What are the basic needs of a Bernedoodle?
Bernedoodles are some of the most happy, loyal, and loving dogs on the planet. They have a playful nature, beautiful coats, and a temperament that other dogs and their owners can only dream of. If you want to enjoy a long and lasting relationship with your Bernedoodle, it’s important to provide for their basic needs and wants.
A Bernedoodle puppies’ basic needs include things like good nutrition, regular grooming appointments, and plenty of exercise. As your Bernedoodle puppy gets older, their temperament and size may change but their basic needs remain the same. You may need to adjust some things, such as how much you feed them and how much exercise they get, but their basic needs change very little.
If you own a Bernedoodle or are thinking about buying one, you’ve come to the right place. By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped and prepared to provide your pup with the best home and care possible.
Nutrition
The health and well-being of a Bernese Mountain Dog, Bernedoodle, or any other dog starts with nutrition. If you feed your dog low-quality and non-nutritious dog food, they will be more prone to health issues and being overweight and will have less energy and stamina than other dogs.
As with people, different foods and diets may work better with some dogs than others. In general, however, as long as you’re feeding them high-quality dog food that’s packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, and everything else a dog needs, they will be good to go. In other words, avoid “cheap” dog food, as it’s similar to eating fast food.
If you don’t know where to start in terms of dog food, here’s what I recommend.
- Royal Canine dog food for puppies
- Purina Pro Plan for adult dogs
- GI Equalizer K9 or FortiFlora as a probiotic
If you discover your dog has special dietary needs, it’s important to accommodate them accordingly. This is because “doodles” are notorious for having sensitive stomachs, particularly when it comes to grain and chicken. Therefore, you may need to try foods with different grains and proteins. Dog food that uses salmon as the protein base is often a good place to start.
Grooming
Bernedoodles have either straight/wavy or curly coats. Each is beautiful depending on preference. Their soft coats make them one of the cutest dog breeds on the planet. However, it also means they require frequent grooming appointments and haircuts to make sure their coats stay smooth and free of mats.
As such, we recommend taking your Bernedoodle to a professional groomer every 6-8 weeks.
Additionally, it’s important to do some DIY grooming between appointments. While you don’t have to give your pup haircuts at home, we recommend brushing your dog regularly with a long-wired slicker brush. The more often you brush your dog, the longer you can go between professional groomings, which will save big bucks down the road.
There are few things your dog will crave more than regular exercise and attention. Bernedoodles are very energetic dogs with seemingly unending energy levels. It’s ideal if you have a fenced-in yard where they can run and play freely for as long as they want.
If you don’t have a fenced-in yard, we recommend at least two to three walks per day of at least one to three miles. Bernedoodles also make good jogging companions if you’re a runner.
As an added bonus, Bernese Mountain Dogs and their Bernedoodle relatives are avid swimmers. Even if you only have a kiddie pool, letting your dog swim or splash around will provide much-needed physical and mental stimulation.
In addition to walks, runs, and solo playtime, we also recommend taking your dog to a dog park so they can interact with other pets. Along with meeting their energy needs, time at the dog park will give your pup an outlet for its playful nature and help it learn to socialize with other dogs.
Healthcare
As with all dogs, Bernedoodles aren’t immune to health problems and part of providing for their basic needs includes taking care of their health. This includes regular visits to a professional veterinarian to keep their vaccinations updated. It also includes annual physicals to ensure your dog is at a healthy weight and doesn’t have any underlying issues.
Must haves
In addition to the health, nutrition, and wellness of your “Bernie,” there are a few must-haves that you need as an owner.
From the human
Here are a few traits and characteristics you should have as a dog owner:
Time and attention
There’s no way around it. Training and caring for a dog takes a ton of time and all your attention. Therefore, it’s essential that you don’t purchase a pup unless you can give it the time and attention it needs and craves.
Flexibility
It’s also important that you understand that things rarely go according to plan when you have a dog. This is especially true while you’re training your dog and helping it acclimate to your home. If you’re trying something with them and it doesn’t seem to work, be willing to change things up and try a different route. No two dogs are exactly the same, so it’s important to figure out what works with your pup and stick to it.
Consistency
Consistency is key in training your new pup or helping them acclimate to your home. This is especially true if your dog struggles with separation anxiety and freaks out any time you leave the house without them. If you notice this issue, be consistent with when you leave and return home for the first few weeks.
Confidence
As the saying goes, “fake it ’till you make it.” Dogs will pick up on the fact that you lack confidence and they will be tougher to train as a result. Dogs who sense a lack of confidence in their owners will also feel more ill at ease in their new homes and may push the limits. Therefore, it’s important to exude confidence because your dog will take cues from you.
Equipment
Any responsible dog owner will tell you that there are certain items that make life easier for both you and your pup. Here are a few must-have items that you should have on hand when you bring your puppy home:
- A fenced in yard isn’t required, but it will make life much easier for you and your pup
- Crate for crate training sessions
- Harness or collar for walks
- Lots of toys for them to play with and chew on while teething, such as real cow hoofs (buy from a pet store to ensure it’s preserved and safe for your dog)
- Leash for walks
- Good quality food and treats
- Bells to hang from door knob to help potty train them
- Squeaky chew toys
- Rope toys are also great, but only under supervision as dogs can choke on the rope
- Kong toys for hiding treats and chewing
What are some additional “quality-of-life” things you can do for your Bernedoodle?
The lists above contain the necessities for taking care of the basic needs of your Bernedoodle. If you want to further increase their quality of life, here are a few additional items to have on hand and issues to watch out for.
Toys and other bonuses
Lick mats
Lick mats are a type of flat food dish that contain small indents and protrusions. The idea behind a lick mat is to make it more difficult for your dog to eat their food. This is necessary for some dogs who eat their food too quickly, causing them to throw up.
Treat toys
Treat toys are a great way to reward your dog for good behavior or to distract them when you need a break. Treat toys, such as Kong toys, are made of hard rubber and are great for chewing. However, they also feature holes or obstacles that you can stick treats, peanut butter, and other delicacies into. In addition to being a ton of fun for your pup, making them work for their treat will also tire them out!
Health issues to watch out for
In addition to having these tools and toys on hand, responsible dog ownership means being extra watchful for diseases and potential health issues. As a hybrid breed, Bernedoodles are prone to certain health problems that other dogs don’t have to worry about, including:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Eye problems
- Bloat
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Skin issues
- Allergies
- Irritable bowel syndrome
The best way to prevent these health issues is by purchasing your pup from a reputable breeder that does genetic testing. Bernedoodle breeders who do genetic health testing only breed a healthy poodle parent to a healthy Bernese Mountain Dog parent. That way, their puppies have the best chance of being healthy and problem-free.
The exception to this rule, however, is stomach issues. Bernedoodles are notorious for having sensitive stomachs and food allergies which often lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and IBS. If your dog begins to exhibit these symptoms, you should switch them to a different dog food. As you’re switching them over, you can mitigate diarrhea and vomiting by giving them a bland diet or pumpkin filling.
What are some basic tips and strategies for grooming a Bernedoodle?
Regular grooming appointments will be an important part of taking care of your Bernedoodle. However, grooming can be expensive and you may want to limit them to save some money. If that’s the case, it will be important to do some at-home grooming on your own. At-home grooming will also help ensure a cleaner dog, which translates to a cleaner home.
Here are a few basic grooming tips and tricks to consider:
- Invest in high-quality dog clippers to give your dog haircuts.
- Brush your dog at least once per day to keep the fur mat-free
- Take your dog to a professional groomer, or groom them yourself every six to eight weeks.
- Perform regular nail trimming to keep your dog’s nails from breaking.
- Spray detangler in your dog’s fur after brushing them out
- Distract your dog with treats while you clip their nails
- Bathe your dog as needed, but avoid over-bathing as it can irritate their skin
What are some basic tips and strategies for training a Bernedoodle?
Although Bernedoodles are high-energy and high maintenance dogs, they’re also extremely intelligent. As such, they’re one of the most trainable dog breeds around. Don’t get me wrong, training a Bernedoodle is hard work and requires consistency and dedication. However, if you stick with it and use the right strategies, you’ll have a well-trained dog on your hands.
Here are some tips and strategies to get you started:
- Start with the basics
It’s important to start with the basics when training your pup. Simple commands and actions like sitting, staying, and potty training are the easiest commands for your dog to learn and will lay a good foundation for teaching your pup future commands. This can include things like going to their crate on their own, rolling over, playing dead, and other tricks.
Crate training
Crate training is slightly controversial depending on who you ask, and dog owners often have strong feelings one way or the other. However, we recommend crate training your pup because it will make it easier to travel, go to bed at night, or leave home if you don’t want to give your dog free range of the house.
Crate training is always easier when you start right away with a young pup. Before long, you can have your dog going to their crate on its own, and they may even see it as a sanctuary rather than a cage. It’s important, however, that you don’t force your pup into their crate, but let them venture in on their own. Treats are a good incentive to get them into their crates voluntarily, and will also serve as positive reinforcement.
Bells on the door
Hanging bells on your door is a great way to potty train your dog. When they need to go out to pee or poo, they will grab the bells with their mouth and rattle it to give you a heads up. This may take some time, but it’s a great potty training trick that we’ve had a lot of success with.
Reward system
Lastly, no matter what you’re trying to teach your dog, it’s important to use a reward system, such as training treats. You give your dog a treat when they follow a command or exhibit good behavior, which acts as positive reinforcement. You may also want to incorporate a punishment for bad behavior, but the carrot generally works better than the stick with dogs.
Professional training
If you have room in your budget and want the best-behaved dog with the least effort on your part, professional training is the way to go. Professional trainers have the tricks, knowledge, and expertise necessary to train your dog the right way. However, it’s important to do your research and make sure you hire a reputable trainer who uses methods you approve of.
Self training resources
If you’re determined to train your dog on your own but don’t know where to begin, there are also plenty of high-quality self-training resources online. We recommend using the Baxter & Bella online training course and offer a 25% discount to new clients. You can take advantage of this discount by using the coupon code FAWNRIVERKENNELS at checkout! Here’s an overview of what you can expect from the training sessions.
Equipment
If you opt to go the self-training route, here’s a list of equipment and materials that will give you the best chance of success:
- Leash
- Collar
- Harness
- Toys
- Food
- Treats
- Training bed or mat (teaching your dog to go to its “place” on command)
Are Bernedoodles considered a high-maintenance breed?
Compared to other breeds, Bernedoodles are considered a somewhat high maintenance breed. This is mostly due to the repeated grooming and constant exercise and walks they require, as well as the potential stomach issues they can have.
However, when you consider that Bernedoodles are some of the most loving, playful, and gentle dogs around, they’re certainly worth the work. Walks and haircuts are a small price to pay for a loving and loyal companion, and you can navigate around stomach issues if they occur.
What are common mistakes to avoid?
In addition to things you should do to ensure your dog is happy and well-behaved, there are also a few things you should avoid.
Not socializing them early
Bernedoodles are extremely outgoing and playful social butterflies, which means they need to be around other dogs and people as much as possible. It’s important to do this early on, while they’re still trainable and malleable. If you wait too long, your dog will develop a stubborn streak and won’t want to be around anyone but you, making it tough to take them to daycare, boarding facilities, or the dog park.
Not planning your puppy purchase
Impulse buying is a very real issue in today’s world and it can get people into trouble financially. However, if you purchase a puppy on impulse, it can also be very damaging to them mentally and emotionally. It’s important that you think long and hard before buying a Bernedoodle puppy, and make sure it’s the right thing for you and your family members.
Not grooming them enough
Part of the reason it’s important to think long and hard before purchasing a Bernedoodle is because of their grooming needs. Grooming takes time, energy, and effort, and it must be done almost daily to keep your dog’s fur clean and mat-free.
If you don’t groom your dog often enough on your own, a professional groomer will likely shave them completely if their fur is too matted. In addition to looking terrible, a complete shaving can also be bad for your dogs skin and cause irritation.
Not getting enough exercise
It’s absolutely paramount that your dog gets enough exercise. A Bernedoodle with too much energy will act out, be difficult to train, and may develop destructive behaviors, such as eating socks, furniture, and other household items.
Not being their leader
Bernedoodles can also be destructive if they don’t have a strong leader to train and teach them. They will look to you as their leader, which means you need to be consistent, patient, and dedicated in how you train them. In many ways, owning and training a dog is just like being a parent and requires the same amount of work.
Not setting up boundaries
As with children, your puppy will test you to find out what they can get away with and what isn’t okay. As such, it’s important to set up boundaries for them so that they know their limits. If you fail to do so, your dog will consistently misbehave, because they don’t know the difference between right and wrong.
Not using positive reinforcement methods
It’s easy to get frustrated when your dog misbehaves and want to punish them. However, while some trainers recommend punishment, we believe that positive reinforcement methods are more effective. As we said earlier, the carrot typically works better than the stick with Bernedoodles, and you’ll get better results faster.
What are some good ways to bond with your Bernedoodle?
Providing for your dogs physical needs is only one aspect of giving them the best life possible. It’s also important to care for their emotional and mental well being if you want a well-rounded and well-behaved pup. In order to do this, you’ll need to bond with your Bernedoodle puppy. If you aren’t sure how to do that, here are a few tips:
- Spend as much time with them as possible.
- Let them sit on the couch with you or sleep in your bed if you aren’t crate training them.
- Take them on walks or runs rather than just sending them to daycare or taking them to the dog park.
- Take them everywhere with you, whether that’s out to eat, to Lowes, or on vacation.
- Give them belly rubs and scratch their ears
- In general, if you treat your Bernedoodle like your kid, they’ll bond with you
What are some extra special or extravagant ways to pamper a Bernedoodle?
We all like to be pampered every once in a while, and Bernedoodles are no different. If you want to show your pup a little extra love, here are some good ways to do it:
- Take them to a puppy spa or resort on occasion for a special experience. Spas and resorts offer things like facials, one-on-one play time, and play time with other dogs in a safe and relaxing environment.
- Give them “special” treats, such as rawhides, elk antlers, cow hooves, and more.
- Take them for a pet massage.
- Build a special “dog cave” for your pup.
- Take them to a pet store and let them choose their own toy or treat.
What do people on Reddit think about being a new puppy owner?
In addition to our advice about providing for the basic needs of your Bernedoodle, it’s always good to get advice from other dog owners. Here are a few crucial tips from experienced dog owners to those getting a Bernedoodle for the first time.
Invest in an extra large crate
If you’re crate training your Bernedoodle, we recommend investing in an oversized crate. An oversized crate will give them plenty of room to spread out and will leave space for a comfortable mat or bed inside the crate. On that note, when you first take them home, don’t put them in said crate. Instead, let them sit in your lap so that they start bonding and building trust with you right away.
Have plenty of toys on hand
You don’t know what your dog is going to want to play with, so it’s a good idea to have plenty of toys on hand when you first bring them home. This includes squeaky toys, chew toys, freezer toys, and others. In addition to making sure you have something they like, multiple toys will also help them experience new senses and feelings.
Invest in a slow feeder and large water bowl
It’s fairly common for Bernedoodle puppies to want to inhale their food too quickly. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have a slow feeder on hand, just in case your dog does this. You can also save yourself time by buying them a large water bowl, as you’ll likely be refilling a small bowl every few hours.
Get some low cal training treats
The best way to train your pup commands and tricks is to reward them with training treats. However, to make sure they don’t put on too much weight, invest in low-calorie training treats to keep them at a healthy weight.
We love using Farm to Pet’s chicken chips.
Start training right away
The sooner you start training your pup, the more luck you’ll have. The older your dog gets, the harder they will be to treat, so it’s wise to have your training plan in place before you bring them home.
Invest in pet insurance
Because of the potential health problems that Bernedoodles can have, pet insurance may be a wise investment. Pet insurance will help cover medical bills, vaccinations, and checkups when you take them to the vet, and could save you a bundle.
We recommend Trupanion and each of our puppies goes home with a free month of coverage.
Purchase a sound machine
Young pups can have some trouble falling asleep at night when it’s dark and they’re all alone. Buying a sound machine can put their minds at ease and make the transition to your home easier and smoother.
Find a reliable groomer
Unless you plan on grooming your dog on your own, you should have a reliable and experienced groomer lined up before you bring them home. Check Google reviews online or ask friends, family, and neighbors who they use for their dogs. Keep in mind that it’s important to go to a groomer with doodle grooming experience, as Bernedoodles have unique coats and grooming needs.
Take them out to pee constantly
It will take a few days or weeks to properly potty train your puppy. Unless you want a house that smells like pee, you should take your pup out to pee every 20 to 30 minutes. Once they pee, reward them immediately to start building that positive reinforcement.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into providing for the physical, mental, and emotional needs of a Bernedoodle. While it can seem overwhelming at first, taking care of your dog will start to become second nature and easier with time.
It’s also an investment of time and energy that you won’t regret. Bernedoodles truly are extremely happy, loving, and friendly dogs and will quickly become your best friend if you love and care for them. If you had a bad day at work, they will always be there to welcome you home with a wag of the tail and a smile, and you can always count on your Bernie to brighten your day when nobody else will.