The gentle giants, also known as Bernese Mountain Dogs, are different in many ways from other dog breeds. Usually, when you wonder how dogs try to communicate with their owners, it would usually include signs like barking, whining, and growling. But the Bernese can be exceptionally different. If you ask previous or existing owners of such Bernese Mountain Dogs, they would all agree that they are different when it comes to communication.
They are rarely loud, yet they are always communicating. This is the reason that has earned them the tag of “gentle giant,” as in the true sense, they are calm and gentle in nature, and based on these characteristics, they tend to communicate silently in most situations. As the dog parent, you must understand this “Silent” language, and it can be done by observing their subtle body language and behavior. If owners do not pay attention, they will eventually miss these signals completely.
In this guide, we will break down all those “silent” signals of the Bernese Mountain Dog, and that should help the owners to understand their emotions, needs, and behavior better. More information on behaviors of Bernese Mountain Dog can be found here, read on to become more knowledgeable on how to handle them.
The reason why Bernese Mountain Dogs communicate differently
Before we try to decipher the signals of the Bernese, we must understand why this breed uses such a different form of communication. As we all know, the Bernese Mountain Dogs were forever utilized as working dogs in the Swiss Alps. Their role required them to be calm, observant, and emotionally connected to their owners. The breed was never bred to bark excessively, act on their impulses, or show signs of aggression even in unfamiliar situations. Instead, they gradually developed this subtle communication style. So, we can justifiably call them quiet observers rather than being loud expressers. So, let us look at these signals step by step.
The leaning of the dog
Often, Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to lean on their owners. Interestingly, many owners misunderstand this behavior, and they think the dog is onto something. Let us make it clear, if you find the dog leaning against you, it is a sign of trust, comfort, and emotional bonding. It is like their way of saying “I feel safe with you”.
However, you must realize that it is time to pay attention when the leaning becomes repetitive, intense, and paired with anxiety. It might be signs the dog is seeking reassurance.
Eye contact
Eye contact has to be second in the list. Consider this as more than a look, as the Bernese Mountain Dogs are always known for their expressive eyes. Therefore, you can be assured that when they are trying to establish eye contact, they are trying to communicate something. However, not all eye contact relates to the same thing. It can be in the form of soft eye contact, a relaxed gaze, and a stare with slight blinking. In most cases, these stares are their way of telling “I am calm and always connected to you”.
Intense staring in the form of a fixed gaze and no blinking happens when they want something, which can be food or even attention from their owners. They can also do so when they are unsure about a specific situation.
Following the owner everywhere
Many owners reveal that the Bernese Mountain Dog tends to act like a shadow, and they move on everywhere with their human parent. Here again, you must realize, this is not out of their emotional bonding, but it is their way of communicating. It is as if they are saying, “You are in a safe place”, or “I simply want to stay close to you”. Furthermore, such behavior can also be symptoms of mild separation anxiety, seeking attention, or just being curious about the actions of their owners.
Sitting on or near your feet
All the Bernese Mountain Dogs will display this behavior, and it signals their protective behavior, being comfortable, and ownership (in a gentle way). No matter what, they always love being physically connected to their human counterparts. This is indeed a classic example that shows why Bernese Mountain Dogs are known as gentle giants.
Subtle tail movements
Usually, we associate the tail wagging of dogs with happiness or excitement. However, in the case of the Bernese, not all such tail wags relate to the above examples. For instance, a slow tail wag indicates their happiness, a low or gentle wag signals they are feeling relaxed and comfortable, and lastly, stiff or minimal tail wags mean they are uncertain or are trying to be cautious. You should try to focus on the whole body and not just the tail to better understand.
Body posture
This is something that you have to develop on your own. The dog’s body will always tell you something, and these are as follows:
- Relaxed posture: Their body would be loose, and they would have a softer stance. This means they are happy and are at ease.
- Stiff posture: Their muscles will become tense, and they will stop moving altogether. This is a sign that they are alert or are feeling uncomfortable for some reason.
- Lowered body: This would surely indicate they are trying to be submissive, as for some reason, they are feeling insecure.
Head turns and avoidance
Then again, many owners often mention how their Bernese Mountain Dog turns their head away. This is never a sign of them being disobedient; instead, consider it as a mode of communication too. By doing so, they are trying to say that they are not in their right mind, and considering the state of the situation, they are not ready to engage in a conflict.
Common situations when such silent communications are mostly noticeable
The Bernese will usually display such signs during training when they feel too overwhelmed and are around unfamiliar people.
Yawning is yet another sign that owners miss
Like all the other dog breeds, the Bernese also yawns, but they do not always do so when they feel tired. Repeated yawning can mean the dog is under some kind of stress, mild anxiety, or they are dealing with emotional overload. These subtle signs are often missed by the owners, as they naturally think the dog is tired and wants to sleep.
Slow movement or freezing
Sometimes, you may notice that the Bernese Mountain Dog suddenly stops moving and remains still. This can be an intimidating signal, as it might lead to one or various reasons. Either they are feeling unsure, they are amidst a situation where they are processing something, and they feel, they are feeling threatened.
Gentle pawing
When owners notice their dog is gently pawing them, the dog is not doing it randomly. It can be the signals where the dog wants to seek attention from their pet parent, and maybe it wants interaction with the owner or other family members. Here is where owners need to be careful. If you always respond to their pawing, you will reinforce attention-seeking behavior, which can later turn out to be a problem for the dog owner.
Changes in routine behavior
Perhaps the easiest way to notice their silent communication is when you notice a sudden change in their behavior. Notice if your Bernese suddenly becomes less active, tries to avoid interaction, and acts differently. It can be a sign of stress, illness, and emotional discomfort.
Why is understanding these signals so crucial
As an owner, if you turn a blind eye to these silent signals, the dog can soon become anxious, feel misunderstood, and develop unsolicited behavioral issues. Once you detect them in a timely manner, it can help build a good trust; your response and handling would become more efficient, and most importantly, you will realize the ideal ways to train a Bernese Mountain Dog.
Highlighting the common mistakes of Bernese Mountain Dog owners
- Ignoring subtle signals, as most of them look for signs like barking and growling.
- Thinking their calmness as nothing, as you can see, the Bernese are still communicating.
- Over-stimulating the dog by offering them too much excitement can overwhelm them.
The ideal approach
When it comes to dealing with the Bernese, you should observe more and react less. The more time you take to notice these patterns, the better it will be. During the observation process, owners should be calm and consistent, as the dogs tend to respond best to such situations. You can also reward the dog for their calm behavior, which would help them build a calmer temperament. Remember, the more you understand them, the deeper the bond will become.