Obedience · St. Bernard
How to Teach a St. Bernard to Leave It
Updated · How we write our guides
Short answer
Teach your St. Bernard to leave it by using consistent, positive reinforcement to reward them for ignoring closed fists, floor items, and food distractions. Progressing at their pace accommodates their slower maturity and strong food motivation, successfully building reliable impulse control.
St. Bernards are gentle giants with a patient, watchful temperament, making them surprisingly capable learners—though they do mature slowly and can be stubborn at times. Teaching "Leave It" is crucial for this breed, as their size and food motivation mean leash pulling and jumping can cause unintended harm, and their low impulse control around food and objects can lead to dangerous situations in the home or outdoors. Unlike high-energy breeds, St. Bernards have moderate exercise needs (45 minutes daily) and actually benefit from focused mental work like impulse-control training. With consistent, positive-reinforcement methods and patience through their slower maturity, your St. Bernard will master this essential obedience skill, giving you safer control and building their confidence.
How to do it
Step-by-step
Tick off each step as you practice it — your progress is saved on this device.
Step 1: Start with a High-Value Treat and Two Closed Fists
Place a treat in one closed fist and keep the other empty. Let your St. Bernard sniff both hands. When they pull away from the empty hand (even briefly), mark it with "Yes!" and immediately reward from the treat hand. This teaches the concept without pressure—perfect for their patient, food-motivated nature.
Step 2: Introduce the Verbal Cue "Leave It" with Consistent Timing
Once your dog reliably pauses, add the cue "Leave It" just before they naturally pull away. Say it calmly and clearly; St. Bernards respond well to a steady, reassuring tone rather than urgency. Reward generously every time they respond, building a strong association between the words and the behavior.
Step 3: Gradually Increase Difficulty with Floor-Level Objects
Place low-value items (toys, sticks) on the ground in a controlled indoor space. Use the "Leave It" cue and reward handsomely when your St. Bernard ignores them. Proceed slowly—their moderate trainability means rushing past this step will frustrate progress. Go at their pace, celebrating every success.
Step 4: Practice Around Food Distractions (Their Key Trigger)
Place kibble or low-value treats on the floor. Use "Leave It" from 2–3 feet away and reward with a higher-value treat from your hand when they comply. St. Bernards are strongly food-motivated; this exercise is essential for real-world safety around table scraps and hazards. Keep sessions short (5–10 minutes) to match their moderate energy.
Step 5: Add Distance and Variable Rewards
Once reliable indoors, ask for "Leave It" from increasing distances and in slightly busier environments. Vary your rewards—sometimes treats, sometimes play or praise. This prevents boredom in their steady temperament and ensures the behavior holds in unpredictable situations.
Step 6: Proof the Behavior on Walks
Practice on-leash in quiet outdoor areas, then gradually in busier parks. Use "Leave It" for dropped food, interesting smells, or hazards. Your St. Bernard's watchful, obedient nature makes them responsive once trained, but consistent reinforcement cements the habit during leash pulling moments.
For the St. Bernard
Pro tips
- Use a calm, warm tone when teaching—St. Bernards are sensitive to harsh corrections and respond better to steady, reassuring guidance that respects their gentle temperament.
- Keep treats and toys out of sight between training sessions; their food drive is strong, and reducing temptation indoors prevents bad habits and keeps focus sharp when you do train.
- Practice "Leave It" before meals or walks when your St. Bernard is slightly hungry but not frantic—they're food-motivated and most attentive at this sweet spot, making learning faster despite moderate trainability.
Owners ask
Frequently asked questions
My St. Bernard is slow to mature (sometimes not until 18-24 months). Should I wait to train 'Leave It'?
No—start early, even with puppies. Use shorter, more frequent sessions (5–10 minutes) to accommodate their moderate trainability and shorter attention span during growth. Their gentle temperament makes them patient learners, and early impulse control prevents dangerous jumping and food-guarding habits from becoming ingrained.
St. Bernards are huge and pull hard on leash. How do I practice 'Leave It' safely?
Begin indoors and in secure, quiet spaces before proofing outdoors. Use a well-fitted harness to manage pulling if needed. Once "Leave It" is reliable inside, practice on calm walks in low-distraction areas. Their natural watchfulness means they're actually quite responsive once trained—this skill directly addresses leash pulling around distractions.
How often should I train a St. Bernard on 'Leave It'?
Aim for 3–5 short sessions per week (5–10 minutes each) rather than long, intense daily training. St. Bernards have moderate energy and respond best to frequent, manageable practice. Consistency matters more than duration for their slower maturity and trainability level.
What if my St. Bernard simply ignores the cue and grabs food anyway?
Never punish—this undermines their gentle, trusting temperament. Instead, prevent access (manage the environment), return to easier, indoor drills, and reward heavily for compliance. If progress stalls, shorten distances and use higher-value rewards. Their patient nature responds to encouragement, not correction.
Watch
Videos: leave it
How to Train Your Dog to LEAVE IT: Complete Beginner's Guide
Happy Hounds Dog Training · Works for any breed
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Email us — we review every report, fix the guide and update its date. Our guides are general education, not a substitute for a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist.
