Housebreaking a Great Dane

Hey there, fellow humans! It’s me, your lovable Great Dane, and I need to tell you about this whole potty training thing from my perspective.

So apparently, you want me to go outside every 2-3 hours? That sounds like a lot of work! But I guess it beats having you give me those disappointed looks when I have an “accident” on your fancy carpet. After I eat my delicious kibble, take my amazing naps, or when it’s time for bed, you’ll probably want to take me out too. Fair enough – I do feel the urge to go after all those activities.

You’ve picked this special spot in the yard that’s supposed to be MY bathroom. How thoughtful! Though I still think the living room rug looked pretty comfortable, too. And what’s this about a crate? It’s like my little bedroom, and you seem pretty excited about giving me treats and making clicking sounds when I do good. I’m okay with treats – keep them coming!

I’ll try to give you hints when I need to go out. When I start pacing around like I’m looking for something, sniffing the ground in circles like a detective, or making those little whining sounds, that’s your cue to grab my leash! I’m basically speaking human at that point.

You want me to eat at the same time every day? I can work with that schedule. And apparently this whole house training thing might take 12-18 months? That seems like forever in dog years, but I promise I’m trying my best!

Just remember – I’m a Great Dane, which means I’m great at everything, including learning where to go potty!

Establishing a Designated Potty Area and Consistent Schedule

Two big things will help me learn where to pee and poop – and trust me, us Great Danes make BIG messes when we get it wrong!

First, my humans need to pick one special spot outside where I always go to the bathroom. I like places that aren’t too exciting because squirrels are way more interesting than bathroom time. Make sure it’s somewhere I can reach easily with my giant legs!

Pick a boring outdoor spot that’s easy for my giant paws to reach – squirrels are too distracting for potty time!

Second, my humans should take me outside at the same time every day. I need to go right when I wake up (obviously!), after I eat my massive meals, before bedtime, and every 2-3 hours when I’m learning. My humans should write down when I go potty because we dogs are creatures of habit – once they figure out my schedule, everything gets easier.

This routine stuff works because my brain starts connecting the dots. Outside spot plus regular times equals successful potty training and fewer “oops” moments on the carpet. Additionally, using positive reinforcement will help me associate going potty outside with positive experiences, such as treats and praise.

And believe me, nobody wants to clean up after a Great Dane who missed the memo about going outside!

Creating a Controlled Environment With Crate Training

Hey there, fellow four-leggers! So my humans decided I needed something called “crate training” after I may have left a few surprise puddles around the house. Oops!

First things first—make sure your humans get you the right-sized crate. Trust me on this one. You want enough room to stand up without bonking your massive Great Dane head on the ceiling, turn around without doing some weird pretzel move, and stretch out for those epic naps we’re famous for.

But here’s the sneaky part: if it’s too big, you might think, “Hey, I can pee in that corner and sleep way over here!” Don’t fall for it—your humans are trying to trick your brain into not wanting to mess up your sleeping spot.

My crate sits right in the middle of everything, so I can keep an eye on the family drama. It’s like having box seats at a really interesting show where my little human drops food and the cat does ridiculous things.

The best part? This crate thing is pretty cool. It’s like having your private bedroom that nobody else can steal. No little kids jumping on you, no cats trying to share your space—just pure Great Dane relaxation time.

Now, my humans stick me in here when they can’t watch me, at bedtime, and right after I chow down. This helps me figure out when it’s potty time. Pretty clever for humans, right? Using positive reinforcement during crate training makes it even more effective!

Implementing Positive Reinforcement and Reward Techniques

Hey there, fellow humans! It’s me, your favorite gentle giant, here to tell you about this remarkable thing called positive reinforcement training. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about – I’ve been on the receiving end of plenty of treats!

So here’s the deal: consistency is super important when you’re teaching us Great Danes where to do our business. I mean, we want to make you happy, but sometimes we get confused about the rules. That’s where this handy clicker comes in.

Picture this: I’m outside in my special potty spot, doing what needs to be done, and CLICK! That little sound tells me I’m being amazing. Then BAM – here comes a delicious treat! After a while, I started thinking, “Hey, when I poop outside, good things happen!” It’s like magic, but even better because food is involved.

My humans learned to give me rewards right away – like within three seconds. Any longer, and I’ll already be thinking about the squirrel I saw yesterday. We Great Danes might be smart, but our attention spans can be… well, let’s say we get distracted easily.

The best part? My family uses all kinds of rewards. Sometimes it’s treats (yes, please!), sometimes it’s belly rubs and “good boy!” in that excited voice, and sometimes we play tug-of-war. Variety is the spice of life.

Now here’s something important: never yell at us or use scary punishments. We’re sensitive souls despite our massive size. Fear just makes everything worse and more confusing. Stick with the positive stuff – we’ll learn faster and stay happy! Remember, early training is crucial for shaping well-behaved adult dogs.

Understanding Your Great Dane’s Signals and Communication

Hey there, human! Let me tell you the secrets of how us Great Danes try to tell you when we really, REALLY need to go outside.

First off, we’re not exactly subtle creatures. When nature calls, we start doing this weird dance that probably looks pretty funny to you. We’ll pace around the house like we’re training for a marathon, except we’re just trying not to have an accident on your lovely carpet. Trust me, we don’t want that either!

Watch for when we start sniffing around in circles. I know it looks like we’re chasing our tail, but we’re trying to find the perfect spot (even though we’re inside and there IS no perfect spot). We might also start whining or giving you those big, pleading puppy dog eyes that say “URGENT BATHROOM SITUATION HAPPENING HERE!”

Here’s a cool trick some of my human friends taught their Great Danes – bell training! They hang bells by the door and teach us to ring them with our nose or paw when we need to go out. It’s like having our doggy doorbell! Pretty clever, right?

Just be patient with us while we figure out that the bells mean “bathroom time” and not “playtime” or “treat time.” Remember, positive reinforcement techniques can help make this process smoother as we learn.

The best part is when you humans finally learn our signals. It’s like we’re speaking the same language! No more accidents, no more guessing games – just smooth communication between best friends.

Reading Body Language Cues

Hey there, humans! Let me tell you a secret – we Great Danes are basically walking billboards when it comes to bathroom time. You just need to learn how to read our doggy signals!

First off, forget about us barking to tell you we need to go out. We’re more like mime artists – we use our whole bodies to communicate. Pretty fancy, right?

Here’s what to watch for when I’m doing my “gotta go” dance. I’ll start pacing around like I’m looking for my lost favorite toy. Sometimes I’ll freeze in the middle of playing fetch because, well, nature is calling and it’s getting pretty loud!

My tail is like a mood ring, but for bathroom emergencies. When it droops down low, that’s me saying “Houston, we’ve a problem!” If it’s wagging super fast, I’m not excited about dinner – I’m stressed because I need to find a good spot outside.

The dead giveaway is when I start doing my detective routine – sniffing around in circles with my back hunched up. That’s not me looking for treats I dropped yesterday. That’s my final warning that we need to move to the backyard RIGHT NOW.

Oh, and my ears? When they’re pointing straight forward like little satellite dishes, I’m scanning for the perfect bathroom location. It’s serious business finding the right patch of grass!

If you humans keep track of all my weird pre-potty behaviors, you’ll become expert Great Dane translators. Understanding body language is key to preventing those awkward indoor accidents that make us both feel pretty silly.

Teaching Potty Bell Signals

Hey there, fellow humans! Let me tell you about this amazing invention called potty bells – it’s like having a doorbell, but for my bathroom emergencies!

So here’s the deal: my humans hung these shiny bells right at my nose level by the door. At first, I thought they were the world’s most boring toys. But then my humans started doing this weird thing where they’d take my giant paw and make me bop the bells every single time we went outside for potty breaks.

I’ll be honest – I felt pretty silly at first. Here I am, a majestic Great Dane, playing with tiny bells like some Christmas decoration!

But after a couple of weeks of this bell-bopping routine, something clicked in my massive brain. These bells weren’t just noisemakers – they were my personal request system for the bathroom!

Now, when nature calls (and trust me, with my size, nature calls LOUD), I just waltz over to those bells and give them a good whack with my nose or paw. It’s like magic! Suddenly, my humans drop everything and rush to let me out.

No more desperate staring, no more awkward pacing around the house, no more trying to communicate my urgent needs telepathically.

The best part? My humans finally understand me perfectly. No more guessing games about whether I’m bored, hungry, or about to have an accident on their fancy carpet. Those bells are basically my direct hotline to outdoor relief! Plus, it’s crucial for my overall well-being to have clear communication, as Great Danes can experience challenges during potty training challenges.

Coordinating Feeding Times and Exercise Routines

Hey there, fellow humans! It’s me, your friendly neighborhood Great Dane, and I’ve got some inside scoop on this whole feeding and potty schedule thing. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about – I’m the one doing all the eating and, well, you know the rest!

So here’s the deal with getting us big dogs housetrained. It’s all about timing, and honestly, we LOVE routines. Like, seriously love them. Feed me at the same time every day, and my stomach becomes as predictable as a Swiss watch.

Here’s what works best for us, gentle giants:

Time	What’s Happening	How Long
7:00 AM	Breakfast time!	15 minutes
7:30 AM	Walk time (wink-wink)	20 minutes
7:00 PM	Dinner time!	15 minutes

Now, about those 8-12 hour gaps between meals – perfect! That gives my massive Great Dane stomach plenty of time to work its magic. And here’s a pro tip from someone with four paws: take me outside about 15-30 minutes after I’ve eaten. That’s when my digestive system kicks into high gear, if you catch my drift.

The walking part after meals? Pure genius! It gets everything moving around in there and helps me figure out exactly when nature calls. Plus, I get exercise AND you get a house that doesn’t smell funny. Win-win!

Stick to this schedule, and I promise you’ll have a housetrained Great Dane faster than you can say “good boy!” We’re pretty easy to train when you work with our natural rhythms instead of against them. Remember, Great Danes require attention and exercise to thrive, so incorporating regular playtime into your routine is also essential!

Setting Realistic Expectations and Seeking Professional Help When Needed

Hey there, humans! Let me tell you something about us, Great Danes, and this whole potty training thing – we’re not being difficult on purpose, I promise!

First off, cut us some slack! While your little Chihuahua buddy might figure out where to do his business in 6-12 months, we big guys need way more time. We’re talking 12-18 months here, folks! I know that sounds like forever when you’re cleaning up our “oops” moments, but think about it – everything about us is jumbo-sized, including how long it takes our brains and bladders to get their act together.

Big dogs need 12-18 months for potty training compared to smaller breeds – our jumbo-sized brains and bladders take longer to mature!

Our bladders are basically the size of footballs (okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little), so they need extra time to develop proper control. Plus, our brains take longer to mature, too. While we might look like gentle giants, we’re basically puppies in enormous bodies for quite a while!

If I’m still having accidents after 18 months, don’t just assume I’m being stubborn or lazy. Sometimes we’ve medical issues that make it hard to hold it. Getting a vet to check me out is super important – I might’ve something going on that medicine can fix.

And hey, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, some trainers specialize in working with big dogs like me. We respond differently from tiny dogs, so getting someone who knows our quirks can make a huge difference. Trust me, I want to get this right just as much as you do!

Final Thoughts

Woof! It’s me, your friendly neighborhood Great Dane, and I’ve got some tail-wagging tips about this whole housebreaking thing my humans keep talking about.

Look, I know I’m basically the size of a miniature horse, but that doesn’t mean I automatically know where to do my business! My humans had to teach me, and trust me, we figured it out together with lots of treats and patience.

First off, they gave me my special bathroom spot outside. I call it my “poop palace.” Every time I used it correctly, I got treats and happy voices! Who doesn’t love that? Pretty soon, I learned that outside meant party time, and inside meant “hold it, big guy.”

Then there’s this cozy cave thing called a crate. At first, I thought it was doggy jail, but it’s pretty nice! Dogs like me don’t usually mess where we sleep, so it helped me learn to wait until outdoor time. Just make sure it’s not too big, or I might think one corner is a bathroom!

My humans also figured out my secret signals. When I start sniffing around in circles or whining by the door, that’s my way of saying “Emergency! All paws on deck!” The faster they notice, the fewer accidents we have.

Oh, and they feed me at the same time every day. Smart humans! Regular food means regular potty breaks. We’re pretty predictable that way.

The best part? They never gave up on me, even when I had moments of weakness. With consistency and lots of love, I became the house-trained gentle giant they always knew I could be!

References

• https://iheartdogs.com/7-secrets-to-quickly-potty-training-a-great-dane/
• https://grdane.com/great-dane-housebreaking/
• https://www.dogster.com/dog-training/how-to-potty-train-a-great-dane
• https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/puppy-information/how-to-train-a-great-dane-puppy/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymb1QMT2EF4