Bernese Mountain Dogs are a beautiful and lovable breed that can make excellent companions for families. However, their large size and playful nature can sometimes make training them a bit of a challenge. One of the most important aspects of training your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is teaching them proper mealtime manners. No one wants their furry friend to be begging at the table or stealing food off of plates. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with some helpful tips and tricks for teaching your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy how to behave during meal times, so you can enjoy your meals together without any interruptions or bad behavior.

Mealtime Manners: How to Teach Your Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy to Behave at the Table

Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their loyalty, affectionate nature, and friendly demeanor. They are a great addition to any family, but as with any puppy, they need to be trained properly to ensure good behavior. One area that can be particularly challenging is mealtime. In this blog post, we will provide you with some tips for teaching your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy to be well-behaved during meal times.

1. Start With Basic Obedience Training

Before you can even think about teaching your puppy to behave during mealtime, you need to establish basic obedience training. This includes commands like sit, stay, and come. These commands will come in handy when you are trying to get your puppy to sit and wait patiently while you prepare their food.

2. Establish a Feeding Routine

Dogs thrive on routine, and feeding time is no exception. Establish a feeding routine with your puppy at the same time each day. This will help your puppy to anticipate mealtime and be less likely to beg or act out during mealtime.

3. Use a Crate or Secluded Area for Meals

Bernese Mountain Dogs are notorious for their love of food. They will not hesitate to try and steal food off your plate or beg for scraps during mealtime. To avoid this behavior, consider using a crate or secluded area for meals. This will give your puppy their own space and reduce the likelihood of them begging for food.

4. Teach Your Puppy the “Leave It” Command

Mealtime Manners: How to Teach Your Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy to Behave at the Table

Teaching your puppy the “leave it” command is an important part of training. This command will come in handy during mealtime when your puppy is tempted to beg for food. Start by placing a treat on the ground and telling your puppy to “leave it.” When they do, reward them with a different treat. Repeat this process until your puppy understands the command.

5. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool when it comes to training your puppy. When your puppy displays good behavior during mealtime, reward them with a treat or verbal praise. This will reinforce the behavior and make it more likely that they will continue to behave in the same way.

6. Don’t Feed Your Puppy Table Scraps

Feeding your puppy table scraps during mealtime can be tempting, but it can also encourage bad behavior. Your puppy may start to beg for food or become aggressive when trying to get food from your plate. Instead, stick to their regular food and treats.

7. Be Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to training your puppy. Stick to your routine and training methods, and be patient. It may take some time for your puppy to learn good behavior during mealtime, but with consistency and patience, they will get there.

Conclusion

Teaching your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy to behave during mealtime is an important part of their training. By establishing a routine, using positive reinforcement, and being consistent, you can teach your puppy good behavior that will last a lifetime. Remember to be patient and enjoy the bonding experience that comes with training your puppy.

Teaching your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy mealtime manners may seem like a daunting task at first, but with consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, it is achievable. Remember to set clear expectations, establish a routine, and reward good behavior. Above all, enjoy the process of training your furry companion and cherish the moments you spend together at the table. With these tips, your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy will be a well-behaved and cherished member of your family in no time.