Great Dane and horse issue.

Phoebe

Phoebe

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This is my 4th Great Dane and I have never ever had one like this... she is incredibly stubborn and smart and pushes the boundaries on everything. She thieves, despite being discouraged (using empty cans with coins in tied to bait), she opens doors, cupboards, the fridge etc etc. She will go through the bin, she can open the baby gate (or go through it)... all of which is fine, I can cope with.... not a problem. I just tend to organise things to avoid allowing her the opportunity.

But now she has taken to playing with my horses at my yard. They are tolerant and dont run, but she goads them and keeps at it. Both of them are far too well mannered to kick her (unfortunately) and she point blank ignores me when in full play mode. They are old and I dont want it, worse, what when we meet some poor rider on their horse - no way.

she has no interest in food on walks, wont touch it, she is just interested in doing what she wants to do. I dont have huge amounts of money for trainers to come with lengthy techniques (sorry, just being honest) and I am very worried about walking her anywhere so we end up on our own in fields... I dont feel happy taking her nice places as she will go after other dogs...she's nice with them but who wants a massive dane hurtling towards them...

I am actually considering an electric collar. I really need help :/ she is 10 months old.
 
I have resorted to that... but I am more worried about the fact she has learned not to be frightened of horses... if she is off the lead and we meet some then I will have a heart attack. cant really keep her on the lead all the time as she has lots of energy....
 
Phoebe said:
I have resorted to that... but I am more worried about the fact she has learned not to be frightened of horses... if she is off the lead and we meet some then I will have a heart attack. cant really keep her on the lead all the time as she has lots of energy....
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I suppose you're just going to have to work hard on her training and recall.
 
could try a water sprayer but you will need to be quick, each time she goes for the horses spray her with it - wont hurt her but might shock her enough to think twice about it.

I have a border collie - now 12 - he has annoyed the horses all his life but we couldnt get the habit totally out of him - snaps at heels but doesnt actually "chase" on the up side he comes out with me riding and doesnt leave back of horse so we can go anywhere. I did ask RSPCA officer about him (he was a rescue collie at 7 mnths old) and he basically said that the instinct was so strong would be v v hard to get it out of him - we tried everything but nothing worked - he has been kicked numerous times and I am sure it is the way he will go - kicked but happily thinking he is doing his job !

whippet down end of lane got kicked by owners horse this weeknd - right between eyes - 4 staples needed - it was down to the bone ! next day dog was still happy to wander behind the horses again !
 
I would take her to some training classes to be honest where you can work on general obedience and the trainers should be able to help you with some useful advice/tips. There was one at my training class that I took my rescue to and she was loopy as they come but she was learning pretty well to be honest. It is not especially expensive (I am no Miss Money Bags), but just will help get some of the basics sorted out. You may have to resort to soem aversion tacticas - ie such things as when she starts this behaviour use a stern voice "No", "Leave" etc and physcially remove her and lock her away in a stable or something until she has calmed down.

Mine is not a Great Dane but she is a pig in the house although when out on walks she is not bothered about food. However, her recallis pretty good. She is toy orientated and a squeaky ball will usually get her attention so maybe you need to find something yours DOES like/want to get her to come back to you and give lots of praise/rewards when she comes. I think most dog owners will have had experience with 'selective hearing' in dogs so i am sure there will be a lot of adbice out there. Definitely get her to a training class though. You don't want her learning the hard way about the dangers of horses!!!
 
I've always had Danes too, and the one I have now has been a real challenge. As I'm sure you are aware they hit a horrendous teenage phase round about a year old so this probably isn't helping with your girl at the moment.
Training classes are a good idea although be prepared for it to be massively embarrassing to begin with! Nothing like an unruly Dane for giving everyone else a laugh!
Training classes will work her brain a bit more and tire her out so her behaviour will improve at home too, rather than her being self employed.
Fortunately for me my girl is just calming down now at 19 months although she did rip a big hole in my kitchen flooring when left for half an hour, dug an escape tunnel out of the garden, ran straight through a panel fence after a cat that went over,( actually that was quite funny, sort of cartoon like!) the list goes on!
Hang on in there, sounds like she's pretty clever so she'll work it out eventually!!
 
I'd work on the commands leave it & heel rather than the specific problems, that way it will eventually sink in horses are no go. My dobiex was the most destructive puppy I'd ever met. I had him at 4 months after the bar steward that previously owned him got rid. Having been battered even raising your voice sent him into a cowering wreck so telling him off for eating the furniture didn't work. I got the best results by just removing him from his 'pack' if he displayed bad behavior, for instance putting him outside, in another room, stable etc for a few minutes alone, then making a big fuss of his return. Long process but did eventually work, might be worth a shot.
 
Would you like a matching pair for yours -if so I could possibly be persuaded to let mine go!!!

I too am on my 4th dane - this one is a dog rather than a bitch and he is a nightmare. He will be 1 year old next week if he lives that long!!!

I have to admit that my now 2 year old bitch was a challenge but she suddenly grew up almost overnight so hang on in there. The teenager stage does pass and as in humans some are worse than others!
 
I shall post a disclaimer first - I have no experience of Danes! She sounds like she is easily distracted; is having too much fun and sticking two fingers up to you. (As the mother of a teenage daughter, I sympathise:D;)) I would work on a lot of on-lead training, short bursts interspersed with various commands, walk, sit, wait - have some fun, mess about - lots of vocal praise, make her want to be with you. I wouldn't allow her to charge about with the horses, yours sound very tolerant, but others won't be. That's not their fault and it's not your girls fault if she gets walloped. :)
 
Well, I think I have stumbled across a Dane owners support group... :D

I think I am going to have to go back to basics, and yes, a training class. LOL @ the embarrassment... I can see it now - jumping up, paws on shoulders, big kisses... whilst all the collies behave and sit perfectly at their owners heels :o I shall do it, to heck with the shame lol

I had one before, a dog, he was a challenge and we were even on tele... but this one make him look like Lassie. She is SO stubborn (others might say thick but thats just an act so she can get away with being as bloody-minded as she likes). The only place I can escape from her is to shut myself in her crate with my coffee and lap top...
 
I would contact a few training clubs if you can and see what suits you and your dog. The one I went to let you come for an 'assessment' for the first week to see which class would be best. i had a 9mth rescue with socialisation issues (terrified of other dogs and strange people basically). We started in the beginners puppy class basically so the other dogs were less threatening for her. We the graduated after 2 weeks to the class of dogs nearer to her age and she did really well. As said, we had a great dane in our class - think she was 7 to 8 mths and a real character BUT she did concentrate for the majority of the time and the traners offered a lot of help. I think that's the key - I know of some 'training' groups where they just run it like a bit of a military operation and if the dog doesn't conform then you do feel like a bit of an outsider. I don't think that helps anyone.

God luck - i am sure it'll come together eventually!!
 
Phoebe, to allay your training fears... I am an assistant trainer, and a few weeks ago took a class while handling my own dog. Halfway through an explanation the whole class cracked up... Looked down to see my dog taking a dump! :rolleyes:

Believe me, not every dog there will be perfect :D
 
spudlet, that shall be my benchmark of embarrassment.... lol

its just those looks... you know... why didnt she get something smaller...

bit like when my beloved Willis pushed a bloke in the canal... or when he ran off with another mans walking stick... *makes mental note of Great Dane rescue if she turns out like that*
 
Well middle Stafford boy let me down this weekend by nicking my friends lunch out if her lorry..he is not normally food orientated but ever since he found sausage rolls there he makes a bee line for her ...
 
does she like squeaky toys?! not many dogs cant resist a squeaky toy! :) you can buy collars that spray them with water similar to the electric collars...but without the electric!
 
Just a thought Phoebe have you visited www.greatdaneowners.co.uk. This is a forum specific to dane owners and you might get a bit more help.

There are plenty of dane owners who have horses and there have been several threads not dissimilar to yours.

Good luck - you will get through it - they do grow up but they can be plenty difficult enough in the adolescent stage. I, like you, find I keep them on my own land in that awful period! My young dog thinks it helpful to go and get the yearlings in for me at full gallop. A different take on a sheepdog?!

As for mixing with other dogs - the dane owners do have organised walks so if there is one near you you might be able to meet up with other people and get more advice.
 
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