Giant Puppies - Caring for Your Large Breed Dog in Their Formative Years

Photo Courtesy of amyrod

Giant breed dogs are unique in size and as a result require special care in their early years to foster their growth and tame the gentle lion within.

Health and Nutrition
Puppies are in their growing stage. Large breed puppies in particular experience the greatest amount of growth in a short period of time. Their joints, muscles, and bones are all forming and expanding at the same time. As a result, giant breed puppies have voracious appetites and require three meals a day of special food specifically designed for their growing needs. Check with your veterinarian about the proper diet and amount of food to feed your big fuzzball.

Activity
Large breed puppies have lots of energy! Support your puppy’s need for exercise by engaging in various activities. Throw a ball around on a non-slip surface like a carpet or a grassy backyard. Teach your dog to play with chew toys. Because your puppy’s teeth are coming in, he or she will be likely to start teething on anything that will relieve the discomfort of new teeth growth, including your hands and ankles. Discourage this behavior of turning your forearm into a chew bone by putting a toy in his or her mouth every time your pup attempts to gnaw on you. Take your dog on a walk around town which is a wonderful bonding experience for you and your puppy. However, do not allow your baby pooch to come in contact with any people or other dogs if your puppy has not yet completed their vaccination series. It is also important to make sure you don't over-exercise your puppy. Try to avoid letting your puppy jump on and off beds, or into and out of cars. Since their bones and joints are still forming, too much exercise or exertion can cause long term damage.

Photo Courtesy of Marta Pocztarska

Handle With Care
It is very important to adjust your large breed puppy to the human touch. This should not be difficult since it’s probably impossible for you to keep your hands off your adorable pup anyway! Make sure to touch your dog’s paws, their face, and open your puppy's mouth to check out their teeth. Though this might seem strange, it is an important step that will make grooming experiences and vet visits much easier.

Familiarize

Photo Courtesy of gardnernewf

Not only should you make your dog comfortable with the human touch but you should make sure your young puppy has lots of new experiences within the first couple of months in their lives. Familiarizing your dog with situations that seem strange and unfamiliar will help alleviate fears that could develop later in life over things as simple as skateboards and the sound of thunder. Bring your dog on trips in the car so he or she is accustomed to the sights and sounds. When your pup has completed their vaccination series, allow them to socialize and interact with other people and non-aggressive dogs. The more people, dogs, and situations your furbaby experiences as a puppy, the less mysterious and frightening life will be for your sizeable canine. Even dogs the size of Clifford can have fears!

Photo Courtesy of Orfgen

Basic Training
Teach your pooch basic obedience commands like sit, stay, and come. It is very important to teach large breed dogs these simple commands when they are young. Therefore, when they grow larger and stronger you have already established control and your giant breed dog won’t overpower you. Don't allow your puppy to engage in behavior that you will later regret when he/she more than doubles in size. Jumping on people or pulling on the leash will not seem nearly as cute when your giant breed puppy reaches the size of a small horse and is capable of dragging you and an entire sleigh down the sidewalk. Unless you are Santa, the heel command will become your best friend! Learn it and use it! For puppy training classes, visit Morris K9 Campus.

What tips have YOU found helpful when raising your large breed dog?

Caring for Giant Breeds

Gentle Giants

Extra large breed dogs or giant breed dogs as they are also commonly referred to, come with a host of unique characteristics. It goes without saying that everything about them is bigger, including their beds, toys, appetites and strength. But here at Morris Animal Inn, no dog is too large for us!

Giant breed dogs are generally considered to be at a minimum of 75 lbs and can get as large as 200 lbs or greater, and as tall as 21 inches measuring to the withers, according to Terrific Pet.com. Some popular giant  breeds include Great Danes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Akitas, Rottweilers, Anatolian Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, and Bullmastiffs.

Although huge and strong, with the proper amount of training, these dogs can be manageable, and just as sweet as lap dogs. Though their training does not need to be intense, it is crucial to teach them obedience due to their size and potential to overpower smaller dogs or children. For all of your training needs, pop on over to Morris K9 Campus in Randolph, NJ to get your gentle giant under control.

Health

Just like smaller breeds, giant breed dogs are not without their share of health issues. Fortunately, full-time staff at Morris Animal Inn are certified by the Pet Care Services Association and are trained to recognize health issues common to giant breeds. Morris Animal Inn’s goal is to make your pet's stay as comfortable as possible.

Room Service 

For lounging around, it’s no secret that our large friends need bigger spaces. Unlike many other boarding facilities, Morris Animal Inn offers extra-large suites that can accommodate several large dogs in one enclosure, so big-boned brothers and sisters are always welcome. Furthermore, we provide large orthopedic beds that can easily fit two snuggling Great Danes. For their feeding purposes, we realize that the bigger the dog, the bigger the appetite. To ensure that your oversized friend gets all his/her nutrients, we offer large raised bowls, making it easier for them to eat and drink without overextending their necks.

 

Bubbles and Brushes 

Pets with long hair need regular clipping, about every six to eight weeks or so, and should have their coats brushed, to prevent tangles and mats, about twice a week. In addition to daily brush maintenance, Morris Animal Inn’s grooming salon offers extra-large grooming tables, so beautifying your canine giant is no problem for our highly-trained grooming staff. Our large floor tub also makes it much simpler for Beethoven to get in and out.

The Active Life

Large breed dogs do require a decent amount of exercise but this can be managed with daily walks with romps in a large fenced in area. Morris Animal Inn offers plenty of fenced-in outdoor play yards, as well as a scenic nature trail which are perfect for these giant breeds. Our spacious indoor play areas and treadmill ensure no matter the weather, come rain or shine, that your canine companion will get his/her exercise. Furthermore, our staff is highly trained to handle any size dog and regularly rub paws with the largest of the canine breeds.

Besides getting those big bones to move, another important aspect in the life of a giant breed dog is socialization. Though small dogs can be just as dominant towards other canines as giant breed dogs, the repercussions of this trait in a big dog are more noticeable. However, by starting as early as possible in your dog’s life, you can introduce your pet to other dogs in a controlled and safe environment so they learn socialization skills and feel comfortable with other canines. Morris Animal Inn’s daycare and group play sessions provide beneficial interaction with other dogs and members of our staff.

Here at Morris Animal Inn, size is never an issue. We truly do welcome, to quote the veterinarian James Herriot, “creatures great and small”!

Sources:

www.terifficpets.com

www.the-puppy-dog-place.com

www.dog-breeds.net