Hearthpwn

So as kid I grew up with labs and huskies; My military years were occupied by the obvious 2 breeds. However this more geared to "normal" upbringing of a dog. i've always loved BIG dogs over spawns of satan. My choice after the experience I had; was a great dane (it's3 now.) but my quam is the stubborn streak; I can't break it. They want the walk on their time, not mine. (I tried scheduling it for coffee time & before dinner) They literally go out anymore but have an hyperactive indoor spree. This ain't something I learned to correct; what's the solution? They're about 3 years old now so puppy 101, etc is gone.

This might need a side-story their "leader" not me got severely messed up one day on a walk by a snake. That was a 5 month break period and he still ain't pretty where the bite was.It kind of fucked the pack mentality because the one I chose isn't willing anymore. So how do I establish dominance for one among 3 when the older one previously dominant one helped raise the others? He was severely fucked up by the snake it was 3 months of fighting necrosis and infections; another 8 until his wound fully closed and scarred over. Their dynamics have swapped from content to fighting; I won't lie I've physically stopped that twice. The coexistence however no matter what I do; they're actually fighting, and I'm coercing them to sleep together, etc. but there's this persistent dominance struggle now. They're constantly testing the water from bitey-face games to actually having to gut-punt one when it's overboard.. I can teach a dog shit, but this trio is actually beyond my comfort zone. I'm debating a new pup or actually ending the next scuffle with an actual frowned upon beating.

Edit: the gut punch above is true in a way; It's more of "takedown" picking one up and a timeout albeit by the gut area since they're fixed & stomach stapeled.  They have dog to dog disdain; I'm the net plus+; any advice beyond an actual beating would be appreciated. It's  near that point.

I’m a Dane guy. I had my first one in my early twenties, I’m on my third one. They are very different when it comes to dog breeds and have some, let’s say, quirks. Judging from your first post, I’ll see if I can help.

You got your dane neutered and gastropexied, that is really good, they have a very high chance of GDV and it is often lethal. You don’t have to worry about that anymore. Their diet requirements are still as big as they are. Make sure they are getting enough protein without over feeding them and regularly give them probiotics. This sometimes means cooking for them or a raw food diet, but at least a high protein ratio dog food. Also, their health will drop fast with people food, never let them eat people food.

The walk is a ritual for them. They have to learn the ritual. I strongly suggest using a gentle leader head collar to walk them or any dog. It is a cheat code for walk behavior, instantly improving their bad walking habits. I use shorter leashes for my dogs, no more than six feet and usually three feet. When we walk it’s because I need them to walk with me, not because I want them to go sniff around everywhere. This gives the walk a purpose and them a job, which is what they really want. They live to please master, so you being the pack leader and them being your followers to walk next to you makes them very happy.

They are also very good motivated and horrifically physical punishment demotivated. The pack alpha gives his food to the pack, when he fights with the pack it is because he is being challenged and looks weak. They pick up on this hierarchy so fast, never let them see you physically challenged. This means command training, which they take to well with food as a reward. It doesn’t take more than a sit, lie down, stay and come commands, but they need those programmed in. The best time to do this is as a young pup until about six months, then again for about three months after being neutered. For a year between puppies and being neutered, they will only know what you’ve taught them previously because. I highly suggest multiple language command training. I do English, German and sign language for training commands. Again, any sort of physical altercation is viewed as weakness to your role and a beating is betrayal to their servitude. It will take months of undoing one beating, and you may never undo the damage. They respond to food.

They have a high physical requirement for the first three or four years. They need walks, toys, games and playtime with humans and dogs which are all below you on the hierarchy. If you have a parent, a spouse or a girlfriend, this is a great time to let them interact and see you are leader. Doggy daycare goes a really long way with the physical requirements too. They will not train well unless they are tired though. When you start recorrecting the behavior you don’t want, do it after a long walk or a day of daycare. 

I hope this helps with your issues. They get a bad reputation as being dumb or hard to train, but it’s because they are actually too smart and can use logic. They will often have a moment where you can see them thinking “ok, but what’s in it for me?” after you give them a command. If they know the answer is making alpha happy and getting a piece of chicken, they are extremely well trained.