Well I can't thank everyone who responded to my 'newbie' post- it's nice to know there are people to help, and I'd love to call on you now!
I just adopted a 3 yr old female Harlequin great dane (Maggie) and we seem to be having a couple issues. Firstly, though, she is a fabulous dog!! With my fiance (Will), I have never seen a dog so well behaved. We love her to pieces, but are struggling with some situations that seem new to the previous owners.
Maggie has an almost out of control attachment to Will. She shakes visibly when waiting for him to come in the door, pees when she's too excited to see him, and shows no interest in anything else while he is home. It was cute for a few days, but it has become a problem because she is becoming reluctant to obey me or other members of the family. I have tried to be the sole person to feed her and give treats, but that doesn't seem to be doing the trick. Any other ideas?
The most important item I need help with is growling. This did not occur in her previous household, so it must either be her getting to know us, or something we as owners are doing or not doing. The growling is mostly at me, but at Will's 12 year old daughter and anyone who gets near her while a bone is in her mouth or just when she feels like it
She did growl at Will while she had a bone once, but he was able to say 'NO' in that manly voice and she stopped. He repeately took it and gave it away with no problems after the inital growl, but my attempts are fruitless in all scenarios. We are becoming uncomfortable with the 12 yr old in the house..and there are times when she will be alone with the dog and we are getting nervous. She has never bitten or done more than just growl and stops as soon as you step away, but it just isn't acceptable to me. I am trying to behave as 'masculine' and strong as possible to emulate my fiance, but my strong tone of voice and presence just doesn't seem to be working. What else can I do?
She has been with us for about 10 days- not a long time, but she does seem completely at home! She came from a home with 3 other great danes and we didn't see any signs of separation anxiety that we are aware of. She knows her way around, seems very comfortable, so I think the problems might not just be adjusting. Whatever the cause, I believe the growling needs to be corrected as soon as possible.
Thanks so much!
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and its starting to bleed daily now. I am not familiar with how to wrap the end of a danes' tail..any help? I have tried, but my not-so-fabulous gauze wad ends up across the room as soon as I'm done