Education

If you have done well attention when choosing your puppy, you know about his character. But it's up to you to change for good or evil. Indeed, a puppy is malleable and will adapt its character according to the data offered to them.

The dog is a pack animal, so he needs a head: it is vital for its balance.

In nature, the leader is one who makes the decisions, shows the way, ensures the survival of the Group and established the order of fair and authoritarian. Must obey under penalty of more or less severe retaliation.

The dog was no longer in a pack of canines must find his Chief among his human Pack; are therefore the first days following the arrival of the puppy capital, it will know instinctively that must be listened to (by necessarily one who gives to eat) and with which we can play (not always who you think!).

Many people will turn off when talking about this dominance to be put on his dog telling us that we don't live in a military regime. I am sorry to contradict but before, the Bernese and other dogs of course had only a utility function: you work = you eat.

Our time, our companions (overwhelmingly) no longer have that a role of company is to say that they no longer serve to become the youngest of the family with all human feelings that go with (anthropomorphism).

Gold was all wrong: as it will not our child for a dog as much the opposite is true, it is not at all derogatory. A dog, whatever ', remains a canid that needs a certain framework of life to flourish and this framework includes a chef, simply.

This leadership position will be more or less contested as one case a puppy dominated or dominant nature.

Here's a tip given by Joseph Tindille, Akita breeder (the dog letter - April 96)

I submit to you a trick that lets in 90% of cases that the puppy is clean in his new masters from the first day (aside from nocturnal pipis). When a client leaves home with her puppy we ask, on arrival at the House, not to make the puppy directly into the apartment but leave it out for 10 to 15 minutes, in which case the puppy relieves after a trip by car. We must then clearly congratulate the animal and give him a small treat. The puppy includes, therefore, that the thing should be done outdoors and not in the apartment. .......

Anyway, it must exit the puppy regularly after NAPs, meals, on average every hour the first week of its arrival. Show him your contentment when it relieves out and don't be afraid to make tons: overdo your joy during the Pee-POO so the puppy well combines your joy and his gesture.

If you see running around in circles at home, put fast outside. On the other hand, if it is forgotten, scold it immediately and put out for the suite (with still sequence Clowning so the rest of the needs is done outside). Merge once cleaned damage, he must not see you washing 4-legged, he would take it to a game to renew.

This combination of actions should be effective at the end of 15 days. Do not scold your puppy if you discover a pee on your return, he knows more that it was him that did it even if it has a crestfallen air: it is your voice intonation that lowers it the ears, not the stupidity which he no longer remembers! Experience with a glass of water poured into a corner of the exhibit and scold your baby, you'll see it flatten while he did nothing.

One last piece of advice: when you take your puppy for his needs, expect it to do them and retract it immediately, it goes so well make the difference between outputs hygienic and games. If you leave it out, it will involve peeing in the House = delighted by frolicking in the garden = again!

A 4 or 5 month puppy can still forget from time to time, at 7 months need to ask questions!

On the other hand, if your BouBou returned from the garden and copiously watered your carpet possibly looking you in the eye, should not be devin to understand that the education Department must be revisited.

We start with the easiest.

When your puppy sits naturally, lay your hand on her rump and say sit, praise the (little piece of cheese). And this several times per day. Once he has associated with the gesture and agenda, complicate the situation by giving the order sitting at the time of the meal: seeing his bowl, it will be shared between the urge to eat and obey and do anything. Does it present to eat that when he sat down, even half a second the first time; the following days, you will increase the pause time to have one sitting impeccable. This order is very convenient for a city dog (circulation, stoplight, meetings,...) and around 6 months, you are going to complicate it by giving the sit command and away from your dog. First with a length of leash, always smoothly, by repeating the order often then more later, the dog returning to order only.

The secret: go very slowly, never progress until a phase is not perfectly executed. Do not saturate your Boga nor, exercises for 5 to 10 minutes are enough 2-3 times per week. This is not a German Shepherd magnet military service, our Switzerland is longer to relax...!

The sitting is the basic order and the first learned, you will be a significant help to reinforce your position as leader. Make it a habit to use it several times during the day:

* instead of see it rushing on his bowl,.
* instead of you find stuck both in a doorway because he wanted to spend before you,
* pending to open the trunk of the car,
* to welcome visitors,
* to use the collar,
* .....

All those little moments will make her understand that lack of pot, in this House it is not him who commands.

Well Yes, we must also teach a dog to stay standing especially if we want to make the Expos. It's so practical a sitting dog when expected to red light, chatting with friends, outside a shop in front of the table... that one finds oneself as a c... in front of a judge with our dog stoically sitting and proud as Artaban!

The standing is learned at the time of grooming: always finish brushing with the puppy on his knees and giving the order stand. As for the sitting, the position will be held half a second and will barely allow a blow of brush on the back but as the sessions, you will see the progress. And always the reward: Gru...!



If you do exhibitions, you will quickly learn that a good presentation is often the difference between dogs of the same value. Then, you can put all the chances on your side by learning your future champion a standing impeccable.

Your puppy will have learned to be standing still during grooming, need to learn how to keep the position while you move backward slightly. Never forget that everything should be in a good mood; If you rush, it will be held as a bag potatoes until it goes and... will do this on the ring!

Backwards to you, enjoy the placement of the tabs that must be parallel. With even of patience, it is gradually rectify a leg while the body moves.

The aim of the game is not to have a statue without life but a dog that knows what is expected of him and that is proud to be a pleasure.

A little advice: be super cool with your cheesemonger...

We begin to put the collar and the leash to 2 1/2 months.

use from the earliest age collared semi choke from 30 to 40 cm in length if the puppy tends to pull on the leash. This type of collar prevents the clearances of puppies: a simple voltage immediately tightens the collar and the puppy is unable to leave his head. With a fixed collar, there is always fear of tightening the neck of babies and these have quickly made clear, which is very dangerous when you are in town.
As soon as the leaves is more tense, the collar resumes its original position without tightening.

To a good use of this type of collar, it forms a P when going around the neck (for a market, leftmost).
Try on your wrist to see the difference.

If your puppy does not draw on the leaves in general, a fixed collar poses no problems. For my part I prefer wide fabrics beads with plastic loops because they damage less the hair.

In remaining crouched near the puppy and playing, the first session lasts 5 seconds. The next day, we start again 2 or 3 times in the day, still smooth and in the game. Then, we start standing: very often you have then 4 legs scotchées ground and a concert of Yelp: the solution... well Yes cheese! A piece of gruyere and your puppy is 2 steps to pick up, a big hug, we remove the leash and we play. The day after: rebelote but 3 or 4 not expected. And now, your baby has understood that the mark was not a torture device but a way to be close to you and have treats. Measuring progress and the gruyere will be given only occasionally, at the end of meeting for example.

Walking on a leash must be almost perfect at the time of puberty to 8 to 10 months.

You say that your four-legged companion should not turn you into outboard, what sad sight these masters running behind their dog: Ah the la, my brave Lady, I was told that the Bernese was stubborn, it's true; look, he is unwilling to obey me, also it never listen what I tell him. Fake, faux and archi fake: a Bernese is not more stubborn than another, there just need a leader - a Bernese asks only to obey because he always wants to make us happy - a Bernese always listen to what he told because he needs the complicity of his master.

Anyway, the leash is only a decoy because our dogs have the force required to pull carts; While represent our a few pounds for their powerful shoulders? If they walk on a leash without pulling, it is to make us happy. It was the solution to the problem: Boga pulls on the leash, if there is no desire to obey. Do not put this default on the account of attractive odors, buddies who spend,... get involved and reinforce your authority.

When walking on a leash will be impeccable, you will put the leash on the back of the dog. With agenda at the foot you step down it as soon as it deviates from your leg or you take the leash. Little by little, he will walk your feet off-leash, when this will be perfect, it is sufficient to remove the. For safety, replace the leash in crowded places.

Don't be afraid that your puppy crosses his congeners on the pretext that it is small. Pulling on the leash as soon as a hairy comes your way, you don't that pass your fear and your dog will become aggressive because it believes to be on duty to defend yourself.

Make it a habit to walk with a leash not tense. If your BB is accustomed to have a traction around the neck, it may wish to reproduce this feeling into thinking that it is good and will always.

When you get home or welcome friends, it is always unpleasant to jump on it by a dog whatever ' it but when it is 55 kg and raises his legs on your shoulders, it's frankly the disaster!

Your puppy will tend to stand up for claiming hugs and to build on your legs, you'll not attention because it is small and yet it is at this point that the problem starts. Always allow this kind of demonstration, rest the puppy down and crouch. When it grows, you need more than to lean. In a pack of dogs or wolves, the head is never assaulted when he returned. Instead his subjects approached him more or less quickly depending on their social positions but under no circumstances did he jump on: conclusion... well Yes, if your dog puts you legs on shoulders to your return is that it is not perceived as the uncontested leader!

If your Boga continues his demonstrations, throw a knee to avoid the direct contact and put you really angry by saying a clear and firm. Praise him when he recovers four-legged.



As soon as your dog hears the ringing of the door, it rushes like crazy and barks after the visitor: you take it so by the collar and let people as you keeping you well to say out loud thousand profanity that pass you through the head.

In summary, your dog feels your voltage through the collar and more faces people wanting to come home; How do you calm because for him the situation is worrying?

So we take everything from the beginning: the arrival of a visit, you put your BB on a leash and you can force it to sit on your left. Initially, it will often rise, each time should restore position calmly but firmly, congratulate him and resume submissions following then make it fit people. The leash should never be tight otherwise you would have the same effect as with the required tight collar.

I would advise you to exercise with members of your family to go faster.



In all cases, should not screaming, what your hairy would take for a game or for additional aggression and especially do not take used to confine your dog to any visit: you would make him understand that each visitor is synonymous with punishment.

Anyway, the Bernese is a deterrent, that is to say that his role is to alert you of an arrival (it is perfectly normal that he barks) but the visitors must be no Grunts or threats which would prove that your Cerberus takes to the custodian of the places.

When people arrive home, they are greeted by a fairly restless HABs band: Hello, you have seen I am there chic, extra hands for the grattouilles but after 5 minutes each is returned to its place, preferably on the feet of people.

It is the hardest to learn because we work remotely.

Never call his dog more than 2 times if one is sure that he has heard. If he turned a deaf ear, it is to test you.

When the puppy comes back to you in a natural way, show him your joy as a part of grattouilles and from time to time give a piece of cheese. When you are outside, the puppy will return to you for its delicacy and play.



We must show to the puppy that return is source of pleasure



If it does not want to return, put you to knee and call it. If it is still turning a deaf ear, do not insist, it will be well alone: regardless of the time, praise and give a piece of cheese, your dog will return faster and faster if it knows your approach, he hugs and eat. A test already in an enclosed dining room or the garden area.

Your companion is not stupid and knows well 10 metres from you, you have no hold upon him except to run faster. It is necessary to make him understand that you greatly appreciate his return and that it makes you happy: hugs and cheese contribute strongly.

Anyway, you will be entitled a day either at the meeting of clowning to 15 meters of you, just to see what you are capable of doing! Well precisely, do nothing, take a deep breath and we get home: your dog taken aback by your lack of attention, will come to see if you're not sick: won, he came home! Made in nature, seeing you make a u-turn, your curious will come to see what is happening. as soon as he is near you, stroke.

If you go for it every time, he will think of a game. In the event of manifest effrontery, you can go and meet your rebel but without a word or outward or return and authoritarian way. on the other hand, need to stroke it as soon as he crossed the threshold of the House.

Pay attention to your behavior, remember that the dog knows before any sign language. However when we annoyed (be it before a recalcitrant pup or a child who made a mistake), we tend us convulsion and lean body forward: which means: caution, the beating is not far. Honestly, me, I shall not return to me enguirlander! So, relax, Crouch you to appear smaller and use only your voice.

But don't expect a reminder perfect before the age of 1 year.

Make it a habit, when you walk to compel your puppy to watch you: do not always adopt the same course, change direction without warning, hide you calling,... so your HABs fouine while strolling to its multiple occupations of true-false Hound will always have an eye on you and the callback will be greatly facilitated.

The first advice is to never gardening before his dog. Indeed, by spirit of imitation, will remake the same thing in your absence! In addition, freshly returned Earth can give him the idea that prey just go through it.

If you have a Digger, put its droppings in the holes he has just made. Guaranteed recycling and repulsive smell (good... eh, well I will dig elsewhere!).

An adult needs to play but when it is puppy that you are going to teach him the rules of the game. The base never forget: you take the initiative from the beginning and the end of entertainment. The adult who rushes you to make any antics or which brings you his ball of insistent manner, it is funny but proves a dominance in your connection behavior.

Everything starts therefore with your baby who should play but without excess (he is able to sleep 20 hours a day - from time to time I'd like to be a puppy, I admit!).

During these sessions of game, the puppy should learn not to exceed certain limits and to control his jaw. If he gets annoyed, biting the hands, torn clothing or refuses to put the ball, you must immediately stop diverting your gaze and pulling you away. Screaming would that excited him even more.

For the control of the jaw, I leave the puppies to chew on me. As soon as it becomes too strong, I give a pat on the nose by saying no and I put my hand in their mouth. The puppy, a little surprised, does not know what I asked and remorse louder: slams re. Measurement of this little game and it will make the relationship with the strength of its bite and the arrival of the punishment and will be able to stop in time. So you get a puppy and later an adult with whom you can have hands games never dangerous and perfectly controlled.

Do not forget that the jaw of your puppy is over at 7 months. So in the meantime no game traction with a cloth or other sticks, it could cause a prognathism (difference between JAWS) final, not embarrassing for the hairy but denying him the confirmation.

A punishment is effective only if the dog is caught in the Act.

If stupidity later, for example returning from work, it must ignore the fault and make the indifferent.

If you go in punishing your BB, it won't make the link between the damage and the punishment but between your back and the punishment. And this is how we see all embarrassed dogs and stashed away behind furniture when you get home: you see, he knows that he did still nonsense! Unfortunately, this is not at all true behavior, here is the true scenario: your puppy did silly things during your absences, you scold so returning BB to made the association goes my master, I have a spanking. As soon as he will feel the time of your arrival, it will stress will become anxious so... to destroy something to change ideas. And this is how a vicious circle settled.

This is somewhat the same thing when your dog does damage from your output. In this case, it is because you have forced on farewell and BB feel your anguish leave it alone and anxiety in turn... so destroyed to externalize his fear.

I howls of outrage when told me: my dog destroys in the House bothering me to get revenge because I leave it alone. Evidence to the contrary, the rancor and revenge are unfortunately human feelings that the dog does not know!

When your puppy or dog conforms to what we want, accompanied by fondling compliments and cheese are the best reward.

In summary:

the reward comes at the end of the desired Act then
that the punishment must intervene at the beginning of the undesirable Act.

Do not forget that your Bernese is a large sensitive, the best punishment is still the reference and indifference. If it comes to a stupidity, you scold good dominating you and you return it in his home. And you are not going to make you forgive by going to stroke it after 5 minutes, it is he who must return to seek appeasement of the head. The formulation may seem odd but it's like this that reflects your hairy!

The dog in general and the Bernese in particular hate solitude. But you are forced to be away one day or the other or even for some (lucky!) go to work.

If you do not want your neighbors to use their pens to make petitions, need to teach your puppy to wait you patiently. The only solution: trivializing the departure.

Without reason, one can leave the puppy in a room, go by closing the door and leave it alone a few minutes then it simply returned without looking and continue its activities. He will get used to see you leave and return quite naturally.

It will suffice to increase the time of absence but still keep this neutral stance.

Especially not of major bloodshed, kisses and talking shop that will condition your dog and especially pass it your concern.

Many masters enjoy their return home to begin a furious game part. I am against, because there will soon be with all crazy dog that will put us on the ground until it has had time to take off our shoes. Better to go calmly and quietly, to say hello to all members of the family and... ah wish this is my favorite hairy, Hi you, wait a little.

Your favorite hairy will learn lots of things with this ritual:

(1) it goes after everyone (this is not a punishment but normal for balance)

(2) you say hello to him also (so it is not forgotten and is part of the family)

(3) the Word waits is to remember (often synonymous with joy: waiting to exit, to play, to eat,..)

(4) it will remain attentive but quiet because he knows that he will be able to romp in little time.

If you work, don't take especially a week of holidays to accommodate your baby: it is already changing benchmarks of his move and 1 week later, you imposeriez him to new upheavals.

Rather look it up on Saturday morning and enjoy the weekend to start to let only a few times.

Here it is! The big day has finally arrived! After several months of waiting, the long-awaited puppy is. Can touch, stroke it, embrace it. After you dragged and pushed from room to room so that the visit is complete, called the ban and the backbenchers of friends without forgetting the family. The following days will be that a parade of foreign baptize Isidor. And much worse if he sleeps, it wakes up so everyone can admire him standing, ébahir before his big paws and compliment his kindness.

Initially, the family was formal on the subject: Isidor will not rise in the bedrooms and will sleep in the kitchen. For the sofa brand new, idem, prohibition to would this than a paw on the beautiful beige fabric.

The first night is a nightmare, Isidor stopped crying and Wade through their droppings. An hour in the morning, the whole family is standing. After all cleaning and him having taking a bath, we grant him a few nights stay in the room just the time to adapt to his new life... The room and bed, he will never leave them. He sleeps so well between his masters.

By cons for food, as worries! After fifteen idyllic days where he finished his bowl of kibble advocated by the breeder in five minutes, his appetite becomes somewhat capricious.

However, he shows an interest of the strongest for what we eat. The nose in the air at table height, hume he dishes in each of our meals then he tastes and finally eventually claim emphatically. With respect to its food bowl, what calvary for him make swallowing half. All members of the family have tried to turn, spoon in hand, four-legged before him. Nothing to do, Isidor diverts the head making a sad pout leaving little hope. Yet, we tried four different brands of kibble, tested the boxes without more successful then the meat presented by hand, piece by piece. He prefers that is eating like us and with us.

Then after a few weeks of resistance, chairs themselves are gradually tightened around the table to leave him a little room. Anyway it still cannot let him starve to death.

In any case, it cannot fail of calcium and vitamins. As the plan advocated by the breeder has changed, we no longer know too where it is. Then, in doubt, it doubled doses. The neighbor advised us a specialty of vitamins and minerals that has been successful at its Saint-Bernard: result; two little pills more per day. We cannot reproach ourselves do not give enough.

The breeder well warned us against the harmful effects of physical exercise exaggerated on an organism growing. But it is so beautiful to see run breathlessly in the fields and Woods. He loves this. We also incidentally. Then on Sunday morning, since the age of three months, he accompanies us in our jogging. It is true that he struggles a bit at the end. But at least it défoule and this can make it to the property. Except may be in its legs that grow more in addition to through. Seen from the front, its previous make an angle of 180 °. Thus, increased calcium, it must be said, without much success.

One year, Isidor is well integrated with the family. Although it is a little invasive, everyone loves it. We have given him the entire sofa. In the evening, from the top of his bed, he gazes us sitting on the ground in front of the TV. At the end of the programming, it is the first to join the Chamber to be stretched out full length on the bed. To us to avoid it when we thread under the sheets and a sometimes uncomfortable position.

For food the problem is solved. Every day; pizza and rice tomato sauce. This is what he prefers. Most everything that we give it to table and he knows to get by the dint of insistence. This is not very convenient, especially during the holidays.

In addition, it does not support to stand alone, not even an hour. Otherwise it screams and destroys everything or more exactly what isn't already. However what is that it is beautiful! Except may be the legs and feet during his confirmation, the judge found panard front and bowlegged backwards, barbaric words which mean that he has not pushed right. Nevermind, you will love him like that with its flaws. But after him, finished! More dog at home: far too many constraints...

The Bernese having unfortunately become fashionable dog, many families make the acquisition without measuring the consequences.

Some breeders wanting to improve the standard of their wallets, will tell you that a Bernese can remain alone all week, there no need for education...

Finally life we also plays dirty tricks and forced some families to separate from their companion.

Lack of time, lack of defects of education, bad advice...

We are therefore now left with SDF boubous to replace for all these reasons.

If you want to adopt a young person or an adult because your heart of St Bernard asks you to fly to the rescue of homeless, here are some small tips to achieve a smooth rehabilitation.

First of all, remember that you are taking this newcomer with its past. It is not like a puppy that you can shape fairly quickly, he'll have already show him new benchmarks compared to his previous life.

Well ask the old masters on the grounds of abandonment:

* If it could not bear the solitude, do not take it if you even work all day,.
* If it is ill-mannered, ask you about your capabilities of educator,
* If it is too turbulent, will you have enough room and time for take care you,
* have the habit of children
* lived there always out or knows it home,
* ...........

All these questions can be asked by phone, you think quietly, and then you'll see on the spot.

The first contact with an adult must be frank: no question to a dog who does not come to you; the current does not pass, that's all.

Take the time to get acquainted, will walk on a leash, grattouillez the frankly. You will immediately see if you trusted or not.

The decision is made, you are back at home with a new companion.

The first thing to do and the most difficult to apply: it must ignore it. Your presence must be constant, welcoming but not stuffy. Don't spend hours stroking it to reassure this poor little Darling who has just left his family. He is lost and if you continually reassure, it will not trust him.

Made him visit the House but keep your routine occupations, it must be in the bathroom of her new life very quickly. Adopt a firm stance from the first day, not knowing what is allowed or prohibited to you, it is going to test everything that passes through the head. Be firm in your negatives but very warm in positive situations.

Show him immediately the code of conduct in his new family, he needs to be confident to forge new benchmarks.

There are sometimes two opposing reactions:

* If it has a strong character, it will immediately try to impose to the family by making nonsense on nonsense. Do not yell, take it back firmly, put the leash and collar and go walk a little to start gently to show him who commands.
* Sometimes, instead, was a frightened BB who dare not move and jump at the slightest new noise. Do not go to comfort him and let review it his new life at their own pace. Does attack it not getting it under the table. If it comes shyly out a piece of ear, do not rush to stroke it but let him take confidence in open field.



In the majority of cases, it will take a week to realize if the adventure begins well and 1 month to have a dog quite at home.

Remember that if you already have another companion, a cat or another dog, the new arrival goes last. Let its prerogatives to the former, it must eat first, having Cuddles first otherwise it will be the insured Brawl. Let grumbling on this intruder unless it is really bad; they adjust their accounts between them and your speech is of no use.

Over time, the hierarchy will be alone and will be for you to see which dominates the other and to act accordingly, but when arrived, assume that the new kid is the Navigator of the ship.

Good communication with your hairy goes through a learning phase of signals that he wants to send us.

Signals of appeasement have as its main objective to prevent or interrupt the fear or aggression. Us good decode certain signals to not go to the confrontation.

Properly socialized dogs understand them and know how to respond, which is not always the case of humans. This can lead to errors of interpretation that lead to anxiety and a number of relationship problems.

The rituals will shape by successive approximation, by repetition and associations. Your Boga will have different attitudes depending on the orders given and will learn how to react to your own responses: for example, lying on the back to trigger the caresses, having an attitude of games instead of going home. It will immediately draw upon your hesitations or your laxity.



Most calming signals are derived from the behavioral repertoire of the young to divert a possible assault of an adult.

On the other hand, adults may develop strategies aimed at destabilizing the aggressor by imitating the puppy, in stopping ground and even taking one female sexual position (turned back, head down). When one speaks of aggressor, can actually take in the strict sense of the term in the event of conflict between two dogs but you can also simply refer to one who gives an order or one that scares.

The dog can use auditory signals: couiner or mimic the vocalizations of the puppies to an adult who is charged by an aggressive individual used to appeal to the natural inhibition who wants that be does no harm to a young. This is what can do Boga if you want to punish him by him running after all being angry.

These mechanisms that block the aggression should normally have been set up by the mother, by adults, by games between puppies develop the bite inhibition.

There are misinterpretations on the part of humans, it is the case of the dog that bit its master and rightful lick. It is not to be forgiven, but to the contrary to assert its dominance, the superior always taking the initiative after winning victory, get back to the bottom.

The master licking (Hugs or kisses) can have other meanings: attempt at appeasement (after punishment or reprimand), signal of submission, demand for food, sign of respect, concern. So do not bizutez your no matter how hairy especially if it has dominant tendencies!

Also, namely that when it adopts a posture of submission, after a punishment or a ban on the voice if the master continues to rumble, the response can become aggressive instinct of survival. Let us not forget that the dog is a non-verbal language.

Two dogs who meet in freedom in open environment can better communicate that if they are selected each on a leash.