St. Bernard won't let me out of the house?

Question

Please help! My St. Bernard, Jeff won't let me out of the house in the morning to go to work. I have to struggle to push past him, as he blocks me and leans on me and blocks the doorway. As soon as I put my coat on and get my keys, he starts. This only happens during the week when I go to work. If I go out on weekend mornings, not to work, he couldn't care less - no problem - but as soon as the new work week begins, there he goes again. Why does he act up only on work days but he doesn't care if I go on non workday mornings. Is it possible that he senses that I won't home as fast when I go to work?

Answer 1

Oh dear... Sounds like your dog is the ruler of your pack... I suggest you read "The Dog Whisperer" by John Richardson and Leslye Sharon Cole.
Dogs are pack animals - their ancestors being wolves - which needs a leader. If the owners of the dog are weak leaders they will want to 'lead' the pack (be Top Dog). If the dog is the leader of the pack, this is where behavioural problems start.
The better the human is the leader, the better behaviour you'll get from your dog. The members of your family need to be Top Dog - thus getting a better behaved dog. Here are some ways to be "top dog"...
1) (I've put it first because it's very important) - Your dog's space is on the ground or floor. They should sleep / play / socialise at that level. Don't let your dog be at your level (ie: not on the couch, on the bed etc.) because height is a dominance thing with dogs. If they're at the same 'height' as you, they consider themselves as your equal, or worse still, top dog.
2) At dinner time, let the dog see you and your family eat first. Ina pack of wolves, the 'top dog' gets to eats the hunted food first, and then it goes down the hierachy. The most submissive, least powerful eat last. So to make yourselves the top dog here, you always eat first and let your dog see this.
3) When you return from work / school and the dog is whining at the door to be let in or to have cuddles, don't go to it until it is quiet and settled. Ignore its behaviour. Dogs are "What's in it for me?" creatures, and creatures of habit, so if they whinge, bark and cry and you give them what they want, then they'll learn that that's the behaviour they need to exhibit to get their own way. Only see to them once you're happy with their behaviour. Also being pack animals, they like to always be in a pack and could pine for you when you're not around.
4) At play time, have toys that are for when you decide it's play time, and when play time is over put those toys away.

There's just a few hints on being the "top dog". Read the book I suggested, yahoo search "top dog" and take your dog to obedience training. Good luck

Answer 2

Separation anxiety is common in dogs, but it can be much worse than what you are having to deal with. Some people come home to find soiled houses, torn up furniture, neighbors comlaining about constant barking, etc.
I think dogs can be very "routine" oriented. My dog knows the difference between when I am dressed for work or play. When I have on scrubs, I sit down to put my shoes on and when I get up, she runs straight to her kennel. If I am not wearing scrubs and I am going somewhere, I have to earge her to get in. She knows the difference. I bet your St. does too, and he is worried that you are going to be gone so long. My dog feels the opposite. She doesn't understand why she has to get in her kennel because I am not going to work.


Should be working: what a beautiful dog you have!

Answer 3

i'm not quite sure why he does that, but they are really affectionate dogs. i have a st. bernard, and she thinks she's a lap dog. she has no clue how big she is! I'm guessing he just wants attention. Take an extra five mintues and give him a nice brush in the morning, give him some fresh water, and then slip out. Good luck! Here are some pics of my dog :) http://muohio.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2086436&l=7fa48&id=7703407

Answer 4

you hit it on the nose. there is something that you do on Workdays that you don't do on others that the dog picks up on. He may need to have someone come in and check up on him to make him feel less lonely with you gone all day to work. Sometimes hiring a sitter to come in does wonders. We use one if we are gone for extended periods of time, past 8 hours. Trustworthy Teens and homeschooled students are great and cheap.

Answer 5

He probably acts like this cause you gone longer when your at work so he knows hes going to be left alone for a long time, is it passable for you to come home at lunch, that would help him alot.

Answer 6

That's it exactly! He can sense the difference. He doesn't want you to leave, because he doesn't want to be alone.