Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: How should an owner build alone time and a stable routine?
For Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, build alone time from the dog's settled starting point instead of choosing a fixed number of hours. Schedule the first attempt after the dog's normal age-appropriate outlet, not at peak excitement. Build separation in tiny increments with a camera or written log, and arrange company or a sitter before the dog crosses its threshold. Increase absence only after the dog has returned to its normal resting behaviour at the previous step.
What the routine needs to account for
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.
Build alone time in small steps
- Build separation in tiny increments with a camera or written log, and arrange company or a sitter before the dog crosses its threshold.
- 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.
- Increase absence only after the dog has returned to its normal resting behaviour at the previous step.
Do not push through
Do not continue exposure if distress escalates, the dog cannot take food, or recovery takes longer after each repetition.
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
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