3 common Bernese Mountain Dog behaviour problems (and how to fix them)

Your Bernese Mountain Dog was bred to work beside Swiss farmers all day, pulling carts through mountain valleys. That gentle giant following you everywhere? They're doing what centuries of breeding told them to do.

Where do Bernese Mountain Dogs come from?

Bernese Mountain Dogs are an ancient breed from the Swiss Alps, dating back over 2,000 years. They were nearly extinct by the early 1900s when machinery replaced them. Swiss breed enthusiasts revived them, but modern breeding from a limited gene pool has resulted in tragically short lifespans and high cancer rates.

What they were bred to do:

• Drafting (pulling carts loaded with milk, cheese, and produce to market)
• Livestock droving (moving cattle between pastures and to market)
• Farm companionship and guarding
• Working calmly alongside farmers through long days

Key breeding traits: these dogs were bred to be calm, steady workers who could pull heavy loads over mountainous terrain. They bond intensely to family and follow their person everywhere. They mature slowly, remaining mentally and physically immature until 2 to 3 years old. They also carry significant health issues, including tragically high cancer rates.

Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs have these behaviour problems?

Your Bernese was bred to work alongside farmers from dawn to dusk. That intense bonding wasn't a personality quirk, it was the job. Modern Bernese still carry these genetics. Their size creates another challenge: what's cute in a 7kg puppy becomes dangerous in a 43kg adult.

Problem 1: short lifespans and cancer rates

What's happening

Bernese Mountain Dogs have the shortest average lifespan of any large breed at 6 to 8 years. Over half die from cancer, with histiocytic sarcoma being particularly aggressive and common.

Why it happens

A limited gene pool from the breed revival, breeding for appearance over health, and a lack of genetic diversity created a health crisis. This isn't a behaviour problem, but it affects ownership and your dog's behaviour when they're unwell.

The fix

• Only buy from breeders doing extensive health testing: OFA hip and elbow certification, cardiac clearance, eye clearance, genetic testing minimum
• Ask breeders about lifespan in their lines and what their dogs die from
• Take out pet insurance immediately, covering cancer and hereditary conditions
• Watch for early cancer signs: unexplained lumps, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, limping
• Budget for healthcare. Expect $2,000-5,000+ annually in vet care even when your dog is healthy
• Make the years count. These dogs give their whole hearts for a short time

Concerned about health monitoring? Our Skool community includes owners who've navigated cancer diagnoses and can share what early warning signs they spotted.

Problem 2: overexcitement with physical affection

What's happening

Your Bernese jumps on people, knocks them over with enthusiasm, pulls on the lead, and forgets they're a 43kg dog.

Why it happens

Bernese were bred with gentle, loving temperaments. Combined with their size and slow maturation, they're giant puppies who haven't learned manners yet.

The fix

• Start training from 8 weeks, before size becomes an issue. Every behaviour you allow at 7kg becomes a 43kg habit
• No jumping, ever. Everyone turns away and ignores your dog until four paws are on the floor
• Loose lead walking from the first walk. If they pull, you stop until the lead loosens
• No furniture unless invited, to avoid resource guarding and keep control
• Avoid extensive running or jumping until growth plates close at 18 to 24 months
• Use a front-clip harness for mechanical advantage while training

Struggling with jumping or pulling? Join our Skool community for video demonstrations of managing giant breed enthusiasm.

Problem 3: separation anxiety and velcro behaviour

What's happening

Your Bernese follows you everywhere, panics when you leave, cries, destroys things, or won't settle when alone.

Why it happens

They were bred as farm dogs, working alongside farmers all day. Their gentle, sensitive temperament means separation causes genuine distress. Many owners inadvertently create separation anxiety by allowing constant companionship, then expecting their dog to handle absences.

The fix

• Practise 40-50 mini-departures on weekends: leave for 30 seconds, return and ignore completely for 5 minutes
• Wait for your dog to be calm before acknowledging them
• Use graduated departure cues: pick up your keys 20 times without leaving before using them to actually depart
• Desensitise leaving rituals by doing them randomly throughout the day without leaving
• Start departures at 20 seconds and build slowly from there
• When you return home, stay still and silent until your dog settles

Finding separation training overwhelming? Our Skool community provides step-by-step separation protocols specifically for velcro breeds.

Get the full support system for your Bernese Mountain Dog

We built our free Skool community to give you support at every stage of raising your Bernese.

Inside the community, you'll get:

• Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about your specific Bernese
• Full breed-specific courses covering everything from puppy raising to advanced behaviour modification
• A supportive community of other Bernese owners
• Video demonstrations so you can see techniques in action
• Troubleshooting help when things don't go to plan

Join The Toe Beans Co Skool community today, or book a free meet and greet if you'd rather start with a trainer in person.