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Small dogs are cute, but big dogs are cool. It can feel cool to have a 23 inches tall Gotti Pitbull or a 34 inches tall Bullmastiff walking by your side. The big dogs can grow up to be bulky and affectionate furry pals. They’re fantastic protectors and love to cuddle.
But as much as it's cool to have a big dog, it’s also a matter of great responsibility. Big dogs have a greater potential for damage if they get aggressive or too excited.
As the dog owner, it falls upon your shoulders to keep you and your dog safe for your family, as well as for people outside the house. When you take your big pal out on a walk, they shouldn’t threaten or damage the passersby.
Below, we’ve mentioned a few good habits you can practice to ensure your big dog is safe for you and everyone else.
Like small dogs, big dogs often communicate how they’re feeling with their body language before they feel the need to bark. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with their body language and its meanings to avoid any accidents.
The eyes, ears, and tail are the biggest indicators. If the dog has wide or winking eyes, it’s probably playful. But if the eyes are narrow and it’s followed by concentrated staring, the dog is aggressive and planning to attack.
Ensure that the person or object your dog’s eyeing is removed from its reach. Calm down your dog by engaging it in other activities.
Similarly, when the ears are upright and forward, your dog is curious or alert. But if the ears are backward and flat against the head, your dog is either experiencing feelings of fear or aggression. Take immediate action to calm them down. Read more about what a dog’s ears indicate in this dog ear positions chart.
As for the tail:
Like small dogs, big dogs tend to get excited at the sight of a frisbee in the air. If you take them out without a leash, there’s a high chance they’ll find something interesting, and run after it.
Owing to their size, it may be difficult for you to stop them. And in the process of getting what they want, they may cause damage to the passersby.
For that reason, we recommend taking your dog out with a leash. This way, you’ll always have control over where the dog goes. Along the same lines, it’s best to opt for a harness in place of just a collar.
In case of an emergency, you won’t have to strain your dog’s neck and will be able to direct them to the right place.
You probably won’t have much trouble training your dogif you bring it in as a younger dog or puppy. Whenever the dog obeys you or exhibits disciplined behavior, reward your dog with a suitable treat. It reinforces good behavior.
But if you’re bringing in an adult large breed dog, training can be more difficult. We recommend declining attention when the dog misbehaves and seek out a reputable trainer if needed.
In either case, treats can help you develop a good and healthy relationship with your dog. It can serve as a motivator for good behavior. Keep them on hand at home and when heading out to reinforce your dog to positive behavior.
Big dogs enjoy your company. But at times, they feel anxious, uncomfortable, insecure, or simply irritable. In times like these, big dogs like retreating to a secluded space.
Make sure you have a dedicated space at your home for this purpose. It could be half a room or a dog house in your yard. But ensure that the dog has a dedicated space that it recognizes as its own.
Summing up, keeping big dogs come with a big responsibility. You have to take care of the dog’s well-being as well as everyone else who interacts with them. But if you implement these tips and develop them into habits, things can become a whole lot easier for both of you.