The gorgeous, affectionate Bernese Mountain Dog is considered easily trainable due to its intelligence and eager-to-please nature. However, special care needs to be taken when choosing your method of training due to their loving and bighearted personality. If you don’t consider this or wait too long for obedience training, undesirable, sneaky, stubborn behaviors will turn your best Berner buddy into your devious archenemy.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is built for hard work and is eager to please you; however, they can have a strong stubborn streak that, left unchecked, can become a real problem once your Berner is grown. As with all larger breeds, it is highly recommended to start training right away. When considerations aren’t given to its future size and its soft-hearted nature, it can be a real recipe for disaster.
How to Establish Yourself as Pack Leader
Regardless of the dog breed, it is the character of a canine to know and understand the pack hierarchy. This begins right from the start with their littermates, developing their temperaments and individuality in those first few months of life. Within a litter, you can have a puppy who shows more stoic dominance to one of quiet playfulness. Both personalities (and every temperament in between) still rely on confident leadership to keep them from developing stress and anxiety that could cause your pup to become a devious devil. To prevent power struggles between you and your puppy in the future, it is essential to establish yourself as the trustworthy, strong leader they can depend on through training.
Training is an excellent tool that builds bonds between you and your pup and, when done correctly, makes for a loyal dog. Bernese Mountain Dogs, though occasionally stubborn, are big-hearted, intelligent creatures. If you are attentive, calm, and avoid overly harsh corrections, it will capture your tender Berners’ attention and make them even more willing to follow your lead.
How to Stop Barking
If you’re looking for a more laid-back watchdog, the Bernese Mountain Dog fits this description perfectly. He will take this job more seriously the more bonded he becomes with your family and his territory; however, it is not ideal for a dog to become overly dominant in this regard. The first important step to curbing this habit is to socialize with your little guy. Berners are moderately social dogs, and exposing them to all sorts of people, places, and situations is the first part of combating that instinct to bark.
A Berner, though affectionate with its family, can maintain an aloof dignity with strangers when you establish boundaries in their guardianship. Introducing him to different situations with confidence will only encourage his friendly disposition. If barking does occur, create a safe space by standing between them and what has caused them to raise the alarm. Then, while walking towards them, give a command such as “quiet.” If needed, redirect their attention by continuing your walk, playing fetch, or giving them a toy. This is letting your pup know you oversee this territory, and there is nothing for them to be worried about.
Commands should be given with firm, yet calm confidence, and enthusiastic praise for following instructions should be delivered in a higher-pitched tone, accompanied by a gentle touch, such as a pat on the head. Remember that if you become overly harsh in your corrections, it can lead to the opposite result of what you are hoping to achieve.
Harnessing a Berners’ Natural Abilities
As with most dogs, the way to a Berner’s heart is through treats! Combine treats with training that gives them a job, and you’ve got your pup eating out of the palm of your hand (literally!). Before you get too enthusiastic, it’s good to know your pup’s energy has limits. Remember, this is a dog bred for long walks and hikes, but as a puppy, he has yet to build up this endurance, so start with shorter, relaxed training sessions and watch for signs of exhaustion. In the spring and summer months, more care needs to be given in this regard due to the possibility of overheating with its naturally heavy, thick double coat.
A good exercise routine is the key to unlocking your dog’s potential. Start by taking your puppy on a 15-30 minute walk. Leash training can be a bit intimidating to a Bernese, but they will soon enjoy the adventure of being out in nature with you. Encourage them by giving a positive command such as, “Walk with me.” Once they do, give an enthusiastic, “good boy!” If safe, you may have to let go of the leash and let them follow you to overcome their apprehension.
Once a Bernese understands the enjoyment of walking, they will tend to pull on the leash. To combat this habit, hold the lead loosely, but firm enough not to allow them to get too far ahead, giving the command “walk with me” if that doesn’t work and their excitement has overridden their ability to listen, come to a complete stop, and ask them to sit. After they have complied, continue your walk. This is an essential skill to develop in a larger, stronger breed like the Bernese.
By taking your dog on regular walks, you will expend their energy and create lasting bonds. As a dog who loves a job, you can start incorporating different commands you would like them to learn during your walk, and give them treats to reinforce a job well done. The Bernese Mountain dog gained some of its popularity due to its ability to be a perfect hiking companion. Giving them the job of packing their own supplies they may need for longer walks with a backpack of their own, further promotes their longing to be helpful and fulfill a purpose. Berners thrive on connection with their humans, and spending time exploring the world together will keep them healthy and happy.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Biting?
Puppy nibbles and little bites are a natural part of growth for any breed and something that may be cute now, but if not understood, can become a significant problem later, especially for a large breed like the Bernese Mountain Dog. The bite force of a grown Bernese is around 320 PSI, and obviously, it can pack a powerful punch. These are dogs that are not known to be too mouthy or aggressive, but some can develop the habit of trying to gain your attention for affection by nipping at you well into adulthood.
Puppy bites are used on littermates to help determine pack pecking order from the start, so when a puppy bites or nibbles on you, it’s not just out of play. However, puppies were also born with the ability to control the strength of their bite. Training your dog not to bite or to be gentle is much like training a toddler not to hit. When bites happen while playing with your pup, give a loud yelp (even if it didn’t hurt). This should alarm them and stop play. You can then resume play and yelp again when they bite. You should notice their bite force decreases.
If they choose not to stop playing or the biting remains just as strong, you can give a strong, firm “no biting” command. Then do not continue playing, or if he continues to act out, put him in a forced submission by cradling him in your arms like a baby and making him look you in the eyes. If he fights you on this, you know you have a strong-willed alpha puppy on your hands. You mustn’t let him go until he calms down and makes eye contact with you. This is an essential tool for establishing pack leadership, and if you have kids, this training will be even more critical.
With an adult Bernese Mountain Dog weighing as much as 115 pounds, it’s necessary to address this issue when they are young and small. If they are showing signs of stubborn dominance even to just one member of the family (usually a child), they must hold the puppy in this manner, too. You can, of course, help them keep the puppy under control, but they need to be the ones holding and directing their eye contact.
Is Training a Bernese Mountain Dog Hard?
Overall, this breed is considered an easy dog to train based on their gentle and willing disposition. It is a favorite breed for good reason, and we believe the joy and affection this pup brings to your home are well worth the effort to train for a dog that has an intelligent aura of grand nobility! Gentle and firm with positive reinforcement are the keys to unlocking this puppy’s potential. If this sounds like the kind of dog you’re looking for, check out our current litters and contact Gladys.