Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: How should an owner handle adolescent behaviour changes?
When a young Greater Swiss Mountain Dog becomes less reliable, return to the last version of the behaviour that was working and rebuild from there. Schedule the first attempt after the dog's normal age-appropriate outlet, not at peak excitement. Return to easier cues, shorten sessions, increase reinforcement, and manage the environment while skills are rebuilt. Keep the easier version in the routine while reliability returns; do not test the hardest version every day.
What can change during adolescence
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog's exercise is recorded as The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires moderate exercise. Here, that matters because it changes the amount and timing of movement, stimulation, and recovery this situation needs.
Rebuild the behaviour you want
- Return to easier cues, shorten sessions, increase reinforcement, and manage the environment while skills are rebuilt.
- Use this exercise note (The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires moderate exercise) to choose the starting amount of movement and the length of the recovery period.
- Keep the easier version in the routine while reliability returns; do not test the hardest version every day.
Arrange an assessment if
Escalate for sudden personality change, pain, disorientation, or aggression that cannot be safely managed.
References
Height: 25.5-28.5 inches (male), 23.7-27 inches (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height
Weight: 115-140 pounds (male), 85-110 pounds (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight
Life expectancy: 8-11 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy
Grooming: This is basically a 'wash and wear' breed, but they are double coated and do blow their undercoat, usually twice a year. When this is occurring they benefit from a good bath and blow-out, followed by a thorough brushing with a rake or shedding tool. For the rest of the year the occasional bath and brushing usually does the trick. They need regular…
AKC page Grooming > official section copy
Exercise: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires moderate exercise. A walk around the block or a romp in the woods generally will satisfy their daily exercise needs. This breed is much better suited for the person looking for a hiking companion than the person wanting a bicycling or marathon-running partner.
AKC page Exercise > official section copy
Training: The GSMD is very food motivated and responds well to training using food rewards. They can also have a stubborn streak, however, so their owners must be more determined than they are. It is not recommended to use any harness-type training device on this breed. They are a draft breed, and the use of a harness (other than for draft work) just tends to make…
AKC page Training > official section copy
Official breed description: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, immensely strong worker famous for a dense coat of striking black, red, and white markings. Dependable and faithful Swissies earned their feed as herders, drafters, and all-around pasture dogs.
AKC page About the Breed > official breed description
Recommended parent-club health tests: ['Hip Evaluation', 'Elbow Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation', 'Shoulder Evaluation']
AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club
Official breed standard: http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GreaterSwissMountainDog.pdf
AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard
Use the tools