Rocky is my very first saint Bernanr as an adult(had one when i was little). Anyways, I am wondering if there are any special things That i need to know. I have had Rocky for two weeks, and have noticed a few things. I am sure some of these things are because of his previous owner, but wondering if they are breed related as well.

Seperation Anxiety-hates to be left alone, the first night we had him, he broke through a door, to get to us. we had kept him downstairs with oiur other dog, cause we were unsure of his potty behaviors.

Shy-he seems to be somewhat shy, especially around new people, and especially around men. He was great with me from the get go, but my hubby was a different issue. Took him a whole day to stop growling if hubby came too close, they are fine now, but I am leary when men come to the house.

Does not like Raised voices-Now I have not raised my voce at the dogs, but i did raise my voice at my kids the other night, as they were fighting, and rocky went and hid in a corner. I went to console him, and he just went further into the corner. I was very sad, and felt very bad for him. he later came out, and i gave him tons of affection.

Grooming- this is where i am realy new, all my dogs have been short haired. I brush him daily, he totally enjoyes this! almost a little too much, if he sees the brushes he gets realy excited, and kind of pushy. Is there anything special i should keep trimmed?? i keep the hair on his feet trimmed, and he has no mattes except some very small ones behind his ears. all in all he is in realy good shape.

Stairs- How can i keep him from going up and down stairs, or just getting up and down all the time?? He has some arthritis in his back end, and i am worried he will make it worse! If i got to go upstairs he will try to follow, I tell him to stay and he does, till i am out of eyesight then he comes up the stairs, and sits by the door. Everytime i move he has to get up, i once gain try to get him to stay put, asi am only getting a drink or going potty, but he just wont. argghhh... i just dont want him to cause himself any more pain that he alrady has.

Okay i guess that is enough for now!:mrgreen: Thanks in advance!!

2 weeks is very soon for you to try to change everything. Let him learn what it is like to live there, and slowly start changing his behavior for the better. With the down stay, so he stays down stairs, start with yourself in the room, and have him down. Wait, then release with a special command word, Free, or even Okay. Leave the room, with him in a down, and make sure he can see some of you a foot or something, but not your face or hands. Wait, and give the word. Treat, and praise. Do this until you can actually be out of site, but don't let him wait too long, then release and treat and praise. Now for the steps. Stand midway, and teach him that down means stay down, walk back, and treat and praise. Go to the top, and treat if he stays. Now go just around the corner, and come right back, treat and praise. He will get it but because he has latched on to you so quickly, it will take patience.

Belive me i know i cant change things right away! I was just looking for input on a few things, thanks for the response, sounds great.

Originally Posted by Poohbear

2 weeks is very soon for you to try to change everything. Let him learn what it is like to live there, and slowly start changing his behavior for the better. With the down stay, so he stays down stairs, start with yourself in the room, and have him down. Wait, then release with a special command word, Free, or even Okay. Leave the room, with him in a down, and make sure he can see some of you a foot or something, but not your face or hands. Wait, and give the word. Treat, and praise. Do this until you can actually be out of site, but don't let him wait too long, then release and treat and praise. Now for the steps. Stand midway, and teach him that down means stay down, walk back, and treat and praise. Go to the top, and treat if he stays. Now go just around the corner, and come right back, treat and praise. He will get it but because he has latched on to you so quickly, it will take patience.