Raising a big dog vs raising a working pup

Just so you know, this post is mostly an excuse to show off some photos of my big Gussy, but I did want to also share some observations about Gus' puppyhood compared to Taz, because so far they have been very different puppies.  I have been asked if Taz is helping to get all of Gus' wiggles out, but really I think Taz is still more wiggly than Gus, even though she is 2.5 years old now.  She is often the one barking at him to come and play, and she can still get him on the ground if she runs at him side on!

A rare view of Gus with his mouth shut

Here is a list of observations and comparisons between Gus the Great Dane/Bull Arab/Big dog and Taz the Kelpie/Collie/Working dog (they are generalisations which may not apply to other dogs, just what I have seen so far).

• Taz really benefited from her puppy box and we used it until she was 1 year old.  With Gus we only used it for a few months.  At night he started to hop onto Taz' bed, so we stopped putting him in the box, and then when he was big enough to not sneak under the gate, we let him out all day (but with chickens locked up).  He seems far better at calming himself and happily sleeps all day.
• Gus has hardly chewed anything.  Although he does take Pete's thongs (flipflops/jandles, not undies) if they are left outside.  He doesn't chew them, just hides them.  So far everything else has been safe, which has been a nice change compared to Taz the collector of all lose shoes, gloves and sunglasses.
• Gus took a long time to learn not to wee or poo on the veranda.  It got to the point where I had to take him down onto the grass every night before I went to bed and encourage toilet stops.  He seems ok with that now (we never had that trouble with Taz).
• Gus eats SO MUCH FOOD!  We hope it will slow down where he stops growing.  His weight has increased from 7.5 kg when he first came home to over 30kg.  It took us a few days to realise that he was hungry in the afternoon.  Since then he now has breakfast and an afternoon snack.  We just keep putting food in his dish until he is full, I don't want a stunted big dog!  And if he's allowed to get too hungry he helps himself (or Taz helps, we're not sure, but it took two dead chickens to figure out that feeding Gus in the afternoon is number one priority before we let the chickens out).
• The front clip harness has been the best investment!  Gus can walk next to me without pulling, even though he is stronger than me now, anytime he tries to run ahead the harness pulls him around, so he doesn't bother anymore.  I haven't tried the front clip on Taz yet, she has just figured out how to 'come behind' and walk behind us, so its a joy to walk them both calmy at my pace, instead of being towed down the road. - see video below
• Working dogs have a heap of nervous energy, and they need to be taught to be calm, but big dogs seem pretty chilled out already and just need consistent discipline and a big bed.

What do you think?  Have you raised a big dog or a working dog puppy?  Any tips to share?

More about Gus
Puppy Gus - training a big dog
More about our big Gus the Great Dane pup

More about Taz
Happy Birthday Puppy Taz!
Training our Taz - puppy months and dog years
What I've learnt about puppies

we had to get Gus a new bed, this one is 'dinosaur' size

Gus has learnt to fetch sticks like Taz

He has to 'give me five' before he gets his 'tucker'

Walking with Gus 💓🐶 and I'm so proud of him for not pulling. The front-clip harness is brilliant! And even better , you can't see Taz 💕 because she is walking behind me without a leash. She just learnt that one. Which just proves that you CAN teach a (2 year) old dog new tricks. The afternoon walk is controlled on the way down the road (600m ish) to practice manners and then mad running all the way home to get all the wiggles and the woofles out. Now everyone is worn out. #greatdane #puppy #bigdogs #dogsofinstagram #kelpiedog #dogwalking #southburnett #eightacresblog

A video posted by farmer liz (@eight_acres_liz) on Jul 18, 2016 at 12:29am PDT

here's baby Gus when he first came home

and my big boy now, don't know how much bigger he will get!