[pinkpantherjazz]

I just adopted a 1yr old female Great Dane. We have had her for 3 days now and she is the sweetest thing. My husband has not been around her much because he works during the day. I am home all day with her. Yesterday when my husband got home Emma growled at him and seems to be very skittish around him. She will come to him.(when she wants to)She seems more jumpy when he is home.(She has not snapped at him) But I am scared she will always not like him and thats something that will have to change in order for her to be able to stay. I guess my question is- Is this something she will get over or do you think she will stay nervous and growl at him all the time?
Is there something we can do to help her overcome this??
I love her to death and don't want to have to give her back but I can have that big of a dog ready to bite my husband for no reason. I know she probably came from an abusive home but I just want to help her to get over her grudge against my husband. PLEASE HELP!!!

[Keno's Mom]

I'm suspecting that in the GD's past, she was abused by a male. First you should establish pack leader - you and your husband. She should have been corrected when growling at him. If she does it again, immediately correct her - with words and time out.

In the meantime, when your husband comes home, he should feed her, play with her, and take her for a walk. Not just ignore her. YOU should not have much interaction with her when husband comes home - let him take more of the lead.

She has to learn to associate GOOD things with your husband.

[nicole84]

Keno's mom as the right advice and you could also contact the people from whom you adopted from and they may also have some advice.We had the same problem with a female dane we where fostering and with following the advice that keno's mom gave you we where able to fix the problem.So don't give up it can be fixed and thank you for adopting a dane in need.


proud owner of two great danes

[Lorina]

I'd be a litttttle cautious about correcting her when she growls. You obviously don't want her growling, but growling is better than biting or snapping. You don't want to take a way the warning signal.

But what they said about having your husband take a more active roll once he's home. If he's the one who gives treats & meals, takes her on walks, etc. she'll learn that he's a good guy.

[pinkpantherjazz]

She also is having a hard time adjusting to my Boston Terrier. She growls at him like she does my husband. I am going to get her liking my husband first then work on Smokey(my boston). Smokey is hyper and that presents as a problem because emma(the dane) is calm and nervous right now because of being moved. Any suggestions on helping them get along? Also whats the best why to discipline a BIG Skittish dog? I do not want to scare her or make her mean.

[sobreeze]

i have bostons and sometime they want to play and be happy all the time it can be un nerving to someother dogs it will get better but you need to be the boss if the boston is crossing the line let her know and let the dane know she has to get along with the other dog make it fun your husband needs to feed give lots of treats make her his best love it takes time somethings dont come over night it may take months or a year but shes young and deserves your love and time dont give up on her

[DogAdvocat]

Originally Posted by pinkpantherjazz

She also is having a hard time adjusting to my Boston Terrier. She growls at him like she does my husband. I am going to get her liking my husband first then work on Smokey(my boston). Smokey is hyper and that presents as a problem because emma(the dane) is calm and nervous right now because of being moved. Any suggestions on helping them get along? Also whats the best why to discipline a BIG Skittish dog? I do not want to scare her or make her mean.

First, contact the adoption agency. Let them know what's happening, while you make it clear you aren't complaining, you just want their advice in order to work this out. Find out if she has a history of this, and whether or not she is a verbal dog. If you're not used to a verbal dog, you may not realize that she is just talking and not actually growling.

Second, make sure that all good things come from your husband. Make him her hero. He's the one that gives the praise, and the treats, and her food, and new toys -- whatever. Since you have no problem with her, you can afford to sit back and let him be the great guy.

Third, NEVER leave your Boston alone with the Dane until their problems are resolved. Because of size alone, the Boston doesn't have a chance if the Dane would decide to attack her. Feed them separately for now, and make sure you don't put them in competition for your attention or for toys. This is not the time to allow tug-of-war with toys.

I'm sure she'll settle in nicely, but be vigilant until that happens. The "honeymoon" is usually about 2 weeks, at the end of which you should start seeing more of her real self.

[RobDar]

tell your husband to be kind and patient, yet firm when necessary. She will settle in. It has only been 3 days. It could take as long a 30 days for her to settle in. Make sure your husband takes every opportunity to give the dog what she needs...feeding her at least one meal a day...letting her outside etc etc.