Keeping Sanity With a Dog Room

Great dane ownership is something that I treasure but also something that has taken me years to get used to and cost me thousands of dollars in the process. One of the things that I have learned along the way is that to stay on good terms with my great dane it is essential that I set my dog up for success. This means when I leave them alone, don’t leave them with things that they are not suppost to chew or leave them in areas where there are temptations that may be too great.

Removing a reason to get mad at your dog can go a along way in improving your relationship with your pet and removing the need for discipline. As much as I love my pets they have done some things that have been pretty infuriating over the years but in the end I have to realize that these things are usually my fault. Or at least they could have been prevented by me.

One of the biggest breakthroughs came when I started using a dog room for isolation. I already hear the scorn… Isolation!!!!??? Not like that, just for times when the great danes are left alone, at night or any other time when I need to put them away for awhile. At first I saw this as a bit cruel myself but in the long run it has eliminated a lot of heart ache and allows me to not worry about my house when I am gone and get a full nights rest when I am home.

I have found that a couple of things are essential for a dog room. And a king sized dog bed is not one of them. They may be spoiled but they are still dogs. Any area of the house that is easily isolated and not to big will work fine. If a dog knows that they may have to stay in an area for awhile they are less likely to make a mess, if you know what I mean.

A hard floor that is easily cleaned is another requirement for a dog room, not only because my dogs have accidents on occasion but also because they shed, droll, and may scratch carpet. Lets be honest, carpet is not exactly pet approved.

I have also learned my lesson about having anything that even remotely resembles a chew toy within any type of reach. I have had great danes chew up furniture, wall, cameras, shoes, toys, etc. The list could go on forever. I should have learned my lesson a long time ago, but I didn’t. Now If I leave everything that can be chewed is out of the area. I am not only talking about pups, but older mature great danes as well. They are mischievous when left alone, wether it comes to getting into the kitchen or getting chewing up anything that smells like mom or dad. DOn’t give them the chance.

If you do not have a good room in the house for a dog room, consider getting a large crate or even a toddler play pen. This can work very well for a great dane. I choose to not shut the door on the danes but to close a baby gat in the door way. This lets them still be part of the family and see what is going on without being a nuisance.

Great danes make a fabulous addition to any family and get along wonderfully with children but they must have boundaries and they must be properly trained. They demand enormous amounts of attention and can be quite annoying if you let them, so my word of wisdom is to put systems in place that manage that annoyance and destruction and allow you to have an enjoyable relationship with your great dane instead of a stressful one.