A Saint Bernard can do annoying things that irritate you and make you a little angry such as nipping, biting, leash pulling, scratching at the doors, crying, or whining.
These behaviors do not align with what you expect them to do and it can be frustrating and annoying.
So, why is a Saint Bernard so annoying?
Let’s dive into the reasons why a Saint Bernard can be so annoying and what you can do about it.
Why is my Saint Bernard so annoying?
A Saint Bernard can be so annoying due to boredom, illness, attention-seeking, lack of training, unintentional rewarding of the behavior, and the need for exercise.
How to deal with an annoying Saint Bernard
See your veterinarian
Seek medical advice from your veterinarian when you notice annoying behavior especially if it is sudden annoying habits.
This can be because some behaviors can be due to an underlying health condition. The veterinarian will be able to determine whether an underlying illness is the cause of the behavior or if it is a behavioral problem.
If it is a behavioral problem, they will guide you on ways to improve their behavior and they may also connect you to an animal behaviorist for training needs.
Be Consistent with training
Inconsistency with training can create gaps in the learning process for a Saint Bernard. This can lead to annoying behaviors that do not align with the desired behaviors that you want them to have.
Therefore if your Saint Bernard has been trained on one thing, for example not pulling at the leash, continue to be consistent with the training so that they learn what they need to do.
Related: Why is my Saint Bernard so dumb?
Engage them with toys
Boredom is one of the reasons why a Saint Bernard may behave strangely with annoying behaviors.
To correct this, a Saint Bernard needs both physical and mentally stimulating activities. Therefore provide toys such as puzzle toys so that they may be mentally engaged and also include other activities such as routine walks.
Don’t give in to their behaviors
Sometimes we might be at fault for encouraging certain behaviors from our dogs. For example, Saint Bernard jumping at us should be discouraged from continuing because it can become dangerous as they grow to a 100 lb dog.
Therefore always discourage undesired behaviors. One way of doing this is through consistent actions from you so that your dog understands what is allowed and what is not.
For example, if they display an annoying behavior such as jumping on you, you should walk away or if leash pulling occurs, stop walking and call them with a command word to stop.
This shows your dog not to engage in this behavior.
Related: Why is my Saint Bernard crazy?
Reward good behavior
Positive reinforcement is a proven method of teaching a dog to learn new behaviors. It involves rewarding your dog for showing good behavior, which encourages them to continuously display the behavior.
Therefore if your Saint Bernard shows good behavior and starts to decrease the annoying habits reward them with treats and praise.
Exercise
Exercise helps to release pent-up energy that a Saint Bernard might have. Therefore to burn off excess energy and also make them less likely to engage in annoying behaviors, engage your Saint Bernard with exercise.
Simple 30 -60 minute walks are adequate for a Saint Bernard.
Remember to engage your Saint Bernard with age-appropriate exercise so as not to injure their bones and joints.
Enroll in an obedience training course
Engage a dog trainer or an animal behaviorist when you need further help to adjust your dog’s behavior. A certified trainer can help you minimize and stop a Saint Bernard’s annoying behaviors.
Conclusion
Sometimes your Saint Bernard’s behavior might not match the desired behavior expectations you want them to have and this can be frustrating.
Based on your dog’s behavior, assess the situation to the possible reason behind the annoying behaviors and apply the necessary action to minimize or stop the behaviors.
Their actions may not be intentional but normal instincts therefore be patient with your Saint Bernard and also consult with your veterinarian to determine the root cause.