11 Tips How To Train a Great Dane Puppy

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Great Danes are one of the most impressive and gentle dogs out there. Their look could trick you into thinking that they can be dangerous because of their big size, but in reality, they are just big lap dogs that like to cuddle all day.

These gentle giants make excellent family pets, and if you are thinking about getting a Great Dane puppy for your family, you will have to ensure to properly train your puppy right from the beginning.

Only by doing so can you be sure that your puppy will develop into a well-rounded dog and that, in fact, you will not have behavior problems with your Great Dane in the future.

To help you with this journey and proper training of your Great Dane puppy, we made a guide that you can follow, especially if you are an inexperienced dog owner and don't know where to start.

1. Start early

One of the first things we tell all owners that ask us about training their dogs is to start early. When you bring your new puppy home, this is the ideal time to start training. Usually, this will happen when the puppy is between 8-10 weeks old.

They are more receptive to learning at this early age. If you do it right from the start, you can be sure you will end up with a well-mannered dog.

2. Teach basic obedience commands

Start with basic commands such as "sit," "stay," and "come," and gradually introduce new words and commands into your puppy training. These commands will help you take control over your dog, but they will also ensure their safety.

To teach your puppy these commands efficiently, use treats and their favorite toys, lure your puppy into a desired position, and always praise them afterward. You should practice these commands daily until you are sure your puppy understands them all.

We are assuming that you like Great Dane dogs, so make sure to read all the fun facts about these dogs - Fun Facts About the Apollo Dog Breed

3. Socialize your Great Dane puppy

Socialization is a crucial thing for Great Danes, and this will help them become well-rounded and more confident dogs. With every chance you get, you should introduce your puppy to new things, such as new environments, people, animals, etc. The more things your puppy sees while he is young, he will be able to properly react to all of them and not be scared in the future.

You can always enroll your puppy in puppy socialization classes, where he will work with professionals that will also help him become a well-rounded dog.

4. Establish a routine

Great Danes thrive on a routine, and the best way to establish a routine is a puppy age. This routine will help your Great Dane puppy feel secure and also make training him more effective. You should set a daily schedule for feeding, potty breaks, walks, playtime, and training, and by making this consistent routine, your will help your puppy better understand what is expected from him in the long run.

5. Positive reinforcements

Training a young puppy is hard; we all know that. Puppies can be stubborn and uncooperative, but even with all that, you should never be tempted to punish your Great Dane puppy if he is not interested in training or if he doesn't respond well to your training methods.

When training your puppy, you should only use positive reinforcement methods, and this will include a lot of praise, treats, and toys from your young puppy. This will encourage him to get better with training since it will create a positive association with this training.

By punishing your puppy, you will not get anything done and could even create more problems.

6. Be patient and consistent

During training, you should have a lot of patience and consistency because only by doing so will you be able to fully train your puppy. Great Dane puppies are very intelligent but can also be very stubborn, so it is important for you to stay calm and persistent in the training.

Stick to your routine and repeat commands until your puppy understands them and follows them. Every dog will learn at a different pace, and there is nothing wrong with that.

7. Crate training

Crate training will be extra beneficial for the Great Dane puppies since it will create a safe space for them to relax. When choosing the best crate for your puppy, you need to ensure that it is big enough because your puppy will grow in no time, and if you buy a smaller crate, your dog will not feel comfortable in it.

You should introduce your puppy to create slowly and gradually increase the time your puppy spends in it. Some dogs naturally love crates and will want to spend as much time as possible in them, but again all dogs are different, and while some could enjoy spending time in crates, others could feel anxious in them.

We know that crate training your puppy can be challenging, so we made a guide that can help all dog owners. Here you can check it - Crate Training a Puppy Made Easy

8. Potty training

Potty training is essential for any puppy, and Great Dane puppies are no exception. Take your puppy outside regularly on a schedule, but especially after meals and playtime. Every time your puppy does his business outdoors, you should reward him for letting him know he's done a good job.

No matter how quickly your dog is learning or how good of a student he is, accidents can and, in most cases, will happen. Nothing is strange about that, so you should be prepared for this.

As a Great Dane owner, you need to ensure that your dog is getting the best possible food in order for him to get all the important nutrients that he needs. To help you with this decision, make sure to check this article and find out what is the best food for Great Dane - 5 Best Dog Food For Great Danes - Expert Pick

9. Leash training

When you establish some basic commands, you can start with leash training. Since Great Danes are big dogs, you will not be able to walk him without a leash, and you need to teach your puppy how to walk on a leash properly so both of you can enjoy walking around the block.

Allow your puppy to get used to wearing a collar and leash before you start walking outside. Start by training at home, and when you notice that your puppy is secure enough to walk outside, you should take it to the next level.

Always make sure to go slowly and not rush things. If you notice your puppy feeling unsecured or scared, you should slow down and move at a pace your dog is comfortable with.

10. Preventing destructive behavior

Great Dane puppies, like any dog, can develop destructive behavior that can manifest in different forms, such as chewing, digging, jumping, etc. You need to find appropriate toys for their energy to prevent this from happening.

Proper physical and mental stimulation will ensure that your dog is tired but happy and satisfied, and he will not need destructive behavior.

11. Advanced training

Once your Great Dane puppy has mastered basic obedience, you can enroll him in advanced training classes or even in dog sports. These activities will keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated, but they will also create a stronger bond between you and your dog.

Conclusion

Training a Great Dane puppy requires patience, consistency, and commitment. During training, you should only use positive reinforcement methods. Start early, and by following the steps from this guide, you can be sure that training your Great Dane puppy will go smoothly and that your puppy will develop into a well-rounded dog.

Whenever you are having problems with certain training aspects, you can ask a professional for help, but if you are committed enough, you can do it yourself.

World Dog Finder team