Great Dane
Gentle giant that thinks it's a lap dog — big love, shorter lifespan.
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Training tips for a Great Dane
Practical, breed-specific advice tuned to a Great Dane's temperament, energy and trainability.
House-Training Essentials
Take your Dane puppy outside every 1-2 hours and immediately after meals, using a firm 'no' and swift redirection if accidents happen indoors, then calmly praise success outdoors. Their giant size means mistakes are costly—consistency and clear boundaries from day one prevent bad habits from forming.
Early Socialisation Protocol
Expose your Dane to diverse people, dogs, and environments during the critical 8-16 week period, managing interactions closely given their size advantage. Use calm praise for appropriate greetings and gentle leash pressure with a verbal marker to interrupt jumping or overly exuberant behaviour before it becomes a safety issue.
Exercise and Enrichment
Provide two moderate 20-30 minute walks daily plus puzzle feeders or scent games to satisfy their working heritage without overloading growing joints. Avoid high-impact activity until at least 18 months old, as their giant frame matures slowly and is prone to injury.
Managing Counter Surfing
Great Danes can easily reach benches and tables, so teach 'off' early by removing them from the counter with a leash correction if needed, then immediately redirecting to their bed and rewarding the settle. Never leave food unattended—management prevents rehearsal of this self-rewarding behaviour.
Overall Training Approach
Use clear, calm communication with well-timed consequences—their friendly, dependable nature responds beautifully to structure and fair leadership. Establish boundaries early while they're manageable, as a 70kg adult won't tolerate correction they weren't taught to understand as puppies.
Training guides for a Great Dane
Expert-written guides picked for a Great Dane's temperament and needs.
Health & nutrition for a Great Dane
What to watch for, how to feed, and how to keep a Great Dane in top shape — tuned to this breed's size and build.
Common health concerns
- •Great Danes are highly susceptible to bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a life-threatening condition requiring immediate veterinary attention; watch for restlessness, distended abdomen, and unproductive retching.
- •Hip and elbow dysplasia are common in this giant breed due to rapid growth; monitor for limping, difficulty rising, or reluctance to exercise, especially during puppyhood.
- •Dilated cardiomyopathy (heart disease) frequently affects Great Danes, so watch for lethargy, coughing, difficulty breathing, or fainting episodes as they age.
- •Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) occurs at higher rates in giant breeds; be alert to sudden lameness, swelling, or pain in the legs that doesn't resolve quickly.
Feeding & nutrition
- •Feed a biologically-appropriate raw diet with 60-70% raw muscle meat (beef, lamb, kangaroo), 10% raw meaty bones (chicken frames, turkey necks), 10% organ meat (liver, kidney), and 10-20% vegetables to support this giant breed's joint health and reduce bloat risk.
- •Adult Great Danes require approximately 2,500-3,500 calories daily depending on activity level; split raw meals into 2-3 smaller feedings to minimize dangerous bloat and aid digestion in their deep chest cavity.
- •Puppies need carefully controlled raw feeding with appropriate calcium-to-phosphorus ratios to prevent rapid growth that causes skeletal deformities; avoid overfeeding and consult raw-feeding guidelines specific to giant breed development.
- •If convenience absolutely demands commercial food, choose a high-quality, grain-free kibble formulated for giant breeds, but understand it lacks the digestive enzymes, natural moisture, and bioavailable nutrients that raw food provides for optimal health.
Exercise & weight
- •Provide moderate daily exercise totaling 60-90 minutes, split into multiple sessions to avoid joint stress; leisurely walks and gentle play are preferable to high-impact activities for this heavy-boned giant.
- •Avoid strenuous exercise, jumping, or running on hard surfaces during the first 18-24 months while growth plates are still developing to prevent lifelong joint damage.
- •Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise option that builds muscle without stressing joints, helping maintain ideal weight and cardiovascular health in this breed prone to heart issues.
- •Wait at least 60 minutes before and after meals before any exercise to significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening bloat in their deep-chested build.
Educational guidance only — not veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed vet for your dog's specific health needs.
Ready to meet a Great Dane?
Search animal shelters and rescues across Australia — and consider bringing a certified trainer to your first meet-and-greet.