Twin Kennels

We CANT stress enough the importance of training and socializing your Great Dane/Weim Puppy.  While you may seem its ok because they little but it’s a very hard to try to train a 100lb + Dane.  So Please read over our training tips J

 http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/crate_training.html


Training Great Danes is not difficult with the right approach

Training Great Danes can be very frustrating. The Dane is a stubborn breed and likes to get its way! There aren’t many Dane specific dog training videos or dog training books, although that isn’t necessarily negative – Great Dane dog training isn’t much different than training most other breeds. In fact, the best dog training resource we've found and the one that we use and have had great success with is written for all breeds: Daniel Steven's Secrets To Dog Training

In our experience, there are a few fundamentals that Dane owners need to understand and if these are respected, Great Dane training will go well.

Positive Reinforcement

The first principal to understand is positive reinforcement. We have to admit that we’ve never used choke collars or any other similar dog training aids that are essentially negative reinforcement when correcting something, so I guess we don’t have the experience to objectively assess that kind of dog training. But we have noticed that scolding doesn’t do much good and we’ve had more rapid and lasting results sticking with a positive reinforcement approach. Some trainers may disagree, but that is certainly our experience with Great Danes. Yes, they’re stubborn, but they’re also extremely sensitive and crave praise. When our beast does something properly (or refrains from doing something he wants to do but knows he’s not allowed) he gets it by the ton!

As an example, in training our Great Dane, we had a tough time with the recall command. When he sees something, he likes to go for it and certainly didn’t feel he was obligated to come back or stay, no matter how hard we yelled. And when he had finished investigating whatever it was he bolted for (never hesitating to charge across a road regardless of traffic) he knew he was in trouble. But yelling, or telling him he was a bad dog didn’t stop him (for a while, he must have thought his name was bad dog!). Anyway, with coaching from a professional trainer, we became very careful not to act in a negative way and trained him so that when we called, he was always in for something good. Correcting a Dane will sometimes be necessary, but not by yelling. Danes really are more suited to positive reinforcement.

Consistency

Secondly, dog behaviour training must be consistent. This is probably one of the biggest reasons Great Dane obedience training can be so frustrating. While it is true that training your Great Dane is front end loaded to some extent (basic training should take place early in the Dane’s life and therefore set the foundation for a well behaved dog later), it really never ends. Many Danes will develop bad habits if they’re allowed to. By making a daily training exercise part of life, good habits are constantly reinforced. And your Dane will love the interaction.

The other aspect of consistency, is doing the dog training exercises properly and never letting an incorrect response go by. Your Great Dane needs to learn that when he hears a command, there is only one response that is acceptable. If you don’t insist on that response each and every time (for example, to sit when the command “sit” is given) it is likely your Dane will learn that he doesn’t really have to listen all the time. At first this takes some patience –before the Dane understands what is wanted from her she’s not likely to get it right. You need to get her to give you the response you want and not let it go.

Owners also need training

The third fundamental to successfully training your Great Dane is you! Perhaps experienced dog trainers don’t need help, but most of us do. Training exercises are easy to get wrong. The timing has to be just right or the Dane will most likely not understand what it is you want her to do. Basic dog obedience training is just as much about getting the human to do the exercises properly as it is the Dane! If you’ve never been to a dog training class before, you may think the above statement is a bit silly. But probably not as silly as we felt when we started obedience training and realized that simple exercises are not so simple. The dog trainer had to spend some time correcting our technique! And once we started doing things properly, Bismark started making real progress. Or perhaps, we started making real progress…(nothing like being told your timing is all wrong for a simple exercise, but if you can’t take a joke, you may as well be one!)

There are many benefits to going to basic dog obedience training. The socialization for your Dane is invaluable. And it’s a great way to meet other dog people -most of whom will be as excited about their new family member as you are for yours. But the biggest advantage is that unless you’re an experienced trainer yourself, the chances are that you will need help to get your techniques down properly. It really is easy to screw these exercises up. You need someone watching you and helping you get it right until you’re comfortable. If you don’t do them right, your Dane isn’t going to know what you want!

Those are the three fundamentals we think best support training your Great Dane. We've added some articles that cover specific techniques we've found to work. Check out how to stop a Dane barking or perhaps you're looking for a way to stop a Dane digging. We’ll add future articles on some specific training techniques we have found to be very helpful, but all of them are based on this core approach.

There are some books and videos available in pet stores and online that provide a good overview of basic dog training programs. We've already mentioned the best book we've found: Secrets to Dog Training. There’s another resource we're very impressed with as well. That's a series of online videos a Hollywood dog trainer by the name of Dove Cresswell has put out. She manages to convey some fundamental characteristics in dog training that you can't read about. She also provides access to one of her lessons before you buy so you can see the quality she offers.

Educate yourself and start training. When your Dane is 170 pounds, you'll be glad you did!

http://www.about-great-danes.com/training-Great-Danes.html

Great Danes Dog Training Tips


There are a few real keys to dog training, whether you are trying to train your dog to come when called, sit, stop barking or any other behavior. Understanding their importance is critical to achieving rapid results that are long lasting and help develop the bond between you and your dog.

The first is simple; you must win your dogs mind. If you don’t achieve this first then you will be struggling the all the way. When I talk about winning your dogs mind what I really mean is that your dog looks to you for all the decisions. Before you do anything else watch one of the amazing video sites that show you the 5 Golden rules to establishing yourself as the pack leader. If you aren’t putting these in place then you are setting yourself up to fail. Just at the crucial point where you really want your dog to listen they will go and do their own thing. For sure your dog may play ball occasionally or even most of the time, you may even have a dog that is obedient 99% of the time, however if you want a dog who always listens to you and does as you ask then you need to win your dogs mind.

The second key to success is to motivate your dog. It is really important that you discover what it is that your dog enjoys both in terms of exercise and play but also in terms of a reward. If you can make the experience enjoyable then you will both achieve more and look forward to training.

Some dogs love to fetch, others love agility, and other dogs simply love obedience training, or swimming out into water and retrieve. At least to start with find out what your dogs love is and help them develop this, what I am saying is work with your dog. The other point to recognize is to make training enjoyable reward your dog.

The three main rewards are:

  • Food- anything from a single dry biscuit to a whole piece of sausage!

  • Affection- pats, cuddles, lots of high verbal praise

  • Toys- games, throwing a stick or object, chasing your dog etc

  • Your dog is always going to work harder if you are fair in your training. Even if you do not want to use food you should make sure that you use affection accordingly when your dog does well

If you want to use food rewards then always follow these simple tips:

  • Always vary food rewards

  • Do not give food rewards every time

  • Never let your dog know what the reward is

  • If your dog doesn’t come first time then do not give them the reward

  • The third key to achieving perfection is practice! Learning how to encourage behavior that is closer to what you want than the last is the third key to success. Again this is where rewards come in so handy! Motivate and then show your dog what it is that you want and there is no need for any negative training!

 

 

http://dogdogs.xyz/great-danes-dog-training-tips/ 

Potty Training Puppies

 Basics of the Method

Here are the basics of a simple potty training routine for a puppy.

1. Take him/her outside (and stay till they are done or a long time has gone by with no results):

·   As soon as he/she wakes up in the morning (You don't have to be awake... much!)

·   Right after his/her breakfast

·   Right after his/her lunch

·   Right after his/her naps

·   Right after taking him/her out of his crate

·   Right after his/her dinner

·   Right after any snacks of much size

·   Right before his/her bedtime

·   If he/she whimpers in the night

Praise him/her in a cheery voice when he/she potties.

2. Only feed him/her and give him/her water when you can take them outside right away. Especially in a hot or dry climate, you would normally never let dogs be without access to fresh water, but for the weeks that you are training, this limitation will speed up the potty training process for your dog. There will be fewer accidents and so the dog will more quickly learn what you want. But use your judgment about any risk of dehydration. House training dogs and puppies is a matter of using judgment all along!

3. When he/she potties where you don't want them to, quietly clean it up in a matter-of-fact way. This isn't a time to talk either loving or annoyed talk to him/or her; essentially ignore them while you do the cleanup. Certainly never yell or physically punish them in any way.

4. When you and he/she are both home, keep him/her with you as much as you can, whether at your side (a leash can be handy for this once he/she accepts it), in a confined area, or in a crate, or otherwise nearby. (If you are crate-training, do keep the puppy in the crate as little as possible.)

Tips

·         Keep in mind that you are building a relationship at the same time that you are teaching him/her one of their first lessons. Think sometimes about what the world must look like from his perspective, filled with giants who are sometimes very loving and other times confusingly angry. Practice patience!

·         Potty training dogs isn't always fun -- you are waiting for the puppy to go, in whatever your climate can dish up and at all times of day or night. If the puppy is running loose in a safe place, this is a good time to do a few stretching exercises while keeping an eye on him/her. Even if the puppy is on a leash, you may be able to do some simpler ones. If you do a bit of gardening or something else, be sure it doesn't get your attention so much that you are distracted from your job of watching the puppy every moment, so you know when he/she has done his job.

·         Don't take him/her back in the house the very moment he has done his stuff. He/she is likely to notice that the fun of being outside ends abruptly once he/she potties and this is not an idea you want him/her to come up with!

·         If you are clicker-training, you could click when the dog did his/her stuff where you wanted him/her to, then give him/her a treat a few moments later, when done.

·         Physically, puppies vary in how old they are before they have control of potting, but if you bring your puppy home around the age of 8 weeks, which is considered the ideal age, expect a month or two of accidents. They will become rarer as this time goes on. 

Crate Training for Puppies and Dogs

Wondering how to begin crate training your puppy or dog, or even whether you should? This page will tell you.

Crate training gets a dog so used to being closed into a crate that he or she can safely be left in it for a few hours at a time. It can greatly speed up the process of potty training a puppy or dog.

The method has its pros and cons. If it works for your dog, it gives both you and the dog a wonderful flexibility in many situations. But if it isn't right for your dog, there are good alternatives to crate training.

 Crate Training: PRO

  • Crate training helps tremendously in potty training puppies and adult dogs.

  • Your dog can be confined when it is necessary, without undue stress on the dog or serious wear and tear on your home.

  • If your dog ever has to be left at a veterinarian's office, travel on an airplane, or be evacuated from your home, being in a crate then will be far less stressful if he is already crate-trained
  • It's a nice way to include a puppy in what is going on without your having to tend him constantly, for example, if you are giving a party.
  •  Many dogs will seek out their crates to relax in.

 Crate Training: CON

It may take some time to get your dog accustomed to being left in the dog crate, and you will need another way to confine him so you don't push the crate training too fast.

Some people might leave their dogs in the crates too much. How much is too much? It depends on the dog and situation.

Crate training isn't suitable for some dogs. For example, a dog that has spent a lot of time in crates or cages (in a shelter or at a previous owner's) may become very upset. You may or may not be able to overcome this with patient training.

Dogs with separation anxiety may become more upset in a crate than in a larger space.

A strong, frantic dog can get out of most crates, perhaps hurting himself in the process.

Some people just hate the idea of confining their dogs this way. Learning more about crate training often overcomes this dislike, but if you find that it doesn't for you then use alternatives to crates.

A Basic Crate Training Method

Select a good location for the crate -- or more than one location. In your bedroom is good at night, but while you are home during the day, it's best to have the crate near where people will be. Either move the crate around, or some people have two crates. Don't put the crate where sunlight coming in from a window will make the air hot for the dog or force him to be in the sun.

Tie the door open, or even take it off at first. Let the dog notice the crate and examine it if he wishes.

Bit by bit, make it more interesting. Throw toys or treats in. Talk lovingly to him if he goes in. Pet him while he is in the crate.

Begin feeding the dog in the crate. When he is comfortable going in (and this can be anything from an hour to several weeks), then begin closing the door for very short periods of time while you are right there.

If he whines to get out, don't let him out and don't sweet-talk him until there is a moment when he isn't whining. Just wait till he is quiet. Then you can let him out. If you let him out while he is whining, you are teaching him that whining works with you.

With each of the steps, pay attention to what the dog indicates about his feelings. Crate training is most effective when it isn't rushed. If he is uncomfortable at a particular step, back up to a previous one.

Once he accepts the door closed while you are there, begin going elsewhere in your home and gradually lengthening the time you are gone. Having toys in the crate is useful here.

Then leave the house for a very short time and come back, working up to leaving for longer time.

Close the dog in at bedtime and let it out first thing in the morning. But once the dog behaves without being locked in at night, leave the door open or remove it from the crate (unless you are using it during the day sometimes) and keep it nearby. If you are house training a young puppy, you will probably be going outside with it in the middle of the night for a while.

Crate Training Tips

  •  Never put the dog into the crate as punishment. You want the dog to think of it in a happy way.
  • You have to go back to work and your new puppy or dog still isn't completely crate-trained or reliable when loose in the house. What to do? Create an alternative space for a while (see below), or crate the dog and ask a friend or neighbor to come by several times during the day, either as a favor or for pay, to let the dog out for a while. Or hire a pet sitter.
  • Be sure to leave some toys or treats with the dog. Such as the Kong, a bouncy rubber dog toy that you can fill with dog treats, peanut butter, cheese, etc., to occupy your dog for a good long time. (It's excellent for occupying an uncrated dog too.)
  • If a dog is tired out, he will accept the crate more willingly. That means exercise! Many dog behavior problems diminish with exercise.
  • You may have read that crate-training is "natural" because dogs are descended from wolves, which live in dens. While there is a grain of truth in that, a crate is also an artificial confinement device which many people use mainly for their own convenience. So use it as little as possible with the door closed!
  • Keep an eye on the crate for signs that the dog became frustrated and tried to get out.
  • You can combine clicker training with crate training. Click when the dog goes in, and then give a treat.

 Alternatives to Crate Training

Three alternatives:

  1. Use an exercise pen.

  2. Create a dog-safe part of your home.

  3. Create a dog-safe area outside.

1. Exercise pens:

Exercise pens (commonly called ex-pens) are sturdy wire enclosures that don't typically have floors. Most don't come with ceilings, but some do. They can provide a larger space for your dog than a crate does.

They can be tipped over, and without a floor they provide no housebreaking protection. A dog prone to jumping or climbing might get out -- so know your dog before using one. They come in heights of 18 inches to four feet, and can be used indoors and outdoors. They fold flat for storage.

2. Create a dog-safe part of your home

"Dog-safe" depends on whether or not your dog is potty trained yet. Often people confine their dogs in bathrooms, but if you do, be sure there aren't chemicals or other things the dog might accidentally get into. (What's under the sink? You can buy latches with clips on them at hardware stores.) You can use an exercise pen, or a baby gate, to divide this part of your house from the rest and still be able to see and hear the dog.

If you are potty training the dog, as a rule of thumb he will be more inclined to hold it in a quite small space, like a crate.

Some people have made dog areas in the bottom of a closet. (You would take off the door and use a gate instead... or cut a hole in the door.) Just be sure to remove all your shoes! And be sure your dog likes it.

3. Create a dog-safe area outside

If you have a securely fenced yard, terrific! You may want to add a dog door so your dog can come and go -- to the whole house or a selected part.

Otherwise, you can get a kennel or an outside playpen for your dog. Be sure that your dog always has shade and protection from rain, etc., as well as drinking water. 

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