Great Dane Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

You have just brought your new Great Dane puppy to your home. Instilling a proper training program should be the immediate step to follow.

This breed is an awesome pup to have around your home, and starting your first training session as soon as possible will make your dog a loving family dog. That said, here is the ultimate guide to beginning training Great Dane puppies.

Should I Train My Great Dane?

Great Dane puppies grow into large hounds, and you need to be able to control their physical performance and overall power by conducting sufficient training while they’re young.

Dog training is a critical aspect that helps turn your Great Danes into perfect family dogs that fare well with other dogs and younger children.
 

Are Great Danes Easy To Train?

The million-dollar question every potential pet owner asks himself is whether or not a breed he is hoping to adopt is easy to train. So what is the verdict? Are Great Danes easy to teach?

Naturally, these hounds are intelligent and can be working dogs when given adequate training from a young age. In addition, they are fast learners, a personality trait that makes Great Dane puppies lovable for first-time dog owners.

However, individuals might be stubborn and require short training sessions throughout the day to grasp basic commands. A professional trainer might be needed if you would like to get advanced training for your hounds, but it’s not a requirement.
 

What Kind Of Training Does A Great Dane Need?

Depending on the type of dog you expect your Great Dane pup to grow to be, there are different types of training exercises you can explore. However, getting the basics out of the way is always a good start, such as eliminating any aggressive behaviour that could be problematic when the pup plays with other animals at a dog park.

The most basic training sessions should focus on:

• Easing anxiety about being in a dog grate
• Ensuring that your Great Dane acts as a well-behaved dog
• Minimizing rough play tendencies for positive association encounters
• Potty train exercises

Toilet Training A Great Dane Puppy

Cleaning after a big dog that lives in your house is not a glamorous task, so potty training a new puppy should be at the top of your priority list. The goal is to ensure that the Great Dane has one spot outdoors to relieve itself, and you can scoop up any excrement with a bag or shovel.

When should this training begin, and what training method is best for such a large dog breed?

When to start toilet training your puppy?

The worst-case scenario for dog owners is leaving up toilet training until it is well-grown and has explored all the best spots in the yard. Do not let it get to this. Instead, begin implementing positive training at an early age.

Experts recommend that the period between 8 – 9 weeks, when you first bring them home, is the perfect time to begin teaching your dog to potty in one spot.

They can hold off relieving themselves on cue for about two hours at this age, making it easier to implement good techniques for house training.

How to toilet train your Great Dane puppy

Simplicity and consistency are vital when teaching a Great Dane puppy when to potty. Here’s how to toilet-train your pup.

1. Frequently take them to one spot. Wait a while after they’ve had a meal or had a drink of water, and take them to a specific spot where you want them to go to the toilet. This should be roughly every two hours during the first few weeks.
2. Use positive reinforcement. When your dog goes to the designated spot to do their business, praise and reward them with a treat. Reprimanding and other negativity at this stage will not encourage them during training.

Crate Training Your Great Dane

Crate training is not just a means to keep your dog in a specific place while you’re out of the house, but it is beneficial in the long run and helps your Great Dane develop great coping mechanisms for when they’re anxious and gives them a better sense of confidence.

Why is it important to crate-train your Great Dane?

Crate training is a technique that has many benefits. Here are some important reasons you should consider crate training.

1. Provides them with a safe space. One thing you need to realise about owning a dog is that when they are anxious, they will seek out a small, confined space to settle. A crate gives your dog their own area to feel safe and comfortable in whenever they need it.
2. Aids toilet training. Dogs don’t like to urinate and defecate where they sleep. So, when they get used to sleeping in the crate, they’ll start to indicate more when they need to go out.
3. Helps with travel, vet visits and evacuations. Should you ever need to take your pet anywhere, a crate-trained dog is easier to transport as they won’t feel anxious when they are in their spot.

When to start crate training these pups

When your puppy reaches 8 – 9 weeks, you can start training but keep sessions short because they do not have complete control over their bladder and bowels at this age.

As your Great Dane grows older, the sessions can be extended depending on age.

How to crate train Great Dane puppies

Great Dane puppies are easy to train. You must only leave your pup’s favourite toy and a slow feeder in the crate to make it comfortable. They will develop positive feelings for the box instead of feeling confined and deprived of their freedoms.

Pros and cons of crate training

To know whether crate training is ideal for you and your dog, you need to know both the benefits and the drawbacks of using a crate.

Pros:

• Reduces separation anxiety
• It makes toilet training easier
• Creates a personal space for a dog

Cons:

• Dogs might perceive it as punishment at first

Can I Train My Great Dane To Do Tricks?

Great Dane owners can train their hounds’ tricks, such as fetching, kicking a soccer ball, etc. However, you have to ensure that they understand simple command responses first. You can also ask for professional help by enrolling your four-legged friend on a puppy class.

Some of the tricks Great Danes master make them perfect candidates for dog sports competitions, such as tracking, agility, and even weight pulls.
 

Tips For Training Your Great Dane

When you train Great Danes, it’s all about finding the best method for your specific pup. It all starts with simple commands. From then on, you can explore other prompts for advanced tricks. So, what key factors should you keep in mind?

Be consistent

Consistency is key. Some dogs catch on faster than others at an individual level. So, although Great Danes are easy to train, ensure that you have consistent sessions for the best results.

Positive reinforcement is key

Positive reinforcement is essential. Great Danes love to please their owners, so try to leverage that to help them master obedience and any tricks you would like to teach them. Praising your dog using words must work just fine to positively reinforce this breed.

Avoid over-using treats

Treats could have catastrophic results, such as contributing to obesity, diabetes and other health problems.

Consider clicker training

Clicker training helps your dog know precisely when they did something right. Using this method allows dogs to grasp core concepts faster than usual. After the click, pair it well with a reward to increase efficacy.
 

Final Thoughts on Training A Great Dane

In conclusion, training your Great Dane is not difficult, but you might turn to professionals to teach advanced tricks for dog competitions or complex tasks such as tracking. Also, even first-time dog owners can train this breed to be perfect family companions.