Giant breed · Popularity #47
St. Bernard Training
The St. Bernard is a legendary Alpine rescue dog, enormous in size yet famously gentle, patient, and friendly. Its calm temperament makes it wonderful with children, but its sheer bulk means training must start early—teaching leash manners and impulse control while it is still a puppy prevents an unmanageable adult. St. Bernards are sensitive and eager to please, responding well to gentle, reward-based methods. They need only moderate exercise but overheat easily in summer. Slow to mature, they stay puppyish for years. Well-socialized and trained, the St. Bernard is a devoted, watchful, and supremely good-natured family companion.
Trainability
Energy
Barking
- daily exercise
- ~45 min
- size
- Giant
- guides
- 30
Temperament
GentleFriendlyPatientWatchful
Common training challenges
Leash pullingJumping (as pups)DroolingSlow maturity
8 guides
Obedience
How to Leash Train a St. BernardTeaching calm, polite walking without pulling on the leash.BeginnerHow to Train a St. Bernard to Come When CalledA reliable recall is the most important safety skill you can teach.IntermediateHow to Teach a St. Bernard to SitThe foundational obedience cue every dog should learn first.BeginnerHow to Teach a St. Bernard to StayBuilding duration, distance, and distraction control with the stay cue.BeginnerHow to Teach a St. Bernard to Leave ItImpulse control around food, objects, and hazards.IntermediateHow to Teach a St. Bernard to HeelPrecision loose-leash walking in the heel position.IntermediateHow to Teach a St. Bernard to Lie DownThe down cue as a building block for settle and impulse control.BeginnerHow to Teach a St. Bernard the Place CommandSending your dog to a mat or bed and holding a relaxed stay.Intermediate
6 guides
Puppy
How to Potty Train a St. Bernard PuppyA step-by-step house-training routine for reliable results.BeginnerHow to Crate Train a St. BernardMaking the crate a safe, calm den your dog chooses willingly.BeginnerHow to Stop a St. Bernard Puppy From BitingCurbing nipping and teaching gentle bite inhibition.BeginnerHow to Socialize a St. Bernard PuppyBuilding confidence during the critical socialization window.BeginnerHow to Stop a St. Bernard Puppy From Crying at NightSettling a new puppy for peaceful, uninterrupted nights.BeginnerThe Ideal Training Schedule for a St. Bernard PuppyA daily routine balancing training, play, rest, and potty breaks.Beginner
10 guides
Behavior
How to Stop a St. Bernard From BarkingIdentifying triggers and reducing excessive or nuisance barking.IntermediateHow to Treat Separation Anxiety in a St. BernardA gradual desensitization plan for dogs that panic when left alone.AdvancedHow to Stop a St. Bernard From Chewing EverythingManaging destructive chewing and teaching appropriate outlets.BeginnerHow to Stop a St. Bernard From Jumping on PeopleTeaching polite greetings instead of jumping up.BeginnerHow to Handle Aggression in a St. BernardUnderstanding and safely managing aggressive behavior.AdvancedHow to Fix Leash Reactivity in a St. BernardReducing lunging and barking at dogs or people on walks.AdvancedHow to Stop a St. Bernard From DiggingRedirecting the urge to dig into acceptable outlets.IntermediateHow to Stop Resource Guarding in a St. BernardSafely resolving guarding of food, toys, and spaces.AdvancedHow to Help a St. Bernard Overcome Fear of StrangersBuilding confidence in a shy or fearful dog around new people.AdvancedHow to Stop a St. Bernard From Counter SurfingKeeping paws off counters and food off the menu.Intermediate
6 guides
Advanced
How to Train a St. Bernard to Be Off LeashDeveloping the reliability needed for safe off-leash freedom.AdvancedHow to Clicker Train a St. BernardUsing marker-based training for fast, precise communication.IntermediateHow to Teach a St. Bernard TricksFun trick training from shake and roll over to advanced chains.IntermediateHow to Start Agility Training With a St. BernardIntroducing your dog to agility equipment and courses.AdvancedHow to Prepare a St. Bernard for the Canine Good Citizen TestPassing the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification, step by step.IntermediateAdvanced Obedience Training for a St. BernardProofing advanced obedience under real-world distractions.Advanced