Bringing a Great Dane puppy into your home is an exciting experience, but it requires a tailored training approach, especially considering their impressive size. Great Danes are intelligent working dogs, but like all canines, their individual temperaments are shaped by both genetics and environment. Establishing a foundation of positive reinforcement training is crucial for their development and ensures a well-behaved companion throughout their lives. A Great Dane is considered fully grown between 18 months and two years of age, making early training essential for a lifetime of success. Introducing basic commands and instilling good habits from a young age will set your giant breed dog up for a fulfilling life.
From 8 Weeks to 16 Weeks: Laying the Foundation
The period between 8 and 10 weeks is when most puppies join their new families. However, the critical developmental window for a puppy’s emotional and cognitive growth occurs between 2 and 12 weeks. This sensitive phase is paramount for shaping your Great Dane’s future behavior and outlook.
Training Goal #1: Socialization
During these crucial early weeks, focus heavily on developing your Great Dane’s social skills. Expose your puppy to a wide variety of healthy and positive life experiences. Given the breed’s size, seeking the guidance of a certified behaviorist is highly recommended. As Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified trainer and Founder of Fun Paw Cares, advises, “The larger the dog, the more social training the owner should be ready to provide.” Early socialization with people and other animals is vital, as your puppy will soon match your strength.
Enrolling your puppy in a structured class or training program can significantly aid their socialization, allowing them to interact with different breeds, sizes, and personalities in a controlled environment.
Training Goal #2: Crate Training
Crate training is an invaluable tool that extends beyond simple house training. Experts widely agree that a crate can serve as a safe and positive den for your dog. Hartstein emphasizes that a crate should never be used for punishment but rather as a positive space. The objective is to create positive associations with the crate through rewards and positive reinforcement. Offering interactive toys or slow feeder bowls inside the crate can further enhance your Great Dane’s positive feelings towards this space.
Training Goal #3: Begin House Training
House training a Great Dane requires significant patience and unwavering consistency. This process can be lengthy, potentially taking up to six months. A common mistake made by owners is giving their puppy too much freedom too soon. By continuing to utilize crate training and fostering positive associations with it, you can effectively manage your puppy’s environment and prevent accidents.
From 3 Months to 9 Months: Building on Early Successes
This stage is characterized by rapid growth and increasing awareness of the dog’s surroundings. Your Great Dane puppy will likely develop a sense of ownership over their environment, making continued socialization and behavior training even more critical.
Training Goal #1: Prepare for the Canine Good Citizen Test
Training your pet is not merely about teaching tricks; it’s about equipping them with essential life skills. The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test assesses skills such as responding to distractions, coming when called, and navigating crowded areas – all experiences encountered in daily life. Hartstein notes that the CGC program offers “proper positive training techniques, as well as tips for how to be a respectful and appropriate owner.”
Training Goal #2: Leash Training
Great Danes require ample exercise, and leash training is fundamental for safe and enjoyable walks. Hartstein suggests walks during dawn and dusk. For harnesses, he recommends front-attaching “H” designs that do not impede the dog’s gait, along with martingale or flat buckle collars for tags. It’s crucial to avoid shock or prong collars, as they can induce fear-based reactions. A standard 6-foot leash is generally sufficient for a Great Dane puppy.
Hartstein advises against walking multiple dogs simultaneously and stresses the importance of mental stimulation before a walk. Cognitive exercises can help ensure a calmer demeanor while on the leash. You can find resources on how to keep your puppy active and out of trouble with stimulation and exercise that complement leash training.
Training Goal #3: Practice the Basics
Mastering fundamental commands like Sit, Down, Stay, Recall, Drop it, and Mat Training is essential. Rather than rushing through these basics, focus on gradually increasing the difficulty. For instance, asking your dog to “sit” when you are ten feet away indoors is different from asking them to “sit” in a busy public space.
From 9 Months to 24 Months: Continuous Refinement
Training is an ongoing journey, and the period from 9 months onward is about perfecting the skills already learned. As Hartstein explains, “It takes 10,000 iterations of any behavior… for a dog to truly know something.”
Training Goal #1: Reinforce the Basics
At this stage, the focus shifts from learning new behaviors to solidifying existing ones. Hartstein reiterates, “The larger the dog the more important it is for them to have the basics.” Food can be a powerful motivator for training large breeds. Interactive feeders and toys provide necessary stimulation, and it’s vital to feed your Great Dane a complete and balanced large breed puppy formula that maintains the correct calcium and phosphorus ratio.
Consistent reinforcement and practice of basic commands ensure your Great Dane remains a well-behaved and confident companion. If you are facing challenges with potty training, understanding how to get your dog to pee in the yard or addressing issues like a puppy who will not potty outside can be addressed with continued consistent training. For those starting with younger pups, resources on how long a puppy can stay in a crate can be helpful. Training an older dog to walk on a leash is also a crucial aspect of ensuring a smooth experience for both you and your large breed companion.
