Let it be borne in mind, also, that a dog should never be struck on the head, as a blow on the ear is very liable to give him a canker, which is both painful to the poor animal and at times hard to cure. Very little actual punishment is really necessary with a St. Bernard dog, provided the training given is careful and discreet. It is not absolutely necessary that a dog should have a kennel, but he should have some place allotted to him that he will know what to do when he is ordered to lie down. I always place a mat or piece of carpet in the kitchen or hall and make him lie down there, and when he once knows where he has to sleep he will go there as a matter of course. The best way to attach a dog to his owner is to allow on one but the mistress or master to feed him, though the idea of allowing everybody to feed him at any time and all times has its advantages in that the animal does not know to whom he looks for his daily support, and therefore regards one and all as his best friend.
Nothing repels a dog sooner than constant scolding.
At the age of three months begin to train a dog to become a house pet. It is generally believed that there is but one way to teach a dog anything, and that all knowledge, unless beaten into him, is worthless, but my long experience has taught me that kindness, and not severity, overcomes all things. Regarding the method of breaking a dog for a house life I start by letting the puppy have a good run outside the house before bringing him within doors, and then allow him to run about for a quarter of an hour in the room, each day allowing him to remain longer. This must be done for several days, when if he still persists in his wrong ways strike him over the ribs gently with the open hand before sending him outside. This punishment must be continued until the object is accomplished.