A Dane in the house - details, please!

[wouldluv2haveadane]

I'm looking into getting a Dane, and would like answers to my questions, please:

1. Shedding - Is it a lot? What should I expect?
2. Crating a dog during the day - my feelings are mixed on this. For those of you who work during the day, do you crate your Danes?
My hubbie works nights, goes to sleep around 9:30. That would be the dog's last pee break before he gets up around 4:30. Is crating a dog for the day bad for him? He'd be in the house uncrated in the evening/night until bedtime. What's everyone opinion on this?
3. Should I get an older pup because of the amount of time crated (pee breaks), or should I leave her in the laundry room during day instead?

I only want to do what's best - help!

[MiraAndMe]

<1. Shedding - Is it a lot? What should I expect?
Danes do shed but IMO it's not as much as say a lab. The hair is shorter and doesn't usually come off in clumps like some dogs. Weekly brushing usually helps... except when a puppy blows her coat - then all bets are off and it's hair heaven.

<For those of you who work during the day, do you crate your Danes?
Not anymore. My husband and I both work during the day. I'm the last one to leave at 6:30am and we both get home around 4:00pm. When we first got Mira as a puppy, she was crated during the day. My friend came over around lunch time for a potty break and play session. We no longer use the crate during the day as Mira is blocked off in her own room. (We have a 3 bedroom house and no kids)

<Is crating a dog for the day bad for him? He'd be in the house uncrated in the evening/night until bedtime. What's everyone opinion on this?
My opinion is that crating a puppy is the safest method when you have to be away for a long period of time. However, when Mira got bigger and was able to hold her bladder better we stopped using the crate during the day. This was also because I felt it was just too small a space for a growing puppy to be in for a large portion of the day. She now has a larger Dane safe place to sleep and play during the day. I know some people use X-pens to block part of a room off for their pups as well. Baby gates are also great if your dane doesn't figure out how to either jump over them or push them down.

<3. Should I get an older pup because of the amount of time crated (pee breaks), or should I leave her in the laundry room during day instead?
If you leave your pup in the laundry room make sure to put away all detergents and such. About which age pup to get, it just depends if someone will be able to take the younger pup out during the middle of the day. Another idea would be Doggie Daycare.

Good luck in your decision.

Amy and Mira

Chew Toy...$5
Giant Stuffed Squeaker Turtle...$12
Our last vet visit...$63
Slobber kisses wake-up call...PRICELESS!
Pictures: http://www.stellardanes.com/mirahtml/miraphotoalbum.html

[Reggie]

i have a dane pup and use a crate. keep in mind that the first thing you need to do is train the pup for the crate, this can take a couple weeks. Once trained I found that the most I could leave her in during the day was 4-5hrs or she would have an accident. Now she is 5 mos and able to go longer since she is house trained and able to hold more. Nights were never an issue from 11-5am. Also keep in mind that danes need their exercise and attention so when you are home you need to be able to dedicate some time to her if she is going to be in the crate that much.

Hope that helps. You may want to consider adopting an older dane that might be able to roam while you are at work. I assume as they get older the need for the crate lessens but not sure.

[Gunners Mom]

<1. Shedding - Is it a lot? What should I expect?>
Gunner used to shed like crazy, I could have stuff some beds for him there was so much! It's not as bad now that we switched to feeding raw, and added vitamin E to his diet.

<2. Crating a dog during the day -- my feelings are mixed on this. For those of you who work during the day, do you crate your Danes?
My hubbie works nights, goes to sleep around 9:30. That would be the dog's last pee break before he gets up around 4:30. Is crating a dog for the day bad for him? He'd be in the house uncrated in the evening/night until bedtime. What's everyone opinion on this?>
We have the perfect situation, we don't crate, but only because Gunner has his own room (OK, we share it's half my laundry room, but it's huge!), with a doggie door to go outside as he pleases. We also happen to live in beautiful sunny So Calif. so the weather is nice almost year round. When we are home, he is with us, as he is my Velcro dog!

<3. Should I get an older pup because of the amount of time crated (pee breaks), or should I leave her in the laundry room during day instead?>
Even though we both work full time, I got a puppy. I took vacation when I first brought him home, to help him get settled in. After that I would come home for lunch daily. Between the 2 of us our scheduled hours at work made it so that Gunner wasn't home alone for more than 3 hours.

Gunner's Mom (Janet)

To see my boy ...
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290114239

[jue03]

1. Shedding -
shedding like a normal dog will... I vacuum 1 time/week and sweep 3 to 5 times/week.(took of all the carpeting b'cause it's less trouble)

2. Crating a dog during the day -
I crate him during the day from (8 am to 5½pm) I cannot come to release him in the mid day (45 min from home). He do great but need to play alot in the night. My BF work on shift time (12 hours each) and sometimes he work in the night time. Then the dog is free in the house and both do sleep all day long without any problems.

Only thing, Think about my point: Try to get your pup in your holidays so you will be there for the first weeks. Usually it take 2 to 3 weeks for the puppy to adjust to his new home, schedule, etc. And dont expect him to "hold it" for that long in the firts months... we where spoiled to have a good "holder" like he was!
Just put big towels in the crate and be ready to do a daily lundry just for the cutie who had another accident.

My hubbie works nights, goes to sleep around 9:30. That would be the dog's last pee break before he gets up around 4:30. Is crating a dog for the day bad for him? He'd be in the house uncrated in the evening/night until bedtime. What's everyone opinion on this?
3. Should I get an older pup because of the amount of time crated (pee breaks), or should I leave her in the laundry room during day instead?

:D :7

[weim_mom]

I think you should adopt an adult Dane.

Michelle :)

[jue03]

hahhaah! Forgot to answer to the rest of your message.. and forget to erase your post in my message OUPS! that's live stupidity hihihi!

So yes, you could consider the older pup if you think it would be good for you!

My trainer told me one time :

«It's the spent time quality that's count for the dog not the quantity!»

Julie:)

[ClassyTassy]

I'm with Michelle on the adult Dane idea, or at least an older puppy (over 10 months). I love my Tassy, who is now 8 months old, but when we brought Nappy home at 4 yrs old it was 1000% easier! Nappy is so much more calm and loving, and much better house trained. He is not destructive AT ALL so I can trust him to have full roam of the house while we are gone (which really isn't that often). He has done some very good training with Tassy too, he has been wonderful!

I am now a true believer that if you are going to have a Dane puppy, have an adult dog too to show the puppy proper puppy behavior. The adult will also keep the puppy company when you are gone. Heck, we didn't leave Tassy alone even once until she was over 5 months old and Nappy had moved in. We would find her dog-sitters or take her everywhere we went. I've heard the GD horror stories about separation anxiety and I didn't want them to happen to me!

Good luck in whatever you decide to do! :)

[eastwooddanes]

Being in a crate for 8 hours is along time and what most people really mean is 10 hours anyway when you cauculate in the commute to and from work, then its back in the crate for the nights sleep. When you are home, how much time is there to really excersize the dog? Have to make dinner, help the kids with homework, run to soccor practice, do shopping and other errands. I am not saying I think all households are like this, but many are in this fast paced society we live in today. Crates are a wonderful tool for training and a safe den for a dog to go to when they just want away from it all. But it is my opinion that many crates are abused in that the dogs spend way to much time in them. I also feel that these giant dogs often lack proper excersize and free run time in the yard on a regular basis and it is asking for disaster especially in older age. Our Danes need muscles and strong bones from good nutrition and "plenty of excersize" if we expect them to be able to carry their own weight around into the golden years. So my answer is that if you have to crate for the 9 to 10 hours that people are at work and crate at bedtime, this is too long in a crate and I would suggest getting a hamster! Dogs weren't meant to spend over 50% of their lives in a crate and thats what this equals out to. If your talking 12 hour shifts, you can really say you mean the dog will be in a crate for 13 or 14 hours a day. That doesnt sound like a good life to me :(
These comments are not directed at anyone. It is only my opinion on the subject and not meant to ruffle any feathers! I know most people dont "over crate" but many do and dont know any better nor do they even care to think about it!


www.eastwooddanes.com/Kyrabed.html
www.eastwooddanes.com
Kim E.

[wouldluv2haveadane]

Your replies to date have been much appreciated. In my book candor and honesty is much preferred to "candy-coating" something. Let me ask another question.

I know every Dane is different, with a unique personality. Speaking generally, though, can you tell me how a Dane might react in this situation:

As I've stated my hubbie sleeps during the day - roughly from 9:30 - 4:30pm. If I adopted an older Dane, would that dog be more inclined to sleep on the couch in my bedroom (while my hubbie is sleeping) during this time period, or would he pretty much make it impossible for hubbie to sleep?

Also, I'm completely okay with the dog sleeping on my couch in my bedroom when I'm sleeping, unless she prefers to sleep in a crate.

Our family's lifestyle is almost totally routine - rarely a vacation or quick getaway, and if you name a time and day of week I can tell you what I'll be doing (pretty bland, huh!)

edited for grammatical errors

[ClassyTassy]

My Danes are the most lazy dogs I have ever seen in my life. All they do is lay around and sleep all day. Their playtime probably totals 2 hours per day which includes their romps in the yard or chewing on their toys in the house. It is sometimes difficult to get them to play with us, unless we say bye-bye or hungry/food! I don't think the Dane would disturb your hubby at all, unless it had to go potty or had something it needed.

[jue03]

I did feel the pointing but i know it's not a rude one!

My boy is 17 m.old. he used to be crated much more before because of destructive puppy thing (you know).

I work 5 days a week and my BF work 2 or 3 days or nights depending of the week and it's over a 7 days schedule. Thunder is home alone rarely. My Bf is there 2 or 3 day in the week so it's not like he left in the crate all of the time...

We do crate him if (only if) he didn't do his big trip to the wood running and playing with his Buddy. BF bring him in the week time to play date with his friends. And, let me add that he is not lock in his crate at night time, he goes by himself if he like's to!

Thunder is a happy dog, who coudn't be more spoiled!

Remember that quality time is the main thing for them!
(not that the lasting don't but...)

You will agree hey?:7 :7 :7

[wyndius]

I have 2 danes, a 3 year old and a 10 month old, until a few months ago I worked in an office from 8am to 4pm and luckly got to bring my dogs with me they had a bed and toys to keep them entertained, Havoc (3 yr old) would spend the day sleeping, Iris (10 month old, but younger at the time) would spend half the day sleeping and the other half laying on the bed playing with the toys.

Now I work from home at night from around 5pm to 3am (I'm working now, can't you tell), and I sleep until around noon, and my dogs have both easily adjusted to this. Both sleep in with me.

If you don't have your heart set on a puppy I would go with an older pup or an adult, I think he/she would easily adjust to your schedual and probably spend the day sleeping.

[Ellen]

I would have to vote in favor of an older/rescue dog. The puppy stuff is tons of fun but then again lack of sleep is not. I worked the graveyard shift for many years and I can quarantee that Addamm would NOT be my favorite little munchkin in the world if I was still on that shift. I have a mental image of your husband just falling asleep and the pup getting a case of the zoomies. Your husband gets him through that safely and falls asleep again and the pup needs a b.m. but your hubby thinks its an extention of the zoomies. Your hubby falls asleep again and is awakened by a paw in the face and the smell of #($*&. Cleans that up, gives the pup a chew toy and starts falling asleep again only to have the pup whine because he's done chewing and now has to pee. ;8 Ahhhhh! My guy has settled into a nice routine and thank God we never had a potty training prob. but then again at first I had to really be on top of getting him trained. Although I would say he prob. sleeps 5 hours between 6a.m. and 5p.m. the times in between the sleep he is quite active. Not labrador active but lets do something mom or I am going to steal many things and carry them in my mouth or chew them active. :P JMO

[rcpa3116]

By all means go with the older dog. When Titan was a baby he would wake us up atleast twice every night to go outside. Crystal wakes us up every night at 2:00 AM (yes, like clock work). The older dane would love to sleep with hubby during the day. Titan's perfect day would be to lay in bed all day with us. There are a lot of adult danes out there that need good homes. Then once you have the time getting a puppy would be so much more rewarding.

Cheryl
Titan and Crystal's Mommy
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289483337
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289482147

[mygirl]

If your dog will be crated during the day time from 9am - 4pm then you come home and go to bed at say 10pm what will you do with the dog? Crate it again?
I personally wouldn't get any dog until you know you can devote the time it deserves as they are like children and will be very unhappy if they don't get enough company.

My dog was never crated as it's not very common over in the UK as yet although it is increasing.

Best of luck.

[mygirl]

Sorry i have just read you have got your dane now.

If it is true though that your dog will be crated 9-4 then crated on a night say 10pm then the dog will have company for 6 hours at the most, then what if you need to go shopping take off another 2-3 hours so out of 24 hours in a day your dog will have only 3-4 hours of company???

I am very interested to know how you worked it out now you have the dog.

[wouldluv2haveadane]

Things are going well with Sarge. He sleeps on the floor (uncrated) in my bedroom at night. He is crated from about 9:30 till 3 or 3:30. If my hubbie wakes up from his sleep early (which he does practically every day) then he lets Sarge out of the crate.

I try and leave things in his crate to make the day interesting, and I leave the radio on so it won't be so quiet.

So far so good!



Cindy

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289003909

[mygirl]

I'm glad it is working well for you, but i think maybe your fascination with Danes overtook your common sense.

IMHO i really don't think a Dane should be without comany for a maximum 4 hours a day, they are a "people" dog.

I'm very suprised an adoption society let you have a dog if they knew how little companionship time it would have with you.

Did they do a home visit, did you provide references?


Good luck anyway.

[wouldluv2haveadane]

This is in response to #18. Unfortunately I can only see replies 6-18 if I click on printer-friendly copy; otherwise the list stops at #5!

Okay, let's take a look at my schedule here.
6:30am wake up - Sarge is by my side, uncrated by the bed. We go for his first potty break. This is followed by breakfast for Sarge. After he eats he remains uncrated until I leave for work, right before which he gets another potty break.
3:30prox - Sarge is uncrated by my husband, who takes him for potty break, and plays with him. He remains uncrated. I arrive home at 5:20, immediately feed dog. 1 hour later, he and I go for 2 mile walk. Sarge is not crated again until the next morning when I leave for work.

My dog is not neglected. Like most people I know, I have the (unfortunate) responsibility of working outside the home. Dog ownership is not for a select few who can stay at home, but for all who can responsibly keep a pet healthy and happy. And although Sarge must remain crated for a portion of the day, he remains a happy (and healthy) dog. In the past, certain dogs were restricted to nobility only...be glad that way of thinking is gone, or else most of us wouldn't have the dogs we have.

BTW--they (humane society) was fully aware of how he would be kept.

Cindy

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289003909

[mygirl]

Even though you get up at 6.30 am, can you honestly spend quality time with your dog?
Because at that time in a morning i hardly have time to pat my dogs head what with getting my daughter ready for school.
Maybe your dog isn't crated on a night time but you are still asleep.
Dog toys are no substitute for company.
What about shopping time?

I am not getting at anyone who works as we all have to. Fortunately adoption societies in the UK run differently you practically have to show ours your bank balance before they will let you have even the scruffiest of dogs.
I know you will be feeling so proud and loving towards your new baby, but i really suggest you perhaps let a neighbour take him for a walk during the day just to break the boredom for him?

[wouldluv2haveadane]

I know it may sound silly, but I actually get up early just so I can have time to spend with him!!:)

I don't have to get ready for work until 7:30, but I like to get up early so's I can be with him AND have a cup of coffee!!!!

Shopping (grocery,clothes,whatever) is put off until Friday or the weekend - everyone(including me!)dislikes shopping, and sees it as a chore which must be done.

My boy doesn't have the activity level that I hear a lot of Dane owners experience...I'm still waiting for my first zoomie!


Cindy

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289003909

[mygirl]

Its very hard for me to remember but when i got my 1st Dane years ago he was around 3 or 4 (unknown really) i remember he cautiously went round the house and claimed his space which was under the stairs (we didn't have a crate as they weren't known then over here apart from to hold dogs in for shows).
He stayed like that under the stairs for around 6-8 weeks and ventured out as when he needed (feeding, toilet).
Then he came into his own and ruled the house he ended up a very very dominant dog.
He wouldn't let anyone but me walk him, he was very aggressive towards other people/dogs but boy did he love me and i loved him.

Just be wary while he's still new to you as rescue dogs already have a personality and it is quite hard to change a dog that is set in his ways although not impossible(sounds like i'm talking about my husband here!!:D ).

Sarah

[wouldluv2haveadane]

>quite hard to change a dog that is set in his ways although not impossible(sounds like i'm talking about my husband here!!
:o :o

LOL!!! I heard that! I've been married almost 19 years and I'm still "polishing" my dear hubby!

Thanks for the advice, though. Sarge is my first rescue dog and my first Dane, so we're all learning together. I often think about how he may have been raised, and although it's still too early to tell at least I'm not having to overcome problems like food aggression, housebreaking, fear of men/people/animals.

I think he's starting to "chill out" a little, as he becomes more comfortable with his surroundings.

I talked with a local obedience trainer and she said dogs typically go through a 2-week "honeymoon" phase where they are on their best behavior, and after that time their ingrained bad habits/faults will start to show. As we have just completed one week, I'm still waiting.
I'll hope for the best!


Cindy

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289003909

[Dorrox]

shedding- not to bad

crateing- we crated Golem in our kitchen this way he could see us comming and going. He did NOT like crateing during bed time , he would howl like mad. So what we did was put a baby gate on my wifes side of the bed (between bed and wall) and put a dog bed there and he sleep fine.

If you can, the whole vacation time to help puppy get used to your house is the best way.

Golem loved his crate cause when we said crate and he went in it he got a small treat. I could be up stairs with him, tell him "crate" he hed run, go into his crate and sit and wait for me. Start small. Put into crate and go for a ride around the block, return and tell him/her good dog. Over a week or so increase the time way.

Older dog- thats up to you. Might be less work than a puppy but may also have some habits that you dont care for.

Good luck

[lulu]

I personally think some of you are being alittle too hard on Sarge's mom. I have to say that when I got Hemi at 51/2 weeks old we crated in stages, meaning when she out grew a crate we moved to something else. She is finally 2 years old and we are able to leave her uncrated during the day. I do confess that I wonder every day what has been destroyed. But, nevertheless, i think it has helped with Hemi because she has 2 dauchunds to play with or least have company with. We crated her in a crate that my standard dauchund used and of course she out grew that quickly and we moved her to an x-large crate meant for x-large dogs. She was at home for maybe 6 hours a day at that time. Then off to a playyard for small children and I have to say she could jump over the thing but, never did, but, unfortunately the last straw on that was when she scooted the play yard over to my atrium doors and tore down my curtains. In anger I am sure. So after speaking with my trainer i bought her an x-pen for giant dogs. She loved it. That was her bed/safe place. I have 2 kids and we have other kids over and we put her up when i feel uncomfortable about her and the kids who aren't around dogs and don't know how to treat them. Needless to say she out grew alot of her destructive behavior. And she sleeps on the couch at night, she would prefer to sleep in bed with me, my husband and our 2 dauchunds but...my husband says no. Every dane is different just like people and some may want to be crated because they feel safe. Others...they may feel too confined. Whats the difference whether you have them crated for 8 hours or if they are left to roam free for 8 hours either way they are alone.
Just my opinion like everyone elses. I have been told by several trainers that it's a good idea to crate for awhile and for some to always crate when you are gone. You know your dog and how much they can take, usually, if we are in and out all day and Hemi doesn't get her required attention, she will tear something up.
We always do our best to give her what she needs and wants and we do not by any means mistreat our animals!!!!!;-)
lulu

[Doggie Mom]

I had always wanted a Dane and even though I'm a homemaker with three children I felt it would be better for our family to adopt an adult. We've had Magee about two months, he's a 4 year old male and is doing great with our resident Lab. Magee was used to being crated in his foster home but I haven't done that here and he's done great probably due to being more mature and bladder control that comes with age.

There are so many Danes who would love a forever home. Please consider helping one.

I thought that it would be harder bonding with him. My Lab is a velcro dog with me and now our Dane is also. They are equally attached to me and it's great~ I hope everything works out for you!

[wouldluv2haveadane]

Adoption of an older Dane (15 months) as opposed to a small pup has definitely been the best thing for us. Sarge is such a sweetie pie, and every day I say to myself, 'how could anyone have given this guy up?' He is just so loving with everyone he meets, likes to meet other animals, and exhibits no bad behaviors yet. Of course, it's only been 3 weeks, but so far it's been just great. He is a semi-velcro Dane (won't follow me into the bathroom anyway, thank goodness!), who loves his hugs! We're going on a mini-hike/hang around a campsite one day at the end of this month..hopefully the weather won't get cold, or else we'll have to change plans!

We take him next month to meet the family in Louisiana. My mom-in-law is looking forward to meeting him...she has a 6-yr old adopted Greyhound(racing), so she loves large breeds(her greyhound is large for the breed) but she ain't seen nuthin' yet!

Cindy

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289003909

[apsinkus]

A lot of people have good careers and provide great life to their dogs. GDs are not hyper-active dogs. They are like a pot-smokin' college buddy of yours - eat, poop, sleep, lounge... repeat. Heck, they can't even remember what you are disciplining them for if it has been more than 20 seconds (guess who else has short term memory problems).

Anyone claiming they are like kids need to snap out of it. Dogs are dogs and humans are humans. So you don't have to be at home all the time to give your GD a great life.

Heck, your GD wants you to have a good career. All that great chicken, beef, treats, behavior schools, occasional great kennels, and good vets don't come cheap. He or she is hoping you get that bonus, 'cause there are some tasty free-range chicken halfs and venison in his/her dreams.

[wouldluv2haveadane]

Your comments are of course appreciated, but I have to say I was a bit confused when I saw a response to one of my original posts that was made over 4 years ago! :D

May as well provide an update, LOL...my hubby works during the day now, I no longer work at all, and Sarge is still the same old lovable goofball as when I adopted him in 2003. Shortly after he established his trustworthiness in our home he was allowed free access--crate no longer used.

Also, to address one of your comments, I do have to point out that in the time I've spent on this forum (and other informational sources), I've learned that not all Danes exhibit Sarge's laidback attitude. Some have reported of Danes whom it seems no amount of exercise can wear them out. Knowing this, it's important to work with a reputable breeder to determine the right pup for a person's lifestyle (or if using rescue, obtain this info from them before adopting).

Thanks for the flashback!
Cindy

[DaphneandRoscoe]

LOL! Cindy when I started to read this I thought you had lost your mind or it was a joke! Then I looked and saw the date...too funny!
Michele
www.rescuemetugz.etsy.com
Dog, Cat and Ferret Toys
Supporting Rescue 'One Tug At A Time'
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u294/michelemcampbell/Tug.jpg

[humbug]

Hahahehe! Thanks for the update Cindy! Sounds like life is GOOD! :D