At Bear-y Cute Bernedoodles, we pour our hearts and souls into every single puppy we raise. As Angie and Cam, the husband and wife team, we believe that raising a well-adjusted, confident, and loving companion starts from day one. Our passion for these incredible dogs—a beautiful cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle—drives our comprehensive approach to breeding. We’re not just breeders; we’re dedicated caregivers committed to giving each puppy the very best start in life.
The Foundation of a Great Companion: Early Socialization
One of the most crucial aspects of raising a happy and confident Bernedoodle puppy is early and consistent socialization. From the moment they’re born, our puppies are immersed in a rich, stimulating, and loving environment. We understand that the first few weeks of a puppy’s life are pivotal for their development, shaping their temperament and ability to adapt to new experiences.
Advanced Early Development: ENS and ESI for Puppies
To give our puppies the absolute best start, we incorporate two scientifically-backed protocols during their first few weeks: Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI).
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)
Performed from day 3 to day 16, ENS involves a series of five gentle exercises designed to stimulate the puppy’s neurological system. The benefits of ENS for Bernedoodle puppies are long-lasting and include:
• Improved Cardiovascular Performance: Stronger heart rates and better circulation.
• Enhanced Stress Tolerance: Puppies grow into adults who are more resilient and less easily overwhelmed by new situations.
• Stronger Immune System: Greater resistance to disease and illness.
• Better Adrenal System Function: A more balanced response to physiological stress.
Early Scent Introduction (ESI)
Conducted alongside ENS, ESI introduces puppies to a new, distinct scent each day. This “kick-starts” their olfactory system—the most important sense for a dog. The benefits of ESI include:
• Increased Confidence: Puppies become more curious and exploratory when encountering new smells.
• Improved Scenting Ability: Enhances their natural ability to identify and react to different scents, which is especially beneficial for future therapy or service work.
• Earlier Neurological Development: Stimulates the brain in ways that simple environmental exposure cannot.
Our home-raised puppies are also exposed to a variety of sights, sounds, and textures, all within a safe and positive framework. This includes:
• Daily Human Interaction: Our puppies receive constant handling, cuddles, and play from us and our family members, ensuring they develop a strong bond with humans.
• Exposure to Household Sounds: They grow up accustomed to the everyday noises of a busy home, like vacuum cleaners, doorbells, and music, which helps prevent them from being easily startled later in life.
• Introduction to Different Surfaces: From soft blankets to hard floors and outdoor grass, we introduce them to various textures to build their confidence in different environments.
• Play with Littermates: Crucial for learning bite inhibition and appropriate dog-to-dog communication.
This hands-on approach to socialization ensures that by the time they leave our care, our Bernedoodle puppies are outgoing, resilient, and ready to embrace their new families and the world around them.
Building Confidence Through Touch: Our 10-Step Handling Techniques
Beyond general socialization, we implement a specific 10-step handling exercise daily to increase each puppy’s touch tolerance and compliance. This careful and respectful routine helps our Bernedoodles become comfortable with being touched all over, preparing them for vet visits, grooming, and general handling by their future families. This routine is vital for their long-term well-being and helps foster a trusting relationship with humans. Here are the 10 steps we meticulously perform:
1. Ear Inspection: Gently tugging and examining their ears, getting them used to having their ears handled.
2. Eye Examination: Briefly covering their eyes and gently touching around them to desensitize them to facial contact.
3. Mouth and Gum Check: Opening their mouth, running fingers along their gums and teeth, and gently rubbing their tongue. This prepares them for dental care.
4. Belly Rubs: Gently rubbing their belly, a common area for grooming and affection.
5. Paw Pad Massage: Massaging their paw pads and gently manipulating their toes, crucial for nail trims and paw cleaning.
6. Nail Tapping: Lightly tapping on their nails to acclimate them to the sensation of nail care.
7. Tail Handling: Gently lifting and moving their tail, preparing them for handling of their hindquarters.
8. Body Stroking: Stroking their entire body, from head to tail, with varying pressure to get them comfortable with different types of touch.
9. Lifting and Holding: Gently lifting and holding them in various positions, simulating being picked up and carried.
10. Temperature Check Simulation: Briefly touching their hindquarters as if taking their temperature, preparing them for veterinary procedures.
Each step is performed with positive reinforcement, ensuring the puppy associates these experiences with comfort and safety. This routine is a testament to the extra time and care we invest in each puppy, ensuring they are not only physically healthy but also emotionally robust.
Health Excellence: Starting Before Birth with DNA and Hip Scoring
Our commitment to the health of our Bernedoodle puppies begins long before a litter is even conceived. We believe that healthy puppies start with healthy parents, which is why we conduct rigorous health screenings on all our breeding dogs. This proactive approach ensures we are breeding only the highest quality, healthiest companions for your family.
• DNA Testing: We perform comprehensive DNA testing on our parent dogs to screen for genetic diseases and traits. This allows us to make informed breeding decisions and minimize the risk of passing on hereditary conditions.
• Hip and Elbow Scoring: To ensure the structural integrity and long-term mobility of our puppies, we have all our parent dogs’ hips and elbows scored through Lavelle’s (Dr. Roger Lavelle). This expert evaluation helps us identify and avoid breeding dogs with potential orthopedic issues like dysplasia.
Our Health Commitment: Daily Weighing and Worming Schedule
Once the puppies arrive, our commitment to their well-being continues with the same level of professional care. Angie’s background in nursing plays a vital role in our breeding program, ensuring strict hygiene protocols and careful monitoring from birth.
A key part of this health regimen is daily weight monitoring. By weighing each puppy every day, we can closely track their growth and immediately identify any subtle changes that might require attention. This level of precision ensures that every puppy is thriving and receiving the nutrition they need.
Additionally, our puppies follow a consistent worming schedule, being wormed every two weeks from birth. This is a critical measure to protect them from internal parasites and ensure their optimal growth and development.
Fueling Growth with Premium Nutrition: Raw Feeding for Puppies
We believe that what a puppy eats in their first few weeks sets the stage for their entire life. That’s why our puppies receive complete raw meals. Raw feeding for puppies provides a nutrient-dense, natural diet that offers numerous benefits for growing Bernedoodles, including:
• Optimal Digestion: Raw food is highly bioavailable, leading to better nutrient absorption and smaller, firmer stools.
• Healthy Skin and Coat: The natural fats and proteins in a raw diet promote a shiny, healthy coat and resilient skin.
• Strong Immune System: Fresh, unprocessed ingredients help build a robust immune system from an early age.
• Healthy Weight Management: Raw feeding makes it easier to maintain an ideal weight, which is crucial for joint health in larger breeds.
Building a Secure Foundation: Crate Training for Bernedoodles
To help our puppies transition smoothly into their new homes, we begin crate training early. Crate training is not about confinement; it’s about providing a “den”—a safe, secure space where a puppy can rest and feel protected. By introducing the crate in a positive way, we help our puppies:
• Develop a Sense of Security: The crate becomes a familiar, comforting space that reduces anxiety during transitions.
• Assist with Toilet Training: Puppies naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, which makes the crate an invaluable tool for housebreaking.
• Promote Calmness: Having a dedicated space for rest helps puppies learn to self-settle and relax, even in a busy household.
This proactive approach, combined with the comprehensive pre-breeding screenings and premium nutrition, ensures that you receive a puppy that is set up for a lifetime of health and happiness.
The Bear-y Cute Difference: Time, Love, and Dedication
Raising a litter of Bernedoodle puppies is a significant undertaking, requiring immense time, patience, and love. We are hands-on from the moment of birth, providing individual nurturing to every puppy. Our days are filled with feeding, cleaning, monitoring, and, most importantly, endless hours of handling, socializing, and play. This isn’t just a business for us; it’s a calling born out of a deep affection for the Bernedoodle breed. We intentionally raise a limited number of carefully planned litters each year to ensure every puppy receives the dedicated time, attention, and personalized care they deserve.
We truly love our Bernedoodle puppies, and our goal is to match them with families who will cherish them just as much. When you welcome a Bear-y Cute Bernedoodle into your home, you’re not just getting a puppy; you’re getting a companion who has been raised with unparalleled care, a strong foundation in socialization, and a lifetime of love already instilled.
Interested in learning more about our beautiful Bernedoodle puppies for sale or joining our waitlist? Visit our website at www.bear-ycutebernedoodles.com.au or contact us today. We look forward to helping you find your perfect furry family member!
