How to Make Your Home Safe for Your Great Dane

Woof! Let me tell you what my humans need to do to make our house perfect for a giant like me.

First off, I need LOTS of space to stretch these super long legs. My humans better move those coffee tables with pointy corners – trust me, when I get the zoomies, I’m like a furry tornado! And please, please pick up all those tiny things on the floor. I’m curious about everything, and my mouth is basically a vacuum cleaner.

Now about my crate – think of it as my personal castle, not doggy jail! Make it cozy with soft blankets so I actually want to hang out there. Never use it when you’re mad at me, okay? That’s just mean.

Exercise is huge for us Great Danes (get it, huge?). I need to run around or I’ll redecorate your house with my teeth – and trust me, my interior design skills are terrible. Take me for walks, play fetch, or I might decide your favorite shoes look delicious.

House training takes patience, humans! Accidents happen when you’re learning, so stay positive. Yelling makes my ears sad.

And about the fur situation – yes, I shed like it’s my job. Regular brushing helps, unless you enjoy having dog hair as a fashion accessory. Your black clothes will thank you!

Follow these tips, and we’ll be the perfect roommates.

Creating a Safe Living Environment

Hey there, humans! Let me tell you what I need to feel safe and happy in MY house (yes, I know you think it’s yours, but we both know who really rules this place).

First things first – I’m basically a miniature horse pretending to be a dog, so I need LOTS of room to move around. Please don’t cram furniture everywhere like you’re playing Tetris. When I get the zoomies, I turn into a furry wrecking ball, and nobody wants that!

Give me clear paths so I don’t accidentally knock over your fancy lamp with my enthusiastic tail wagging.

Speaking of my tail, it’s like a weapon of mass destruction. Those sharp coffee table corners? They’re my worst enemy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve whacked my tail and then given you those sad puppy eyes like it’s somehow YOUR fault.

Pad those corners or move them – trust me on this one.

Those tiny things you humans leave everywhere are super tempting snacks to me. Your TV remote, socks, kids’ toys – they all look delicious! But they’re definitely not good for my giant belly.

Keep the small stuff picked up, because my motto is “when in doubt, eat it.”

And please, PLEASE secure your tall furniture to the wall. I know I’m not supposed to jump up on things, but sometimes I get excited about visitors or squirrels, and well… physics isn’t kind to big dogs like me.

I don’t want to turn your bookshelf into a domino effect disaster accidentally.

Also, remember that providing a safe living space is critical for my well-being, so let’s work together to keep our home safe and fun!

Make our home a place where I can be my goofy, oversized self without anyone getting hurt!

Crate Training and Den Safety

Hey there, humans! Let me tell you about something super important – my personal castle, also known as a crate!

As a Great Dane, I’m basically a gentle giant who needs a really big house. When you’re picking out my crate, remember that I’m not precisely a Chihuahua. I need enough room to stand up without bonking my head (ouch!), turn around without doing yoga moves, and stretch out like the majestic beast I am. Think of it as buying me my own studio apartment!

Inside my awesome den, I want the good stuff – fluffy blankets that smell like home and my favorite squeaky toys. Maybe throw in that sock you’ve been looking for (I’ve been keeping it safe for you, you’re welcome). These things make my crate feel like a five-star hotel instead of doggy jail.

Inside my cozy castle, I crave fluffy blankets, squeaky toys, and maybe that lost sock—turn my crate into a five-star retreat!

Now here’s the thing – don’t just shove me in there and expect me to love it right away. I’m smart, but I’m not a mind reader! Start slow, toss some treats in there, and let me explore. Make it the coolest place ever, not somewhere I go when I’ve been “bad” (which is never, obviously). Remember, a crate should allow for standing, turning, and lying down comfortably, ensuring I feel secure and relaxed.

With a little patience from you and some sniffing around from me, my crate will become my favorite hangout spot. It’s like having my own bedroom where I can chill out when the world gets too crazy or when I need a nap after a hard day of being adorable.

Managing Exercise and Mobility

Us gentle giants need our exercise, but we’re not exactly built like those crazy Border Collies who never stop bouncing. My humans have figured out the perfect routine for keeping me happy and healthy without wearing out my massive paws.

First off, walks are fantastic! I love sniffing every single tree, fire hydrant, and interesting blade of grass in the neighborhood. My humans learned that a nice, steady walk works way better for me than trying to make me jog. Trust me, when you’re my size, jogging looks more like a small earthquake!

Playtime is the best part of my day! I might look like a miniature horse, but I still love a good game of fetch. Though I’ll admit, after about ten throws, I start giving my humans that “really? again?” look.

Mental games are awesome too – puzzle toys keep my big brain busy and tire me out without making my joints sore. Regular exercise is essential for preventing obesity-related issues that can affect my health as I age.

Speaking of joints, mine creak a bit more these days. My humans noticed I was having trouble jumping into the car. That’s when they got me this cool ramp! Now I can walk right up like I’m boarding my personal Great Dane yacht.

They also got me a special harness that helps support me when I need a little boost.

The best part? These tools mean I can still go on all our adventures – hiking, beach trips, and visiting the dog park where I tower over all my tiny friends. Staying active keeps me feeling like the magnificent, goofy giant I am!

Feeding and House Training Practices

Let me tell you about the most essential things in my life – food and learning where to do my business!

First, let’s talk about my favorite subject: FOOD! My humans have figured out that feeding me isn’t like feeding those tiny dogs down the street. I’m basically a furry horse, so I need lots of high-quality kibble to keep my massive body running.

My humans are smart enough to feed me at the same time every day, which makes my tail wag because I always know when dinner is coming. Trust me, you don’t want to forget to feed a 150-pound dog – we get hangry!

My humans always feed me at the same time, and trust me, a hangry 150-pound dog is not a pretty sight!

Now, about house training – this was trickier than you might think. When you’re my size, accidents aren’t just little puddles. They’re more like small lakes!

Luckily, my humans used positive training with lots of treats and belly rubs when I went potty outside. It took me a while to figure out that the living room wasn’t my personal bathroom, but eventually I got the hang of it.

The best part is when my humans combine good food with training rewards. Nothing motivates a Great Dane like the promise of an extra treat! My humans also make sure to follow feeding guidelines that help keep me healthy and prevent any weight-related issues.

My humans created the perfect home for me by being patient and consistent. Now I’m one happy, well-fed, and house-trained gentle giant!

Grooming, Shedding, and Hygiene

Woof! So you’ve figured out how to feed me (finally!) and I’m not having accidents in the house anymore.

Now let’s talk about something super important – keeping me looking fabulous! Trust me, with a coat like mine, I need some serious TLC.

My beautiful fur needs regular brushing to stay healthy and shiny. Plus, it helps keep all my loose hair from ending up on your favorite black pants (you’re welcome!).

You’ll want to get yourself a good rubber brush and one of those fancy deshedding tools. They work way better than that old hairbrush you tried using on me last week – that was embarrassing for both of us!

Here’s the thing about us Great Danes – we shed. A lot. Like, you’ll find my hair in places you didn’t even know existed.

But don’t panic! There are some cool supplements you can add to my food that help keep my skin healthy and might cut down on the fur tumbleweeds rolling around your house. Regular grooming is crucial for managing shedding and maintaining a healthy coat.

Bath time can be fun (okay, maybe just for you), but don’t go crazy with it. I only need a bath when I actually smell or get into something gross – which, let’s be honest, happens more often than either of us would like.

Too many baths will wash away the natural oils that keep my coat looking awesome, and nobody wants a dull-looking Great Dane!

Final Thoughts

So my humans have been running around the house like crazy trying to make everything “Great Dane safe.” It’s pretty funny watching them panic every time I wag my tail near their fancy coffee table.

Let me tell you what they’ve learned about keeping a giant like me happy and safe at home. First, they finally figured out that I need my own special space – a crate that’s actually big enough for me! No more trying to squeeze into my puppy bed that I outgrew when I was six months old. Now I have a cozy cave where I can stretch out all my long legs.

The best part is watching them move everything breakable to higher shelves. They think they’re so smart putting stuff up high, but hello – I’m basically a horse with paws! I can still reach most things if I really want to. But I’m a good boy, so I pretend I can’t see that delicious sandwich they left on the counter.

My humans also learned that I need lots of exercise, but not the crazy bouncing kind when I’m still growing. We take nice long walks where I can sniff every single blade of grass (it takes forever, but they’re patient).

Oh, and they’re always washing my food bowls and picking up my toys. I don’t know why – a little dirt never hurt anyone! But I guess that’s what makes a house a home for both of us, big dogs and our favorite humans.

References

• https://gdca.org/the-great-dane/great-dane-puppy-information/
• http://www.greatdanerescue.com.au/Docs/bringing_home_your_great_dane.pdf
• https://iheartdogs.com/13-things-to-know-before-bringing-home-a-new-great-dane/
• https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/large-dogs/great-dane
• https://www.vidavetcare.com/dog-breed/great-dane/
• https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/great-dane/