How to Teach a St. Bernard Tricks
Teaching tricks to your St. Bernard is a rewarding way to bond while channeling their gentle, patient nature into positive behaviors. Unlike high-energy breeds, St. Bernards mature slowly and require a calm, consistent approach—avoid repetitive drilling sessions that can bore them. Their moderate trainability (3/5) means they respond best to high-value rewards and short, focused training windows. Because St. Bernards are prone to leash pulling and jumping, trick training actually helps redirect excess energy constructively while building impulse control. With their watchful, friendly temperament, they genuinely enjoy pleasing their owners. This guide takes you from foundational tricks like "shake" and "roll over" to impressive trick chains—perfect for a dog who thrives on gentle praise and meaningful interaction rather than intense activity.
Step-by-step
- 1
Start with Foundation Tricks Using High-Value Rewards
Begin with simple, one-step tricks like "sit" and "shake" using treats your St. Bernard genuinely loves (cheese, cooked chicken). Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times daily, since St. Bernards tire mentally faster than smaller breeds and need time to process. This builds confidence and establishes that training is rewarding, not exhausting.
- 2
Teach "Roll Over" with Patient, Incremental Steps
Start with your dog in a "play bow" or lying down, then lure treats from their nose toward their shoulder to encourage rolling. Break this into mini-steps: first just tipping onto one hip, then further, then a full roll—reward heavily at each micro-progression. St. Bernards learn slower but retain what they understand, so patience here pays off.
- 3
Master Impulse Control Before Chaining Tricks
Practice "wait" and "stay" between tricks to build the impulse control that prevents jumping and leash pulling during training. This is essential for St. Bernards, whose size and gentle nature mean they sometimes forget their own strength. A calm "wait" cue will make multi-trick chains feel natural rather than chaotic.
- 4
Build Simple Trick Chains with Clear Pauses
Once your St. Bernard masters 2–3 individual tricks, chain them together with deliberate pauses: "sit"—treat—"shake"—treat—"down"—treat. Keep chains to 3 tricks maximum initially; the low energy level of St. Bernards means longer sequences can overwhelm them. Use a release word like "free" to mark the end of a chain.
- 5
Address Size and Strength With Positional Awareness
Since St. Bernards tend to jump and pull, always reward tricks performed in a seated or grounded position. Avoid tricks requiring jumping height or spinning, which tax their giant frames and can encourage the very jumping behavior you're managing. Position yourself safely so they don't accidentally knock you over during enthusiastic responses.
- 6
Reinforce with Praise, Not Just Treats
St. Bernards are deeply motivated by connection and approval; use genuine verbal praise and gentle petting alongside treats. This prevents treat-dependent training and taps into their natural desire to please. Over time, you can fade treats and rely on "good dog!" and affection as primary rewards.
Pro tips
- Train before meals or when your St. Bernard is alert but not overstimulated; their low energy level means early morning or late afternoon works best, and never after vigorous play.
- Use a consistent release word (like 'free' or 'break') to signal the end of a trick or chain, giving your gentle giant clarity and reducing confusion about when they can move freely.
- Pair trick training with your daily 45-minute exercise routine: a short 5-minute trick session before or after a walk capitalizes on their natural rhythm and keeps training from feeling like added burden.
Frequently asked questions
My St. Bernard learns slowly. Am I doing something wrong?+
No—St. Bernards have a trainability score of 3/5 and mature slowly, so slower learning is normal. Keep sessions short (5–10 min), use the highest-value rewards, and space sessions across the day rather than drilling one trick repeatedly. They're absorbing more than you think; consistency over weeks, not days, is key.
How do I prevent my St. Bernard from jumping during trick training?+
Teach tricks in a seated or lying-down position exclusively. Reward heavily only when all four paws are grounded. If they jump for excitement, step back, wait for calm, then reset. Combine this with daily 45-minute exercise to channel their lower energy level productively.
Can I train my St. Bernard to do advanced tricks like play dead or weave through legs?+
Play dead (roll over and stay still) is achievable and builds on "roll over." Weaving through legs is harder for a giant breed; instead, try tricks suited to their size, like backing up, bowing, or spinning in place. Respect their frame—complex body movements can strain a growing or large dog.
My St. Bernard gets bored with repetition. What should I do?+
St. Bernards are intelligent but have moderate trainability, so avoid drilling the same trick 20 times. Mix up tricks during a session, take 1–2 days off between focused sessions, and rotate which tricks you practice. This keeps training fresh and prevents the monotony that dulls their enthusiasm.