Cross Breeds

Is it typical for Bernese Mountain Dogs to be so attached?

I have five amazing and beautiful Berners back home, but I am up at college. It's very tough being away from my babies, especially my little girl. She gave birth at a young age last year, she was almost 2, due to accidental pregnancy. To make a long story short, we have a handsome male who is an absolute sweetheart but he has had kidney issues since he was a pup. None of the doctors knew what was wrong, so we never spayed him because they told us he would not be able to reproduce. I was training my little girl, Carly, to become a therapy dog and had hoped for her to become pregnant later on. However that was not the case. She had seven amazing puppies, and we kept three! I took care of Carly ever since I was a sophomore in highschool. Her crate was placed in my bedroom as a young puppy and I was responsible for cleaning up after her and taking care of her, but my parents always helped more than I care to admit. We grew to be very close. I've always been close with all of the dogs, but she (and one of her pup's in particular) is attached to my hip. When I left for college, which I felt so guilty for, she would act up around the house and chew things up. She knows better than that. A few weeks would pass and she would be fine, but as soon as I go home she cannot let me out of her sight. Sometimes she'll be sitting a room away but she still can see me from where she's at. She always has to place her head and push her body through my legs and pushes all the other dogs out of the way. Lexi, another one thats attached to me, doesn't like this and pushes Carly back out of the way. This only causes Carly to bark constantly. The other day I was home visiting and my boyfriend came over. He pinched me and I said "Ow" joking around, wasn't even loud. She came running over and looked up. He thought it was cute, which I have to admit I did too. She would NEVER bite somebody. I know her and her playful personality but when he did it again, she started growling and it led into a deep bark. She pushed her way between us and kept staring up at him. Is it normal for her to be this way or have I caused too much stress for her? I feel so bad about leaving her, but I have no other choice. Due to family issues and me being homesick, I may be transfering to a closer college next year but I still feel awful for doing this to her. Maybe you two would like to train her because she's an amazing dog besides the fact that she is attached. So what? Unlike most people who breed Berners, we aren't in it for the sake of making a name for ourselves or just owning something expensive. We care about them and LOVE them very much. Dogs behave a lot worse than that all the time. It's kind of necessary that I go to college, so clearly that is not going to change. Yes my parents are home with the dogs. They also have other responsibilities to take care of and if thats the worse our dogs ever do, those are some amazing dogs. We consider our dogs part of the family, not work slaves like it seems you would prefer. Yes maybe she needs to see that I'm not leaving her for good, but was that my question? Nope =] Thanks for reading correctly.

Public Comments

1. Yes. Bernese are THAT attached. You shouldn't let her get away with that sort of behavior however. Bernese have been known to grieve themselves to death when rehomed. Sounds like your dogs need some boundries set... letting them get away with stuff makes things worse. Edit: I'm neither into Bernese to make a name for myself (been there and done that in Samoyeds and have no points to prove) nor am I in it to own something expensive. I became involved in the breed when I needed a large, sturdy working dog ~ the fact that they're also decent pets was merely a bonus. As a trainer, I'm not into letting dogs get away with things. Especially a large breed dog who can be stubborn AND who learns from their experiences and expands upon them. Bernese are quite capable of moving from using their body to block someone (or another dog) to adding a grumble/growl/STARE to that (if not stopped from doing the block) to snarling/snapping to reinforce the "get away" if not halted from the grumble. In ALL three instances the fault is the HUMAN'S for not giving guidance and the behavior is merely an escalation brought on by being allowed to make such a decision in the first place. These are FARM dogs. They do what FARM dogs do.. which is protect the place (farm) and the people (animals) unless given instruction BY THE OWNER. I do not blame the dog for being a good example of her breed... I merely hope you understand there are consequences to allowing her to do so. As far as my dogs being "slaves" ... Bernese are a working breed, for a well-bred Bernese drive to work is in their nature. I have multiple dogs in various stages of training. Every day each one of them tries to be THE dog I will work with... They would far prefer to work than to lay around at home. Interestingly enough - all the humans in my home work.... so being a part of the family doesn't mean one isn't required to work.. heck, even the 19 year old cat earns his keep by keeping the house mouse-free.
2. First of all, NEVER say a dog won't bite. I would have thought that about a couple of dogs I've had and now know better. But it's great that you are so close. Your dogs are doing their job protecting you from people and other dogs. Plus, there is some jealousy. You have to show them there is enough of you to go around and your boyfriend should be respectful of the power of a dogs love. Good Luck!
3. Yes! Berners are very much like that! Like Animal Artwork said (who is a berner expert) Do not let her get away with that kind of behavior, teach/train her that it is WRONG.