Posted by Administrator on May 26th, 2006 — Posted in Dane Training / Behaviour
It only takes a moment. You leave the door open while retrieving groceries or someone forgot to close the gate - your Great Dane has escaped. What do you do? If you’re fortunate, you’ll find the dog within minutes. If not, you’ll frantically create signs and cross your fingers for someone to call. Why take the chance of never seeing your pet again?
The idea of micro-chipping startles a lot of people. Perhaps because it sounds very ‘sci-fi.’ Nevertheless, a lot of people embrace micro-chipping their Great Danes, as it’s a safety device for finding a lost pet. Did you know that it’s actually ILLEGAL to NOT have a pet micro-chipped in some countries? It’s true. So if you’re traveling abroad and you do not have a micro-chipped Great Dane, you should look into international laws.
In order to determine whether you should have your pet micro-chipped or not, you should consider statistics. While you may think to yourself: “my Great Dane will never stray from my home,” millions of other people have shared the same thought. Unfortunately, many of those pet owners never saw their pet again once they escaped or were stolen.
Now consider this: your Great Dane is spectacular breed. This is not a friendly neighborhood mutt. Your dog is more desirable because of it’s breed and the worth associated with it. While it may sound improbable and unfathomable, someone may want to steal your Great Dane. Without a microchip, it’s your word against theirs. Wouldn’t it pain you to see your dog with someone else? Microchips validate ownership. Even if your dog is found 3,000 miles from home — a microchip will support proof of ownership. Yes, you will get a phone call.
On the other hand, consider the amount of homeless Great Danes who were not micro chipped by their owners. If they’re lucky, they’ll be adopted by someone from a local shelter. But what’s to become of their lives? A watch-guard dog in an abandoned lot? What about those who are not adopted because of local laws? Some neighborhoods do not permit dog ownership to specific large breeds, the Great Dane included. Unfortunately, those dogs will most likely be subjected to euthanasia
In order to protect your Great Dane from any of these terrible fates, you should seriously consider microchip implantation. It’s a very simple procedure where a microchip, as large as a grain of rice, is placed under your Great Dane’s skin. While it may cause your Great Dane some minor discomfort, consider it’s worth — as it may save his life.
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great Dane Breeder and owner / founder of Dynamite Great Danes. You may publish this article only if you do not modify it in any way.
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Posted by Administrator on May 26th, 2006 — Posted in Dane Training / Behaviour
Just like a toddler in the ‘terrible-two’ stages, Great Dane puppies can be just as mischievous. We catch ourselves running around, sternly saying “no” or “bad” so often that we feel like a broken record! Do you feel worn out from your Great Dane puppy? You’re not alone. But it’s just a phase. Like all phases, this one will pass. Soon you’ll have a full grown Great Dane and you’ll long for those days when he could fit into your arms!
Some of the most common Great Dane puppy ‘problems’ can be found below. So when you feel frustrated and you’re not sure what to do, hopefully you’ll find some comfort and solutions here:
The Digger
All puppies are curious. Your Great Dane puppy may feel a strong urge to investigate the ground. He may be looking to cool off, chase rodents, search for bugs, escape confinement, look for bones, or just dig for the sake of digging.
When you come home and find the start of a hole in your yard, your first instinct may be to punish your Great Dane. But if you’re an owner that solely relies on punishment without rewarding good behavior, you may be fighting a losing battle. When a Great Dane puppy only hears the word “no,” it starts losing its effectiveness. Instead, provide stimulating chew toys and plenty of play. If you keep your puppy entertained he’ll temporarily forget about the hole until it’s refilled. A quick solution would be the addition of a second pet. Nevertheless, you may end up with two Great Dane diggers, instead of one.
Should you decide to punish your puppy for digging, try one of these methods:
Turn on a sprinkler as soon as he starts to dig. As he scratches the ground, he’ll get wet and associate the splash with digging.
Placing a large rock over the hole and sternly saying “no” if he tries to budge the rock or dig a hole beside it.
The Anxious Chewer
Providing little plush toys may seem cute when your Great Dane is a little puppy, but it may not be cute when he starts shredding your couch cushions apart. You should introduce your dog to a variety of toys when he is a baby. If you he prefers hard chew toys, make sure he doesn’t look to chew your walls or molding. If he prefers plush, keep an eye on cushions, pillows, clothes, and blankets.
Reward your dog for playing with his toys. How? By playing with him, of course! Punish your dog for grabbing at your pants or socks in an attempt to play. This may promote accidental biting in the future. Don’t encourage it.
Most importantly, never give your puppy an item that resembles a household item that you do not want him chewing on. For instance: don’t give your Great Dane puppy an old slipper to play with if you do not want your new slippers destroyed. Dogs can not tell the difference between new and old slippers! Everything looks like a potential play-thing to a Great Dane puppy.
If your dog persists and chews on walls, table legs, couch legs, cabinet corners, and the likes — use anti-chew spray, which can be found at a local pet store. Always say “no” when you see him doing it and offer him a chew toy. When he plays with the toy say “good boy.”
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great Dane Breeder and owner / founder of Dynamite Great Danes. You may publish this article only if you do not modify it in any way.
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Posted by Administrator on April 30th, 2006 — Posted in Dane Training / Behaviour
Having a Great Dane as a member of your family can be one of the most rewarding experiences. If you’re fortunate enough to have children, a Great Dane can make an excellent addition to your family. A Great Dane would make the best companion to children above the age of five years old. Although Great Danes are commonly referred to as “Gentle Giants,” they’re easily excitable in their early years. This excitement can easily lead to accidents, as the Great Dane doesn’t realize his own size! He may very well knock a small child down while “playing.” Perhaps this is why we stress the Great Dane as a companion for children who are no longer in the toddler stages.
Introducing a new baby to your Great Dane is not as difficult as it may seem. Before your baby comes home from the hospital, bring a blanket home with the baby’s scent on it. This way, your Great Dane can become familiar with the baby’s scent. If your Great Dane has always been “your baby,” it’s important to shower him with affection so he is not jealous of the new baby. Once a dog feels jealous, he may be provoked to nip or act unlike himself. Like all dog breed, the Great Dane can act out in anger or fear.
Older children, such as young teens, make the best companions for Great Danes. Like the Great Dane, young teens are very active. The bond that your Great Dane can share with your young teen is phenomenal. Both child and dog can run freely in the yard, take long walks, play fetch, and give and receive affection after a long day. Once your dog develops a bond of trust with your child, the Great Dane will also provide great protection. These dogs are very loyal and protective of their owners. This too makes them very favorable in large families and single-parent homes.
Perhaps children adore the Great Dane because of it’s excellent temperament. This is a dog that can withstand a lot of aggravation before it’s provoked to snap at someone. Typically, the Great Dane will withdraw and/or growl to warn that he has ‘had enough.’ Despite this, most Great Danes are very rational and will not bite their owners or their children. You should always use caution when leaving any large dog and a small child unattended. The child may unintentionally hurt the dog, causing the dog to react in defense.
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great Dane Breeder and owner / founder of Dynamite Great Danes. You may publish this article only if you do not modify it in any way.
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Posted by Administrator on April 12th, 2006 — Posted in Great Dane Breeding Information
When a great dane owner purchases their dog from a source other than a professional breeder, they have to consider whether or not to crop the ears of their great dane. Of course, this is because the breeder did not take the liability to do it before the great dane was sold.
While some certified breeders allow their Great Danes ears’ go uncropped, they educate the owners about suitable care of a natural ear. They may sell a great dane puppy with a natural-eared appearance for ethical reasons.
Will cropping hurt your great dane? There’s no reason to glamorize this procedure. Yes, cropping is painful. There are no true benefits other than the “look” of cropped ears. Remember, cropped ears DO NOT make a great dane. A great dane is a ’gentle giant’ with a stunning personality. It’s the temperament of the great dane that makes it such a spectacular breed.
If you’re a new dog owner and you’re not sure that you have a reliable veterinarian available to crop ears — don’t do it. Never make a decision based on the cost of cropping alone. Ask your vet to see actual photographs of cropping they have done in the past. Also ask them to describe the cropping and taping process to you before you make a definite decision. Natural dog ears are just that, natural! That’s the way your Great Dane was intended to look.
Should you decide to crop, aftercare is a very important aspect to your dogs comfort and overall dog health. It’s important to keep bandages clean and dry in order to prevent infection. Should your dog show any signs of excessive itching or infection, call the veterinarian immediately and describe your Great Dane’s symptoms.
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great Dane Breeder and owner / founder of Dynamite Great Danes. You may publish this article only if you do not modify it in any way.
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