The Great Dane was developed in Germany (despite the name) to hunt wild boar, then refined into a noble estate guardian and companion. The breed standard calls them the "Apollo of dogs." What matters for training is simpler: a Great Dane puppy grows into a 110-175 pound adult, and almost every training decision you make is governed by one urgent reality, you must train the behaviors while the dog is still small enough to physically manage.
A 30-pound Great Dane puppy who jumps and pulls is manageable. A 150-pound adult with the same habits is not. The training window matters more for this breed than for almost any other because the consequences of failure scale with the dog's enormous size.
What Makes Training a Great Dane Different
1. The size urgency. Behaviors you tolerate in the puppy become dangerous in the adult. A Great Dane who leans, jumps, or pulls at 150 pounds can injure people. Train manners early, while management is still physically possible.
2. Slow physical maturation, sensitive joints. Great Danes grow fast and their joints don't fully form until 18-24 months. High-impact exercise (running on hard surfaces, jumping, stairs) before maturity can cause permanent damage. Exercise must be structured to protect growing joints.
3. Gentle, sensitive temperament. Despite their size, Great Danes are emotionally sensitive and people-oriented. They don't respond to harsh handling, and they're prone to anxiety if not given confident, consistent leadership through reward-based methods.
4. Short lifespan means front-loaded training. Great Danes live 7-10 years and mature slowly, so the proportion of life spent in training matters. Efficient, early training maximizes the good adult years.
Week-by-Week Training Plan for Your Great Dane
Weeks 1 and 2 : Foundation and Socialization
Start immediately. The size urgency means no time to waste.
- 5-minute sessions, 3-4 times per day.
- Name recognition and engagement.
- Heavy socialization during the critical window, especially important because a fearful giant dog is far harder to manage than a fearful small one.
- High-value treats.
Weeks 3 and 4 : Sit, Down, Stay
Great Danes learn commands well. Prioritize the ones that matter for managing a giant dog: sit, down, stay, and especially "off" and "leave it."
- Sit and down: lure, mark, reward. Great Danes take to these readily.
- Stay: build duration. A Great Dane who stays reliably is a Great Dane you can manage in public.
- Begin "four on the floor" immediately, jumping must never become a habit in this breed.
Weeks 5 and 6 : Loose Leash Walking (Critical)
This is non-negotiable for the breed. A Great Dane who pulls can drag an adult human off their feet. You must install loose-leash walking while the dog is still small enough to correct course.
- Stop-and-stand method from day one.
- Front-clip harness essential. A pulling Great Dane on a flat collar is dangerous to both dog and handler.
- Practice daily without exception. The habit must be solid before the dog reaches full size around 18 months.
Weeks 7 and 8 : Recall and "Off"
Recall matters, but for a Great Dane, "off" (don't jump, get off furniture/people) is equally critical.
- Recall: train in low-distraction first, long line in open areas, jackpot rewards.
- "Off": reward four paws on the floor, never reward jumping with attention.
- Leaning: Great Danes "lean" on people affectionately. Cute at 30 pounds, knocking-over at 150. Decide your boundary and train consistently.
Weeks 9 and 10 : Public Manners and Settling
A giant dog must be calm and controlled in public. Place training and settling are essential.
- Place training: settle on a mat or designated spot. Build duration.
- Practice in increasingly busy environments.
- Door manners: a Great Dane who charges the door is a danger. Sit and wait before doors open.
Weeks 11 and 12 : Generalization
Take the skills into the real world while still finishing growth:
- Loose-leash walking past distractions
- Sit, down, stay in public
- Calm greetings (the giant-dog test)
- Settling at cafés and busy areas
Common Great Dane Training Mistakes
Mistake 1 : Waiting to train. The size urgency means training must start at 8 weeks. Waiting until the dog is "older" means waiting until it's unmanageable.
Mistake 2 : Over-exercising puppies. Growing joints are vulnerable. No running on hard surfaces, no stairs, no jumping until 18-24 months.
Mistake 3 : Allowing jumping or leaning. Adorable in a puppy, dangerous in a 150-pound adult. Set boundaries early.
Mistake 4 : Harsh handling. The gentle giant is sensitive. Reward-based methods only. Full breakdown: Great Dane training mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to train a Great Dane ? Basic commands in 12 weeks. The urgency is installing manageable manners before the dog reaches full size at 18 months. The breed learns well, so the limiting factor is the owner's consistency, not the dog's ability.
Are Great Danes good for first-time owners ? With commitment, yes, the breed is gentle and trainable. But the size means mistakes have bigger consequences, and the cost of food, vet care, and equipment is substantial. First-time owners should be prepared for the scale of giant-breed ownership.
How much exercise does a Great Dane need ? Adults: 30-60 minutes of moderate daily exercise. Puppies: much less, and low-impact only to protect growing joints. The breed is calmer than its size suggests and doesn't need the intense exercise of working breeds.
Why does my Great Dane lean on me ? Leaning is an affectionate breed trait, the dog is seeking contact and comfort. It's endearing but can knock people over at full size. If you want to allow it, fine; if not, train an alternative like sitting beside you. Decide early and be consistent.
When can my Great Dane puppy use stairs or run ? Not until 18-24 months when the joints have finished forming. Early high-impact activity causes permanent joint damage in giant breeds. Stick to flat-ground walking and gentle play during the growth period.
Is positive reinforcement effective for Great Danes ? Yes, essential. The breed is sensitive and people-focused. Harsh methods damage the gentle temperament and can create anxiety in a dog whose size makes anxiety dangerous. Reward-based training produces confident, calm giants.
How do I stop my Great Dane from counter-surfing ? With their height, Great Danes can reach counters effortlessly. Management first (don't leave food accessible), then "leave it" and "off" training, plus adequate mental stimulation. The breed's reach makes prevention especially important.
Why TailorPup Was Built for Great Danes
A generic plan doesn't account for the size urgency, the joint-protection exercise requirements, or the giant-breed manners that must be installed early. TailorPup's Great Dane plan front-loads the behaviors that matter most for managing a giant dog, structures exercise to protect growing joints, and emphasizes the early training window.
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Related: Great Dane Training Mistakes · Recall Training · Leash Pulling · Puppy Training Basics