Bernese Mountain Dogs, the gentle giants, are appreciated for their calm, affectionate, and deep emotional bonding to their families. However, as we all know, too much of anything after a point can get irritating. Ask anyone who has had the opportunity to parent a Bernese, and they will say, ” These gentle giants seem to stick to the person they love. That sounds like these dogs tend to be clingy, doesn’t it? Let us unearth the real story. To be precise, they do tend to be clingy, but in the best possible way.
As mentioned before, this breed is renowned for forming intense emotional bonds with its family members, especially the owner, and would follow the person everywhere. Then again, they would want to lean against their pet parent and seek constant companionship. However, there is more to this behavior, and it should not be considered mere clinginess. When you understand why they act this way, and whether it is a healthy habit, it can make things easier to raise a happy Bernese. Let us explore further.
Understanding the term “clingy dogs”
Before labeling any dog as clingy, it is necessary to understand what it actually means. A clingy dog would regularly follow its owner, try to seek physical contact like leaning or sitting on the owner’s feet, show signs of restlessness when left alone, and require frequent reassurance or attention. While in some breeds, all of the above can be signs of anxiety, in some others, like the Bernese Mountain Dog, it is a part and parcel of their natural temperament. This page related to Bernese Mountain Dog can help you know more about them.
What makes the Bernese earn the “clingy” tag?
Once you understand the origins of the Bernese and their temperament, it will help you realize why they act likewise. In a true sense, they are sensitive and emotional dogs and want to prove their loyalty to their respective owners. The unique traits of a Bernese Mountain Dog will amaze you regularly. Here are the details elaborated:
- Strong emotional bonding: Most of us are aware that the Bernese Mountain Dog was bred as working farm dogs in Switzerland. They not only pulled carts and guided the herd but also worked with humans. Based on their origin, they naturally thrive on human interaction, consider the owners as someone very crucial in their lives, and always crave companionship over independence. Thus, when the Bernese follows you around, it isn’t because it wants something; it is doing what it was bred to do.
- Naturally affectionate temperament: Among all the affectionate large breeds, the Bernese Mountain Dogs would appear at the top of the list. They tend to show their love by leaning their full weight against their owners, resting their head on their owner’s lap, and whenever possible, sitting or lying close to their owners despite available space elsewhere. For the unaware, this leaning habit is so common that it gradually becomes their signature style.
- Family dogs in the true sense: Unlike the other independent breeds, the Bernese never enjoy being left out of family activities. They would prefer being in the same room with their owners, observing what their owners are doing, and trying to get involved in those activities. Although this may seem like clinginess, actually, this is their way of requesting inclusion in the family ties.
- Highly sensitive: Make no mistake, Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly sensitive to human emotions. It hardly takes any time for them to pick up stress or sadness, stay close to their owners when they feel low, and offer comfort even when they have not been asked to do so. Their emotional awareness usually makes them seem clingy; in truth, it is a sign of their intelligence and empathy.
Can the clinginess of Bernese Mountain Dogs become a problem?
In short, no, clinginess isn’t bad at all. In fact, consider it as a positive trait for them as long as it does not turn into anxiety. The signs of healthy clinginess would include the dog following you calmly, relaxing when you are nearby, and seeking affection without panicking. Clinginess can become an issue when their habits accompany whining or barking when you leave home, destructive behavior when left alone at home, and excessive pacing or stress.
The connection to separation anxiety
As you can see, the Bernese Mountain dog develops a strong attachment to their owners; it is indeed prone to separation anxiety if not trained appropriately. So, Bernese owners need to watch out for signs like:
- Chewing furniture when left alone.
- Excessive barking without any valid reason.
- Making attempts to escape often,
- Sudden loss of appetite.
All of the above symptoms are sure signals that the dog is dealing with separation anxiety.
Steps to prevent them from becoming over-clingy
Training is the key to helping redefine their behavior. Moreover, it is all about trying and maintaining a healthy balance in their life. It is indeed essential for everyone to know, how to train a Bernese. So, here is how one can do it:
- Teach independence early: Right from their puppyhood, you should encourage them to remain alone for short durations, avoid constant attentions to their deeds, and let them find a way to entertain themselves when no one is around. It will eventually help them to build confidence.
- Ignore their demanding behavior: Once you develop a strong bond with the dog, it does become tempting to respond every time the dog demands attention, but if you do so regularly, it will create dependency for them. Instead, reward them for their calmness, ignore attention-seeking and whining, and offer affection on your terms.
- Never ignore mental stimulation: Remember, a bored Bernese Mountain Dog can become clingy. So, keep them engaged with items like puzzle toys, training sessions, and interactive play sessions. These activities provide mental stimulation to them, and they will remain more relaxed.
- Follow a consistent routine: Bernese tend to feel secure when things are consistent. Daily routines can help them realize when you are around, make them feel less anxious about your absence, and develop independence naturally.
Many Bernese owners love this clingy nature
Precisely speaking, this is the very reason why people fall in love with the Bernese Mountain Dogs. When they are clingy, it means you are having a loyal companion around, they are incredibly affectionate, and you would never want to lose their warmth, and most importantly, it helps in developing deep and emotional bonding. Thus, for the majority of the owners, clinginess is hardly considered a flaw.
Clinginess can also be unsuitable for some owners
Indeed, while we consider their affectionate nature as a positive aspect, it might not suit everyone. For instance, people who need to stay away from home most of the time, or those who prefer an independent dog, and if you cannot provide regular interaction, the Bernese is not for them.
The thin line of difference between clingy and loyal
Well, one can easily confuse clinginess with loyalty, but they aren’t the same. In simple words, loyalty for the Bernese is when they choose to stay close to their owners, and clinginess is when someone needs to stay close to their owners. The Bernese fall somewhere in between, but as mentioned earlier, with proper training, they can become loyal instead of being clingy.
Last words
It is all about giving them proper training, and gradually, they can work out a way to become independent and not always be attached to their owners. So far, everyone who has owned a Bernese Mountain Dog has never raised any complaint, at least for their behavior. Their calm and sensitive behavior, along with their deep attachment to family members, can quickly make them the most valuable and lovable member of the family.
Prospective owners, ignore their clinginess, as it will eventually be appreciated by you. Get in touch with a renowned breeder, bring home a Bernese, and see how your life changes for the better.