Learn How To Test A Great Dane Puppy From The Litter (Part 1)

Many articles have been written about how to choose a Great Dane puppy that is right for you, how to determine which kind of dog breed would best suite your lifestyle, and how to welcome your new Great Dane puppy at home but very few people discuss how to test a puppy from a litter that you are viewing for selection.

First of all, play with the puppy that you are considering bringing home! Sit on the floor so that you’re a friendly, non-threatening figure, and talk to her in a sweet voice; let her come to you, climb into your lap, sniff you, get used to your presence. Use a toy or a treat to break the ice, if necessary.

Already you’ll be able to tell a few things about her personality. If she runs or slinks away and you can’t coax her to you, she’s probably going to be a shy and submissive dog who will need lots of patient training and reassurance if she’s to have a normal social life. If she’s at the other end of the spectrum and trounces you merrily while chewing on your clothes, biting at your hair and barking, she’s likely to be a dominant, brassy dog to whom you’ll need to lay down the law firmly.

Ideally, either she’ll come right to you and play gently, or she’ll start off timidly but grow accustomed to you in a minute or so. If she nips or mouths a little bit, don’t hold it against her; that’s a normal puppy behavior, and she only needs to be taught to keep her teeth to
herself. But if she’s obnoxiously overbearing, or if she bites hard, be wary.

If she’s worried about you at first, that too may be a completely normal response to this new situation. But if she’s so scared that she shakes, growls or hides, she may not be the one for you. You want her to be curious and confident; she should accept your petting, scratching and cheerful talking without biting you or cowering. Watch for a wagging tail and a head held high!

Next, get up and walk across the room, patting your leg or clap-ping your hands encouragingly as you go. If she follows willingly, that’s a great sign. If she follows so willingly that she feels the need to bite your ankles or attack your feet, that’s another indication of a dominant, demanding disposition. And if she stays put or heads in the other direction, that’s a sign of shyness or just plain lack of interest. You want her to be responsive and intrigued, not over-bearing, scared or bored.