Berners are amazing companions for most people but what about families with babies or children who are still very young? Are babies and Berners a good match?
Bernese Mountain dogs are generally great with babies and young children. These dogs are among the breeds known as “nanny dogs” due to their patience and gentle disposition. Berners are responsive to training and people-oriented. It is still important to supervise any interactions between the baby and the dog, and there are steps to take before bringing a newborn into the household with a Bernese Mountain dog.
Consider specific characteristics that make these dogs suitable for households with young children and the traits that could lead to some challenges.
TRAITS THAT MAKE BERNERS GOOD WITH BABIES
Low Reactivity
One of the most important qualities of Bernese Mountain dogs that makes them excellent pets for very young children is their patience and low reactivity.
Apart from any specific behavioral issues that could result from the dog’s past, Bernese Mountain dogs are likely to tolerate noise and overstimulating activity. Needless to say, if your family has an infant or a toddler in the house, there is going to be plenty of noise and excessive stimuli so patience is essential for a dog.
When your child is older and can understand concepts and words, it will be important to teach them to be respectful of the dog’s space. In the meantime.
Adaptable And Friendly
Bernese Mountain dogs do not usually need to be taught to be friendly with people and other animals. They are friendly as long as they grow up and live in an environment supportive of the dog’s well-being. Your Berner is also likely to adapt well to any changes in routines and the environment in general. The birth of a child is a change of colossal magnitude for the entire household, and adaptability becomes a highly beneficial quality for a dog!
Highly Trainable
According to Stanley Coren’s rating of the working intelligence of different dog breeds, Bernese Mountain dogs are in very good standing when it comes to their working intelligence and obedience.
It is a crucially important characteristic because your dog needs to learn the rules and obey your commands to be trustworthy around a young child. Obedience will also make it possible for your pup to have some structure while the entire household is transitioning. Your dog may not know how to behave around the infant, but understanding commands and listening to them will help your pet figure out the rules and new rhythm of the household.
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Clumsy As Young Dogs
Berners remain very puppy-like in their behavior until they turn 2 to 3 years of age. These pups reach their adult size and weight at about the same age but they are still quite massive even as puppies.
Young Berners express their joy and good spirits by jumping around and all over you. Your pet could inadvertently knock down a young child, or even an adult, for that matter. That is just another reminder to supervise even the loveliest dog around young children, although not every young Bernese Mountain dog will be all that bubbly and clumsy!
High Activity Requirement
Bernese Mountain dogs were working farm dogs in the past. As a breed, they are active and need a good amount of exercise to remain happy, healthy, and well-behaved at home. That is a fantastic quality if you have active kids at home. It could become an issue when you bring a new baby into your household because you are not going to have much time for anything. Your pup will get less attention and his walks outside might get shorter, too.
On the other hand, having to walk your Berner could become an occasion to get out of the house, possibly with the baby and the dog! One way or another, your dog will need to adapt to yet another change.
INTRODUCE YOUR BABY AND BERNER TO EACH OTHER
Your Bernese Mountain dog needs to be well-behaved and obedient to live safely with a baby. If your pup’s behavior is unpredictable at times or he could jump to meet the baby when you tell him to sit still, you should consider obedience training for your dog.
Berners are a great breed for babies and young kids in general but it is best to be cautious and make any introduction careful and closely supervised.
The dynamics between an animal and a young child can be unpredictable. Don’t leave your baby alone with your pet, no matter how loving and trustworthy the dog is.
If it is the case that you already have a Berner and a new baby is about to join, then consider taking several measures to make the transition easier for all parties involved.
Prepare The Dog In Advance
Anticipate some of the changes you will need to implement with the arrival of the baby. Practice those changes a little ahead of time.
The idea is for your dog to get used to any change to the routine before the baby comes and not associate the changes with the baby.
Dedicate A Little Less Time To The Dog
Your Berner will no longer be the center of your universe once the baby arrives, that is a change to be expected. The dog should get used to the fact, and it is better if it happens ahead of time.
Of course, you should still show your love and affection for the dog! He will just need to know that you love him, even if you have less attention to spare.
Pet, hug, and treat him just the same, just gradually becoming a little shorter with your interactions. Eventually, you will find ways to incorporate your beloved dog into your activities with the baby. Until that happens, your pup will need to be more independent and self-sufficient.
Consider Changing The Routine Early
Some of the changes will happen unplanned. You will just figure out what works best for your household, with the arrival of the baby. Some things, however, you could plan ahead of time. Here are just a couple of examples
- If you want your dog to sleep in his doggy bed or somewhere other than the bedroom with the infant, then train your pup to sleep there early. Dogs, especially ones as responsive to training as Bernese Mountain dogs, do get accustomed to this kind of change.
- If you expect to keep the stroller in a particular spot, do it early. You could even try to walk the dog with the stroller before the baby arrives. That way your pup can get used to going on walks with a new piece of equipment.
Introduce The Dog To Baby Sounds
Some families play all sorts of baby sounds for days before the baby’s arrival, so the dog does not think much of the noises later on. You could find the videos to play on common channels, such as YouTube.
Some dogs are very sensitive to noises. Berners specifically are known to bark at new noises due to the breed’s protective nature. Familiarization with some of the typical baby noises will help your pup avoid the state of being perplexed. Also, that way you will know if the dog needs training not to bark at the noises.
Bring A Hat With The Baby’s Scent
This is an easy and popular ritual nowadays: when the baby is still at the hospital, he or she should wear a hat for a day or so. Then, someone should bring the hat to the dog to get to know the scent.
That is a nice final step to communicate the arrival of the newbie into the household!
WHEN THE BABY IS HOME
Let The Dog Smell The Baby
Once everyone is settled in, let your dog smell the baby. It is important to keep the pup on a close leash.
Depending on the dog’s behavior, let him sit with you and the infant without the leash. Watch your furry friend for any signs of anxiety or distress. He will probably do just fine but it is good to be cautious, especially at first.
Treat The Dog Nicely When The Baby Is Around
Your Berner should have positive associations with your baby. Treat your dog nicely when the baby is in the room and try to make him feel included. Offer a treat in the beginning. Your pup will eventually learn to be just found around the infant, and any treats will be a nice addition.
If The Dog Tries To Chew Baby’s Toys:
Avoid punishing the dog in any way if he tries to chew a baby’s toy. Instead, take the toy away and offer him a doggie toy.
Safe Zones
It is acceptable to have a space for the baby where the dog does not go, and a space for the dog where the baby, at least ideally, should not go.
The child will probably have his or her bedroom as the “safe zone”. Your Berner should have an area where he disappears for some peace. Having designated baby and dog zones also promotes the existence of some boundaries.
Boundaries For The Dog
Although your Bernese Mountain dog will probably make an excellent nanny or a guardian dog for the baby, the pup should know that the child is not his puppy. Watch for signs of defensiveness around the baby. Some dogs may also try to lick the baby or grab their hood or shirt when the baby crawls.
That takes us back to the importance of obedience as a trait. Teach your dog to know his place: the baby is yours to take care of and the dog is there to participate in the family’s life in other ways.
Boundaries For The Baby
Babies are rowdy and hard to reason with for the first few years of their lives. That is why you want a dog like a Berner to be your pet – a dog that is baby-friendly.
Whenever that becomes possible, teach your young child to respect the dog’s space. Even patient, kind, and obedient dogs can growl or snap if they are cornered or chased. Teach your son or daughter to treat their pets nicely, as soon as they become mature enough to reason with them.
To Conclude
Bernese Mountain dogs are among the breeds that are ideal for babies and young children. It does not mean that the transition is easy on them: they do need to adjust but they tend to adjust very well.
Be cautious and assess your dog’s behavior and emotional state continuously – for everyone’s safety. Eventually, you will know that your Berner understands his role around the child and is comfortable with the newest ‘belly button’ of your family’s universe!
