Why Some Bernedoodles Go Through a Teenage Phase (And How to Handle It)

Your Bernedoodle puppy has finally learned the household routine. They come when called, know where to potty, and seem to understand the rules. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, your once-attentive puppy starts ignoring a familiar cue, testing boundaries, or finding brand-new ways to get into trouble.

Welcome to adolescence.

Dogs can go through a teenage phase as they mature, and Bernedoodles are no exception. It can be frustrating, especially when your smart puppy suddenly seems less interested in listening. The good news is that this stage is temporary, and consistent training can help your Bernedoodle come through it with better manners and a stronger relationship with you.

Key Takeaways

• Adolescent behavior is a normal part of growing up. Your puppy isn't necessarily forgetting everything they've learned.

• Consistency matters more than starting over. Keep reinforcing familiar expectations instead of constantly changing the rules.

• Mental and physical activity both matter. A growing Bernedoodle needs appropriate outlets for energy as well as opportunities to use that clever brain.

  
  

When Does the Teenage Phase Start?

There isn't an exact birthday when a Bernedoodle becomes a teenager. Dogs develop at different rates, and factors such as individual development and size can influence the timeline.

You may begin noticing adolescent behavior sometime during the first year, and maturity continues well beyond the puppy stage. Rather than watching the calendar, pay attention to changes in your dog's behavior.

A Bernedoodle that previously stayed close may suddenly become more interested in exploring. A reliable response to “come” may become less reliable when something exciting is happening. You might also notice more energy, boundary testing, chewing, jumping, pulling on the leash, or difficulty settling down.

It can feel like training has gone backward, but adolescence is a developmental stage rather than proof that your earlier work was wasted.

Why Can Bernedoodles Seem So Stubborn During Adolescence?

Bernedoodles combine traits from the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle, and they're known for being intelligent, affectionate, and playful. That intelligence can make training rewarding, but an adolescent dog is also becoming more confident and interested in the world around them.

Suddenly, listening to you has competition. Another dog, an interesting smell, a squirrel outside, or a new visitor may be far more exciting than a command your puppy has performed dozens of times.

This is why context matters. A dog that sits perfectly in a quiet kitchen hasn't necessarily mastered the same skill at a busy park. Adolescence often exposes those gaps.

Don't Mistake Inconsistency for a Personality Problem

It's easy to label a teenage dog “stubborn,” but that doesn't tell you what they need.

Ask yourself what changed. Is the environment more distracting? Does your Bernedoodle have too much freedom? Are different family members enforcing different rules? Does your dog need more exercise or mental stimulation?

Finding the reason behind the behavior gives you something useful to work on.

Stay Consistent With Training

This isn't the time to abandon the routines that worked during puppyhood.

Continue practicing basic skills such as come, sit, stay, leave it, and polite leash walking. Keep expectations clear and use the same cues consistently. If jumping on guests isn't allowed, for example, everyone in the household should follow the same rule.

Positive reinforcement can be especially useful. Reward the behavior you want with treats, praise, play, or another reward your Bernedoodle values.

Keep sessions relatively short and engaging, too. Several brief opportunities to practice throughout the day can be easier to fit into family life than one long training session.

Don't Give Too Much Freedom Too Soon

One of the easiest mistakes during adolescence is assuming a growing puppy is ready for adult-level freedom.

Your Bernedoodle may know the rules, but knowing a rule and reliably following it around distractions are different things. If recall has become inconsistent, don't immediately trust your dog off-leash in an unsecured area. If chewing has returned, don't leave tempting items within easy reach and hope for the best.

Management isn't a training failure. Gates, leashes, crates, and supervised spaces can prevent your puppy from repeatedly practicing unwanted behaviors while you continue working on good habits.

As reliability improves, freedom can increase with it.

Give That Busy Brain Something to Do

Physical activity is important, but exercise isn't the only answer to teenage energy. Bernedoodles are intelligent dogs, so mental stimulation deserves a place in the daily routine as well.

Training games, food puzzles, sniffing activities, appropriate chew toys, and practicing familiar cues in new environments can give your dog productive ways to think and explore.

Socialization should continue, too. The goal isn't simply meeting as many dogs and people as possible. Positive, controlled experiences with different environments, people, sounds, and situations can help your Bernedoodle continue developing confidence.

Know When You Need Extra Help

Some adolescent antics are manageable at home, but not every behavior should be dismissed as a teenage phase.

If you notice significant fear, aggression, severe anxiety, sudden behavioral changes, or behavior that could put your dog or another person at risk, seek professional guidance. A veterinarian can also help rule out pain or another health problem when behavior changes unexpectedly.

Getting help early can prevent a difficult behavior from becoming an established habit.

Your Bernedoodle Is Still Learning

The teenage stage can test your patience, but it doesn't erase all the work you've already put into raising your puppy. Your Bernedoodle is growing, gaining confidence, and learning how to navigate a much bigger world than the one they knew as a tiny puppy.

Stay consistent. Keep training positive. Provide appropriate exercise and mental challenges, and adjust how much freedom your dog has based on the behavior they're showing now.

The puppy who suddenly seems to have selective hearing still has plenty of growing to do. Your steady guidance during this stage can help turn all that intelligence, playfulness, and personality into the wonderful adult companion you've been working toward.

Start With a Thoughtfully Raised Bernedoodle

At Stellie Doodles and Berners, we put care into our puppies well before they head home with their families. Our Bernedoodles are bred with a focus on beauty, temperament, and grace, and we incorporate curriculum work and early socialization to help prepare them for the transition into family life.

Of course, bringing your puppy home is only the beginning of the journey. Consistent training, patience, and plenty of positive experiences will help your Bernedoodle continue building on that early foundation.

Looking for a Bernedoodle to welcome into your family? Explore our available puppies and upcoming litters or contact us to learn more about our program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Bernedoodles have a teenage phase?

Yes, some Bernedoodles show noticeable adolescent behavior as they mature. You may see more independence, distractibility, boundary testing, or temporary changes in responsiveness. Every dog develops differently, so the intensity and duration can vary.

Why is my Bernedoodle suddenly not listening?

Adolescent dogs can become more interested in their surroundings and less responsive when distractions are present. Your Bernedoodle may still know the cue but need more practice performing it in different environments. Continue reinforcing familiar skills consistently rather than assuming the training has been lost.

How do you handle a stubborn teenage Bernedoodle?

Keep household rules consistent, reward good behavior, continue practicing basic training, and provide appropriate mental and physical activity. If your Bernedoodle isn't reliable in a particular situation yet, reduce their freedom and practice the skill under easier conditions before adding distractions.

When will my Bernedoodle calm down?

There isn't one age that applies to every Bernedoodle. Adolescence and maturity vary among individual dogs, and size, temperament, environment, training, and daily routine can all influence behavior. Consistent training and appropriate outlets for energy can make the transition into adulthood much easier to manage.