Breed guides
Are St. Bernards easy to train?
St. Bernards tend to bring a steady, unhurried temperament to training, which is a gift right up until the moment they decide not to move. Add the drool, the size and a tail at coffee-table height, and household manners become the real curriculum. Here is where the breed is easy, where it is hard, and how we would approach a Saint.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Doorways come first
Why the front door is the first lesson for a Saint.
A large dog crowding a door is a safety issue before it is an obedience one. With the dog on a leash held by an adult, we teach a wait at the threshold, then a release word, so the lesson is that doors open for calm, not for pushing. Many Saints pick up the pattern readily because it rewards stillness, which suits their nature.
The place command earns its keep here too. A Saint who settles on a washable mat while guests arrive keeps drool off the visitors and weight off their knees. The stubborn streak shows up as a slow sit or a dog who lies down on the sidewalk and stays there. Rewards a relaxed dog genuinely wants, and brief practice, usually work better than repeating the cue louder.
- Wait at every threshold
- Sit for the leash clip
- Place mat for drool control
- Loose leash past the driveway
Leash and logistics
Walking a dog who may outweigh you.
On the leash, many St. Bernards are less likely to bolt than to drift, lean or stop. That still matters when the dog may weigh as much as you do. On-Leash Foundations, a two-week board and train at $1,865 + GST, works on loose-leash walking, heel, sit, stay, down, place and everyday distractions, and includes lifetime phone and email support afterward.
Hands-on owners may prefer Private Training at $150 + GST per hour, with a written plan to practise all week. Puppy Fundamentals suits a young Saint still small enough to guide. Questions about heat tolerance, hips or eyes are for your vet. The consultation is where we suggest a program, and if a lighter option covers it, we say that plainly.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
Are St. Bernards easy to train?
Often, in the sense that many are calm, gentle and not easily rattled. They tend to learn household routines well when rewards are worth the effort. The challenge is motivation, not understanding.
Are St. Bernards hard to train?
They can feel hard when a large, relaxed dog decides a cue is optional. Pushing or pulling a Saint rarely works and is not safe for anyone. Better rewards, shorter sessions and early door and leash habits tend to help.
St. Bernards training: what should come first?
Threshold waits, a sit for the leash clip and a place command for when guests arrive. Loose-leash walking follows closely, since a planted or leaning Saint is hard to manage on a sidewalk.
How do you handle the drool during training?
Keep a towel by the door and teach a place mat where the dog settles. It does not change the drool, but it changes where it lands.
Keep reading
Teach the doorway early
Book a consultation and tell us where your St. Bernard plants, pushes or leans. We will suggest a fitting program.
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