Great Dane Rescue, reHoming and Referral
There are many facets regarding responsible dog ownership which includes health and welfare, exercise, training and dog socialisation. Due to the size of the Great Dane, it is imperative that they receive adequate training - both in puppy hood and into their adult life to sustain physical and mental stimulation.
Mrs Frances Hammer has kindly offered to write some information on training the Great Dane - from puppy hood to adulthood. Fran is a Delta Accredited Motivational Dog Trainer and has a Cert 1V in Canine Behavioural Training. Fran instructs at the Northern Obedience Dog Club and participates in puppy classes at the Kensington Vet Clinic (both located in Victoria). Fran also provides private consultations - so she has a wealth of dogge knowledge to share!
Part 1 - I want a Great Dane - what do i do now?
Part 2 - Understanding the Basics of Training
Part 3 - Training to be Polite and Well Mannered
Training - where can I find Training and Obedience help?
Great Danes at eight to twelve weeks are a manageable size, however they grow rapidly. Therefore, whilst training is an integral part of every day life, it is important to get the basics instilled as quickly as possible. You may ask yourself, 'What do you consider the basics?' These would be :
Responding to and paying attention when their name is called;
Being able to sit/drop/come/wait and leave when told;
Tolerate a collar and lead and be able to walk happily on a loose lead;
Tolerate being 'tied up'.
When you first bring your puppy home I suggest you put a collar on them. The puppy needs to get used to this foreign 'thing' around their neck and you need something to hold and attach a lead to. I also attach a very light lead when the pup is on the ground so they can sniff and mooch about to the end of the lead.
If the pup hits the end of the lead and tries to pull further away or leaps about, stand very still and say nothing. Brace your feet and hold the lead (through the hand loop) and then hold your clasped hands holding the lead, close to your body (being a tree). When your pup stops pulling at the lead, be sure to release the tension and say YES! Praise and reward your puppy!
Some pups will resent the collar and lead, but if there is no real 'pressure' applied (rather the puppy is petted and made a fuss of) then the experience is pleasant and the pup is more likely to accept new things more readily. Whilst I know Danes are smart, I think it is easier for them to learn one or two things at a time.
You have carried out your research on what dog is right for you, what is involved in owning a Dane and decided that the Great Dane is your dog of choice. Now that your Dane is home, what next?
It is imperative that you understand the basics of training your Dane, since dogs don't come speaking English and most people don't speak dog. Therefore, communication between you and your Dane needs to be based on keen observation and clear, consistent words and signals from you in your new partnership. Basic training information :
Training is a way of life - it's an all day, every day occurrence, blended into the everyday life of the family (not just an hour a week).
Start as you mean to go on – set boundaries and do not allow bad behaviour! What might be cute or funny as a puppy may not be in a thirty six inch, eighty kilo Dane.
Show your dog what you want them to do - give lots of praise when it gets done, or if your Dane does things you like (such as laying quietly on their mat).
Only correct bad behaviour as it happens - five minutes after the event, or at the end of the day, does not work. Your Dane has no understanding of the connection between your reprimand and what happened anytime previously.
Timing is important - praise and reward immediately when the desired behaviour happens. If you praise too late, your Dane may be doing something you don't want them to do. Remember positive reinforcement can reinforce bad behaviour as well as good behaviour.
Use your voice - this does not mean yell louder! It means use a higher pitched, happy voice when you are calling your Dane to come towards you. Use soft, slow tones when you want your Dane to settle down.
Do not talk too much - use short, sharp commands. Sit, drop, come, off, under, take, find it, fetch, yes, leave, wait, stay, look, play, let's go, oops, back, stand, beep beep, etc.
Nothing in life is free - dogs require stimulation, encouragement and need to be paid for all the work they do. Payment is in the form of rewards and can be anything your Dane likes. For example – food, water, coming inside, going outside, playing games, going for a walk, verbal praise, pats and ear rubs.
Most of all be calm and patient. Training should be successful, but it should also be fun!
So often people get a Great Dane because they are impressed with the entire animal – how they look and how they behave. They may have seen a Great Dane at a show, pet expo or maybe on the Million Paws Walk. They think, "Wow! Isn't that dog magnificent!" Large, friendly, good with all the other dogs and so well behaved! I’d like a dog like that! The person duly gets their Great Dane, but before long reality hits...Great Danes are not born trained!
Great Danes are a GIANT breed. This means they grow VERY LARGE and VERY QUICKLY. Therefore, the very cute puppy that was allowed to do as he/she pleased is now 6-12 months old and three feet tall, (but still a PUPPY). An ill mannered monster who terrifies children and often adults when he/she jumps up to play; who won’t get off the furniture (and no-one else can sit down) and growls at anyone who tries to get him/her off. So what happens next? The Great Dane is banished to the backyard (where no Great Dane wants to go) or the decision is made to get some help or to rehome the dog.
Training (not just of Great Danes but all dogs) should start before you even bring your Great Dane home, whether a puppy or an older dog. There are so many things to be considered, as owning a pet of any description is a large, but joyous responsibility. Things to consider include but are not limited to :
Where is your Dane going to sleep and on what?
What is your Dane going to be fed, how often and by whom?
Is your fencing adequate?
Do you need to arrange leave to be at home for the first week?
Are there puppy classes nearby and is there a vacancy?
Where is the nearest dog school and do I have the time to take a Dane to class?
Where can I safely walk my Dane?
Where is my nearest Veterinarian?
All these things and more need to be considered before your Great Dane even passes the front step! From the moment your Great Dane is picked up the TRAINING begins! All these things should be considered before taking ownership of your Great Dane. After all, a Great Dane is for Life.
Puppy Purchasing Information - a must read for all prospective buyers!
Great Dane Rescue and rehoming - Great Danes in need of a home!
If you have any questions regarding Dane/Dogge training, please contact us for more information. Great Dane Rescue would like to thank Fran for her time and effort in putting together these helpful training articles!
Puppy School: 7 Steps to the Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey
An excellent book for all - from training the puppy to training older dogs (for people wishing to learn the basics of dog training).
AGILITY DOG CLUB of NSW
E-mail
: robj@agility.org.au
Web site: www.agility.org.au
Agility Training is held every Thursday night in the dog rings at Castle Hill Show grounds commencing at 7.30pm. New members welcome but required to arrive at 7.15pm for an introduction. Dogs must be above 6 months of age.
BANKSTOWN SCHOOL for DOGS
E-mail
: wagtrain@bigpond.net.au
Web site: www.users.bigpond.net.au/bankstownsfd/
The Bankstown School for Dogs caters for a range of K9 activities including Flyball, Obedience and Agility. New members can join the club on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month between 9.00am and 9.30am at North Bankstown
Public School.
CASTLE HILL SHOW TRAINING CLASSES
Email: tba
Phone : tba
Show Training Classes are held at the Castle Hill Showgrounds every Tuesday night from 7:30pm in the undercover area. Can you provide more details?
DOGS NSW SHOW TRAINING CLASSES
Email: amandajaynehug@hotmail.com
Phone : Ms Amanda Huggins (02) 9825 9280
Show Training Classes are held at the Bill Spilstead Complex, Erskine Park on the
2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 7.30pm - 8.30 pm.
HAWKESBURY DOG AGILITY CLUB
Phone
: Helen Evans on (02) 9834 3022
Held at the Jon Maroney Correctional Centre on the Northern Road, South Windsor.
MACQUARIE TOWNS DOG TRAINING CLUB
Phone
: Sheryl on (02) 4572 8520
Held at Deerubin Park, Windsor on Wednesday nights.
PARRAMATTA INTERNATIONAL CANINE SPORTS INC
E-mail
:lizyuill@bigpond.net.au
Web site:http://picsi.org.au/
Training is held at the Dan Mahoney Oval on Gladstone St, North Parramatta. Agility classes are held every Friday evening (beginners 7 pm and advanced 8 pm). Flyball classes are held every Tuesday evening (beginners 7 pm and advanced 8 pm).
TAMPLIN FIELDS DOG OBEDIENCE CLASS
Phone
: Pat Bailey on (02) 4729 1113
Held at the Tamplin Fields in Hobartville (near Richmond) on Monday nights.
Would you like to add your training club here?
Please view Great Dane Rescue's DISCLAIMER regarding the list of Dog Training Clubs.
