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Fostering a Great Dane, questions:

tgutr May 27, 2005 10:30 PM

Well not fostering per se..but keeping for a friend who recently lost their home to a fire. They may or may not be able to have the Dane back, they are still looking for a new house to buy or rent.
He is 7 mo's old from what they said. He has been around other dogs, big and small, cats, and apparently was ok with rabbits even. As the house was burning, the firefighters had to release rabbits from a nearby hutch. The dogs ran away..but the following day the Dane puppy was found sleeping with a rabbit on top of him under a tree. He was NOT the alpha dog by any means..and shows it. The Alpha dog was a Mastiff mix. I have a male Lab/Rott, 2 female Lab/Rotts, and 3 Chihuahuas. He is doing great with all of them.
My first question is about fencing. We have an aprox. 4.5' chain link fence. He has not tried to get out at all but I worry if it is possible? Would putting an electric wire across the top be enough if need be, to keep him from jumping out?
Second, I know bloat is a problem. So far I have been feeding him 2 cups 4 times a day. Should this be adjusted? I normally feed Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice (this week they were out so I am feeding Diamond Lamb and Rice Puppy till they get Nutro back in).
Are there any medication Danes are sensitive to? I do not believe he was on heartworm prevention . I am getting an appointment to have him tested,and if is negative, will be putting him on Interceptor. He was supposedly given a Distemper/Parvo shot..but from what they said it sounds like he has only had one-not the whole series. And I am also doubtful that they used a quality vaccine. So I giving him DHLPP vaccinations by Fort Dodge.
He was never on a leash before, but is doing great. He is heeling beautifully already. He is getting used to the sights and sounds of a more urban neighborhood (they lived out in the middle of the country). Any tips on getting him to not lean on me? During some walks..he doesn't do it..other times, it's constant. Is this just due to him being in new surroundings?

Replies (5)

Crickhollow May 28, 2005 06:01 AM

Great Danes are leaners. That's just their nature. If he does it while walking him knee him and make a quick turn in the other direction and start off walking again. Some danes will stay behind a 4 ft. fence. My exercise yard has a four ft. fence. If he isn't trying to climb yours or jump it now he probably will be just fine. Feed twice daily. Feed the Nutro Natural until around 1 year of age then switch to an adult kibble between 23 and 25% protein. Dane pups should not be fed puppy food formulas.

tgutr May 28, 2005 06:46 PM

QUIck turns are what I normally do to work on heeling in general and that is working.
The Diamond puppy lamb and rice is for large breed puppies. There is a large breed nutro nat ural choice I can get..or should I just feed Nutro adult L/R natural choice now? I thought it was better to feed them 4x a day?

Crickhollow May 29, 2005 06:05 AM

Danes are a giant breed not a large breed so most large breed puppy food is too high in protein for them. Stay around 21% protein until 1 year of age then you can increase to something between 23 and 25% protein. Feeding four times a day is good for a small pup but not necessary for one that is older. It's better to give the gut a rest. You don't want it processing food all the time.

tgutr May 29, 2005 05:46 PM

Ok. Well I can feed him the Diamond L/R adult food for now..it's only 23%.. until they get some more Nutro..The Nutro Lamb and Rice Natural Choice is only 21 %..but both stores are out of it right now. Thanks.

tgutr May 28, 2005 06:49 PM

Well he is showing no incliniation to go over the fence.. and we have one GOOD dog that is staying out with him. (between the other two, one climb fences so only goes out on lead, the other barks too much at passers by). Eventually he can come into the washroom with our other dogs, but right now we also have an aggressive Ro tt/pitt that would not get alont with him. When he goes Dane can come in at night, etc..

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