Responsible Ownership of a Giant Breed Dog
Jeff Zitzkat
Many owners of a giant breed dog will agree, conflicts are common and can occur without warning!
Truth is, most people including dog lovers can be quite intimidated by a large, or giant breed dog. After all, big dogs are not for everyone, a large percentage of dog owners prefer small, or medium sized companions.
Ever here a grown man scream?
One afternoon while walking our Dane in public we approached a middle age man that was unaware we were coming up along side. The poor guy caught a glimpse of our giant breed dog and let out a scream you wouldn't believe! Feeling sorry for the man we apologized then realized, we did nothing wrong! Unbelievably, the sudden unexpected appearance of our Great Dane was a shock in itself.
Further bias towards big dogs was evident one afternoon at our local lumber store. Previously witnessing smaller dogs being whisked around in shopping carts, we figured it would be fine to let our Great Dane come along and join the activities. Standing calmly on lead with my daughter, our dog was behaving perfectly. I began to load up the lumber needed for my Saturday afternoon project. Suddenly, we were interrupted by what looked like the entire store security staff! Being told there are no dogs allowed I quickly pointed at a Poodle in a cart further down the isle. After quarreling a bit, we were told, "he's to big" and swiftly escorted out the front doors.
Most large dog owners can attest, a giant breed dog like a Great Dane is no more a threat than an ankle biting Chihuahua! More often than not, they are truly gentle soles that want nothing more than to be around people. Unfortunately, their size and appearance is too often fearsome to the average person. Large dog owners often forget the true size and stature of their dogs. Remember, many strangers will panic if your giant companion rushes towards the curb to say hello.
Asking in advance, or announcing your visit, will help avoid unforeseen and unexpected conflicts of the dog vs. human variety.
Owning a giant breed dog requires proper training and socialization techniques. Special attention should be focused on interaction and behavior around people as well as other animals.
Jeff Zitzkat, Copyright ©
Founder & Editor
all-about-great-da nes.com
For additional information on training and socializing a giant breed dog, visit "training Great Danes" as brought to you by all-about-great-da nes.com
About the author: Jeff Zitzkat is a Great Dane owner and Founder of all-about-Great-Danes.com, as well as a successful off-line entrepreneur for over two decades.
A life long Great Dane admirer, he has teamed up with a small group of Dane passionate people to offer an all inclusive, comprehensive, on line resource dedicated to the welfare of the breed.
Topics include training, health, behavior, diet, nutrition, puppies, breeders, rescue, news, and more. A growin
The latest information and news on Dog Care Advice :
Night vigils to search for dogs responsible for killing dozens of sheep and an ostrich are carried out by Kent Police.
Woman strangled pet dogs in bath (BBC News)
A mentally-ill woman strangled two dogs in the bath at her home after hearing voices, a judge is told.
Dogs Have No Comment on Bark Ban (NBC4 Los Angeles)
Owners face fines of up to $500 under an ordinance designed to silence noisy dogs.
Melbourne?s runaway dogs terrified by fireworks just want to go home (Leader ...
DOZENS of petrified dogs have fled their homes in terror during a spate of illegal fireworks set off by New Year's Eve revellers.
Three new police dogs graduate (Capital News 9)
The streets of the Capital Region are three dogs safer after a police K-9 graduation at the Rensselaer County Jail on Tuesday.
Exclusive Hotel for Dogs Clip (Coming Soon)
ComingSoon.net has your exclusive first look at a new clip from DreamWorks Pictures' Hotel for Dogs featuring Don Cheadle (upcoming Iron Man 2 and The Avengers ). The comedy adventure, opening January 16, co-stars stars Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon.
Life With Ferris: Dogs Are Trouble (The Chattanoogan)
I don?t know what I?m going to do with my dogs. Really. They are a workout. I am not the ?pack leader,? but instead a namby-pamby, semi-master who can only make them sit at one specific time, and in one specific area. Immediately after dinner, they will sit in the kitchen.
Missing Dogs (WABI Bangor)
BANGOR - According to Bangor P.D., there have been two reports of dogs being stolen on Union St. in four days. Erwin McTigue lives on outer union street. He says he tied his dog Duke to a dog house New Year's Eve.
Alert over theft of ?designer dogs? (Gulf Times)
By Mark Blunden ANIMAL rights campaigners are worried a pet-stealing ring is operating in London after two ?designer? dogs were snatched by burglars. The miniature pinschers, worth £650 each, were stolen on Boxing Day while their owner was out.
Showing of Hotel for Dogs to benefit homeless canines (The Citizen of Laconia)
LACONIA - Those attending the Jan. 17 showing of the Nickelodeon movie "Hotel For Dogs" at Regal Cinema on Loudon Road, Concord, will have an opportunity to assist the N.H. Humane Society of Laconia and Happy Tails Dog Park in Belmont.