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How to Train a St. Bernard Dog

Leash Training, Puppy Pads, St. Bernard

Anyone willing to put in some time, effort and a little patience can train a St. Bernard. It is a commitment and you must decide before you obtain the canine that you are willing to make this commitment.

It would be in the owner’s best interest to obtain this breed as a pup. Training must begin immediately and must start with simple commands. The owner must be consistent with the commands and offer rewards only when earned.

Most people cannot spend all day with their pet, so one must make up for it when he can spend time with the pet. The main commands are sit, stay, and lie down. Of course there is also the ever-important house training if this is going to be a housedog.

To train a St. Bernard, one must understand that discipline does not work. It only intimidates the pup and makes them shy away from you. Ignoring unwanted behavior and praising wanted behavior is the key. The St. Bernard loves attention and wants to please you.

It does not matter what motion or word you use for the command you want followed, but you do need to be consistent using the same motion for the same command each time.

To get the pup to do what you want, you can use treats and reward only when the pup performs the task. If you tell the pup to sit, you may have to move the pup’s body to assist him to the position. Then give a treat and repeat the command. It may take a while for the pup to learn the task and this is where patience comes in. Once the pup learns the command, you can move on to a new command.

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When you move to a new command, don’t forget to rehearse the previous learned command. Again, only praise or reward when earned.

House training is a whole different type of training. If the pup must be inside while you are away, have designated area for the pup to go. Newspaper works just as well as the advertised puppy pads. Place the pup on the pad and give the command. Praise if you see him perform correctly and ignore the mistakes. Gradually decrease the amount of paper or pads you put down. If you want the pup to relieve itself outside, you must take it out at regular intervals. If you pay attention to when the pup eats or drinks you will know that within twenty to thirty minutes the pup will need to relieve itself. When you take the pup out use the same term such as “potty” or whatever term you prefer. If the pup does the deed, you need to praise him and really brag on him. This task is usually not rewarded with a treat, but is rewarded with verbal praise. When the pup relieves in the house, clean up the mess and do not give any attention to the pup. If you combine these indoor and outdoor trainings, the pup will eventually choose to relieve itself outside and go to the door to let you know its needs.

Chewing can be a big problem with a St. Bernard. An owner should make sure the pup has plenty of toys to chew on and to rotate these toys so the pup doesn’t get bored with them. Anything of value should be put up out of reach. If you actually see the pup chewing on an object that it is not supposed to, give them an accepted object in place of it.

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As your St. Bernard pup grows and it will do so rapidly, you must keep in mind that it will be stronger than you. Leash training should also begin immediately when the pup joins your family. Initially you can hook the leash to the collar and let the pup drag it around. This will keep him from fighting it so much when you actually start having him heel. Tell the pup to heel and start walking. You might have to shake the leash gently. Having a treat handy for the pup to sniff is a good way to get the pup to walk with you. Reward the pup when he follows the command. It is a good idea to have the pup sit before he is rewarded.

Please keep in mind that a typical St. Bernard can reach 120 to 180 pounds and will test the master with occasional disobedience. A simple squeeze across the bridge of the nose will show the dog that you are the dominant master. This is not to be done to harm the pet, but to let him know you give the commands and he is expected to follow them. This should only be used when the dog demonstrates willful disobedience.

These are just some basic training tips for St. Bernard owners who want a well-behaved pet that they can enjoy and love. You don’t have to be a master trainer to achieve this. I have had my St. Bernard for eight months, and we have gotten beyond the basic tasks. He will stop at the door so I can wipe his feet before entering the house. If it is raining outside, he lets me dry him with a towel and offers each front paw to be wiped dry before entering the house. When he gets a drink, he lets me wipe his chin to he doesn’t dribble water on the floor. There are many more possibilities that a person can do with their St. Bernard. Don’t let anyone tell you that a St. Bernard is stubborn and difficult to train.