Hey there! you definelty have your hands full! I have heard that raising siblings together can be difficult but I also think that there are many behaviorist experts that don't agree and don't think it is a problem. Again, I really have no expert opinion or advise but maybe check with a different trainer?

Janet
Mother to Duke and Misty

While I am no expert, I believe as long as YOU and the other human members of your household remain ALPHA and you also take extra care to socialize them properly around other people and doggies, I don't think it's a huge problem. A handful, yes, but so long as you are diligent in training, I think you will be just fine! You can do this!!!

Sara (Bubba Chad's and Shammy's mom)

...these pups are super duper fantastic and we have no plans to seperate them for each other...or us. I set a goal that both dogs get their 'good canine citizen' certificates through clicker training and also do doggy daycare for socialization (seperated there). I now walk them seperate also. But otherwise, I am not keepinp them apart. I'll to watch to see that no problems develop. You know, I keep feeling that too many people (vets, trainers, ect) are just not knowledgeable about Great Danes. One of the reasons my trainer said they would become sooo agressive is because of their fierce guard dogs instincts. My dogs are fierce lovers, goof balls, loungers, jsut big ole babies..they don't show any signs of aggression to anything. Truthfully, aside from a few dozen 15 min zoomie session...they are slugs/laid back dogs. I appreciate your encouragement.

I agree with your trainer. It is DANGEROUS to raise two puppies together.... therefore... I volunteer to take Bailey... Furgus' little twin!!! (I'm totally kidding)....... (sorta) :)

kim
Mom to Furgus & Mazy!

My husband teases me all the time catching me looking at his pictures! 'Do you have a crush on him?' I DO! He is so handsome. Not to leave Mazy out, I'm not sure if I've seen a picture of Mazy? He is so stately, healthy and handsome; I'd be so nice to see Bailey develop like him:)

Suzanne, I am also not an expert by any means, but coming from someone who has fostered over 100 danes and all but maybe 10 of them were puppies, that is the silliest thing I have ever heard!!!! I can not tell you how many adoptions I have done and we match the same age to them. And several of them were puppies. Granted, you will have your work cut out for you. But most of the time, they should keep each other entertained.

I would not seperate them unless you were trying to play one on one. These are BABIES for crying out loud!!!! I think you are doing great. I would not change anything. Seriously. 100's of Danes in my house.

If you want some more info, email cassie [at] danerescue [dot] net She is on our board of directors, a VET, and specializes in behavior, esp pack behavior.

Suzanne,

Like everybody else, i am not an expert. :) And unlike Heather most of the fosters we have had were not puppies. But i do remember picking up a pair of siblings, Amos and Andy, from our Carrollton vet's office. They were so tangled up with each other it was almost comical to watch them walk or go anywhere. Their story was that they were left to grow in a too small crate with each other and so they were just always wrapped around each other. They looked like a moving Gordian Knot walking across the parking lot.

Fast forward a couple of years now... Have seen them at two Dane Fests and they are well adjusted, get along with other dogs and with people.

And your trainer's comment about Great Danes and their fierce guard dog instincts..... your trainer don't know too much about Great Danes. If their size and deep sounding bark doesn't deter any would be bad guys, their slobbery kisses and whip like tail wagging is the only thing left in their arsenal...... :0
Grumps II
a.k.a don, Mr. Heather's dad

you can always add a third puppy and solve that type of problems. I am sure we can even supply the puppy, in case you are interested :-)

....I really appreciate your advice, especially because you have so much experience. I walk them seperately (I clicker train as we walk; otherwise I forget to do it) but won't keep them apart otherwise...it really seem cruel! You are so correct about them keeping each other entertained! They really are a circus!

...because i can't imagine my dogs guarding anything! I'm really glad to hear the success story of Amos and Andy (love the names):) I think the biggest dog my trainer has currently in her clicker training class is a labradoodle (I thought is was puppy snack but I quess it is an actual breed) and I think when she has not worked with a dog breed personally she just reads the 'description' in a book. Well, i have read what Danes used to be breed for and was shocked to see them still listed as 'workng dogs'. My pups work hard at frosting the sliding glass door with drool, warming my feet (their favorite place to sleep), landscape redesign (i'll have a direct route to China soon), zoomies and lots and lots of sleep! I can't imagine them doing these other jobs listed! I'm just using my trainer for clicker training classes, maybe she will have a change of heart after seeing them mature nicely. Maybe I should find someone with Dane experience!

I too am not an expert, but I watch the Dog Whisperer, so I guess I am qualified.....The Dog Whisperer says to walk them together as a pack. I now walk Gandalf and my cocker, Emily, as a pack every night. You should see when I take the blind cocker, Sarah, along as well. It has really helped Emily who has socialization issues. I know you are clicker training them while you walk, but maybe every third day, you can take them together.

I had been walking them together without issue. My trainer just absoutley freaked me out! I just picked them up from my doggie daycare provider and she has YEARS of experience, is a delta therapy trainer/evaluator and has degree from A&M in biomedical science. She says it good for the dogs to have some experience apart but can't imagine why my trainer said what she did. I just can't thank you all enough because I have a tendency to do as I'm told. You all have set me straight about diet (vet recommended eukanuba puppy formula) and know this craziness! I feel very lucky to be able to get direction from all of you who KNOW Danes!

.......No Way! but I think i'll tell my trainer that! So funny.

I started off with one, but somehow ended up with three. My two youngest are littermates, and often "argue" with each other. However, I try to give all three equal amounts of attention time and also try to give them all together time. The only semi-negative I see is when all 3 of go to the dog park...they always run off to the other side of the park and do their own thing and don't really socialize with other dogs.

Tayyaba

.... and I totally agree with the crack-head trainer.... you MUST separate them... IMMEDIATELY!! I'll be in Round Rock tomorrow to pick Bailey up!! :) Furgus wants him!! :)

kim
Mom to Furgus & Mazy!

...or if you'll actually be in the area tomorrow? I had Bailey and Barnum both to the vet today. Barnum alittle bit but Bailey a LOT, have had an unresolved skin issue....red, acne like, extremely itchy, irritiated rashy skin. Inspite of multiple negative skin scrapings (four in six weeks each) the vet can't help but think it could be sarcoptic mange (scabies) which is contagious to both animals and humans because they have not responded well to other treatments:( If you are ever in the area I really hope you'll come visit us....we live so close to your family...and we'd LOVE to grill and hang out with Furgus (sure you can come too). Just kidding...bring dogs, kids, family, ect. But, until I get to the bottom of this skin issue nobody should be exposed because it could be contagious.

Awww... poor B&B! Hope it all gets resolved soon. No, I was kidding about being down there tomorrow... much to my mom's dismay. lol.. She would see me a LOT more if she would only let me bring Furgus and Mazy. :( I think MY separation anxiety is as bad, if not worse, than theirs. I'll have to figure something out soon, though.
kim
Mom to Furgus & Mazy!

...Bring Furgus and Mazy to my house!! Email me suzannehigbee [at] gmail [dot] com if you are ever in the area! This skin ordeal should be resolved within a couple of weeks! I'd love to get some full sized Dane time!!! And just incase you're not up to spending the night at your moms you and your babies can bunk here...we have a spare room. I'll warn you tough, if Furgus looks as similiar as I think he does to Bailey...I'll be taking massive pictures to use as evidence...I think Furgus owes Bailey some puppy support!

I have no advice, but BIG KUDOS to you for taking that challenge on. As for the guard dog instincts, I don't get that. If a cat swipes at one of my Danes legs, she jumps staight up in the air like a rabbit. I've never once seen her lift a lip even. She just is so mellow. She was licking her paw this morning and I went to check it out. She dove under my bed. I've never seen such chickens. My Sheltie had more ferocity. And my Bichon can protect herself better than my Great Dane.

Yeah, I swear they are growing INTO babies! You really could not ask for a more gentle, sweet soul.