My name is Nolan!

This goofy and energetic giant is Nolan, a 9 month old Great Dane/Mastiff that is looking to find his very own family. We don’t know why life brought Nolan to a county pound but can assure you it is not due to any fault in his character: Nolan has a wonderfully loving personality and “zest” for life that draws crowds of people everywhere he goes. Weighing in at 90lbs, Nolan is a gangly, bossy puppy who is absolutely hilarious! He falls down the last three stairs on a regular basis and snores loud enough to wake you from a deep sleep. He steals lip chap and pens from purses like a pro and nothing brings him greater joy then tearing off with a work glove just when you are about to reach for it. He bumps into walls, knocks things off of shelves, and sneaks his toys and bones on the couch every chance he gets. He is fun loving and adventurous and wants nothing more than to make you happy.



Nolan is an energetic pup that requires an active lifestyle until he outgrows puppyhood. Although Mastiffs are typically a lower energy dog, Great Dane pups are more active and require lots of exercise to drain their energy and to keep them out of mischief. Nolan currently goes for a bike ride in the morning and is walked in the evenings. He LOVES to play with his foster brothers and is constantly biting ankles and stealing toys to incite play. He is learning to walk well on a gentle leader but still does pull when he gets too excited seeing another dog or a pesky squirrel. His excitement can escalate pretty quickly on walks and he has been known to bark and lunge at other dogs when he gets frustrated that he isn’t allowed to meet them. His forever family will need to continue leash training with him so that he understands the rules and what is expected of him. It isn’t necessary for Nolan to be biked every morning but he will require a decent amount of exercise in the morning so that he is tired and relaxed throughout the day, especially if he will not get a break at lunch.



Nolan is crate trained and is left throughout the day with a 45 minute break at lunch. He currently sleeps out of his crate at night without issue. It was clear from the start that he had never been crated and at the beginning he struggled a bit with being left alone. He has adjusted extremely quickly and has started to associate his crate with yummy treats and fun toys and it isn’t uncommon to see him squeeze into the crate with his foster brother when he is trying to have a nap or is chewing on a coveted antler. His new home will need to continue his crate training and use positive reinforcement to show him that his crate is a safe place. Nolan is housetrained and makes it very obvious when he needs to go to the bathroom by sitting as close to the door as possible and staring at the doorknob. He is food and toy motivated and knows basic commands (sit, stay/wait) but is still trying to master shake a paw and lie down. He loses interest fairly quickly so fetch in the backyard doesn’t become a marathon activity. He is content to bring the ball back once or twice but then moves on to other favourite activities such as leaf catching and bird chasing.



Nolan would do well with or without animal companions in the home. He is currently living with two dogs and three cats and spends his days bugging all of them. He eats and sleeps beside the dogs and has never once had an issue with them surrounding food or toys. Although he loves dogs and would never intend to hurt them, he is unaware of his size and strength and would do best in a home with a medium to large sized dog that can keep up with him. Nolan’s relationship with cats isn’t as straightforward: he enjoys being around them and will share a bed for an afternoon nap but isn’t comfortable when they come near his food. He has been making quick progress with his feline friends but it may be best for Nolan to go to a cat-free home. Nolan is currently not in a home with children but has been excellent with the children of all ages that he has met at local pet stores and other events. Because of his age, size/strength, and lack of coordination, it will be best for Nolan to go to a home with older children.



Although Nolan has countless positive attributes, he still has some quirks that need continued training. Aside from typical puppy behaviour (chewing, barking outside, getting into the garbage), Nolan is scared of new experiences such as bath time (it took his foster family 3.5 weeks to get him into the bathtub without him barking and howling in fear) and car rides (he initially would pace and whine the entire ride) and will require continued exposure and positive reinforcement to ensure he continues to learn to relax and trust in these types of situations. Nolan is an extremely sensitive boy who shuts down with the slightest hint of frustration or raised voices so patience, understanding and positivity are a must when interacting with him. He will require a family that has giant breed experience and that is committed to continuing his training through (at a minimum) a basic obedience class to build the essential bond that is needed to help him flourish in his new home.



Overall, Nolan is a happy, kind hearted, gentle soul that will be a loyal and loving companion. He loves head rubs, lying in your lap (invited or not!), and stirring up trouble with his foster brothers. If you are seeking a lifetime of laughter and shenanigans, Nolan is most definitely the dog for you.



All Pound Dog Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested, de-wormed (if required), and micro-chipped prior to adoption. The adoption donation of $400 is applied to assist in the costs of veterinary care and the overall care of the dog. For more information and adoption applications please consult our website at www.pounddog.ca.