Raised by Danes
By Chantel O. Johnson (and contributing authors)
I do not consider myself to have been raised by Danes….exactly. Since my first Great Dane didn’t come into my life
until I was 10 years old I missed the Dane and infant interaction. My second Dane came along when I turned 14.
Even though my first 10 years of life were Dane-less they were not without dogs. However, none of our dogs made
the same impact on me or my future like our Great Danes. Those first two Danes were by my side throughout my
parent’s divorce and our many changes of residence. They took me through those sometimes turbulent teen years.
They introduced me to training and showing dogs. But most of all they sealed my fate to be forever in love with their
wonderful breed. So now I intend to raise my own daughter in the company of Great Danes.
Kids and puppies. Ah the image is one that just seems right. There are many benefits to raising children with pets,
especially dogs. Children can learn a lot about life when they grow up with animals. Living with dogs helps teach
children empathy, compassion, patience, responsibility and respect. A good relationship between and child and a dog
can teach non-verbal communication and trust. Many children will share their deepest thoughts and secrets with their
dog. Positive feelings for a pet can help a child develop confidence and self-esteem. Physical contact with a dog provides
comfort and teaches about love, affection and loyalty. Children can learn many life lessons from living with animals.
Lessons about reproduction, birth, aging, illness, death and bereavement. In addition, science has proven that children
raised with dogs from birth are less likely to develop allergies. Having dogs around from infancy on helps the immune
system to be less sensitive to potential triggers for allergies such as eczema, hay fever and asthma.
Along with all the positive aspects of having dogs and kids one must also be realistic in their expectations of both child and
pet. Thus far my own experience of sharing my life with our dogs and child I have learned the true value of having well behaved
dogs. We already expected our dogs to be good with all people, including children, even though we did not yet have a child
of our own. When we brought our baby home from the hospital we carefully introduced her to our dogs. Later we socialized
our baby with all sorts of dogs in safe situations. We hope she learns a healthy respect for all animals.
Rather than re-write advice which has already been beautifully written about raising children and dogs together, I would like
to share with you (permission granted by the author; see link) an excellent source of information which covers much about
the subject of kids and dogs:
http://www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com/articles.html
Also, please be sure to read on for some words from the Moms, Aunts and Grand-Moms who so kindly told me a bit about
the interaction between their Great Danes and children. And of course, be sure to enjoy the slide show of the many wonderful
photographs which were shared with me for this article. (Remember, never leave children unattended with any dog.)
Here are some words from a few you ~ Thank You!
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I was conceived, hahahahahaha...in a Dane show home, my mother used to say that I loved Danes since then and that I would
move like crazy when one of the Danes put their heads on her tummy or sat on her lap. When I was born, I could have not been
safer and happier than by the side of my Danes. I even used them to learn how to walk, literally by hanging from their lips and
would crawl under them as fast as I could with my mother relaxed, always knowing they would stay and never ever stepped on
me. Childhood was fun and my youth, even better, they taught me friendship, respect and when I experienced my first time in
the ring with them on the other side of the leash!
I always had my dogs and brought them with me to my marriage. When I got pregnant, I never had any concerns about them with
my future baby/babies....and I was right! My dogs were incredible when my kids arrived...they got used to moving schedules,
being silent and protective, being helpful and not getting on the way. Without planning it, we got a Dane baby girl for our daughter’s
first birthday and a Dane baby boy for my son’s! And I want you to know, the 4 of them have grown together and have become
the best of friends...the Danes, have learned how to be buddies, guardians and even alarms. They let me know if the kids woke up
or if one of them fell down or are in danger. And you should see them playing out in the yard, chasing each other, laughing, they
even play hide and seek.
We also have a baby boxer, she is 8 months now and you know we heard it said that there is no better dog for kids than a boxer; well,
let me tell you, I would leave my kids with eyes closed with the Danes first before the boxer! With the Danes I feel they are being
watched while they are having fun! And let's not even mention the horsie games they play!
Our kids came to make our family complete but this unity and fun would have never happened if my Danes were not here, too!
They close the circle! They all make me proud and happy!
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My blue Great Dane was the first to know I was pregnant. She all of a sudden started walking up to me and gently poking my belly with
her nose. I had no idea what she was doing or why she was doing it. It continued. About 3 weeks later, I went for a pregnancy test and
found out I was 5-6 weeks pregnant. I guess Kira knew before me.
My Danes treat my baby girl Madison just as if she is a pack member. My female licks her toes and a little on her cheek. My male is very
protective of her and will want in between a stranger and myself when I am holding our little human baby. He doesn't do anything
aggressive, just makes a point of keeping distance between her and the stranger.
When we first had Madison, my fawn boy would get up 3-5 times a night out of his bed (by my bedside) and would leave the room for no
apparent reason. I followed him to see what he was doing. He would walk up to the crib, look inside to check on our baby, turn around and
immediately go back to bed.
When we first brought the baby home from the hospital, my Danes didn't know what a baby cry was as they were never around babies before.
My blue Dane would bring a stuffed dog toy every time she heard Madison cry. After several attempts and the crying not stopping, she gave up
and would go to the other end of the house with an expression that said, “Well, I tried!"
Tips:
When the Danes come up with the baby’s toys tell them “no” and take the toys away right away. Eventually there will be baby smell on them
and they will naturally leave them alone
The first introduction is critical, do it on common ground (outside the home). Make it matter of fact (obedience training is important here) and
let them know the baby is fragile. Then walk into the house with purpose and don't make a fuss over it. They won't fuss if you don't. And don't
overprotect baby from the dogs. Be aware of their behavior as they are animals, but if you have trained them right, you shouldn't have to
worry. If the dogs learn to be afraid of baby, the baby and dog will never be close to one another.
As hard as it is, make sure that the Danes get one-on-one time with you when you get out of the hospital and continue to get quality time each
day (even if only a half an hour). They missed you while you were at the hospital and they want to spend time with you. This is a good way to
make sure they don't resent the new baby. I could only give about an hour a day for the first week as I was so busy learning to take care of the
baby and I was in pain, but the Danes understood and enjoyed being around ‘Mom’ again without the new ‘pup’, even if only for a little while.
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Wow. Where do I start? We were a Dane family before the two-leggers came along. Never did it occur to us to 'get rid' of the Danes because
babies were on the way as I know some people will get rid of pets for that reason only to get a new pet once a toddler is asking for a pet. The
biggest obstacle for me as a parent of grown Danes and growing babies was the first steps stage for my children. The boys found Danes a good
piece of furniture to balance on often even using our Dane Morgan's front legs a "balance" beams. The Danes in turn enjoyed the smells and easy
treats from little hands.
The most traumatizing event for me with toddlers and Danes was one day our Dane Marti was rounding a corner to go outside and my son
Jackson was rounding the same corner to come back in the house. I was standing at the door and it was like one of those life events which seem
to happen in slow motion as you try to react and prevent the collision. Well, my son’s head hit Marti’s rib cage or shoulder area and she leapt
over him in Lipizzaner stallion style, but my son still lost balance and whacked the back of his head on the concrete. After a quick trip to the ER
to make sure everything was OK we were back to our daily routines.
As the boys grew and so did my numbers of Danes in the home we found many non-big dog parents wouldn't allow their children to come over
and play with our kids simply because of the big dogs. Occasionally we had neighborhood kids brave enough to step into our yard with our kids
and play on the trampoline (with the dogs right in the middle of things). But we did have parents who didn't let their children come over because
of their big dog prejudices. I'd simply remind them, my sons sleep with these dogs and the dogs are part of the family. If we invite someone
over the dogs are happy to have company. Sometimes a parent would see the light and sometimes not.
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I run a daycare and preschool and my Danes are with my children most of the time.
Tips that I use; Any child that is not old enough to stand is never in the same area as the dogs...EVER! I don't care how well trained the dogs are.
When the dogs are interacting with the kids the kids must have chairs to sit on and not on the floor.
My male Dane has been being used as a reading dog (he helps children like to read by having the children read to him.). I ask him for a down and
settle and the kids lay on his tummy and read, kind of like a big pillow! He lays about 5 minutes for each child to read.
I always exercise my dogs physically before playing with the children so the children do not seem like toys. Give the dog 20 minutes to cool down
before going in with the children. Cooling the dog down first helps with the hot-dog drool. Especially when they are around kids who are at the
same height as slobbery Dane jowls.
I never have food out when the dogs are interacting with my children. The kids just don't have the know-how to tell the dogs "no". My Danes
are food mongers!
The children here are taught basic commands and they are enforced with them when the children are playing. The dogs must be told the same
word from everyone.
I only have one dog out at a time with the daycare children (I don't want anyone getting knocked over because the dogs decided they wanted
to play.) With my own children I can have all my Danes out.
My kids are in the whelping box reading books to the puppies teaching them how a good puppy should behave!
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