How to House Train a Great Dane Dog

Great Danes are generally intelligent, which helps in the house-training process.

Great Danes are relatively intelligent and clean---two characteristics that are likely to help with the house-training process. According to the website for the group Dane Outreach, housebreaking Great Danes is typically a simple and quick process, as long as you stick to a schedule and are persistent in your methods.

Things You'll Need

• Crate
• Treats
• Enzymatic cleaner

Instructions

1. Keep your Great Dane in a crate when you cannot provide supervision and choose a crate that is only big enough for the Dane to stand up and turn around in. Your Dane will require a crate that is rather large. Dogs are den animals by nature and will seek out a place in which they can relax and spend time in seclusion. Fortunately, a crate can serve as a mock den and can also aid in the house-training process. By keeping your Dane in a crate, you are teaching him that elimination in the house is not acceptable and if it occurs, he has to lie in it.

2. Take your Great Dane outside to eliminate immediately upon being let out of the crate and after she eats, drinks and sleeps, suggests the website for Dane Outreach. Establishing a potty routine will help your Dane learn how long she has to hold it and when she can go.

3. Watch your Great Dane for cues that he has to eliminate. Danes will often sniff the ground or turn in circles with their heads to the ground when they need to eliminate. If you notice this or the dog starting to squat down, take him outside to his designated potty spot immediately. If you do not catch him and he makes a mistake in the house, clean it with an enzymatic cleaner designed to remove dog waste.

4. Take your Great Dane to the same spot each time, through the same door. When you take him out, say a command that will encourage her to go potty, such as "potty" or "go potty." Eventually, your dog will learn what is expected of her when she goes to that specific area through that particular door and hears the command. Great Danes are quite intelligent and often pick up on the association quickly.

5. Praise your Great Dane with treats and affection when he goes potty in the appropriate area. Dogs often thrive on rewards and your Dane will eventually learn that eliminating in the designated area will earn him plenty.

Tips & Warnings

• If your Great Dane is a puppy, know that she will grow rather large and consider purchasing a crate that will likely fit her as an adult. Use crate dividers or large blankets to block off the excess space in the crate. If the crate is too large, the Dane pup can walk away from his mess, thereby defeating the purpose of crate-training.

• Create a crate that is comfortable and inviting for your Dane by placing toys, food and treats inside. Give your dog a treat when she enters to entice her and reward her for going in.

• Place the crate in a quiet area in the house; however, when you are getting your Dane used to the crate, leave the crate with the door open in a place in which you spend a lot of time.

References

• Dane Outreach: Housebreaking Your Great Dane Puppy
• Dog Training Tips: Great Dane Training