How To Train My Puppy

Training a Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner) requires a balance of consistency, positive reinforcement, patience, and socialization. Berners are intelligent, gentle, and eager to please, but they can also be sensitive and a bit stubborn. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you train your Bernese Mountain Dog effectively:

🐾 1. Start Early (Puppy Stage is Best)

• Socialization: Expose your Berner to different people, animals, environments, and sounds from an early age (8–16 weeks is ideal).

• Gentle handling: Get them used to grooming, touching paws, ears, and mouth – this will help with vet visits and grooming later.

🧠 2. Basic Obedience Training

Start with the fundamentals:

• Sit

• Stay

• Come

• Down

• Leave it

• Heel

💡 Use positive reinforcement – treats, praise, toys, or anything your dog loves. Berners are sensitive and respond best to kindness, not harsh corrections.

⏱ 3. Keep Sessions Short and Consistent

• Aim for 5–15 minute sessions, 2–3 times a day.

• Always end on a positive note – with success, fun, or affection.

🦴 4. Crate Training

• Helps with house training and gives your Berner a safe place to relax.

• Never use the crate as punishment.

🚽 5. Housebreaking

• Take them outside frequently (after meals, play, naps).

• Praise immediately when they go outside.

• Be patient – they are big dogs and take a little longer to develop bladder control.

🐕 6. Leash Training

• Start early, before they get too strong.

• Practice walking calmly beside you (heel command).

• Reward for good leash manners – pulling should never get them where they want to go.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 7. Socialization with Other Dogs & People

• Encourage calm interactions at dog parks, classes, or with friends' pets.

• Don’t overwhelm them; let them explore at their own pace.

🧩 8. Mental Stimulation

• Puzzle toys, scent games, obedience tricks.

• Berners thrive when they have a job to do – consider training for therapy work or cart pulling (they were bred for this!).

🛑 9. Correct Undesirable Behavior Early

• Jumping up: Teach “off” and reward for sitting instead.

• Chewing: Provide appropriate chew toys.

• Barking: Identify the cause and redirect or desensitize.

🎓 10. Enroll in Puppy Classes

• Great for socialization and professional guidance.

• Look for positive-reinforcement-based trainers.

❤️ Bonus Tips:

• Berners are loyal but can be shy – confidence-building exercises help.

• Avoid harsh discipline – it can damage trust.

• They can be slow to mature emotionally – training might need repetition and patience.

Edited By Shae Lebold