When Karen asked me about doing these articles I had several in mind.As I was sitting here and had typed almost a whole page about dog training and why it was important, I kept feeling like it wasn’t the topic I REALLY wanted to talk about right now.What I REALLY what to talk about is rescue and why it is a great idea.
I have 4 great danes.I have gotten them almost a year apart.For some that just might seem crazy and for others a dream come true. Two of my danes are from breeders and 2 are rescues.I want to share my story with you about my rescues.
Our first dane Roxanne is a rescue.My husband had made a statement that he wanted a big dog the next time we got a dog.Well the biggest dog I had ever seen was at the emergency vet clinic.It was this beautiful Harlequin great dane.Man he was beautiful!I never forgot that dog so when we decided to add to our dog family(we had two shelties at the time)I naturally thought of that harl.I had a list of things I “thought” I wanted.I wanted a great dane, female, rescue, an adult and preferred a harl in color.WOW, what a list I had huh?I researched online regarding the breed.Called all the city shelters and looked online for rescues. My vet gave me a list of rescues and Etosha in Seguin was on the list.I called Bonney to see what she had. She said yes she had danes and to come by.I drove out there and she showed me acute little 3 month old black female great dane.I thanked her but explained that I wasn’t interested in a puppy. Bonney said she was getting a female harl in a couple of days from a different town and to call back on Saturday.I had went to several other places before Etosha and had stood firm on what I wanted to get.The puppy was cute but I really wanted an adult. On Saturday, my husband, daughter and I drove back out to Bonney’s.Bonney had not received the harl but showed my family the 3 month old female.We spent some time with her and before we knew it she simply stole our heart.Bonney had named her Roxanne.Sad story, Roxanne was bought by people from a back yard breeder who sold her at 3 weeks old.The people didn’t know any better and took her home.Roxanne refused to eat, cried all the time and was basically failing to thrive.They gave her up to Bonney .Poor Roxanne has had anxiety issues her whole life because of the carelessness of someone who thought they know how to breed dogs.Regardless of all the challenges we have had with Roxanne I have no regrets of becoming her forever home.Daily I thank God that Bonney knew what I needed and gave our family a chance.Roxanne started our love for this amazing breed.I call her “my heart” for that reason.
Our third dane I also got from Etosha.I called Bonney up and told her that I was interested in getting a fawn male for my husband.Now honestly, my husband was not interested in getting another dog.The shelties had passed on and we had two female danes that got along great and it was perfect for walking having only the two.Bonney called me up a couple a weeks later and said she had a beautiful fawn male that was 9 months old and did I want to come out and see him.I went straight from work.The moment I saw Maverick it was love.I watched him and for the first time knew I wanted to share him with others as a therapy dog.I told Bonney that I would bring Scott out and we would take him that weekend.Scott was not happy.We fought, I threw a fit for the rest of the week until he gave in. Scott talks about the first time he saw Maverick jump off Bonney’s porch and what amazing sight he was.We bought him home to add to our family.It was a little rough the first couple of weeks (he liked to chase the cat) but I am very proud to say Maverick and I are members of the Delta Society of San Antonio.Maverick presently visits 2 military facilities, a nursing home and does a reading program with school children.
I can’t say that if we hadn’t rescued them that they wouldn’t have went to awesome homes but look at what we would have missed out on.We are better for having become their forever home. If you ever doubt the importance of rescue, go out to one and volunteer.I went out to Etosha for years after getting Roxanne to help Bonney.Nothinglike seeing dogs that have a really sad story desperate to just be a valued part of someone’s life.There are a lot of people out there who think that they should let their dog just have one litter, but know nothing about health and temperament testing.Spayed and neutering are part of a “pet companion only” pet contract.A responsible breeder will have it in the contract that the puppy is to come back to the breeder if the owners needs to give the pet away.Rescue is where those puppies go when back yard breeders don’t do contracts on the puppies and when new owner can’t or won’t take care of the puppy.When the no kill rescues are filled, as you can guess where they go then.Please understand that I understand that tragic things happen to good people and they are forced to give up their pets.Those are NOT the cases I am talking about.
I guess the point I am trying to make is that there are thousands of dogs and cats that are put to sleep yearly just in San Antonio.It just isn’t necessary!Spayed and neutering are a must if your pet is a “pet companion only” pet.There is only so much rescues can do.Support rescue.They need financial aid.Every person I have ever met that runs a rescue, every penny goes to those animals and their care. They need volunteers.Your time is valueable to you so imagine how much it means to the person running a rescue.Whether it is feeding, bathing, running errands, assisting at rescue events or doing dirty work,it means the world to these exhausted, stretched thin workers.And most importantly, when you are thinking of getting a pet, please think about rescue.You will be saving an animals life.My two rescues have enriched my life in ways I never imagined.I often think when I am on a visit at a client and I see how much pleasure Maverick gives them just by touching him, what a loss it would have been if I hadn’t rescued him.Support rescue, save a life……How rewarding is that?
What Collar Is Right For My Dog
My friend and I talk a lot about every area there is regarding great danes.One of the recent conversation has been regarding collars and leases.There are so many out there and varied opinions on what is the best to use. I can only go on my own experience and observations on what work and what doesn’t.
When we got our first great dane, Roxanne, we purchased the standard clasp collar and leash.The first one was a cute lady bug theme.I was so proud of it!When the rescue called to do a follow up, I couldn’t wait to brag about it.Bonney asked me if Roxanne wore the collar ALL the time and I said yes.Boy, did I get my first education regarding collars!Bonneytoldme that if your dog is not being watched by you at all times then leave the collar off unless on a walk.She explained that it is a choking hazard to your dog, that the dog at any time could get the collar stuck on something (including other dogs mouths when playing) and choke the dog.Goodness! That scared me into immediately removing her collar.I know that for some there is a concern that their dog might get out of the yard and run off.All my dogs are microchipped for that reason.I also constantly check on them when they are in the back yard and have a lock on my gate so that no one can accidently leave it open.Having said that, I can go on with the topic at hand.
The standard collar and leash was fine for Roxanne, she walks gently and right next to us.The only time she pulls slightly is when she wants to be the lead dog when we have another one of the dogs with us on the walk but she redirects easily.Now,our second dane, Whisperbelle was another story.The stand collar and leash did not work for her.WhisperBelle is a very strong dog and likes to pull.She likes to pull so much that she dragged me down in the parking lot at Petsmart, tearing up my hands, arms and knees.It really was terrifying!Not only was I hurt but if I had lost hold of her leash she could have been hit by a car.That day after talking to the trainer there we bought her a “Halti” or “Gentle Leader”.The harness goes on their face and when they pull it forces them to turn towards you instead of pulling forward.It was very effective in preventing her from pulling but in training it wore sores on her face .Another thing I didn’t like is people constantly asked if she was dangerous and a bitter.They confused the “Halti” with a muzzle.In the end we discovered by using a shorter leash (the shortest one you can buy) and a slip collar such as a Martindale worked in controlling her urge to pull.
Now enters our third dane, Maverick, like Roxanne he is awesome on a leash.We have done dog training classes with all of our dogs.With Maverick we wanted to not just do basic training but the AKC Good Canine Citizen class with him.I only knew of one place I could do that at so we signed him up first for their basic class(we had never used them before).At the first class we were told not to bring our dog.When the trainer learned that we had a great dane, he told us that we would probably need a pinch collar.Pinch collars are all metal collars that have pointed prongs that surround the collar on the inside.It is designed to prevent pulling.When the dog pulls the prongs dig into the dogs neck .The thought is that it is uncomfortable enough that the dog learns not to pull.Having explained the product, first my Maverick wasn’t a puller thus he didn’t need a pinch collar and well, secondly, explaining the collar says it all.There are too many products on the market that pain doesn’t have to be a training tool.I have seen a dog with a pinch collar hurt not because they were pulling but because her leash got tangled up with another dogs and the collar did its job and the prongs dug into the her neck. The cry of pain was the final reason to turn me way from pinch collars.
Another collar on the market isn’t a collar at all but a harness.Not the kind of harness you see that clasp on the back.Those type of harness just turn our dogs into pullers.I can’t think of anytime I have seen a back clasp harness on a dog, big or small, that the dog wasn’t pulling the owner instead of walking with the owner.The new harnesses called Gentle Walker (there are other’s on the market by other names), the clasp is in the front.Much like the “Halti”, except instead of it being worn on theface it is worn on the body. It is designed to where if the dog pulls the harness pulls the dog back toward the owner.I used this harness on Maverick for the first 6 months when we would visit the hospital.The halls were crowded and he would pull because he wanted to get to the next person for a pet.As I said I only had to use it for six months because the behavior stopped with the training of the harness, positive redirection and praise.
There are also Martindales, which are frequently usedon greyhounds because of the way their necks are shaped.Martindales work like a choke collar but are made with fabric instead of a chain.They make these in large breed sizes.Then the already mentioned choke chain.Choke chains should never be left on a dog unattended.There is a certain way a choke chain has to be placed on the dog. If uncorrectly placed on it can cause injury to the dog.
Final note.Retractable leash are not a good idea with great danes.Keep in mind that you have anywhere from 100 to 175 or more pound dog at the end of that leash.If your dog just full blown takes off(maybe he saw a squirrel he wanted to meet), what happens when he gets to the end of that retractable leash?Hopefully the worst thing is it drags you to the ground. Look on You Tube under great danes videos for the old lady standing with the dane using a retractable leash, I HAVE seen that happen in real life.Another concern would be the incredible force at the end of that skinny leash and it breaking under to stress.There goes your dog possibly in danger.
I totally understand where anyone is coming from when they are dealing with a puller.Our 4th dane, Storm , is causing me to rethink collars. At one of our playgroups recently I was totally embaressed as she pulled me all over the place.I have bought another “Halti” but am dreading using it because she has such sensitive skin.Yes, I also have the new harness but she is in the in between size and it doesn’t fit correctly to work. For now I am trying a standard collar with a very short leash as well as positive redirection and reinforcement.Either way, I feel better knowing what is out there and learning about my options.I am willing to try and do whatever is need to make walking with her enjoyable for both of us.
Tammy
Feeding quality dog food
Whatever you do...Feed them right or they won't reach their potential !
Raising a dog on cheap kibble is like raising a human baby on fast food his whole life - think about it...we are both mammals!
I am asked to do home checks for different great dane rescues.One thing I talk to the perspective owners about at great length is what to feed these big guys.Nutrition is very important.The days of buying-off-the-shelf-whatever-is-cheapest is not right for any breed dog, but especially large breed dogs like great danes. We as consumers, especially after the scare of poison in the cat and dog food market, need to become more informed.Before I owned great danes we had shelties.For years my dogs threw up constantly and I just couldn’t figure out why.Before we got Roxanne, our first dane, I spent a lot of time researching the breed on the internet and was lucky to come across Linda Arndt’s website “The Greatdane Lady”.What a wealth of information! I switched food when we got Roxanne and what a difference quality food made.The constant vomiting stopped!
We assume that if the company spends at lot of money marketing their food then it must be good.We see pet food at the vet and think,”Wow, I should feed my pet that,” but in some cases that isn’t the right thing to do.Do your research, read labels and talk to other people who have experience in your breed.On a regular basis I go back to many sites, research foods and talk with fellow dane owners. Information is always changing and improving.
Some things to look for in the food you are feeding your giant breed dog.If you have a puppy then NEVER feed it puppy food!I don’t care if the bag says for “large breed puppies”.The protein content is too high.Our babies need at least 2 years to grow and they need to do it slowly.Puppy foods encourage rapid growth. If you have ever seen a dane puppy with HOD you would totally understand why not to feed puppy food even if it is for “large breed” puppies.Read ingredients.Where is the meat source coming from?Cheap pet food can mean they used the 4 “D” as a protein source. What are the 4 “D’s”? It means dead, diseased, disabled and dying before slaughter.Also pet food manufactures will use animals that are euthanized at animal shelters & road kill. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t eat that so why would I feed it to my pet? The only way to make sure you aren’t feeding your pet a negative protein source is to make sure that the food is human grade. Meat should be the first ingredient listed.Dogs are carnivores.The food should have a healthy balance of veggies and fruit. Just because they make it look like a veggie doesn’t mean it is a veggie.Make sure that the food isn’t full of fillers-dog food manufactures use grains and potatoes to bulk up the food.Some use of those are okay, too much isn’t good.Remember, pets are like people and can have food allergies.I can’t feed my Storm anything with lamb, beef, corn or soy. I am careful to watch what she eats because she is prone to systemic yeast infections in her ears. Even dog treats with the wrong ingredients can send her into an itching fit. I changed food when I realized that what I was feeding her was making her sick.
Our breed has special needs.If feeding them better will assist in them living a longer and healthier life than I am willing to do the research, read labels (I have been known to stand at the pet store for hours reading labels) and ask questions.I don’t mind not following the norm by buying food from one of the “big” name manufactures, arguing with my vet about food (been known to do that with treatment also) or spending more for better quality.An excellent source for information is our very own forum. Ask around, we are all passionate about pet food and would love to give our opinion.Also the “The Greatdane Lady” has an excellent list of foods as well as information on “RAW” feeding.I hope you found this article informative.After I finished writing this I went back to several of my favorite sites and did yet another food comparison.It made me feel good to know that I was feeding my dogs and cats the best food I can.
