Great Dane Watches As Baby Plays With His Toys And His Face Says It All
Did you know great Danes can stand as tall as 7 feet when on their hind legs? It's true! But don't let their imposing size worry you. The current record holder for the world's tallest dog is a great Dane named Zeus, and he was a true gentle giant. But all this breed's usual patience, friendliness, and calm nature have been completely challenged in a hilarious TikTok video. The 11-second clip features a baby, a dog toy, and a very alert harlequin great Dane named Nash, along with tension you can cut with a knife.
@nashthegreatt Nash still loves him
Who knows how Nash's (human) baby brother got hold of his toy, but one thing's for sure: this video captures Nash's honest reaction. As the baby plays with his toy, Nash stares down at him with laser focus and an expression one viewer perfectly coined, "The [Great] Dane scowl!" Nash and his family's new baby were apparently on great terms before this. As the TikTok creator notes, Nash considered the baby nice until he learned how to steal toys. Luckily, Nash, in true great Dane fashion, simply waits (and stares!). What a trooper. No wonder they've been called some of the best-behaved dog breeds around.
Can a dog like Nash learn to share?
While Nash did show a great deal of patience, his expression made it pretty clear that he wasn't a fan of the baby playing with his toy. It turns out, though, that Nash's behavior is pretty normal. It's called resource guarding, and dogs and other animals may exhibit it when an item, space, or even another animal they are protective of is being challenged. Nash's response to his baby brother was tame; staring at or freezing over an object is understood to be a milder display of resource guarding that doesn't need any interference by owners.
What about other dogs who might be a bit more territorial or aggressive than Nash? Well, the solution is a bit more involved. As veterinarian Dr. Lisa Radosta shared for PetMD, "If a dog is already growling, lunging, snapping, or biting, it should be seen by a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist." Severe resource guarding, or possessive aggression, can be a dangerous affair and should not be taken lightly. So, if your dog shows signs like those described and you're looking for a dog trainer, watch for these red flags so you can set your pup up for success. As for Nash, we're hopeful he'll lighten up on his baby bro and learn to share, soon.