AboutKati Scheuermann Expertise I can answer anything you need to know about these gentle giants. I am very knowledged in health issues of the breed, breeding concerns, correct marking and breed standards. If you need to know anything at all just let me know and Ill be happy to answer!!
Experience I have had many saint bernards in my life, so I know what kind of health issues they can get and what you should look for when selecting the right puppy. Please dont be afraid to ask any question you have weither it be silly or very serious ill be here to help you out the best I can.
Education/Credentials I have groomed dogs, shown them, bred them and cared for the sick.
Awards and Honors I have recieved a grand champion honor in all obedience classes in which I was entered. I was in 4H for 8 years and also showed dogs there.
Question i have a saint and he will be 1 years old this month for one thing we have no fence at the time so we take him on a leash to the yard, the last couple of months when we bring him out he almost emediately starts to pull and sometimes drags me over to the neighbors fence to see if there 3 dogs are out so he can fight with them at the fence,if they are not out he goes to the bathroom and i pray that they dont they dont come out because if they do he starts barking and if i dont stay standing where im at with him he will drag me acoss the yard ,i have to walk to the side of the yard with him away from them because he just freeks,and when we get to the door whitch i am almost always pulled to he looks through the wooden fence to see if he can still see them and he goes bazerk scrathing and biteing at the fence. it is not only embaressing but frustrateing this dog is tottaly dominateing me and my husband works alot so i am with him most of the time,one other thing we take him out a little after he eats he goes to the bathroom and sometimes a couple minutes later he will go upstairs in the church,because we turned a church into a house but he goes upstairs and do number 2 on the floor please help me.thanx denise lutz
Answer Hello and thanks for you questions. Wow when you were describing your problem it sounded like me about a year ago with my saint!! HAHAHA Let me tell you what I did. First of all my male saint Bernard is still aggressive with other dogs. However he is not neutered and that plays a big part in how aggressive they can be especially with other male dogs. He has gotten alot better though and this is what I have done. You said that you were having trouble with him pulling you and controlling you...your preaching to the choir. HAHAHA I couldn't even take UBOO for a walk because he would yank my arm off when ever he saw another dog or person. So I got him a halty. I'm sure you have heard of them they are like a halter in a way that you would put on a horse. They help control them by there muzzle instead of by there neck. Beings that there neck is one of the strongest muscles in there body it helps alot and makes a BIG difference. I would go to ebay.com and look on there I got mine for 6.00. It is a small price to pay when you need some control. I would also get together with you neighbor and see if you can set up a playdate. Have you dog in a controlled environment where he cant harm the others. Let them sniff each other through a window or a fence. Start complimenting both dogs on being good. I have found that a little squirt bottle full of water helps alot when they start barking or growling. Give him a couple good squirts in the face and tell him NO in a firm voice. Do this daily until it becomes an everyday thing for them. Trust me, saint have to learn early because of there size. If they are not discipline and or taught what you want them to do then they think they get the upper hand. I tried and tired to socialize UBOO when he was a pup and he still doesn't like large adult males. Pretty soon take the barricade away and let them socialize. Let them decide who is the dominate one while still keeping them on a leash. Trust me the halty will help more then you know. You wont have any trouble controlling him or showing him who is the alpha in your family.
Now as far as the bathroom goes. This is what I have found to be most effective when trying to teach my saint to go where I want him to when I want him too. I know this is going to sound gross...but I want you to take his poop and put it outside where you want him to go. Then take him to that spot and let him sniff his poop. Dogs of any breed will smell there own scent or another dogs scent and think that it is not strong enough to mark the territory. So they will make it stronger by pooping over or around it. Take him to the same spot every time you take him out and you will notice a big difference.
Hope this helps,
Let me know how everything turns out.
