With balanced training, dogs are motivated by positive reinforcement such as treats, praise, play, and games. Thoughtful choices are made between management and appropriate corrections to balance the training. Modern dog training = happy, confident dogs that have freedom, enrichment, and autonomy.
If you are looking into a shock collar for Great Dane training, you’ve come to the right place!
We offer modern dog training advice and can help you decide if using a shock collar on your Great Dane is going to be helpful for fixing behavioral issues.
We are here to give you ideas and resources for E-Collar training, products, positive training, and more!
Read on for more information about shock collar training and Great Danes!
SHOCK COLLAR TRAINING and GREAT DANES
Many people search for shock collar training resources when they are at their ‘wit’s end’ with their dog.
Aggression, lunging, barking, pulling, digging in the trash and general stubborn nonsense are common reasons that otherwise well-meaning dog owners seek to use a shock collar on their dog!
We understand your frustrations, we hear you, and we are here to HELP!
At Hello Danes, we believe that shock collars are so 2001, and that E-Collars are the new, more effective and humane way to train Great Danes.
A properly used E-Collar can give your dog off-leash freedom and so much more.
Shock collars (especially inexpensive ones from Amazon, etc.) provide a sharp, startling shock or aversive vibration sensation that is designed specifically to hurt and punish. With shock collars, the dog is the subject of the training and may not be aware of how to avoid being shocked.
E-Collars (in particular, the only brand we stand behind, E-Collar Technologies) provide a blunt tingling stimulation that is designed to be a positive, tactile communication. With proper E-Collar use, the dog is a participant in training and knows how to make choices that turn that stimulation on and off.
WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING
You may be reading this and thinking ‘no way, lady. My dog is LARGE and in CHARGE and I need a way to get his attention. An E-Collar isn’t going to cut it’.
Look, we get it! Having an out-of-control giant breed Great Dane is embarrassing and can result in injury, lawsuits and more. Training your Great Dane is extremely important!
Now imagine for a moment that your currently bratty Great Dane could have amazing off-leash obedience and recall, polite manners, the ability to ‘settle’ indoors (even when guests are over), and confidence (not fear, anxiety or instability).
BELOW I’ve written two training examples, so you can learn about the difference between shock collar training and E-Collar training for your Great Dane!
SHOCK COLLAR RECALL
The dog runs off and doesn’t listen when off leash.
The shock collar is used to punish the dog for ignoring the recall command.
The handler may repeat the sharp static shock or vibration until the dog comes back, often with poor body language (ears pinned, hunched, low to the ground).
The dog learns that running from the owner is scary and may, through this process learn to stay closer because they fear what happens if they don’t.
Additionally, the dog may learn to associate the shock or vibrate with the environment, lowering their confidence and increased anxiety and aggression (BLOAT RISK).
The dog is taught that the stimulation from the E-Collar (up to 1/2 mile away) means to come back.
They are enthusiastic about it, not fearful or hurt by it, and associate the stimulation with good things.
The stimulation feels like an ant crawling around, and the dog quickly learns that they can turn it off by running back to the handler.
Just like leash pressure or teasing a dog with a treat until they sit!
The E-Collar becomes a true wireless leash!
The dog learns that staying close and listening means good things, treats, praise and freedom. If they go too far, the E-Collar reminds them to turn and run back! They quickly learn boundaries and gain freedom; in dedicated hands, most dogs can easily be off-leash within weeks.
This is all done, reliably, with a gentle muscle stimulation that most humans cannot even feel.
Because the dog associates the stimulation with good things and has full control over the stimulation, the dog is an enthusiastic and willing participant. Treats, praise and play are also part of a proper E-Collar training program. Dogs that have fun training learn faster and develop stronger obedience skills!
WHICH DOG WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE?
So if you ask us if you should use a shock collar for Great Dane training, our answer will always be NO. Shock collars cause unnecessary stress and anxiety that can increase bloat risk, reduce confidence and cause worsened training problems. It’s just not worth it.
But if you are interested in using an E-Collar for Great Dane training? Let’s chat!
A properly used E-Collar is less aversive, less harmful and more effective than a long leash, no-pull harness, squirt bottle, verbal correction or head harness!
With some fun, simple positive training your E-Collar becomes a ‘wireless leash’, allowing you to effectively communicate with your dog (even your large stubborn one!) up to 1/2 mile away.
IMAGINE YOUR DOG:
Having insane amounts of enriching off-leash freedom (which results in better physical and mental condition, less stress and lower anxiety. All things that may reduce overall bloat risk and improve behavior).
Loose leash walking with calm confidence.
Being free from leash reactivity, an unfortunate result of the natural restriction and tension of the leash, collar or harness.
Dropping calmly to a down-stay while other dogs, children and people walk by.
Redirecting immediately away from dangerous and annoying behaviors such as fence jumping, running into the street and stealing cooked chicken bones from the counter; then running back to you with enthusiasm!
Calmly sitting on a ‘place’ while you greet guests or unload groceries.
WHEN NOT TO USE AN E-COLLAR
There are times and situations where the use of an E-Collar, and especially of a shock collar, is NOT appropriate. Seek the help of a professional trainer, and never use an electric collar of any kind to address the following behaviors:
Addressing dog-dog, dog-human or dog-child aggression
Puppy biting
Crate frustration and separation anxiety
Resource guarding
Leash reactivity/aggression
Fearful, timid or anxious behaviors, especially in rescue dogs that have not had time to decompress (3+ months)
Keep in mind that the majority of behavior problems are the result of boredom, frustration, anxiety, immaturity, poor socialization, pain or confusion. E-Collars are not appropriate for resolving those behaviors (including reactivity, aggression, puppy biting, resource guarding and destruction), but can be used as part of an entire training program centered around building confidence, skills and independence.
Remember, shock collars are an outdated tool. There are better, more humane and more effective ways to train dogs, and the E-Collar can help you.
Ready to get started with E-Collar training your Great Dane?
There’s a reason why Great Danes are called the “gentle giants.”
They are one of the most docile and loving dog breeds out there. But this doesn’t mean that they don’t need training. In fact, if you don’t train your Great Dane, you’re in for a world of trouble.
This hilarious Great Dane fail post will show you why it’s so important to train your Great Dane and what can happen if you don’t!
This week we saw this video (above). A huge blue Great Dane has escaped from his leash or gate and is on the run, terrorizing everyone in his path. He’s chasing people, bouncing around, and just being an all-around menace. The people in the video are TERRIFIED!
Great Danes are massive dogs. They can weigh nearly 200 pounds and stand over six feet tall when they’re fully grown. They’re also incredibly strong.
So when they’re not properly trained, they can be a real handful.
THIS DANE FAILS VIDEO IS HILARIOUS, OF COURSE
Sure, it’s funny to see a Great Dane running around and having a great time. But it’s not so funny when they start knocking things over, jumping on people, chasing people, or worse.
The people in the video were afraid of this dog, and that’s not fair. This dog could have easily been hurt or seriously hurt somebody in the process of what only looks like innocent fun.
It’s very clear that this dog has no reliable off-leash recall and is lacking an appropriate amount of physical and mental enrichment overall.
Did you know that a wagging tail does NOT always mean that a dog is friendly and well-intentioned? Wagging tails can mean all sorts of things, and play is just one of them.
Three well-behaved Great Danes in a ‘place’ command.
Find a good trainer: If you’re having trouble training your Great Dane yourself, it’s a good idea to find a professional trainer. We recommend finding a trainer that uses a lot of positive reinforcement and balanced training tools such as e-collars, martingale, long leashes, treats, clickers, and prong collars.
Raising a puppy can be a fun, joyous, and sometimes frustrating adventure. It’s important to avoid making common training mistakes when training Great Dane puppies.
If you’re not careful, you may end up with a giant disobedient dog that barks, pulls, and jumps on people! Don’t let their cute, snuggly little puppy bodies fool you; an untrained Great Dane is a dangerous animal and if you are reading this post, you probably need to start working on training yesterday.
In this blog post, we will discuss five common mistakes made when training Great Dane puppies (and how to avoid them). If you want to have a well-behaved dog, this is the place to be!
Mistakes Made When Training Great Dane Puppies
#1 – Waiting Too Long Before Training
One common mistake made when training Great Dane puppies is not starting early enough.
It’s important to begin training your puppy as soon as possible so that they can learn good habits from the start. If you wait too long to start training, your puppy may develop bad habits that will be difficult to break.
Don’t wait for training classes to start. Don’t wait until your puppy has had all of its shots. Don’t wait until bad habits have already set in!
If your breeder was reputable, he or she would have also established some early crate training, leash training, attention and bathroom habits.
Good training means using a lot of positive reinforcement to teach your puppy what behaviors are the most rewarding. By keeping your puppy close you can start teaching the basics such as:
Go potty
Sit
Down
Leave it
Wait (at doors)
These are all simple and easy to teach and will help minimize the bad behaviors from popping up later!
If you only train your puppy once in a while, they won’t learn as quickly or as effectively. It’s important to be consistent with training so that your puppy knows what is expected of them. Training doesn’t stop once your puppy has been through puppy classes!
Great Dane puppies benefit the most from 2-3 minute sessions, several times per day. It is also helpful to use a crate, gate, or leash to manage behavior (and keep your puppy from practicing the wrong thing!).
By establishing some boundaries and rules in your home (for example, NO running through doors!) you can maintain predictability and consistency for your dog which will pay off in the long run.
Use this time to teach the foundations of an off-leash heel, look at me, touch (my hand), sit, down and stay. These sessions should be fun, short and full of rewards!
Here are some of our favorite Great Dane puppy training treats (click to view):
Another common mistake is using too much force and punishment when training.
This can be counterproductive and cause your puppy to become scared or aggressive. It’s important to use positive reinforcement when training your puppy, such as praise and treats.
It is unfair to punish, scold, or correct a dog that doesn’t know what they should be doing instead.
We believe in balanced training (saying YES often and saying NO when appropriate) but we do not recommend using punitive, harsh, forceful, or aggressive training methods.
Spend more time saying ‘YES’ to your puppy than saying ‘NO’. If you find yourself constantly saying ‘NO’, your puppy needs more positive training, management and guidance from you.
#4 – Not Socializing Your Great Dane Puppy
A fourth common mistake is not socializing your puppy enough.
Socialization is important for Great Danes so that they can learn how to interact with other dogs and people. If you don’t socialize with your puppy, they may become shy or anxious around others.
Socialization means so much more than meeting people and dogs! It means taking your puppy to new places, exposing them to different sounds, sights, and tactile experiences while also teaching them how to behave in various situations.
Socialization means positive exposure to novel things. Flooding a puppy with rude people and dogs is not socialization. Having fun exploring new textures, sights, smells and sounds, is.
A harlequin Great Dane puppy exploring a new environment
#5 – Avoiding Professional Help
Finally, a fifth common mistake is not seeking professional help when needed. Many people think they don’t need to take classes or get professional help because they’ve had dogs their whole lives.
If you’re having trouble training your puppy, don’t be afraid to seek out the help of a professional trainer. They can give you valuable advice and guidance on how to train your puppy effectively. For puppies that are doing well, a professional trainer can provide guidance so that together you can achieve even better obedience and training than you thought possible!
Many times, a ‘stubborn’ puppy is actually just confused!
We recommend finding a highly experienced positive trainer who uses balanced training methods (positive reinforcement + appropriate and fair corrections).
We recommend that all Great Danes be trained to a Canine Good Citizen level or better. Sign up for classes beyond puppy 101 and keep going! Having a well-behaved, polite, well-socialized dog is a joy.
Have Fun Training Your Great Dane!
Avoiding these five common mistakes will help you to raise a well-behaved and obedient Great Dane puppy.
With patience and consistency, you can train your puppy to be a well-mannered, polite, calm dog that you can be proud of.
Teaching a Great Dane E collar recall can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. In this dog training guide, we will discuss the best ways to provide recall for dog owners.
Read on to be able to provide your dog off leash freedom.
We’ll also cover how to use clicker training and positive reinforcement training. These skills are useful for the purpose of stopping the behavioral issues and getting reliable recall in your dog’s training. By following these tips, you can teach your giant breed dog recall with an e collar with this highly recommended training method.
Before Teaching Recall with an E Collar You Need Foundational Skills
It is highly recommend that you practice foundational training skills before teaching recall with a training collar. Teaching recall with an e collar is NOT a basic skill. Work on foundational skills first. These skills include: training on a flat collar/gentle leader, loose leash skills, and helping your dog to stop pulling on the leash. Your Great Dane should master basic skills before you begin teaching recall with an e collar.
Again, is crucial to teach basic skills before beginning to teach your Great Dane any type of recall.
It is important that every dog owner teach these basic skills. Foundational learning happens before beginning to teach your Great Dane Recall with an E collar.
You can work with a professional trainer to establish how to use these collars on big dogs. Also ask them to help maintain control over their off leash recall. Teaching recall with an e collar sometimes requires professional help, depending on your comfort level.
Different Methods of Teaching Skills Necessary Prior to Training Recall with an E Collar
Remember that it is important that your dog is trained prior to beginning training recall with an e collar. We put together a short list of a few methods in which you can help your dog learn foundational skills.
Clicker Training
Clicker training is a type of positive reinforcement training that uses a clicker tool to mark desired behaviors. The sound of the clicker tells the dog that they have done something right and that they will be rewarded with a treat.
Clicker training is a very fast and effective way to train dogs, and it can be used for basic obedience commands or more complex behaviors. Clicker training is a great way to build a positive relationship with your dog while teaching them new things!
One of the great things about clicker training is that it is very easy to get started. All you need is a clicker tool and some tasty treats that your dog loves. You will also need to find a quiet place to train where there are no distractions. Once you have all of your supplies, you can start training your dog!
To begin, you will want to click the clicker tool and immediately give your dog a treat. Do this several times so that your dog associates the sound of the clicker with getting a treat.
Next, you will want to start teaching your dog some basic obedience commands. For example, you can start with the command “sit”. To teach this command, hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose and slowly move it upwards until they sit down. As soon as they sit down, click the clicker tool and give them the treat. Repeat this process until your dog is consistently sitting on command.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement training is a type of operant conditioning. It rewards desired behavior in order to increase the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. Positive reinforcement is a way of “reinforcing” or encouraging a desired behavior. It does so by providing a pleasant consequence after the behavior is displayed. The most common form of this is giving a dog a treat after it has performed a desired behavior. This can be done after they sit or lay.
One of the main advantages of positive reinforcement training is that it is relatively easy to learn and can be used with both dogs and other animals.
Additionally, positive reinforcement training is often considered to be more humane than other types of training methods, such as punishment or dominance-based training. Finally, positive reinforcement is a very versatile form of training and can be used to teach a wide variety of behaviors.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using positive reinforcement training. Make sure the rewards you use are meaningful to your dog and that you deliver the rewards consistently.
Additionally, remember that positive reinforcement is not a magic bullet and will not work instantly. It may take some time and patience for your dog to learn the desired behavior. However, when done correctly, positive reinforcement training is a safe, humane, and effective tool.
Great Dane Recall with an Electric Collar: What is it?
Recall is an important skill for any Great Dane, or any dog, to learn. Following commands is a basic part of dog training and a vital/essential part of training a Great Dane. Teaching your Great Dane recall with an E collar may be one of the most important things you ever teach them. Why? Because one day, it could protect them from dangers or even save their life!
Shock collars or bark collars are very different than e collars. Many people stumble upon articles about training collars when looking up the best shock collar for training their dog in behavior. Recall, pulling, or other unwanted behaviors are common problems. Many times, owners resort to shock collars or bark collars for these common behaviors.
There is a difference between a shock collar and an e-collar. We will discuss which training tool is better. Before training your dogs with any shock collar, please be sure to investigate the differences between a shock collar and e collars.
Great Dane Recall with an E-collar: Why does it matter?
Using e-collars in training Great Danes (even a young Great Dane) allows you to train them to come back to you when they are off leash, which can be helpful in many situations. Teaching recall with an e collar provides safety, something that all pet parents value for their pets.
There are certain situations where the behavior of running off can be life threatening for dogs. Any experienced trainer will tell you that you must work on this behavior while your dog is a puppy in order to build focus and control. If you are concerned that your Great Dane might run off, run into the street, or even run away, you should consider teaching them recall with an e collar.
The ability to train your dog (or two dogs) to return when called is, of course, an important skill for any Great Dane to learn because it can help keep them safe. Teaching recall with an e collar allows you to provide your Great Dane with freedom to run and play, while also protecting them.
If your Great Dane ever gets off leash and runs away, being able to call them back to you can mean the difference between life or death. For example, if your dog is getting too close to a busy road, you can call them back to you before they have a chance to run into traffic. For that reason, we believe that teaching a Great Dane recall with an e collar is one of the most valuable lessons you can teach them.
Life Changing Collars for Dogs
If your dog is focused on their owner, a command can be given which could save their life.
We believe that recall is one of the most important skills that any owner of dogs can teach, since safety is so important, from puppy to adulthood.
Many want to jump directly to more flashy ‘quick fixes’ such as training their dog with a shock collar or training their Great Danes with the ‘best shock collars’ for fast training, but rest assured: It is always best to start dog training on a standard collar and providing solid a solid command that your dog will understand throughout life.
Additionally, using a shock collar in training your Great Dane can actually instill fear and intimidation, which could result in them becoming more defiant.
Step 1 to Teaching Recall with an E Collar: The Importance of Dog Training with a Leash
Before you begin teaching recall with an e collar, you must follow step one. Practice basic skills before you start teaching your Great Dane higher level skills with any training collar.
Working on a flat collar or regular collar will help ensure that your dog is listening to you and following your commands the entire time that you are out on walks together.
The foundation of teaching a Great Dane recall with an e-collar begins with basic, good citizen skills on a basic collar.
Training your Great Dane starts the day you bring them home. Dogs begin learning at birth, when they are born blind and deaf in a world they have to navigate!
When you meet your Great Dane, it becomes your responsibility to help them be the best dogs that they can be.
Steps to training your dogs
There are several steps you can take to build strong foundational skills:
Use a lead and collar that is comfortable for both you and your dog. This will help make walks more enjoyable for both of you and prevent any potential injuries, pulling or focus issues.
Start with short walks around the block or in your neighborhood with your dog. As your dog gets better at walking on a standard collar, you can gradually increase the length of and, at times, command them to wait next to you in a ‘heel’ position.
Make sure to provide plenty of positive reinforcement training during walks. This can include treats, petting, or verbal praise. There is an abundance of videos on how to include positive reinforcement while you train.
If your dog starts to pull on walks, stop walking and wait for them to calm down before continuing to give them any further commands. Pulling can be a sign of over-stimulation, and you should train this behavior with small and frequent training sessions to help dogs remain calm and collected.
You can utilize other tools during foundational dog training such as a prong collar, regular/flat collar, or a verbal command to help your dog train in a correct way.
Work on maintaining eye contact with your dog during walks. This training method will help your dog to focus on you and listen to your commands the correct way.
By following these steps and working with your Great Danes, you can build strong skills help them focus and not pull. Once you have a correct foundation, you can start on the course of working on teaching higher level skills with a training collar.
Please note:
Using a training tool such as a prong collar or e-collar is very different than a shock collar. We do not promote training your Great Danes or other dogs with the use of shock collars.
Using shock collars as a form of training is unethical and can have an impact on the way your dog views life, accepts a command, or represents the breed in regards to temperament and disposition. We do not recommend anybody to shock their Great Danes, and will not be recommending any shock collar or discussing the ‘best shock collar’ to train your dogs.
Long leashes are very helpful when teaching recall because they allow your dog to have some freedom while still being under your control.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using a long leash:
Make sure the long leash is long enough to provide freedom.
Attach the leash to a comfortable collar and find a space with plenty of room (20 feet or more).
Start by calling your Great Dane’s name and then giving the command to come. As they start to walk towards you, praise them and give them a treat.
If your dog does not come when called, do not pull on the leash or drag them towards you. This will only make them scared or resistant to coming when called.
It is now time to discuss the different settings on your e-collar. You will need to know these settings in order to teach recall on a long leash. Please note, when discussing these settings, we are referring to e-collar technology 900 series.
Continual Stim– This is when the e-collar is sending a continuous signal to your dog. During continual stim, hold down the stim button.
Momentary Stim– This is when the e-collar sends a signal to your dog for a brief moment. This is the most common setting used, but not always the best, depending on the dog’s personality.
High Performance/Boost– This setting is a mix of both continual and momentary stim. It starts off with momentary stim and automatically switches to continual stim if your dog does not respond.
Now that you understand the different settings on your e-collar, it is time to discuss how to properly use them when teaching recall.
Step 3 to teaching Recall with an E Collar: Timing
E-collar training (even while on a long leash) is all about timing.
When your Great Dane is on the end of the long leash, apply a bit of leash pressure, and direct them to come towards you with the word “come”. At the same time, press and hold your stim button (at their working level) with your e-collar programed to ‘Continual’ stim.
Watch your Great Dane and the MOMENT they turn their body to move towards you, begin dialing the ecollar down slowly with your thumb.
You will also want to use a marker word, such as ‘YES’.
Use the marker word when they turn their bodies to you. Using a marker word allows your Great Dane to understand the exact movement that you expect from them, and feel rewarded for it.
Think of it almost like a game of ‘hot and cold’. If your Great Dane moves closer when hearing the ‘come’ command, you get ‘colder’. If they move further, you get hotter!
Play this game consistently and daily so that your Great Dane knows what the word “come” means and associates it with returning quickly.
Step 4 to Teaching Recall with an E Collar: Introduce a Safe, Off-Leash Practice Area
Next, we will introduce a safe place for your Great Dane to practice recall without a leash.
Find a large fenced area where they can run around freely. It is important that the fenced area is secure and escape-proof.
When your Great Dane is off the leash, supervise them at all times. Do not leave them unsupervised even in a fenced area for risk of danger.
Additionally, you want to make sure that this ‘practice area’ is very low distraction.
Areas that would make bad practice spots may include dog parks, busy public parks, or areas that may remind them of fun memories they’ve had with friends.
Areas that make great practice spots include large backyards, quiet/empty parks away from streets, or fenced in, dog-friendly areas with no other dogs present.
Once you have found your practice location, begin implementing the same procedure of the ‘hot and cold’ technique, without the long leash this time.
Make sure to heavily reward them when they return by using the marker word, lowering the stim, and using treats (if you want).
Step 5 to Teaching Recall with an E Collar: Practice Makes Perfect with Your Great Dane
Using any tool in training with your dog/dogs is going to take dedication and time. Great Danes require patience in their training and the use of electric collars is not a quick fix. Be patient with your dog and remember that this training skill is something that is going to take time.
Even though people claim that shock collars are an ‘overnight fix’ in training their dogs, we recommend taking the time to train slowly and patiently with your dog on a reliable training collar such as the devices we highly recommend.
If you’re interested in purchasing one, be sure to check out our favorite collars for training dogs here:
We hope that you and your Great Dane love the process of learning recall as much as we do. The lifestyle of freedom, fun and exploration is waiting for you. Hard work and patience will pay off! Be sure to reach out with any questions you have.
There is almost nothing more dangerous than an out-of-control giant breed dog. Good leash skills are one of the most important things that you can teach your Great Dane! If you are ready to learn how to teach a Great Dane to walk on a leash, read on.
Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. With a little patience and some positive, thoughtful balanced dog training, you’ll have your Dane walking nicely on a leash in no time. Here’s what you need to know.
Step One – Teach Your Great Dane to Walk on a Leash 101
Step one: start with basic obedience commands like sit, look (at me), and touch (the palm of your hand).
You’ll need to have these commands taught at a basic level before you can move on to really teaching your dog how to walk on a leash. All of these skills are easy to teach using positive reinforcement!
Use lots of rewards. This helps your Dane build confidence and will help you install correct behaviors (which will come in handy if your Great Dane pulls a lot when you leave the house)!
You’ll notice a massive difference in your dog if you practice these skills even just 5-10 minutes each day.
Be consistent with your commands and rewards – always praise and treat your dog when they follow your instructions
Leash Walking Basics: Teach Focus and “With Me”
In this stage, you will work with your dog off-leash in your home or in a fenced yard.
If you don’t have space for safe off-leash work, use a long leash and an ergonomic harness (we do not recommend using ‘Petsafe’ or ‘Easy Walk’ no-pull harnesses on Great Danes).
Use lots of treats and with your Great Dane on the left side, take a step. Praise, treat and repeat.
Practice this until you can walk 10 steps or more between rewards. Add obstacles such as cones or balls, too, and practice walking around them together. Reward your dog for engaging with you!
Gradually introduce the leash, making sure to keep the training positive and upbeat. Keep the leash loose in your hands. It is only there for safety.
Many people struggle in this step of teaching focus, engagement, and calm behavior in all environments.
You may notice that your Great Dane does AMAZING with these leash training exercises when you are at home, but when you go somewhere new they forget everything that you’ve taught them!
Here are some tips for teaching your Great Dane to be calm in ALL environments:
Use structure and routines at home to encourage ‘calm’ settling behavior
Teach a ‘place’ command and build this skill up until you can say ‘place’ and expect your dog to settle there, no matter what
Make sure your Great Dane is getting enough physical and mental enrichment! The world is much less exciting to a dog that is satisfied. Proper enrichment will reduce anxiety, boredom, and the frustrating behaviors that result from not getting enough. (Read our blog post on bored Great Danes! and also the best toys for Great Danes)
Practice Leash Walking
Now it’s time to increase the difficulty! You’ll want to work on your leash skills in a variety of places with varying distractions.
Start off slowly, with just a few minutes of walking at first. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend walking together as your dog gets more comfortable ignoring the world and focusing on YOU.
When you encounter a distraction, ask your dog to engage with you and continue moving.
Continue to use a lot of positive reinforcement! This is how you teach your dog the correct behavior and increase the chance that they will repeat the behavior that you want.
THE BEST LEASH FOR GREAT DANES
We recommend that all Great Dane owners have three leashes:
1. A good long Biothane leash (for off-leash training and being in places where being off-leash is not legal)
2. A leather leash with a sturdy clip for everyday use and walking with a flat collar, martingale, headcollar, or prong collar
3. A leather slip lead for ease of use, training, and safety (slip leads are escape-proof!)
Prong collars are commonly used for Great Danes, but it is important to use them correctly. If you’re not sure how to use a prong collar, ask a highly qualified positive-balanced dog trainer for help.
Herm Springer is the ONLY brand worth buying; they cost more but they are built correctly and created with rounded edges so that your dog feels evenly distributed pressure, NOT pain during use.
A properly used prong collar, introduced with lots of positive reinforcement can be implemented in a way that is less harmful, less frustrating, less aversive, and safer for you and your Great Dane than a flat collar, ‘no-pull’ harness, choke chain or head collar.
Modern E-Collars are introduced in a positive way and use muscle stimulation as a communication (not sharp static ‘shock’). When used and conditioned properly, E-Collars from E-Collar Technologies can be an amazing and helpful tool for off-leash work AND developing better on-leash skills.
Harnesses have their place, however, for most Great Danes they are the wrong choice.
The only appropriate harness to buy for a Great Dane will have a y-front on it.
All other harnesses (including those marketed as ‘No-Pull’ such as the ‘Freedom’ or ‘Easy-Walk’ harness) work by squeezing the shoulders, throwing the dog off-balance, and restricting movement.
No-pull (front clip) harnesses are NOT good training tools for Great Danes. They rely on physical restraint and restrictions to movement that can be damaging to their shoulders, chest and gait. Just because it’s made of ‘nylon’ doesn’t mean it’s a ‘positive’ or ‘humane’ tool.
One big problem with choosing a y-front harness for your Great Dane is that if your Great Dane were to pull you, they have a ton of leverage to do so.
A proper Y-front harness should be used with a long leash and only with dogs that do NOT pull, lunge or react. We recommend the RUFFWEAR FRONT RANGE HARNESS.
We believe that all Great Danes should also be reliably off-leash trained. Good off-leash skills translate to great on-leash skills!
Reducing the reliance on a leash and collar for every activity is much healthier for them from a physical and mental enrichment standpoint, too.
Off-leash dogs cannot damage their gait, neck, or head by lunging into collars, harnesses, or ‘Gentle Leaders’. They also get to experience the freedom of movement which is very enriching to them.
Today we are giving you our detailed, unpaid Halo Dog Collar review! The Halo Collar is a dog training collar that in theory, allows your dog to be off-leash anywhere you go. If you’ve found this popular post on our site, awesome! That means you are a dedicated pet owner looking to safely and humanely get your pup off-leash. We love that!
People are interested in the Halo Dog training collar (and now the Halo 3 for dogs) because it offers something no other device has yet: automated boundaries for your dog using a phone app. Allow me to clarify:
The idea is amazing. Put this Halo Collar on your dog, draw a boundary on a map in the phone app, and the collar will keep your dog inside of the boundary (with some training, of course!).
Imagine the possibilities! This is an idea that many people have asked about but no company had done gracefully yet. Many other similar boundary collars and invisible fences for dogs are clunky, huge, and unreliable. Underground boundary fences can be hard to install (not to mention expensive!). Worse, many other off-leash training fences utilize painful shocks that cause dogs to scream and fear being in the yard.
The Halo Dog Collars are marketed as a modern, more humane, and more effective alternative to traditional invisible shock fences.
The difference between a Halo 3 collar and an invisible fence is huge.
We were DEFINITELY intrigued and know that a lot of Great Dane owners are asking about Halo, Halo 2+, and Halo 3 Collar reviews.
This is our review of the HALO dog Collar by Cesar Milan. Is this a Halo Collar buyer beware, or a Halo Collar buyer buy it? Read on, friends…
Does the Halo 3 Dog Collar Shock the Dog?
The Halo Dog Collar uses tone, voice corrections, and stimulation.
Stimulation is an electrical current that causes the muscle to twitch. Think of this like a tactile sensation, no different than leash tension or touch. When used at low levels, muscle stimulation can be used as a positive tactile communication. This sensation is not the same as ‘shock’ and should not cause negative associations or feelings for dogs that are trained properly to understand what it means.
On the other hand, when used at high levels, muscle stimulation is an aversive sensation that can be used as a correction. However, at low levels, it is an incredible tool that replaces leash tension.
Think of it this way:
Shock = sharp poke with a stick Low level stimulation = gentle leash pressure High level stimulation = stronger leash pressure + squeeze pressure from a collar
Shock (which is intended to be painful) and stimulation (which is intended to be a gentle tactile sensation) are two different things.
While Halo pet collar did NOT pioneer modern stimulation like what is used in E-Collar technologies e-collars, they are using stimulation (not shock) in the Halo, Halo 2, and Halo 3 collar. Modern stimulation collars are the ONLY kind we recommend, so Halo gets 5 stars from us for this!
Halo Dog Containment Systems Reviews – What is the Halo Dog Collar?
The Halo, Halo 2, and Halo 3 Dog collar is an automated E-Collar. It uses sound, vibration, and electronic stimulation to teach and reinforce invisible boundaries. This can keep your dog safe while off-leash!
Imagine this. You create a virtual fence using the Halo App on your phone. In this example, you might draw a map that is meant to keep your dog on your front lawn.
As your dog approaches the boundary of the edge of the lawn, the collar lets the dog know that they are nearing it. If the dog chooses to disregard the first communication, the collar can use stimulation (a form of pressure) to discourage continued movement towards the boundary. It will then reward them for turning away from the boundary (back onto your lawn, yay!).
From what we understand, the user has a lot of control over how corrections are implemented and used. This is very helpful because every dog is different!
The collar will, with training, keep your dog inside of that invisible fence. This could be very helpful technology! We definitely like the concept.
If your dog gets out of the boundary that you set, despite warnings and corrections, a feature it built in that will allow you to find your dog with the included GPS tracker. This is a nice feature.
The Halo collar retails for nearly $1000 (yes, you read that correctly!) but is occasionally seen offered at around $699.
2023 Update: The Halo 3 has been released with updates to the GPS capabilities and overall build.
Is There a Monthly Fee for the Halo Collar?
Yes, there is a monthly fee associated with the Halo Collar app.
We have noticed that it’s something many buyers are VERY surprised by!
The monthly fees to use the required app are an additional cost. Without a paid monthly subscription, the features of the Halo Dog Collar are very limited.
The Cesar dog collar comes in two colors and three sizes; the largest size Collar expands to 30.5″ and may or may not fit a giant breed dog. Measure your dogs neck before ordering!
Now, if you have spent any time on our site, you know that we support ethical, positive, and humane E-Collar use.
We are not going to have any issue at all with the concept of the Halo Collar as an electric training device. Keeping a dog safe by using tactile electric communication is one of the most gentle, humane, and responsible things dog owners can do.
How Well Does the Halo Collar Work?
The idea behind the Halo Collar is that it automates boundary training. It’s kind of like a modern ‘invisible fence’.
The Halo marketing department focuses heavily on this tool easily giving dogs off-leash freedom anywhere you go. How cool would it be to go camping, and be able to keep your pup on your campsite?
It’s important to note that all training devices require diligent training and conditioning. The Halo, Halo 2, and Halo 3 are no exception. Do not expect to put this collar on your dog and be quickly and easily safely off leash anywhere you go.
Because it works on GPS and a phone APP, your dog’s safety relies on the system not experiencing a technical failure of some kind.
As with ANY training tool, it also relies on your ability to follow the training instructions and work with your dog on a regular basis.
If the Halo 3 collar gps system is functioning and you’ve spent time teaching your dog how to respond to the communications from the Halo Collar, it can absolutely work beautifully!
The Halo Dog Collar by Cesar Milan
People are Talking: Real-Life Halo Dog Collar Reviews
Unfortunately, there have reports from people that their smart off-leash dog collar has broken, stopped functioning, doesn’t work, and is cheaply made.
A lot of people on Youtube cite that the original Halo collar is made primarily of weak plastic parts which may fail and leave your dog unprotected. Halo made improvements to their dog off-leash collar with the Halo 2, and we are optimistic that the Halo 3 is a game changer!
JUNE 2022 UPDATE: We’ve read that Halo has supposedly completely fixed and updated many reported issues.
If you are looking to purchase a Halo Collar for your dog, you should in theory feel much more confident in the newer model. We are giving this some time before updating our review with information about the quality and consistency of the newer version.
GPS Automation Failures on the Halo Wireless Fence
There have been some reports out there that the GPS aspect of the collar, on the original and currently updated version, can at times be unreliable. This is largely related to the nature of technology and GPS.
Normally we say to stay away from cheap shock collars….but this device isn’t cheap! We believe that a solid amount of technology and research has gone into this device.
How the Halo Dog Training Collar Works
IF the Halo collar is actually functioning properly with a strong, reliable GPS connection to the ‘fence’ you built in the app, you do still have to work on training.
Don’t be made to believe that this is an ‘easy fix’ to a well-trained dog.
Proper conditioning and training are important with any training tool, including harnesses, so this is to be expected. However, this training should be fun and easy!
The Cesar dog collar functions by using a tone or audible voice and then static (muscle stimulation) to remind dogs to turn away from a boundary.
The company does say you have to train your dog how to respond to the collar, and the app walks you through the process. It’s automated, but not automatic.
Once your dog understands how to respond to the communication from the collar, you should be able to draw a boundary and have your dog understand it, almost anywhere that you go.
The collar will issue sounds, verbal communications, and static stimulation as needed to direct your dog into the boundary.
Is the Halo Collar Worth It?
The price of the Halo Dog Collar is premium, there is no question about that. For some dog owners, this is cost prohibitive. A simple long leash can accomplish a similar thing for much, much less.
As before, we are hopeful that recent updates to their device will give millions of dogs a valuable opportunity to be off-leash! The Halo Collar may be the ideal solution for you if:
You don’t have a fence
You regularly visit people where there is no fence
You like to go camping and want your dog to stay within a boundary of the tent site
You want a simple, user-friendly training tool
You don’t mind automating parts of your off-leash training
You have a dog that likes to learn, likes to be near you and already has a least a basic recall
Your pet is not reactive or aggressive, or has reactivity that is well managed
SUMMARY
Now that you’ve read our Halo Dog Collar review, would you buy one?
Do we think you should buy a Halo dog collar?
Do we believe that the Halo 3 for Dogs is a solid update to what was previously a somewhat unreliable product?
I am optimistic in my belief that the Halo Dog Collar is a great choice for many pet owners. We LOVE that they no longer focus so much on their relationship with Cesar Milan (a very controversial dog trainer), and that they are continually improving their products.
The main reason we’d recommend a HALO collar is for people who cannot build a physical fence around their property and want something slightly more flexible than a traditional invisible fence.
Halo Dog Treats Reviews
Are Halo dog treats legit? Some people confuse the Halo Collar with the Halo dog food and dog treats company.
We do not recommend Halo Dog food, but the treats may be ok!
Today we are providing an EZ 900 Educator E-Collar review for Great Dane owners (or for any dog lover!) This is our honest, unsponsored review of the Easy Educator E-Collar model 900, AKA the ‘EZ EDUCATOR’ series from E-Collar technologies.
As Great Dane lovers, it’s important to us that owners are choosing the most humane tools and training methods for their dogs.
Our training relies heavily on positive reinforcement, but we also believe that dogs appreciate it when they know what their boundaries are.
EZ Educator ET-900 E-Collar Review
We believe in educated ownership and don’t support use of any kind of inexpensive electric shock collar as a corrective ‘easy button’. We do stand behind properly used E-Collars though, with the belief that humane, effective, and positive off-leash educator training involves conditioning the dog to the stimulation and teaching the dog to understand that it means GOOD things, not punishment.
The stimulation from a quality remote dog training collar will be blunt and feel like a small tingle or muscle twitch, not a sharp static shock.
Fun fact: A properly used modern remote collar is less aversive than a long leash, head harness, no-pull harness, or squirt bottle.
We believe in this training method because off-leash freedom = a beautiful life for you and your family pet.
Not only that but momentary stimulation is an incredibly gentle replacement for physical restraint. If your dog could safely be off-leash, and all they have to do is be responsive to mild stimulation levels only when needed, then why wouldn’t you consider it?
The Easy Educator dog collar ships quickly and is packaged in a beautiful box that has a small footprint (less waste!).
Remote collars can often feel like a ‘harsh’ or ‘utilitarian’ type of tool, but this packaging offers a sense of positivity and aesthetics that speak to confident, happy family dogs (not scared dogs that are afraid of the remote or being “shocked into submission“).
We are looking at the Easy Educator TWO dog system for this review, however the 900 series Educator collars come in a one, two, three or four dog system.
With multi-dog systems you can control each dog independently from the same remote.
ET-900 Inside the Box
Inside the Educator remote dog trainer box is:
The manual
Receiver (1, 2, 3 or 4 depending on what system you choose)
One waterproof ergonomic transmitter (AKA the remote)
One Biothane collar strap for each receiver, all in a different color so each dog has their own device
A micro USB charger for the remote & a cable with a splitter to charge the receiver(s)
A lanyard
Large and small contact points for each receiver (customize for each dog)
A tool to change the contact points
The included biothane collars are rugged, washable, and waterproof. Biothane is the perfect material for E-Collars, as many E-Collar-trained dogs enjoy adventures outdoors that involve dirt, mud, and water!
The collars are definitely long enough to fit any Great Dane and can be cut down in length if needed. We highly recommend upgrading the straps to bungee straps, which offer more flexibility and a better fit.
Is the Educator EZ 900 quality?
The receivers that the dog wears feel well-made and are lightweight! Educator brand collars use the most significant technological advancement in remote dog training collars available; we like to compare them to cell phones. Educator collars are the latest iPhone.
A lot of dedication and engineering went into the tapping sensation of the EZ 900, making this a gentle, effective trainer for your pet dog. The technology used in Educator collars is similar to that of a medical-grade TENS device, which uses electrical currents to stimulate the muscle.
In training, this sensation is often referred to as ‘pressure’ or ‘stimulation’.
One thing we love is that EACH collar receiver can be completely customized to the dog that will be wearing it! The advanced remote is a complete system that allows you to program different settings for each dog you are training.
This means you’ll be able to apply different stimulation modes including momentary stimulation, continuous stimulation, momentary boosted stimulation, beep or vibrate at sufficient value for each dog.
The EASY 900 is a medium-range trainer with a 1/2 mile range with instant stimulation options so that you can communicate with your dog from afar.
Good remote collar training will require precise control; we like that there are 100 levels to choose from so you can fine-tune the blunt stimulation that your dog will feel (and respond to).
The contact points are made of quality metal and can be replaced with other sizes and metals, depending on your dog. You can easily change contact points with the included tool, and other options are available including wings (for long-haired dogs) and comfort pads (for short-haired dogs).
How do I program my Easy Educator EZ 900?
We recommend programming your primary button for each dog to continuous stimulation and then learning how to use that button for a single instant stimulation ‘tap’, continuous mode or dynamic (continuous with increasing pressure).
Secondary buttons for each dog can be programmed to tone, beep, or vibrate.
We like to use the single tapping sensation (tap tap tap) on a very low level as a reminder to a dog to follow, look or pay attention.
Continuous stimulation at low levels (or higher in distracting environments) can be used for off-leash recall from a distance.
Dynamic continuous pressure (that increases) works well as a warning to a dog that they must stop what they are doing and redirect to something else.
Tone can also be used as a recall cue, similar to a whistle. For most dogs, including deaf ones, the vibration mode is aversive compared to low-level stimulation modes. We recommend saving vibration for when your dog is doing something dangerous such as running into a road or rudely chasing another dog.
Both the receivers AND the remote are completely waterproof, and we have heard that the remote will float!
Your dog can safely swim in the Educator remote collar without fear of being ‘zapped’ by the cheap faulty electronics seen from other brands. E-Collar Technologies stands behind this and will support you with this purchase forever.
The company also states that the Easy Educator is impact-proof. If you drop it, you don’t have to worry about it not working, malfunctioning and running too ‘hot’, and hurting your dog.
This is a BIG reason we stand behind quality E-Collars and NEVER inexpensive ‘dog training shock devices’ found on Amazon or in pet stores.
Easy Educator Features
There is a maximum stimulation setting of 100. Compare this to other collars on the market that may have just 5-10 levels!
The top of the receiver has a connection spot (a red dot) that connects the receiver and collar electronically, and LED lights that blink green when a connection has been made between the training collar and the remote.
The light on the receiver can also be turned on as a night tracking light so that you can see your off-leash dog in the dark!
The waterproof ergonomic transmitter remote included with the EZ Educator dog training collar is yellow and has a large digital display.
Just like the collar receiver, the remote is lightweight, impact-proof (and waterproof).
The bar shaped transmitter remote has a 1/2 mile range. Unless you are working with hunting, sport training, and tracking, few dog owners need more off-leash roaming space than that.
Although the receiver is small (providing stealth operation, if you are concerned about uneducated naysayers), it provides plenty of stimulation for most dogs, even 150lb Great Danes!
The blunt stimulation is a gentle sensation that doesn’t result in yelping or excessive normal head jerking often seen from other training collars. We prefer this brand for the very clean stimulation and tapping sensation employed during use. No sharp static shocks!
Adjustable Mode, Tone, and Stimulation Levels
On the top is the dial which allows you to adjust the stimulation level up and down. The dial requires some effort to move, which will prevent you from accidentally dialing the stim up too high.
Precise control of stimulation levels is incredibly important.
Educator E-Collars have lock and set features that can be programmed to ‘lock’ at a chosen stimulation level so that you cannot accidentally turn it up too high (and startle your dog).
Each dog is assigned their own buttons and you can control each dog completely independently. The buttons are recessed behind a rubber casing, which makes them waterproof and also safe from accidental ‘butt dialing’.
The ET-900 series training collar offers an adjustable tone and adjustable vibrate mode as well. Programming allows you to adjust how these buttons (which are ergonomically placed) will be used for each dog.
There is also a function where the stim can begin at a low level (so as not to scare your dog) and have it automatically increase to a set level.
The included momentary boost feature can also be customized to each dog, so you maintain precise control.
Don’t forget the night tracking light, which is fantastic for sport training and dogs that are often off-leash in the dark.
We believe the EZ EASY EDUCATOR 900 series is the most high-tech E-Collar available, and perfect for dog owners who like customizations, options, and geeky tech stuff!
The defining differences between stim collars and shock collars can be confusing, especially because there is so much misinformation out there about how remote dog training collars are used.
Stim collars such as the ones offered by E Collar Technologies use a significant technological advancement that changes traditional ‘shock’ into a much more gentle stimulation sensation. This sensation is so gentle that most humans cannot feel it themselves!
With this new more modern form of dog off-leash training utilizing a complete system from remote trainer to positive reinforcement, the desired response is positive, not negative.
In other words, your dog, with the right training and conditioning, will respond with enthusiasm and excitement!
This stimulation feels like a tapping sensation, not a sharp static shock, and can be used for recall training, boundary training, and more.
Other training collars do not offer the same unique features and rely instead on punishing, scaring, and hurting your dog. An Educator is NOT a shock collar!
Even a smart, stubborn dog can learn how to recall reliably in different environments, and will come running back to you ready for more!
How do you use the EZ Educator ez 900?
We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again. E-Collar training is a lifestyle and requires that you change your mindset about how a tool like this will work on your dog.
Easy button shock collar training with cheap devices from Amazon is NOT a method that we support for several reasons.
Dogs trained with shock collars applied as a means to startle and punish can easily become aloof, nervous, anxious, over-excited, frustrated, or even aggressive.
Cheap shock collars are unreliable and more likely to malfunction and hurt your dog. They provide a sharp static shock that causes many dogs to (understandably) show signs of stress and begin to act on it.
Your dog should never be afraid of your remote, their collar receiver, or of what happens when they are wearing it.
Correct stimulation collar training requires a change in how you communicate but it will PAY OFF!
Not only will you want to learn the ins and outs of your E-Collar remote and how it works, but it’s also important to put some time into actually working with your dog so that your dog knows that stimulation is a good thing and knows how to respond to it.
We recommend upgrading the included biothane collar strap to one with a bungee for a better and more comfortable fit for your dog.
E-Collars are an easy operation communication tool, like giving a cell phone to your dog. If you want off-leash freedom and confident, curious, and happy family dogs, this method is for you.
Why should I use a remote training collar?
We always like to mention that we use a lot of positive reinforcement while training our own dogs. Proper remote collar training uses a lot of positive reinforcement.
Off-leash recall, boundary training, and redirection are just some of the reasons we recommend remote collar training for all Great Danes. Unlike a harness, collar or leash, this is one tool that doesn’t rely on physical restraint and cannot harm your dog!
Are dog correction collars cruel?
Absolutely not! There are many things people do to dogs that are actually cruel. This is not one of them.
Training collars from high-quality companies such as Educator Technologies use different technology and blunt stimulation modes that work in a different way compared to inexpensive and painful shock collars.
Well-trained dogs that can be safely off-leash are free of physical restraint, which can cause frustration and even anxiety. Not only that, but nothing compares to the enrichment a dog receives off-leash! Advanced remote collar training is life-changing for dogs and owners.
Aggressive Dog Aversion Training
Some people purchase a remote dog training collar because they are at the end of their rope with a dog that is aggressive or reactive.
There is a huge difference between aggressive dog aversion training (which involves a lot of unfair punishment), and correct training with a modern remote collar.
The last thing you want to do is turn up the dial to maximum stimulation and hope it grabs the attention of your aggressive dog! This kind of training can make things much worse.
Instead, it is important to give your dog skills to build on: basic obedience such as touch, sit, heel, down, leave it, and come make a great foundation. After that, you can start building confidence and indifference to the world with positive counter-conditioning and desensitization.
From there, you can use your remote dog training collar at low levels to communicate and redirect your dog back to you as needed. These unique features, paired with positive reinforcement, set the Educator ez 900 apart from traditional shock collars.
Are there e-collars that don’t shock?
Shock and muscle stimulation are two very different things.
One is a sharp static zap, the other feels like a tap, tickle, or tiny ants crawling around. We prefer the Educator training collar models over traditional inexpensive shock because they offer a gentle tapping sensation.
The stimulation sensation from a high-quality remote dog training collar is non-aversive and can be used for communication. It is an effective trainer that replaces the pressure from a leash, harness, or collar!
How do you train a dog with an E-Collar?
We recommend starting out by finding the lowest level where your dog has the desired response. Most dogs are enthusiastic and responsive between levels 3 and 10, and this is a sufficient value for getting started. The tapping sensation employed by this collar is incredibly gentle and feels more like a brief pulse than a shock.
Keep in mind that you will not likely feel the sensation if you try it yourself until you dial it up to higher stimulation levels well beyond what you need for training your dog.
Pair this gentle tapping sensation with treats, and gradually increase the criteria as you teach your dog what the sensation means. The collar becomes a cell phone for your dog that replaces leash pressure, not a punishment tool!
Boosted stimulation mode can be used when your dog is distracted, and maximum stimulation is available in case of an emergency (for example, your dog is trying to run into traffic, yikes!).
We have training resources available, and we also highly recommend watching Larry Krohn on Youtube for the best and most positive remote training advice!
Your dog training collar offers precision control and has a boost feature for when you and your dog are in higher distraction areas (kind of like turning up the volume on your cell phone), momentary stimulation, and continuous stimulation.
What is the difference between the Mini Educator and the Educator E Collar?
The Mini-Educator dog training collar uses the same advanced technology as the Easy 900, in a more compact and elegant package.
The Mini-Educator remote is round instead of bar-shaped, and it offers only slightly fewer features.
We think the Mini-Educator (or the Micro Mini-Educator with the waterproof miniature collar receiver for small dogs) is a solid choice for dog owners who are new to off-leash remote training.
The Mini-Educator still offers a tracking light, quick emergency stimulation options, transmitter beeper mode, and the brief pulse sensation that educator 1/2 mile collars are known for, in a smaller package.
A mini-Educator remote training collar. Slightly different than the ET-900 but still a fantastic option.
Which educator collar is best for my dog?
If you value simplicity, elegance, and easy operation, choose the Mini-Educator (one dog training collar) or the Educator (just like the Mini-Educator, but for two dogs). If you have a dog under 15lbs, choose the Micro Mini-Educator.
If you like features, extra customization options, or have more than 2 dogs, the Easy 900 Educator is the way to go.
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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!).
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Welactinis 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.
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.”
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.
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!
Age
Timing
Amount
Puppies under 12 weeks
3x/day
2-4 cups/day
Puppies 12-24 weeks old
3x/day
3-6 cups/day
Puppies 24 + weeks (6 months) or older
2x/day
5-10 cups/day
Puppies 12-18 months
2x/day
6-12 cups/day
Adults 18+ Months
2x/day
4-8 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Great Dane puppies are like little gremlins!!!! Even though Great Dane puppy biting is very normal, but can be very hard to handle. If you are ready to learn how to stop Great Dane puppy biting, you’ve come to the right place.
They bite, gnaw, growl, tug, grab your clothes, and dig their tiny little needle teeth into your arms and hands.
YOUCH!!! But your Great Dane puppy is so cute and snuggly too. It can be hard to understand how they can flip a switch and go from cute ball of fur to aggressive beast, but it’s actually nothing to be concerned about!
Many people worry that a biting Great Dane puppy may be trying to ‘be the boss’ or will turn out to be an aggressive dog, but neither of those things is actually true. Read on to learn why it is all apart of the puppy biting stage and how to stop biting in your Great Dane puppy.
Why Do Great Dane Puppies Bite?
Great Dane Puppies bite to learn how to control their jaws, to develop appropriate social skills, and because it’s hard to learn the difference between fingers and chew toys.
Watch a pile of Great Dane puppies play! Puppy bites is what they do to each other! One will wrestle and bite each other while the second one makes as many sounds as it can for a few minutes before the little guy bites back!
When the first Great Dane yelps, they back off for a minute.
The Great Dane puppy that bit learned that the bite was too hard, and both puppies just learned a valuable and important social interaction. These Great Dane puppies are acting as one another’s pet trainers!
Exposing puppies to this natural and proper training is a valuable part of their puppy biting development.
This is an important part of your Great Dane puppy’s development. When a Great Dane puppy isn’t given this time with their litter (until 8 weeks of age) they may have poor bite control.
When you bring your 8 week old Great Dane puppy home, they don’t WANT to stop biting. Like any breed, Great Danes thrive on play, training, toys, and attention. Positive reinforcement is very helpful when it comes to teaching safe alternatives to puppies biting.
Is My Great Dane Puppy Aggressive?
Great Dane puppy bites are completely harmless and come from a place of just wanting to find relief from their energy. It’s RARELY aggression and it’s never related to dominance.
Immaturity though? Yeah that’s a big culprit behind puppy biting!
At first, they don’t know or care about the difference between YOU and the other dogs from their litter. It is completely normal behavior to see a small puppy biting, gravitating to chew toys or having ‘puppy energy’.
All your Great Dane puppy knows is that biting is FUN. Chances are you are actually encouraging the behavior by mistake!
A common mistake many puppy owners make is to believe that their bitey, growly, crazy puppy is trying to dominate or “be the boss”. Nothing could be farther from the truth!
How to Stop Great Dane Puppy Biting
Here is our list of ways to minimize and STOP puppy biting.
You must be consistent and make sure everybody in the family does the same thing.
As always, be sure to speak with a highly qualified balanced dog trainer if you notice your Great Dane puppy act aggressively, bite people excessively, or if you cannot get your puppy to stop biting.
Start implementing these tips:
Remain calm
Be boring and encourage good behavior by demonstrating calmness yourself
When biting starts, cross your arms, turn your back and walk away
Use crates, gates and leashes to prevent the behavior and teach appropriate play
Know the signs: the ‘witching hour’ and being over-tired after long hours of play tends to make puppy biting worse!
Redirect calm puppies to an appropriate chew such as toys, a toy rope, a treat, or a game to play.
Practice training by keeping your Great Dane away from other dogs who might act aggressively
Likewise, encourage your Dane pup to engage with friendly dogs in a safe environment
Put your over-tired Great Dane in a crate with a frozen stuffed Kong toy or treat
Teach a settle/go to mat behavior in order that they practice the training method of remaining calm and to stop biting
Teach your Great Dane the primary skills: sit, down, touch, stand, leave it and wait
Bonus Tip: Teach the “Enough” Command
When your Great Dane puppy is playing with you, calmly say ‘ENOUGH’, then praise and offer a toy or treat.
Enough will quickly become a cue to use in training that implies you want your dane pup to ‘disengage’!
This will allow you to play with your Great Dane so they can practice putting teeth on you (which is good for their social and bite pressure development), AND gives your puppy a new skill that is very helpful when they are bigger.
Always remember that even though Great Danes are incredible dogs, they are still a massive size, even for ‘dane dog lovers’, so it is crucial to begin training at a young age.
While you are learning how to play with your Great Dane puppy, keep in mind that everything you do is either reinforcing (encouraging) or reducing (discouraging) certain behaviors. Think about what you want your Great Dane puppy to be like as an adult.
Common Puppy Biting Training Mistakes
Yelping DOES work to interrupt the behavior, and for most puppies it’s ok to do.
For some puppies, yelping can actually encourage biting! Yelping makes you sound like a squirrel or fun squeaky toy, which may make the puppy more wound up and interested in the biting game.
When a puppy in a litter yelps, they tell the other puppy ‘ouch, too hard‘. Not necessarily ‘STOP, don’t do that again!’. Keep that in mind. Yelping works, but don’t expect miracles or a quick stop to puppy biting.
NOTE:some puppies are frightened by yelping. If your puppy cowers, tucks tail, pin ears or runs away focus on building, no eroding confidence and trust. Sometimes the ‘yelp method’, ‘using loud noise’, ‘or the sharp cry method’ can actually create fear which can create the behavior of puppies biting harder.
#1 – Shoving, Tugging, and saying “NO”
This is a common, natural response to puppy biting!
When you shout, say ‘NO’, tug your clothes, try to run away, and shove the puppy off you actually REWARD the behavior by making puppy biting super fun. OOPS!
Dog’s LOVE to play and a dane pup can confuse you running away as a ‘biting people game’, which may make them want to bite more.
Be calm, boring, indifferent and REMOVE your attention from the dane pup. Walk away. Sigh. Stand still. Turn and walk the other direction. ANYTHING to show the pup that you lose all interest in them when they bite.
#2 – Alpha Rolls & Pinning
Some people will recommend that you pin your Great Dane to the ground until they calm down, and will say that doing so establishes ‘dominance’ with dogs.
We do NOT recommend this.
Alpha rolls are an aggressive form of training that can teach Great Danes (and all dogs) to fear you, fear your hands, and respond with increased aggression, frustration and confusion.
This could result in increased bites, unnecessarily rough play, and VERY frustrated Great Dane owners who are dealing with increased bites or aggressive, fearful and frustrating behavior in their adult dogs.
This outdated method is considered ‘woo’ by actual behaviorists and well-educated dog trainers.
At worst, it’s dangerous and at best, informed dog owners and most professionals are frustrated that people and even some ‘trainers’ continue to perpetuate this misguided concept.
A much safer and more fair alternative is to remain calm, walk away, and provide your Great Dane with a toy or treat.
#3 – Pinching, Tapping, Whacking, Kneeing, and Thumbing
Pinching the puppy, shoving a thumb down his throat, or whacking or tapping him on the nose is the fast track to making sure that your Great Dane is more likely to be resistant to teeth brushing, nail trims, veterinary care and coming when called.
Seriously, don’t do this. We cannot believe we have to say this. Great Danes are a sensitive breed and will have serious repercussions if handled with a human who demonstrates aggressive tendencies.
#4 – Spray Bottles
This method may work, and it’s a ‘quick fix’, but tread cautiously.
Dogs trained with spray bottles may become resistant to spray medication, baths/showers and even being outside in the rain. Plus, like many of the other methods above it teaches your dog to avoid you and run away, NOT engage with you.
If the only way your dog is controlled is if you keep spray bottles around the house as a threat, they aren’t fully trained.
As above, we believe there are better ways to work with your dog.
Good News About Puppy Biting
Puppies outgrow this behavior. Unless you’ve been accidentally rewarding it with a lot of shoving, running, tugging and attention most puppies stop doing it once they are more mature.
You do not have to live with this behavior until it goes away. As above, use crates, gates and leashes to prevent the behavior and separate yourself from a wound-up, biting puppy.
Prevent puppies from practicing this behavior, especially on children.
Spend lots of time teaching and rewarding appropriate behaviors such as touch, sit, down, leave it, and ‘go to your place’.
Warning Signs of Aggression in Great Danes
Some people are concerned that their puppy is actually aggressive because of how rough they bite and play. Playful puppies can bark, growl and be extremely noisy!
Most puppies are not actually aggressive.
Puppy biting is not a form of aggression. However, occasionally a puppy is wired wrong or has deep-seated fear aggression. Here are the warning signs that a puppy is aggressive, not playful.
Low growl
Stiff body, tense
Hackles up
Snapping or biting when a hand approaches their food, toy, or bone
Showing their teeth/grimace
Stiff tail wags or tucked tail
Ears pinned back
Turning the head away before biting
Not showing playful body language (bouncing, bows, loose body, loose tail, fun and cute play barks and play growls).
If you are unsure or are seeing signs that alarm you, seek out the help of a highly qualified trainer.
Puppy Biting & Ethical Breeders
Puppies from ethical, diligent quality breeders and robust well-tempered pedigrees are less likely to develop aggression, are easier to train and will be much more confident and mature when they come to your home!
Puppies that leave their litter prior to 8 or even 10 weeks of age tend to be much more difficult to train. This includes having problems with potty training, puppy biting, overall bite inhibition and confidence.
Do not let your breeder convince you that a puppy is ready to go prior to that point.
Socialization for Great Dane puppies is SO important! Puppy Culture is a dedicated socialization program that good breeders use on puppies from birth onward to ensure that their puppies are stable, friendly, and resilient. Finding a breeder who participates in Puppy Culture is a good thing!
Many people believe that puppy socialization means taking them to the pet store and the dog park. However, doing so can actually cause the puppy to have bad experiences and become more fearful!
This is especially true for Great Dane puppies that may have come from breeders who are not focused on developing sound and stable temperaments.
Good socialization is actually a combination of positive experiences, exposure to different sights, sounds and textures, and a keen understanding of how to utilize small amounts of stress to build confidence and resilience.
Socialization is how you teach dogs to live in our world. They learn to be confident, because they know that everyday things (other dogs, people, sounds, textures) aren’t going to hurt them.
Confident, well-socialized dogs are calm, easy to train and free of aggression, fear and frustration.
What is Puppy Culture?
Puppy Culture is a written protocol for socializing puppies before they leave the litter at 8-12 weeks. Good breeders will use this protocol, even though it requires a LOT of their time.
We talk a LOT about choosing ethical breeders, and this is one reason why!
Quality breeders socialize puppies a lot before they go home with you. This helps keep dogs OUT of rescues and shelters, and helps to make sure that the dog you welcome into the family is positive, friendly and free of aggression.
What is Involved in Puppy Culture?
Puppy Culture goes beyond exposure to grass, tile, and other dogs.
To give you an example of a non-Puppy Culture (but standard) approach, some breeders will allow their puppies to play in the grass outside and be exposed to children or farm animals. They will keep the puppies in an enclosed space and let them poop or pee at will. These breeders may attempt to trim their nails, but will do little else to expose the puppies to handling, experiences, or otherwise.
Puppy Culture breeders, however, will:
Handle the puppies all over, often, and may even employ ENS (a form of early stress that has been shown in studies to increase resilience)
Introduce teeth cleaning, exams, and nail trims early on and often
Introduce crates and early hygienic potty habits
Create times where each puppy is alone and away from the litter
Expose the litter to everyday sounds in the home, including vacuums, hammers, and hair dryers
Work on their engagement with humans and desire to stay close and recall
Use positive methods to work on bite control/puppy biting and prevent resource guarding type behaviors
Create safe obstacles for the puppies to overcome, such as ramps, tires, beams and wobble boards
Have the puppy touch and explore as many surfaces as possible with their paws and nose
Invite puppy lovers over to play with the puppies several weeks before they go to their new homes
Breeders who utilize all Puppy Culture protocols are dedicating a significant amount of time, effort, and love to doing so and the results are incredible!
Pro Tip: When choosing a breeder for your Great Dane puppy, please note that some breeders are relying on buzz words such as “Puppy Culture” and “OFA Health Tested” to generate sales.
However, they are not fully participating in these programs and many of them cut corners. Make sure to ask a lot of questions! Ask for verification of their socialization efforts AND the full health test results (heart, hips, eyes, thyroid which should be published at www.ofa.org)of both parents.
Socialization of Fearful Great Dane Puppies
Fearful or unsure puppies will keep their bodies low to the ground. They may pin their ears back, tuck their tail, and keep their head shrugged or hung low. Additionally, they will shy away from eye contact. When being handled, they may cower, act ‘head shy’ or roll onto their side or back.
Fearful puppies should be socialized as early as possible. Unfortunately, fearful behavior is often the result of unstable genetics, and many fearful Great Danes are plagued with a combination of bad genetics and poor early socialization.
Socialization does not mean forcing your fearful Great Dane puppy to interact with other dogs or humans in situations that they could get hurt- like dog parks.
Socialization of Great Dane puppies means that you are exposing them to new situations and allowing them to learn that these situations are not actually scary.
For fearful puppies, this means going slowly and building confidence through positive experiences.
Socialization of Puppies Who Are Confident
Confident puppies will have their heads up and their ears forward. They are more likely to make eye contact and truly engage with people. They will be interested in tackling obstacles and will have plenty of energy to do just that!
When they are raised with Puppy Culture, they are especially good at maintaining focus and even sitting as a form of ‘please’.
Confident puppies often need more obedience training to prevent them from wandering off out of curiosity for something in the environment. They are often very receptive to positive reinforcement, and love to be trained, too!
The good news is that Puppy Culture satisfies their curiosity and confidence, while rewarding them for engaging with humans and responding to requests to come back and look for direction.
Why Does Puppy Socialization Matter?
Puppies from healthy, well-tempered parents that are properly socialized from birth are more likely to be confident, curious and calm family pets.
For giant breed dogs, this translates to them being easier to live with, easier to handle, and safer around other dogs, people, and situations of all kinds.
Fear and aggression are considered one of the top three risk factors for bloat in Great Danes!
For health reasons, helping Great Dane puppies grow into confident and resilient adults is also incredibly important! Many dogs who experience bloat are fearful, timid, and aggressive.
Installing confidence and a calm indifference to the environment makes training a breeze, too! Dogs that are over-stimulated or anxious about the environment around them will have a much harder time learning and focusing.
A lot of aggression and reactivity is based in fear. The world can be an overwhelming place!
Great Danes are prone to anxiety and aloof, timid, or even aggressive behaviors. But none of that is actually within the written breed standard, and none of it has to be a reality.
Socialize Your Great Dane Puppy
Even if your puppy didn’t come from a breeder that spent a lot of time on socialization or Puppy Culture, there are LOTS of things you can do!
Expose your puppy to a variety of textures; wood chips, sand, blankets, tile, gravel, grass, cement and bridges.
Give them obstacles such as tunnels, ramps, platforms and FIT Paws, then encourage and reward them for being confident and exploring!
Expose them to a variety of people wearing glasses, hats, masks and walking with strollers, bicycles, wheelchairs, canes, walking sticks, snowshoes and skis. Instead of asking those people to pet your puppy, just sit and watch them from afar.
Explore novel environments and encourage curiosity.
