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1. 

   Melody

   147 Kudos

   10/16/09

   Thank you I will keep you updated I did just post their 4 month old pictures . I think they grow at night because every morning I wake up they seem a little bigger LOL. All my Best Melody
   
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2. 

   Melody

   147 Kudos

   10/15/09

   Your are fortunate to get such a great trainer I am going to get back in touch with the guy who trains the LAPD dogs , He is kinda pricey but he guarantees his training and he is amazing I was going to use him with Maybel but I was able to handle her. But I can already tell I am going to need help.Especially with food I am so used to Maybel she was so picky and well mannered when it came to others eating around her, But these two are complete chow hounds and eat everything in sight.You would think I never feed them the way they act I have even checked the charts I am feeding them enough and they were checked for parasites and dewormed. My friend had a deaf Dog and he was amazing I think they are a lot like humans with a diability they are just so much more special to Love. I do appriciate all the help you are giving me. I really helps to know I did not bite off more to chew.If you can do it with three one with special needs I can do it with two..
   
   Original comment »

   10/16/09

   Reply from barb:

   I think in the beginning when they are still learning it seems that having one would be a bit easier for training good behavior and having two helps because they keep each other company. Once you get their attention while training it will all work out well. My problem was always me and not the puppies. If you can get a trainer for them I am sure it will all be worth it in the long run. I thought training was a bit pricey too but when I called around it seemed that everyone was charging about the same. Bill charged me by the hour and it didn't matter if I had one dog or 10 dogs which really gave me a huge break. I just recently switched my boys to the raw diet and it has certainly been a learning experience. When they were puppies I just made sure they had tasty bones to chew so in between meals it kept them busy. Teaching to not steal from the counters or tables was a daily training but it did work.
   Keep me posted on how you are doing and when you get a chance post some updated photos...they grow while you are looking at them and it is just amazing.
   

3. 

   Melody

   147 Kudos

   10/14/09

   Mini is my little frady cat, she was the only shy one in the litter and the runt, I have a soft spot for the shy runts, i know they say never get the shy ones they have problems later on I know how to handle crazy been there done that my Husband just adored her the minute he saw her, Bugsey well nothing bothers him he is goofy and sweet and up for anything . I appreciate the sitting after a meal but I am looking forward to when they eat twice a day instead of three. I saw your Boys they are beautiful ,how do you handle all those big boy did you do obedience or did you train them yourself? They seem to be well mannered.
   
   Original comment »

   10/14/09

   Reply from barb:

   I had an English Mastiff for 10 years and he was actually taller and bigger then these guys (185lbs.) so I was familiar with the large mushy dogs. When I ended up getting two Great Dane puppies within a few weeks of each other, I realized things were getting a bit hectic and decided if I didn't get this under control as they grew it would only get worse...so I hired a trainer to come to my house. He really did a great job with both of them since they were so different and more importantly he really taught me how to train them. We covered everything from walks, going to the dog park (he went with me and the puppies), behavior in the yard and in the house as well as he explained what certain behaviors meant. I suppose he is not just a typical trainer because he trains all the NYC canine and has also worked with FEMA dogs. After a few months I was doing pretty good with this and he stopped coming every week but would stop by once in a while to see the boys and be sure I was handling things (when he first met me I was a nut just yelling NO NO NO). When I decided to get the 3rd one my first two were already a year old and I was comfortable with training (and not yelling at all) but since this last one was deaf I felt I needed a bit more help. Bill came back and spent another couple of months helping me with training a deaf dog. Some days I think my deaf one listens better then the other two. They all have their moments but for the most part, thanks to Bill, I can't complain. None of them will take food from the counters or tables (or anywhere else) and since they all drink from the kitchen sink (water dishes full but they love the running water) it would be easy for them to help themselves from the counter. We have a very large family with ages from very young to very old and the ones in between very active...therefore we do host many parties at my home all summer long and generally every holiday is here as well. I have had huge parties of up to 150 people and thankfully my boys are gentle giants and gentlemen when we have company. They will not jump up on anyone and they will not run through the crowd and the best part is if a child is walking around with a hot dog or hamburger they will not take it from them or even bother them. My daughter commutes to college (with the exception of one semester away) so her friends come and go all day long and I really felt it was important that the dogs learned not to run out the front door when it opened...they will only go out front when invited. With a deaf dog I had concerns of him running out and not being able to hear a car coming at him. Walking them is a pleasure because they do not pull me through the neighborhood. The training did take time but this breed seems to catch on quickly and it was really me stressing that made things take a bit longer then necessary. Even with all the training there are still issues I can't seem to fix. When they were very young the first two did eat my living room furniture...my fault 100% because I thought they were ready to stay out of their cages for a couple of hours and they really weren't - I was rushing things a bit as well as Bill told me time and time again that the toys I was giving them was filled with the same stuff my couches were filled with and I needed to change that ASAP but I did not listen so when they chewed the stuffing out of all those toys...they thought the couches were okay to chew too. They will not stay off the couches in the living room and even if I put the cushions up they still find a way to be on there. AND they will not stay out of my bed...this one is probably my fault too. There is just no way my husband and I can sleep in the bed when all three think they can join us. I am currently trying to fix this problem but I waited way too long and now have some exhausting nights when they are all trying to sneak in the bed after we fall asleep. I find it funny that they think they are sneaking at 165lbs. but I am exhausted. Hoping soon this will no longer be an issue. You already had a great dane in your home so I bet you are more familiar then I am with how to teach them manners. I wish I knew this board was here when I first got my puppies so I could ask all of you for help.
   

4. 

   Melody

   147 Kudos

   10/14/09

   Thank you for the information I have been watching their play and if one yipes the other does stop then they are right back at it. The not playing after meals is getting better I just bring them in with me and lay down that's been tough they do have a lot of energy after meals.Evey one keeps telling us how crazy we are for taking on two at the same time but we could not help ourselves we feel in Love with both. I believe it will be all worth it. They are complete opposites, Bug ,he did great the first time at the dog park Mini not so good she will be a lot of work she is very fearful of noise and well just about everything but I will keep at it and hopefully she will come around. I will be sure to post more pictures they are exacly 4 months today so I will be taking their picture and posting.
   Thank you for your kind words about Maybel I still miss her terribly and I probably always will she was so amazingly special.
   
   Original comment »

   10/14/09

   Reply from barb:

   The hardest part in getting them calm after eating is having to sit with them for so long...if I had any night time chores to do and got up to do them they would start all over again with playing. Once they get into the habit of resting after they eat you may not have to sit with them so long...then again there are nights I welcome the sitting and am happy to just relax for an hour. My black dane is from a backyard breeder and he was a bit nervous and never liked loud noise (like the train going by) but he has gotten so much better since he was a puppy. He also would back up barking when someone came in as if he was afraid and telling them to stay away but still wanted to meet them. Every time someone came I would have to calmly hold his collar and tell him it was ok...then while still holding his collar the person would have to come over to say hello and within seconds he would be fine. He just needed a bit of extra reassurance with things. To this day if I drop his leash on a walk he will stop dead in his tracks and until I pick it back up he will not move...he needs the security I suppose. The other two are brothers but a year apart and the white guy (Riley) is deaf. Even though the other two are brothers they are very different as well. I suppose like no two people are alike...no Great Dane is alike either.
   As long as they stop playing when one gives a little yelp then they are getting along well and my guys always go right back to playing as well. I really understand how you ended up with two of them as I was getting one and ended up with three. My friends and family say I am crazy too but when I look on this board it seems the majority of people have more then one so maybe we aren't so crazy??? I am sure no matter what anybody says you are in love with those puppies and enjoying every second.
   

5. 

   Melody

   147 Kudos

   10/11/09

   I have two 4 month olds ,how do yours play together I worry that they to ruff with each other.
   

   10/14/09

   Reply from barb:

   When I had the first two I was concerned about playing too rough and even though they were only a month apart Duke was so much bigger then Apollo. I did spend alot of time in the yard monitoring their play and while it would sound a bit loud at times they really were only playing. If I thought things were getting a bit out of control then I would settle it down. I learned over time that once in a while they may accidentally hurt the other one but if that was to happen one would give a quick yelp and the other would stop immediately. I suppose if the other didn't stop then it may have become a problem. When I added Riley a year later they all did great. I did socialize them at the dog park and walks everywhere as well. I follow one major rule and that is "No playing for at least an hour after meals". It took a bit of training to get them to settle after eating as they would get spikes of energy, but it was worth every second of my time as my vet had advised me of the best ways to lessen the chances of bloat and that was top on his list. Your puppies are absolutely adorable!!! I am sorry to hear about your last Great Dane as I know it is such a heartache to lose such a wonderful part of your family. I am looking forward to seeing more pictures as they grow.
   

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