How can i stop my saint bernard from barking at everyone that comes in my house?

Question

I have a 5 month old Saint Bernard.Very well cared for.Not usually violent at all.We have 4 small children and two cats and a black lab and she seems to fit in well with the family.but everytme someone comes in the house(regardless if they have been there once before) she barks to the point that they are afriad and want to leave.what should i do?She even shy's away from people and other dogs when we go out in public.She doesn't want anyone touching her.I thought maybe the breeder had hit her but that wasn't the case.Is this just her character or might there actually be some sort of other issue.It would have to mental considering she is in excellent health.

Answer 1

iGNORE THE PERSON SAYING ITS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH THE SAINT IN THE HOUSE WITH FOUR KIDS AND CATS. I HAVE MINE IN WITH 2 KIDS AND 6 SMALL DOGS AND THEY ARE GETTING ALONG JUST FINE.
My neighbor has a saint bernard that does this also and they have to put her in another room when anyone goes and sees them because she is very protective of her home. Breaking her of this habit is really uncertain to me other than when she does this slightly tap the dog on its nose and tell it no. It is possible this dog has never been really socialized with a number of people and the people make her nervous. Mine he crotches people with his nose and i have to put him in another room because he just wants to be over loving.

Answer 2

She's just trying to make it known that this is "her" family. Just remain firm with her, tell her no, and when all else fails...tabasco sauce. Just a single drop on the tongue discourages her from barking.

You could also try a muzzle, but I'm not sure they make them that big.

Also, are the people allowing a sniff and giving love back? That often helps. Hiding her in a different room would only make it worse.

There are dog collars out there that give a high pitched noise when the dog barks, but then it usually causes the dog to stop barking in all circumstances, even when there's a prowler outside.

Just remember, she's just 5 months old...still a big baby. I guarantee you, you'll see a marked difference in her behavior in the next 6 - 9 months if you just keep w/ the training.

(I had a rott/black lab mix, and went through the same thing....once they hit two, oh, such a blessing....just stick w/ it!!)

Good luck!!

Answer 3

I have a 8 month old Saint Bernard that just recently started barking at visitors to our home. We've been obedience training since he was 12 weeks old. He's been socialized and is taking his CGC test in a few weeks.
We were waiting until he was 1 year old to have him neutered but I think his testosterone is taking over so he's getting nipped an 2/14. I have high hopes that this will stop this protective behavior.

Answer 4

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RE:
How can i stop my saint bernard from barking at everyone that comes in my house?
I have a 5 month old Saint Bernard.Very well cared for.Not usually violent at all.We have 4 small children and two cats and a black lab and she seems to fit in well with the family.but everytme someone comes in the house(regardless if they have been there once before) she barks to the point that...

Answer 5

While it's true that they have all sorts of devices to help you out, including bark collars, there are less expensive solutions....but it takes lots of patience. I had this same problem with my male APBT, and I will tell you what worked for me. You will need a friend a neighbor to help. Have your friend/neighbor knock on your door, open the door. If the dog is barking, close the door, and walk away. Squirt your dog with a water bottle, and go sit down. Continue repeating this process. Eventually, you will go to the door, and the dog will not bark. That's when you reward them with a treat. It may take several attempts, but it eventually works. Hope that helps. Good luck!

Answer 6

I have a rescue that is St. Bernard/bloodhound, she does the same thing.But she was neglected ,and abandoned, so for her she is claiming her space with the family. and as she gets more settled and comfortable, she is starting to calm down when people come over. I think the guy that dumped her didn't treat her right,Mollie is a big girl(135lbs.) so I can see that scaring people off, but teach her it's ok, people aren't going to hurt her, and let her smell their hand. I have 2 other dogs and 2 cats, she has never had a problem with them.

Answer 7

Don't allow yourself to become uptight - she'll sense this. Just put her on the lead when you have a visitor. Correct any barking and growling with a quick corrective jerk on the lead and a sharp "no". Make her sit and reward any good behaviour. If she continues to bark take her out of the room and ignore her, if she's crate trained you can put her in her crate.

Teaching her to bark on command helps too. It takes a while, but eventually you will win.

Answer 8

Here's my concern with what you just said: You have 4 kids. This animal sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

I would strongly advise you not keep such an unpredictable animal in a house containing a bunch of kids (or 2 cats).

Added: The poster who didn't have problems (Badgir...) is one person who didn't have a problem. I just don't see playing Russian roulette with kids' lives. Better safe than sorry. You have a big dog and it's clearly got behavioral problems. And training may or may not work for it. Why risk a mauling? Not worth it, I think.

Answer 9

its unusual for st bernards to be territorial by nature. this one sounds like lack of socialization when a puppy, which is critical for the learning and developments as adults.
my suggestion is obedience classes for one, then also even though doggy is scared in public or being touched, would be good to interact with people that are not afraid of your st bernards intimadating size and talk and pet her, with your encouragements.
another great thing i do with these type of behavior with animals i rescue, is take them to petsmart, and i walk them around the store with me, on leash of course, and after a few times, they dont mind the people, and they love the toys and scents in that store. i have helped some fear biters and shy/scared dogs, and a few that would have been aggressive due to past life/situations. its a quick fix and helps the dogs confidence, and over comes his internal fears that are causing him to react to people and the excessive barking they do. most barking habits are due to fear, strange things/people, or loneliness.

Answer 10

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