How to Stop a Bernese Mountain Dog From Chewing Everything
Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle, good-natured giants known for their calm temperament and strong desire to please—making them highly trainable at a 4/5 level. However, like many large breeds, they can develop destructive chewing habits, especially during their slow maturation period. Unlike high-energy breeds that chew out of excess drive, Bernese Mountain Dogs often chew due to boredom, teething (if young), or anxiety. Their sensitive nature means harsh corrections backfire; instead, you'll achieve best results through patient positive reinforcement and environmental management. This guide teaches you how to redirect their natural chewing instinct toward appropriate outlets while managing their moderate 3/5 energy level through the 60 minutes of daily exercise they require. With consistency and understanding of their breed traits, you'll transform destructive chewing into confident, appropriate behavior.
Step-by-step
- 1
Establish a Consistent Exercise Routine
Bernese Mountain Dogs have moderate energy (3/5) but need 60 minutes of daily exercise to prevent boredom-related chewing. Aim for two 30-minute walks or one longer session combined with play. Since they're calm dogs, they don't need intense activity—steady walks, fetch, or swimming suit their temperament perfectly and naturally reduce destructive behavior.
- 2
Create a Designated Chewing Station
Set up a specific area with a variety of appropriate chew toys: rubber Kongs, bully sticks, rope toys, and puzzle toys. Rotate toys every few days to maintain interest. Place this station in a high-traffic area where your dog spends time, making it the default chewing destination rather than furniture or shoes.
- 3
Use Positive Reinforcement When They Chew Appropriately
When you catch your Bernese Mountain Dog chewing their designated toy, immediately praise them warmly and offer a small treat. Bernese Mountain Dogs are sensitive and eager to please (4/5 trainability), so positive reinforcement is far more effective than punishment. Repeat this consistently to build a strong association between the right toys and praise.
- 4
Redirect Chewing Immediately and Calmly
When you find your dog chewing something inappropriate, calmly interrupt (never scold—they're sensitive), remove the object, and redirect to an approved chew toy. Offer the approved toy enthusiastically and reward when they engage with it. This teaches them what *to* do, rather than what not to do.
- 5
Puppy-Proof Your Home Environment
Remove tempting items from reach: shoes, socks, cushions, electrical cords. Close doors to restrict access to rooms, and use baby gates if needed. Bernese Mountain Dogs are calm and cooperative, so they'll respect boundaries if consistently enforced—this management prevents bad habits from forming in the first place.
- 6
Monitor Teething and Age-Related Changes
If your dog is under 18 months, increased chewing is likely teething-related and normal. Provide frozen washcloths or teething toys to soothe sore gums. As Bernese Mountain Dogs mature slowly, destructive behavior may persist longer than in other breeds—patience is essential. By 2–3 years, with consistent training, the behavior typically resolves.
Pro tips
- Bernese Mountain Dogs are so sensitive and eager-to-please that a disappointed tone in your voice is often enough correction—harsh words or physical punishment will backfire and damage trust. Stick to positive reinforcement exclusively.
- At 60 minutes daily exercise, a tired Bernese Mountain Dog is a well-behaved one. On days you miss exercise, expect increased chewing. Consistency in exercise schedules matters more than intensity for this calm, moderate-energy breed.
- Rotate and refresh chew toys every few days—Bernese Mountain Dogs are intelligent and will lose interest in the same toys. Puzzle toys and Kongs stuffed with different treats keep chewing outlets engaging and prevent boredom-triggered destructive behavior.
Frequently asked questions
My Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is teething badly. What's safe to freeze for relief?+
Frozen washcloths, damp rope toys, and rubber Kongs filled with yogurt or pumpkin puree work well. Avoid frozen bones or hard objects that could crack teeth. Always supervise, and check toys are breed-appropriate for a giant dog to prevent choking hazards.
How long does it take to stop destructive chewing in Bernese Mountain Dogs?+
With consistent training and exercise, improvement appears in 2–4 weeks. However, Bernese Mountain Dogs mature slowly (often not until 2–3 years old), so patience is key. Full maturity may resolve the issue entirely without further intervention.
Should I punish my dog when I find destroyed items?+
No. Bernese Mountain Dogs are sensitive, and punishment causes anxiety and fear, worsening behavior. Focus instead on prevention, redirection, and reward-based training. If you find damage after the fact, simply clean it up—your dog won't connect the punishment to the action.
Can I use bitter-taste deterrents on furniture?+
Yes, bitter sprays (like bitter apple) on furniture legs can deter chewing. Combine this with positive redirection to approved toys and adequate exercise. Deterrents work best as a backup to proper training, not as a standalone solution.