Generally, dog lovers appreciate a pet that is both affectionate and will not give them nightmares during training sessions. The Bernedoodles are the perfect fit in this aspect. The charming hybrid of the Bernese mountain dog and the Poodle has truly been a delight for pet owners. Bernedoodles are cute, friendly, loyal, and smart. It seems they have all the good qualities inside them in the right amounts. However, the question that many potential owners inquire about is whether they are easy to train.
Precisely speaking, the answer is yes, they are a delight when you are training them. But there is a catch. The training sessions will be effective if you get the hang of the way these Bernedoodles think. If you do not know this already, Bernedoodles are intelligent and always eager to please their owners. Still, they are sensitive and can be stubborn at times, which needs to be handled carefully. As the owner, you need to show patience, consistency, and help it with positive reinforcements. Here is a detailed explanation of the reasons that make Bernedoodles such capable learners, and what pet owners can expect during the training journey.
Understanding the parent breeds
Before commencing training, one should understand the Bernedoodle’s origins. From the Poodle, the hybrid breed inherits exceptional wits and the craving to learn new things. Poodles, as we all know, are one of the smartest dogs in the world. The other parent, the Bernese, offers Bernedoodles their loyalty, patience, and calm temperament. The combo of both these worlds results in something unique, wanting you to adopt one near you soon. However, the Bernese side makes the Bernedoodles act stubborn at times.
Smart yet sensitive
If the words of the previous Bernedoodle owners are to be believed, they refer to the breed as “soft learners”. It means they tend to pick up commands quickly, but they do not handle harsh corrections and scolding well. They thrive on encouragement and hate dominance. Thus, using loud tones or punishing them can prove detrimental to their confidence. Therefore, when training a Bernedoodle, you must act as if you are giving lessons to a talented student who has a sensitive mind.
Early training is the key
Since Bernedoodles are considered an intelligent breed, they benefit a lot from early socialization and training. Owners always find some reasons to appreciate them as pets. Ideally, training them when they are still pups is the best, i.e., when they are around 8 to 12 weeks old. It is the stage when they are ready to embrace new things about the world. During this stage, you can introduce them to other dogs and pets at your house, people of all ages, and to various environments and sounds. It would help build confidence in them and reduce the chances of anxiety as they grow older. A well-socialized Bernedoodle is a delight to train because they tend to be calm, less fearful, and always focused on their owners rather than the distractions.
Estimating the intelligence levels of the Bernedoodles
If we say Bernedoodles are brilliant, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Indeed, they are experts in learning new things with minimal repetition and remembering these commands for ages. Then again. Bernedoodles also excel in pattern recognition, which helps them to get a hang of tones, gestures, and routines in quick time. Many Bernedoodle owners have mentioned that their dogs know when it is time for a walk, and when they should be going for a bath, and so on. However, with intelligence comes greater curiosity, and that can make the Bernedoodles mischievous.
The need for patience and consistency
Although Bernedoodles are never hard to train, they can be difficult to deal with at times if they are emotionally down. As mentioned earlier, they respond best to a calm and steady training routine where commands and rewards go hand-in-hand.
Thus, if you change your tone or set new rules, it confuses them. For instance, “off” means do not jump; everyone in the house should use that same word. Then again, Bernedoodles prefer short and frequent sessions that shouldn’t last for more than fifteen minutes. They can get bored if you push these training sessions for too long.
Common challenges during training
Despite the ease that Bernedoodle owners refer to while training them, there are a few challenges too, and they are:
Phases of stubbornness: At times when their Bernese traits become hyperactive, they would not hear you. Please do not consider this as an act of defiance, but it is because they want to test your patience. On your part, you truly need to hold your nerves, repeat the commands calmly, and reward them on completion. By maintaining consistency, results would be fruitful.
Separation anxiety: As Bernedoodles are known to form deep emotional bonds with their owners, they tend to become anxious when left alone for long periods. Thus, you must train them to tolerate short absences.
Over-excitement: On some occasions, their playful nature can become too much to handle. It is more common for pups. You should teach them to settle at a place with appropriate commands, which would help them unwind. So, with the right mix of training, whatever trivial challenges that might come in your way would be overcome, and they would turn out to be a well-balanced adult dog.
Are Bernedoodles good for first-time owners?
Undoubtedly, first-time owners should love the experience of parenting a Bernedoodle if they are ready to invest time and attention. Handling them is very convenient compared to the other high-energy breeds. The mix of intelligence, gentleness, and adaptability makes them a joy to work with. But, as mentioned, they do require a fair dose of emotional engagement. So, first-time owners should take care of including them in their family life, train appropriately, and help them to adapt quickly. If you are willing to put in these efforts, you can expect a rewarding experience and the chance to have a lifelong companion that will always stay loyal.
Do not overlook the exercise regimen during training
Always remember, when dealing with Bernedoodles, training and exercise should go together. To put it in simple words, a tired dog would lead to a focused dog. As first-time owners, you should plan for at least an hour of daily activity. It should include a mix of walks, fetch, or any other games. Exercise keeps their body healthy and prevents behavioral issues, which can lead to boredom. You will notice, after an intriguing play or exercise session, they will be much more responsive to commands and show eagerness to learn.
Emotional and social training holds the key to
By teaching Bernedoodles, the focus should not be only on mastering commands. Remember, it is about helping them grow in a way that would help them navigate well in the human world. Emotional control training that includes waiting for treats, walking calmly on a leash, along with social etiquette that includes not jumping on strangers, and greeting other dogs politely, is also crucial. Since Bernedoodles are so emotionally intelligent, they tend to pick up social expectations in a jiffy. By exposing them regularly to social interactions and correcting them, they promise to grow up as dogs that are well-mannered, obedient, and confident.
Golden tips for training success
In a nutshell, follow these rules to get the best out of your Bernedoodle:
- Start as early as possible, but remember never to rush to train them.
- Keep sessions positive and reward them whenever possible. The key is to end the session on a high note.
- When using treats as rewards, always offer healthy treats or verbal praises instead of harsh words.
- Ensure to maintain a fixed routine as it helps them to thrive on it.
- Balance obedience training with play and affection whenever possible.
- Celebrate even the smallest of feats done by them. It will help in building long-term trust.
- By following the above tips, you can expect not only an obedient but a devoted Bernedoodle.
- The emotional bond makes the necessary difference.
Lastly, the factor that makes Bernedoodles easy to train is not only about their intelligence. Rather, it is their emotional connection with you as the owner. They would learn eagerly as they want to make their owners happy. In such cases, training becomes less of a task and more of a friendly interaction. When the bond is strong, even the toughest training session can feel rewarding. This is when you will notice how quickly the Bernedoole picks up your commands and remains in tune with your emotional side, too.