How to Train a Great Dane to be a Guard Dog

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How to Train a Great Dane to be a Guard Dog

Medium

4-8 Weeks

Work

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Introduction

As the name suggests, your Great Dane is probably on the large side. This makes the fact he’s cute and soft on the inside even more appealing. However, it isn’t his soft nature you want to put to work. You want to use his size and somewhat menacing appearance by training him to be a guard dog. Great Danes are confident and devoted, this means they have the attributes needed to make an effective guard dog. He’s also full of energy, so it would be great to channel his energy into something productive.

Training him to be guard dog will come with a number of benefits. Firstly, you will have an effective security measure for whatever you want to protect. Secondly, this type of training is fantastic for instilling discipline, making it easier to teach him a range of other commands too.

Defining Tasks

Training most dogs to be a guard dog can be challenging. Fortunately, Great Danes possess many of the qualities you need. So, training will consist of developing those attributes. You will need to start with straightforward boundary training. This will reinforce where his territory stretches to and therefore where he needs to defend. You will also need to train him to bark on command. You can then get him into a habit of deterring any strangers from approaching.

If he’s a puppy, he should be a fast learner and eager to please. So, you could see results in just a few weeks. If he’s older and not quite the keen student he once was, then you may need a couple of months. Get this training right and you will be able to sleep easy at night knowing you have a vigilant and capable guard dog downstairs.

Getting Started

Before you start work, you will need to collect a few bits. A long leash will be required. Also, because Great Danes are so large, a body harness may also help. This will reduce strain on his neck while affording you greater control.

You will also need to stock up on treats. Alternatively, break his favorite food into small chunks. Then set aside 15 minutes each day for training, at a time where you both won’t be distracted.

Once you have the above, just bring patience and a pro-active attitude, then work can begin!

The Boundaries Method

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Step

Rise & shine

Secure him to a leash and then walk around the object or space you want him to protect. If you walk him around the perimeter each morning, he will soon begin to feel that anything within it is his territory and therefore his to defend.

Step

Evening walk

When evening comes, secure him to a leash and walk him around the permitter again. Remain calm and relatively quiet as you go, you want him to concentrate. This will further cement where his territory begins and ends.

Step

Start early

The earlier you can start training him to be a guard dog the better. So, take him to obedience training classes from an early age. Great Danes are like sponges to begin with, so they should quickly pick up commands.

Step

Encouragement

Give him verbal praise and treats whenever you see any guard-like behaviour. For example, taking an interest in strangers, barking or being protective should all be encouraged. This will help him naturally develop into a guard dog.

Step

Never punish him

Due to the size of Great Danes, it is important you never punish him. This may only make him aggressive and since he’s so strong he could seriously injure someone. Instead, use positive reinforcement throughout training.

The Bark Method

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Step

Look for a bark trigger

Spend a couple of days monitoring him and looking for situations which naturally cause him to bark. When you are about to feed him or take him out for a walk are likely occasions.

Step

‘Bark’

Now put him in one of these situations and give a ‘bark’ command just before or as he barks. You can use any word or phrase you like, Great Danes can learn hundreds of different commands. Also, make sure you give the command in a clear, but firm voice.

Step

Reward

As soon as he does bark, hand over a tasty treat and some verbal praise. Make sure he gets the treat within a few seconds of barking, otherwise he may not link the action with the reward. Practice this for 10 minutes each day. After a couple of days you can then start giving the command in a variety of situations.

Step

Application

Now have a friend or neighbor approach your Great Dane when he is standing by the item or space you want him to protect. As soon as they come within 15 feet, instruct him to bark. Then have the intruder shout and run away. This is important--it will teach him he needs to bark until they flee. Then you can hand over a tasty reward.

Step

Change it up

Over the next week or so, try and practice this at least every other day. Have someone different approach each time and give the ‘bark’ instruction. Do this regularly and it will soon become habit to bark whenever anyone approaches At this point, you can slowly cut out the treats.

The Environment Method

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Socialize

To start with, have your Great Dane meet as many people and pets as possible. This will help build his confidence. He won’t be an effective guard dog if he’s shy or nervous around people.

Step

Basic commands

Teach him to ‘sit’, lie ‘down’ and ‘wait’. This discipline will cement your position as pack leader. Also, it will ensure you can control him in tense situations and train him to follow any number of other commands that will be useful when he’s a guard dog.

Step

Long leash

Tether him to a long leash around the area or object you want him to protect. If he spends each day like this, he will soon begin to think of that space as his territory. He will then naturally want to defend it.

Step

Encourage barking

Have people he does not know slowly approach. Then encourage him to take an interest and bark at them. You can do this by waving, pointing and getting animated when they approach. This will get him worked up. Then as soon as he barks, give him a tasty treat. Do this every time and he will soon naturally bark when anyone approaches.

Step

Control the barking

It is important you do not let him bark at family or people that he does know. If he does, quietly remove him from the area and do not give him any rewards or attention. You need him to only bark at strangers.

How to Train a Great Dane to be a Guard Dog

Introduction

Defining Tasks

Getting Started

Success Stories and Training Questions