How to Teach a St. Bernard to Heel
Teaching a St. Bernard to heel is an essential obedience skill for this gentle giant. Due to their size and natural leash-pulling tendencies, St. Bernards benefit enormously from learning precise loose-leash walking in the heel position—it improves safety, reduces strain on both dog and handler, and strengthens your bond. St. Bernards are moderately trainable and patient, which works in your favor; however, their slow maturity means consistency over months is key. At 45 minutes of daily exercise, many St. Bernards have lower energy levels, making focused training sessions highly effective. This guide uses positive reinforcement exclusively to build a reliable heel without frustration, accounting for their friendly, watchful temperament and their tendency to pull rather than ignore commands.
Step-by-step
- 1
Establish the heel position and hand signal indoors
Choose a quiet room with few distractions. Hold high-value treats (small, soft pieces) at your left hip where you want your St. Bernard's shoulder to align. Lure your dog into position, mark the behavior with 'yes!' or a clicker, and reward immediately. Repeat 10–15 times, 2–3 times daily, until your dog consistently moves into heel without prompting.
- 2
Add the verbal cue 'heel' with consistency
Once your St. Bernard reliably finds the heel position for treats, say 'heel' *before* luring them into place. Always reward within 1–2 seconds of compliance. St. Bernards respond best to calm, clear commands; avoid repeating the cue or raising your voice, as they are sensitive to tone despite their size.
- 3
Practice walking short distances at home
With your St. Bernard in heel position, take 5–10 slow steps, rewarding every 2–3 steps with a treat at hip level. Keep sessions to 5 minutes to maintain focus; their moderate trainability and lower energy mean short, focused sessions outperform long ones. Gradually increase distance over 1–2 weeks before moving outdoors.
- 4
Transition to outdoor environments in low-distraction settings
Begin in a quiet park or driveway away from other dogs and heavy foot traffic. Your St. Bernard's watchful nature may cause them to monitor their surroundings, so use higher-value treats outdoors and reward heavily for maintaining heel position. If pulling increases, reduce session length and environment difficulty until consistency returns.
- 5
Proof the heel across varied settings and durations
Gradually introduce busier environments—moderately busy streets, parks with other dogs at distance. Reinforce heel randomly during walks rather than every step to prevent treat-dependency. At this stage, St. Bernards' patient temperament becomes a strength; they settle into the routine if rewarded fairly and consistently over several weeks.
- 6
Maintain the heel with intermittent reinforcement long-term
Once reliable in most contexts, reward heel periodically (every 5th to 10th correct step) rather than continuously. Continue daily 45-minute exercise separate from training walks to prevent frustration from under-stimulation. St. Bernards' slow maturity means this skill will solidify better between 18–24 months of age, so patience pays dividends.
Pro tips
- Train before your St. Bernard's daily 45-minute exercise, not after—they heel better with moderate energy rather than excess energy or fatigue.
- Use a 6-foot fixed leash indoors and outdoors during training to prevent your giant's leash-pulling habit from being reinforced; extendable leashes encourage pulling.
- Keep treat rewards small and low-calorie because St. Bernards gain weight easily, yet require frequent reinforcement during the learning phase—chicken or freeze-dried liver pieces work perfectly.
Frequently asked questions
My St. Bernard is only 8 months old and still very puppy-like. Should I wait to train heel?+
No—start now, but keep sessions very short (3–5 minutes) and expectations realistic. St. Bernards have slow maturity, so beginning early establishes good leash habits before full size and strength make pulling dangerous. Focus on consistency rather than perfection at this age.
What if my St. Bernard pulls forward despite the treats?+
Stop moving, stand still, and wait silently until they release tension on the leash. Only then reward and continue. This teaches that pulling gets nowhere while loose-leash walking (heel) gets rewards. This method aligns with their gentle temperament and avoids punishment-based techniques.
How often should I train if I want results in a reasonable timeframe?+
Train heel 3–5 times per week in dedicated 5–10 minute sessions, plus reinforce during daily walks. Given their moderate trainability and low energy, consistency matters more than duration. Most owners see solid progress in 6–8 weeks with this schedule.
My St. Bernard drools a lot—will that affect training or treat rewards?+
Not significantly. Use small, soft treats that won't get lost in drool, and carry a towel to wipe your hands. The drooling won't interfere with their ability to learn or be motivated by food rewards, so proceed normally.