21 Ways to Love Your Swissy: A Complete Guide for Swissy Owners

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (GSMD), affectionately known as the Swissy, is a breed that demands respect, attention, and love. Originally bred as a hardworking farm dog, the Swissy is loyal, intelligent, and highly social. However, owning a Swissy comes with responsibilities, and understanding their needs will ensure a fulfilling relationship with this powerful, affectionate breed. In this blog, we'll cover 21 essential ways to love your Swissy—from training and health tips to bonding and playtime. Let's dive into the complete guide on how to make the most of your life with a Swissy.

1. Understand the Breed

The Swissy is part of the Working Group of dogs, sharing characteristics with breeds like Rottweilers, Mastiffs, and Saint Bernards. These breeds are naturally dominant, but when managed correctly, dominance provides them with the "drive" needed to excel at tasks like herding and guarding. Be sure to channel this drive into positive outlets like obedience training, and avoid letting dominance escalate into aggression.

2. Crate Train Your Swissy

Crate training helps establish control and provides a safe environment for your Swissy. It's especially helpful for housebreaking, as Swissys can be slow to house-train. Additionally, crate training protects your Swissy from chewing dangerous items like electrical cords, ensuring their safety when you're not around.

3. Teach Your Swissy Bite Inhibition

Swissy puppies are known for being "mouthy." This natural behavior should be tempered with bite inhibition training. Teach your puppy to use their mouth gently and avoid excessive biting. While Swissys can be stubborn, teaching bite inhibition is vital for their safety and well-being as they grow.

4. Cuddle, Don’t Coddle Your Swissy

Although Swissys love affection, avoid pampering them excessively. Over-coddling can lead to insecurity, and a Swissy without confidence may develop bullying behaviors. Treat your Swissy with love and affection, but make sure they understand the importance of respect and boundaries.

5. Socialize Your Swissy Early

Swissys can be naturally wary of strangers and new situations due to their guarding instincts. Early socialization is key to helping them become confident, well-adjusted dogs. Expose your Swissy to new people, places, and experiences from a young age to ensure they grow up relaxed and open to new things.

6. Take Your Swissy to Puppy Kindergarten

Puppy Kindergarten classes are essential for exposing your Swissy to other dogs and people in a controlled environment. Enroll your puppy as early as possible (before 12 weeks) to ensure they absorb the socialization benefits during their critical developmental period.

7. Keep Your Swissy Obedience Trained

After completing Puppy Kindergarten, continue your Swissy’s training. Swissys can be stubborn, especially during adolescence, and they need consistent obedience training throughout their lives. Training not only strengthens your bond with your Swissy but also ensures good behavior in various situations.

8. Teach Your Swissy to ‘Wait’

The 'wait' command is essential for controlling your Swissy, especially considering their strength and size. It can prevent accidents when entering or leaving doors, and it’s useful for controlling their behavior during mealtime. Teach your Swissy to respect boundaries and wait for your signal before moving forward.

9. Teach Your Swissy to ‘Heel’

Swissys are strong and energetic, and without proper leash training, they can easily pull you down the street. Teaching your Swissy to walk calmly by your side in the 'heel' position ensures both your safety and theirs. Invest in proper training tools like a Halti or Gentle Leader to help manage your Swissy’s power while on walks.

10. Teach Your Swissy the ‘Recall’ Command

A reliable recall is essential for keeping your Swissy safe, especially since they have a high prey drive and can become distracted by small animals. Consistently practice the recall command and ensure your Swissy comes to you when called, even in the face of distractions.

11. Teach Your Swissy the ‘Down-Stay’

The ‘down-stay’ command is a valuable tool for ensuring that your Swissy remains calm in various environments. Whether you're at the park or in your home, a well-executed down-stay allows your Swissy to relax and wait for further instructions.

12. Be Consistent in Your Training

Consistency is key when training a Swissy. Everyone in your household should be on the same page regarding rules and commands. Consistent training helps your Swissy understand expectations, leading to better behavior and respect for boundaries.

13. Make Commands Sound Like Commands

Dogs respond to tone and intent. Use a firm but calm tone for static commands like “sit” or “down.” Use an enthusiastic, positive tone for commands like “come” and “heel” to motivate your Swissy. This clear communication helps your Swissy understand when they need to listen and when they’re being praised.

14. Be Realistic with Your Expectations

Don’t give your Swissy commands you can’t follow through on. For example, if you ask your Swissy to ‘stay’ while you leave the room, make sure you can enforce the command. Realistic expectations ensure that your Swissy understands what’s required and can meet those expectations.

15. Practice the 3 P’s – Patience, Persistence, and Praise

Training a Swissy takes time, and the key to success is patience. Swissys are intelligent but can be independent and stubborn. Use positive reinforcement, be persistent, and reward good behavior. This approach will foster a strong bond between you and your Swissy.

16. Let Your Swissy Earn His Keep

A Swissy that works for their food or rewards will be a more disciplined and well-behaved dog. Instead of giving treats or affection freely, make your Swissy earn it through commands like ‘sit’ or ‘down.’ This reinforces the idea that rewards are earned, not expected.

17. Be Your Swissy’s Pack Leader

Swissys thrive when they know who the leader is. Take charge as their pack leader and establish clear boundaries and expectations. A Swissy is much happier and more relaxed when they have a confident leader to follow.

18. Teach Your Swissy to Play Nicely

If you already have another dog, it’s essential to teach your Swissy to interact appropriately. While some Swissys may try to assert dominance, it’s important to ensure that play remains friendly and non-violent. As the pack leader, you must maintain peace and harmony within the household.

19. Work That Body!

Swissys are a highly energetic breed that needs both physical and mental stimulation. Engage in activities like obedience training, weight pulling, herding, and agility exercises. A tired Swissy is a happy Swissy, so ensure they get plenty of exercise to stay fit and content.

20. Learn a New Language – Dog Speak

Understanding your Swissy’s body language is crucial for effective communication. Swissys are expressive, and their tail wagging or ear positioning can convey a lot of information. Learn to read these signals to better understand your Swissy’s moods and needs.

21. Make Your Swissy a Member of Your Family

A Swissy is not a dog that can be relegated to the backyard. They are pack animals and thrive when included in family life. Make sure your Swissy is a part of your daily routines, whether you're relaxing on the couch or going for a hike. Swissys have a joyful, exuberant personality that enhances any family dynamic.

Conclusion

Loving your Swissy means understanding their needs, training them consistently, and providing a fulfilling life that taps into their natural instincts and capabilities. This breed is intelligent, loyal, and eager to please, but they require a dedicated owner who can lead them with confidence and consistency.

By following these 21 ways to love your Swissy, you’ll not only enhance your bond but also

create a happy, well-adjusted dog who thrives in a family-oriented environment.