TRAINING & BEHAVIOUR
How Your Saint Learns
Dogs learn by linking cause and effect. You will teach your puppy Saint by showing pleasure or displeasure at their behaviour. When your puppy obeys your command, immediately praise and stroke him gently. Your Saint will soon get the idea that your praise always follows good behaviour and will want to respond your commands as this will be the reward.
When your Saint displays undesirable behaviour, correct them immediately - not 10 seconds later nor half an hour later nor later in the day. The opportunity to teach has passed. For instance, showing displeasure at finding the garden dug up hours after the event will only confuse a puppy. Your Saint will not be able to connect your displeasure with the digging done some time earlier in the day. It is up to you to be timely with your corrections and rewards.
Dogs at any age are very aware of both verbal and non verbal signals and commands from their humans. It is important that you are consistent with these. Whether intentionally or not, when training your puppy you are teaching them to respond to both your verbal and visual signals and commands. You must ensure your verbal commands correlate with your visual signals, because if they do not you will be creating confusion for your puppy and disaster for yourself. The combined use of the correct and consistent tone of voice, along with the verbal and visual signals used are vitally important to successfully training your Saint. When you praise your pup use a genuinely calm tone of voice, reinforced with some close physical contact, such as stroking him gently or encouraging play.
It may also be beneficial to occasionally use treats in training to teach your puppy that praise is synonymous with yummy rewards – but not too often, so that it doesn’t become the sole motivating factor in learning.
Commands must be always direct and in a calm tone of voice that makes it clear to your puppy that these are commands, not requests.
Similarly, admonishments should be firm whilst in a calm tone of voice. There must never by any doubt in your pup’s mind about who is in command.
When teaching your puppy or adolescent Saint commands, such as COME, STAY, SIT and so forth, call their name followed only by the single word/command. Remember that different training commands from different people will only confuse the puppy so everyone in the family needs to work together. Keep it simple, direct and be consistent. “Come over here, boy/girl, quickly”, will only confuse your Saint.
One way of correcting disobedience is to take hold of them by the jowls with both hands. Look your Saint directly in the eyes and with a calm attitude scold them with the verbal command "NO" and give them two or three brief but firm shakes. Your Saint will accept this physical correction instinctively because it is like the method used by their mother. Gradually a verbal command and stern "NO" will usually suffice when discipline is needed.
Never correct your puppy by hitting with a rolled up newspaper or anything else. This will merely make them afraid of you. The emphasis should be on REWARD not punishment. If you ever feel things getting the better of you, do not give up and walk away from your Saint! Take a few calming deep breaths and when you feel calm continue.
Bringing Home Your New Saint Puppy
Your puppy is allowed to go home at minimum 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering puppies to go to home less than 8 weeks should be reported to the canine controlling body in your state i.e. Dogs NSW.
When you bring your new puppy Saint home they are looking to you as their to new pack leader for leadership, security and affection. The first thing to ensure is that your puppy is provided with their own bed in a quiet, sheltered and comfortable place. It may take the puppy some time to get accustomed to his new surroundings so give them a little time to do so.
Training your puppy Saint begins the moment you bring them home. Your Saint is at an impressionable age so careful training is important to establish good habits from the outset. If you put in the work at this stage you will be rewarded with the well behaved, social, docile Saint Bernard for which you have dreamed.
During the first months, teaching should be confined to commands such as SIT, STAY, COME and NO.
You must place restrictions on you puppy now such as not allowing your Saint to chew on furniture, shoes and so on. You must be consistent and patient during this period so that your Saint begins to develop good habits. Having their own designated toys, such as a ball and rubber bone will help. You should always be calm and patient when giving any discipline and it should be mild and NEVER include shouting or hitting.
YOU MUST SOCIALISE YOUR SAINT! Once your puppy is fully vaccinated at 16 weeks of age it is very important that your Saint is socialised with strangers, other dogs, children and other animals as often as possible. This is critical your Saint’s ongoing development. It is equally important that your Saint puppy and adolescent continues to experiences as many environmental situations as possible, so that phobias do not develop. For instance, let your Saint become accustomed to the noise and sight of traffic, use the onset of thunderstorms to sit calmly and ignore any fears your pup may exhibit. This sort of familiarization is essential to your pup’s later social development and general health and wellbeing.
Please note that caution should be taken until your puppy's vaccinations are completed at 16 weeks of age. Please remember NEVER make you Saint exercise or walk excessively and NEVER in warm/hot parts of the day and months of the year.
House Training
All puppies need to relieve themselves frequently. You must be dedicated to taking your puppy outside first thing in the morning, after every meal or drink of water, after every game or rest period and last thing at night. Allow you Saint enough time to sniff around and to toilet, do not rush the process. If you want the puppy to use one particular area make sure it is easy to get to and always praise the puppy each time your puppy successfully uses it. You need to train yourself to recognize the subtle signals and behaviour e.g. may become agitated, sniff the ground or become generally restless, and soon you will easily recognise when your Saint needs to go outside.
To toilet train your puppy, you must show patience and NEVER rub their nose in a mess or punish them for accidents inside the house. The
accident is your fault not theirs!! If the puppy does relieve themself in the house and in your presence a calm, definite command "NO" will suffice and immediately take the puppy to where you want him to go. Then clean and spray the accident with deodorant/disinfectant to deter the puppy from using the same spot again. Then review what signals and behaviours or routines you missed that caused the accident in order to improve your training regime.
Destructive Chewing, Biting and Nipping
It is natural for puppies to chew particularly when they are teething. Hard rubber chew toys or a ball make excellent teething tools for puppies. You need to find an ideal substitute for that shoe, chair leg or any other item your puppy must not chew. With a with a firm, calm command “NO” and remove the item the Saint should not be chewing or move him and immediately substitute with his own chew toy.
Biting or nipping usually starts as a form of play. A calm and definite command "NO" and substituting a toy will gradually deter further biting. Remember a cute nip or mouthing on the hand from your small puppy will not be such fun behaviour a fully grown Saint Bernard. You must discourage this behaviour from day one and be consistent with discipline and training.
Jumping
Do not allow jumping on people or other animals. A jumping puppy will develop into a jumping giant St Bernard in a few short months. Jumping up can be deterred by placing your open hand in front of the pup’s face to prevent the jump with a firm, calm command “NO”. If your pup tries to jump when on the leash and check-chain, a quick, downward jerk on the leash together with the same “NO” command will deter them. Teaching your puppy Saint not to jump up on you other people, children and other animals is essential. Don’t wait until they are partially or fully gown as you will be too busy picking up yourself or the unfortunate victim. Training your puppy Saint Bernard not to jump
begins on the day you bring him home.
Excessive Barking
Excessive barking is most often caused by boredom and loneliness. Puppies will not become bored or lonely with regular training sessions, gentle exercise and attention from you and family. However, if your Saint is barking excessively for no apparent reason, placing your open hand in front of the pup’s face with a firm, calm command “NO”. If this fails to work you may take hold of them by the jowls, as explained
earlier, command “NO”, and firmly scold them. Do not tolerate consistent barking in the belief that your puppy is guarding your property –dogs are not mature enough to guard at younger than 14 months.
Training Clubs
Dogs NSW regularly publish a list of training clubs and contact details in their journal and website. If you have trouble finding the right trainer that suits your needs The Saint Bernard Club of NSW Inc will help point you in the right direction. Most training clubs start off with the
basics of training a puppy and go right through to trialling your dog if you are interested in going that far. To trial your dog and live in NSW you will be required to become a member of Dogs NSW.
In 99% of all training problems it is not the fault of the dog. Dogs are pack animals and are used to running with or taking leadership of a pack. Similarly, the pet dog, outside of such an environment, looks to you to take the role as the pack leader. if you do not take on this role, your Saint will. This is why it is you who needs to be taught how to take over this leadership role and gain the respect and control of your dog whilst sending your dog away to be trained without you is usually proves fruitless. Clubs where you attend with your dog are highly recommended.
Juveniles - Saintly Teenagers
“Puppies appear to learn quickly – but then it takes a long time for them to acquire the confidence to perform consistently”.
How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With....
by Clarice. Rutherford and David Neil
Suddenly you wonder what went wrong. Your normally friendly, docile and obedient Saint puppy will not pay attention to you. In fact, it seems like your Saint is deliberately doing the opposite of what you want them to do. Well, nothing is really wrong. Puppies go through difficult times, and this is one of them. (Difficult for you, that is, not for them!) At six or seven months, and maybe again at 12 months, your Saint Bernard will challenge your leadership. They have become a dreaded teenager. An adolescent. With some Saints that are especially slow to mature, this may not happen until they are 18 months and again at age two. It is a transition stage of growing up. Your Saint is no longer a mere puppy, but neither is are they fully matured. It is a very normal occurrence in their life, so do not let it upset you. Let your Saint know what they are doing and that you are still in full charge of their life. You are the boss as you would do with a human teenager.
During this time, your Saint may try your patience severely, especially if he or she has not been neutered/spayed. They have become more intense and excitable, and want to thoroughly investigate everything. A female may act silly and not respond to known commands. They try to assert their dominance and push the boundaries. Some dogs go through chewing frenzies. Some seem to be so full of energy and so full of themselves that they appear deaf to your commands.
This can also be a very dangerous time for your Saintly juvenile and totally exasperating for you. They behave like an idiot and treat you with complete disdain. They are also a very large puppy moving into adulthood. This is a time when the dog’s owners believe that this Saint is turning out to be a bad idea. He is not controllable and he has become much bigger than anyone could have ever imagined. This dog is no longer a happy, cute, tail wagging baby. He has turned into a slobbery uncontrollable monster, and is taken to the local Animal Control to be put up for adoption –or worse.
At this delicate time in your Saint’s life, you will need to be patient and have an attitude of determination and a will to be consistent with your dog. Hormones are surging to the forefront. The best approach for you to take with your Saint is to keep training the basic commands just as you have always done. Use these basic commands to enforce your policy of good behaviour, just as you have always done. As the leader of your dog’s pack, you will let your Saint know that you are the boss and that you demand their respect at all times. Insist on those same good behaviours that were learned as a young pup when they was a bit more cooperative. This is a good time to enrol in an obedience class that will establish a routine and weekly goals. Keep in mind that as with all teenagers, this too will pass, and your Saint will again become the good dog you have come to know.
Insist on Good Behaviour
Insist that your Saintly teenager learns good behaviour at all times. Expect good behaviour from them when friends arrive at the door. Expect good behaviour from them when they go inside and out. Expect good behaviour from them when they go out with you for a walk. Expect good behaviour from them when strangers approach. You must insist on good behaviour in all situations with new-found determination and consistency. Use the same procedure every time you make a correction (consistency). Never lose your patience and say, “Oh-it's hopeless”. Your dog will know and sense the difference from you and will take advantage of it every time and you will go backwards in your training. You must be calm, patient and persistent as you would with a human teenager.
Reinforcement is Basic
Use the “SIT” command to control your Saintly adolescent. Use it to discipline them in the sense that it stops their bad behaviour and puts you back in control of your dog and gains their respect. Confirm the fact that your Saint knows that they are expected to sit IMMEDIATELY and whenever you ask them to sit. Do it over and over and over again to make sure it is clear in their brain and instinctual that when you command “SIT” they must sit immediately. Take them for a walk and practice the sit exercise over and over and over. Walk your Saint a few steps with a command “WALK ON” and give the command “SIT”. (Do not use the “HEEL” command at any time during this exercise). If they ignore you, put your right hand on the leash near the collar and your left hand across their rear end just in front of their hind legs. Pull up
on the leash and squeeze down and back with thumb and third finger of your left hand. Repeat the "SIT” command as you sit them. Always be ready to use both hands to enforce your sit command if your Saint does not respond immediately. Always be clam, alert and in full control as the pack leader and show that you will make corrections immediately whenever they attempt to ignore your commands. The more you concentration what you are doing the better your timing will become.
Being A Pack Leader Is What Is All About
For dogs it is all about the pack and nothing makes a dog feel more secure and balanced than having a strong pack leader. Being the alpha or pack leader is what it is all about and you must assert yourself in this position If you are not seen as the pack leader some examples of negative behaviours displayed by your Saintly teenager could include running away when you call them to come, growling when you roll over onto them in your own bed, scratching at itch when you command “DOWN”. However, if your Saintly teenager lets you take their food away whilst eating, comes when called, even when they are playing with another dog, or sits/stays while you talk to a friend on the street corner, your are on your way to being the pack leader your Saint is looking for.
It will be a waste of time trying to train your Saintly teenager without first establishing yourself as the pack leader and the position of your Saint in your family pack. Every dog needs a leader he can trust and respectand they need to do this with the rest of the family pack also.
If he does not have one, he will take on the leadership role themself. If you do not provide this structure your Saint will create it. He has to - it is nature to do so as a dog. As the leader of your Saintly teenager’s pack, you must deliver structure required and a message to your dog
with an air of calm confidence in everything you do.
Summary
1. When rewarding good behaviour praise profusely with pats and warm hugs. Do not be shy about it.
2. Praise warmly, but quickly. Do not drag it out by fawning over a single good sit/stay.
3. When reprimanding bad behaviour do it quickly but fairly and then let it go just as quickly. A collar shake or leash correction done with calm confidence and authority works well when done quickly to surprise your dog. Remember it is a correction not punishment!
4. Give permission. Give it for whatever your Saintly teenager was about to do as long is OK with you. In a subtle way you are teaching them to look to you for approval and permission.
5. Deny permission. Do not allow your Saint to throw their weight around, pushing in or pushing past. Deciding to withhold permission is
vital to gaining your Saint's respect. It is also an important for control and safety.
6. Do a Sit/Stay. When your Saint breaks, and they will, put them back. If your Saint breaks 20 times, put them back 20 times. After a few minutes your Saint will understand what your want from them and that you are their leader. You must do it with no shouting or electric devices. Remain calm and assertive at all times (breathe deeply and remind yourself you do not have to go to the gym!).
7. Stand tall with your shoulders back and head up. Your are top dog so act like it. Your demeanour and voice will express
your confidence. You are clam, assertive, loving and fair. You are the benevolent pack leader.
8. Be a model for your Saint. The pack leader behaves with confidence, dignity and authority. It will be comforting to your Saintly
teenager to be calm, trusting and respectful under your intelligent leadership.
You have brought your puppy Saint a long way to get to this age and with a little more patience and persistence you can look forward to a long and satisfying balanced relationship. If you are willing to see your Saint through this next stage in their life's journey of becoming a wonderful family member, you will be rewarded with more joy and sense of fulfilment than you ever dared imagine.
- This information has been taken from the Club's Breed Information Book
Dogs learn by linking cause and effect. You will teach your puppy Saint by showing pleasure or displeasure at their behaviour. When your puppy obeys your command, immediately praise and stroke him gently. Your Saint will soon get the idea that your praise always follows good behaviour and will want to respond your commands as this will be the reward.
When your Saint displays undesirable behaviour, correct them immediately - not 10 seconds later nor half an hour later nor later in the day. The opportunity to teach has passed. For instance, showing displeasure at finding the garden dug up hours after the event will only confuse a puppy. Your Saint will not be able to connect your displeasure with the digging done some time earlier in the day. It is up to you to be timely with your corrections and rewards.
Dogs at any age are very aware of both verbal and non verbal signals and commands from their humans. It is important that you are consistent with these. Whether intentionally or not, when training your puppy you are teaching them to respond to both your verbal and visual signals and commands. You must ensure your verbal commands correlate with your visual signals, because if they do not you will be creating confusion for your puppy and disaster for yourself. The combined use of the correct and consistent tone of voice, along with the verbal and visual signals used are vitally important to successfully training your Saint. When you praise your pup use a genuinely calm tone of voice, reinforced with some close physical contact, such as stroking him gently or encouraging play.
It may also be beneficial to occasionally use treats in training to teach your puppy that praise is synonymous with yummy rewards – but not too often, so that it doesn’t become the sole motivating factor in learning.
Commands must be always direct and in a calm tone of voice that makes it clear to your puppy that these are commands, not requests.
Similarly, admonishments should be firm whilst in a calm tone of voice. There must never by any doubt in your pup’s mind about who is in command.
When teaching your puppy or adolescent Saint commands, such as COME, STAY, SIT and so forth, call their name followed only by the single word/command. Remember that different training commands from different people will only confuse the puppy so everyone in the family needs to work together. Keep it simple, direct and be consistent. “Come over here, boy/girl, quickly”, will only confuse your Saint.
One way of correcting disobedience is to take hold of them by the jowls with both hands. Look your Saint directly in the eyes and with a calm attitude scold them with the verbal command "NO" and give them two or three brief but firm shakes. Your Saint will accept this physical correction instinctively because it is like the method used by their mother. Gradually a verbal command and stern "NO" will usually suffice when discipline is needed.
Never correct your puppy by hitting with a rolled up newspaper or anything else. This will merely make them afraid of you. The emphasis should be on REWARD not punishment. If you ever feel things getting the better of you, do not give up and walk away from your Saint! Take a few calming deep breaths and when you feel calm continue.
Bringing Home Your New Saint Puppy
Your puppy is allowed to go home at minimum 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering puppies to go to home less than 8 weeks should be reported to the canine controlling body in your state i.e. Dogs NSW.
When you bring your new puppy Saint home they are looking to you as their to new pack leader for leadership, security and affection. The first thing to ensure is that your puppy is provided with their own bed in a quiet, sheltered and comfortable place. It may take the puppy some time to get accustomed to his new surroundings so give them a little time to do so.
Training your puppy Saint begins the moment you bring them home. Your Saint is at an impressionable age so careful training is important to establish good habits from the outset. If you put in the work at this stage you will be rewarded with the well behaved, social, docile Saint Bernard for which you have dreamed.
During the first months, teaching should be confined to commands such as SIT, STAY, COME and NO.
You must place restrictions on you puppy now such as not allowing your Saint to chew on furniture, shoes and so on. You must be consistent and patient during this period so that your Saint begins to develop good habits. Having their own designated toys, such as a ball and rubber bone will help. You should always be calm and patient when giving any discipline and it should be mild and NEVER include shouting or hitting.
YOU MUST SOCIALISE YOUR SAINT! Once your puppy is fully vaccinated at 16 weeks of age it is very important that your Saint is socialised with strangers, other dogs, children and other animals as often as possible. This is critical your Saint’s ongoing development. It is equally important that your Saint puppy and adolescent continues to experiences as many environmental situations as possible, so that phobias do not develop. For instance, let your Saint become accustomed to the noise and sight of traffic, use the onset of thunderstorms to sit calmly and ignore any fears your pup may exhibit. This sort of familiarization is essential to your pup’s later social development and general health and wellbeing.
Please note that caution should be taken until your puppy's vaccinations are completed at 16 weeks of age. Please remember NEVER make you Saint exercise or walk excessively and NEVER in warm/hot parts of the day and months of the year.
House Training
All puppies need to relieve themselves frequently. You must be dedicated to taking your puppy outside first thing in the morning, after every meal or drink of water, after every game or rest period and last thing at night. Allow you Saint enough time to sniff around and to toilet, do not rush the process. If you want the puppy to use one particular area make sure it is easy to get to and always praise the puppy each time your puppy successfully uses it. You need to train yourself to recognize the subtle signals and behaviour e.g. may become agitated, sniff the ground or become generally restless, and soon you will easily recognise when your Saint needs to go outside.
To toilet train your puppy, you must show patience and NEVER rub their nose in a mess or punish them for accidents inside the house. The
accident is your fault not theirs!! If the puppy does relieve themself in the house and in your presence a calm, definite command "NO" will suffice and immediately take the puppy to where you want him to go. Then clean and spray the accident with deodorant/disinfectant to deter the puppy from using the same spot again. Then review what signals and behaviours or routines you missed that caused the accident in order to improve your training regime.
Destructive Chewing, Biting and Nipping
It is natural for puppies to chew particularly when they are teething. Hard rubber chew toys or a ball make excellent teething tools for puppies. You need to find an ideal substitute for that shoe, chair leg or any other item your puppy must not chew. With a with a firm, calm command “NO” and remove the item the Saint should not be chewing or move him and immediately substitute with his own chew toy.
Biting or nipping usually starts as a form of play. A calm and definite command "NO" and substituting a toy will gradually deter further biting. Remember a cute nip or mouthing on the hand from your small puppy will not be such fun behaviour a fully grown Saint Bernard. You must discourage this behaviour from day one and be consistent with discipline and training.
Jumping
Do not allow jumping on people or other animals. A jumping puppy will develop into a jumping giant St Bernard in a few short months. Jumping up can be deterred by placing your open hand in front of the pup’s face to prevent the jump with a firm, calm command “NO”. If your pup tries to jump when on the leash and check-chain, a quick, downward jerk on the leash together with the same “NO” command will deter them. Teaching your puppy Saint not to jump up on you other people, children and other animals is essential. Don’t wait until they are partially or fully gown as you will be too busy picking up yourself or the unfortunate victim. Training your puppy Saint Bernard not to jump
begins on the day you bring him home.
Excessive Barking
Excessive barking is most often caused by boredom and loneliness. Puppies will not become bored or lonely with regular training sessions, gentle exercise and attention from you and family. However, if your Saint is barking excessively for no apparent reason, placing your open hand in front of the pup’s face with a firm, calm command “NO”. If this fails to work you may take hold of them by the jowls, as explained
earlier, command “NO”, and firmly scold them. Do not tolerate consistent barking in the belief that your puppy is guarding your property –dogs are not mature enough to guard at younger than 14 months.
Training Clubs
Dogs NSW regularly publish a list of training clubs and contact details in their journal and website. If you have trouble finding the right trainer that suits your needs The Saint Bernard Club of NSW Inc will help point you in the right direction. Most training clubs start off with the
basics of training a puppy and go right through to trialling your dog if you are interested in going that far. To trial your dog and live in NSW you will be required to become a member of Dogs NSW.
In 99% of all training problems it is not the fault of the dog. Dogs are pack animals and are used to running with or taking leadership of a pack. Similarly, the pet dog, outside of such an environment, looks to you to take the role as the pack leader. if you do not take on this role, your Saint will. This is why it is you who needs to be taught how to take over this leadership role and gain the respect and control of your dog whilst sending your dog away to be trained without you is usually proves fruitless. Clubs where you attend with your dog are highly recommended.
Juveniles - Saintly Teenagers
“Puppies appear to learn quickly – but then it takes a long time for them to acquire the confidence to perform consistently”.
How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With....
by Clarice. Rutherford and David Neil
Suddenly you wonder what went wrong. Your normally friendly, docile and obedient Saint puppy will not pay attention to you. In fact, it seems like your Saint is deliberately doing the opposite of what you want them to do. Well, nothing is really wrong. Puppies go through difficult times, and this is one of them. (Difficult for you, that is, not for them!) At six or seven months, and maybe again at 12 months, your Saint Bernard will challenge your leadership. They have become a dreaded teenager. An adolescent. With some Saints that are especially slow to mature, this may not happen until they are 18 months and again at age two. It is a transition stage of growing up. Your Saint is no longer a mere puppy, but neither is are they fully matured. It is a very normal occurrence in their life, so do not let it upset you. Let your Saint know what they are doing and that you are still in full charge of their life. You are the boss as you would do with a human teenager.
During this time, your Saint may try your patience severely, especially if he or she has not been neutered/spayed. They have become more intense and excitable, and want to thoroughly investigate everything. A female may act silly and not respond to known commands. They try to assert their dominance and push the boundaries. Some dogs go through chewing frenzies. Some seem to be so full of energy and so full of themselves that they appear deaf to your commands.
This can also be a very dangerous time for your Saintly juvenile and totally exasperating for you. They behave like an idiot and treat you with complete disdain. They are also a very large puppy moving into adulthood. This is a time when the dog’s owners believe that this Saint is turning out to be a bad idea. He is not controllable and he has become much bigger than anyone could have ever imagined. This dog is no longer a happy, cute, tail wagging baby. He has turned into a slobbery uncontrollable monster, and is taken to the local Animal Control to be put up for adoption –or worse.
At this delicate time in your Saint’s life, you will need to be patient and have an attitude of determination and a will to be consistent with your dog. Hormones are surging to the forefront. The best approach for you to take with your Saint is to keep training the basic commands just as you have always done. Use these basic commands to enforce your policy of good behaviour, just as you have always done. As the leader of your dog’s pack, you will let your Saint know that you are the boss and that you demand their respect at all times. Insist on those same good behaviours that were learned as a young pup when they was a bit more cooperative. This is a good time to enrol in an obedience class that will establish a routine and weekly goals. Keep in mind that as with all teenagers, this too will pass, and your Saint will again become the good dog you have come to know.
Insist on Good Behaviour
Insist that your Saintly teenager learns good behaviour at all times. Expect good behaviour from them when friends arrive at the door. Expect good behaviour from them when they go inside and out. Expect good behaviour from them when they go out with you for a walk. Expect good behaviour from them when strangers approach. You must insist on good behaviour in all situations with new-found determination and consistency. Use the same procedure every time you make a correction (consistency). Never lose your patience and say, “Oh-it's hopeless”. Your dog will know and sense the difference from you and will take advantage of it every time and you will go backwards in your training. You must be calm, patient and persistent as you would with a human teenager.
Reinforcement is Basic
Use the “SIT” command to control your Saintly adolescent. Use it to discipline them in the sense that it stops their bad behaviour and puts you back in control of your dog and gains their respect. Confirm the fact that your Saint knows that they are expected to sit IMMEDIATELY and whenever you ask them to sit. Do it over and over and over again to make sure it is clear in their brain and instinctual that when you command “SIT” they must sit immediately. Take them for a walk and practice the sit exercise over and over and over. Walk your Saint a few steps with a command “WALK ON” and give the command “SIT”. (Do not use the “HEEL” command at any time during this exercise). If they ignore you, put your right hand on the leash near the collar and your left hand across their rear end just in front of their hind legs. Pull up
on the leash and squeeze down and back with thumb and third finger of your left hand. Repeat the "SIT” command as you sit them. Always be ready to use both hands to enforce your sit command if your Saint does not respond immediately. Always be clam, alert and in full control as the pack leader and show that you will make corrections immediately whenever they attempt to ignore your commands. The more you concentration what you are doing the better your timing will become.
Being A Pack Leader Is What Is All About
For dogs it is all about the pack and nothing makes a dog feel more secure and balanced than having a strong pack leader. Being the alpha or pack leader is what it is all about and you must assert yourself in this position If you are not seen as the pack leader some examples of negative behaviours displayed by your Saintly teenager could include running away when you call them to come, growling when you roll over onto them in your own bed, scratching at itch when you command “DOWN”. However, if your Saintly teenager lets you take their food away whilst eating, comes when called, even when they are playing with another dog, or sits/stays while you talk to a friend on the street corner, your are on your way to being the pack leader your Saint is looking for.
It will be a waste of time trying to train your Saintly teenager without first establishing yourself as the pack leader and the position of your Saint in your family pack. Every dog needs a leader he can trust and respectand they need to do this with the rest of the family pack also.
If he does not have one, he will take on the leadership role themself. If you do not provide this structure your Saint will create it. He has to - it is nature to do so as a dog. As the leader of your Saintly teenager’s pack, you must deliver structure required and a message to your dog
with an air of calm confidence in everything you do.
Summary
1. When rewarding good behaviour praise profusely with pats and warm hugs. Do not be shy about it.
2. Praise warmly, but quickly. Do not drag it out by fawning over a single good sit/stay.
3. When reprimanding bad behaviour do it quickly but fairly and then let it go just as quickly. A collar shake or leash correction done with calm confidence and authority works well when done quickly to surprise your dog. Remember it is a correction not punishment!
4. Give permission. Give it for whatever your Saintly teenager was about to do as long is OK with you. In a subtle way you are teaching them to look to you for approval and permission.
5. Deny permission. Do not allow your Saint to throw their weight around, pushing in or pushing past. Deciding to withhold permission is
vital to gaining your Saint's respect. It is also an important for control and safety.
6. Do a Sit/Stay. When your Saint breaks, and they will, put them back. If your Saint breaks 20 times, put them back 20 times. After a few minutes your Saint will understand what your want from them and that you are their leader. You must do it with no shouting or electric devices. Remain calm and assertive at all times (breathe deeply and remind yourself you do not have to go to the gym!).
7. Stand tall with your shoulders back and head up. Your are top dog so act like it. Your demeanour and voice will express
your confidence. You are clam, assertive, loving and fair. You are the benevolent pack leader.
8. Be a model for your Saint. The pack leader behaves with confidence, dignity and authority. It will be comforting to your Saintly
teenager to be calm, trusting and respectful under your intelligent leadership.
You have brought your puppy Saint a long way to get to this age and with a little more patience and persistence you can look forward to a long and satisfying balanced relationship. If you are willing to see your Saint through this next stage in their life's journey of becoming a wonderful family member, you will be rewarded with more joy and sense of fulfilment than you ever dared imagine.
- This information has been taken from the Club's Breed Information Book
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