Big Pup Training,
Toy & Health Product Review
At Big Pup Thumbs Up our mission is simple. To help big pup owners find reliable, durable and effective brands that truly work for large breeds without the guesswork, with honest reviews.
ABOUT
Our Mission
Our journey started a few years ago, when our family of five adopted a Great Dane x Bull Arab, Duke from a local Animal Rescue.
Duke was 50kg of untrained power, excitement, and pure chaos; our first big breed, and definitely our biggest learning curve. From shredded beds to broken toys, failed walking gear, and the constant fear that he’d eat the couch while we were out, we quickly realised that we needed to search for dog products specifically catered for big dog breeds.
After a whole lot of trial, error, frustration, and eventual triumph, we found the products that actually worked. The ones that made our life easier, kept him and us safe, and helped him grow into the healthy, happy, gentle giant he is today.
We created this site to share our experiences honestly as first big dog parents who have lived through the challenges and found real solutions.
If our story helps even one other large dog owner avoid the trial and error we went through, then sharing this information is all worth it.
Training
Walking with a 50kg Powerhouse: What Finally Worked
Before:
Other harness we've tried...
We started without any harness but you can see how that turned out. Then we tried a body harness because everyone said it was 'gentle' and great for large dog breeds but for ours it made no difference. Whilst wearing the body harness, Duke would still, pull, drag and tighten the leash.
What finally worked...
The Game Changer Halti head harness, one of the biggest turning points for us.
We went from not being able to take him for a walk, to actually being able to enjoy our walks
without fear. With great control, comfort and without anxiety of not being dragged.
It didn't 'fix' him overnight but it made training possible and life way easier.
After:
For anyone struggling with a strong puller, Halti is one of our favorite brands. For big and small breeds too, I'd highly recommend that you check it out here to see the range of sizes, the large worked really well for us.
The Luca Lead: Perfect for Quick, Secure Handling.
The Luca Lead is a lightweight, super effective no-clip slip lead that’s perfect for quick control, training, and those “oh no, he’s running out the door” moments. Easy to slip on, gentle, and secure. Making it ideal for dogs who like to bolt out of the house or are hard to grab in a hurry.
Because it works like a lasso, you can quickly secure your dog even if they’ve slipped out or managed to escape. The adjustable slider keeps the loop comfortably in place without tightening too much, giving you solid control during training.
It’s lightweight, durable, and especially handy for reactive, excitable dogs. It lacks a traditional clip, but that’s also what makes it so fast and convenient to use. I recommend you get one here.
From Chaos to Calm: Crate Training Lifesaver.
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It was sturdy enough, the double door access made it easy to set up in tight spaces. The foldable design made traveling and cleaning easy, and with some treat training he learnt that it was a safe space.
So I would highly recommend getting this training crate as it made our lives happier and safer for an untrained dog. I would definitely suggest the XL with 122 length which worked really well for Duke.
This crate is best for large breeds, strong dogs, and owners needing
a safe set-up while out of the house.
This crate was a gamechanger for our big boy, it kept him safe, made him less anxious and stopped furniture destruction.
When we adopted Duke he was: Untrained, anxious when left alone, chewed furniture , and jumped all over us, which you could imagine
this was not ideal for a dog that was equal to our height when on his hind legs.
So we couldn't trust him in the house while we were gone, and
cheaper crates did not stand a chance, so we got this crate and it changed everything.
Toys
Keeping him busy: The puzzle toy that actually survived.
Finding puzzle toys for big dogs is a challenge, either they're too easy, too hard or break instantly we have researched a lot and have spent a hefty amount on toys that get destroyed in seconds and unsafe, before finding something that actually worked.
This is where the Kong Wobbler toy comes in. Duke stays busy for 15-20 minutes
which is a miracle for high energy giants.
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It is extremely durable, the right amount of difficulty, great for boredom, enrichment and is still not broken after 2 years.
If you have a high energy dog like ours, this is the one puzzle toy that never let us down. We highly recommend the Kong (Large size), it’s a brand we really trust. Tap here to check it out.
Health & Wellbeing
Essential For Your Pups Health: NexGard Spectra.
For heartworm, tics and general parasite protection, we've stuck with NexGard Spectra. Our boy has been on it consistently, and he has been happy and healthy ever since.
They have a range of medicines for all dogs and weights but here's what we use for our large breed, it is easy to give him and reliable.
We love NexGard as it has been a trustworthy brand I definitely recommend seeing the details here.
Food That Works: Pedigree
We tried various food brands in with different forms, textures especially with Duke being and allergy prone dog, other brands enflamed his allergies and weren't great for his bowels or his health.
So Pedigree ended up being our saving grace and the best brand for him. It prevented allergy issues, maintained his shiney coat, promoted healthy bowel movements and he actually loves it.
Every dog is different, but Pedigree has been a solid, affordable option for our boy's needs that is why I highly recommend you buy it here.
Grooming: the perfect brush for short hairs
The MIU COLOR grooming brush is the first brush that actually
worked for Duke who is short haired.
I’d already tested wide-tooth brushes, bristle brushes, and a
few “all-purpose” grooming tools. None of them grabbed any
loose fur; they just skimmed the surface.
So I gave the MIU COLOR undercoat brush a shot, and it finally
made a real difference.
It's close teeth reach the undercoat without scratching and it
removes a surprising amount of loose hair with just a few passes. Its gentle effective, and super easy to clean with its detachable comb mechanism. So I highly suggest purchasing one here.
Miscellaneous
The perfect water trough for a big dog like Duke
It may seem easy but picking the right water container is important that is why we chose one big enough our big dog.
That is why we chose Zeez water bucket for ours giving him a more comfortable experience while drinking.
It is also made out of safe stainless steel material, and a large enough capacity for our big boy. If you want to check it out click here for more details.
Note: Elevating their water or food bowls allows large breeds to eat and drink more comfortably while also reducing strain on their joints.
Dog Bed Alternative: Why we Recommend... a Couch
After trying multiple dog beds that barely lasted a week, the only thing strong enough to survive our Great Dane/Bull Arab was a couch and honestly, it’s the best “dog bed” we’ve ever used.
Best for: heavy chewers, dog bed-destroyers, and anyone tired of replacing $100 beds every month. Couches have a solid, durable frame that’s much harder to rip apart, they’re roomy, cost-effective in the long run, and super easy to maintain with a sheet or couch cover.
That’s why we highly recommend choosing a couch instead. Tap here to see the one we recommend.
Final Thoughts
Living with a big dog is one of the best experiences, once you figure out the right tools.
If you're welcoming a large breed into your home or if you are struggling like we were these were the products that truly made our lives easier, safer, and happier.
Not because someone told us they were 'the best' but because we tested and integrated these dependable products into our lives, and these were the only ones that actually survived our 50kg Great Dane x Bull Arab.
Even if one of these brands help a big-pup parent the way they helped us, then sharing our experience is all worth it.
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TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials Coming Soon
We're a brand-new site built by real dog owners. As more people try the products we recommend, we’ll update this section with genuine feedback from our community. Stay tuned!
Gina D.
Testimonials Coming Soon
We're a brand-new site built by real dog owners. As more people try the products we recommend, we’ll update this section with genuine feedback from our community. Stay tuned!
Jim F.
Testimonials Coming Soon
We're a brand-new site built by real dog owners. As more people try the products we recommend, we’ll update this section with genuine feedback from our community. Stay tuned!
Kaya E.
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FAQ
Your Questions, Answered
