistake this natural behavior for ‘pickiness’.
The Dog Food Advisor Blog
Many people turn to the Dog Food Advisor blog for information about choosing pet food. It’s one of the top blogs to show up on a Google search when looking for dog food reviews!
The Dog Food Advisor rates the Gentle Giants brand as 4/5 stars and considers it an ‘above average dry product’ with a ‘moderate amount of meat’.
Here is the thing about the Dog Food Advisor. That blog was created by a human dentist with absolutely no credentials at all in veterinary nutrition. The rating system is made up.
Of course, we aren’t veterinary nutritionists either. But unlike the Dog Food Advisor, we aren’t making up a ratings system. Our evaluation of food is based purely on nutrition science and company manufacturing practices and ethics.
We align ourselves with veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists, for a reason. Our recommendations may not “look pretty” and “feel good” like the ones on the Dog Food Advisor, but we can confidently state that our information is based on science, NOT what results in more clicks and traffic.
That said, the Dog Food Advisor does rate Pro Plan as a top pick on its ‘recommended foods list’, and states that it is one of the only brands highly tested and formulated by a team of veterinary nutritionists. They are correct about that.
Our Rating of Gentle Giants Dog Food
This is one food we think you should skip.
No science.
Wild and questionable marketing claims about longevity (“Your dog can live longer!”).
Affiliated with a sketchy ‘giant breed rescue’ (very likely a puppy mill, but at the least nothing more than a wild pack of dogs that are fed out of trash cans and left to their own devices).
Unclear calcium/phosphorus levels.
Co-packed in a random factory.
Higher carb content than “low quality” Purina Dog Chow.
