Activities For Wolfhound Danes

For a successful walk, you're going to want to get your hands on some kind of collar or harness that allows you to gently control your giant. After trying a few options, settle on the one that prevents your Wolfhound Dane from pulling away from you constantly. Keep your leash and its attachment near the door so you don't have to go hunting for it each time you're leaving, and grab a treat while you're clipping in to make sure your woofer is excited about the task.

Head out the door and maintain a slow, steady speed level. Do not allow your gentle giant to bound around or hop up at you as you go. Lead them consistently, aiming to keep them right at your side -- or even slightly behind you, if you can manage that! If you can accomplish this, your arm won't come out of socket every time your pooch sees a cat or squirrel on your journeys.

Exercise your fingers and find out through Facebook, Instagram, or a search engine what doggy classes are held near you. Once you've compiled a list of options, check out the training styles used in each one. Note if any seem to be breed specific and comb through reviews to get a sense of the quality of the program.

Unless you have a canine with extraordinary issues, there is no reason not to attend obedience training with your dog. In fact -- there are many great reasons for you to be right along with them, including the bonding that arises from working with your pooch. Another great reason to be a part of the class is that you will learn what techniques you should be using when guiding your four-legged pal.

What you learn at obedience school will help you to have a top-notch fur kid -- but only if you keep things consistent at home as well as in class. Make sure everyone in the household is on board with training techniques and enforce each new tactic you learn in daily life. If you do this, it won't take long before your Wolfhound Dane is the picture of manners -- minus the odd tail swipe!

Depending on where you live, it may be easy or difficult to locate a pup-friendly place to go for a dip. Many public swimming areas prohibit doggos from entering, and -- let's face it -- the two of you aren't sneaking anywhere! Instead, opt for a designated dog beach or a local lake or pond with few rules. A place with a gradual incline makes swim dates easier, so try to find shorelines that don't drop off quickly.

Gently encourage your woofer to head into the waves by slowly entering the water yourself. Do not drag your furry friend along with you, but rather, call them and give them praise when they put a paw or two into the water. If your canine happens to be a foodie, bring along a few treats to reward them for their bravery. By making water entry a positive experience, you can have your fur-kid swimming in no time.

When getting your Wolfhound Dane excited about the water, one way to up the ante is to bring along fun toys to use in the waves. You're sure to find all sorts of water-friendly items at your local pet store -- all of which are dedicated to making beach time enjoyable. Keep the toy in your vehicle and only take it out when you're at the water. That way, your pooch will begin to associate crashing in the waves with playtime, and positive vibes around the water are sure to ensue. As your barky pal cruises along, you'll probably notice they resemble more of an ocean liner than a speedboat. They move slowly because their bodies are huge -- meaning it takes way more energy to lug that weight around than a Miniature Poodle would have to expend. For this reason, it's a good idea to stay very close to shore and allow your dog to head in whenever they need to take a rest. Long swims are not for this hybrid, so invest in some kind of doggy life jacket when heading out on a boat.