Hello everyone! Welcome to this issue of Mighty Mutts!

Happy Tuesday! The first ‘unofficial’ long weekend of summer is over, and it was a beautiful weekend here in Ontario! Warm weather, lots of sunshine and even thunderstorms at night. Hope you able to get out and enjoy the sunshine!

I heard someone say 'my dog is not reactive, he’s just protective’ as the dog barked incessantly at a squirrel in the tree; then at someone passing by; then at a car that had the audacity to turn around in the driveway; then at… well, you get the picture. The owner thought it was 'cute’ - oh look how he thinks everything is a threat. He’s just trying to protect me. Uhm…no. Reactive and protective are not the same thing at all, and this week you’ll read about the differences (and how to cut down the reactivity).

Do you live in an apartment but still want a large dog? Who says you can’t? There are some large breeds that are perfectly suited for apartment living and you’ll read about the3m in this week’s issue.

And of course, Pablo has some things to tell his furry friends.

-Enjoy!

Don’t keep us a secret – share this with another large breed dog owner: mightymutts.beehiiv.com

Pablo’s Ponderings

Hello my furry friends! I hope you had as good a weekend as I did! The weather here was so nice, I got to be outside for most of it. Annnnnd, since my hooomans were off work, we got to go on early morning walks. So fun!!

Now back to reality and my regular routine.. eat, sleep, look out the window and spend time with my hoomans when they get home. Well, mom is always here so I’m not totally alone. I don’t like being by myself for too long (the cats scare me, but don’t tell anyone!)

Send me pictures, I’d love to see them!

-Pablo

Owning a large breed dog is an incredible experience. Whether you share your home with a Great Dane, German Shepherd, Mastiff, Rottweiler, or Labrador Retriever, one thing is certain: a big dog with good manners is a joy — but a big dog that reacts poorly to the world around them can quickly become difficult, stressful, and even dangerous to handle.

That’s why it’s so important to understand the difference between a reactive dog and a proactive dog.

A reactive dog responds emotionally and impulsively to situations. This might look like barking at strangers, lunging at other dogs, panicking during walks, jumping on guests, or becoming overstimulated in busy environments. Reactive dogs are constantly responding to triggers around them instead of calmly thinking through situations.

A proactive dog, on the other hand, has been taught to look to their owner for guidance. They stay calmer, make better decisions, and are able to process the world without immediately overreacting. Proactive dogs aren’t perfect — they still get excited or nervous sometimes — but they’ve learned how to manage those feelings appropriately.

With large dogs, this difference matters even more.

A reactive Chihuahua may be frustrating. A reactive 120-pound Mastiff can become a liability.

Some common signs include:

Reactive behaviour is often rooted in fear, anxiety, lack of socialization, overstimulation, or inconsistent training. Many owners accidentally reinforce reactive behaviour without realizing it by comforting nervous behaviour, tightening the leash during stressful situations, or allowing excitement to spiral out of control.

A proactive dog:

Proactive dogs are taught how to think, not just how to obey.

The goal isn’t to create a robot. The goal is to build confidence, trust, and emotional control.

The good news is that reactivity can improve significantly with patience and consistency.

Many people believe large dogs simply need more exercise. While physical activity matters, mentally overstimulated dogs often become more reactive. Teach your dog how to relax. Reward calm behaviour in the house. Practice place training or structured settling time.

Your dog should learn that you are the most important thing in the environment. Reward eye contact, check-ins, and attention during walks. Use treats, praise, or toys to reinforce calm focus.

Taking a reactive dog to a crowded dog park or busy festival and hoping they “get used to it” usually backfires. Instead, expose them to triggers gradually from a comfortable distance where they can still remain calm.

Large dogs thrive with structure. Clear expectations, routines, and consistent rules help dogs feel secure. If jumping is not allowed, it can’t be allowed sometimes.

Dogs repeat what works. Instead of only correcting bad behaviour, actively reward calm walking, quiet greetings, relaxed body language, and good choices.

Large dogs are powerful animals, but they are also incredibly sensitive and eager to please. A proactive dog isn’t born — they’re guided, taught, and supported by an owner who invests time into training and trust.

When you help your dog become calmer, more confident, and less reactive, you’re not just creating a better pet. You’re creating a safer, happier life for both of you.

When most people think about large breed dogs, they imagine endless energy, huge backyards, and constant exercise. But surprisingly, some of the best apartment dogs are actually large breeds. While size certainly matters when choosing a dog for smaller living spaces, energy level and temperament matter even more.

Many giant and large breed dogs are true “couch potatoes” — happy to lounge around the house for most of the day as long as they get regular walks, mental stimulation, and time with their people.

If you live in an apartment, condo, or smaller home but still dream of owning a large dog, here are some breeds that may surprise you.

Despite their reputation as racing dogs, Greyhounds are famously lazy indoors. Often nicknamed the “45-mile-per-hour couch potato,” Greyhounds are calm, quiet, and incredibly gentle in the home.

They enjoy short bursts of exercise but are usually perfectly content curling up on a soft bed for the rest of the day. Their quiet nature also makes them excellent neighbours in apartment buildings.

It sounds impossible, but Great Danes are often wonderful apartment dogs. While their size is enormous, their personalities are usually calm, affectionate, and low-energy.

Great Danes don’t require hours of exercise. In fact, excessive activity can sometimes be hard on their joints. Most are happy with moderate walks and plenty of nap time. What they lack in square footage awareness, they make up for in sweetness.

The biggest challenge? Accepting that your “lap dog” weighs 140 pounds.

Mastiffs are known for being gentle giants. They are loyal, protective, and incredibly relaxed indoors. Most Mastiffs prefer lounging beside their owners over participating in high-energy activities.

Because they tend to be calm and quiet, they often do surprisingly well in apartments — provided there’s enough room for them to stretch out comfortably and an elevator available if stairs become difficult as they age.

Bernese Mountain Dogs are affectionate, easygoing, and generally calmer than many people expect. While they enjoy outdoor adventures and cooler weather, they are not hyperactive dogs.

A Bernese is often happiest simply being near their family. Daily walks and mental stimulation are important, but they are usually content to relax indoors afterward.

Newfoundlands are massive dogs with famously gentle temperaments. Often called “nanny dogs” because of their patient nature with children, Newfoundlands are typically calm and easygoing.

They do require regular grooming and can drool quite a bit, but their low-energy personality makes them surprisingly adaptable to smaller living spaces if their exercise and companionship needs are met.

Even low-energy large dogs still need:

Apartment living with a large dog also means being considerate of neighbours. Teaching calm leash manners, minimizing barking, and helping your dog feel secure in elevators, hallways, and busy environments is essential.

A large dog doesn’t automatically require a huge backyard. In many cases, calmer giant breeds are easier to live with than smaller high-energy dogs bouncing off the walls all day.

The key is choosing a breed whose temperament matches your lifestyle. With proper exercise, training, and love, many large “couch potato” breeds can thrive beautifully in apartment life — and happily take over your entire sofa while doing it.

Transform Your Dog Using the Same Secrets Used to Train Service Dogs!

(you’ll also learn all about potty training and fixing 11 common dog behavioral problems)

A small sample of what you’ll get in this free workshop

•          The secret methods that service dog trainers use to housebreak dogs

So that your dog never has accidents inside your house ever again.

•          How service dogs are trained to never bark out of excitement

Contrary to what many people believe, you CAN’T stop a dog from letting you know that someone has come to your front door – they are simply hard wired for it. Instead, find out the “QUIET WAY” that you can teach your dog so that it still gets to alert you to strangers – without barking even once.

•          Why service dogs behave so well when walking on the leash without pulling

So that you can leash train your dog just like a service dog.

•          How service dogs are trained to ALWAYS come when called

So that your dog too will come back to you the moment you say its name in the dog park or anywhere else (no matter what it might have been doing at that time).

Grab your seat here!

https://k9ti.org/r/Gizmobb01/free-workshop/

You want to take a relaxing walk with your dog, but at just the sight of another dog or a person, they start barking hysterically, forcing you to drag them away. This is a reactive dog — one who overreacts to normal situations that other dogs would take in stride. Reactive dogs are not necessarily aggressive dogs, but reactivity can turn into aggression, so your attention to training becomes extremely important. 

Reactive dogs become overly aroused by common stimuli. They may lunge, bark and growl, becoming so preoccupied with whatever is triggering the emotion that they can be difficult to control and move out of the situation. A reactive dog is usually a fearful dog. Causes can be genetic, but they are more likely due to a lack of socialization, prior bad experiences or a lack of training. 

Aggressive dogs show similar signs but are determined to cause harm and destruction. Any reactive dog can be pushed into aggression, which is why a reactive dog needs to be taken seriously.

Read the full article here

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That’s it for this issue. See you next week! Feel free to share this with other dog owners!

--Maryanne and the Mighty Mutts team