Bernedoodle Training Tips for New Owners

Training a Bernedoodle is one of the most rewarding aspects of ownership. These intelligent dogs, inheriting the Poodle's exceptional cognitive abilities combined with the Bernese Mountain Dog's desire to please, are highly trainable companions. However, they also come with unique characteristics that require understanding and patience to achieve the best results.

This comprehensive guide will help new Bernedoodle owners understand how to work with their dog's temperament, avoid common training pitfalls, and build a strong foundation of obedience and good behaviour.

Understanding the Bernedoodle Mind

Before diving into specific training techniques, it's essential to understand what makes Bernedoodles tick. Their intelligence is often ranked among the highest of all dog breeds, thanks to their Poodle heritage. This intelligence makes them quick learners who can master complex commands, but it also means they can become bored with repetitive training and may try to outsmart their owners.

Equally important is the Bernese Mountain Dog influence on temperament. Bernedoodles often inherit a sensitive nature that responds poorly to harsh corrections. They're also known for occasional stubbornness – when a Bernedoodle decides they don't want to do something, they can be surprisingly persistent in their refusal.

Essential Training Principles

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the cornerstone of effective Bernedoodle training. This approach rewards desired behaviours, making your dog want to repeat them. Rewards can include:

• Food treats – High-value, small treats work best for training sessions
• Verbal praise – Enthusiastic "good dog!" in an upbeat tone
• Physical affection – Pats, scratches, or cuddles for dogs who enjoy touch
• Play – A quick game with a favourite toy as a reward
• Access to activities – Going through a door, getting off-lead, or other privileges

The key is discovering what motivates your individual Bernedoodle most. Some are highly food-motivated, while others respond better to play or praise.

Timing Is Everything

Dogs associate rewards (or corrections) with whatever they were doing at the exact moment. Delayed rewards lose their training value because your dog won't connect them to the desired behaviour. Aim to mark and reward correct behaviour within one to two seconds.

Many trainers use a clicker or marker word like "yes!" to bridge the gap between the behaviour and the reward. This marker tells your dog precisely which behaviour earned the reward, speeding up the learning process significantly.

Consistency Across the Household

Bernedoodles are intelligent enough to learn different rules for different people if family members aren't consistent. Everyone in your household should use the same commands, enforce the same rules, and reward the same behaviours. Inconsistency confuses dogs and slows training progress.

Starting With the Basics

Name Recognition

The first thing your Bernedoodle should learn is their name. Say their name in an upbeat tone, and when they look at you, immediately reward them. Practice this throughout the day in various situations until your dog reliably looks at you when they hear their name.

Sit

Sit is typically the easiest command to teach and provides a foundation for other training:

1. Hold a treat close to your dog's nose
2. Slowly move the treat up and back over their head
3. As their head follows the treat, their bottom should naturally lower
4. The moment their bottom touches the ground, mark ("yes!") and reward
5. Add the verbal cue "sit" once they're reliably performing the action

Down

Once sit is mastered, down follows naturally:

1. Ask for a sit
2. Hold a treat to their nose, then slowly lower it straight down to the floor
3. Move the treat slightly away from them along the ground
4. When they lie down fully, mark and reward
5. Add the cue "down" once the behaviour is consistent

Stay

Stay teaches impulse control, which is valuable for the sometimes-impulsive Bernedoodle:

1. Ask for a sit or down
2. Show an open palm and say "stay"
3. Wait just one second, then mark and reward
4. Gradually increase duration before marking
5. Add distance and distractions only after duration is solid

Recall (Come)

A reliable recall is essential for safety. Make coming when called the best thing that ever happens to your dog:

• Never call your dog for something they dislike (bath, nail trimming, end of play)
• Use high-value rewards exclusively for recall training
• Practice in low-distraction environments before adding challenges
• Never punish a dog who comes to you, even if they were slow or had been misbehaving

House Training Your Bernedoodle

Bernedoodles are generally straightforward to house train thanks to their intelligence, but success requires consistency from the owner.

Key Principles

• Frequent opportunities – Take puppies out after waking, eating, playing, and every 1-2 hours initially
• Same spot – Use a consistent toileting area so scent cues prompt the behaviour
• Reward success – Praise and treat immediately after they toilet in the right place
• Supervise or confine – When you can't watch your puppy, use a crate or pen to prevent accidents
• Clean accidents properly – Use enzymatic cleaners to remove odours completely

Dealing with the Bernedoodle Stubborn Streak

Many Bernedoodle owners encounter moments when their dog simply refuses to comply with a known command. This stubbornness, inherited from the Bernese Mountain Dog side, can be frustrating but is manageable with the right approach.

Prevention Strategies

• Keep training fun – If sessions become tedious, your Bernedoodle is more likely to resist
• End on success – Always finish sessions with something easy your dog can succeed at
• Vary rewards – Mix up treats, toys, and praise to maintain engagement
• Watch for fatigue – Tired dogs are more likely to refuse

When Stubbornness Strikes

If your Bernedoodle refuses a command they know:

1. Stay calm – frustration makes things worse
2. Make the task easier – ask for a simpler version or move to a less distracting location
3. Increase motivation – try a higher-value reward
4. Take a break if needed – sometimes a short pause resets everyone's attitude
5. Never force compliance – this damages trust and worsens future training

Lead Training

Bernedoodles can be strong pullers, especially Standard-sized dogs. Teaching polite lead behaviour early prevents problems as they grow.

The key principle is simple: pulling never gets your dog where they want to go. When your Bernedoodle pulls, stop walking immediately. Wait for them to look at you or create slack in the lead, then continue forward. Reward walking on a loose lead frequently with treats and praise.

Front-clip harnesses can help manage pulling while you train, but they're a management tool, not a training solution. Continue rewarding loose-lead walking to develop the behaviour long-term.

Mental Stimulation Through Training

Bernedoodles need mental challenges, and training provides excellent brain exercise. Once basics are solid, consider teaching:

• Trick training – Shake, roll over, spin, play dead, and other fun tricks
• Object discrimination – Learning the names of different toys
• Scent work – Finding hidden treats or objects
• Puzzle solving – Working out how to get treats from puzzle toys

These advanced activities keep your intelligent Bernedoodle engaged and strengthen your training bond.

When to Seek Professional Help

Most Bernedoodle owners can successfully train their dogs at home, but professional help may be valuable for:

• Serious behavioural issues (aggression, severe anxiety)
• Training challenges you can't resolve independently
• Learning foundational skills through puppy classes
• Advanced training goals like therapy dog certification

When choosing a trainer, look for those using positive reinforcement methods. Avoid anyone who recommends punishment, dominance-based techniques, or equipment like choke chains or prong collars, which are inappropriate for sensitive Bernedoodles.