Bernese Mountain Dog Behavior Issues and How to Address Them
Bernese Mountain Dogs are beloved, large breed dogs that are revered by their owners due to their large sizes, gentle demeanor, and loyalty; yet like all dogs they may develop behavioral issues which must be addressed. Here we discuss common behavior problems seen among Bernese Mountain Dogs as well as ways to combat them with this article and offer solutions.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are an extremely popular breed that originated in Switzerland. These intelligent canines are famously friendly, gentle, and calm temperament, which makes them excellent family dogs. Even well-behaved Bernese may develop behavioral issues which require attention or training to address.
Common Behavior Issues in Bernese Mountain Dogs
Separation Anxiety
Bernese Mountain Dogs are extremely social animals who crave companionship from their owners. If left alone for extended periods, however, they can develop separation anxiety which manifests itself by excessive barking, howling, or destructive chewing behaviors – signs include barking more frequently or chewing without apparent reason than normal.
Aggression
While Bernese Mountain Dogs generally exhibit friendly personalities, they may become aggressive if they feel threatened or insecure and this aggression could take many forms including growling, barking, snapping, or biting.
Excessive Barking
Bernese Mountain Dogs are well-known as vocal animals; however excessive barking may become an issue. Barking could indicate boredom, anxiety, or territorial behavior and should be monitored.
Jumping
Bernese Mountain Dogs can easily knock people over when they leap at them when jumping is allowed to escalate out of proportion and becomes excessive or playful, becoming dangerous if left unrecognized and ignored by owners and trainers alike. Though jumping may initially signal excitement or playfulness, this behavior must be corrected immediately to stay appropriate for life and avoid potential problems down the road.
Leash Pulling
Bernese Mountain Dogs can be powerful animals that pull on leashes easily, which poses serious threats for both themselves and their owner if left unsupervised. Leash pulling can become hazardous to both parties involved resulting in physical injuries to both.
Chewing
Like all breeds of dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs love to chew. But when this behavior extends into chewing on inappropriate objects such as furniture, shoes, or clothing it can pose a problem.
Diggers
Bernese Mountain Dogs are notorious for their penchant to dig, which can create problems when left alone in a yard unsupervised – digging up flowerbeds and landscaping features and even leaving through escape routes! If left alone for too long they could destroy flower beds while leaving trails of destruction behind them that leave no trace behind them in your yard or escape altogether!
Solutions for Behavior Issues
Separation Anxiety
To reduce separation anxiety in Bernese Mountain Dogs, make surely receive ample physical and mental stimulation such as regular walks. Gradually increase their alone time while giving them a safe space where they can stay.
Aggression
If your Bernese Mountain Dog shows signs of aggression, you must seek professional assistance from an animal trainer or behaviorist to identify what may be triggering it and create a training plan designed specifically to address it.
Excessive Barking
To reduce excessive barking in dogs, we must identify its source. If boredom or anxiety are contributing factors, providing plenty of exercises and mental stimulation could be effective solutions; alternatively, positive reinforcement training might teach your pup to stop barking on command.
Jumping
To prevent jumping, your Bernese Mountain Dog must learn proper greeting behavior – you should train it to sit quietly instead of jumping up when meeting new people and greet them – instead of jumping. You could train it to sit patiently instead.
Leash Pulling
To prevent leash pulling in Bernese Mountain Dogs, they must learn to walk on a loose leash without pulling. Positive reinforcement training can teach your Bernese to walk beside you without pulling.
Chewing
To prevent destructive chewing behavior in Bernese Mountain Dogs, they must receive plenty of suitable chew toys. You may use positive reinforcement training methods to show them which items they may safely nibble on.
Digging
To prevent digging from your Bernese Mountain Dog, be sure they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Also, create a specific digging area in your yard where he/she can learn how to utilize it.
Training Techniques for Bernese Mountain Dogs
Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT)
Positive reinforcement training (PRT) involves rewarding your Bernese Mountain Dog when they exhibit positive behavior, such as giving treats, praise, or playtime when engaging in appropriate behavior. PRT methods often include rewarding with treats or praise when appropriate behavior occurs – or offering extra playtime!
Clicker Training
Clicker training involves using a clicker to mark good behavior, followed by providing rewards as reinforcement. It can be used effectively for teaching your Bernese Mountain Dog various behaviors including obedience commands, tricks, and even agility skills.
Behavior Modification
Behavior modification involves identifying the source of behavioral problems and formulating plans to modify them, typically used when handling more serious behavior issues like aggression or separation anxiety.
Summary
Bernese Mountain Dogs typically make wonderful family companions; however, sometimes their behavior becomes problematic and needs to be addressed. By understanding its source and applying appropriate training techniques to address it, your Bernese Mountain Dog can become a well-behaved and happy member of your household!
FAQs
- Can Bernese Mountain Dogs be trained easily?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are intelligent, eager-to-please animals which make training them relatively straightforward; however, as with all animals they require patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement for optimal success. - Do Bernese Mountain Dogs tend toward aggression?
Bernese Mountain Dogs typically don’t exhibit aggression; however, like any animal, they could become aggressive if they feel threatened or insecure. - How much physical exercise are Bernese Mountain Dogs required to receive?
Bernese Mountain Dogs require at least an hour of daily physical exercise such as walks, playtime, and training sessions for optimal health and happiness. - Can Bernese Mountain Dogs live in apartments?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are large dogs that need ample room and exercise. While they can adapt to apartment living, these breeds typically fare best when provided access to outdoor spaces like yards. - What should I do if my Bernese Mountain Dog exhibits destructive behavior?
If your Bernese Mountain Dog is engaging in destructive behavior, the root cause must be identified and addressed accordingly with training or mental stimulation as soon as possible. Consulting an expert trainer or behaviorist could also prove invaluable.
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