If you've adopted a MAGDRL Dane and are having trouble, please call us immediately at 703-644-8009. We have training resources who will do phone consults for free or come to your home for more in-depth consults for a fee!

Need Help with your Great Dane or Dane mix? We can help.

Before you decide to give up on your Dane...

Surrendering your dog can be a difficult decision. Often, people believe they must give up their dog because they do not know how to handle a particular issue. However, most issues such as housing options, allergies and behavioral issues can often be addressed.

Please check the resources page for solutions to common problems.

We also encourage you to take a class with your pup, no matter what his or her age may be. Formal classes help with bonding, socialization and structure. If you need the help of a trainer, please choose carefully. Go to www.apdt.com and check out the trainers in your area. If a trainer uses outdated training methods such as leash pops, scruff shaking, and dominant stares, find another trainer. Look for a trainer who is well versed in modern training methods based on scientific research and who understands and uses classical and operant conditioning, desensitization and positive reinforcement training. You can also contact your coordinator for trainers in your area.

There are also other options that you can explore too. If you are interested in MAGDRL's rescue program, read on...

If You decide to surrender your Dane to us...

If you've determined that you must surrender your dog, please read the following.

Requirements for Surrendering a Dog to MAGDRL:

Surrendered dogs must:

pass an evaluation (no aggression)
be surrendered with a signed surrender contract, giving MAGDRL ownership of the Dane
come with copies of all records pertaining to the dog, especially vet records

We also encourage you to help us find your dog a home more quickly by making sure:

your dog is up-to-date on all shots (check local stores for low-cost vaccinations)
your dog is neutered/spayed
your dog has had a recent vet wellness check
you provide good quality, clear, close up pictures of your Dane

We ask for a donation to help cover costs associated with rehoming your Dane, including any emergency or vet care that may be required.

Please remember that we are helping YOU to place a dog. We are not profiting from you or your dog. Anything that you can do to help us place the dog only benefits your dog.

Please note: If your dog has bitten even once, please do not put other innocent people at risk by not disclosing that information. MAGDRL CANNOT, for the safety of people just like you, adopt out dogs that bite. We can recommend other potential avenues for you and will try to be a helpful resource.

NoVA MAGDRL's Surrender Process

Owner calls into rescue line and speaks with MAGDRL Coordinator about surrendering their Dane
Coordinator discusses the situation with the owner to elicit further details on the dog and the situation. During the conversation, the Coordinator may suggest solutions to short-term problems or alternatives to surrender, and may provide information on contacting a trainer who helps with MAGDRL dogs or a local trainer in your area.
If the Coordinator believes the dog is a candidate for surrender to MAGDRL, she contacts a local evaluator with the dog's information and requests an evaluation.
The evaluator schedules and performs an evaluation and passes the information to the Coordinator, who reviews the results and determines if the dog might be a candidate for MAGDRL foster care.
The Coordinator works with the foster homes to determine if foster care is available for the dog.

Prior to intake, the owner should take the Dane to a vet to make sure that vaccinations are up to date, spay/neuter is complete and a wellness check is performed if possible.

When surrendering your Dane to MAGDRL, we ask that you help make the transition as painless as possible for the dog, who will be confused and anxious. Please help by allowing the following items to go along with the dog:

a full or partial bag of the dog's current food
a blanket or shirt or something that smells like home for the dog
any toys/equipment/collars that were the dog's

At the time of surrender, you'll be asked to sign a surrender form, relinquishing control of the Dane to MAGDRL.

Please email coordinators@nova-magdrl.org or call 703-644-8009 to surrender your dog or if you know of a Great Dane in a shelter that is in need..