Bernese Mountain Dog

[ChrissyB]

My male bernese mountain dog is eight months old. He has shown signs of aggressive behaviour. Such as: trying to bite me and my husband when we are paying attention to our other dogs, and when we go in our back yard. Is it normal behaviour for males BMD's to act like this?

[ProperBoPeep]

It is common behaviour in ANY breed of dog at this age. He is going through puberty and displaying the "normal" characteristics of a male dog. This usually includes, dominant (or aggressive behaviour), and increased sexual behaviour.

This needs to be rectified early as soon what starts as a hormonal problem becomes a learnt habit and is harder to solve.

If you are not going to breed from him, then castration is the best solution and can be done now. Don't listen to breeders who tell you "big dogs can't be done until they are fully grown". This is a myth.

If you don't want castration, there is a drug called Tardak (UK) which is a from of temporary chemical castration which lasts around 2-3 weeks. This can be repeated and will allow breeding later on. It is EXPENSIVE though so think carefully.

My best advice here is - if you are having a problem at 8 months, get it sorted. Back up castration with some behavioural training and then you should have a nice dog with no problems.

Good luck

[divegirl]

Hi, have to agree [sort of] with the answer above. He is basically 'trying out' for his place in the pack. Be firm with him....it's called using the alpha male voice....a loud firm, but calm voice, then putting him in his place [away from the 'pack' ]. He should soon learn who is boss!!!!! How do I know this? I have a Great Dane and he knew he was a big dog....so tried his luck very persistently, you don't mention what other breeds you have but at a guess....your Bernese is bigger than them. I would like to add that my dane is now kept in his place by a toy Yorkie!!!! Sad but true.....lol. Castration can help, but not always.... So training is the way to go!

Good luck.

Lisa x

[clair3934]

my friend has two berns she shows them so they have to be calm all the time, Leo the older one did start to get a little snappy with other dogs which is the same sort of thing as u are suffering (not beliveing you are a good enough pack leader) at around the same age and she used Tardak and it did work, after one dose and the appropriate training during the 4 weeks that the drug was in his system he was fine Rudi the younger one has always been fine though leo is the only bern she has ever had this problem with and she's had a few Berns, leo's dad was no1 bern stud in the UK and Ireland until he passed away a few years ago. the advice given here alfeady if very good though are you could contact barkbusters to see if they have any adivce for you
http://www.barkbusters.co.uk

[clair3934]

try this forum it's specifically for Bern owners

http://www.bernese.uku.co.uk

[lankeela]

Biting people is not normal behaviour for any dog. Do not accept it and don't let the dog get away with it. Take the dog to training classes and teach it to accept you are the leader of the pack. This is what its mother would do.

Play biting on the other hand is common behaviour for young puppies, and the best way to stop this is by distraction, and giving them something else to chew on, but this is different and an eight month old Bern is too big and powerful to allow it to carry on.