Let your dog sleep with you (at least some of the time)
Let your dog lick your face (this is very important to your dog)
Talk to your dog in your real voice (the more you talk the more they will learn)
My youngest was 19 at the time and I could not believe how much I felt the loss. To cut to the chase ... my family organized and brought to me a St. Bernard ... all the way from So. Dakota.... for Christmas.
He arrived shortly after the 25th ... and was the size of a large cocker spaniel. Very shy ...
He turned a year in October ... and weighs in at 237 pounds.... though he is expected to finally reach over 250.
The stories I could tell of this last year!!! From not being able to get him down the front stairs ... he stayed up there for 14 hours ... afraid to tumble down the stairs ... which he eventually did .. a canine avalanche ... LOL! ... to his now riding in my truck with me ... straight forward ... just like a human ... though he has to bend his head to see out of the window ...
He is my very best friend ... I take him everywhere I go ... most of the shopkeepers I give my business to know him ... so in he goes ... as I shop.
He brings out the very best in people, he does ... you can not help but love a St. Bernard ... though his back reaches higher than my waist ... he listens to every word I say and just generally brings joy wherever he goes. *grin*
/ramble