Hello Danes

Author: Hello Danes

  • Blue Great Danes – Facts, Photos, and Care

    Blue Great Danes – Facts, Photos, and Care

    Meet the delightful Blue Great Danes – a charming variation of the already lovable breed! These big-hearted giants steal the show with their stunning solid blue coats, ranging from deep steel blue to a lighter, enchanting shade.

    But it’s not just about the looks; these gentle giants are all about spreading joy and warmth. With their friendly disposition, expressive eyes, and lovable features, Blue Great Danes become instant family favorites.

    Their imposing yet graceful presence adds a touch of magic to any home, making them not just beautiful companions but also the cuddliest friends you could wish for.

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    All About Blue Great Danes

    Blue Great Danes are large dogs that have stunning steel blue coats. A blue Great Dane puppy may start with a lighter blue and darken as they age.

    Pure Blue Great Danes are produced by two blue parents. While some breeders intentionally mix the dilute blue coat pattern into other color families (such as harlequin and fawn), blue is it’s own color family and does best that way!

    According to the GDCA breed standard, Blue Great Danes “shall be a pure steel blue.

    White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable. The desired alert, intelligent expression is projected through the correctly placed, almond-shaped, dark eyes. In Blue Great Danes, a somewhat lighter eye is permissible.

    In other words, blue Great Dane dogs should have a lively and intelligent expression and a completely solid steel blue coat with no white markings.

    That doesn’t mean that a blue Great Dane with white markings or extremely dark brown eyes is ‘bad’, it just means that they don’t meet the written standard. Genetic variances will happen.

    Each dog’s coat is unique to them!

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    Are Blue Danes Really Blue?

    The undertones of their blue coat color (resulting from a dilution gene) appear blue to the human eye. Some people will call the blue Great Dane ‘grey’!

    Blue Danes are gorgeous!

    Dane breeders often describe the coat color as a deep steel blue, while others will say it’s more of a steely silver blue.

    We have seen the blue Great Dane coat color appearing in a range of tones from charcoal to grey; it really depends on the dog’s individual genetics.

    A deep steely blue is a preferred tone for Blue Great Danes.

    Other coat colors in the Great Dane Breed standard include:

    1. Black (Black Great Danes)
    2. Mantle (Mantle Great Danes)
    3. Harlequin (Harlequin Great Danes)
    4. Merle
    5. Fawn (FAWN GREAT DANES)
    6. Brindle (BRINDLE GREAT DANES)
    7. Blue (Blue Great Danes)

    Off-standard colors include Double Merle Great Danes, which are White Great Danes with predisposed health conditions.

    Read more about the colors of Great Danes here.

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    What to Feed a Blue Great Dane Puppy

    Nourishing a Blue Great Dane puppy requires a thoughtful approach to support their growth and overall well-being. These gentle giants have unique dietary needs, especially during their crucial developmental stages.

    A properly formulated large-breed puppy food that addresses their specific requirements is essential. Look for formulations with controlled levels of calcium and phosphorus to promote healthy bone development without causing rapid growth, which can be associated with skeletal issues.

    Adequate protein is crucial for muscle development, and essential fatty acids contribute to coat health.

    Regular, scheduled feeding times and portion control are vital to prevent overfeeding, considering their predisposition to certain health concerns. As with any dog, access to fresh water is paramount.

    Consulting with a veterinarian is instrumental in tailoring a nutrition plan that aligns with the individual needs of the Blue Great Dane puppy, ensuring a strong foundation for a healthy and happy life.

    We recommend the following science-backed foods for Great Dane puppies:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

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    Blue Great Danes Color Genetics

    The stunning blue-grey coat of a Great Dane is the result of fascinating color genetics.

    The blue coloration is a dilution of the black coat pigment caused by a specific gene known as the Blue gene. In Great Danes, this gene is denoted by the symbol “d.”

    When a Blue Great Dane inherits one copy of the dilute blue gene from each parent, it can result in the striking steel blue shade that defines this variant.

    Breeders need to be mindful of potential health implications associated with coat color genetics, such as the increased risk of skin sensitivities or deafness in some blue-coated dogs. Understanding these genetic nuances not only contributes to the aesthetic diversity of the breed but also aids responsible breeding practices to ensure the overall health and well-being of Blue Great Danes.

    The blue dilute gene in Great Danes is used by off-color breeders to produce “lilac” or “blue harlequin” named dogs.

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    Blue Great Danes Temperament & Personality

    Like all Great Danes, blue puppies should be confident, friendly, and courageous!

    (Don’t believe us? Check out the written standard for a Blue Great Dane here).

    Well-bred Great Danes from ethical breeders are truly ‘gentle giants’. They make amazing family pets for people who don’t mind the size (and the drool)!

    Blue Great Danes, like all Danes, should get along well with other dogs and make wonderful companions for those willing to put the time into training and socialization.

    Blue Great Danes used to be used to hunt wild boar!

    Their enormous size and confident personalities made them well-suited for this job. Through years of selective breeding, the Great Dane Breed has come to be known as extremely gentle. Most Great Danes these days are perfectly content to be with their families and on a cozy bed.

    Great Danes are the biggest lap dog you can own. They love to sit on top of people and receive affection. A Great Dane is a large dog that requires special consideration for their orthopedic and internal health. Be prepared to do some research before purchasing one.

    This doesn’t mean that they are lazy, though. Great Danes love to run, play and explore. They require daily enrichment and exercise to stay in great shape.

    We believe that people who are breeding blue Great Danes should be highly focused on health, structure, and the development of the classic, robust, loving Great Dane personality.

    If you are interested in purchasing a Great Dane puppy from an ethical and reputable breeder, we highly recommend searching the breeder registry at www.gdca.org.

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    Can Blue Great Danes Be Shown?

    Solid Blue is the only dilute coat color accepted by the GDCA as a standard for Great Danes.

    While the coat color itself doesn’t disqualify Blue Great Danes from being shown, breed standards typically emphasize other factors such as overall conformation, temperament, and adherence to breed-specific characteristics.

    The American Kennel Club (AKC), for example, recognizes Blue as an acceptable color for Great Danes. However, the dog must still meet all other breed standards. It’s important to note that some kennel clubs or breed organizations may have slightly different standards, so it’s advisable to check the specific regulations of the organization hosting the dog show.

    In general, responsible breeding practices and adherence to breed standards are prioritized in dog shows to ensure the health and well-being of the dogs. If a Blue Great Dane meets these criteria, it can certainly participate and compete in conformation events, showcasing the beauty and characteristics of the breed beyond just coat color.

    Standard vs. Off-Standard Colors in Great Danes

    The American Kennel Club does not make the rules on which colors are accepted for Great Danes; this is determined by the breed’s parent club (in the case of Danes in the U.S., it’s the GDCA).

    There are many ‘off-standard’ versions of coat colors showing up in Great Danes, including ‘lilac harlequin’, ‘blue harlequin’, and ‘lilac merle’. These colors often come from the dilute and recessive genes of the blue Great Dane.

    The practice of breeding for these colors is controversial and at times, undeniably unethical.

    What is a Blue Harlequin Great Dane

    Blue Harlequin Great Danes have a white base coat with blue torn patches. They are extremely popular, however, that unique and rare coat color is not accepted in GDCA, FCI, or Canadian written standards for the breed.

    They can, however, be registered by the AKC.

    The written standard for all dog breeds defines the function, form, and look of each individual breed. The colors in each breed (including blue) are often chosen for a reason.

    While some colors could be added in the future, breeders have to first prove that those new colors occur naturally in the breed, that the color will strengthen the gene pool, and that the puppies are consistently healthy and robust examples of the written standard.

    The recessive Blue gene that causes the deep steel blue color is desirable to breeders that are focused heavily on creating ‘unique’ and ‘designer’ off-standard colors in Great Danes.

    These Dane breeders have been known to mix dogs of all colors (including fawn, mantle, merle, and harlequin) with Blue Great Danes to achieve new and interesting colored markings.

    What is a Blue Merle Great Dane?

    The merle gene (seen most often in the merle or harlequin Great Dane) paired with blue Dane will often create unusual coat patterns such as that seen on a blue Harlequin Great Dane or ‘blue merle’ Great Dane’.

    This practice is considered somewhat unethical in the world of breeding Great Danes. It happens similarly in other dog breeds, however, and unique colors remain popular.

    Dog owners should ask many questions before choosing a breeder for their Great Dane puppy and verify the pedigrees and health testing results (heart, hips, eyes, thyroid) of the dogs being bred.

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    Where to Buy a Blue Great Dane Puppy

    When you are looking to purchase a Great Dane puppy, health and structure should be considered before color.

    A Great Dane is a large dog and if they are bred only with designer colors or profits in mind, their structure and temperaments may suffer as a result. Since the Great Dane is predisposed to many health issues, it is crucial to do your due diligence.

    With any Great Dane puppy you find from any Great Dane breeder, verify the pedigree AND the health testing results of both parents. Good breeders will have heart, hip, eye and thyroid panels to share with you.

    Solid pure steel blue Great Dane puppies will be a great place to start if you want a striking and beautiful coat color.

    We recommend searching the Great Dane breeder database at gdca.org when looking for Great Dane puppies.

    Are Blue Great Danes Rare?

    The blue Great Dane may seem rare, but they really are not.

    A blue Great Dane may easily be confused with a Weimaraner, especially as a puppy! Because of this, and because many people don’t know the difference between a blue Great Dane and a silver or grey one (hint, they are the same), they may be viewed as rare.

    It can be difficult to find an ethical and reputable Blue Great Dane breeder, as many breeders that fully test and frequent dog shows have focused primarily on the popular Harlequin/Black/Mantle or Fawn/Brindle lines instead of blue.

    It’s not impossible, however, to find a blue Great Dane puppy from an excellent breeder. We recommend searching the Great Dane breeder registry at GDCA.org (U.S.) or Canada.

    Do Blue Great Danes Have More Health Problems?

    Ask 10 people this question and you will receive 10 different answers!

    If you have a blue Great Dane that is experiencing health problems, chat with your vet.

    Health problems are not necessarily related as much to coat color as they are to genetics, the food you choose, and the environment you create for your dog.

    The Blue Great Dane’s lifespan should be no shorter or different than that of any other healthy Great Dane! The food you choose to feed makes a huge difference!

    Blue Great Dane Health Problems

    The average Great Dane is susceptible to a list of genetic health problems, including allergies, heart problems, and hip dysplasia, (which can happen to a Great Dane with any coat color).

    These health problems are passed along in the pedigree and depending on the breeder you choose, could be a real problem for your Great Dane.

    Always keep an eye on your Great Danes’ body condition and don’t make assumptions that their health problems are purely related to markings. It’s just not always the case.

    The blue gene that they carry should not cause any additional health problems, however, color dilution alopecia (CDA) is a problem in other breeds that come in the lilac or blue coat color. It has also been seen in Great Danes!

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    Blue Great Dane Color Dilution Alopecia

    Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA) causes hair loss, thinning, bald patches, and itchy skin. The exact cause is not well understood, however, it is easily managed.

    It is important to note that CDA does NOT affect all blue Great Danes.

    Blue Great Danes may be susceptible to this disease, however, so check in with your veterinarian if you see any sign of it.

    Signs include itching, dry patches, hair thinning, and hair loss.

    A blue Great Dane puppy may begin to show signs of CDA at around 6 months of age, but it can happen at any time in their lives.

    This is one reason why intentionally mixing the blue gene into otherwise strong color genetics to create diluted designer colors is often seen as problematic.

    If a blue Dane that is prone to this disease is introduced into an otherwise strong and robust color family, it may create a long line of undesirable recessive traits that are difficult for breeders to address.

    We’ve linked to a VCA article below with more information on CDA in Blue Great Danes:

    COLOR DILUTION ALOPECIA INFORMATION

    Blue Great Dane Lifespan

    Blue Great Danes can live an average of 7-10 years. For more information on the lifespan of Great Danes in general, check out our blog post below!

    Bloat, hip dysplasia, wobblers, arthritis, and heart problems are some of the major reasons why some Great Danes don’t live as long. All of those disorders have ties back to genetics!

    Always be diligent when choosing your breeder, for this reason. A well-bred blue Great Dane puppy should be hefty, vibrant, curious, and have excellent eyes, hips, feet, and structure.

    Search the GDCA.org Breeder Directory below! Good breeders tend to have terrible websites; don’t be alarmed. They are spending more time on their dogs than they are on their marketing:

    GDCA BREEDER DIRECTORY – FIND A GREAT DANE PUPPY
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    Blue Great Dane Breeders

    The best blue great Dane puppy breeders are focused first on health and temperament. Blue Great Dane puppies from a reputable and ethical breeder will be healthy, vibrant, and full of life!

    Blue puppies can happen anytime two parents who carry the recessive blue gene are bred. This can mean that pure steel blue puppies may come, most commonly, from the following pairings:

    1. Blue + Blue
    2. Blue + Black
    3. Blue + Harlequin (HARLEQUIN GREAT DANES)

    The blue offspring from any of these pairings will be born with floppy ears and a pale bluish color that will change slightly as the puppy matures.

    Our favorite Blue Dane Breeders

    We recommend:

    https://www.azulenedanes.com/

    http://www.caeruleusdanes.com/

    http://www.cheshiregreatdanes.com/

    http://www.creekdanes.com/

    http://www.eiodanes.com

    https://www.enzodane.com/

    https://www.oceanbluedanes.com/

    There are many Blue Great Danes sitting in rescues, waiting for the right home! Don’t be afraid to bring a rescue dog into your family.
    Adopt OR shop, responsibly!

    FYI: The Great Dane Breeder Scam

    Looking for a Great Dane puppy? Make sure you read our blog post on the Great Dane breeder scam before you start contacting breeders!

    Scammers often create fake online profiles or websites, offering purebred Great Dane puppies at attractive prices. Victims, eager to welcome a new furry family member, may pay deposits or the full amount upfront, only to discover that the promised puppy never existed.

    These scams not only result in financial loss but also inflict emotional distress on individuals seeking a genuine and reputable breeder. To avoid falling victim to such scams, potential buyers should thoroughly research breeders, ask for references, and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

    Can a Blue Dane be Bred to a Harlequin Dane?

    A blue Great Dane + harlequin Great Dane pairing can result in the ‘blue harlequin Great Dane’ which is a white dog with torn blue patches instead of torn black ones.

    This dog will look similar to a harlequin Great Dane, but that blue dilution factor will have reduced the pigment in each spot to grey.

    The blue harlequin Great Dane is not considered to have an ‘acceptable’ color in the written breed standard.

    Many breeders will tell you that it is unethical to deliberately introduce the dilute gene into an already complicated genetic situation. Others will do it because the pursuit of diluted and interesting colors (including shades of ‘lilac’) is popular.

    Some breeders may happen upon a Blue Harlequin in a litter because a recessive merle gene is running around in their pedigree.

    We do not encourage the practice of purposefully seeking out off-standard colors, however, many of these colors do occur in the breed! For more information on off-standard colors, read here.

    We believe that you should love the Great Dane in front of you!

    Color Families in Great Danes

    Keeping color families pure helps Great Dane breeders keep tabs on their pedigrees and not make mistakes or be surprised when recessive genes show up.

    Color families also help maintain the breed standard, so that a Great Dane always looks like a Great Dane.

    A merle+merle pairing can cause the white coat or merlequin double-merle puppies that are often deaf or blind. (Note: a blue Harlequin Great Dane, on the other hand, likely won’t have those problems).

    Color families in Danes typically mean that a breeder will ‘stay’ in a lane when it comes to the colors they breed.

    The color families in Great Danes are outlined roughly, as follows:

    1. Harlequin – Merle – Black – Mantle
    2. Mantle – Black
    3. Black + Blue
    4. Blue + Blue
    5. Fawn – Brindle – Black
  • The Ultimate Great Dane Feeding Chart

    The Ultimate Great Dane Feeding Chart

    Looking for a Great Dane feeding chart with some awesome food information? Curious about the best foods for Great Danes, and what dog food to raise your Dane puppy on?

    This is the ULTIMATE everything you need to know about feeding Great Danes blog post. We’re going to cover the following topics:

    • The best food for Great Dane Puppies
    • Whether adult food or puppy food is best for Great Dane puppies
    • How to choose food for Great Danes
    • How to prevent knuckling and other orthopedic disorders
    • Why nutrition is SO important for Great Danes, especially those under the age of 2!

    PRO TIP: This post is huge. Use the table of contents to navigate.

    Let’s dig in!

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    Why is Nutrition SO Important for Great Danes?

    Great Danes are a giant breed dog that has sensitive needs when it comes to their bone, joint, muscle, brain, and heart health.

    These are not dogs who can survive well on unbalanced or poorly formulated dog foods. As puppies, rapid growth demands exact amounts of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and zinc.

    Many orthopedic growth disorders in Great Danes are a result of feeding too much calcium, or feeding too much food overall. The results are devastating and may not be apparent until the dog is older and suffering with their mobility and health.

    Some foods do not properly support muscle, tendon, or joint health. Other foods are so loaded up with peas, lentils, and legumes that they put heart health at risk.

    Researchers have theorized that too much or too little calcium fed to large & giant breed puppies may contribute to increasing their risk for diseases such as brittle bones, Wobblers and Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) as adults.

    Choosing food for a Great Dane puppy is important, but it’s also very simple when you learn what to look for and how to look past common dog food marketing tactics.

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    Great Dane Puppy Food & Nutrition

    Great Dane Puppies are massive dogs that need a specific diet to ensure they grow at a healthy rate. As mentioned above, Giant breeds are not like other dogs, it’s important to know how to choose the right food.

    Before we dig in, it’s important to understand that excess calcium and overfeeding are #1 culprits behind a range of orthopedic growth problems seen in Great Dane puppies.

    Because giant breed puppies grow so quickly, the wrong nutrition can be devastating and cause a lifetime of orthopedic problems.

    We aren’t trying to scare you here, but this is important. Don’t worry, we’re going to share information with you below on what food to choose!

    Here are some of the (often lifetime) health complications associated with feeding the wrong food to Great Dane Puppies:

    Here are some common health disorders that can be made worse by poor nutrition:

    Many of those things also have links to genetics!

    When choosing food for a Great Dane puppy, we recommend the following guidelines:

    • Grain-inclusive
    • 1.2% or less calcium
    • Phosphorus close behind
    • 1.1 to 1 or 1.2 to 1 CA/PH ratio, no more than 1.3 : 1 if necessary
    • 3.5g or less calcium per 1000kCal
    • Large or giant breed PUPPY formula OR an appropriately formulated All Life Stages type
    • AAFCO statement “Including the growth of large 70+ lb as adult dogs”

    A healthy, correctly balanced diet can help prevent devastating orthopedic growth disorders (such as knuckling, panosteitis, HOD, or Dysplasia) and will help make sure that your Great Dane puppy is receiving the nutrition it needs to thrive.

    To save you some time, here is our popular list of appropriate veterinary recommended Great Dane puppy foods.

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

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    Should Great Dane Puppies Have Adult or Puppy Food?

    You may have heard that Great Dane puppies should ONLY have adult food. This information is outdated and potentially dangerous (it’s 2023).

    Great Dane puppies should be fed a well-formulated large or giant breed PUPPY or All Life Stages food that was designed specifically to support the slow, even growth of large and giant breed dogs.

    That advice to feed adult foods is based on anecdotal evidence and is NOT supported by science.

    Most top Great Dane breeders, Board-certified Veterinary Nutritionists, researchers from Cornell, Tufts, and CSU, and the solid majority of practicing veterinarians recommend feeding large or giant breed puppy food to giant breed puppies.

    There are a handful of people who are still telling giant breed owners to feed low-protein adult foods. These people include dog owners, a few practicing veterinarians who have not done any continuing education on the topic, and some breeders (many of whom are actually unethical in their other practices, having skipped full OFA health testing or breeding dogs out of standard).

    A few old school highly ethical preservation breeders still feed adult food, and this is understandable. They remember the days when we did NOT have safe options in puppy food, and trusting the new standard of practice is a huge leap of faith.

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    Why Should Great Dane Puppies Have Puppy Food?

    Many adult dog foods lack the nutrition that Great Dane puppies need for muscle development, brain health, tendons, and bones.

    Lacking this nutrition, puppies may actually eat too many calories and receive too much calcium, two things that are major risk factors for developmental skeletal disorders in giant breed dogs.

    We believe that this is a major reason why we see so many teenaged Great Danes who are hopelessly lanky and boney, and many adult Danes who fall apart well before their time.

    They are starved for nutrition to support their growth!

    Dane puppies will overeat to compensate and then also suffer from chronic loose stools, which are a direct result of overeating. People blame the loose stools on chicken or grain allergies, not realizing that the solution is literally right in front of them.

    Science and nutrition in dog food have changed drastically. “Adult food only” is tragically dated advice.

    Keep in mind, however, that some puppy foods are DANGEROUS for Great Dane puppies to eat. A traditional high-calorie, high-fat puppy food for smaller dogs is not appropriate.

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    What are the Top Foods for a Great Dane Puppy?

    The brand of food you choose matters here, though.

    Many brands do NOT have qualified people formulating their foods. They do not participate in research, feeding trials, or truly comprehensive quality control testing. As a result, their puppy formulas may not be reliably correct to support slow growth.

    A lot of brands are manufactured in facilities that the company doesn’t even own, spit out from machines that made a different brand the day before.

    This is why you will not find brands such as Victor, Taste of the Wild, Blue Buffalo, Diamond, Fromm, Orijen, Earthborn, Whole Hearted, Health Extension, Annamaet, or 4Health on our list. None of them can check every single box when it comes to ethics and dedication to formulation, research, and manufacturing.

    The food MUST be correctly balanced as follows:

    • Formulated by an on-staff veterinary nutritionist or somebody with a PhD in Animal Nutrition
    • Has meat meals or meat by-product meals within the first ingredients (will result in a higher meat content than ‘fresh deboned meat’
    • Amino acids correctly balanced and bioavailable, ideally from meat based sources
    • Balanced calcium and phosphorus ratios (IMPORTANT!)
    • Balanced protein, fat, and carbohydrate levels
    • Correct amount of vitamin D, Zinc, and other important nutrients
    • Includes grains such as wheat, oats, rice, or corn
    • Ideally manufactured in owned facilities
    • Formula should have ideally undergone feeding trials and lab testing

    To best fit those needs, we recommend a large or giant breed PUPPY food from Pro Plan, Eukanuba, Hill’s, or Royal Canin (the only brands that spend millions of dollars each year investing in feeding trials, board-certified veterinary nutritionists, and peer-reviewed research).

    You can use the search tool at the Giant Dog Food Project as well, to compare brands head to head.

    If you have any questions about what kind of dog food is best for your Great Dane Puppy to eat, read our blog post HERE or continue below (we’ve included recommendations for our favorites):

    Most Dane pups will need to eat between 3 and 12 cups of large breed puppy food each day. The actual amount depends on their activity level and the food you choose! We outline more of this below.

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    Photo credit to @mako.the.dane

    Kibbles that meet WSAVA recommendations

    The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is a non-profit organization that provides common-sense recommendations. WSAVA does not endorse or recommend any specific brand of food, and their scientific efforts go far beyond nutrition into every aspect of small animal health.

    Any food brand can donate to and support the WSAVA, however, only a few do.

    Surprisingly, many kibble manufacturers do not meet the following common-sense guidelines:

    1. The company employs a DACVN/board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist or PhD in Animal Nutrition, and that person is there to formulate and test the diets.
    2. They utilize AAFCO feeding trials to prove their formulation, especially the one you want to feed, in real life (not just on paper).
    3. The company participates in scientific research and contributes to common peer-reviewed studies.
    4. They own and operate their own facilities (no co-packing) and have strict supply chain protocols, sourcing ethics, sourcing protocols and quality control.
    5. The food has a nutrition adequacy statement from AAFCO, ideally indicating that the food was substantiated in feeding trails.

    Call your food company and ask these questions. Look past their marketing department and get real answers from them about their practices.

    Tread cautiously with the places you receive nutrition information from. Many dog owners, influencers and “pet nutritionists” are spreading dangerous misinformation.

    For more helpful information about canine nutrition and manufacturer practices, search for your brand at the Pet Nutrition Alliance! They’ve established a database that answers important and relevant questions for each company that you might choose from.

    You can also visit the Tufts University Petfoodology Blog for information about corn, by-products, DCM, and other nutrition-related topics.

    Pet Vet Corner on Facebook has a fantastic nutrition file (search for the group and join).

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    Photo credit to @mako.the.dane

    When to Transition to Adult Food

    When your Great Dane is 18-24 months old, it’s time to transition to an adult formula. Ideally, the transition should happen no sooner than 24 months but can happen after 18 months if early spay/neuter was elected.

    Remember, puppy foods are higher in calories, fat, and protein and may be too rich for mature adult dogs or those that have been spayed/neutered. Great Danes are not fully mature until age 2.5-3 years.

    Click below to see our favorite adult foods for Great Danes:

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    How Much Should a Great Dane Puppy Eat?

    Young Great Danes should eat three to four small meals per day, rather than one large meal.

    Encourage slow eating, throughout life, to reduce bloat risk.

    Most quality Great Dane food will indicate a rough estimate based on age or weight, which is a good baseline for determining how much food daily will be required.

    Your Great Dane puppy is going to eat a lot of food! New Great Dane owners may be alarmed at the intake but shouldn’t be.

    It’s important to note, however, that orthopedic growth disorders can be triggered by overfeeding, even if the food is correctly balanced! Monitor your dog’s intake and don’t let them gorge on food.

    Lean is best! It is normal to see some ribs on Great Dane puppies.

    While it’s true that too much kibble can actually cause a Great Dane puppy to experience gastrointestinal distress (and loose stools), too little kibble can hamper energy as well as good muscle and bone development.

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    Healthy Body Condition in Great Dane Puppies

    It is normal for Great Dane puppies to have a little rib showing!

    As long as they are bright, active, curious, and energetic, they are doing great.A Great Dane Puppy should never be overfed to encourage fast and explosive growth!

    Too much nutrition, overfeeding, and too many calories can lead to knuckling, HOD, Panosteitis, and poor overall structure, no matter what formula or food brand you choose.

    When looking at a Great Dane feeding chart to determine roughly how much to offer your 12-week-old Great Dane puppy, it’s important to remember that the information is simply a guideline. Good feeding practices involve intuition and close monitoring!

    We recommend referencing our Great Dane puppy growth chart for more information on actual growth!

    If you have any questions about how much food to feed your Great Dane puppy, please consult your veterinarian, read the feeding chart on your kibble bag, and reference our Great Dane feeding chart below.

    Want to avoid overfeeding your dog? Check out this feeding hack!

    AgeTimingAmount
    Puppies under 12 weeks3x/day2-4 cups/day
    Puppies 12-24 weeks old3x/day3-6 cups/day
    Puppies 24 + weeks (6 months) or older2x/day5-10 cups/day
    Puppies 12-18 months2x/day6-12 cups/day
    Adults 18+ Months2x/day4-8 cups/day
    These values are averages. Your pet may need more or less. Always talk to your veterinarian and use the manufacturer’s feeding chart as a guideline.

    How to Feed a Great Dane Puppy

    When it comes to Great Dane puppies, how you feed them is just as important as what you feed them.

    Puppies have small stomachs and need to eat several small meals throughout the day, rather than one large meal. They will also need frequent potty breaks as their digestive systems are still very immature.

    We recommend that your Great Dane eats from a using stainless steel bowl. These are easy to sanitize and can help prevent puppy acne!

    Frequent smaller meals can help prevent bloat, a potentially deadly condition that can occur in large and giant breeds.

    To avoid creating a ‘picky eater’, do not start adding toppers as a form of bribery!

    For puppies under 3-5 months of age, we recommend a loose free feeding schedule where you put food down 3x/day but leave in the bowl what they don’t finish, so they can graze. Don’t overfeed.

    After 5 months of age, offer food 3x/day and pick the bowl up. Pup will learn to finish what is offered.

    Around 7-10 months of age, many Danes need less food. People sometimes believe this means their dog has become picky. That’s not true! Just feed less.

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    Using Kibble for Training

    Another way to feed your Great Dane is to offer their pre-rationed kibble and healthy balanced toppers as training treats!

    Keep them in a treat pouch (this is our favorite one) and use them throughout the day to reward your dog for doing things that you like.

    Engaging with you, sitting, laying down, and coming when called are great ways to encourage positive behaviors!

    Resting before & after meals has never been shown to prevent bloat. As a matter of fact, most dogs who experience bloat do so while resting and on an empty stomach.
    It’s ok for your puppy to have training rewards while playing with you!

    Science in Dog Food

    After years of diligent research, I’ve personally come to realize that the answer to dog food had been in front of me all along.

    The unfortunate truth is that many dog food brands are spending more money on marketing than they are on formulating their foods, researching how nutrition affects the body, and contributing to peer-reviewed science that addresses giant breed growth, cancer, wobblers, heart disease, and more.

    That marketing is designed to mislead us. For example, ingredient splitting is a common practice of certain brands. Ingredient splitting is completely legal and can make dog food look like an organic meat feast when the truth is that it’s nothing more than meat-flavored peas.

    Fresh deboned meats, for example, are roughly 70% water. Pair that with ingredient splitting and a formulation that came from a computer (not a veterinary nutritionist), and well…you’re often paying a premium price for fancy marketing.

    You may be inclined to think that the ‘holistic’, ‘super premium’, ‘human grade’ choice at the pet store is the healthier option. Keep in mind that those are unregulated marketing terms with no legal definition.

    The ingredients list doesn’t tell you the whole story, and that’s why reading it shouldn’t be your primary factor in choosing dog foods.

    You may be ‘grossed out’ by things such as ‘by-product meal’ or ‘meat meal’, but those ingredients are actually more nutritious and more species appropriate than deboned meat!

    Read more about Ingredient Splitting Here

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    Holistic & Natural Pet Foods

    Many Great Dane owners rely on kibble brands from companies such as Fromm, Zignature, Nutro, Victor, Nulo, 4Health, Farmina, Solid Gold, Taste of the Wild, Life’s Abundance, Earthborn, Honest Kitchen, Canine Caviar, Acana, Orijen, Gentle Giants, Diamond Natural’s and Costco/Kirklands.

    Search for your brand at the Pet Nutrition Alliance. See how they stack up against other brands that were asked a few simple questions. If they didn’t answer or refused to answer, find a different brand.

    The brands we’ve listed in the paragraph above are NOT formulated by on-staff veterinary nutritionists, and we don’t recommend a single one of them.

    Fromm is formulated by a chemical engineer.

    Victor is formulated by a guy with a science degree and simple online certificate in ‘nutrition’.

    Diamond (which makes Diamond, Costco, 4Health, Taste of the Wild, Nutra Nuggets, and others) is a giant co-packing company. They use a single off-site, marginally qualified consultant and a ‘proprietary formulation technology’ (a computer program or spreadsheet).

    Midwestern pet foods (which makes Earthborn, Sportmix, Unrefined, Venture, and Wholesomes) is another giant company with no Veterinary Nutritionist on staff (not to mention repeated issues with aflatoxins and salmonella).

    Unrefined is an excellent example of a ‘premium’ label that uses a lot of fancy marketing words and makes you think it’s a small, family-owned healthy option. It’s formulated, packed, and shipped along side several other Midwestern Pet Foods brands, each targeting different demographics.

    These are huge companies, selling their products as ‘premium’, at a premium price point, and not a single bag of it is backed by legitimate feeding trials or peer reviewed research.

    Every single one of those companies has also had proven cases of DCM, a devastating heart disease that can be caused by poorly formulated nutrition. Acana and Orijen (Champion pet foods) are among brands with some of the highest number of cases.

    If you want to learn more about the pet food industry, here are some fantastic additional resources!

    Purina Ingredients

    The Petfoodology Nutrition Blog

    Royal Canin Giant Breed Dog Food Review

    Identity Pet Foods ‘Understanding DCM’ (I don’t love that this small, upstart brand is anti-kibble, uses a co-packer, has no feeding trials, does not provide AAFCO statements, and does not staff a veterinary nutritionist as of 2022, but I do love what they are trying to do as a whole and this DCM article is ON POINT!)

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    Kibble Brands to Avoid

    While there are many brands to avoid, these brands are absolutely on the ‘do not fly’ list. We’ve reviewed some of them below for your convenience.

    • Gentle Giants
    • Life’s Abundance
    • Grain-Free foods
    • Boutique foods with a small market share
    • Any food that is ‘vegan’, ‘plant based’ or ‘cricket based’ (NEW EXCEPTION: ROOT LAB may be acceptable)
    • Any food with 2 or more types or forms of PEAS, LENTILS, or LEGUMES listed in the ingredients. For example peas, dried peas, pea protein, pea fiber, pea flour, split peas, yellow peas, green peas, lentils, whole lentils, lentil fiber, etc.)
    • Any food that has a lot of peas, potatoes, legumes, garbanzo beans, beans, sweet potatoes, or chickpeas in general
    • Boutique, unproven food brands with humanized marketing (Keto, Paleo, Low Carb, etc.)
    • Any one of the 300-400 new boutique food brands in the U.S. each year

    What about Dog Food Advisor?

    Many people turn to the ‘Dog Food Advisor’ blog to make decisions about what food to feed.

    While that blog provides some interesting analysis about certain kibbles, it’s important to note that the blog is run by a dentist…NOT a Veterinarian or a Canine Nutritionist with any kind of legitimate, commonly accepted credentials. The blog is extremely profitable, as it is littered with affiliate links to purchase foods.

    The rating system is made up, and has been changed to match current trends.

    If you don’t trust your veterinarian because they are “not a nutritionist”, why are you trusting pet store employees, dog owners, the Dog Food Advisor, influencers, and people who obtained easy pay-for-purchase ‘pet nutritionist’ certificates on the internet?

    If you are looking for a nutrition blog that uses science and actual research, not marketing and theories, visit PETFOODOLOGY! It’s run by Tufts University and has many helpful topics.

    At Hello Danes, we follow, promote, and share the advice given by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.

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    Adult Great Dane Dog Food

    Adult Great Danes still require dedication to their nutrition.

    As an adult, your Great Dane will need a quality dog food that is rich in animal protein to maintain lean muscle mass.

    The most appropriate meats that you want to see in the dry dog food you choose include meat meals and meat by-product meals. We recommend chicken, salmon, or beef.

    Chicken allergies are wildly over-diagnosed by dog owners. Contrary to popular belief, Great Danes are NOT sensitive to chicken!

    They are, however, sensitive to poor quality diets, environmental factors, overfeeding, and issues related to gut health that are resolved through other means.

    Avoid lamb (it’s incredibly difficult for dog food manufacturers to work with, and may cause nutrient deficiencies) and exotic meats such as bison, cod, quail, kangaroo, or yak. Exotic meats are not well researched for small companion animals.

    Rendered meat meals were shown in bloat studies to reduce the risk of bloat by 53%!

    Meat meals of any type (including by-product meals) include a rendered form of whole prey. That means that the ingredient includes things such as meat, tissue, cartilage, bone, and organ.

    While this may sound gross to you, these things are loved in parts of the world that don’t waste any part of an animal after slaughter. They are also the same things that make up a correctly balanced bowl of raw dog food: necks, feet, guts, skin, and fat.

    Raw feeders know that dogs need and want by-products in their diet! They go straight for the organs, will crunch up the bones and love to chew up feet, necks and yes, eyeballs.

    Choose a kibble formulated with your dog in mind, not your personal taste.

    Transition to a comparable adult formula between 18-24 months.

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    Fiber & Fresh Foods for Great Danes

    Fiber, fresh foods, and canned foods have been shown in studies to reduce bloat risk!

    The safest topper you can add to your dog’s food is a canned version of their kibble. This has been shown to reduce bloat risk, will be correctly balanced, is tasty, provides hydration, and will be free of salmonella and e.coli.

    When offering puppies canned food, make sure you are choosing the large breed puppy version.

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    You can also choose any of the following:

    We love Olewo’ Carrots (rehydrated) which are great for your dog’s stomach and overall gut health. 1 TBSP of dried Olewo Carrots will make over a half cup of fresh carrots to mix in with the kibble you feed your Great Dane.

    Olewo Carrots work BETTER than pumpkin and are easier to store, too!

    FIND OLEWO CARROTS ON AMAZON

    We also like Dr. Harvey’s for easy, healthy fiber & fresh food toppers!

    While some of these are technically made to be served as a whole meal with raw meat, they actually make a great ‘topper’ (less than 4-10% of all intake) for kibble and well-balanced raw diets.

    Rehydrate a scoop or two of this with water! Dogs love it and the bag lasts a long time, too.

    1 canine health 1
    453 raw vibrance
    450 paradigm

    Can Great Danes have Grain-Free Food?

    Grain-inclusive kibble formulas are best for Great Dane, as they are less likely to be filled with peas, potatoes, legumes, and pea protein that can throw off the balance of important amino acids.

    Read about the most recent DCM study, where they found that foods heavy in peas and other pulse ingredients caused changes to the heart muscle.

    These amino acids, including taurine, are necessary for heart health. Many grain-free food options are nothing more than meat-flavored peas.

    Many dogs have been diagnosed with DCM (heart failure) caused by grain-free foods and foods of all types that were not formulated by veterinary nutritionists.

    Read our blog post on grain-free dog foods and Great Dane feeding here.

    This information is important for all dog owners and all dog breeds, too!

    Adding taurine or grains to grain-free kibble doesn’t solve a problem that originated with poor kibble formulation to begin with.

    Is Dr. Judy Morgan Legitimate?

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    Supplements for Great Danes

    Great Danes can suffer from joint problems.

    We recommend the addition of fish oil and Dasaquin or Green Lipped mussel, especially if your kibble food does not include these supplements in the ingredients list.

    A quality science-backed food with meat meal or meat by-product meal (such as Royal Canin Giant Breed Adult) will contain joint support!

    Big dogs benefit from the addition of these, and probiotics for their health.

    See our list of recommended supplements here:

    224516 MAIN. AC SS348 V1627494700
    Fish Oil
    73770 MAIN. AC SS348 V1624307000
    Dasuquin
    71gslr2F4lL. AC SL1500
    Green Lipped Mussel
    Probiotic Max, 2lb
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    Home-Cooked Diets for Great Danes

    Home-cooked diets are rarely healthy and can be exceedingly difficult to get right.

    Balance It is a great website for determining if you are formulating your home-cooked diet for your Great Dane correctly. Test your recipe over there!

    We haven’t found a dog food recipe on Pinterest yet that was balanced correctly.

    You’ll likely find that the very common homemade Great Dane food diet consisting of ground meat, rice, and veggies is horribly deficient. Even recipes created by influencers and veterinarians (such as the famous ‘pup loaf’ by holistic influencer Judy Morgan) is dangerous.

    I plugged Dr. Judy Morgan’s pup loaf recipe into Balance It, and the system could NOT resolve the recipe as-is (meaning, it’s unbalanced). It also indicated that the recipe could result in dangerous levels of vitamin D!

    Screen Shot 2022 12 21 at 9.58.57 PM

    What your Great Dane eats will affect their health, and unfortunately, most home cooks have little to no credible background in canine nutrition!

    An unbalanced home-cooked diet may be missing key nutrients, proteins, and amino acids that are necessary for a long and robust life.

    Great Dane dogs are particularly susceptible to health issues of the heart and bones; an incorrectly formulated home-cooked diet for a Great Dane can be exceptionally dangerous.

    Many veterinarians say that brittle bones are a very common complication associated with clients who make their dogs food at home.

    One study found that nearly all of the 200 recipes they tested had nutrient deficiencies. (READ THAT STUDY HERE).

    We personally don’t think it’s worth the risk.

    CEL 2242
    224516 MAIN. AC SS348 V1627494700
    Fish Oil
    73770 MAIN. AC SS348 V1624307000
    Dasuquin
    71gslr2F4lL. AC SL1500
    Green Lipped Mussel
    Probiotic Max, 2lb

    Home Cooked Dog Food Alternatives

    That’s not to say that it cannot be done! As a matter of fact, with the help of a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist and the website listed above (Balance It) you can take full control over what your dog eats.

    If you want to offer food that is similar to a home-cooked diet, we recommend looking into Just Food For Dogs.

    This fresh food option for Great Danes is a professionally formulated alternative to DIY. The jury is out on if it fully and truly meets the WSAVA guidelines above. However, it is a tested food with a respectable staff of formulators behind it.

    There is nothing wrong with kibble. Don’t feel pressured or guilted into spending large amounts of money on ‘fresh’ or ‘holistic’ options.

    Just Food For Dogs can be used as the entire diet, or as an outstanding fresh-food topper that dogs LOVE. It is VERY expensive.

    For young dogs, we recommend the chicken and white rice or fish and sweet potato flavor only. As of this writing, they are the only ones formulated correctly for the growth of large or giant breed dogs.

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    Free Feeding Great Danes

    Many pet lovers who offer kibble wish to free-feed their Great Danes.

    Contrary to popular belief, resting after meals is not a reliable preventative for bloat in Great Danes! That’s great news for people who do not mind when their Great Danes eat and would prefer allowing them to graze.

    The only difference is that instead of scheduling meals, you will offer food around meal times and leave the bowl down for your dog to graze.

    Free-feeding can result in obesity. Talk to your veterinarian.

    We recommend feeding 2-3 meals/day.

    How to Reduce Bloat Risk

    Always encourage slow eating! Fast eating, scarfing, gulping, and guarding are key predictors of bloat risk.

    As a matter of fact, we believe that slow eating is a much more reliable way to reduce bloat risk in giant breed dogs than large, quickly-eaten meals followed by rest.

    Studies show that bloat most often happens 2-3 hours after meals and often while resting or in the middle of the night!

    Stop stressing every time your Dane eats food! Bloat is related to genetics: pedigree, temperament & gut health.

    Our Great Dane feeding chart (below) still applies when choosing to free feed a Great Dane. Adult food requirements will be different than they will be for a 12 or even 18 week old Great Dane.

    Resource Guarding & Picky Eaters

    One important thing to note when choosing a free Great Dane feeding ‘schedule’ is that it will be inappropriate for some dogs. Great Danes that scarf food, guard food, stress about food, nitpick food, or obsess about it will require diligent training and management.

    For those dogs, we recommend 2-3 meals each day, fed in a stress-free environment, and offered in a slow feeder bowl or food puzzle to manage intake and reduce scarfing (which can increase bloat risk and contribute to an unfortunately short life span).

    Picky eaters benefit from scheduled mealtimes, not more enticing toppers or yet another change to the food offered!

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    Our Favorite Slow Feeder Bowls

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    Our Pets Stainless Slow Feeder
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    Top Dog Stainless Slow Feeder
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    The M/L Neater Feeder with a stainless water bowl and stainless slow feeder bowl.

    Great Dane Body Condition

    Many pet parents are unsure of how much to feed a Great Dane or their Great Dane puppy. The condition of your Great Dane is the best indicator of how much food you should (or should not) be feeding.

    If your Great Dane or Great Dane puppy is at a healthy weight, you are likely feeding the appropriate amount. Adult Great Danes should be on large or giant breed adult or senior formula.

    Use the food chart as your guide.

    You can see roughly how much to feed your Great Dane by looking at the back of your bag of dog food. As above, a Great Dane puppy may need to eat more than an adult Great Dane.

    If your dog is overweight or obese, you will need to reduce your dog’s food intake and make sure they don’t get too many calories from their food, wet food, treats, or toppers.

    If your dog is underweight, you may need to add more food and closely monitor food intake.

    AgeTimingAmount
    Puppies under 12 weeks3x/day2-4 cups/day
    Puppies 12-24 weeks old3x/day3-6 cups/day
    Puppies 24 + weeks (6 months) or older2x/day5-10 cups/day
    Puppies 12-18 months2x/day6-12 cups/day
    Adults 18+ Months2x/day4-8 cups/day
    These values are averages. Your pet may need more or less. Always talk to your veterinarian and use the manufacturer’s feeding chart as a guideline.

    BONUS POST: Is my Great Dane too Skinny!?

    Body Condition Scoring for Dogs

    The easiest way to check your dog’s body condition is to use the Body Condition Score. This nine-point system is based on how easily you can feel your dog’s ribs and whether or not there is an obvious waist.

    For the Great Dane breed, you want to see a defined waist, a tuck in the abdomen, and good muscle development. Great Dane dogs should be lean and fit, never heavy or slow.

    NestlePurina_9-PointBCSScale-DogsCats_2pagesDownload

    In general, a female Great Dane will be smaller, and a male Great Dane will have more substance. ‘Euro’ is a marketing term and not actually a reason for a dog to be heavy, chunk or overweight.

    Always monitor what your Great Dane eats and feed them a proper diet (click here for our recommendations!)

    If you are unsure of your dog’s body condition, please consult your veterinarian.

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    An Underweight Great Dane
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    A Healthy Weight Great Dane
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    An Overweight Great Dane

    What if my Great Dane is Picky?

    If your Great Dane or Great Dane puppy is turning their nose up at food, always address medical reasons first.

    Most ‘picky’ dogs have either had enough and don’t actually need more kibble, or they have trained you to offer them different foods (they know you’ll give in)!

    Remember, any Great Dane feeding chart that you find is a loose guideline, not a hard recommendation. If you really feel that your Great Dane is not eating enough, you must first start with a veterinary visit to rule out health problems.

    You can also try enticing toppers such as raw egg, bone broth, Dr. Harvey’s (rehydrated), or canned foods; however, tread cautiously!

    Bribing your dog to eat is a rabbit hole that you may not want to go down. Dogs will work for their food (training) and will not let themselves starve.

    Our Top Picks for Great Dane Foods

    Cost of Feeding Great Dane Puppies

    Giant breed puppies have big appetites and can eat up to 12 cups of food per day!

    The cost of feeding a giant breed puppy will depend on the quality of food you choose and the size of your puppy.

    On average, you can expect to spend $50-$100 per month on food for your giant breed puppy.

    We also recommend supplements that can benefit the joints, increase gut health and reduce bloat risk.

    Our favorite supplements for Great Dane owners to consider include:

    Great Dane Feeding Chart

    We recommend using this Great Dane Feeding Chart as a guide:

    Fast-growing 12-week old Great Dane pups may actually eat more than adult Great Danes!

    Because they tend to grow larger, a male Great Dane may also need more food than a female Great Dane. Great Danes in general have more complex nutritional needs than other breeds!

    When considering exactly how much to feed a Great Dane, we recommend starting with the feeding chart on the back of the bag.

    FEEDING GUIDELINES FOR GREAT DANES

    This chart assumes you are feeding a quality kibble. Every kibble is different and some have more nutrition per cup than others. Some puppies receive more exercise or have a higher metabolism than others, too.

    Remember that adding a lot of treats or toppers will change these ratios! These feeding guidelines are based on Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Formulas. Other kibbles and fresh foods may be different, and raw feeding will be by weight, not volume.

    AgeTimingAmount
    Puppies under 12 weeks3x/day2-4 cups/day
    Puppies 12-24 weeks old3x/day3-6 cups/day
    Puppies 24 + weeks (6 months) or older2x/day5-10 cups/day
    Puppies 12-18 months2x/day6-12 cups/day
    Adults 18+ Months2x/day4-8 cups/day
    These values are averages. Your pet may need more or less. Always talk to your veterinarian and use the manufacturer’s feeding chart as a guideline.

    Great Danes age 18-24 months +: switch to an adult formula and closely monitor body condition, especially after spay/neuter. We’ve linked to an important blog post on this topic below.

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    Does your Great Dane eat a lot? Leave a comment below! We’d love to know more about your Dane pup and the experience you’ve had with dog food.

    We hope this Great Dane feeding chart has been helpful in determining how to best feed your pooch. As always, if you have any questions please consult your veterinarian.

    Happy feeding!

    READ MORE:

    Miniature Great Danes: The ‘Pocket’ Version of a Great Dane

  • Shock Collar for Great Dane Training

    Shock Collar for Great Dane Training

    If you are looking into a shock collar for Great Dane training, you’ve come to the right place!

    We offer modern dog training advice and can help you decide if using a shock collar on your Great Dane is going to be helpful for fixing behavioral issues.

    We are here to give you ideas and resources for E-Collar training, products, positive training, and more!

    Read on for more information about shock collar training and Great Danes!

    Shock Collar for Great Dane

    SHOCK COLLAR TRAINING and GREAT DANES

    Many people search for shock collar training resources when they are at their ‘wit’s end’ with their dog.

    Aggression, lunging, barking, pulling, digging in the trash and general stubborn nonsense are common reasons that otherwise well-meaning dog owners seek to use a shock collar on their dog!

    We understand your frustrations, we hear you, and we are here to HELP!

    At Hello Danes, we believe that shock collars are so 2001, and that E-Collars are the new, more effective and humane way to train Great Danes. 

    A properly used E-Collar can give your dog off-leash freedom and so much more.

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    Shock collars (especially inexpensive ones from Amazon, etc.) provide a sharp, startling shock or aversive vibration sensation that is designed specifically to hurt and punish. With shock collars, the dog is the subject of the training and may not be aware of how to avoid being shocked.

    E-Collars (in particular, the only brand we stand behind, E-Collar Technologies) provide a blunt tingling stimulation that is designed to be a positive, tactile communication. With proper E-Collar use, the dog is a participant in training and knows how to make choices that turn that stimulation on and off.

    EASY Educator collar

    WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING

    You may be reading this and thinking ‘no way, lady. My dog is LARGE and in CHARGE and I need a way to get his attention. An E-Collar isn’t going to cut it’.

    Look, we get it! Having an out-of-control giant breed Great Dane is embarrassing and can result in injury, lawsuits and more. Training your Great Dane is extremely important! 

    Training Mistakes
    Why is Leash Training so Hard?
    5 Leash Training Tips
    Puppy Training: 5 Mistakes in Training

    Now imagine for a moment that your currently bratty Great Dane could have amazing off-leash obedience and recall, polite manners, the ability to ‘settle’ indoors (even when guests are over), and confidence (not fear, anxiety or instability).

    BELOW I’ve written two training examples, so you can learn about the difference between shock collar training and E-Collar training for your Great Dane! 

    Shock Collar for Great Dane

    SHOCK COLLAR RECALL

    The dog runs off and doesn’t listen when off leash.

    The shock collar is used to punish the dog for ignoring the recall command.

    The handler may repeat the sharp static shock or vibration until the dog comes back, often with poor body language (ears pinned, hunched, low to the ground).

    Teaching Recall with an E Collar
    From Running Away to Off Leash Freedom

    The dog learns that running from the owner is scary and may, through this process learn to stay closer because they fear what happens if they don’t.

    Additionally, the dog may learn to associate the shock or vibrate with the environment, lowering their confidence and increased anxiety and aggression (BLOAT RISK).

    What is Bloat?
    Can You Prevent Bloat?
    Stomach Tacking: Pros and Cons
    Bloat and Gut Health
    The Scary Bloat Timeline

    E-COLLAR RECALL

    The dog is taught that the stimulation from the E-Collar (up to 1/2 mile away) means to come back.

    They are enthusiastic about it, not fearful or hurt by it, and associate the stimulation with good things.

    The stimulation feels like an ant crawling around, and the dog quickly learns that they can turn it off by running back to the handler.

    Just like leash pressure or teasing a dog with a treat until they sit!

    The E-Collar becomes a true wireless leash! 

    The dog learns that staying close and listening means good things, treats, praise and freedom. If they go too far, the E-Collar reminds them to turn and run back! They quickly learn boundaries and gain freedom; in dedicated hands, most dogs can easily be off-leash within weeks.

    This is all done, reliably, with a gentle muscle stimulation that most humans cannot even feel.

    Because the dog associates the stimulation with good things and has full control over the stimulation, the dog is an enthusiastic and willing participant. Treats, praise and play are also part of a proper E-Collar training program. Dogs that have fun training learn faster and develop stronger obedience skills!

    Shock Collar for Great Dane

    WHICH DOG WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE?

    So if you ask us if you should use a shock collar for Great Dane training, our answer will always be NO.  Shock collars cause unnecessary stress and anxiety that can increase bloat risk, reduce confidence and cause worsened training problems. It’s just not worth it. 

    But if you are interested in using an E-Collar for Great Dane training? Let’s chat!

    A properly used E-Collar is less aversive, less harmful and more effective than a long leash, no-pull harness, squirt bottle, verbal correction or head harness! 

    With some fun, simple positive training your E-Collar becomes a ‘wireless leash’, allowing you to effectively communicate with your dog (even your large stubborn one!) up to 1/2 mile away.

    Shock Collar for Great Dane
    Shock Collar for Great Dane

    IMAGINE YOUR DOG: 

    • Having insane amounts of enriching off-leash freedom (which results in better physical and mental condition, less stress and lower anxiety. All things that may reduce overall bloat risk and improve behavior).
    • Loose leash walking with calm confidence.
    • Being free from leash reactivity, an unfortunate result of the natural restriction and tension of the leash, collar or harness.
    • Dropping calmly to a down-stay while other dogs, children and people walk by.
    • Redirecting immediately away from dangerous and annoying behaviors such as fence jumping, running into the street and stealing cooked chicken bones from the counter; then running back to you with enthusiasm!
    • Calmly sitting on a ‘place’ while you greet guests or unload groceries.
    Shock Collar for Great Dane

    WHEN NOT TO USE AN E-COLLAR

    There are times and situations where the use of an E-Collar, and especially of a shock collar, is NOT appropriate. Seek the help of a professional trainer, and never use an electric collar of any kind to address the following behaviors: 

    • Addressing dog-dog, dog-human or dog-child aggression
    • Puppy biting
    • Crate frustration and separation anxiety
    • Resource guarding
    • Leash reactivity/aggression
    • Fearful, timid or anxious behaviors, especially in rescue dogs that have not had time to decompress (3+ months)
    Shock Collar for Great Dane

    Keep in mind that the majority of behavior problems are the result of boredom, frustration, anxiety, immaturity, poor socialization, pain or confusion. E-Collars are not appropriate for resolving those behaviors (including reactivity, aggression, puppy biting, resource guarding and destruction), but can be used as part of an entire training program centered around building confidence, skills and independence.

    Remember, shock collars are an outdated tool. There are better, more humane and more effective ways to train dogs, and the E-Collar can help you.

    Ready to get started with E-Collar training your Great Dane?

    Shop our selection of high-quality E-Collars from E-Collar technologies, and view our ever-growing library of E-Collar training resources.

    READ MORE:

    Find a Great Dane Rescue

  • Great Dane Fail: Off-Leash & Out of Control

    Great Dane Fail: Off-Leash & Out of Control

    There’s a reason why Great Danes are called the “gentle giants.”

    They are one of the most docile and loving dog breeds out there. But this doesn’t mean that they don’t need training. In fact, if you don’t train your Great Dane, you’re in for a world of trouble.

    This hilarious Great Dane fail post will show you why it’s so important to train your Great Dane and what can happen if you don’t!

    https://www.facebook.com/laneya.jacob/posts/10221482717803826

    AN OUT OF CONTROL GREAT DANE FAIL

    This week we saw this video (above). A huge blue Great Dane has escaped from his leash or gate and is on the run, terrorizing everyone in his path. He’s chasing people, bouncing around, and just being an all-around menace. The people in the video are TERRIFIED!

    Great Danes are massive dogs. They can weigh nearly 200 pounds and stand over six feet tall when they’re fully grown. They’re also incredibly strong.

    So when they’re not properly trained, they can be a real handful.

    9 2

    THIS DANE FAILS VIDEO IS HILARIOUS, OF COURSE

    Sure, it’s funny to see a Great Dane running around and having a great time. But it’s not so funny when they start knocking things over, jumping on people, chasing people, or worse.

    The people in the video were afraid of this dog, and that’s not fair. This dog could have easily been hurt or seriously hurt somebody in the process of what only looks like innocent fun.

    It’s very clear that this dog has no reliable off-leash recall and is lacking an appropriate amount of physical and mental enrichment overall.

    Did you know that a wagging tail does NOT always mean that a dog is friendly and well-intentioned? Wagging tails can mean all sorts of things, and play is just one of them.

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    Three well-behaved Great Danes in a ‘place’ command.

    TOP TRAINING TIPS FOR GREAT DANES

    Be consistent: Training should be a part of your daily routine with your Great Dane. (Read our blog on the top 5 mistakes Great Dane puppy owners make during training!)

    Use positive reinforcement: Training should be a positive experience for both you and your dog.

    E-Collar train: Off-leash reliability is a must for Great Danes. We have tons of resources on this topic!

    Find a good trainer: If you’re having trouble training your Great Dane yourself, it’s a good idea to find a professional trainer. We recommend finding a trainer that uses a lot of positive reinforcement and balanced training tools such as e-collars, martingale, long leashes, treats, clickers, and prong collars.

    READ MORE:

    Big Barker Dog Bed Review- A Comprehensive and Non-Biased Review

    Is My Great Dane Being Aggressive or Playing

  • 5 Common Mistakes Made When Training Great Dane Puppies (and How to Avoid Them)

    5 Common Mistakes Made When Training Great Dane Puppies (and How to Avoid Them)

    Raising a puppy can be a fun, joyous, and sometimes frustrating adventure. It’s important to avoid making common training mistakes when training Great Dane puppies.

    If you’re not careful, you may end up with a giant disobedient dog that barks, pulls, and jumps on people! Don’t let their cute, snuggly little puppy bodies fool you; an untrained Great Dane is a dangerous animal and if you are reading this post, you probably need to start working on training yesterday.

    In this blog post, we will discuss five common mistakes made when training Great Dane puppies (and how to avoid them). If you want to have a well-behaved dog, this is the place to be!

    Mistakes Made When Training Great Dane Puppies

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    #1 – Waiting Too Long Before Training

    One common mistake made when training Great Dane puppies is not starting early enough.

    It’s important to begin training your puppy as soon as possible so that they can learn good habits from the start. If you wait too long to start training, your puppy may develop bad habits that will be difficult to break.

    Training starts on day one. Fill your pocket with treats and remember that your puppy doesn’t know anything!

    Don’t wait for training classes to start. Don’t wait until your puppy has had all of its shots. Don’t wait until bad habits have already set in!

    If your breeder was reputable, he or she would have also established some early crate training, leash training, attention and bathroom habits.

    Good training means using a lot of positive reinforcement to teach your puppy what behaviors are the most rewarding. By keeping your puppy close you can start teaching the basics such as:

    • Go potty
    • Sit
    • Down
    • Leave it
    • Wait (at doors)

    These are all simple and easy to teach and will help minimize the bad behaviors from popping up later!

    17 1

    #2 – Not Being Consistent with Dog Training

    Another common mistake is not being consistent with training.

    If you only train your puppy once in a while, they won’t learn as quickly or as effectively. It’s important to be consistent with training so that your puppy knows what is expected of them. Training doesn’t stop once your puppy has been through puppy classes!

    Great Dane puppies benefit the most from 2-3 minute sessions, several times per day. It is also helpful to use a crate, gate, or leash to manage behavior (and keep your puppy from practicing the wrong thing!).

    By establishing some boundaries and rules in your home (for example, NO running through doors!) you can maintain predictability and consistency for your dog which will pay off in the long run.

    Use this time to teach the foundations of an off-leash heel, look at me, touch (my hand), sit, down and stay.
    These sessions should be fun, short and full of rewards!

    Here are some of our favorite Great Dane puppy training treats (click to view):

    Great Dane Puppy Treats
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    heart product shot 543df925a61364badd8ba752e763561c
    Code HELLODANES10 for 10% off all Dr. Harveys products
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    A lilac Fawn Great Dane Puppy

    #3 – Relying on Force & Punishment in Training

    Another common mistake is using too much force and punishment when training.

    This can be counterproductive and cause your puppy to become scared or aggressive. It’s important to use positive reinforcement when training your puppy, such as praise and treats.

    It is unfair to punish, scold, or correct a dog that doesn’t know what they should be doing instead.

    We believe in balanced training (saying YES often and saying NO when appropriate) but we do not recommend using punitive, harsh, forceful, or aggressive training methods.

    Spend more time saying ‘YES’ to your puppy than saying ‘NO’. If you find yourself constantly saying ‘NO’, your puppy needs more positive training, management and guidance from you.

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    #4 – Not Socializing Your Great Dane Puppy

    A fourth common mistake is not socializing your puppy enough.

    Socialization is important for Great Danes so that they can learn how to interact with other dogs and people. If you don’t socialize with your puppy, they may become shy or anxious around others.

    Socialization means so much more than meeting people and dogs! It means taking your puppy to new places, exposing them to different sounds, sights, and tactile experiences while also teaching them how to behave in various situations.

    Socialization means positive exposure to novel things. Flooding a puppy with rude people and dogs is not socialization.
    Having fun exploring new textures, sights, smells and sounds, is.

    7 3
    A harlequin Great Dane puppy exploring a new environment

    #5 – Avoiding Professional Help

    Finally, a fifth common mistake is not seeking professional help when needed. Many people think they don’t need to take classes or get professional help because they’ve had dogs their whole lives.

    If you’re having trouble training your puppy, don’t be afraid to seek out the help of a professional trainer. They can give you valuable advice and guidance on how to train your puppy effectively. For puppies that are doing well, a professional trainer can provide guidance so that together you can achieve even better obedience and training than you thought possible!

    Many times, a ‘stubborn’ puppy is actually just confused!

    We recommend finding a highly experienced positive trainer who uses balanced training methods (positive reinforcement + appropriate and fair corrections).

    We recommend that all Great Danes be trained to a Canine Good Citizen level or better.
    Sign up for classes beyond puppy 101 and keep going!
    Having a well-behaved, polite, well-socialized dog is a joy.

    Have Fun Training Your Great Dane!

    Avoiding these five common mistakes will help you to raise a well-behaved and obedient Great Dane puppy.

    With patience and consistency, you can train your puppy to be a well-mannered, polite, calm dog that you can be proud of.

  • Great Dane Pricing- How Much Does it Cost to Buy a Great Dane?

    Great Dane Pricing- How Much Does it Cost to Buy a Great Dane?

    Great Dane pricing is something that many people wonder about. If you’re asking, “How much does it cost to buy a Great Dane?” then you’re not alone. Great Danes are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, and they come at a price.

    In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what factors influence the Great Dane pricing, and how you can find a reputable breeder. Let’s get started!

    Great Dane Pricing
    A mantle Great Dane puppy from an ethical breeder

    GREAT DANE PRICING FROM BREEDERS

    The Great Dane pricing from a breeder can range anywhere from $600 to $4000. The average Great Dane price is between $1600-$2500, but this can vary depending on the breeder.

    There are a few things that will affect the price of a Great Dane from a breeder:

    – How ethical and diligent the breeder is

    -How much health testing was done

    -If the parents were shown and are excellent examples of the breed standard

    -If the breeder utilizes best practices for socialization

    -How robust, healthy and long-lived the pedigree is

    – The reputation of the breeder

    ‘Designer’ traits such as being ‘mini’, having an off-standard color or being ‘Euro’ should not cost more.

    These designer ‘options’ are all red flags of unethical breeding practices; tread cautiously.

    Great Dane Pricing

    HOW TO FIND A REPUTABLE GREAT DANE BREEDER

    Great Danes from legitimate, ethical breeders are not going to be cheap. Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $1700-$2000 (average), and possibly more if you are planning to show and breed your puppy.

    Here are key things to look for in a Great Dane Breeder:

    A Great Dane puppy priced below $1000 is a red flag for unethical breeding and for scams.

    No ethical, diligent breeder will sell a puppy at that price, and there are many scams going around that prey on people looking for a bargain.

    Great Dane Pricing
    A fawn Great Dane puppy

    Great Dane Prices from Rescues

    Adopting a Great Dane from a rescue is a great way to get a dog at a lower price.

    Rescues typically have lower adoption fees than breeders, and they often have Great Danes of all ages that need good homes!

    Rescue fees also typically cover the cost of vaccines and spay/neuter surgery prior to adoption. This can save you thousands of dollars!

    The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. We do our best to present the most up-to-date research, however it is up to the reader to make decisions regarding the health and well-being of their dog. We make no claims here to prevent or treat bloat, Panosteitis, DCM or any other condition related to Great Danes. Find a veterinarian with GIANT breed experience, and chat with them. 

    Some of the products we list on our website contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, we may receive a small commission for referring you. We only recommend products that we truly believe in. This commission does not affect the price of the product and is used to fund our content and expenses related to operating this website. 

    READ MORE:

    Black Great Dane Puppy – An Adorable Addition to Your Family

    Bad Great Dane Breeders

  • How to Introduce an E-Collar to a Great Dane – Tips & Tricks

    How to Introduce an E-Collar to a Great Dane – Tips & Tricks

    Introducing a new E-Collar to your Great Dane can be a daunting task. It is important that you take the time to properly condition and train your dog with the E-Collar before using it in real-world situations.

    E Collar Training Guide
    E Collar Myths
    What is an E Collar?

    In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks for how to introduce an E-Collar to a Great Dane. We will also provide some helpful tips on how to use the E-Collar for training purposes. Let’s get started!

    How to Introduce an E-Collar
    How to Introduce an E-Collar
    Need help with modern e collar training? Check out our guide.

    This guide assumes you are using a quality E-Collar, NOT a shock collar from Amazon or the Pet Store! We recommend E-Collar Technologies or Dogtra only.

    There is a huge difference between a shock collar and an E-Collar. Please read this article for more information before getting started.

    Is the Gentle Leader an Abusive Tool?
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    Dog Halo Collar Review

    How to Introduce an E-Collar
    A merle Great Dane wearing an E-Collar Technologies E-Collar ET-900

    HOW TO INTRODUCE AN E-COLLAR TO A GREAT DANE

    Step One: The proper fit is important. Make sure that the E-Collar fits your dog properly. It should be snug, but not too tight. You don’t want it to be so tight that it’s uncomfortable for your dog, but you also need to make sure that the stimulation prongs make consistent contact and don’t rub.

    Proper E Collar Placement

    Step Two: Start with basic obedience commands. Before you begin using the E-Collar for training purposes, make sure that your dog understands basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. These are easy to teach using positive reinforcement and will make the E-Collar training process much easier.

    Your dog doesn’t have to be amazing at these basic commands yet, but they should be able to do them when you are indoors at your house.

    How to Introduce an E-Collar
    A Harlequin Great Dane wearing an Educator E-Collar

    HOW TO FIND YOUR DOG’S WORKING LEVEL ON THE E-COLLAR

    Once you have the E-Collar fitted properly and your dog knows some basic obedience commands, you can begin E-Collar conditioning. This is a process where you gradually get your dog used to the E-Collar and the language of stimulation.

    E Collar Training Guide
    E Collar Myths
    What is an E Collar?
    What is the Difference Between an E Collar and a Shock Collar?

    Start by putting the E-Collar on your dog and letting them wear it for a short period of time.

    • Start at the lowest level, tap.
    • Increase the level by just one step and ‘tap’ once again.
    • Watch your dog and look for a slight reaction.
    • Repeat this process.
    • Once you have found the level that gets your dog’s attention, you can begin training.

    Reactions may include:

    • Turning their head
    • Twitching their ear
    • Looking at their rear end
    • Head tilt
    • Scratching

    Most dogs’ working-level falls between 2 and 10 on Educator Collars.

    This level is imperceptible to humans and extremely gentle! It will fill like a tactile ‘tapping’ sensation to your dog.

    How to Introduce an E-Collar
    A Mantle Great Dane wearing a Mini-Educator and a biothane long leash, learning to recall with the E-Collar and Positive Reinforcement.

    E-COLLAR CONDITIONING, STEP 2

    Once you have found your dog’s working level, you will want to teach them that stimulation means good things.

    This can be done by using high-value treats and pairing the sensation with reward, not punishment!

    Your dog should be showing enthusiastic and positive body language. If they are bothered by the simulation, turn it down a level or two.

    Over the course of several days, and ongoing through the next several weeks, practice the following with your dog:

    STIM – TREAT – STIM – TREAT

    Remember, muscle stimulation is not the same as a sharp static shock.

    This is a foreign sensation to your dog that doesn’t mean good or bad. It is your job to teach your dog what the stimulation means.

    How to Introduce an E-Collar
    An Easy Educator E-Collar that uses muscle stimulation, not sharp shocks.

    THE LANGUAGE OF THE E-COLLAR

    Once your dog understands that the stimulation means good things, it’s time to teach your dog how to come when called.

    1. Start by having your dog on a leash. We recommend a long Biothane leash and flat martingale collar.
    2. Give the command to ‘come’ while simultaneously pressing and holding the E-Collar button on ‘Continuous’ mode. (Use your dogs working level).
    3. As soon as your dog starts to come towards you, release the E-Collar button immediately and praise them lavishly! Reward them with a treat and more praise when they come to you.
    4. Repeat this process many ways and in many places. The more you practice, the more confident you can be that your dog understands the stimulation and will respond to it.

    Troubleshooting

    If your dog doesn’t turn to come to you, they may be too far away, too distracted, or confused. A gentle tug on the leash may help communicate the command.

    Think of your E-Collar like a cell phone!

    A long leash is a landline.

    The stimulation is the phone ringing. When your dog ‘answers the phone’, the ringing goes away and they are rewarded!

    How to Introduce an E-Collar
    A black Great Dane running off-leash with an Educator E-Collar.

    BEST PRACTICES FOR E-COLLARS

    Good E-Collar use means relying on the tool as a communication device, not a corrections one.

    • Do not use your E-Collar as a threat or as a correction until you are well past the first several weeks of ‘conditioning’.
    • Spend more time saying yes than no, stay at your dog’s working level and keep it positive.
    • Rotate the collar every 2-3 hours.

    An increase in your dog’s working level will likely be required as you move into more distracting areas! This higher level does not hurt or punish, it simply overrides the excitement of the environment.

    It’s the difference between hearing your cell phone ring at home, vs. hearing and responding to it while at a noisy party.

    Shop now

    READ MORE:
    How to Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy
    Teaching Recall with an E Collar
    From Running Away to Off Leash Freedom
    Shock Collar for Great Dane Training
    Prongs are Just Plain Positive
    Deplorable Dog Training

  • Miniature Great Danes: The ‘Pocket’ Version of a Great Dane

    Miniature Great Danes: The ‘Pocket’ Version of a Great Dane

    Miniature Great Danes (also known as ‘Mini’ Great Danes) are the pocket-sized version of our favorite giant breed dog.

    A petite micro Great Dane is still a giant breed dog, but smaller in size. Some people prefer this as it allows them to enjoy the wonderful Great Dane temperament when having a 140+ lb dog isn’t practical.

    Are minature Great Danes a breed, and where can you get one? We’ll answer these questions and more below!

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    Do Miniature Great Danes Exist?

    Mini Great Danes are real. They are not a separate breed, but rather they are just small Great Danes.

    Miniature Great Danes are not runts. A runt is the smallest pup in a litter and many runts grow into normal sized adults. In some cases, the runt of a Great Dane litter can outgrow their littermates!

    On the flip side, some Great Dane runts have health problems and may never reach full size; this does not make them ‘miniature’ in the traditional sense.

    Actual mini Great Danes, on the other hand, are dogs of normal weight and proportions. They just happen to be petite.

    There is no dwarfism or other genetic condition that causes miniature Great Danes to be small; they simply inherit genes from their parents that result in a smaller size.

    On average, an adult Great Dane will weigh between 110 – 170lbs. There are many Great Danes who fall onto the lighter end of the spectrum, with some never even growing past 100lbs!

    25
    A ‘miniature’ Harlequin Great Dane

    Are Petite Great Danes Healthier?

    There is no evidence that Miniature Great Danes are healthier than their larger counterparts.

    A well-bred Great Dane from a diligent breeder focused on the written standard for Great Danes is most likely to live a long, robust life.

    Breeders who intentionally breed for petite (or huge) size are often utilizing unethical breeding practices. Some of those puppies tend to look more like a ‘small Great Dane looking dog’ than an actual, purebred Great Dane.

    Contrary to popular belief, mini Great Danes are not a ‘designer’ dog. You should not pay more for a ‘mini Great Dane’.

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    A miniature brindle Great Dane

    Miniature Great Danes are Still Giant Breed Dogs

    While ‘Mini’ Great Danes are smaller than their full-sized cousins, they are still giant breed dogs and have the same nutritional needs.

    A small Great Dane should be fed a high-quality diet formulated for large breed dogs to ensure they grow at a healthy rate.

    We do not recommend intentionally stunting, or increasing a dog’s growth by feeding an incorrect diet!

    Choose a high-quality large breed formula. We prefer brands such as Pro Plan which are backed by nutrition research and science.

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    271628 MAIN. AC SS348 V1626396086
    90757 MAIN. AC SS348 V1635866197

    BONUS POST: Is my Great Dane too Skinny!?

    The Many Great Dane Spots, Colors, and Stripes

    The Top 5 Adorable Facts About Great Danes

    Black Great Dane Puppy: An Adorable Addition to Your Family

    What Kind of Dog is Scooby Doo? The Many Mysteries of Scooby’s Thrilling Breed

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    What Does ‘Euro’ Mean in Great Danes?

  • How to Teach a Great Dane to Walk on a Leash

    How to Teach a Great Dane to Walk on a Leash

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

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

    How to teach a Great Dane to walk on a leash

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Teach a Great Dane to Walk on a Leash

    Leash Walking Basics: Teach Focus and “With Me”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    HOW TO TRAIN A GREAT DANE TO BE CALM

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

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

    Here are some tips for teaching your Great Dane to be calm in ALL environments:

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

    Practice Leash Walking

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

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

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

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

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    THE BEST LEASH FOR GREAT DANES

    We recommend that all Great Dane owners have three leashes:

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

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

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

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    Viper 15ft Training Lead
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    Leather Dog Leash
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    Leather Slip Leash
    5

    How Do I Stop My Great Dane From Pulling?

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

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


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

    IMG 4020 3

    GREAT DANE TRAINING TOOLS

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

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

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

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

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

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    Leather Slip Leash
    71IISo4HAYL. AC SL1500
    Herm Sprenger Collar
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    Wide Flat Martingale Collar

    E-Collar Training for Great Danes

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

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

    We use and recommend only E-Collar Technologies.

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

    3

    Should I Use a Harness for my Great Dane?

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

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

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

    Is the Gentle Leader an Abusive Tool?

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

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

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

    RUFFWEAR FRONT RANGE HARNESS FOR GREAT DANES
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    Off-Leash Obedience for Great Danes

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

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

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

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

  • Mantle Great Danes

    Mantle Great Danes

    Mantle Great Danes have a black and white coat pattern that is both striking and regal.

    The Great Dane Club of American (GDCA) recognizes two Mantle patterns: the traditional Mantle and the Merle Mantle.

    1

    Today we are going to share photos of Mantle and Mantle Merle Great Danes!

    MANTLE GREAT DANES

    Below is an example of the traditional black and white Mantle pattern.

    2

    This dog has a black coat with white markings on the chest, neck, muzzle, underparts, and legs.

    The GDCA standard describes the ideal Mantle as follows:

    Color – Black and white with a black blanket extending over the body.

    Patterns and Markings – Black skull with white muzzle; white blaze is optional; whole or partial white neck; a white chest; white on whole or part of the forelegs and hind legs; white-tipped black tail. A small white break in the blanket is acceptable. Black pigment may be seen on the skin of the white areas.

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    MANTLE GREAT DANE MARKINGS

    MANTLE GREAT DANES
    From the Great Dane Written Standard

    MANTLE MERLE GREAT DANES

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    There is also a merle variety of Mantle Great Dane, which has a marbled or mottled coat with patches of black, gray, and white. The GDCA standard describes the ideal Merle as follows:

    Color – A pale gray to dark gray merle base color with black torn patches within.

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    Patterns and Markings – May be a Solid Merle (white on chest and toes permissible) or a Merle with a Mantle Pattern ( solid merle blanket extending over the body; merle skull with a white muzzle; white blaze is optional; whole or partial white neck; a white chest; white on whole or part of the forelegs and hind legs; white tipped merle tail. A small break in the blanket is acceptable.

    Black pigment may be seen on the skin in the white areas.

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    Many people think of merle Great Danes as having a solid coat, but the mantle coat pattern is considered ideal.

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    Note: a merle or a mantle merle dog is not the same as a ‘Merlequin’. Merlequin Great Danes are the result of spot-to-spot breedings and are genetically a double-merle dog.
    A ‘Merlequin’ Great Dane will have a Harlequin coat pattern, but instead of torn black patches all of the patches will be merle.

    MANTLE MERLE COAT PATTERN

    MANTLE GREAT DANES
    From the Great Dane Club of America written standard

    MANTLE AND MANTLE MERLE GREAT DANES

    We ADORE this image of a mantle and mantle merle Great Danes from @altitudegreatdanes in Utah. They have some of the first Champion merle Great Danes and we love seeing their gorgeous dogs!

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    OTHER MANTLE COAT PATTERNS

    A show-marked Harlequin Great Dane is very similar to a mantle, only with torn black patches (spots), instead of the solid black. They will have a white chest, white feet and white-collar, just like a mantle!

    Some breeders breed for unusual off-standard colors such as brindle mantle, blue mantle and fawn mantle. These are considered ‘off-standard’ colors and not accepted by the Great Dane Club of America.

    KEEP READING:

    Blue Great Danes
    Mantle Great Danes
    14 Exciting Things about Black Great Danes
    Double Merle Great Danes
    Miniature Great Danes: The Pocket Size Version
    Colors of Great Danes
    The Top 5 Adorable Facts About Great Dane Brindle Dogs
    What Kind of Dog is Scooby Doo? The Many Mysteries of Scooby’s Thrilling Breed