Things You'll Need
- Quality dog food
- Strong leash
- Chew toys
- Dog brush
- Toothbrush
- Nail clippers
- Dry shampoo
Instructions
Visit your veterinarian soon after you bring your new Great Dane puppy home. The vet will give it a thorough checkup and start the puppy on a standard vaccination schedule.
Feed your puppy high quality dog food. Great Danes grow to weigh more than 100 pounds at maturity; they are prone to health issues unique to their immense size. A Great Dane's weight needs to be monitored to keep excessive pressure off its joints. An improper diet can also lead to bone and muscle problems. A diet tailored towards a dog that will grow to more than 100 pounds is best for your dog.
Exercise your Great Dane puppy on a daily basis using a leash, after allowing about two hours for the dog to digest its food prior to exercise. This will help your puppy avoid a serious condition called bloat, when a dog's stomach twists and traps air or food. Daily exercise will help maintain your Great Dane's weight and cardiovascular health.
Provide chew toys for your Great Dane puppy. Buy a variety of toys and give them to the puppy one at a time to help alleviate boredom. Puppies generally begin the teething process at about 4 months old. Keep a chew toy stockpile built up for this time in your dog's life.
Groom your Great Dane puppy often. Brush it daily with a stiff brush and trim its nails once a week. Brush its teeth occasionally to keep its mouth healthy and use a dry shampoo when needed.