SWANGERSKAP:

Waiting to find out if breeding your female Saint Bernard resulted in a pregnancy is almost unbearable. Gestation is about 63 days, but if you pay close attention, you can notice other signs indicating the pitter-patter of little Saint paws is on its way to your house.

Early Behavioral Signs

Some breeders swear they know when their Saint Bernards are pregnant just by observing changes in their behavior. Notice if your female Saints temperament changes slightly in the first three weeks after breeding, which might indicate a pregnancy. She might be more loving and want you to pet or cuddle her or she might seem more relaxed and slightly lazy.

Belly Size
Saint Bernards can have large litters of around 10 puppies, but a litter of only one or two isnt uncommon. Over her nineweek pregnancy, your Saints belly size wont increase appreciably until the last three weeks. The larger the litter, the bigger the belly, but Saint Bernards have large chests and rib cages that tend to obscure belly size. In subsequent pregnancies, a Saints enlarged belly is more noticeable at six weeks gestation than it is in a first -time pregnancy.

Other Early Physical Signs

At about three weeks into a Saint Bernards pregnancy, her nipples might seem slightly larger, or h arder and more defined. The skin surrounding the nipple seems a little puffy as breast development begins. If you look down there, youll notice that her vulva has not returned to its pre -pregnancy size. Of course, if you didnt notice her vulva size before, you wont have anything to compare it to now. Look anyway so you have a frame of reference for later.

Signs Later in a Pregnancy

By the seventh week of gestation, your Saint Bernards teats will be swollen and you might notice some clear discharge from her enlarged and protruding vulva. Around the eighth week, you can squeeze a nipple gently and notice if a drop of colostrum appears. By now, your big girl is probably uncomfortable. She might want to eat more often, but when offered food she might eat smaller amounts. She will urinate more frequently and she might exhibit nesting behavior, which includes rearranging her bedding or looking for a secluded place to rest.

Before the Big Event

During the last week of gestation, signs of impending birth, or whelping, are evident. Your soon-to-be-mommy will be restless and unable to lie in one spot for more than a few minutes. When she lies on her side, you can notice her swollen belly, even if shes going to have a small litter. In the last week, take her tem perature rectally every day. When her temperature drops below 100, whelping should begin within 24 hours. Your Saint will quit eating solid food now, but continue to offer her fresh cool water and prepare for puppies. Although 63 days is the average gestation in all breeds, giant breeds, including Saints, can go three to five days longer before whelping.

How to Train Saint Bernard Puppies Not to Jump

There's nothing much cuter than a fuzzy little Saint Bernard puppy jumping up to greet you. He seems harmless at 25 pounds, but this breed grows rapidly and before long, your 200-pound bulldozer is crashing into you and your visitors. Early obedience training stops jumping before it becomes problematic.

Items you will need

Leash Treats Crate

Step 1
Teach your Saint to sit. Unless you have an abnormally talented Saint, he can't sit and jump at the same time. With your puppy on a leash, stand toe-to-toe with your Saint and place a treat directly in front of his nose. Raise the treat slightly over your Saint's nose, over his eyes and over his head. Your dog's nose will follow the treat and once he is looking at the ceiling, say Sit. His butt hits the ground so he keeps his balance. The second his butt touches the floor, say Good sit! and give the treat. Practice until your dog masters sitting with only the verbal command.

Step 2
Jump into the air. If your Saint tries jumping on you, quickly back away so your dog jumps into the air. It's rewarding to your dog when his paws land on you and this reinforces the behavior. The more times your Saint's paws successfully land on you, the harder it is to discontinue the jumping behavior. Jumping without his paws landing on you is not as gratifying.

Step 3
Take a time out when your Saint jumps. If your Saint jumps when you enter the house, immediately walk out and close the door. Wait 30 seconds and re-enter your home. If your Saint jumps, walk out the door again. Continue to take a time out until your Saint keeps all four feet on the ground. Keep treats outside the door so you can immediately reward your Saint for not jumping. Have your Saint sit as you kneel down and calmly pet him. If he tries jumping, walk away.

Step 4
Throw a "No Jump" party for you Saint. Invite 5 to 10 friends to your home. Line your friends up outside. With your Saint in a sitting position and on a leash, have one friend knock and come inside. If your dog tries to jump, have the friend go back outside. In one minute, have the next friend enter and follow the same steps. Once your Saint stays sitting or at least keeps all four paws on the ground, have the friend give your Saint a treat and pet him for being a good dog. Introduce your Saint to all your friends separately and have them each come inside two to three times. This allows your Saint to practice not jumping 15 to 30 times in one training session.

Step 5
Ensure your family and friends are strict with the no jumping policy. Make sure everyone in your household knows to walk away and ignore your Saint if he jumps. Consistency is important when training a Saint. If you have visitors outside of training sessions, keep your Saint in a crate or confined to a different room so the jumping behavior is not enforced.

Tips

Reward your dog with treats and petting anytime he is not jumping. Do not allow strangers to pet your dog until he is sitting. Hold his leash so he is unable to jump. Tell the person they can only pet your dog if he remains seated, according to the Humane Society.

Catch his paws mid-jump and have him walk backwards while you talk to him calmly. Dogs do not find this enjoyable and will think twice about jumping up.

Warnings

Avoid interactions with children or the elderly until your Saint is not jumping. Jumping on children or the elderly can result in a serious injury. Do not say Down! or push your Saint since this gives your dog attention for jumping. In a dog's eyes, negative attention is better than no attention.

How to Take Care of Saint Bernard Puppies

A litter of puppies. What fun! The arrival of tiny Saints is an exciting time, but like other giant breeds, they need some special attention for the first few weeks. At birth, Saint Bernard pups are relatively small, weighing about 1 pounds. Their coloring, which looks black and white at birth, will change almost before your eyes, the dark fur getting lighter every day. Plan for a couple of months of puppy breath, angel-soft kisses, tiny razor-sharp claws and the most adorable puppies you've ever seen.

Step 1
Camp out by momma. Saint puppies are very small in comparison to their mother, who can accidentally lie on a puppy without knowing it.

Step 2
Make a soft bed for the new litter on an open section of the floor, if possible. Avoid putting the bed in a box, which increases the risk of a puppy being trapped behind its mother and the side of the box.

Step 3
Schedule a vet appointment when the puppies are 3 days old if you want dewclaws removed. Dewclaws are extra claws inside the forepaws and back paws. Not all Saints have dewclaws, and its not essential that you remove them.

Step 4
Let momma do most of the work, but caress and pet each little wiggler frequently to get them used to human touch. Tiny Saint Bernard puppies have shrill voices and they will cry pitifully if separated from momma. Before their eyes open, you are in charge of carrying wandering puppies back to their mother.

Step 5
Prepare the play yard. Between 10 days and 2 weeks, the puppies eyes will open. At 3 weeks, they will start to walk clumsily on their tiny legs. From that point on your rapidly growing puppies need plenty of room to roam safely.

Step 6
Soak large-breed puppy food in warm water to soften it and offer it to your wee Saints around 4 weeks of age. Weaning is a gradual process that takes place over the next couple of weeks, as the mother nurses her litter less and the puppies start eating solid food.

Step 7
Feed Saint puppies four times a day until theyre 8 weeks old, and then feed three times a day. Offer softened food until 6 weeks of age when they can start chewing dry dog food.

Step 8
Visit the vet with your bundle of boisterous babies at 6 weeks of age for their first round of immunizations, deworming and well-puppy checks. Each puppy will receive a health record that should accompany the puppy to its new home.

Step 9
Schedule one more vet visit at 8 weeks of age, just before the puppies go to their new homes, for the second set of booster shots. Saint puppies need to remain with their mothers until 8 weeks of age to develop the beneficial litterbonding skills that will help them adapt to life in their new families.

Tips

Feed a Saint Bernard puppy a high-quality large-breed puppy food until 4 months of age, then switch to a large-breed adult dog food. Puppy food is high in protein, which encourages rapid growth. Switching at 4 months reduces the risk of joint disorders that can appear in this breed as adults. Socialize your puppies ceaselessly. Pets, cuddles, romps and tickles are all a part of training these giants-to-be in positive social interaction.

Common Skin Conditions for a Saint Bernard

Saint Bernards were bred by Swiss monks as rescue dogs to save travelers stranded in the formidable heights of the Alps. Their thick coat and skin helped them survive in the cold temperatures of their high-altitude homeland, but these positive traits also increase their risk of developing skin problems.

Pyoderma
Pyoderma is a bacterial skin infection that is also known as pyotraumatic dermatitis, wet eczema or "hot spots." Bernards are particularly vulnerable to this condition due to their heavy coat and wrinkled skin, which makes it hard for them to groom and keep their skin healthy. The bacteria responsible for pyoderma are actually on your dog's skin all the time but do not pose a threat to a healthy dog. Other skin problems weaken your dog's immune system, allowing these bacteria to grow out of control. The worst part is that your dog's first reaction to a hot spot is to lick and scratch at it, which actually makes the irritation worse and encourages additional infections. Veterinarians often prescribe antibiotics, in the form of oral medicine or shampoo, as well as steroids or other medications to alleviate the itching, according to Powderham Veterinary Group.

Other Infections
While pyoderma is very prevalent in the Saint Bernard breed, their grooming difficulties, thick coat and wrinkled skin are also great at harboring other pathogens. Various bacteria, including the species responsible for mange, as well as fungal agents like ringworm can be a big problem for these big dogs. Infections are difficult to locate in the Bernard's mounds of fur and skin, so it is difficult to effectively treat them with topical ointments.

Parasites
To a traveling flea, your Saint Bernard is like a long-forgotten paradise and free buffet. You will be surprised at how many fleas your dog can feed on his own, especially if you give them a week or two to multiply. Mites can also cause unsightly skin damage and hair loss, a condition called mange, and can infest both dogs and cats. Pest control should be a top priority for every Saint Bernard owner, for the sake of everyone in the household. Due to their large size, flea baths and combing sessions are extremely time-consuming and tedious, so preventive ointment or other parasite medications are recommended. It is also a good idea to minimize the time your dog spends outside during the spring and summer.

Grooming and Prevention

Consistent grooming and routine inspections are the key to keeping your Bernard's skin healthy. Giving such a big dog a head-to-toe examination every week can seem like a daunting task, but it is definitely worth your time. Brush your dog several times a week to remove dead hair, which can foster infections, and get rid of tangled hair that can irritate your dog's skin. Always groom your dog before bathing him to prevent moisture from getting trapped underneath mats of hair. It is also a good idea to combat potential allergens, as they can make your dog's skin problems much worse. Vacuum often and keep the pup away from chemicals and fumes. Dust, pollen and pet dander can also cause irritating skin allergies.

Table Food Diets for Saint Bernards

When it comes to feeding our dogs, table food can in fact be a healthy addition to your dog's diet. Indeed, most people consider their dogs members of the family, so sharing foods is not a far-fetched idea. He may not actually pull up a chair -- a Saint Bernard might need a couch instead -- but there are several healthy food items that dog parents can add to their furry friend's bowls.

History Supports the Idea of Sharing Foods With Dogs

Feeding dogs healthy, whole foods that people eat at their own tables is in fact a positive approach toward canine health. Throughout history, our dogs ancestors curled up by our ancestors campfires and received portions of the days harvest. For Saint Bernards, who originated in Switzerland, these foods were relatively specific based on what was available in that region. Todays Saint Bernard parents can use that information to serve foods designed to match their dogs genetic background and dietary history.

Breed-Specific Meats to Share With Saint Bernards

Like most dogs, Saint Bernards will likely accept any meats offered to them. That makes sense; meat should be the base of any dog diet, and most dogs crave it. Historically, the Saint Bernard's genetic makeup is coded to recognize foods from their original geographic location. In this case, these include lamb and poultry. Dog guardians can offer leaner cuts of lamb and poultry, especially if their furry friend is not accustomed to these ingredients in their fresh, whole form.

Breed-Specific Vegetables to Share With Saint Bernards

Although meat forms the base of the diet, dog parents should also serve vegetables to their furkids. The history of Saint Bernards suggests that breed-appropriate vegetables include green vegetables and root vegetables. Other vegetables and fruits may also be offered. Back in the day, dogs' wild ancestors ate not only the meat of their prey, but partially digested vegetables remaining within the prey. They also scavenged for fruits, nuts and other plant materials. Therefore, vegetables remain an important part of the diet.

Taking it Slow
Any dietary change should be done in a gradual manner to reduce the risk of tummy upset or other adverse reactions. You don't want to have to carry your Saint Bernard to the vet. If your gentle giant is not accustomed to eating meats, vegetables and other table foods in their whole, fresh form, begin with small amounts in cooked form. A general guideline is to add 10 to 25 percent of the new food per week, and monitor your pup's response.

Conclusion
If done carefully, you can share table foods with your Saint Bernard. Poultry, lamb and vegetables are healthy options that target his historical diet. As you know, your dog is an individual and will respond to foods in his own way. If he respond poorly to a certain food, it's best to remove it. But with care, your Saint Bernard can join the rest of your family in its culinary adventures around the dinner table -- or couch.

How Early Can a Saint Bernard Puppy Be Adopted Out?

Whether you're hoping to adopt your first Saint Bernard furbaby or find homes for your dog's new batch of little rascals, the minimum age for puppy adoption is a matter not only of good sense but also of the laws in your state.

Letter of the Law

At least 20 states have laws that specifically govern the minimum age for separating puppies from their mothers. These make sale of an underage puppy a criminal offense (usually a misdemeanor) punishable by fines and up to 30 days in jail. A perpetrator trafficking in underage pooches is also liable in civil suits, should the pup's adoptive family have future issues. In most states, the barest minimum for rehoming a puppy is 8 weeks AND weaned entirely onto solid food. This means that if you have a 10-week-old puppy who's still nursing, for example, it's illegal to sell this dog, even though he's over 8 weeks old. Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania require that puppies of all breeds be at least 8 weeks old before sale or adoption. Nebraska has an 8-week minimum unless the puppy is sold with the mom. In Michigan, the puppy must have baby teeth clearly visible or be at least 8 weeks old. Virginia and Wisconsin forbid sale or adoption of puppies under 7 weeks.

Exceptions to the Rule

Some states only apply these laws to licensed commercial breeders and pet stores. Others apply them to anyone selling a dog, but not to people who give dogs away. Most do not apply them to private rescues or public animal shelters. Some apply them to everyone, whether you're receiving money for your pups or not, and some go even further and make separating an underage puppy from its mom in any way whatsoever a criminal offense. If you're giving an "oops" litter away ("free to good home") or trying to adopt a very young puppy from a rescue or shelter, check with the specific laws in your state. You may be exempt from underage puppy rules.

All Saints?
These laws and veterinary guidelines apply to all breeds, including Saint Bernards. All dog breeds are the same species and develop at pretty much the same rate. There is nothing that sets Saint Bernards apart from the pack when it comes to being ready to leave Mommy behind.

First 8 Weeks
During the first 4 weeks of life your puppy's food should be his mommy's milk exclusively. They don't need water, treats, canned food or kibble, and these can be extremely dangerous to them. Orphaned newborn pups must be fed a canine milk replacer, not cow's milk or human infant formula. If you find yourself acting as a foster mother, consult a vet for guidance. Between 4 and 8 weeks, puppies can be offered kibble or canned puppy food soaked in puppy formula. As their baby teeth come in, their food can be gradually dried out until they're chowing down on plain kibble (at no earlier than 8 weeks of age).

Games to Teach St. Bernards

Chess is probably out of the question, since a Saint Bernards paws are too large to manipulate the small pieces on the chessboard. But dont let that damper your enthusiasm. Saints are huge but playful, and theyre ready at a moments notice to take part in fun and frolic.

Outdoor Tracking Games

Your Saints ancestors sniffed out lost travelers in the Swiss Alps, and you can turn your dogs scenting skills into an outdoor game. Start by asking your Saint to sit while you place his favorite toy a few yards away where he can see it. Encourage him to go get it, cheering excitedly when he brings it back. As he gets used to the game, move his toy farther away and eventually behind a tree or shrub. When he masters that task, take him to a park where the scents are new and hide the object while hes not looking and tell him to go get it. By now, he knows hes supposed to find the object and hell follow the path you took to find the object and bring it back. It takes a lot of practice to reach this stage, but tracking offers years of fun for you and your big boy. If your Saint loves tracking, the two of you can take part in canine tracking competitions.

Find the Hat

Find the Hat is a mild indoor variation of tracking that you can play without knocking over too many lamps and vases. Use an old ball cap or another soft item that has your scent. Let your Saint sniff or carry the hat around a bit, and then tuck it under your shirt. With enthusiasm, ask your Saint, Wheres the hat? Your giant furkid will sniff around your shirt and eventually will push aside the shirt fabric and grab the hidden cap. Reward him with good job, and a behind the ear tickle. You can tuck the hat under a sofa cushion if you like, but Find the Hat is the most fun and rewarding when you hide it somewhere on your person.

Water Fetch
Most Saints love the water, but theyre not endurance swimmers. Water fetch involves tossing a floating toy off a dock or from the side of a boat into a pond or lake and letting your dog fetch it. The water offers a soft landing, which is important for protecting your Saints joints from excessive impact. This is a great game for a hot summer day, but dont throw the item so far that your dog struggles to return it. If youre on a boat, its essential that your Saint wear a giant -breed life vest before playing water fetch.

Pulling Games
The American Kennel Club categorizes Saint Bernards as working dogs, because theyre strong and willing to work. Fit an adult Saint with a pulling harness or attach side clips to a standard harness. A regular collar wont work. Attach two side ropes to the clips and to a small wagon or sled and lead your Saint until he understands that you want him to pull the object. Pulling games arent intended for Saints younger than 2 years of age because they place too much stress on developing bones.

Limits of Play
Because this breed is susceptible to joint disorders, dont encourage a young Saint to jump out of the back of a truck o r off other high objects. Likewise, limit strenuous play that requires your dog to run excessively to reduce risk of damage to bones and joints. Your Saint will let you know when hes done. After 20 or 30 minutes of physical play, hell simply lie down and take a long nap.

How to Teach a Dog to Poo

If your dog has not been house-trained, teach him the finer virtues of an outdoor poo. Pooping in the great outdoors is an acquired taste for grown dogs, but if you're patient and consistent, he'll be gleefully leaving packages all over town in no time.

Items you will need

Small treats Pet-formulated cleaning product

Step 1
Take him outside often, and every time you put his leash and collar or harness on him, give an easy command, like "outside." Dogs learn through repetition -- not as quickly as puppies do, so be patient -- and eventually, he'll associate the word "outside" with "time to go outside and do my thing."

Step 2
Walk him for a good, long time. You can't just stand with him in the yard for a few minutes and expect him to go. Take him around the neighborhood, let him sniff and stretch his legs, and give him time to find a good spot to drop his bomb. If he doesn't poop before you go back inside, try again in 20 minutes.

Step 3
Celebrate every time he poops outside. Act like he just won the lottery, and wants to give you the winnings. Use familiar words and phrases, like "good dog," that you use during other training exercises. Rub his ears, praise him like crazy and give him a special treat that is exclusively given out after a successful poop. You may feel silly, but if you do this every single time, he'll get the message: Pooping outside is awesome! Dogs respond to positive reinforcement like this much, much better than negative reinforcement, like punishment for pooping inside.

Step 4
Feed your little guy on a schedule. Remember the thing about repetition -- dogs love routines. When you feed him, put the food out at his normal time -- he should eat once in the morning and once in the evening -- and leave it there for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, pick up the bowl whether it's empty or full. This reinforces your role as top dog in the house, and shows him that you make the rules. Also, if he only eats at a certain time, you can start to predict how long it will take before he's ready to go potty.

Step 5
Watch your dog carefully while you're housebreaking him. This is because if he starts to poop inside, you need to catch him in the act -- scolding him after the fact is completely worthless. If you see him start to go indoors, catch him off guard with a firm and sudden "no" command, then immediately take him outside. If he finishes his pooping out there, praise him just like normal. Remember -- positivity is a better training tool than negativity. If you catch him pooping inside, your goal isn't to punish him, but to stop him.

Step 6
Clean anywhere that he poops indoors thoroughly and immediately. Not just because it's gross, but also because dogs tend to go in the same place more than once -- it's a scent thing. Whether you have carpet or something else, you can buy enzymatic cleaning solutions that sterilize the area and neutralize the odor, even for his sensitive schnoz.

Tips

Always be patient, no matter how long it takes. For an adult dog who's never been housebroken, this process can take weeks or even months, which is why it's so important that dogs be trained as puppies. If you have a private yard, you can discard your dog's indoor poops by leaving them in the grass. This way when you take him out, he sees and smells the poo and feels motivated to leave another one in the same place. Take your dog to a vet, just to make sure that everything checks out physically. Your dog could always be pooping indoors because of a medical condition like intestinal parasites or inflammatory bowel disease.