Training Your Stubborn Bernedoodle Puppy: A Comprehensive Guide

Owning a Bernedoodle can be challenging due to their intelligence and stubborn nature. In this guide, we'll help you train your Bernedoodle, from understanding their personality to troubleshooting common issues. With patient and consistent training methods, their stubborn tendencies can be managed. Training your Bernedoodle from a young age is crucial to nurturing their potential and turning them into a well-behaved companion.

Understanding Your Bernedoodle

To effectively train your Bernedoodle, you must first understand their unique characteristics. Bernedoodles are known for their friendly disposition and high energy levels. They thrive on human interaction and are keen to please, although their inner stubbornness can sometimes cloud these tendencies. Recognizing their traits will guide you in tailoring a training approach that works best for them.

Characteristics and Behavior Traits

• Intelligence: Bernedoodles are smart and can learn commands quickly.

• Stubbornness: They may challenge you, particularly during the adolescent phase.

• Energy Levels: Puppies especially have boundless energy and require plenty of exercise.

• People-Orientation: They love being part of the family and often develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.

Setting the Training Foundation

Establishing good habits from day one is essential. This involves setting up routines, creating a safe environment, and being clear with your expectations.

Establishing Routines

Create a schedule for feeding, potty breaks, and playtime. Consistency is key to reinforcing desired behaviors.

Setting Boundaries

Define areas in the home where the puppy is allowed and where it is off-limits. Use physical barriers and verbal cues to signal these boundaries.

Basic Training Techniques

The most fundamental training for your Bernedoodle puppy is potty training, crate training, and socialization. A focused and gentle but firm approach is necessary to make training as effective as possible.

Potty Training

Take your pup out frequently—after waking, after meals, and during play. Use a consistent command, like "go potty," so they learn to associate the action with the word.

Here's how to implement the Jackpot Method or Stokeshire Mithril Method effectively:

1. Gather small, semi-soft treats that can be easily broken in half.

2. Take two to four treats (adjust for your dog's size) and break them into halves, resulting in 4-8 pieces.

3. Show the handful of treats to your dog and let her smell them.

4. Prompt your dog with the phrase "Potty potty potty" and take her outside using a leash.

5. Lead your dog to a designated area in the yard for potty breaks.

6. If your dog successfully goes potty, praise her enthusiastically while she's doing her business. Use phrases like "Good dog, go potty!" Immediately reward her with the treats, followed by praise and a short play session.

7. If your dog doesn't go potty, take her back inside and try again in 10-15 minutes. Repeat until she goes, and when she does, shower her with praise and rewards to reinforce the desired behavior. Let your dog know she's doing a great job.

If your dog has an accident indoors while learning this method, calmly take her outside and calmly say "Potty outside" as you continue with the training. Avoid getting frustrated or raising your voice. Remember, this is a temporary phase and should only occur once or twice before your dog is fully potty trained, provided you are consistently attentive and take her outside frequently enough.

Practice patience during this phase, knowing that it will pass with time and consistent training efforts.

Avoid using cleaners with ammonia to clean up your dog's accidents, as the scent can encourage them to use the same spot again for elimination.

When designating a potty area outdoors, ensure it is adequately sized—neither too large nor too small. A space equivalent to two parking spaces is ideal for a large dog, while half that size suffices for a smaller breed, allowing enough room for movement.

Feeding

Establish a Feeding and Hydration Routine to Predict Potty Times

Implement a consistent feeding and watering schedule for your dog. Serve meals at the same time each day, leaving the food bowl down for only 10 minutes. After this period, remove the food. Initially, your dog may seem hungry, especially if accustomed to grazing throughout the day, but she will quickly adapt and consume her meal within the allotted time.

During the first week, record the duration between mealtime and when your dog eliminates. For instance, if she eats at 8 AM and urinates at 8:45 AM, note the 45-minute interval. Document this timing daily and calculate an average at the end of the week. This average duration indicates when you should take your dog out after meals.

Ensure your dog has access to water during both feeding times and after physical activity or outdoor play. Avoid leaving food and water bowls out all day, as this hinders potty training progress.

Crate Training

Introduce the crate as a positive space. Do not use it as punishment. Associate the crate with mealtime and quiet time so your puppy learns it is a safe haven.

Karlee with F1 Bernedoodle Puppy using R+ for Crate Training

Socialization

Expose your puppy to various experiences and environments, including different people, animals, and settings. Early socialization will prevent shyness or over-enthusiastic behavior as an adult.

Dealing with Stubborn Behavior

When faced with stubbornness, staying calm and persistent will yield the best results. Use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, and avoid physical punishment, which can lead to fearfulness and aggression.

Patience is Key

Accept that some behaviors may take longer to train out. Be patient and consistent with commands and expectations.

Consistency is Crucial

Everyone in the household should use the same commands and methods. Mixed signals can confuse the puppy and hinder progress.

Positive Reinforcement

Reward good behavior with treats, praise, and affection. This will encourage your Bernedoodle to repeat the desired behavior.

Advanced Training Tips

Once the basics are mastered, you can move on to more advanced training, including obedience and fun tricks. These not only improve your puppy's behavior but also provide mental stimulation and strengthen the bond between you.

Obedience Training

Teach commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Obedience training is important for safety and control, especially in potentially hazardous or public spaces.

Tricks and Stimulation

Give your puppy mental challenges, such as puzzle toys and learning fun tricks like roll over or high five. This will keep them engaged and interested in the training process.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best training, you may encounter common puppy issues like barking, chewing, and leash pulling. Address these issues with specific training techniques.

Barking

Train your puppy to bark on command and to be quiet on cue. This provides an outlet for their need to vocalize and gives you control over their barking. The "Hush" command is a useful tool for addressing excessive barking in dogs that are responsive to vocal cues. By uttering a firm "Hush!" in a deep tone, you can effectively communicate to your dog that it's time to cease barking. This command is particularly effective for breeds like Pit Bulls, who typically respond well to clear vocal commands. Consistency and patience are key when using the "Hush" command, and it's essential to pair it with positive reinforcement to encourage desired behavior. With practice and reinforcement, dogs can learn to control their barking and respond promptly to the "Hush" command, promoting peace and tranquility in the household.

Chewing

Provide toys that are appropriate for chewing and offer a variety to keep them interested. Discourage chewing on inappropriate items by providing negative consequences, such as a sharp "no."

Leash Pulling

Start leash training early, using positive reinforcement when your puppy walks without pulling. If they pull, stand still and don't move until the leash is slack, then resume walking.

Utilize the Circle Method to train your dog to walk calmly on a leash. Begin by saying your dog's name followed by "Let's walk," while she walks alongside you. Offer praise and even a treat for good behavior. However, if your dog starts pulling, use a negative word or sound like "Eh Eh" (avoid using "NO"). Immediately turn around and walk in the opposite direction. Repeat this process: if she pulls again, use the negative word/sound and turn around once more. Consistency is key; although it may feel like you're walking in circles, stay firm and patient. Reinforce the idea that walking calmly is a reward in itself, and you won't tolerate being tugged around.

Maintaining Consistent Training

Consistency is not just about the early days but about ongoing reinforcement of training throughout your Bernedoodle's life. Training should evolve as your puppy grows into an adult to ensure they remain a well-behaved member of the family.

Long-Term Strategies

Continue to challenge your Bernedoodle with new commands and experiences. Regular training sessions, perhaps with a professional, will keep them sharp.

Maintaining the Training

Keep up with the rules and boundaries you've set. If you slack, your Bernedoodle may become confused or start to exhibit unwanted behaviors.

Conclusion

Training a stubborn Bernedoodle puppy is a rewarding but demanding task. Celebrate every success and be patient with every setback. Remember, your puppy is learning just as much as you are teaching. By investing time and effort into training, you are not only creating a happier and more harmonious home but also strengthening the bond with your beloved Bernedoodle.