Tag: Reactivity

My Great Dane is Aggressive On Leash
Ah yes. Leash reactivity. If your Great Dane is aggressive on leash, but not necessarily off-leash, this post is for you. Of course, some dogs are are reactive both on and off leash, and this post will have valuable information for them, too!

Leash aggression is a really frustrating and dangerous problem, especially when it comes to giant breed dogs.

There is nothing worse than trying to take a peaceful walk when your 140 pound dog makes an absolute fool of himself over another dog or person walking by.

It’s embarrassing, it causes a lot of anxiety, and the list of scenarios where something goes horribly wrong are pretty insane to think about.

I don’t know about you, but I have no tolerance for Great Danes being aggressive on a leash. So let’s dig into this.

What Causes Leash Reactivity

To better understand how to treat this behavior, we have to look at why it happens in the first place.

Dogs communicate with other dogs through subtle body language. When stable, well-socialized dogs approach each other, they do so in a non-threatening way by turning their body slightly to the side and keeping their ears, mouth, and tail relaxed and neutral.

Both dogs watch each other for signs that they are uncomfortable or excited, and the communication between the two dogs continues until one or both make a decision to proceed or walk away.

Off-leash dogs are able to both express natural non-threatening body language, AND escape and retreat from dogs that show signs of discomfort.

When a dog cannot escape, or is unable to move forward towards something that they find interesting, scary, or fun, tension from the leash is transferred into the dog via the connection point (collar, harness, etc.).

As you can imagine, this tension is very, very frustrating.

Leash reactivity and its root cause are incredibly simple. To put this bluntly, a leash reactive dog is frustrated.

Making matters worse, the repetition of this cycle of excitement or nervousness paired with the restrictive leash teaches the dog to anticipate tension when seeing another dog (or whatever it is that they tend to react to).

The anticipation of this tension in and of itself causes many dogs to start bubbling up with negative or frustrated feelings even before the leash becomes tense. It is at this point when owners lose control.

What Does Leash Reactivity Look Like?

Many people think that leash reactivity only means aggression. Of course, dogs that snarl, snap, and lunge on a leash are being aggressive.

However, for some dogs, leash reactivity presents as nervousness or excitement!

Some dogs will shut down, pin their ears, lean, and may even spin circles or pull forward trying to protect themselves or leave the situation. These dogs may be perfectly confident off-leash, but being on leash makes them nervous and anxious.

Other dogs will jump, whine, wiggle, lunge, and basically flip out trying to get out of their collar so they can greet another dog. This too is a form of leash reactivity, even if it’s not aggressive or protective in nature.

Either way, these behaviors are dangerous. It is very difficult to control a giant breed dog that is nervous, anxious, or frustrated on leash.

How to Prevent a Dog From Becoming Leash Reactive

If you already have a leash reactive dog, this ship has probably sailed but this section will help you better understand how to work towards prevention in the future.

Here are common reasons why dogs become leash-reactive as they mature:
- The dog has been allowed to pull, especially early on
- As a puppy the dog was allowed or even encouraged to approach all people and dogs for “socialization” purposes, even if they were lunging at the end of a leash to do so
- The dog has spent more time approaching dogs and people off-leash at will than they did learning how to politely ignore dogs while on a leash
- Poor leash handling/handler skills, including a lack of confidence and direction
- Incorrect use of training tools including harnesses, collars, electric collars and prong collars
- Lack of correct socialization (learn more about this in our guide HERE)
- The dog has an unstable or insecure temperament
- Excessive force and tension on the leash, coming from the handler, including harsh corrections
- Boredom (when taking a walk is the most exciting part of the day, dogs will often seek excitement during the walk)
- Coddling a dog during a reaction or while they are anxious or fearful
- Rewarding the dog for reacting by removing the thing they are reacting to, or by allowing them access to it (instead of teaching them to ignore it in the first place)
Some dogs with incredibly stable temperaments can be poorly socialized and never trained and they will be amazing on leash no matter what.

For many dogs, however, leash reactivity is the result of multiple compounding problems. Remember, it’s rooted in the restrictive and frustrating nature of being on a leash.

How to Stop Leash Reactivity in Great Danes

If you have a leash-reactive Great Dane, it stops here. Now. Today.

Before you can address leash reactivity, you must prevent it from occurring in the first place. Keep in mind that every time your dog practices the behavior, it is further reinforced.

Take away the foundation.

This may mean only walking when no other people are likely to be out, driving somewhere quieter, or finding other forms of enrichment such as a backyard scent work kit or FitPaws-inspired obstacle course.

This is temporary! In no way should you remove your dog’s access to the world entirely; isolation as a form of training is not a good answer. But for now, you should focus heavily on managing and preventing the behavior.

Note: If your Great Dane is aggressive on leash and seeks to harm, extra steps must be taken to protect other people and dogs. We highly recommend working with a trainer. Depending on the nature of the aggression, muzzle training may also be warranted.

Step One – Keep Your Reactive Dog Safe & In Control

In addition to the above considerations, ALL leash reactive dogs must be on secure equipment. Avoid tools that break, are easy to escape from, or that make it difficult to physically control the dog during an outburst. Even if you visit somewhere that the reaction is unlikely to happen, it’s important to keep your dog safe.

Tools that are NOT appropriate for leash-reactive dogs include:
- Flat buckle collars, especially the type with a plastic latch
- Chain/choke collars (harsh correction that tends to escalate reactivity in the wrong hands)
- Front clip “T” shaped harnesses such as 2-Hounds Freedom or Easy Walk no-pull (adds tension to the shoulders, restricts movement, and are very easy to escape from)
- Any harness or collar the dog can slip out of
- Retractable leashes (very dangerous!)
- Head collars/gentle leaders (for dogs that lunge or pull, these can cause a lot of damage)
- Cheap shock collars used to harshly correct outbursts (or any electric collar that is used incorrectly)
- Any kind of leash with a cheap/wimpy clip and/or that is difficult for the handler to hold onto
Instead, I highly recommend the use of the following tools for dogs that are aggressive or reactive on leash:
- A wide, flat martingale collar such as this one
- A slip collar such as this one (use with trainer guidance)
- A slip lead like this
- An properly fit harness from Ruffwear, like this Flagline Harness
- The Herm Sprenger Prong Collar (use with trainer guidance) with a safety clip
- A quality long leash (for working in low-distraction areas)
- A study 6-8 foot leash of your choice
The above tools make it easier to control your dog and won’t allow them to easily pull out of their equipment and escape or act on their frustrations.

Step Two – Teach the Correct Alternative Behavior

Before you can really address leash reactivity, your dog needs a clear picture of what they should be doing instead. If your dog already has great leash skills in general (doesn’t pull, looks at you on command, stops by your side and waits), you can probably skip this step.

Otherwise, it’s back to basics!

Start in a low distraction area such as your living room. Use treats, praise, and play to teach your dog to walk by your left side.

At first, you may have to reward your dog for taking just one step with you. After consistent practice, you should be able to walk all over your house with your dog by your side, no matter how many twists and turns you throw in there!

This is something you have to teach, and it’s a step many people skip.

Once your dog understands how to walk by your side on command, practice the skill in your yard or in other areas nearby that are free of distractions. Clip a loose leash to your dog and continue practicing. Don’t forget to add in stops and turns!

If your dog doesn’t have this basic skill thoroughly installed, you’re going to struggle with addressing leash reactivity. Remember, leash reactivity is caused by tension and if your dog never pulls, there will be no tension.

Remember to ONLY use the equipment listed above; as you move towards situations where reactivity can happen, it’s important that you can maintain control.

Step Three – Re-Socialize Your Reactive Dog

One of the biggest mistakes people make in puppyhood is that they allow their puppy to pull on the leash and greet all people and dogs at will.

This causes reactivity and aggression. It has the opposite affect as intended!

Now imagine your leash reactive Great Dane is a puppy, and we’re going to reset things a bit here.

Dog training secret: good socialization means learning to ignore distractions in the environment, and to only interact with them when it’s safe and appropriate.

A dog that has been taught through proper socialization to be indifferent towards dogs and people in the environment (vs rushing up to them and pulling in the process) will not be leash reactive.

Take your dog out on a longer, loose leash to your front yard or a huge park where you can safely work with your dog but not trigger reactivity, frustration, or anxiety.

Sit in the grass together. Watch people and dogs walk by. Use praise, treats, and play to reward your dog for engaging with YOU, not dogs and people they see milling about nearby.

With time, you can gradually close the gap between you and the distractions. Never close that gap more than your dog can currently handle though.

Pro Tip: Do NOT let well-meaning people approach and ask for a greeting. The goal here is to show the dog that people and dogs in the environment are just ‘there’ and don’t always mean getting to play, lunge, or go nuts.

The more time you can spend doing this, the better! Replace your daily walk with this activity for even a week and you’ll start to notice a massive improvement in your dog’s ability to ignore reactivity triggers in the environment.

Step Four – Counter-Condition and Desensitize

The next step is to teach your dog that seeing dogs or other triggers in the environment is actually a positive thing and does NOT result in leash tension.

If you address leash reactivity by become frustrated, shouting, and popping the leash then YOU are actually part of the problem.

Start in a place where you see no other dogs or people. Come up with a trigger word such as “pineapple” or “woof”, or use a clicker.

Engage your dog with you, then say the trigger word or click the clicker, and immediately give your dog a treat. Repeat this several times until your dog will hear the trigger word or the clicker and look at you in anticipation of a reward.

This is Pavlov! The dog will quickly learn to associate this word with something good. It is very helpful to use this word (or the clicker) several times throughout the day at first, in different places, so your dog learns it thoroughly.

Pro tip, make sure your dog isn’t doing something they shouldn’t be when you say the trigger word or click!

Next, go back to the quiet spot on the lawn or a park where you can see dogs and people from afar. As soon as you see one, say your trigger word (or click) and immediately reward your dog!

With time and repetition, your dog learns that distractions in the environment result in their favorite new word.

Step Five – Correct & Redirect

This is the part people always want to know how to do.

Correct and redirect. Yes, there is a time and a place for this.

Enter the Herm Sprenger Prong Collar with a safety clip.

A properly used Prong collar does not actually poke and stab your dog. Unlike other ‘no-pull’ tools, it actually results in a very clear yes/no communication that is based on even pressure around the neck.

Because you’ve followed the steps above and worked a lot on teaching the correct behavior and reducing the emotional response to triggers, you can start applying some correct/redirect action.

To be perfectly honest, no matter how much time you had put into this up to this point, odds are, your reactive dog can absolutely still make a fuss. Don’t be complacent.

As your dog shows signs that they are able to ignore distractions from 10 or 15 feet away, start taking them to the edge of their comfort level.

The moment your dog starts to tense up, correct (a tiny wrist-action pop of the prong collar), reward your dog for responding to the correction, and redirect. Remember you can still also use your trigger word/clicker for the positive association as well.

With time and practice, even the most reactive dog is going to be able to calmly and confidently walk past another dog on a leash! The trick here is to issue the correction (like a tap on the shoulder saying “uh uh, we’re not doing that“) before the reaction becomes an explosion.

By bringing your dogs focus back to you, you can immediately then ask for a correct behavior, reward your dog, and move on with your day.

Some trainers and many people skip the first several steps and go straight towards correct and redirect. While this can be effective in the short term, it is my personal belief that a more holistic and comprehensive approach rooted in creating positive associations and resetting socialization experiences will be more beneficial and reliable for all involved.

Do you have a Great Dane that is aggressive on a leash? Are you struggling with reactivity?

Join us in our Facebook community and ask questions, we are here to help!

Great Dane Owners Support Group
April 6, 2023
Leash Aggression: How Dog Owners Can Prevent and Stop Dog Aggression on Leash
Leash aggression is a serious problem for dog owners.

It can be dangerous and even life-threatening for both the owner and the dog. Leash aggression can also be a sign of other problems, such as fear or anxiety.

Dog owners need to be aware of the signs of leash aggression and take steps to prevent and stop it.

WHAT IS LEASH AGGRESSION?

Leash aggression is when a dog becomes aggressive or violent on a leash. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as fear, anxiety, or frustration. Dogs who are leash aggressive may bark, growl, lunge, or even bite when they are on a leash.

Leash aggression is a serious problem because it can be dangerous for both the dog and the owner. If a dog is leash aggressive, it may try to bite or attack people or other dogs.

This can lead to serious injuries, including death. Leash aggression can also be a sign of other problems, such as fear or anxiety. Dog owners need to be aware of the signs of leash aggressive dogs so that they can keep their own dog as well as other dogs and humans safe.

WHAT DOES A LEASH REACTIVE DOG LOOK LIKE?

A leash reactive dog is one that becomes aggressive or violent on a leash. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as fear, anxiety, or frustration. Dogs who are leash reactive may bark, growl, lunge, or even bite when they are on a leash.

A dog that is leash reactive may seem fine when it is not on a leash. But the dog’s behavior might change when they are going for leash walks.

Leash reactivity does not necessarily mean that the particular dog has leash aggression as there are different levels of leash reactivity.

SIGNS OF A LEASH REACTIVE DOG

Leash reactivity may play out in the following behaviors:
1. The dog’s behavior gets anxious / nervous when on leash
2. The dog barks and growls when on leash
3. The dog lunges towards other dogs or people when on leash
4. The dog tries to bite when on leash
5. The dog’s body tenses up when the dog sees other dogs or humans / kids
6. Fearful behaviors such as cowering, hiding, or shaking
7. The dog urinates or defecates when on leash
8. Panting excessively
9. Excessive drooling
10. The dog’s pupils may dilate
Signs of Stress in Dogs: How to Help An Anxious Dog

These are just some of the signs that a dog may be leash reactive. If you see any of these signs in your dog, it is important to seek help from a professional trainer as leash reactivity can escalate to leash aggressive dogs if not addressed by pet owners.

IS LEASH AGGRESSION DIFFERENT THAN LEASH REACTIVITY?

Leash reactivity is typically the beginning stages of a leash aggressive dog.

If a dog owner notices that their dog gets nervous when they are on a walk and the dog notices another approaching dog, they should take that as a warning sign that their dog could become leash reactive.

Typically, a dog becomes leash aggressive when they have unsuccessfully tried to avoid the trigger (in this case, other dogs) by engaging in leash reactivity behaviors such as barking, growling, or lunging and the behavior has not worked. The next step for the dog is to try to bite, which is considered leash aggression.

Leash reactivity can be managed with proper training, but if a dog owner does not address it, the dog may eventually become leash aggressive.

WHAT CAUSES LEASH AGGRESSION?

There are many different reasons why a dog may become leash aggressive. Some common causes include:
1. Fear
2. Not being properly socialized
3. A frustrated dog due to not getting enough exercise
4. Anxiety
5. The dog feeling restrained and limited can elevate a dog’s anxiety and result in aggressive behavior
6. Routines of passing by risky environments: The dog learns that every time they pass by a particular fence they face a mean or barking dog
7. Genetics
8. A perceived threat of a dog approaching on leash can be frightening in a dog’s mind
9. Dog does not tolerate other dogs well
10. Dog is forced to participate in high stress situations with other dogs, such as the dog park, when that environment is not fitting for them
Dogs who are not properly socialized may be more likely to become leash aggressive. This is because they have not had the opportunity to meet and interact with different people and animals.

As a result, they may be fearful of them.

A DOG FEELING ANXIETY MIGHT DEMONSTRATE LEASH AGGRESSION

Dogs who are anxious or stressed may also be more likely to become leash aggressive. This is because the leash can feel like a restraint to them. They may feel like they cannot escape from the situation, which can cause them to become anxious or stressed.

A DOG WHO IS NOT GIVEN ENOUGH EXERCISE FROM ITS DOG OWNER MIGHT BECOME A LEASH AGGRESSIVE DOG

Dogs who are not properly exercised may also be more likely to become leash aggressive. This is because they may be frustrated from being cooped up and not having enough opportunity to run and play. This frustration can lead to aggression.

It is important for pet owners to make sure that their dog is getting enough exercise. A tired dog is a happy dog and is less likely to be aggressive.

THE DANGERS OF A LEASH AGGRESSIVE DOG

Leash aggression in dogs requires immediate dog training.

If your dog feels threatened when they see an approaching dog while on the leash, it is your job as a pet owner to help them navigate the situation. At times, especially if the leash aggression has not been addressed in dog training, that means to avoid the other dogs entirely.

Leash aggression in dogs can be extremely dangerous not only physically but for your own dog’s well-being and lifestyle.

Here are a few ways in which an aggressive dog on leash can become a danger to others and themselves:

LEASH AGGRESSION IN DOGS CAN CREATE A DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF ANXIETY

Not only is it important to stop leash aggression for your own personal anxiety, but dogs who continue to practice aggression on the leash can develop generalized anxiety and phobias of other dogs, people, and environments.

This is because each time your dog reacts aggressively, it reinforces in their minds that the trigger is something to be afraid of. As a result, your dog may start to become anxious in a wider variety of situations.

Why Is My Puppy Being Aggressive?

LEASH AGGRESSION PREVENTS YOUR DOG FROM INTERACTING APPROPRIATELY IN SOCIETY

Leash reactive dogs are not suitable to do things like go for walks with other dogs, to the park, or on playdates.

This is because their leash aggression can result in fights and injuries to other dogs. Additionally, it may also result in you getting into you completely avoiding other dog owners or humans while you are on walks.

As a result, your dog may miss out on important socialization opportunities.

5 Tips for Leash Training Great Danes

YOUR DOG ACTING AGGRESSIVELY CAN LEAD TO YOUR OWN PERSONAL ISOLATION

Your dog’s leash reactivity could continue to escalate without the help of a dog trainer or professional intervention.

You might find yourself taking routes of dog walks that have less people, going to parks or public places less often and generally avoiding any sort of triggers that would set off your dog.

This can lead to you feeling isolated as you are unable to do the things that you love with your dog by your side.

Additionally, it may also limit the places that you feel comfortable taking your dog, as you may be worried about them reacting aggressively.

Not only is this limiting to your dog and make your dog feel isolated, but this can become very isolated for you as a dog lover as it can be very fun to spend time around other dog friendly people.

Do Dogs Get Lonely? The Fascinating Truth Behind Canine Depression

REACTIVE DOGS CAN HURT AND HARM OTHER DOGS OR PEOPLE

Most of all, it is important to prevent leash aggression because two dogs that are fighting on leash can be extremely dangerous and harmful.

Your dog could get injured from another dog’s teeth or nails. If your dog is on the receiving end of an aggressive encounter, this can cause long lasting physical and psychological damage.

Additionally, if your dog is the aggressor in the situation, they may cause serious injury or even death to the other dog.

If the dog’s level of aggression has escalated to reacting to humans, the dog could harm or hurt a human or even small child, resulting in major injury.

HELP! DOG SNAPPING AT CHILD FOR NO REASON AT ALL AND I AM DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS

Dog Bite Prevention: How to Avoid a Dog Attack

TIPS FOR MANAGING LEASH AGGRESSION

There are a few things to do to be successful when dogs meet. The method of which you will take depends on if your dog is already experiencing aggression on leash or if you have a non reactive dog.

First, let’s discuss what to do to prevent leash reactivity with a non reactive dog.

PREVENT LEASH AGGRESSION IN DOGS WHO ARE NOT YET AGGRESSIVE

The absolute best way to prevent any dog from becoming aggressive is to start before it begins.

Are Great Danes Aggressive?

Training skills begin far before a dog is ever put on a leash. The bond that you create with your dog and the trust that is developed is what will prevent your dog from feeling the need to be aggressive in any situation, whether that be on or off the leash.

Why is Leash Training Dogs So Dang Hard? 8 Things I Learned About Leash Training

PUPPY SOCIALIZATION WITH AND WITHOUT OTHER DOGS

Be sure to socialize your puppy from an early age, exposing them to as many different sights, sounds, smells, people, and animals as possible in a positive way.

Great Dane Puppy Socialization
Puppy Culture – Early Socialization for Great Dane Puppies Before and After 8 Weeks Old
How to Raise a Confident Dog: 7 Tips for Building Your Puppy’s Self-Esteem

This will help your puppy to grow into a confident dog that isn’t easily scared or triggered by new things.

SOCIALIZATION CLASSES AND DOG TRAINING

As your dog gets older, you can continue their socialization through different methods. Hiring a dog trainer who you trust can help provide your dog with the dog training that it may need to be successful around other dogs in the future.

PROVIDING YOUR DOG WITH SUCCESSFUL INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DOGS

Be intentional when your dog is a puppy to provide them with successful ‘meet and greets’ with other dogs. When dogs meet, many dogs get anxiety naturally.

So, prevent that anxiety by creating the dog’s environment to be successful. This means that you need to be in control of the situation, and not the other way around.

You can do this by:
1. Choosing a quiet place to introduce your dog to the other dog, where there isn’t a lot of movement or distractions
2. Allowing the dogs to approach each other on their own terms and at their own pace
3. If one of the dogs seems uncomfortable, give them space and time to adjust
4. End the interaction before either dog gets too tired or overwhelmed
5. Pay attention to your dog’s body language
6. Only allow your puppy to meet friendly dogs as to not give them a bad experience right off the bat
MANAGING LEASH AGGRESSION IN AN ALREADY REACTIVE DOG

Unfortunately, not all dog owners are able to prevent leash aggression in their dogs.

Many times, dog owners adopt a dog that is already leash aggressive or they may not have known the importance of socialization and expose their dog to too many new things at once, resulting in aggression.

If you find yourself in this situation, there are still things that you can do to help your dog.

Let’s discuss the value of a qualified dog trainer, positive reinforcement training, muzzle training and being in tune to your dog’s body language.

GETTING A QUALIFIED TRAINER

A qualified dog trainer should not only be someone who is certified, but also someone who has extensive experience working with dogs that are leash reactive.

The trainer should also be able to provide you with a training plan specifically for your dog’s needs.

Your dog might be in a place that is just too much for you to handle on your own, and you should be proud of yourself for bringing a certified dog trainer onto the team to help. Not all dogs respond the same to their owner as they might to a trainer conducting training sessions.

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT DOG TRAINING

Reactive dogs need to be trained with positive reinforcement. This means that you will give your dog a treat or verbal praise when they display the desired behavior.

For example, if you are asking your dog to ‘sit’ and they do, then you will immediately provide them with a treat. The key is to be quick so that your dog associates the behavior with the positive reinforcement.

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT EXERCISES FOR YOUR DOG

Here are some examples of positive reinforcement exercises that you can do with your dog:
1. Name Game – Say your dog’s name followed by a treat so that they associate their name with something positive
2. Sit or Down – Ask your dog to sit or down and provide them with a treat when they doLeave It – Place a treat on the ground and ask your dog to ‘leave it.’ If they don’t touch the treat, give them a verbal praise or another treat
3. Touch – Have your dog sit or stand next to you and offer them a treat. As they are eating the treat, lightly touch their side or back and immediately give them another treat. Repeat this process until your dog is comfortable with being touched
Remember to go at your dog’s pace. If they seem overwhelmed or stressed, end the session and try again later. Always use high value treats that your dog loves.

A Story of Balanced Dog Training Success With My 2 Great Danes

MUZZLE TRAINING YOUR DOG

Muzzle training is a way to keep many dogs safe around other dogs as well as people. With a muzzle and proper muzzle dog training, not only your dog will be safer but also any other dog in the situation will too.

It allows you to have more control over your dog in high stress situations and can help to prevent bites.

Muzzle training should only be done if your dog is already comfortable with you handling their face and mouth.

It should also be noted that a muzzle is not a cure for aggression and should only be used as a management tool for dogs with aggression.

A basket muzzle combined with high value treats can be a powerful tool in creating a safe space with fearful dogs who tend to react aggressively.

SHOP HERE:

PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR DOG AND THEIR BODY LANGUAGE

One of the most important things that you can do as a dog owner is to be in tune with your dog’s body language.

Dogs communicate through their body language and it’s up to us, as their owners, to learn how to interpret what they’re trying to say.

Some common signs of stress in dogs are:
1. Raised hackles
2. Tail between the legs
3. Ears back
4. Panting
5. Lip licking
6. Yawning
7. Avoiding eye contact
8. Turning away from the stimulus
9. Freezing
If you see any of these signs in your dog, it’s a good indication that they are feeling stressed. If the stress is not relieved, it could lead to an aggressive situation. Leash aggressive dogs rarely, if ever, become aggressive overnight.

Staying in tune with your dog and their stress signals will help you be the best dog parent that you can possibly be.

IS LEASH AGGRESSION CURABLE?

Most dogs who suffer with leash aggression can be completely cured with the proper training and management.

However, some dogs may never be 100% comfortable on a leash due to their prior experiences.

That being said, it is important to remember that even the most reactive of dogs can still learn to enjoy walks and be calm on a leash with the help of a qualified trainer.

How to Find and Choose the Best Dog Trainer for Your Great Dane

Your dog may not ever enjoy going to the dog park or being around other dogs in an unstructured environment, and that is okay.

But, with the proper training, your dog can still enjoy going on walks and being around other dogs in a controlled environment.

If you are struggling to manage your dog’s leash aggression, please reach out to a qualified trainer or behaviorist for help.

READ MORE:
How to Care for a Great Dane puppy
3 Fast Tips on How to Train Your Great Dane to Walk on a Leash
The 12 Best Leashes for Great Danes
Great Dane Fail: Off-Leash & Out of Control
Fear Aggression in Dogs: The Scary Reality That 1 Bite Can Cause
7 Dogs That Do Not Belong at the Dog Park
Fear Aggression in Dogs: The Scary Reality That 1 Bite Can Cause
October 26, 2022
Why Prong Collars ROCK
I have to tell this story!

This is a pro-prong collar on giant breed dogs story.

If you are on the fence about prong collars and want to learn more, stick around! If you hate prong collars no matter what anybody says, this post is likely not for you.

Meet Figaro, the subject of today’s deep dive into dog training, ethics, prong collars, and life with dogs that are in fact bigger and stronger than we are!

Why prong collars ROCK 101

Figaro is a Well-Trained Dog

I’m not trying to brag here, but this guy is a great dog.

He walks politely next to me on a flat collar through all sorts of distracting areas.

He checks in with me often, is gentle around people and other dogs, and can be off-leash almost anywhere that it’s safe and legal to do so.

Figaro was trained using a lot of positive reinforcement! He obtained his Canine Good Citizen and Novice Trick Dog title, and is working towards his Community Canine title now.

He is also a BIG, strong, intact male.

Dogs will be Dogs

I’m a 5’4″ strong, sturdy female.

I can move furniture, haul giant bags of dog food on my shoulders, and lift my 95 lb tripod female Dane out of the car without help. I’m far from weak.

But we failed. Figaro gave me a run for my money the other day, and I’m embarrassed.

On our walk a neighbor’s dog came out of nowhere, charging his fence line and zipping back and forth. He was barking and growling at us behind bushes and trees that rustled and shook as he moved.

Figaro LOST IT.

My sweet boy who is great on a leash, polite and friendly, literally lost it.

As a matter of fact, the ONLY thing that gave me the strength to hold onto his leash was that slow-motion picture in the back of my head of what might happen if I let go.

Figaro wasn’t trying to be a jerk. He wasn’t trying to overpower me with his flat collar, or pull me down.

At that moment, I didn’t exist. He lunged, he jumped, he bounced like Tigger. He made all kinds of noise and threw his body weight around.

His plan was to get to that fence and protect himself against what he perceived as a threat.

TRUTH: No amount of training can prepare you for moments like this and yes, even the most well-trained dogs can be caught off guard.

Things are going to happen. Dogs will come out of nowhere. Wildlife will bounce in front of you. People and things and sounds are lurking, waiting to prove to you that you still have more training to do.

What I Learned from this Mistake

I had believed for far too long that prong collars were aversive, punishing torture devices. Like many people, I fell for the negative marketing which implies that using a prong collar is a form of abuse.

But here is the thing.

A prong collar would have been the safest and most effective tool for him to be wearing at that moment. Allow me to explain.

Flat collar: with a traditional flat, martingale or choke collar not only do you have very little control, but the dog can injure its trachea. That made this lunging VERY dangerous and unsafe for both of us!

Harness: harnesses have their place in some situations and for some dogs, but it’s very easy for a large dog to pull through one and lunge straight out of your grasp. I believe that harnesses on giant breed dogs are often dangerous: if the dog does decide to lunge, the owner may not be able to recover.

Front Clip Harness: A front-clip harness may provide more control than another type, but similar to a flat collar a lunging dog may then damage itself by pulling into one. Front clip harnesses work by restricting the movement of the front shoulders and chest, and pulling a dog to the side when they lunge.

Head Collar: this is one of the most insidious, damaging, and aversive training tools available. While it would have allowed me to maintain at least some control, he likely would have also whipped his head and neck around. We all know how dangerous that can be for Great Danes!

The Best Collar for a Great Dane

Fig needed to be in a prong collar in that moment.

It can never be acceptable for a giant breed dog to lunge like that. He could have easily hurt me, himself, or anything in his path.

I’ve invested thousands of hours into his training. The fact that my well-trained polite dog did this means that it could have literally happened to anybody.

Prong collars look like stabby pokers that jab at the dog’s neck.
What they look like and what they do are two different things.

Prong Collars don’t stab and poke. They take the pressure from pulling and distribute it evenly around the dog’s neck.

This makes it so the dog cannot injure itself while wearing one. It’s a simple matter of pressure on, pressure off.

The pressure is uncomfortable, but not painful. Unlike other tools, the sensation from a prong collar is a very deliberate YES and NO that dogs understand.

The dog is in control of that pressure. They can turn it off at any time.

A properly fit prong collar (I like Herm Sprenger) would have allowed me to:
- Maintain control
- Communicate to my over-threshold dog that he didn’t need to be doing that
- Bring him back to focus
- Reward him for engaging with me instead of the crazy rude dog behind the fence
- Keep him safe from injury
- Keep myself safe from injury
- Prevent him from getting out of my grasp and potentially hurting himself or others
Gentle Leader Review

Read HERE for more Prong Collar Information

Gentle Leader vs. Prong Collar, the Ultimate Matchup

It’s Time to Stop Vilifying Prong Collars

Because prong collars are so effective, that also makes them one of the safest and most gentle options for Great Danes. Hear me out.

The prong collar quickly resolves pulling issues, thus minimizing the damage a dog can do to itself and others by continuing to lunge into collars, harnesses, and head collars.

Of course, I could just keep my dog at home in a ‘gentle’ harness and practice more so that he never does that again, but that’s not real life.

Real life is FULL of surprises. We cannot isolate our dogs as we attempt to practice responding to each one without error. It’s just not possible.

Giant breed dogs can and will throw their weight around. You are not hurting your dog when you say NO.

As a matter of fact, pairing an occasional and necessary NO with lots of YES is a truly holistic way to approach dog training and your relationship with your dog.

A prong collar is not an abusive torture device, especially when it becomes the difference between getting out in the world with your dog, and staying home because you don’t have safe and effective way to control them.

I know I learned my lesson. Figaro walks with me in a prong collar now so that we can practice NOT practicing that behavior again.

Someday I’ll trust him in his flat collar again, but until then, we’re having a great time together out and about.

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August 31, 2022