Building Calm Energy in a Naturally Playful Bernedoodle

A playful Bernedoodle can make an ordinary afternoon entertaining. One minute they're carrying a toy around the house, and the next they're bouncing toward you because they've decided it's time for another game.

That playful personality is part of their charm. But your Bernedoodle also needs to learn that life isn't always go, go, go.

Calm behavior is a skill you can encourage just like sitting, staying, or walking politely on a leash. The goal isn't to make your playful dog less fun. It's to help them learn when it's time to be active and when it's time to relax.

Key Takeaways

• Don't try to exercise all the energy away. Bernedoodles also benefit from mental activity and opportunities to practice settling.

• Reward calm behavior when you see it. Your attention can help your dog learn which behaviors are worth repeating.

• Create predictable rhythms. A routine that includes activity and downtime helps your Bernedoodle learn that every quiet moment doesn't need to become playtime.

  
  

Don't Confuse Playfulness With a Problem

Bernedoodles combine the gentle nature of the Bernese Mountain Dog with the intelligence of the Poodle. Many are naturally playful, social, and eager to interact with their families.

Puppies, in particular, have plenty of energy and curiosity. Running around, carrying toys, initiating games, and getting excited when something interesting happens can all be perfectly normal.

Problems arise when a dog never learns how to come back down from that excitement.

You may have a Bernedoodle that constantly demands play, jumps whenever someone enters the room, struggles to relax while the family watches television, or becomes increasingly wild as the evening goes on.

Instead of focusing only on tiring your dog out, start teaching them what calm behavior looks like.

Catch Your Bernedoodle Being Calm

It's easy to give dogs attention when they're doing something noticeable.

Your Bernedoodle brings you a toy, so you throw it. They paw at your leg, so you pet them. They bounce around, and everyone talks to them.

Meanwhile, your dog quietly lies on the floor for five minutes, and nobody notices.

Flip that pattern occasionally.

When you catch your Bernedoodle resting quietly, calmly place a treat between their paws or offer gentle praise. Keep your reaction low-key so you don't turn a peaceful moment into another burst of excitement.

Over time, you're showing your dog that relaxing can be rewarding too.

Teach a Place to Settle

A dog bed or mat can become a useful signal that it's time to slow down.

Start somewhere quiet. Encourage your Bernedoodle onto the mat and reward them for staying there. A relaxed down is a good beginning, but eventually you're looking for more than simply holding a position.

Watch their body.

A dog that's truly settling may shift onto one hip, rest their head, soften their posture, or stop watching you constantly for the next treat.

As your Bernedoodle gets better at relaxing there, gradually extend the amount of time between rewards. Later, you can practice while you're eating dinner, working at your desk, talking with someone, or relaxing in the evening.

Balance Physical Exercise With Mental Work

A walk or play session can certainly help your Bernedoodle use some energy, but physical exercise isn't the whole picture.

These are intelligent dogs. Giving their brains something productive to do can be just as valuable.

Try sniffing games, food puzzles, short training sessions, hide-and-seek with treats, or practicing familiar skills somewhere new. Even allowing your dog time to sniff during a walk can turn an ordinary outing into a more mentally engaging experience.

The right balance will depend on your dog's age, health, and personality. Puppies also need plenty of rest, so avoid assuming that more activity is always the solution to energetic behavior.

Practice Going From Excited to Calm

Your Bernedoodle doesn't need to stay calm all day. Learning to regulate excitement is much more useful.

Play can actually give you an opportunity to practice.

During a gentle game, pause and ask your dog for a familiar calm behavior, such as sitting or lying down. Once they respond, reward them by starting the game again.

Eventually, your Bernedoodle can learn that calming down doesn't mean the fun is over. Sometimes settling for a moment is exactly what makes the fun continue.

Practice when excitement is still manageable rather than waiting until your dog is racing around the house and too wound up to listen.

Make Your Daily Routine More Predictable

Dogs can benefit from having some idea of what happens next.

Meals, walks, training, play, bathroom breaks, and quiet time don't have to happen at precisely the same minute every day. A reasonably consistent rhythm, however, can help your Bernedoodle learn that there are times for activity and times when nothing exciting is expected.

This is particularly useful if your dog constantly asks for attention.

After your Bernedoodle has had an appropriate opportunity to exercise, play, eat, and go outside, encourage a quiet period. A comfortable bed, safe chew, or food-filled toy can help them learn to spend time peacefully without constant entertainment from you.

Keep Greetings From Becoming an Event

If every arrival turns into a celebration, an excitable Bernedoodle can quickly learn that jumping, spinning, and bouncing earns plenty of attention.

Try making greetings calmer.

Keep your own energy relatively low and reward your Bernedoodle when all four paws are on the floor or when they offer another calm behavior you've taught. Ask visitors to follow the same routine rather than immediately encouraging excited jumping.

Consistency matters here. If jumping earns enthusiastic attention from one person but is discouraged by another, your dog gets a confusing message.

Remember That Puppies Need Sleep

Sometimes a puppy that looks like they need more exercise actually needs a nap.

Young puppies require plenty of sleep, and an overtired puppy can become mouthy, restless, excitable, and difficult to settle. If your Bernedoodle has had appropriate activity but seems to get increasingly wild instead of winding down, consider whether they have had enough quiet rest.

A comfortable, low-distraction place to sleep can make downtime much easier.

Learning how to rest is part of growing up too.

Calm Doesn't Mean Changing Your Bernedoodle's Personality

You don't have to choose between a playful Bernedoodle and a calm one.

Your dog can enthusiastically chase a toy in the yard and later snooze beside you while you work. They can greet life with excitement while still learning not to jump on every visitor. Those aren't conflicting personalities. They're signs of a dog developing better self-control.

Give your Bernedoodle appropriate outlets for their energy, but make calmness worth practicing too. With consistency, your playful puppy can learn that slowing down is simply another part of everyday life.

A Good Temperament Starts With a Thoughtful Beginning

Training at home shapes your Bernedoodle, but their story begins much earlier.

At Stellie Doodles and Berners, we carefully consider temperament when selecting our puppy parents. Our dams live inside our home as part of our family, and our puppies receive extensive curriculum work as they prepare for life with their future families.

We want that early foundation to give you something meaningful to continue building on once your puppy comes home.

Curious about what goes into raising a Stellie puppy before adoption day? Learn more about our puppy parents and breeding program, or get in touch with us to talk about the kind of Bernedoodle that may fit your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my Bernedoodle to calm down?

Give your Bernedoodle appropriate physical exercise and mental stimulation, but also intentionally practice calm behavior. Reward relaxed moments, teach your dog to settle on a bed or mat, and include predictable downtime in the daily routine.

Why is my Bernedoodle so hyper in the evening?

Evening bursts of energy can have several causes. Your Bernedoodle may need an appropriate outlet for energy, but puppies can also become especially wild when they're overtired. Look at your dog's entire day, including exercise, mental stimulation, naps, and opportunities to relax.

Can you teach a Bernedoodle to be calmer?

Yes. Settling and self-control are skills dogs can practice. You can reinforce naturally calm behavior, teach a settle cue, practice pausing during play, and gradually help your Bernedoodle relax around everyday distractions.

How much exercise does a Bernedoodle need?

There isn't one amount that's right for every Bernedoodle. Exercise needs can change with age, size, health, and the individual dog. Puppies also have different needs from adults. Talk with your veterinarian about appropriate physical activity for your Bernedoodle, and remember to include mental enrichment and rest in the daily routine.