Why Training a Big Dog ISN'T Optional
When you share your life with a giant breed dog, training is not optional. It is responsibility.
A 150 pound dog that pulls on leash, jumps on guests, or barrels through doors is not just inconvenient. It can be dangerous. Not because the dog is bad, but because the dog is powerful.
The bigger the dog, the more important good habits become.
But here is the part many people misunderstand: good training is not about collecting commands.
It is about building behaviors.
Training Is Not About Tricks
When most people think about obedience training, they picture a dog performing commands.
Sit. Stay. Down. Shake.
Those are useful skills, but they are not the real goal.
The real goal of training is a dog that knows how to live in the human world.
That means:
- Walking calmly on leash
- Greeting people without jumping
- Waiting at doors
- Settling in the house
- Listening even when something exciting happens
These are behaviors that make everyday life smoother for both the dog and the human.
Big Dogs Need Predictable Behavior
With small dogs, bad manners are often tolerated.
A 10 pound dog that jumps on someone may be annoying. A 140 pound dog that does the same thing can knock someone over.
That is why training matters so much for giant breeds.
Predictable behavior makes big dogs easier to live with, easier to manage in public, and easier for others to welcome into their spaces.
Training gives your dog MORE freedom, not less.
A well trained big dog gets invited more places, handled more confidently by vets and groomers, and trusted by family and friends.
Training expands their world.
Good Training Builds a Relationship
One of the most overlooked parts of training is what happens between the repetitions.
Training sessions build communication.
Your dog learns how to read you. You learn how to read your dog.
You begin to understand what motivates them, when they are overwhelmed, and how they respond to guidance.
Over time, training becomes less about commands and more about understanding each other.
It becomes partnership.
The Habits That Matter Most
For giant breed dogs, a few behaviors make an enormous difference in everyday life.
Focus on building habits like:
Loose leash walking
A dog that walks with you instead of dragging you.
Calm greetings
Four paws on the floor when meeting people.
Doorway patience
Waiting instead of charging through.
Settle behavior
Knowing how to relax in the house.
These skills are not flashy, but they are powerful. And they are the difference between chaos and calm.
Training Is One of the Kindest Things You Can Do
Training is not about control.
It is about advocacy.
A well trained big dog is easier for the world to love, easier for others to trust, and easier to keep in their home for their entire life.
When we invest time into training, we are protecting our dogs from misunderstandings that come from their size and strength.
We are giving them the skills they need to succeed.
And that is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.
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2 comments
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I am so grateful I started Duke early on with a good trainer to work with us both- it paid off.
He isn’t food/treat motivated at all but the opportunity to meet new people or animals is his treat for good behavior.
Duke walks off leash in our daily walks as the leisure stroll is his speed.
He is also left in front yard as he loves watching what’s going around and doesn’t leave the yard. He is a hit with the UPS and FedEx drivers.Wished I listened to the trainer about getting him to listen better with “move” on the bed!
Susan on
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I am so grateful I started Duke early on with a good trainer to work with us both- it paid off.
He isn’t food/treat motivated at all but the opportunity to meet new people or animals is his treat for good behavior.
Duke walks off leash in our daily walks as the leisure stroll is his speed.
He is also left in front yard as he loves watching what’s going around and doesn’t leave the yard. He is a hit with the UPS and FedEx drivers.Wished I listened to the trainer about getting him to listen better with “move” on the bed!
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The Big Damn Dog Co. replied:
This is such a great reflection — it sounds like Duke has had an incredible foundation. 👏Working with a trainer early on really does pay off, especially with big dogs where manners and communication matter so much. We love that you found what motivates him too — not every dog is food-driven, and it’s so cool that people and new experiences are his reward.
And the off-leash trust + front yard hangs… that says a lot about the work you’ve put in together. (Also not surprised he’s a hit with the delivery drivers 😄)
“Move” on the bed might still be a work in progress, but it sounds like you two built something really solid. Thanks for sharing Duke with us — these are the kinds of stories that help other big dog parents see what’s possible. 🐾
The Big Damn Dog Co. thebigdamndogco.com <http://thebigdamndogco.com/>
Sent via Superhuman <https://superhuman.com/refer/01c91f9e?utm_medium=signature&utm_source=product>
Susan on
About the Author
Sarah McLean is the Co-Founder of The Big Damn Dog Co., a brand built specifically for giant breed dogs and the people who love them. Her work is rooted in one mission: helping big dogs live more, better years.
She didn’t set out to build a dog supplement company. It started with her own Great Dane, Lucy, who came into her life after a rough start and changed everything. What began as a personal commitment to give one dog a better life turned into a larger mission to support giant breed dogs everywhere.
Today, Sarah shares what she’s learned through real-life experience, ongoing research, and countless conversations with veterinarians, trainers, and pet care professionals. Her approach is honest, prevention-focused, and built around the belief that big dogs don’t need more. They need better.
