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Category: Great Danes

  • Is My Great Dane Puppy Knuckling?

    Is My Great Dane Puppy Knuckling?

    I’m taking a wild guess here that you found this post because you are concerned about your Great Dane puppy knuckling over. We have many resources on this topic, and are here to help!

    Great Dane puppies have HUGE knobby knees. Their limbs look so chunky when they are young that many people, even some veterinarians (who aren’t used to seeing giant breed dogs) are initially alarmed. Knuckling Over (medically known as “carpal laxity”) is a condition where the puppy’s front legs bow out over the tops of the feet.

    This reversible problem is believed to be the result of excessively fast growth, environment, genetics, and incorrect nutrition. We will touch on all of these factors below!

    • What causes puppy knuckling over?
    • Are flat feet and knuckling the same thing?
    • How to treat puppy knuckling and carpal laxity
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    This is a photo of a Great Dane puppy with severe carpal laxity “knuckling“

    Great Dane Puppy Knuckling Photos

    Here are some photos of Great Dane puppies who are experiencing severe carpal laxity (“knuckling”). Your puppy may have only mild knuckling that could progress quickly if left untreated and may not yet look like the puppies below.

    Any kind of bowing out, flat toes, or crooked appearance is cause for concern. While carpal laxity knuckling is the most common growth disorder, it’s also the most benign!

    Other problems related to bone growth in Great Danes include HOD, Panosteitis, Angular Limb Deformity, and Osteochondrosis. If you see ANY kind of abnormality in your puppy’s feet, you must visit your veterinarian to rule out more serious conditions.

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    Normal Great Dane Puppy Legs

    For reference, the image below is a young Great Dane puppy with normal legs. Notice the growth plates; those bumps are normal. The feet are nice and tall, and the limbs appear to hold the puppy up without any struggle or bowing out.

    Having solid feet and good foundations are so important for growing giant breed dogs. At this age, the joints and growth plates are very soft and susceptible to damage.

    The bump above the patella (or, the ‘ankle’) may be alarmingly large! Many people mistake this for knuckling in Great Dane puppies. If that bump is swollen and warm, that is concerning. However, it’s not unusual for them to be knobby in substantial, well-boned Great Dane puppies.

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    Great Dane Health Issues & Orthopedic Growth Disorders

    It is super important to note that while it may be normal for Great Dane puppies to have large growth plates, they should still be strictly monitored.

    Excessive swelling of the growth plates and obvious signs of pain are red flags and warrant a visit to the veterinarian. A struggling Great Dane puppy may limp, appear weak or lame, wobble, whine, chew on their feet and/or have a strange gait when they walk.

    Warm growth plates and flat or turned-out feet or limbs are another sign that something is wrong.

    Some common Great Dane growth disorders include:

    1. HOD  – Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy is a painful disorder in growing large and giant breed puppies that can cause swelling and abnormally large limbs and joints.
    2. PANO – PANOSTEITIS is also known as growing pains, and can cause swelling and pain.
    3. OSTEOCHONDROSIS
    4. INJURY – Injury to the growth plate may be serious and can cause swelling and permanent damage (that may develop into angular limb deformity or similar).

    As before, consult with your veterinarian if you are unsure! Even severe cases start with a mild version, so keep an eye on your puppy and take day-to-day photos if you are concerned. 

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    A double-merle Great Dane puppy with normal knobby knees and Growth Plates

    What Causes Knuckling in Giant Breed Dogs

    While the exact cause is unknown, it is believed that knuckling (carpal laxity), and all other orthopedic growth disorders are related largely to diet and an imbalance of important minerals and nutrients.

    Excess intake of calcium has been shown in studies to contribute to improper growth. Osteochondrosis, HOD, Panosteitis, and even angular limb deformities are commonly associated with too much calcium.

    Great Dane puppies utilize nearly EVERY bit of the calcium they receive in their diets. Adult dogs are better able to regulate this and discard what they don’t need. This makes it very important that we control the amount of calcium our puppies (under the age of 2) are receiving.

    Never feed a diet with more than 1.2% calcium to a Great Dane puppy! If it’s not listed on the bag, contact the company.

    In addition to excess calcium intake, excess food intake (overfeeding) results in obesity and rapid growth. This creates a perfect storm that results in all kinds of deformities and disorders.

    So what is the trick to reducing the risk of orthopedic growth disorders and bone problems?

    Less calcium, less food. I’ll dig into this below!

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    The Best Food to Treat Knuckling in Puppies

    Many foods on the market are NOT safe to feed giant breed puppies. I believe there are only a handful of truly nutritious and correctly balanced choices.

    When choosing food for a Great Dane puppy, especially if they have any kind of carpal laxity or painful growth disorder, you need to check the values.

    The calcium content MUST meet the following guidelines:

    1.2% or less calcium
    3.5g or less calcium per 1000kCal
    A ratio of calcium to phosphorus of as close to 1 : 1 as possible

    These factors alone don’t eliminate all possible options, so to narrow it down even further, choose as follows:

    • Labeled as a large or giant breed PUPPY formula or a large breed ALL LIFE STAGES formula
    • Must have the “formulated for the growth of 70+ lb as adult dogs” AAFCO statement
    • Includes grains (NO “grain-free”)
    • Made by a company that does research and feeding trials
    • Formulated by a highly qualified on-staff nutritionist (either a PhD in Animal Nutrition or a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist

    You may have heard that Great Dane puppies should never have puppy food. This is an OUTDATED MYTH. I cannot say this loud enough. Adult maintenance diets were used in the past but they are no longer the best choice.

    If you want more information on values associated with different food brands, check out the new Giant Dog Food Project website. www.thegiantdogfoodproject.com

    Great Danes need food that is formulated specifically for slow, even growth.

    It is also very important, when treating growth disorders, that food intake is limited and monitored. Do NOT overfeed or free feed. Eliminate all toppers, treats, and supplements.

    We highly recommend a highly researched, extensively tested and scientifically formulated large or giant breed puppy kibble with balanced calcium and phosphorus levels. Our favorites are listed below.

    For more information on Great Dane feeding, visit our Great Dane Feeding Chart post.

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

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    Great Dane Puppy Knuckling and Breeders

    Another contributor to growth problems and bowing legs in Great Danes may be poor breeding and health practices; young puppies that are kept primarily on hard surfaces and fed an improper first diet may be more susceptible.

    Great Dane puppy Knuckling occasionally goes hand in hand with flat feet (weak knuckles and toes). Poor overall foot structure has a genetic component.

    Many breeders still subscribe to outdated ideas about feeding adult foods and low-protein foods; however, these may not prevent growth disorders and often do more harm than good!

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    A Great Dane puppy knuckling before and after photo series

    Puppies that aren’t offered adequate free-play on soft, varied terrain (think grass, sand, dirt, and gravel) or that live in homes with a lot of hard, slick floors may be more prone to knuckling, flat feet, and other orthopedic issues.

    In the early stages of knuckling, you may notice:

    • Weak feet (flat toes/knuckles)
    • Weak ankles
    • Shaking limbs when on soft surfaces
    • What looks like severe knuckling when standing on a softer surface, but may correct and look ‘normal’ when back on the floor
    • Ankles that appear to be moving up and over the foot, even slightly
    • Legs that occasionally ‘bow out’
    • Limbs that look crooked in some way

    Knuckling Before and After

    The great news is that knuckling (carpal laxity) is treatable and can be corrected!

    The treatment for knuckling is also helpful for treating flat feet, which are another symptom of improper flooring, inadequate exercise, poor nutrition, and poor breeding practices.

    BEFORE:

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    AFTER: 
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    How to treat Great Dane puppy knuckling

    There are five big changes to make when treating knuckling.

    • Change Food Immediately
    • Supplements
    • Nail Maintenance
    • Flooring
    • Exercise

    We are going to use the space below to outline each one, including the best foods to offer when correcting knuckling in addition to information on supplements that we recommend.

    As always, consult your veterinarian.

    Of course, we say to consult your veterinarian often because we really do think that you should.

    However, it is extremely important to note that you find a veterinarian with giant breed experience, who is well studied in the latest research when it comes to nutrition and more. Ask questions!

    When you notice the early signs of knuckling, it is imperative that you change foods immediately.

    Knuckling is largely related to nutrition.

    The food you choose for your Great Dane puppy MUST have the correct calcium, and phosphorus ratios.

    More research is needed into the exact mechanisms behind nutrition and knuckling, but it is believed that an imbalance of amino acids and meat proteins may also contribute. For this reason, we only recommend research-backed brands for Great Dane Puppies. These brands include Purina, Royal Canin, Iam’s, Hill’s Science Diet, and Eukanuba.

    A food with the ‘correct’ calcium and phosphorus ratios may still cause knuckling if it is overfed or not professionally formulated by a veterinary nutritionist!

    The best Great Dane puppy foods to treat knuckling

    We like to see:

    Calcium at or below 1.2%

    Phosphorus close behind

    Calcium and Phosphorus should be balanced together as closely as possible, with phosphorus being the lower value. Calcium values of 1.2% or lower are ideal.

    Science-based formulation from a company that follows WSAVA Guidelines and utilizes research and science, not marketing buzzwords (Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, Hills, Royal Canin)

    If possible, look for an AAFCO statement on the bag with information about the formula being correct for the “growth of large-size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult)”.

    Better yet, the AAFCO statement should indicate that the food was substantiated in food trials.

    Ingredients: Science-backed formulation with meat, meat, and/or meat by-product meals in the first ingredients. Be wary of any food that uses an excessive amount of legumes or pea protein instead of real meat protein (which may also be linked to heart problems).

    Added probiotics and ingredients such as DHA and fish oil that promote healthy brain development and a shiny coat are recommended.

    NOTE: It used to be said that ‘adult food’ was the only choice for Dane puppies. Formulations and science have been updated. Puppy food may help ensure that your puppy is receiving enough of the right protein and fat for brain development and growing muscles.

    Formulations, research, science and kibble diets have changed for the better in the last 10 years.

    You can now choose a puppy OR an adult formula, as long as it’s formulated correctly for the growth of giant breed dogs and from a science-backed, heavily researched brand such as Purina.

    Great Dane puppy foods that we recommend

    Always consult with your veterinarian before a diet change or adding supplements! The brands listed below are heavily tested and researched by Veterinary Nutritionists and are thus formulated with up-to-date information about the growth of large and giant breed dogs.

    These brands are recommended by veterinarians and many of the Top Breeders in the U.S.

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

    Whatever you do, do NOT give your Great Dane puppy a calcium supplement or multivitamin!

    Nail trimming to prevent knuckling in Great Dane Puppies

    Overgrown nails lead to:

    • Flat feet
    • Weak pasterns
    • Unnecessary pressure on the toes and joints
    • Altered gait/walking
    • Pain
    • Damage to the skin, furniture, and hardwood
    • Temporary or permanent deformity of the feet & ankles
    • Eventually: joint damage and arthritis

    Nails must be kept short and round, not long and sharp. If they touch the ground, they are too long. If you have a puppy that is knuckling, has flat feet, or has another bone growth disorder, nail maintenance is even more important. 

    For tips on trimming nails, read our ‘how to trim Great Dane puppy nails’ blog post here. 

    Appropriately trimmed puppy nails look like this or better:

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    Hard and slick flooring is extremely bad for the joints and can contribute to flat feet and knuckling in Great Dane puppies.

    We recommend putting down runners and traction. These clear stick-on stair treads are amazing for wooden steps!

    Discourage your puppy from jumping, especially if the landing is on a hard or slick surface. Use a washable, tough bed in the crate to keep feet off the hard crate pan when crating for extended periods.

    Do not allow your puppy to zoomie and slide all over the hardwood and tile floors in your home. 

    It is important to help your puppy strengthen those feet, tendons, and muscles.

    Great Dane puppies should have large, well-knuckled feet. The toes should not be flat. We’ve included more information below on what good foot structure and strong feet should look like!

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

    How to strengthen weak Great Dane puppy feet

    Exercise ideas for strengthening Great Dane puppy feet and pasterns:

    • Lots and LOTS of free play on varied terrains such as grass, sand, and pea gravel.
    • Walking up and down gently rolling hills.
    • Have the puppy stand on the bed or the couch, and gently touch each side with a flat palm to encourage the puppy to ‘balance’.
    • Use a stability disk or cushion. Encourage the puppy to stand with both front feet on the disk.
    • When indoors, keep the puppy only on soft surfaces.
    • Limit time spent walking on concrete and in the ‘heel’ position.
    • Create a puppy playground and encourage your puppy to safely explore ramps, tunnels, and things that wobble a bit.

    Be careful about over-using a crate (restricted movement all day and all night) or keeping your puppy on a tile or linoleum floor all day long. This practice can contribute to weak feet, knees and hips.

    Make sure that your puppy receives plenty of time to move outside of the crate or X-pen when you are home.

    If your puppy has a severe case of knuckling, consult with a veterinarian and certified canine physical therapist before adding any additional exercise! 

    Some cases of knuckling benefit from wraps to support the limbs; a professional can help you. We do NOT Recommend wrapping without professional guidance.

    This puppy has weak flat feet, and weak pasterns, and shows what may be early signs of knuckling.

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    Around 5-7 weeks puppies can appear to have flat feet and early knuckling, which will correct itself if the puppy is given the correct food.

    Feet and pasterns may ‘fall’ a bit following surgery (ear cropping, for example) and during teething.

    It’s easy to become alarmed each time this happens, but it’s important to monitor progress toward the end goal: tight knuckles and straight limbs! 

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    A young Great Dane puppy with slightly flat feet

    Great Dane puppy knuckling can look much worse than it is, but it’s still essential to immediately begin correcting the problem.

    Failure to correct knuckling could lead to permanent deformities of the limbs that may become painful and may eventually lead to arthritis or require surgery.

    Have you had a puppy knuckling? What did you do to treat it? How quickly did it resolve?

    Use the comment section below to tell us about it!

  • 7 Dogs That Do Not Belong at the Dog Park

    7 Dogs That Do Not Belong at the Dog Park

    Dog parks are wildly popular, but they get a bad rap. The idea is great: an off-leash space for a dog to run, play and explore! In practice, however dog parks can be a hotbed of fear, aggression and poor training.

    I’m going to preface this today by mentioning that I take 2 of my three dogs to dog parks (both of my Danes). Our favorite is a local 70 acre fenced open space, however we have ‘normal’ dog parks here too.

    I’ve seen a LOT of sketchy behavior and ideas, so I want to put this out there in the hopes that the right people will read it.

    Here are 7 dogs that do NOT belong at a dog park!

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    THE FLIGHT RISK

    This dog RUNS.

    He may easily consider following another family home, would walk out of the gate with people coming in and out, can and will jump the fence, and largely ignores you while in the dog park.

    If you have no control over your dog and the time spent at the dog park includes chasing, yelling, and getting frustrated when he ultimately makes his escape, consider working on those basic obedience skills (sit, down, come, leave it) with a long leash before going to the dog park.

    It’s also important to recognize that the desire to escape may actually be the result of anxiety, proving that for this dog the dog park may not be the best fit.

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    THE FIGHTER

    This really goes without saying, but it constantly amazes me how many people bring truly aggressive, short-tempered dogs to the dog park.

    This is the dog that is out for blood, who may full-on attack a dog just for being nearby.  This dog snarls, lunges and goes beyond a quick warning or quick snap.

    Just like any other behavior, aggression can worsen as the behavior is repeatedly practiced.

    This idea that you socialize an aggressive dog by bringing it around other dogs is both dangerous and wildly misguided.

    If you are struggling with aggression, find a trainer. Don’t come to the dog park with your dog on a leash and scold and correct him for being reactive. This practice isn’t fair, safe or appropriate.

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    THE NEWLY RESCUED

    We know you want to take your new rescue Dane out to socialize and meet the world, but hold off!

    The newly rescued or adopted dog is still developing a sense of its new life. She doesn’t know who you are, and you don’t know who she is, either!

    It’s very important to allow your new rescue dog to decompress, prove their temperament, and develop a strong relationship with you.

    This process can take as long as 3 months, but be patient. Go for walks and start a training class instead, then consider a dog park once you know your new dog better.

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    THE UNPREDICTABLE

    This is the dog that seems generally ok most of the time, but not always.

    He is triggered by something, you are never quite sure what, and his extreme reactions come out of the blue.

    A little show of teeth or an appropriate correction from one dog to a rude dog is one thing, but if your dog tends to go after another dog in attack mode with very little warning, and especially if they do so with intent to harm, it’s time to ditch the dog park.

    This dog is perhaps one of the most unsafe dogs to have at a dog park. They might skip some of the signs that they are about to attack, and while their body language may be tense or fearful overall, many people may misread or misunderstand it.

    If your dog DOES attack another dog (more than just a snap or simple appropriate communication, which is different), leave the dog park.  No questions asked. You and your dog need to get out.

    Despite this, when I see this kind of thing happen it’s surprising that people scold their unpredictable dog and then STAY in the dog park.  It is this kind of ownership that makes dog parks such a dangerous and unfair place. 

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    THE PUPPY

    Young puppies don’t belong in dog parks. See the ‘aggressive’ and ‘unpredictable’ dogs above? One experience with those dogs can ruin a puppy for life.

    Not to mention, disease! Yuck!

    If you wish to bring a puppy, wait until she is fully vaccinated and has also shown signs of an excellent and stable temperament: confidence, engagement with you, the ability to walk away from tense situations (not towards them), and a friendly (not rude) attitude towards people and dogs.

    A well-run puppy social class with a highly-qualified trainer is a much safer bet.

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    THE HUMPER

    This dog appears enthusiastic, exuberant, excited, and as if he just LOVES dogs.

    By loving dogs, we mean…humping them.

    This behavior is NOT DOMINANCE. It is related to over-excitement or anxiety and quickly becomes the activity of choice for some dogs to release built up tension.

    The problem is that it is an extremely rude social behavior that can hurt other dogs, scare some dogs, and trigger fights. Humping is not cute or friendly.

    Immediately step in and correct humping.

    A warning ‘Uh-oh’ followed by a time out can help temper and reduce the behavior. Of if you use modern, positive E-Collar training, you can use dynamic pressure to communicate to your dog that the behavior is inappropriate.

    As with aggression, practice makes perfect. The more your dog practices this behavior, the harder it’s going to be to eliminate. So avoid situations where it tends to happen (this includes the dog park, if he or she cannot remain calm and polite in that setting).

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    THE CHICKEN

    This is the dog that is trembling, drooling, shaking, cowering, and trying to run away.

    While this reaction may happen for a moment in an overwhelming situation, the dog park is NOT a healthy place for a dog that consistently reacts this way. Scary situations can breed more fear.

    If you have a scared dog and want to properly socialize him or her, you don’t have to visit a dog park and ‘flood’ your dog with scary things.

    Instead, go somewhere where your Dane isn’t scared and work on tricks, basic obedience, and calm behavior in a place where dogs and people are nearby but not threatening.

    There are so many things you can do with an anxious, scared or unpredictable dog that don’t include dog parks. Here is a list of some of our favorites!

    • Take a scent work class
    • Take an obedience class
    • Work with a private trainer
    • Work on the Canine Good Citizen test items
    • Get trick training titles
    • Learn about Dock Diving (yes, Danes can do this!)
    • Go hiking with a long leash and explore in areas with few people and dogs

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    READ MORE:

    The 2 Sided Debate: Great Dane Ear Cropping

  • Are Great Danes Aggressive?

    Are Great Danes Aggressive?

    A lot of people are intimidated by Great Danes because they are so large. There is this assumption that Great Danes are aggressive, perhaps because they are large and generally protective. To make matters worse, many landlords and leasing companies, as well as homeowners insurance companies will list Great Danes as a restricted or ‘aggressive’ breed.

    So, are Great Danes aggressive? Do Great Danes make good family dogs? Are Great Danes good for protection work?

    We are going to look first at the actual written breed standard.

    Great Danes & Aggression

    The written breed standard from the GDCA states:

    The Great Dane must be spirited, courageous, always friendly and dependable, and never timid or aggressive.

    Intelligence, loyalty and dependability are true breed characteristics. Timidity and aggressiveness are alien traits and should be severely penalized.

    Basically put, Great Danes are NOT supposed to be aggressive or timid. 

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    Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels.com

    WHAT CAUSES AGGRESSION IN GREAT DANES?

    Just because Great Danes are not supposed to be aggressive, doesn’t mean that they never develop it. There are many factors that contribute to temperament problems in Great Danes.

    • Breeders that breed poorly tempered dogs
    • Unethical and unhealthy breeding practices
    • Poor early experiences in the litter
    • Puppy mills & backyard breeders
    • Nutrition issues, including malnutrition
    • Genetics
    • Health problems, including thyroid disease, dysplasia, poor eyesight, cancer, overgrown nails, bad teeth, arthritis, hormones, etc.
    • Training practices that employ intimidation, fear or pain, including alpha rolls
    • Poor socialization and poor early social experiences, lack of training

    The tragic part here is that nearly every single one of those circumstances is preventable through thoughtful breeding practices, educated ownership, positive socialization and appropriate training.

    Aggression, resource guarding, leash reactivity and nipping at children are major reasons that Great Danes are surrendered to rescue.

    PUPPIES vs. RESCUE

    Many people choose a breeder over a rescue because they want to raise the puppy ‘their way’ and make sure it isn’t ‘aggressive’, which is an interesting thought. It comes with one major stipulation, however.

    Bad breeders are everywhere and they are creating thousands of fearful puppies that develop reactivity and aggression.

    These breeders are not health testing their dogs, they don’t understand genetics, they allow puppies to go home prior to 8 weeks of age, they aren’t keeping the puppies in a clean or healthy environment, and they aren’t properly socializing the puppies before they go to their homes. 

    So many temperament problems could be greatly reduced in Great Danes if we all made the effort to only support breeders that truly care about health, temperament and structure.

    Dogs from rescue and dogs from breeders can have amazing temperaments, or they can be aggressive and unpredictable. If you absolutely need a dog with an outstanding temperament, choose a rescue with a well-known and well-tested personality, or choose a highly ethical breeder with fully tested, proven lines and a thoughtful socialization program.

    HEALTH & HORMONES

    Spay and neuter are often advertised as the solution to behavior problems. While removing those hormones may help, it is unlikely to eliminate aggressive behaviors.

    There are many other health problems that can lead to snapping, growling and aggression.

    Just like humans, dogs can have mental health conditions that may be treatable with prescription medications.

    Painful health problems such as hip dysplasia, overgrown nails, growths, and even cancer can cause a dog to have a short temper.

    Thyroid disease or even eyesight and hearing problems can also present first as aggression.

    If your Great Dane has become aggressive suddenly or over time, we highly recommend that the first step, in tandem with the help of a highly qualified, credentialed behaviorist be a thorough and complete vet check. A blood panel should include screening for diabetes and thyroid disease. The heart, hips and eyes should also be evaluated.

    A note on ‘BE THE BOSS’

    Many people believe (perhaps because they were taught this from reality TV star Cesar Milan) that the solution to all aggression is to ‘Be the boss’ and ultimately lead with some form of intimidation (physical or emotional).

    An aggressive dog that is met with such a challenge may actually become more aggressive…and dangerously so.

    Science tells us that aggression is not related to pack hierarchy as previously thought. Find a qualified trainer or behaviorist to help you.

    Euro Great Danes

    The biggest problem with a blanket approach to aggression of ‘be the boss’ or ‘be the alpha’ is that it fails to take into account the many reasons a Great Dane may be aggressive: fear, pain, hormones, undiagnosed medical problems, lack of mental and physical enrichment or mental health issues.

    Calm, benevolent leadership, training, management, enrichment and respect are needed. Not intimidation, isolation and a power struggle.

    GREAT DANES & CHILDREN

    Great Danes that are well socialized, trained and raised around children make wonderful family dogs!

    Puppies do bite and nip as a form of play, and they do require a lot of guidance and training.

    The majority of real bites to children happen from known family dogs, and often ‘out of the blue’.
    Children should never:

    • Scold, pinch, shout, hit or scream at dogs
    • Chase, corner or pin dogs
    • Ride, bounce, lay or sit on dogs
    • Bug dogs when they are sleeping
    • Take their food, toys or bones

    Proper socialization of Great Danes around children means teaching them to be calm around children (go to a mat, sit near them, no jumping) and teaching them that children are positive, fun and great to be around. Manage your puppy so that jumping, nipping and chasing children are not behaviors that are practiced.

    A well socialized Great Dane has a much higher tolerance for those times when a child (or even an adult) does something rude, scary or annoying. 

    GREAT DANES PROTECTIVENESS

    At their core, Great Danes are still working dogs. They have protective tendencies.

    Do not mistake fear and aggression with protection! A fearful or aggressive dog will hide, growl, snarl and even snap, lunge or bite. Those behaviors are NOT necessarily protective or appropriate. 

    A protective Dane may bark as a form of alert, but will be able to move on if threat is determined safe.

    They act out of protection, not blanket fear or frustration towards dogs and people.

    NOTE: This is very different than Danes that are trained in actual bite and protection work. 

    Great Danes that are prone to contact (biting, nipping) should be considered dangerous, and muzzle training, strict management and working with a highly qualified trainer is highly encouraged.

    Dogs that are trained to bite on command (bite work/Schutzhund) are dogs with excellent impulse control and obedience, not dogs that are aggressive, fearful, confused, under-enriched or out of control. 

    RESCUE AND ABUSE

    Some Great Danes in rescue may be aggressive because they come from an abusive or difficult background.

    It’s important, however, to never assume that all aggressive or fearful rescue Danes were abused.

    They may simply be the result of poor breeding practices and improper socialization and training.

    They may be fearful of men, for example, but that doesn’t always mean they were abused by men.

    Many rescue Danes just need a chance to build trust and to be respected and appreciated; they open up and can become wonderful, friendly, safe and happy family pets.

    We encourage all Great Dane owners and breeders to support rescue through volunteering, donations, advocacy, education and adoption. You may never choose adopt a Great Dane, but even a small donation to their operating expenses is a meaningful way to support Great Danes.

    DO YOU HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE GREAT DANE? 

    If you are struggling with a Great Dane that is nipping, lunging, growling and even biting it is extremely important to follow these steps: 

    • Use management tools to prevent the behavior: space, time, crates, muzzles & leashes.
    • Create a journal and document the body language leading up to the aggression, as well as the situation and reaction that happened.
    • Have your dog thoroughly checked by a veterinarian (blood panel at minimum).
    • Seek out the help of a highly qualified trainer with behavior credentials, or a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist.
  • Train Your Dane: AKC S.T.A.R Puppy

    Train Your Dane: AKC S.T.A.R Puppy

    Training your Great Dane puppy starts on day one with the practice of boundaries, routine and supervision. 

    Every Great Dane should be well socialized and well trained. They are giant breed dogs that can be hard to handle and intimidating when not taught appropriate behavior. 

    We highly recommend finding a highly qualified dog trainer with giant breed experience and beginning puppy classes as soon as possible.

    Even if you think you know how to train your dog, gaining a fresh perspective and up to date training advice is super valuable! Not to mention, dogs that spend time learning in a group setting are also taught early how to ignore other dogs and ignore distractions.  

    AKC S.T.A.R. PUPPY

    The AKC S.T.A.R. puppy program is a fun way to track your training goals and progress. 

    It is the ‘Kindergarten Graduation’ that leads naturally into the more intense requirements of the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program. 

    When you work with a trainer that has been certified as an AKC CGC Evaluator, you are also likely to also be working with an experienced trainer who is using modern training methods. 

    While participating in the AKC Training Programs isn’t required, it’s really fun if you are goals oriented, love recognition, and are interested in eventually appending an officially recognized title (‘CGC’) to your dog’s AKC registered name!  

    BENEFITS OF TAKING A PUPPY CLASS

    When you and your Great Dane puppy take a class together, you will get to learn: 

    • Socialization basics, including confidence building and how to play politely with other puppies.
    • Obedience basics including sit, down, stand, touch, leave it, name, come, heel and ‘go to your place’.
    • Handling skills (how to train, reward and communicate with your dog according to the latest research in training and canine behavior). 
    • How to do all of those things with distractions.
    • Basic puppy care, including advice for mouthing, potty training, crate training and polite greetings.

    121110312 637942817086183 2343886400470340477 n

    AKC S.T.A.R. PUPPY REQUIREMENTS

    To obtain your AKC S.T.A.R. puppy, you and your dog have to take at least 6 classes with an approved AKC CGC Certified Evaluator. 

    You and your puppy will attend the classes and practice the skills at home, in your yard, and even while out and about. 

    As your puppy learns the skills and becomes more confident through socialization and training, your trainer will be able to evaluate your progress and award (or decline) your AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy reward.

    AKC S.T.A.R. PUPPY PROGRAM TEST REQUIREMENTS

    Your trainer will evaluate your dog on 20 items. You and your puppy must pass all 20 items on the list below to be recognized with the S.T.A.R. puppy award.

    Note – as of this writing it is not a requirement to obtain the S.T.A.R. award before attempting to receive the Canine Good Citizen title. The S.T.A.R. award is however a wonderful way to build early skills that are a necessary for the CGC title. 

    OWNER BEHAVIORS:

    1. Maintains puppy’s health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)

    2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge

    3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan

    4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator

    5. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy

    6. Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.

     

    PUPPY BEHAVIORS:

    7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class

    8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class

    9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice

    10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)

    11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy

     

    PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® TEST BEHAVIORS:

    12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner

    13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)

    14. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)

    15. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away

    16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure

    17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure

    18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called

    19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away

    20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)

    A NOTE ABOUT VACCINATIONS, PUPPY CLASSES & TRAINING

    It is extremely important to balance health and wellness with training and socialization.

    Keeping a puppy indoors until 18-20 weeks when they are fully vaccinated is a major risk factor for having a timid, shy or even aggressive puppy that is afraid of strangers, dogs and new experiences.

    We do not recommend that you visit pet stores, dog parks or busy locations with your puppy however it can be safe and appropriate to take your puppy to classes with a highly qualified and experienced trainer in a clean and well-sanitized facility.

    Most will require that your puppy is up-to-date on their vaccines, but that doesn’t mean they have to have finished their entire vaccine series before attending. 

    GREAT DANE PUPPY TRAINING

     One thing I really love about the AKC training programs is the focus on owner behaviors! 

    The goal of creating a well-rounded, balanced dog is rooted in a mutual relationship that begins with health, safety and social responsibility in mind. 

    122150529 389816108814325 2034301216464525007 n scaled

    When you complete the requirements for a S.T.A.R. puppy award, you’ll be able to obtain a certificate from the AKC with your dog’s name on it and a medal to begin your collection of awards, achievements and titles.

    THE NEXT STEP: AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN

    Good training takes time, repetition, patience and consistency. Once you have completed the requirements for the S.T.A.R. puppy, you may want to continue on and obtain your Great Danes first official title, the CGC! 

    It is not as easy to obtain the CGC title, but it’s very rewarding. 

    You may be looking at your wild puppy or thinking of past dogs that you own and wondering if it’s even possible, but ANY dog can learn enough to pass the AKC CGC test. Don’t be afraid to go for it and try! 

    Canine good citizen test items include: polite confident greetings (dogs & people), acceptance of grooming, loose leash walking, walking through a crowd, sit-down-prolonged stay, coming when called, calm and polite behavior around other dogs, confidence around distractions and supervised separation from the handler. You can read more about the CGC test items here. 

    Note that these test items may not be completed while the dog is wearing a prong, choke, head-collar, shock or e-collar, and you may not offer treats or toys (only praise and encouragement). Your dog must be free of aggression and able to confidently complete the obedience tasks without those tools.

    Whether you choose to train with the goal of S.T.A.R. and CGC in mind or not, the goal is the same. All of us want a calm, polite dog that can follow our lead and is free of reactivity, aggression and frustrating behaviors. 

    Good training is worth every moment you put into it. 

    Have fun with your puppy!

  • Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    Great Dane puppies grow incredibly fast. We recommend referencing our Great Dane puppy growth chart to learn just HOW fast you can expect your puppy to grow.

    PRO TIP – Take lots of photos!!! These babies gain size at an insane rate, especially in the first 6 months of life.

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    Keep in mind that these numbers are all averages! Your Great Dane puppy may be above or below these numbers depending on genetics, health and the nutrition that is provided. 

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    Great Dane Puppy Body Condition

    The following are signs that your puppy may require a change in nutrition, medical attention, and/or special attention to socialization:

    • Weakness & lethargy
    • Diarrhea, vomiting
    • Gas, soft stools
    • Knuckling, growing pains
    • Flat feet
    • Extremely thin (spine & hip bones showing)
    • Lack of muscle tone
    • Extremely round (heavy or distended tummy)
    • Dull coat & eyes, itching
    • Fearful, timid and scared
    • Painful

    Is My Puppy Too Skinny?

    What are the BEST foods for Great Dane Puppies?

    Great Dane puppies are surprisingly lean! This is better for their growth, joints and overall health. Your puppy should have nice fur, bright eyes, tight feet, confidence, and lots of energy when awake.

    The explosive growth period in Great Dane puppies happens from 6 weeks until 6 months. They slow down around then and will eat less, but will continue to grow for much, much longer!

    Great Dane Potty Training

    When do Great Danes Stop Growing?

    On average, Great Dane puppies continue to grow until age 2, at which point they will fill out (develop more muscle mass and breadth of chest and hips).  

    Knuckling is a serious problem in Great Dane puppies that results from explosive growth, incorrect nutrition, and slick or hard surfaces. Read more about knuckling below!

    GREAT DANE PUPPY KNUCKLING INFORMATION

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    When do Great Dane puppies stop growing? Below you will see a monthly Great Dane growth chart. You will notice that a two month old Great Dane puppy is, on average, 15-30 lbs. These are averages, not every puppy will fit into this chart perfectly.

    Birth1-2 lbs
    1 Week2-3 lbs
    2 Weeks3-5 lbs
    3 Weeks4-7 lbs
    1 Month5-8 lbs
    6 Weeks10-20 lbs
    2 Months15-30 lbs
    3 Months25-45 lbs
    4 Months45-65 lbs
    5 Months60-85 lbs
    6 Months65 – 100 lbs
    7 Months70-110 lbs
    8 Months80-120 lbs
    9 Months85-125 lbs
    1 Year95-120 lbs
    ADULT
    Female110-145lbs
    Male135-170lbs
    65

    Bigger Is Not Better

    There seems to be this fear that our Great Dane puppies just aren’t growing big enough or fast enough.

    There is also a subtle competition at play to have the largest Dane, a contest that often begins with breeders who are breeding for size rather than for structure, health and type.

    Is My Puppy Too Skinny?

    Adding nutrition, fat, and toppers to your Great Dane Puppies diet to ‘fill them out’ or ‘bulk them up’ is one of the worst things you can do. A Great Dane should be lean, muscular, and athletic.

    It’s not a race. Slow growth and building towards an appropriate height and weight is the healthiest choice. 

    You may be looking for a European Great Dane growth chart. European Great Danes and American Great Danes follow breed standards that are nearly identical, and the chart we’ve included in this post is ideal for all Great Danes.

    Euro Danes: A Big, Droopy Problem
    What Does Euro Mean in Great Danes?
    Miniature Great Danes: The Pocket Size Version

    Some breeders have made it their mission to promote bulkier, heavier, droopier Danes as ‘Euro’, often at the expense of the dogs orthopedic structure, eyes and overall health. ‘Euro’ is an aesthetic preference and not actually a sign that a dog is truly ‘European’ or well bred. For more information on the great ‘Euro’ vs. ‘American’ discussion, read our post below.

    WHAT DOES ‘EURO’ MEAN IN GREAT DANES?
    76

    Great Dane Puppy Growth

    Keep in mind that our Great Dane growth chart represents the ‘average’.

    Your puppy may not fall exactly into the range, and that may be ok!

    If your puppy has health problems (including HOD or megaesophagus), comes from smaller genetics, was the ‘runt’ of the litter, failed to thrive or had a rough start they may be on the small side.

    If your puppy comes from a lineage of bigger-boned dogs with a lot of substance or is provided too much nutrition too fast, they may be on the large side.

    Puppy Socialization Guide
    Is My Great Dane Puppy Knuckling?
    How to Prevent Knuckling in Great Dane Puppies
    Is My Great Dane Puppy Too Small?
    How to Fix Knuckling in Great Danes

    DO PUPPIES HAVE GROWTH SPURTS?

    Great Dane height and weight in adults is ultimately determined by a combination of genetics, overall health, nutrition, and care given to protect joints and allow for slow growth.

    Birth1-2 lbs
    1 Week2-3 lbs
    2 Weeks3-5 lbs
    3 Weeks4-7 lbs
    1 Month5-8 lbs
    6 Weeks10-20 lbs
    2 Months15-30 lbs
    3 Months25-45 lbs
    4 Months45-65 lbs
    5 Months60-85 lbs
    6 Months65 – 100 lbs
    7 Months70-110 lbs
    8 Months80-120 lbs
    9 Months85-125 lbs
    1 Year95-120 lbs
    ADULT
    Female110-145lbs
    Male135-170lbs

    The Best Great Dane Puppy Food

    What you feed your Great Dane puppy will matter somewhat when it comes to how slowly or quickly they grow.

    We recommend choosing one of the highly recommended grain-inclusive kibble brands below. These are all formulated correctly with correct protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus levels.

    A large breed puppy formula with an AAFCO statement about being ‘formulated for the growth of large breed (70lb+) dogs is ideal. Click on any to view.

    When choosing other brands, we recommend looking them up in the Pet Nutrition Alliance Database first.

    271631 MAIN. AC SS348 V1631149304
    271628 MAIN. AC SS348 V1626396086
    90757 MAIN. AC SS348 V1635866197

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

    19 1

    Should I Feed My Great Dane Puppy or Adult Food?

    How to Weigh a Great Dane

    None of this matters if you cannot actually weigh your Great Dane and keep track of their growth scale!

    Here are some tips:

    • Weigh yourself first. Then reset the scale, hold your puppy and weigh again. Subtract your weight from the weight of you + the puppy combined.
    • Visit the veterinarian. Make going to the vet, stepping on the scale, seeing the vet techs and leaving super fun.
    • Visit your local pet store. Petsmart and some Petco stores that have an in-house veterinarian will often let you use their scale for free! Always ask first. (NOTE: we do not recommend taking young puppies into Petsmart: get those vaccines first!).
    • Ask your groomer or breeder if they have a scale you can borrow.

    Use lots of treats and make the process of being weighed positive! Some puppies are afraid of the slick shiny surface. You can always teach your puppy to sit on a towel, and then put the towel onto the scale to transfer the behavior.

    47

    What Age is a Great Dane Puppy Fully Grown?

    Great Dane puppies experience explosive growth for the first 8 months, after which they tend to slow down. Your puppy will likely eat less and may appear to have stopped growing.

    At this point, however, they are far from done!

    Great Danes will grow in height until they are nearly 2 years old. It is at this age that the growth plates will close and it is appropriate to spay or neuter.

    After age 2, they will continue to fill out. Do not mistake this process for getting fat! Many Great Danes are spayed or neutered at this age and become overweight because of the sudden drop in hormones.

    Filling out means:

    Deeper and fuller chest
    Wider and more developed hips
    Maturation of the head structure
    Muscle development at the shoulders, hips and thighs
    Coverage that reduces the lanky puppy look

    Did you know that waiting to spay or neuter until your puppy is more mature may help reduce the risk of hip dysplasia, ACL/CCL tears, some cancers and poor adult structure?

    READ MORE:

    Zeus The Great Dane: The World’s Tallest Dog

  • What is the first thing you should train your puppy? The 5 Fascinating Firsts

    What is the first thing you should train your puppy? The 5 Fascinating Firsts

    Great Dane puppies start off small, sleepy and sweet. It’s only a matter of months before they are larger than most dogs (80-100 lbs by 6 months of age) and able to accidentally hurt somebody.

    Because they are so large, they also lose their ‘puppy license’ early.

    In public, many people may assume that they are adult dogs and have higher expectations of them in regards to their behavior.

    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?

    WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD TRAIN YOUR PUPPY?

    A Great Dane puppy that pulls, lunges, runs out of doors and ignores commands is an absolute handful to deal with, and that can all happen before they begin to reach sexual maturity (a whole other ball of wax that includes typical teenage shenanigans, among other things.

    Basically put, if you wait until your puppy is 4-5 months old before attending a training class or working on anything other than ‘sit’, you’re in trouble.

    THE 5 ESSENTIALS FOR PUPPY TRAINING

    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?

    Here is our list of 5 Things ALL Great Dane Puppies should know by 6 months of age!

    Given that most puppies are already 2 months old when they come home, you have 4 months to install calm, confident behavior. Put that work in now and it will pay off!

    1. POTTY TRAINING
    2. CRATE TRAINING
    3. LEASH TRAINING
    4. BASIC OBEDIENCE COMMANDS
    5. PUPPY SOCIALIZATION

    In order to train a puppy, pet parents need to be vigilant with training sessions, create a puppy training schedule, and begin training soon after they bring their new puppy home.

    POTTY TRAINING A NEW PUPPY

    The first of five things that puppy parents are responsible to help their new puppy learn is potty training.

    Potty training requires their puppy to begin learning that they cannot pee and poo inside the house, but rather finding a potty spot outside.

    Training your puppy to potty outside is not always as easy as it sounds. Young puppies have natural behaviors and learning impulse control for when and where to potty is something that puppies learn over a few weeks time.

    Start training your new pup to go outside to go potty right when you bring them home. House training a new puppy can be difficult, but if you are consistent in your efforts, your puppy will catch on quickly.

    Pet parents can potty train a puppy with puppy treats and lots of positive reinforcement. Spend longer periods of time outside with your new pup, if possible. Using food rewards, begin training your puppy where you would like them to potty.

    GREAT DANE POTTY TRAINING
    HOW TO POTTY TRAIN A PUPPY
    POTTY TRAINING IN AN APARTMENT
    THE HARDEST PART OF POTTY TRAINING
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?

    We do not recommend putting your puppy’s nose in their pee while they are potty training as this could confuse them and teach your new puppy that you are the dominant one and they are powerless.

    CRATE TRAINING A NEW PUPPY

    The second of the five things that all puppies should learn is crate training. Crate training a new puppy is important for several reasons:

    1. It creates a safe space for your puppy to stay when you are not able to supervise them. Puppies have a natural denning instinct and will often seek out a small, cosy space to rest in.
    2. A crate can provide that for your puppy when they are first learning to stay calm and relaxed in your home.
    3. Crating your new puppy will set the puppy’s life up for success by teaching them that not everything in the world is for them to chew on or play with. Puppies are notorious for chewing and getting into things, so crate training can help to manage that natural puppy behavior.
    4. Crate puppy training can also be used as a management tool when company comes over or if there is something going on in the house that is too stimulating for your new puppy. It allows you to have peace of mind knowing that your new puppy is safe and not getting into anything they shouldn’t be.
    Screen Shot 2022 03 07 at 10.51.41 AM

    How to crate train a Great Dane: click here

    HOW TO CRATE TRAIN A PUPPY
    THE BEST CRATES

    LEASH PUPPY TRAINING TIPS

    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?

    It is important to start training sessions with your new dog on the leash as soon as possible. Your pup will probably show aversion to the leash at first, but dog’s learn quickly that a leash usually equates to something fun!

    Using a food lure, show your dog that you’d like them in a sitting position, then you can put the leash on to your pup.

    Show them how to walk politely. If your dog likes to jump ahead, slowly begin training your dog basic manners on the leash.

    HOW TO WALK YOUR DOG
    5 TIPS FOR LEASH SKILLS
    LEASH TRAINING REVIEW
    RECALL FOR GREAT DANES
    OFF LEASH FAILS
    HOW TO TEACH LEASH SKILLS
    THE BEST LEASHES FOR BIG DOGS
    OUR FAVORITE LEASHES
    LEASH TRAINING AND IT’S CHALLENGES

    COMMON LEASH TRAINING MISTAKES IN A DOG’S LIFE

    Never allow a puppy to pull or learn that pulling ‘works’. This may mean adjusting your expectations: puppies do NOT need long walks, so it’s generally fairly easy to avoid practicing poor leash skills.

    Loose leash walking is largely a socialization issue: puppies that are generally understimulated (bored), anxious and fearful or over-excited by the environment tend to pull, whine, lunge, jump and try to run.

    PUPPY SOCIALIZATION IS RELATED TO LEASH TRAINING YOUR PUP

    Put the time in now to reinforce engagement, calm behavior and staying nearby.

    As above, calm leash manners are largely related to proper socialization. Confident puppies that are desensitized to the world are much less likely to be pull like a freight train, a behavior that is often driven by anxiety or excitement.

    Check out our blog post on Great Dane puppy socialization for more tips!  That said. even well-socialized, calm and confident dogs can quickly learn that pulling gets them where they want to go. You still need to train the correct behavior and reinforce appropriate leash skills EARLY and often.

    FUN LEASH GAMES THAT CAN BE PLAYED FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF A DOG

    Reward your puppy for eye contact several times. When your puppy is engaged and interested, turn your back.

    When your puppy comes to the front to find you, say “YES!” and give a treat. Turn your back again and take a step away.

    The puppy will come to find the treat, say “YES!” and give a treat. Make this FUN! Work up to turning your back and walking all over the house. A puppy that has been taught this fun game will follow you and stay close.

    This is early loose-leash walking with engagement (eye contact)!  Practice this game in your living room, in the backyard, and on a long leash (15+ feet) in the front yard.

    Make it fun, exciting, and increasingly more difficult for the puppy to ‘keep up’ with you! *If your puppy seems uninterested, try playing this game later in a lower distraction area. A boring bedroom for example, and use HIGHER value treats to start. Make sure your puppy has also had enough play time AND nap time.

    THE WITH ME GAME – EARLY FOUNDATION FOR HEEL

    Some people call it ‘with me’, others call it ‘heel’.

    Position yourself so that the dog is on the side you want to build the behavior on (most people choose the left side for the dog). Keep the leash in the hand OPPOSITE your puppy.

    Put a high value treat in your fist and hold it in front of your puppies nose. They will sniff and as you walk forward, they will walk with you.

    Practice this many times until you can eliminate the ‘lure’ of your fist, take several steps and then reward your puppy for walking next to you. Remember to use a lot of praise directed to your dog all throughout training!

    In a matter of weeks, with consistent practice, you’ll be able to walk with your pup, all over your house and turn left or right and your puppy will stay glued to your left side without frequent treats and without lures. Deliver rewards more and more sporadically as the behavior becomes stronger.

    Practice this skill everywhere. Indoors, in your yard, in your front yard, in a training class, in a park where children and other dogs are there to generate distractions, at a pet-friendly store.

    Start easy and work your way up!

    BASIC OBEDIENCE COMMANDS

    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?

    From the very day your adorable new puppy comes home, reward eye contact and engagement as often as possible. Basic commands can be taught by doing activities where your pup learns that it is fun to stay engaged with you! You are your dog’s advocate. Dogs learn by having fun. Keep training sessions short and get active with training your dog.

    TRAINING YOUR PUPPY TO COME

    If your puppy comes to you, PRAISE! YES!

    The practice of seeking out your attention and your eye contact is VERY important and one that will pay off if you spend a lot of time rewarding it.

    THE LOOK AT ME GAME

    Have your puppy or dog sit or engage with you.

    Say ‘LOOK!’ and hold a treat by your eye. When your puppy looks at you, say ‘YES!’ and deliver the treat. This activity is training your new pup that eye contact is a positive!

    As your puppy understands, fade out the treat lure and just point to your eye, then eventually fade out pointing to your eye and just say “LOOK!”.

    You want your puppy to automatically make eye contact with you when you say the word “LOOK” or when you say their name.

    This skill is phenomenally important when you want (or need) to redirect your puppy back to you.

    ENGAGEMENT GAME TIME

    Toss a treat away from you, just a few feet away.

    The puppy will run and grab it, let them have it.

    Be energetic and say your puppies name. As SOON as your puppy turns their head back to you, say “YES!” and then reward your puppy with a treat.

    Play this game several times in different places. Toss the treat farther away, to the side, etc. Make this fun!

    TEACH YOUR DOG TO TOUCH YOUR PALM WITH THEIR NOSE

    Teach your puppy to boop their nose to your open palm. This is an excellent ‘alternate’ behavior that can be used to redirect your puppy away from other dogs, people and even barking.

    To teach ‘touch’, hold your hand open. Your puppy will probably go to sniff or see what you have. Immediately say “YES!” then offer a small treat.

    Practice this behavior for no more than a minute, and then use it often at home.

    When your puppy clearly understands that touch always means ‘touch the hand’, you can make the game more complicated by moving your hand into different places.

    Between your legs, up high, down low, etc.

    If you see your puppy start to focus on something, try the TOUCH command. With practice, you’ll find that it’s a really valuable tool for redirecting your dogs attention away from something and back to you.

    PUPPY SOCIALIZATION

    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?

    Basic commands go alongside puppy socialization. You do not need to attend group classes with your dog to have the perfect pup, although you can certainly get your pup with other puppies if you want to.

    To keep your puppy engaged, practice some skills that will help them in the real world.

    TAKING TRIPS WITH YOUR DOGS
    GREAT DANE PUPPIES
    GREAT DANE PUPPY SOCIALIZATION
    EARLY SOCIALIZATION
    GOING FOR WALKS
    BORED DOGS

    CALM GREETINGS

    One of the biggest ‘socialization’ mistakes people make is allowing excited, squealing humans to greet their puppy. This either terrifies the puppy (making them fearful and aloof towards strangers) OR makes them extremely jumpy and wiggly when greeting people because they associate the experience with elevated excitement levels.

    Neither version of that is a good look for a 100+ lb adolescent Great Dane!

    Practicing calm greetings early are essential for creating dogs that can meet people and go anywhere without fear, nipping, jumping, peeing or other submissive (belly up) & excited behaviors.

    CALM GREETINGS GAME TIME

    Contrary to popular belief, your puppy does NOT have to meet every person and dog that comes along.

    Many people do not like dogs, and some especially do not like large dogs that pull hard to come at them! It’s also true that many dogs do NOT like other dogs, so it’s important to teach your puppy how to ignore dogs instead of pulling to get to them.

    One of the most important skills you can teach your puppy is that people and dogs are everywhere, and that’s all there is to it.

    BONUS: this is great for socialization! 

    PEOPLE WATCHING

    Sit on your lawn or in a park and just watch people walking by. Watch a variety of people on bikes, carrying children, walking dogs, pushing strollers, etc.

    Watch, and use your ‘LOOK’ and ‘TOUCH’ commands to encourage your puppy to focus on you, not on the environment.

    Note: If your puppy is fearful OR excited, move farther away from where people and dogs are and keep practicing. You’ll eventually be able to move closer, especially if you are consistently rewarding your puppy for focusing on you. 

    SAY HELLO TO NEW FRIENDS FROM AFAR

    Have a friend stop to greet you from afar. Say hello and have a little chat, but have your friend IGNORE your puppy.

    This helps teach the puppy that they will not be greeted by every person or dog who comes along.

    Remember to redirect your puppy back to you with LOOK and TOUCH, and back up several feet from your friend if your puppy cannot focus on you.

    Over time you’ll not only be able to move closer, but your friend will be able to greet your puppy!

    CALM GREETING PRACTICE

    It’s much easier to teach calm greetings with dogs that are well socialized (have calmly watched tons of people and dogs walk by) and engaged with you. Keep building that foundation.

    To practice calm greetings, keep your puppy on a leash, and have your friend approach.

    If your puppy tries to jump and pull, choose one of the following:

    1. Ask for a LOOK or TOUCH, if those behaviors are very strong
    2. Immediately do an about face. You can say ‘uh-oh’ and turn and walk AWAY.

    With practice, your puppy will learn that jumping and pulling means they will NOT be allowed to greet people and dogs, and that approaching calmly is the key.

    If your puppy has already been allowed to practice jumping and pulling to greet people and dogs, this behavior can be difficult to work with…especially when your puppy is 75lbs and counting!

    HIRING A DOG TRAINER

    We highly recommend you find a highly qualified trainer to help you if you are struggling! 

    When meeting strangers, do NOT be afraid to advocate for your dog! Say “I’d love to have you greet my dog, can you please help us?”

    You can give them a treat to give your puppy, and tell them that you want your puppy to calmly wait while they approach. They will reward the puppy with a treat and your puppy will learn two things: calm behavior = attention from humans AND food!

    Such a great lesson.

    GO TO YOUR PLACE

    Teaching a puppy to ‘go to a mat’ is easy to do and creates a behavior that can be taken anywhere.

    You can use a yoga mat, towel, or elevated surface (KLIMB platform or Kuranda Cot) for this.

    If your puppy can calmly lay on a mat and ignore distractions, you can take your puppy anywhere and they will have the mat to keep them calm and contained when needed.

    Imagine how valuable this skill could be while having guests over, visiting family, sitting in the vets office or even camping!

    This skill is especially helpful for excited dogs that have a hard time settling.

    PLACE SKILLS GAME TIME

    One of the most simple ways to create early mat skills is to integrate the mat from day one.

    Put the mat or elevated surface in the room and randomly leave treats on it for your puppy to find.

    This particular version is especially helpful if you want your dog puppy to have a dedicated lounging space in your home.

    For creating a more portable mat situation, try this.

    1. Place the towel or cot on the floor. Immediately reward your puppy with a “YES” and treat for investigating.
    2. Then toss a treat AWAY from the mat. Your puppy will chase the treat and then come back. As soon as they come near the mat, sniff it or step on it, say “YES” and offer another treat.
    3. Repeat this game until your puppy learns that coming onto the mat is VERY rewarding.
    4. Add the ‘FREE’ and ‘MAT’ commands.
    5. Say FREE and toss the treat away from the mat. Then when the puppy comes back, say ‘Go to your mat’ and reward the puppy for putting all four paws on the mat.
    6. Work this skill up to the puppy actually laying on the mat. Step away just a bit then reward again.
    7. Gradually you’ll be able to walk away from the mat and have your puppy calmly stay on it until you say FREE.

    SOCIALIZATION HOLES AND GAPS

    Holes in your socialization and training will become very, very clear when your puppy is around 6-9 months of age. It is around that point where fearful behavior, aggression, barking, pulling, and ignoring recall and other commands can become a real problem.

    It’s extremely important to install as many positive, calm skills as possible when your puppy is young!

    Even the best training will be challenged by an adolescent puppy; anticipate that at some point, your dog will attempt to defy all of these things that you’ve spent hours teaching.

    It is at that point which you need to continue teaching, continue reinforcing, and continue managing behavior so that your puppy has more successes than failures. 

    VACCINATIONS

    We do not recommend waiting until your puppy is fully vaccinated to begin socialization and training!

    There are safe, clean puppy pre-school classes that you can take. A lot of socialization can be done safely at home (remember, see our Puppy Socialization for Great Danes post here!).

    Training classes should begin as soon as possible. Most trainers will have puppies begin class at 10 – 12 weeks of age; they are well aware of risk and will keep a clean and sanitized facility.

    If you are worried about disease, you can hire a trainer to come to your home and teach you and your puppy valuable early skills.

    IMG 1825

    Need ideas for healthy socialization?

    SURRENDERED PUPPIES

    Puppies are so sleepy at first that many people think they have an ‘easy’ puppy.

    The puppy does eventually ‘wake up’ but the bad habits and poor socialization skills have already been installed.

    This problem paired with the size and power of Great Danes is a big reason that so many end up surrendered in their adolescent months.

    Choose only ethical breeders with a lifetime return guarantee (no dogs in rescue, ever) and make sure that you understand the responsibility that comes with owning, and being loved by a Great Dane.

    Puppyhood is a time to set your dog up for success in life, not just the next few months.

    BACKYARD BREEDERS
    FOSTERING GREAT DANES
    RED FLAGS OF BREEDERS
    THE BEST DIETS FOR BIG DOGS
    LARGEST DOG BREEDS
    PUPPIES IN RESCUES
    SHOULD YOU BUY OR ADOPT?
    GETTING APPROVED TO ADOPT

    TEETHING AND CHEWING

    Chew toys, chew toys, and more chew toys. Your puppy is going to want to chew on EVERYTHING.

    Make sure that you have an adequate supply of safe things that your pup can chew on during training. A chew toy could help your pup learn what is right and wrong in regards to chewing.

    TRAINING A PUP TO GROW UP INTO A RESPONSIBLE DOG IS NOT ALWAYS EASY

    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?
    What is the first thing you should train your puppy?

    Puppy training tips are everywhere, but ultimately puppy training comes down to owners being willing to dedicate time, patience, and consistency to the process.

    You need to be willing to:

    1. Set limits
    2. Create a schedule
    3. Stick to that schedule
    4. Provide plenty of chew toys
    5. Make sure your puppy has plenty of socialization opportunities
    6. Take your pup to training classes

    Remember, your puppy is counting on you to help them grow up into a well-behaved, responsible dog. Don’t let them down!

    E COLLAR TRAIN YOUR PUPPY
    E COLLAR MYTHS
    LEARN THE BASICS OF HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DOG
    HOW TO CRATE TRAIN
    FIND THE BEST DOG TRAINER
    HOW TO POTTY TRAIN
    POTTY TRAINING IN AN APARTMENT
    REALITY TV DOG TRAINING
    RESPECT TRAINING
    SHOCK COLLARS
    POTTY TRAINING
    TRAIN YOUR DANE
    DOMINANCE TRAINING
    LEASH TRAINING

  • Great Dane Dog Food 101

    Great Dane Dog Food 101

    Choosing the right food for a Great Dane sometimes feels like rocket science. We get it because we’ve been there. Selecting the right food for your Great Dane is crucial for maintaining its health and well-being, so this is important! Our Great Dane Dog Food 101 post cuts through the fluff and gives you the best and most up-to-date answer.

    This post covers several Great Dane food topics including:

    • How much dog food does a Great Dane need?
    • What is the best food for Great Danes?
    • Is Grain-free food good for dogs?
    • Should pet owners be feeding large breed puppies puppy food or adult food?
    • What does a senior dog need to be eating?

    Let’s dive into the best dog food as well as get answers to other commonly asked questions.

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    Great Dane Dog Food Nutritional Requirements

    Giant breed dogs, such as Great Danes, possess distinct nutritional needs due to their size, growth rate, and physiological characteristics. The sheer magnitude of their bodies requires careful attention to nutrient levels to support healthy bone development and prevent musculoskeletal issues.

    It is well-studied, for example, that excess calcium is damaging to growing bones. Giant breeds undergo rapid growth during their puppy stage, making their nutritional requirements specific to this critical phase.

    Additionally, their slower metabolism and susceptibility to health conditions necessitate controlled calorie intake and a balanced diet to avoid obesity-related complications.

    Here is our shortlist of requirements. Check each one of these items to narrow down your choices!

    • Calcium level of 1.0 – 1.3%, ideally less than 1.2%
    • 3.5g or less of calcium per 1000kCal
    • For puppies under the age of two: AAFCO Large Breed Growth Statement
    • Formulated for large or giant breed dogs
    • Grain inclusive (never feed grain-free dry kibble, more on this below)
    • Ideally formulated by a company with a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist on staff, that does feeding trials and nutritional research

    If you are unsure whether your dog’s food meets these requirements, check out the search tool at the Giant Dog Food Project, which outlines that information for over 700 formulas.

    At Hello Danes, we researched this for you and recommend the following formulas (for your convenience). All of these meet the current science-backed recommendations:

    For Adults Over the Age of 2:

    For Puppies Under the Age of 2:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT where you can compare brands and values head-to-head.

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    How Much Food Do Great Danes Eat?

    Determining the appropriate amount of food for Great Danes requires a balanced approach, taking into account their size, age, activity level, and individual metabolism. The food you choose matters, too.

    Generally, adult Great Danes may consume between 2,500 to 3,500 calories per day, but this can vary. Puppies, during their rapid growth phase, may require up to twice the amount of calories compared to adult dogs!

    It’s crucial to follow feeding guidelines provided by reputable dog food brands and to monitor the dog’s weight and condition regularly.

    Feeding too much to puppies can contribute to orthopedic growth disorders, and feeding too much to adults can contribute to obesity-related health problems.

    Splitting their daily food intake into multiple meals helps prevent bloating, a common concern in large breeds.

    Consulting with a veterinarian to tailor the diet to the dog’s specific needs and adjusting portion sizes based on age and activity level is key to maintaining optimal health and weight in Great Danes.

    I’ve seen puppies eat 6-12 cups/day, while adults may eat only 3-7 cups, depending on the nutrient density of the food.

    Author’s Note: The outdated practice of feeding adult food to Great Dane puppies is NOT recommended. It often results in above-average food intake, because the puppy is starved for protein and nutrients. Read more about this HERE.

    14

    Never Overfeed a Great Dane

    More is not always better when it comes to feeding your dog. Overfeeding can lead to health problems like obesity and digestive issues.

    Great Dane puppies that are fed too much will grow too quickly, putting them at risk for developmental orthopedic conditions such as Panosteitis, HOD, OCD, and Carpal Laxity.

    In many cases, chronic loose stools can be attributed to excess intake of food! Cutting back is a healthy choice.

    • Accelerated Growth: Overfeeding can lead to rapid growth in puppies, contributing to musculoskeletal issues and joint problems.
    • Obesity: Overfeeding contributes to obesity, placing extra stress on joints and exacerbating existing health concerns.
    • Digestive Issues: Consuming more food than necessary can lead to digestive problems, including indigestion and diarrhea.
    • Reduced Lifespan: Overweight dogs are more prone to various health issues, potentially reducing their lifespan.

    In adult dogs, overfeeding increases the risk of many conditions, including surgical complications. For overweight dogs that get Osteosarcoma, life-saving amputation surgery may not be an option.

    Many people are tempted to feed their Great Danes too much food out of concern that they are too thin! They are rarely undernourished.

    For dogs that refuse food and lose weight doing so, a medical emergency is indicated. This is not a sign to add fatty foods to the diet.

    Here are some common health problems associated with excess weight in adult dogs:

    • Arthritis: Overfeeding can contribute to excessive weight gain, placing additional stress on the joints and increasing the likelihood of developing arthritis in dogs.
    • Joint Problems: Excessive weight can lead to joint issues, including hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, affecting the dog’s mobility and comfort.
    • Cardiovascular Conditions: Overweight dogs are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems, such as heart disease and hypertension.
    • Respiratory Issues: Obesity can strain the respiratory system, leading to difficulties in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
    • Reduced Immune Function: Excessive weight can compromise the immune system, making dogs more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
    • Liver Disease: Overfeeding may contribute to the development of liver problems, impacting the organ’s function and overall health.
    • Decreased Quality of Life: Dogs that are overfed and overweight may experience a reduced quality of life due to limited mobility, discomfort, and increased vulnerability to various health issues.
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    Can Great Danes Eat Grain-Free Food?

    In recent years, concerns have been raised about a potential link between certain grain-free diets and a serious heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). While not exclusive to Great Danes, this breed, like others, may be susceptible to DCM if their diet lacks proper nutrients.

    DCM is a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and weakened, affecting its ability to pump blood efficiently.

    Several studies have suggested a likely connection between grain-free or boutique diets and an increased risk of DCM. In some cases, the condition is reversed with a diet change, indicating substantial theories that diet does indeed play a huge role in heart health (just as it does in humans!).

    Of course, this is a controversial issue filled with many opinions, including those of influencers who will lose profits and credibility if the DCM-Nutrition link is proven beyond any reasonable doubt. (Read about Dr. Judy Morgan and her inflammatory commentary on this topic HERE).

    Why Is Grain-Free Food Popular?

    Many holistic veterinarians and influencers promote that grain-free foods “have more meat and fewer carbs and fillers”. They also believe that removing grains from the diet can help resolve allergies, itching, and digestive issues.

    This is an absolute myth. At least, the part about having “more meat and less carbs”, is. Grain-free dry diets are loaded with carbs in the form of lentils, potatoes, peas, and other legumes…not more meat as marketing has led us to believe.

    Most veterinarians advise against grain-free diets and encourage pet owners to choose instead research-backed dog food brands that meet WSAVA recommendations. You can read more about that HERE.

    In our popular Great Dane group on Facebook, several members have come forward to tell us their stories of losing (or nearly losing) their beloved Great Danes to heart disease after feeding them grain-free foods. Until we have more information, it’s just not worth the (very real) risk.

    If you have a Great Dane suffering from an unhealthy gut, allergies, and itching, perhaps a trip to a veterinary dermatologist or veterinary internist is in order. They have other treatment options that will be ultimately safer and more effective.

    7

    Feeding Guidelines for Great Dane Puppies

    You cannot feed a Great Dane Puppy the same way that you feed an adult dog. Great Dane puppies must have a diet with strictly controlled calcium, phosphorus, vitamin, mineral, and energy levels.

    Here are some general feeding guidelines to ensure the healthy development of your Great Dane puppy:

    1. Large or Giant Breed Puppy Food: Choose a puppy food specially formulated for large breeds. Look for options that specify “large breed” or “giant breed” on the packaging, as these diets typically address the specific nutritional requirements of growing Great Danes.
    2. AAFCO Large Breed Growth Statement: The food must have 1.2% or less calcium AND the AAFCO Large Breed Growth Statement to be appropriate. Do NOT feed adult food to Great Dane puppies (this is an outdated practice not supported by science).
    3. Balanced Calcium and Phosphorus: Ensure the puppy food has a balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus, typically ranging from 1:1 to 1.2:1. This helps support proper bone development and minimizes the risk of skeletal issues.
    4. Caloric Intake: Great Dane puppies have a high metabolism, but it’s crucial not to overfeed. Follow the feeding guidelines on the food packaging, but individualize portions based on your puppy’s age, weight, and activity level. Regularly monitor their weight and adjust portions as needed.
    5. Meal Frequency: Feed young Great Dane puppies three to four meals per day to accommodate their fast growth and reduce the risk of bloat. As they mature, you can gradually transition to two meals per day.
    6. Avoid Rapid Growth: While it’s essential to support growth, avoid overfeeding to prevent excessively rapid growth. This helps reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues, including hip dysplasia.
    7. Treats and Table Scraps: Limit treats and table scraps, as excessive treats can contribute to weight gain. Too many goodies will unbalance the diet and encourage picky eating.
    8. Regular Veterinary Check-ups: Schedule regular check-ups with your veterinarian to monitor your Great Dane’s growth and ensure they are meeting developmental milestones. Your vet can provide guidance on adjusting the diet as needed.

    Here is our list of foods that meet all recommendations for Great Dane puppies. They need to stay on an appropriate formula until age 2. This is the most current recommendation (2023-2024).

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

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    Supplements for Great Danes

    Navigating the world of supplements for Great Danes is like walking into a Jungle! There are so many options and a lot of companies trying to get our money. The supplement industry is largely unregulated!

    It’s easy for companies to bring new-fangled options to market. All they have to do is pay a factory to manufacture their products and package them with a well-designed label.

    The truth is that many supplements are not proven, not researched, not carefully manufactured, and may do more harm than good.

    When considering supplements for your Great Dane, stick to brands that are both veterinary recommended and/or have the NASC Seal (which is obtained by proving the safety and potency of the formula being sold).

    Never give a multivitamin or multi-supplement. If your pet’s diet is properly balanced, a vitamin or mineral supplement may result in excess nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium intake. This can result in a slew of nutritional problems. More is not better!

    Here are some supplements you might consider!

    The Best Fish Oil for Great Danes

    Great Danes are prone to many health conditions. Some include food allergies, skin issues, joint conditions, and digestion problems.

    Fish oil is a great way to support large breeds regardless of the dog’s age. It can be given at any life stage, in moderation. Because fish oil is high in fats, it does add a lot of calories to the diet. Watch your pet’s body condition score and don’t let them become overweight!

    Buyer beware, not all fish oils are created equal. With any product you choose, you must verify that the company is using exceptional quality control and proving its supplements in clinical and safety trials.

    Nutramax Welactin is a great example of a fish oil that is carefully sourced and formulated, manufactured by a company that backs up their promises with clinical research and industry-leading quality control.

    Joint Supplements for Big Dogs

    There are MANY joint support options on the market, and like the others, it can be hard to choose. Save your money! Don’t even consider ones that don’t have clinical research and owned manufacturing facilities.

    We use and recommend Dasaquin and Cosuquin products.

    For more information about joint supplements and Great Danes, check out our blog post on the topic HERE.

    Vitamin C for Great Dane Puppies

    A lot of Great Dane breeders recommend giving all puppies a lot of vitamin C to “prevent knuckling”.

    This practice is not backed by science. Like many home remedies, this is one that may do more harm than good.

    See, here is the thing. Puppies DO need vitamin C in their diet. At one time, decades ago, pet food manufacturers didn’t know how to formulate food for giant breed puppies.

    As a result of incorrect nutritional levels, big puppies were experiencing all sorts of problems with growth including Carpal Laxity and growing pains. In response, breeders tried all sorts of things!

    They tried feeding adult foods to slow growth (you’ve probably heard this outdated and damaging recommendation before!) and adding vitamin C to promote healthy bones and collagen development. These remedies seemed to work, and this advice has stuck around in the giant breed community for decades now.

    There is a fair amount of clinical research showing the important role that vitamin C plays in bone growth and stability!

    “Overall, vitamin C exerts a positive effect on trabecular bone formation by influencing expression of bone matrix genes in osteoblasts.”

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4833003/

    Now it’s 2023 and modern large and giant breed puppy foods have been formulated correctly to remove dietary influence on bone growth disorders. We no longer have to starve our puppies of nutrition on adult foods to slow their growth.

    These new foods also contain the correct amount of vitamin C to support healthy bone and cartilage development. There is not too little, nor is there too much.

    Reread the above quote about “influencing [the] expression of bone matrix genes in osteoblasts”. To put this simply, in the context of wanting to SLOW bone growth and prevent the bones from maturing too quickly, we have to consider once again that over-supplementation may be harmful.

    I’d also like to point out that too many Great Dane puppies suffer from chronic loose stools. This is a side effect of excess vitamin C.

    Don’t blame those loose stools on chicken or grains; look at your supplements, first.

    10

    Great Dane Feeding Chart

    The numbers on the chart below can vary depending on the food you feed, your dog’s age, their overall health, and their activity level. If your pet receives a lot of additional calories in the form of treats, toppers, enrichment toys, and supplements this chart will be inaccurate.

    We recommend offering puppies 3 small meals a day. Transition to 2 meals each day at around 6-8 months of age, if you wish.

    This chart is just a guideline of what you can generally expect when feeding a proper diet that meets WSAVA recommendations. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and your veterinarian’s advice. Always monitor body condition, too! Fast growth and excess weight are bad for Great Danes. Err on the side of caution.

    Pro Tip: if your dog has loose stools, you may be overfeeding them!

    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.
    19

    Pet Food Ingredients 101

    Distinguishing between fact and fiction is crucial when making informed choices while selecting pet food. Common misconceptions can arise regarding ingredients such as by-products and grains.

    A lot of misinformation about pet food is spread by profit-driven influencers and veterinarians who want to drive sales for their books, courses, and supplements.

    Not to mention the millions of dollars made by pet food rating websites such as Dog Food Advisor. They earn money every time you click.

    Here is some information about pet food ingredients that mirrors what board-certified veterinary nutritionists have to say on the topic!

    Chicken Meal and By-Product Meal in Dog Food

    Meals (such as chicken meal, beef meal, salmon meal, or chicken by-product meal) in dog food are essentially a concentrated and dehydrated form of meat, excluding moisture content.

    When utilized in well-formulated pet foods, meat meals are far superior to ‘fresh meat’ or ‘raw meat’ in terms of nutritional content, protein, and balanced amino acids.

    To put this simply, pet food companies that attempt to woo you with “freshly roasted meat” as the primary or only meat ingredient may be making up for the resulting nutritional deficiency in the synthetic vitamins (which are in all pet foods). Some companies have to use more added vitamins than others.

    Fresh meat is 80% water and doesn’t have bone, organ, or cartilage in it; these are nutrient-dense and biologically appropriate foods for dogs, even if they don’t sound good to all humans.

    Better yet, meat meals have been shown to reduce the risk of canine bloat!

    Chicken By-Product meals from companies like Royal Canin are a nutritious and high-quality source of protein that is more similar to a properly formulated raw diet than anything else. If you’ve heard otherwise, you’ve been misled.

    I don’t know about you, but I am SICK and tired of predatory influencers that spread misinformation in exchange for profits. Let’s move onward…

    Rice & Corn

    Rice and corn are commonly included in dog food for several nutritional reasons. While many influencers have disparaged these ingredients, they are desirable when feeding Great Danes!

    1. Energy Source: Both rice and corn are excellent sources of carbohydrates, providing a readily available energy source. Carbohydrates are crucial for fueling the day-to-day activities and metabolic functions of dogs.
    2. Digestibility: Rice, in particular, is easily digestible for dogs, making it a suitable option for those with sensitive stomachs. Corn, when processed properly, is also digestible (more digestible than beef, actually) and provides dogs with essential nutrients.
    3. Fiber Content: These grains contain dietary fiber, which aids in promoting healthy digestion. Adequate fiber in a dog’s diet supports regular bowel movements and helps prevent constipation. It can also reduce the risk of bloat!
    4. Nutrient Profile: Rice and corn bring a range of essential nutrients to the table, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients contribute to overall health and well-being, supporting functions such as immune system maintenance and skin health.
    5. Cost-Effective: Both rice and corn are cost-effective ingredients, which can contribute to making dog food more affordable without compromising on nutritional value. This affordability allows pet owners to provide their dogs with quality nutrition at a reasonable cost.
    6. Alternative Protein Source: While not as high in protein as meat, rice, and corn can still contribute to the overall protein content of the diet. This can be beneficial for dogs that may have allergies to certain meat proteins or for pet owners looking to diversify protein sources.
    7. Gluten-Free Option: Rice is naturally gluten-free, making it a suitable option for dogs with sensitivities or allergies to gluten-containing grains. This provides a grain alternative for dogs with specific dietary requirements.

    It’s important to note that the quality of rice and corn in dog food depends on factors such as sourcing, processing, and overall formulation. Responsible pet food manufacturers carefully select and process these ingredients to ensure they meet the nutritional needs of dogs.

    Additionally, individual dogs may have unique dietary requirements, so consulting with a veterinarian can help tailor a diet that best suits a particular dog’s health and preferences.

  • What Are Great Danes Like? Great Dane Breed Characteristics

    What Are Great Danes Like? Great Dane Breed Characteristics

    Great Dane breed characteristics. Here it is. The no holds barred, honest-to-goodness truth about Great Danes!

    What is it like to live with a Great Dane?
    What is a Great Dane like?
    Are Great Danes aggressive?
    How much do they really eat? Can you tell me about the POOP? It’s a lot, right?

    20210405 093446 scaled

    GREAT DANE BREED CHARACTERISTICS

    From energetic to lazy, drooly to lap dogs, Great Dane’s characteristics can vary so greatly. The important things you need to know about a Great Dane are its energy levels, size, temperament, trainability, and all about food/poop.

    Let’s dive in!

    GREAT DANE ENERGY

    Great Danes are not active in the way that many working, herding or terrier breeds are. However, that doesn’t mean that they are happy to lounge and do nothing 7 days a week!

    They are giant dogs that still require exercise and mental enrichment. Lacking an appropriate outlet for their energy, they can quickly destroy a couch and drive you nuts with bouncing, whining, jumping and escaping.

    Trick training, basic obedience training, scent work, free play/exploration, and dog sports are great ways to make sure a Great Dane is living the best life possible.

    Great Dane Breed Characteristics

    GREAT DANE SIZE

    It’s no secret that Great Danes are HUGE dogs! Those of us who live with them are so used to their size that we forget how ridiculous it must look to ‘outsiders’.

    Great Danes can be anywhere from 100-200lbs. If you measure from the floor to their shoulder, they will be anywhere from 30-38″ in height.

    This does make them large and powerful dogs, however they can be incredibly gentle and fit into some surprisingly small spaces (including RV’s and yes, your LAP!).

    It is extremely important that they be kept lean and fit; when a Great Dane is allowed to become heavy, or is bred incorrectly to be ‘oversized’ or ‘exaggerated’, it is extremely hard on their joints and overall health.

    Great Dane Breed Characteristics

    GREAT DANE TEMPERAMENT

    A well-tempered Great Dane is an absolute joy.

    They are playful and can be very silly.

    It seems as though they understand English and many of them love to ‘talk’ back in full sentences.

    As a general rule Great Danes are friendly, loving and should be courageous, steadfast and gentle.

    Most are exceptionally wonderful with children and are fine being around other dogs.

    They do require training to become the best dog they can be. 

    As with any dog: bored, neglected, untrained, under-socialized, unhealthy (painful or having another disorder), and/or poorly bred Great Danes may have faults in their temperament.

    We highly recommend consulting with a veterinarian and highly qualified behaviorist if your Great Dane is exhibiting extreme fear or any kind of aggression. Great Danes may be protective, but they should never be nippy, or dangerous.

    Great Dane Breed Characteristics

    GREAT DANE TRAINABILITY

    Great Danes are very trainable and many absolutely love to work for food.

    A well socialized and properly bred Great Dane will be easy to train, but this doesn’t negate the need for consistency, boundaries and lots of teaching.

    An untrained, under-socialized Great Dane can be pushy, rude, jumpy, and may steal food, bark too much, run out of doors and pull on a leash.

    It is important to start early and work on the basics often! We recommend thoroughly teaching leash skills, come, sit, down, stand, stay, leave it, drop it, off, wait, shhhh, touch and place (go to mat/settle).

    Great Dane Breed Characteristics

    GREAT DANE FOOD & POOP

    Yes, Great Danes eat more than most dogs.

    More food = more poop. But seriously, is that really so bad? It’s bigger piles, not more piles.

    Great Danes do require a holistic diet and specific formulations. They are not a dog that you can feed any old food to! Read our blog post on the Best Food for Great Danes here.

    Danes are prone to a condition called bloat where the stomach fills up with gas, fluid, food or air and may twist on itself. This is a life threatening emergency that is notably correlated to anxiety, genetics and gut health.

    Ethical breeding practices, robust gut health and the correct diet may be the key towards greatly minimizing bloat risk.

    Great Dane Breed Characteristics

    Are you interested in welcoming a Great Dane to your family? There are a few more key things to be aware of before you commit!

    • Great Danes come with bigger vet bills.
    • Great Danes must be highly trained. They require owners that are willing to teach. An untrained Dane is a dangerous Dane; they can pull hard or become rude, jumpy and destructive.
    •  Many homeowners insurance companies will not insure a home with a Great Dane in it. Check your policy.
    • A lot of people are afraid of giant breed dogs. A friendly Great Dane may be seen as a threat by some people. It is important that your Great Dane is able to quickly and confidently change course when approaching somebody who may not be receptive.
    • Great Dane puppies have no clue that they have four legs or that their tail is attached. They are CLUMSY and may be more prone to accidentally hurting children or other dogs.
    • Heart, blood, thyroid, and joint disorders are common.
    Great Dane Breed Characteristics

    YES, GREAT DANES…

    • Counter surf (steal food from counters)
    • Fart (though, excess gas should be addressed)
    • Take up a LOT of room on the couch, the bed, and in the car.
    • Have NO clue how big they are!

    We are clearly biased over here and think Great Danes are the best! We’d love to hear from you! Do you have a Great Dane? Do you want one? Leave a friendly comment below.

    READ MORE:

    The Best Crates For a Great Dane

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

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

  • Potty Training Great Dane Puppies

    Potty Training Great Dane Puppies

    Potty training Great Dane puppies comes with a BIG responsibility. A Great Dane puppy gets big fast, and a big puppy means big pee!

    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane

    Great Dane puppies are the BEST! That is, until they drop a squat and let loose on your carpet.

    Again.

    and again.

    If you are searching for tips on the potty training process for your Great Dane puppy, you may be struggling. So here you have it: the ULTIMATE guide to housebreaking your Great Dane puppy!

    Potty Training for Great Danes

    POTTY TRAINING GREAT DANE PUPPIES

    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane

    New puppies have very little bladder control, and no clue they need to pee until the pee is actually coming out.

    The BIGGEST secret you need to know for potty training you Great Dane puppy is this nearly impossible task: don’t let your puppy make a mistake.

    Consider this a fun game where the loser has to clean up poop: you want to avoid your puppy peeing or pooping in the house and practicing that behavior at all costs.

    HOW TO HELP YOUR GREAT DANE PUPPY MAKE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF PEE ACCIDENTS POSSIBLE

    You can manage this situation and lower the chance of a mistake happening by being diligent.

    Here are some ideas:

    1. Make sure your puppy is always being supervised. If you have to keep your puppy on a leash near you, that is ok! The puppy should not have much freedom until they demonstrate maturity. If your puppy walks off and is snooping around somewhere, QUICK! Take her out.
    2. If your puppy cannot be supervised, they need to be ready for a nap and sent to spend time in a crate or x-pen. Dogs naturally don’t want to pee on their bed! Keep crate time no longer than the recommended age between potty breaks mentioned above.

    POTTY TRAINING GREAT DANES USING PEE PADS

    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane

    Skip the expensive and wasteful pee pads. Those literally teach a puppy that peeing indoors is ok, and make potty training take longer. No thanks!

    Avoid accidents by skipping the potty pads and instead train your Great Dane to go to the bathroom in a designated area outside the house.

    IN ORDER TO POTTY TRAIN GREAT DANES YOU NEED A TRAINING PROCESS

    At first, you need to take your puppy out to pee every 20 minutes. Set a timer if you have to. These short spans between potty breaks will quickly grow longer as you learn how long your new puppy can ‘hold it’.

    Get ahead of the curve and take your puppy out BEFORE they show signs that they need to pee! By then it’s probably too late.

    POTTY TRAIN A GREAT DANE BY TAKING A POTTY BREAK OFTEN

    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane

    It’s also helpful to automatically take the puppy out to pee after:

    1. a nap
    2. a meal
    3. a play session
    4. a training session
    5. crate time

    There are fun and silly ways to make this a good time for everybody. For example, pick a phrase somebody in the house tends to say a lot, or a common word such as ‘TV’ or ‘dog’. Every time they say it, they HAVE to take the puppy out to pee!

    USING TREATS

    Pet owners of baby Great Danes should begin using treats often to provide positive feedback and good behavior.

    1. Fill your pocket up with treats. Go outside with your puppy. No being lazy here! Get out there, especially if it’s snowing or raining (your puppy will appreciate your confidence!).
    2. Praise when they start to pee and then throw a treat party when they are finished.
    3. Stay outside for a few minutes; chances are your new puppy has to pee again. This too is a quick phase and the puppy will quickly learn to fully empty his bladder. Until then, be patient.
    4. Treat and praise some more.

    USING POTTY BELLS

    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane

    During potty training you can use bells to teach your dog to go to the bathroom outside from a young age.

    Potty bells are an amazing tool. This inexpensive item from Amazon can be hung from a doorknob.

    1. Every time you take your puppy out to pee, first ring the bell. Teach the puppy to touch the bell with a nose in exchange for a treat.
    2. Then open the door and go out for the fun pee outside time.
    3. The puppy will learn to use this as a signal to you that they want to go outside.
    4. Gradually add time between required potty breaks. Continue to treat and praise.

    Be consistent. One day, your puppy is literally going to go to the door, ring a bell and ask to be let out. Make a HUGE happy fuss about this and let your puppy out!

    SHOP BELOW:

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    USING DOMINANCE

    People used to advise puppy parents to take their puppy’s nose to their mess and rub their nose it whenever their pup or dog relieves himself in the house.

    This kind of ‘training’ makes the trainer feel powerful and the dog feel powerless, which is a terrible reason for using it as a training method.

    Shouting, scolding, correcting and scaring a puppy like this will not only erode trust, but may actually backfire on you when your dog is fully grown.

    A puppy that has been taught to associate pee smell with punishment is a puppy who may hide pee behind furniture or in laundry. Ooops.

    Puppies have NO idea that pee or poop is ‘gross’, and they have no clue why you’d want them to do that outside. Cut your puppy some slack here and instead train your Great Dane the desired behavior and other basic commands with positive training and patience.

    CLEANING UP ACCIDENTS

    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane

    It’s super important to thoroughly clean any accidents that do happen.

    One way to make sure that the pee smell sticks around is to try and bury it with heavily scented carpet cleaners and ‘pet stain’ removers. Those rarely work well and don’t destroy the proteins.

    1. First, clean out as MUCH of the mess as you can. If the area is extra bad, rent a carpet shampooer and rinse the area several times with hot water first.
    2. Once you’ve removed most of the soil, apply a generous amount of Skout’s Honor and allow the flooring to air dry. Re-treat if needed.

    It’s nearly impossible to potty train without some hiccups. Every dog is different! Some require MUCH more supervision and time than others. It may be helpful to temporarily put away expensive area rugs. Pro tip there!

    TEACHING THE RIGHT PLACE FROM THE WRONG PLACE TO POTTY

    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane
    Potty Training Great Dane

    This is actually the second piece of the potty training puzzle. A puppy needs to first learn to pee outdoors for reward. With consistency and praise, they also develop bladder control and learn what it feels like just before they have to pee.

    Once they learn that they will begin to alert you. It’s not something you can teach, it comes with maturity, time, and finally understanding that all pee and poop needs to be outdoors.

    We highly recommend using potty bells! This gives the dog a very clear way to say ‘let me out’. An independent dog is a happier dog, so learning where to go potty and having less accidents will help your pup feel better about their life.

    MY PUPPY PEES A LOT. LIKE REALLY, A LOT

    Young puppies dribble more than they pee and will usually have to pee multiple times each time they are taken outside. However, excessive peeing and not being able to hold it are signs of UTI.

    Chat with your vet! UTI’s are surprisingly common and need to be treated.

    Puppies also poop a lot. Sorry, that’s just a fact. They will regulate themselves more as their digestive system matures.

    Potty training a Great Dane requires MANY potty breaks outside, and will likely have many accidents inside as well. Training a pup or dog with any skill requires patience and time.

    CRATE TRAINING DURING POTTY TRAINING A DOG OR PUP

    You can use crate training to minimize the dog from having an accident inside, help your dog feel safe and secure, and to speed up the house training process.

    Crate training is an essential part of having a dog, and it can be used in helping raise a successful Great Dane puppy. If you are about to start potty training, you should invest in a large crate as well as an X PEN for play time and baby gates for safety and training for your new dog.

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    Shop for the best crate for Great Danes on Amazon

    MY PUPPY IS PEEING or POOPING IN THE CRATE

    This can be common with puppies that were raised in a puppy mill or with a breeder that didn’t keep the whelping space clean.

    Or, you just have a puppy that doesn’t really care! That can happen too, just as some humans don’t mind mess.

    In general, dogs do NOT like to soil their bedding or near where they eat, so try the following to troubleshoot.

    Make sure the crate is small enough. If the puppy has too much space, they will find room to pee. They should be confined enough that pee would get on the bedding, which they don’t want.

    Make sure your puppy has had plenty of opportunity to pee before being put in the crate. It may really just be that your puppy had to go. Reference the rule about about appropriate time between potty breaks based on age.

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    How to crate train a Great Dane: click here

    Thoroughly clean bedding and around the crate. If it smells like pee, the puppy will resoil it.

    Feed in the crate. The puppy will not like to pee near his or her foo

    Address medical reasons such as UTI, loose stools and parasites. Chat with your vet and add a quality probiotic for gut health.

    I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT

    This is definitely more of a hassle if you don’t have a fenced yard, but there is literally no other problem here.

    The same exact rules apply. When potty training puppies, they need to be strictly supervised anyways so the fenced yard is a moot point.

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    READ MORE ABOUT POTTY TRAINING IN AN APARTMENT

    IT’S RAINING AND SNOWING AND MY PUPPY WON’T GO OUT

    It’s not uncommon for puppies to dislike cold and wet weather at first. Be positive and KEEP trying. Bundle up. Put puppy in a jacket. Hold an umbrella. Anything to show the puppy that potty training is NOT NEGOTIABLE.

    Plan ahead if you are going to potty train a Great Dane puppy in an apartment. House training in ANY home requires that you get your dogs outside with ENOUGH time that they do not need to panic. Give yourself lots of time in those early days to walk all the way out of the house or apartment so that you avoid pee in the hallways or on you walk downstairs.

    WORKING LONG SHIFTS

    If you are away from home 8+ hours/day, a puppy may be a difficult choice to have made.

    This is the time when it’s worth the expense to hire a dog walker to stop in often, or have your puppy stay with a friend who is home during the day.

    Potty training your Great Dane will take much longer if you are away from the house all day and your dog is required to hold it all day long.

    Most puppies will resort to peeing in their crate and ultimately will take an enormously longer time getting potty trained.

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    MY PUPPY HATES THE CRATE

    In order to train a Great Dane to love their kennel, you should not force them to use their crate.

    Use food and treats as well as toys while training them. Play with your pup or dog inside and outside the crate.

    Throw food or toys inside the kennel and let your dog watch and run inside and walk back out.

    Keep the crate in the same spot so that your pup can begin to associate it with it being their safe spot.

    Visit our blog post How to Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy here.

    SUPPLIES NEEDED

    In order to potty train a Great Dane, there are items that you need to be successful.

    Potty training a Great Dane requires:

    1. Cleaning supplies
    2. Crate
    3. Treats
    4. Leash / Collar
    5. Waste Bags
    Great Dane Puppy Treats
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    Code HELLODANES10 for 10% off all Dr. Harveys products
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    Poop Bags

    LIMITING WATER INTAKE

    Some people may recommend that you limit water intake to make potty training easier. After all, a puppy won’t have to pee as much if they don’t drink so much! To that, we say YIKES.

    Here are reasons you should NOT limit water when potty training. 

    1. The puppy may learn to hoard, gulp, or guard water in the future. Keep in mind that guarding and hoarding is a dangerous behavior, and gulping may contribute to bloat risk.
    2. It’s bad for their kidneys and overall gut function and health to not have access to fresh water at all times.
    3. Puppies need to be well hydrated to be able to concentrate and learn.
    4. A dehydrated puppy is a constipated puppy, which will make housetraining that much more difficult.
    5. A dehydrated puppy is a sick puppy.

    Overall, just don’t do it.

    LEASH TRAINING A NEW PET IN RELATION TO GETTING THEM POTTY TRAINED

    Believe it or not, getting a Great Dane comfortable with their leash is important in regards to training a Great Dane the right and wrong spot to pee.

    A good dog will know that they should pee outside and not inside. And, logically, in order to go outside and be successful, Great Danes need to be able to walk on a leash without being too scared, destructive, or anxious.

    Here are some tips to get your Great Dane used to their leash:

    1. Start off training your Great Dane with a short leash in your backyard. Let them get used to the feel of the leash around their neck and you walking behind them.
    2. Use treats to get their attention and make sure they are walking by your side and not in front of you. Practice going on short walks around your neighborhood.Make sure to praise them and give them treats when they are doing a good job.
    3. If they start to pull, ask your Great Dane to sit and wait.
    4. Make sure that time spent on leash with your Great Dane is not play time.
    5. Next, train your Great Dane to wait at the door. This is an important step in leash training and will make sure that your Great Dane doesn’t bolt out the door every time it opens.

    Leash training any dog is not an overnight task. For more tips on how to train a Great Dane on leash, be sure to check out this blog: LEASH TRAINING

    TRAIN YOUR GREAT DANE ON LEASH
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    GETTING GREAT DANES TO POTTY TRAIN

    If you have a Great Dane, you know that they are unlike other dogs. They are fascinating dogs who steal everybody’s heart!

    Great Danes are fascinating creatures, but like any other dogs, accidents happen and learning something new takes time and consistency.

    Use a lot of positive reinforcement, love and time and watch as your dog gets better at the little things, right before your eyes!

    Seriously. Potty training takes time, patience and consistency. There is NO easy way out, but the more consistent you are the faster your puppy will learn! Hang in there and have fun with your puppy!

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  • SUPPLEMENTS FOR GREAT DANES

    SUPPLEMENTS FOR GREAT DANES

    Supplements for Great Danes matter because we all want our Great Danes to live long, healthy lives.

    We are all here because we know that Great Danes are a SPECIAL breed!

    They also grow astronomically fast and astronomically large. Hence the ‘Great’ part!

    We love their big faces, bracing ourselves for the famous Dane lean, accessorizing our couch with them, and walking these gorgeous animals down the street.

    SUPPLEMENTS FOR GREAT DANES

    These dogs deserve the best that we can give them. Because they are so large, they tend to be especially prone to painful and debilitating health conditions of their immune system, digestive system and joints. Some may have additional health and structural problems that are an unfortunate result of unethical breeding practices.

    WHY DO OWNERS NEED SUPPLEMENTS FOR GREAT DANES?

    Great Danes, on average, live only 8 years. The high incidence of bloat and cardiac problems, which are perpetuated primarily by friendly BACKYARD BREEDERS (who appear reputable) greatly contribute to this statistic.

    We believe that a quality diet and supplements can give our Danes the best chance at robust health. Read below for our favorite joint, anxiety relief, digestive and overall wellness supplements for Great Danes.

    Please consult with your giant-breed veterinarian before changing or adding supplements. This is especially important if your Great Dane has a pre-existing health condition or is taking medications.

    SUPPLEMENTS FOR GREAT DANES

    1. PROBIOTICS, PREBIOTICS & DIGESTIVE ENZYMES

    Current research indicates that bloat may be notably related to gut health & genetics. If your dog is suffering from allergies, gas, itchy skin, or loose stools a probiotic supplement is highly recommended.

    Prebiotics and digestive enzymes can provide even more benefit! Add this kind of supplement even if your kibble contains probiotics.

    We like the powder form because most dogs will eat it right up when sprinkled onto their food.

    Many people believe that farting and gas are just part of owning a Great Dane. We believe that is a sign that your dog needs digestive support and an adjustment to their diet. This is especially important in light of the current research that suggests  a gut health and genetics link to bloat.

    SUPPLEMENTS FOR GREAT DANES

    2. JOINT SUPPLEMENTS FOR GREAT DANES

    Glucosamine supports joint health and can be found in chicken feet, trachea, bone broth and other tasty whole food raw treats. “By-Products” in pet food are a good thing, as they are made from bone, cartilage (and organs) which contain a natural source of glucosamine.

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    We like Green Lipped Mussel for joint health as well because it comes in powder form, is incredibly simple and is based on a whole food source.

    You can also choose one of these veterinary-backed formulas for joint support:

    Glcoflex III
    Dasaquin

    Be careful about using multiple commercial glucosamine chondroitin tablets and supplements! Too much can lead to toxicity.

    SUPPLEMENTS FOR GREAT DANES

    VITAMIN C FOR GREAT DANES

    A vitamin C supplement is one of those standard Great Dane things that a lot of people do.

    It can help the dog process stressful and anxiety-inducing situations (ear cropping, spay/neuter, board and train, vet exams, etc.).

    Unlike humans who must obtain vitamin C from their diet, dogs synthesize their own vitamin C. Low vitamin C levels can cause problems with bone growth in human babies. This explains how some people drew a connection between vitamin C and knuckling in dogs.

    Supplementation itself has never been proven in research to prevent, treat, or cure developmental disorders in growing Great Danes.

    If you choose to give your puppy Vitamin C, split the dose up over the course of the day. 1000-1500mg is standard. Too much will cause loose stool, so start slowly and work up to a full dose over the course of 2 weeks.

    -Some foods contain added vitamin C in some form already, and a supplement may be excessive

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    Fish oil comes in many forms and it’s not hard to find good ones. Even human grade fish oil capsules work! Just pop them with a pin and squirt the oil onto the food. 

    4. FISH OIL FOR DOGS

    Fish oil is an amazing and simple way to help your dog receive the benefits of Omega 3’s. It’s good for skin, coat and teeth as well as cardiovascular health and brain development.

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    Our favorite Fish Oil for Great Danes: Health and Shine Salmon and Krill and Omega-3 Fish Oil. Use code HELLODANES10 for 10% off.

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    Fish Oil for Great Danes

    Fish oil gives dogs a clean, shiny coat and healthy skin, which will keep your Great Dane looking amazing.

    The information contained in this post 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, cancer, arthritis 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.