Posted by Administrator on April 12th, 2006 — Posted in Health Topics
Here you have this Great Dane puppy, that will turn into a very large dog. If you plan on crate-training your Great Dane, puppy-hood is the time to do it. If you coddle him now and encourage him to sleep in your Queen-size bed, he’ll do it forever. Right between you and your spouse!
One of the most important things to emphasize about crate training your Great Dane:
* The crate is an instrument for training, not for punishment. Otherwise, your Great Dane will fear the crate.
While some Great Dane owners may find crate training unsuitable in their home, others find the crate to be a God-send. Whatever your feelings on crating may be, crate training is not inhumane. It’s intended to protect your pet from harm while you’re away. Great Dane puppies are very curious, they may get into things when you’re not around, such as: chewing wires, walls, furniture, carpet, glass, etc. BY crating your Great Dane, you are protecting them and protecting your property. Even a mature Great Dane (who you think it completely trained) may have feelings of anger or loneliness — and will then take them out on your home furnishing. Crating is a responsible decision on an owner’s part.
As time progresses, you will learn a lot about your pet. You may feel that you do not need to employ the crate on a daily basis. Nevertheless, there may be some occasions when crating is a necessity. Here’s such an example:
A couple finds that their Great Dane becomes very destructive each Wednesday. Every other day of the week the dog is fine, but he goes bonkers on Wednesday! “What’s wrong with this dog?” After being off from work on a Wednesday, the husband starts noticing irritability and excitement from the dog without explanation. By 9:10 AM, the Great Dane (who is usually docile) leaps up onto their couch barking! Moments later, the garbage man arrives to take their garbage. The dog sensed this. There was nothing the couple could do to alleviate the Great Dane’s anxiety, instead they crated him each Wednesday.
A crate is also a very reliable tool for napping. After a while, (with the right training) your Great Dane can and will associate the word “bed” with his crate. The command “it’s time for bed” will let your Great Dane know that you’re going to sleep and he should too. Uncrate your dog in the morning to relieve himself outside. Let him play with your children and ‘hang out’ with you before you go to work. NEVER leave your Great Dane crated all hours. He will become depressed, angry, and lack out on crucial social skills. The crate is NOT meant to be lived in.
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 Health Topics
Routine dog grooming is just as important for your Great Dane as it is for you. Cleansing of your Great Dane will improve their overall appearance, prevent disease and infection, and contribute to their overall mental and physical well-being. Our Great Danes become members of our family, and like any member of our family - we must love them and care for them. The following tips are to be used as a guideline to ensure proper health of your Great Dane:
Bathing
Unlike humans, who shower on a daily basis, your Great Dane should be bathed on a “as needed” basis. The frequency of bathing varies depending on the individual pet. Naturally, you’ll want to wash your Great Dane when his appearance is unkempt or when he starts to give off an odor. In the colder months, never wash your Great Dane and let him go outside afterwards. Make sure that he is completely dry first, as this will prevent him from getting sick. NEVER use shampoo intended for human use. Dog shampoos are specially formulated for your Great Dane’s skin, which is very sensitive. Human shampoos can cause excessive drying and skin irritations. Take precautions when washing your Great Dane to make sure shampoo doesn’t get in their eyes.
Brushing
You should introduce a dog brush to your Great Dane when he is a puppy. Let him get comfortable with brushing early and he’ll look forward to it as he matures. Brushing your Great Dane will prevent matted hair and remove excess fur. It will also remove pet dander, preventing build-up on your Great Dane’s skin and coat.
Ears
Examine your pets ears regularly for dirt and wax. Use a soft cotton ball on the ear. Never lodge the cotton ball into the ear. NEVER stick a Q-tip in your Great Danes ear. The cotton applicator can damage his ear drum to an irreparable state. If you’re unsure how to clean your pet’s ears, ask your veterinarian to demonstrate for you.
Nails
It’s very important to keep your Great Dane’s nails trimmed. Remember, there are veins in your Great Dane’s nails. If you’ve never clipped a dog’s nails before, take him to a groomer. When you feel more comfortable you can purchase clippers and do it from the comfort of your own home. Failure to keep your Great Dane’s nails clipped can result in painful in-grown nails. Prevent your Great Dane from experiencing such pain and/or infection by keeping up with their nails.
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 March 21st, 2006 — Posted in Health Topics
Spring is here, which means the warm weather months will be upon us. For most Great Dane owners, we’re relieved. Our Great Danes can run loose in the yard while we air-out our homes from the long winter months. Hibernation is over and we can take our furry friends to the park, the beach, and on trips. But we want to have a safe summer! In order to do that, we should glance over a few tips and rules for the safety of our Great Danes. For most of you, these are just reminders. For new pet owners, these should be used as a guideline:
Traveling by Car
On very hot days in particular, try not to take long car rides with your Great Dane. While you’re behind the wheel, consider your Great Dane’s feelings. YOU may not be warm enough to have the air conditioning on. What if you were wearing a down jacket? Your Great Dane’s coat is just like a down jacket. Consider his comfort. Always provide plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
Stopping at the Store ‘real quick’
Forget it. It doesn’t matter how quick it is. Do not leave your dog in the car while you’re shopping in the summer. It’s cruel. It’s inhumane. If someone wants to report you–they can, they will, and they should. You decided to take your Great Dane with you. If you plan to go shopping or window-browsing, leave your dog at home. While this may sound harsh, we’re very aware of the repercussions of leaving your dog in a locked car: death. On a hot summer day–your dog can succumb to fatality in less than five minutes in a hot car. Pease be responsible.
Poisonous Foliage
If you see mushrooms growing in your yard, remove them immediately. Your Great Dane can become seriously ill from eating them. Some plants and berries are hazardous to your Great Dane’s health as well. If you’re not sure which plants pose a threat, research the shrubs and plant-life in your yard to see if they’re pet-friendly.
Mowing Your Lawn
Some Great Danes may be petrified of your lawn mower, others may think of it as a game or a noisy thing they wish to attack. Regardless of how ‘funny‘ it is, accidents easily happen this way each summer. Your Great Dane should not be in the vicinity when you’re cutting grass. Most vital veins are located in your pet’s limbs. Should they get cut by your mower, they may die from their injury.
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 March 19th, 2006 — Posted in Health Topics
As new dog owners, we all have a million questions. After all, we want what is best for our Great Danes. From feeding to bathing, and sleeping arrangements: we need to find a healthy living pattern for our Great Dane puppies. The following Q&A is intended to provide you with some peace of mind:
Q: What kind of personality does the Great Dane have?
A: The Great Dane‘s personality is one of the main attributes that make this dog so appealing. Known as the “friendly giant“ amongst breeders and owners, this is a real “people-friendly” animal. They have an excellent temperament and love to cuddle and play. Of course their size may be intimidating to children and strangers. This is why it’s so important to scold your dog for jumping up on people. Never allow him, even in play, to jump up to get a treat from your hand, etc.
Q: Is a Great Dane too large for my home?
A: Prospective owners: this is a large dog! Sometimes these dogs are very unaware of their own size. If you want to keep your Great Dane off of your chairs and couches, you must train them this way from the very beginning. While it might seem cute to put a little puppy on your furniture, you’re developing a pattern. This dog will grow! Think about that while picturing your Great Dane taking up your entire loveseat for a snooze in six months. It’s also important to provide a yard, as this dog loves the outdoors. If you live in a tiny apartment without a yard, you may want to re-think your breed choice. Unless of course, you’re a high energy person that takes several long walks a day. In a tiny apartment, a Great Dane can be like a bull in a china shop. These dogs need room to play and frolic.
Q: Are Great Danes difficult to train?
A: Great Danes, like most dog breeds, need constant love, praise, and discipline. During the first year of your Great Dane’s life, he should receive discipline and boundary lessons. If you’re having trouble with discipline, enroll him in obedience classes. This usually works wonders for the dog who is very stubborn and pushy. Overall, your Great Dane should not be very difficult to train. Nevertheless, you should be prepared for the puppy stages which includes accidents and teething. What will you do to make your home puppy-friendly?
Q: Will my dog require massive grooming?
A: Fortunately, Great Danes require very minimal grooming, as they are short haired. Nevertheless, you should brush your dog regularly to remove dead hair from its coat. This will prevent your furniture from being covered in hair. Yes, the Great Dane sheds, like most dog breeds. At times it may seem like your dog is shedding heavier than usual. This is normal. Your dog will shed and grow its coat according to the season. Heavier coat for the winter weather and a lighter coat for the hot summer. If your dog is afraid of a brush, introduce it to a rubber grooming tool that looks like a glove. He’ll be happy to get petted. If the weather permits, do this outside! You’d be surprised by the amount of hair that will come off of your Great Dane.
Bathing: This isn’t a little dog that you can wash in a wash-basin. Hence, you can getaway with washing your dog approximately once per month. Or more often, depending on the circumstances. Want a pleasant smelling dog without dandruff? Try washing your Great Dane with ½ Murphy’s Oil Soap ½ water. It contains the correct ph for your pet too. If your dog’s coat is looking a little dull, add a few drops of coconut oil to add some shine.
Teeth: Introduce your Great Dane to a rubber brush from an early age. Otherwise, he will show fear and run. Brushing your Great Dane puppy’s teeth can be a dreadful task without the right tools. Nowadays they sell doggie toothpaste that comes in all sorts of appetizing flavors (beef, cheese, etc). This makes your task a little easier. NEVER use human toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth. It can seriously injure their stomach lining. This is why they make DOG toothpaste, which your pet can swallow without being harmed.
Nails: It’s very important to keep your dog’s nails trimmed. In fact, it’s a necessity. Without proper clipping, your Great Dane’s nails can become infected and give him trouble walking. Yes, there are veins in your pet’s nails. If you’re worried about clipping nails too short–take him to the veterinarian or local dog-groomer. It will only cost a few bucks and your pet will be much happier.
Ears: Just like us, your Great Dane will get wax in his ears. Never use a Q-tip in a dog’s ear. Objects should never be stuck directly into the ear, as you can easily injure the ear drum. Instead, use a cotton ball to remove dirt and wax build-up. Do not get inventive and use other tools, most damage to the ear is irreparable.
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 March 9th, 2006 — Posted in Health Topics
Routine grooming is just as important for your Great Dane as it is for you. Cleansing of your Great Dane will improve their overall appearance, prevent disease and infection, and contribute to their overall mental and physical well-being. Our Great Danes become members of our family, and like any member of our family - we must love them and care for them. The following tips are to be used as a guideline to ensure proper care of your Dane:
Bathing
Unlike humans, who shower on a daily basis, your Great Dane should be bathed on a “as needed” basis. The frequency of bathing varies depending on the individual pet. Naturally, you’ll want to wash your Great Dane when his appearance is unkempt or when he starts to give off an odor. In the colder months, never wash your Great Dane and let him go outside afterwards. Make sure that he is completely dry first, as this will prevent him from getting sick. NEVER use shampoo intended for human use. Dog shampoos are specially formulated for your Dane’s skin, which is very sensitive. Human shampoos can cause excessive drying and skin irritations. Take precautions when washing your Great Dane to make sure shampoo doesn’t get in their eyes.
Brushing
You should introduce a dog brush to your Great Dane when he is a puppy. Let him get comfortable with brushing early and he’ll look forward to it as he matures. Brushing will prevent matted hair and remove excess fur. It will also remove pet dander, preventing build-up on your dog’s skin and coat.
Ears
Examine your pets ears regularly for dirt and wax. Use a soft cotton ball on the ear. Never lodge the cotton ball into the ear. NEVER stick a Q-tip in your Great Danes ear. The cotton applicator can damage his ear drum to an irreparable state. If you’re unsure how to clean your pet’s ears, ask your veterinarian to demonstrate for you.
Nails
It’s very important to keep your Great Dane’s nails trimmed. Remember, there are veins in the nails. If you’ve never clipped a dog’s nails before, take him to a groomer. When you feel more comfortable you can purchase clippers and do it from the comfort of your own home. Failure to keep your Dane’s nails clipped can result in painful in-grown nails. Prevent your Great Dane from experiencing such pain and/or infection by keeping up with their nails.
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 February 25th, 2006 — Posted in Health Topics
Great danes employ significant features. One can infer some information about the eye and coat color, and nose and ear shape from some specifications observed. These features are the well known examples of the effects of a great dane‘s DNA. In order to understand why our great dane’s have these remarkable physical properties, we must first understand their background.
Each great dane carries two sets of genetics. These genetics are passed from the dog’s parents. These sets of genes can be very similar to each other or may be so different that one can be suspicious about the dog’s identity. Physical and emotional properties of the dog in his/her future life is partially determined by these genes: i.e, according to the similarity level in a great dane’s genes, his/her remarkable features possess their role.
Now that we’ve discussed the way in which your dog has received its genetic makings, we can turn our attention to one of the most interesting features of your great dane: it’s coat color. The colors that are most frequently observed on great danes are black, white, mantle and merle. Each color is determined by the genetic properties of the dog and these can be classified in three major groups: A-series, E-series and D-series.
A-series genes have an impact on the dog’s coat color incorporating two forms of melanin. As a result of the different types of melanin pigment in your great dane’s genes, several color ranges can be found: namely, black, brown and saddle. E-series genes employ yellow/red pigment in your dog’s body, and as can be seen in Yellow Labradors and Irish Settlers as well. Now for the curious, but interesting D-series genes: check the existence of recessive genes. When one is found, D-series turn the blue pigment on and provide the body with blue instead of black previously injected by A-series.
Nevertheless, an additional remarkable feature of your Great Dane is his/her ears. Most people are surprised to find that their great dane does not have ears which stand straight up. Actually, in their natural state, your pet’s ears will flop down around his face, much like the ears of a Labrador. Most people decide to have their Great Dane’s ears cropped between the ages of 6-8 weeks old. Despite this information, cropping is not a necessary procedure, as it offers no benefits for your pet.
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great Dane Breeder and owner / founder of Dynamite Danes. You may publish this article only if you do not modify it in any way.
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Posted by Administrator on February 22nd, 2006 — Posted in Health Topics
Gastric Dilation Volvulus, also referred to as GDV, is a serious disease that can dramatically affect a great dane’s life. In this article, we will focus on the causes and treatment of this frightening disease which can cause your Great Dane much pain and discomfort.
GDV occurs when air compresses the stomach of the dog and during dilation the stomach twists on itself. This leads to the stoppage of blood flowing to the stomach and other body organs. The drastic effect of increasing blood pressure makes it impossible for the dog to stay calm. This discomfort is usually accompanied by sharp screeches from the animal, who may display a warranted ’panicky’ state. Unfortunately, most of these symptoms are shrugged off. The results may be fatal, as most great danes die in a few hours if GDV isn’t treated.
Not every breed of dog is susceptible to the risk of experiencing GDV. Usually, large and deep-chested breed dogs like great danes are vulnerable to such a disease as GDV. The most important factors increasing the risk of GDV are overeating, single and rapid daily eating, stress and abnormal water consumption.
According to the foundations of scientists specialized in dog diseases, almost one third of untreated dogs experiencing GDV die. Despite this information, it’s important for people to listen to their pet when he/she is in pain, as GDV is treatable if caught in time. A dog treated for GDV can continue to live a long healthy life.
Two major techniques are used in the treatment of GDV. First, the stomach tube is used to extract the gas from the stomach. Secondly, the stomach is returned to its normal shape through the practice of a surgical procedure. In order to prevent the recurrence of GDV, veterinarian should assess the extent of damage by careful observation. Damage differs from great dane to great dane. Factors that may contribute to excessive damage are: the amount of time the dog suffered, your great dane’s overall health condition, and the age of your great dane.
There are preventive steps that you can take to ensure your great dane maintains a healthy GDV-free life. Be certain to feed your great dane 2-3 times daily. Leave a sufficient amount of water out for your dog(s) while you’re away or at work. Daylight and ‘play time’ is very beneficial for your great dane. Your great dane should follow a strict routine, as you and the members of your family do.
Article by Gale Renz.
Gale Renz is a great dane lover and professional qualified Great Dane Breeder and owner / founder of Dynamite Danes. You may publish this article only if you do not modify it in any way.
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