Great Danes are beautiful dogs. We all know that. Many of us think they are smart, too. So why not utilize those smarts? Every dog should be taught basic good manners. And every dog can benefit from basic formal obedience training. This is especially true of our giants. Our big dogs must be on their best behavior at home and in public. Our society seems to be ever changing in its attitude about dog ownership and the so called “dangerous breeds”. Though ours may not be at the top of the dangerous dog breed list at the moment, the potential is there for Great Danes to become a regular addition to the targeted breed inventory. Their size alone can make Danes a focus for breed specific legislation. A cocka-poo biting a child may not be big news. But if a Great Dane bit a child and the press got word of it the story would take off like wildfire. Therefore it is imperative that we as Dane owners take the time to socialize and train our big dogs to be canine model citizens. Yes, it takes time to socialize and train but it is so worth it and it is a lot of fun!

So you have this gorgeous Great Dane with which you hope to compete in breed conformation at the dog shows to make him (or her) a champion. You like preparing your dog for the ring. You love to spend time with your dog. When you get to the event you enjoy showing him off, seeing your fellow breeders and exhibitors, getting the judges opinion and you enjoy the competition. You like to bring home the worthy ribbons!

How about adding a whole new dimension to showing your dog? Obedience competition can do that! And the best part is you can do well at an obedience trial and take home a worthy ribbon without even winning!!! If you and your dog qualify you have done something right! Yes, if you get bitten by the trialing bug you may want to do more than qualify; you might want to win. However, qualifying is satisfying all by itself! And you do not have to go on to the top ranks and high titles if you don’t want to. Of course the option is there if you’d like a real challenge! But through basic novice obedience training alone you and your dog can gain a title; and you’ll have a better behaved companion.

There are many enormously talented folks in the Dane world excelling with their dogs at various levels of various dog sports. It is truly amazing what these giants can do given the chance!! Though Great Danes do make majestic center pieces to our homes they can be so much more. And trust me, obedience training will not ruin or take away the spirit of your conformation show dog!

Contrary to popular belief among some conformation enthusiast, obedience training can be wonderful for the conformation show dog. By joining a training class you put your dog in a social setting. You are introducing your dog to an atmosphere similar to a dog show where there are many people and other dogs. Obedience training is a lot about teaching the dog to pay attention. This attention training can really help with baiting in the conformation ring. Your dog will learn the difference between gaiting and heeling. He will learn that he must not sit in the conformation ring while also learning to stand steady for exam. Obedience training can help a less than stellar performer in the conformation ring gain a whole new confidence about him.

Basic obedience training is very nice to have for a dog competing in the conformation ring. It is enjoyable to have a dog which can down/stay calmly in the shade during a very large class on a hot day. Or pay attention to your face when you say “watch” even without bait, or trot nicely by your side. Even if you do not decide to compete in obedience trials and gain a title it never hurts to teach your dog the novice exercises. Coming when called or staying when told could save a life. And it is a pleasure to travel with a dog which is well mannered. Anyone who shows dogs knows about being on the road and staying in hotels!

One does not have to teach a dog to jump obstacles, retrieve scent articles or drop on recall to gain from the experience of obedience training. Novice obedience exercises consist of on and off lead heeling, stand for exam, the recall (come when called) and the group exercises; long sit and down; with handler in sight the dog completes a 1 minute sit/stay and a 3 minute down/stay with the other dogs in the class. What dog couldn’t benefit from learning these behaviors?

If you do choose to compete and earn the Companion Dog or CD title at the end of your dog’s name will be cherished and time and effort well spent. It is a fine accomplishment. As much so as the CH title at the front of the dog’s name. It is a wonderful thing to see Great Danes which have titles on both ends of their names.

For more information on getting started with your dog in obedience competition check out this link at the AKC web site:

http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/index.cfm

And GO TRAIN!!! You might like it….and your dog will, too.