Training any young dog can seem an overwhelming task. Their rambunctious behavior and playful energy will keep even the most committed and patient owner on their toes. But when your puppy is one of the giant breeds – such as a Great Dane, Mastiff, or Wolfhound – you have a different challenge entirely.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park, they’ve released the original movie back into some theaters. And it got me thinking about the many puppy owners who come into our facility with oversized dogs, and some of the struggles that they deal with. With that in mind, here’s a quick list of tips to help you establish authority over your own over-sized canine T-Rex.

Training Large Dog Breeds

One of the biggest differences in dog training a large breed dog is that although they are still puppies in mind, they are adults in body size. It is imperative that you set the ground rules and establish control early on. It won’t be long before their size will allow them to assume dominance if they have not learned to respect you as the authority figure.

Large dog breeds are not generally any more aggressive or mean-tempered than other breeds. However, if a very large dog jumps on you playfully, he can unintentionally knock you over and even cause injury. What is a harmless behavior for a small breed can be overwhelming with a large breed.

  1. Speak firmly to the dog, and maintain eye contact. A steady gaze and authoritative tone will tell the puppy that you are in charge no matter how large he may get – and earn his respect.
  2. As with any dog breed, a giant dog responds to affection and attention from their human. So be generous with your praise, and your dog will respond.
  3. Gentle giants can have their spirits broken if you try to train them through negative reinforcement, such as through the use of a shock collar. Although you may be tempted to control them through extreme measures, treats and praise are far more effective.
  4. We never advocate hitting a dog when he behaves badly. With a giant dog, there is an additional reason to maintain your composure – you cannot always predict how your dog will react to being swatted, and your T-Rex is capable of hurting you, even if he doesn’t mean to.
  5. You may wish to try a gentle leader head harness as you teach your dog to walk with you. When an over-sized dog begins pulling, jumping, or lunging, it can be difficult to maintain control.
  6. By following accepted dog training methods, it should only be a matter of weeks before your gentle giant is a happy member of the family. Your dog will learn to respect you, and this will diminish his size advantage.

Conclusion

It’s important to reiterate that if you put off training your large breed dog, the results may be more than you bargained for. It is important to gain control before they grow to full size. If you wait too long, they may have already learned to use their size to assume dominance in the household.

Overall, if you learn to be a strong leader, your large breed dog will learn to be a compliant pet. You’ll find these dogs are exceptionally lovable and loyal, and make great additions to the family.

If you have questions about training any size dog, the experts at Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training are here to help. From puppy training to obedience classes and play care, we offer the programs you need to ensure that your dog has great habits throughout his life.