Grat dane 9 years old-very gelous and dangerous?

Question

I have a sweet great dane.All the familily loves him.But he sees as master only my husband.My daughter and me cannot kiss my husband because of this pet showing very very gelous and dangerous.He cannot accept sleeping otherwise than with my husband.The food is good only if it is tasted by my husband.The situation became severely mainly during last 2-3 years.It is not a joke now.What can I do if my daughter and I feel as accesories in our house?

Answer 1

This is serious behaviour, and has probably developed because either dog is getting old or he may be unwell. Was he like this before? have you taken him to the vets for a check-up? his behaviour may mean that he feels unsafe around you, your husband could be his security blanket for a time when he is not well. The first thing to do would be to take him to the vets. If he is ok, I suggest changing a few things in the household. Make him sleep away from the bedroom. He shouldn't be in there in the first place. Secondly you and your daughter need to take over feeding, walks and training. This dog feels like he is leader of the pack but he isn't. Your husband needs to start ignoring the dog. I know it's difficult but it may be the only way. It doesn't matter that he cannot accept not sleeping with your husband. It is not his place and this is probably why the behaviour started. Keep him out of the room, WHATEVER! don't give in. he will walk all over you. I seriously advise getting someone to come see the family and be truthful about what he is and isn't allowed to do. This is a very serious situation. You should have sorted it 3 years ago before the behaviour got in-grained.

Answer 2

First of all you two need to not show fear around him.

Secondly and even more important your husband needs to stop this behavior in the dog. The next time he even stands up or looks towards your two when touching or hugging your husband needs to address the situation RIGHT THEN AND THERE.

This is one situation where a rolled news paper or smack with a hand is not only acceptable but needed.

This is a pack situation, your dane has decided you and your children are on the bottom of the pack's pecking order, and your husband by not physicaly addressing it has confirmed it to the dog. In a pack if a lesser animal acted in a way the top dog didnt agree with it would not only be barked at but attacked with teeth and claws.

That said, you need to teach the dog that he is at the bottom of the order, not you, and not your child, and this can only be done by the top dog (your husband).

Dogs only live in the moment. So breaking this habit is easy. Your husband needs to allow you to hug him or touch him, and the SECOND the dog acts like he's going to even NOTICE whats happening your husband needs to go towards the animal and tell him NO! and spank his butt just one good swat. Keep doing this until the dog will not even notice you two touching.

We have danes, and i rehab abused and neglected dogs. This is a behavior that never should have been allowed the first time it was expressed. Animals will do only what you allow them, and you have allowed this dog to behave in this way, and its your own fault. your husband needs to deal with this now, and every single other time the dog acts in this manner. its not something to be taken lightly. When a dane attacks is big enough to perminately mame or kill. esspecially a child.

Answer 3

Please take DogDocs advice as you need expert help with this. It can be treated, but you have a child in the house so need to take extra care.
The other advice you've been given could provoke an attack as it involves challenging his position and demoting him; bad if directed at you, how would you feel if your daughter were bitten?
Don't pamper your dog, it would be dangerous. It would re-inforce his position as top dog to have you running round after him.
I'm wondering why this has become so much of a problem over the last three years? What happened three years ago to change things?

Answer 4

Luckily for you, nine years is as long as a Dane is likely to live. A large aggressive dog is very dangerous and could cause serious injury to you or the child. It's too late to train him - I'd recommend one last trip to the vet to put him to sleep. Sorry.

Answer 5

Ill give you a very simple thing to do ...Seriously this works
If you all happen to be out and your coming through the front or back door you ll find your Husband will walk in then the dog will follow him leaving you two last.This is because he see s your husband as Alpha and he Beta leaving you and your daughter down the pecking order.
First step let your husband walk through the door followed by yourself and your daughter repeat this as many times as necessary he ll soon find that its him down the order and he comes last on the list
If he jumps in before you put him back out until he learns he s not as important as you and your daughter
That s the first step to end his jealousy

Answer 6

Your husband needs to ignore the dog completely and allow you and your daughter do everything for the dog. Including walks, treats and feeding. This way the dog will respond to you and your daughter more and not bother your husband. Making sure the dog sleeps on its own,( lock him in a room on its own at night time to get used to this) He will eat any food you put down as long as you persist(he will get hungry, then will have to eat what is front of him!)

Answer 7

this is a common problem, the dog sees your husband as his pack leader then him, then you and then the family, you need to demote him this can not be done by your husband as he is already top dog, the best thing i can think of is pet borstal a programme on the tele try to get on that or find out more about what you can do, i remember watching one about a similar problem, you have the treats and get the dog to obay you when he does reward, make sure when your husband comes in he comes to you first then the kids and last the dog, he will learn quickly where he comes in the pecking order, if your husband has to taste his food tell him not to the dog will eat it when he is hungry enough, or get him to feed you first most important your husband needsd to come to you first then the kids and last the dog, this will in time teach him where e comes in the order of your house, but this is where your problem is he thinks he is second in command

Answer 8

Try getting you husband to ignore the dog when he comes into a room. Get him to only pet the dog for a short moment then push it away without speaking to it. Spend the rest of the time ignoring it & not making eye contact.
If you all continue with this behaviour the dog will come to realise that he is not the boss.
The problem is that he feels your husband is the alpha dog in the pack & he, the dog, is second in command then the rest of you do not matter.
He needs to realise that he is at the bottom of the pecking order in your "pack".
If he misbehaves, do not shout at him. This will only re-enforce his view that he is in charge. Just push him away, without speaking to him & ignore him for a short while.

Answer 9

Your husband must ignore the dog every time he/she wants attention. If the dog is misbehaving, tell you husband to shout "NO" in a very loud voice then walk out of the room or quite a bit away from the dog. Keep doing this for at least a week.
Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Make sure that in future you do everything for the dog. You walk it, feed it etc.
You are at the bottom of the pecking order in the household and this dog has been ALLOWED to get above you.

I have four dogs and all of them will obey anyone in our family - they have been trained this way. I love them dearly but they would not be allowed to behave like yours is.

I would suggest getting in a proper trainer - and talking to your husband. You and your daughter should not have to be afraid of your family pet.

If you do ever have another dog make sure it respects its place at the bottom of the "pack".

Good luck.