Dogs doges etc.

[mlzplayer111]

So i know i have not posted for a while but i got some questions on dogs. So recently i acquired a Bernese mountain dog from out is southern Oregon (pretty dry and dusty). We took him home with about an 8 hour drive and hes just a curious fellow. He stops on walks to smell everything. He does not bark at all. But heres where the questions started cropping up.

Its been a day and he has not urinated or defalcated.
He has not eaten meat nor his normal food.
He has not even drunk anything cept after one walk.

Hes a good fellow and obviously exited and confused about the suburban area i live in, but is this sort of behavior common?

Sincerely, Max

[JonM]

He may be nervous right now, but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to make an appointment with a vet just to be safe. If anything, I always make a point to get my dogs established when I get them. He'll likely need his shots anyway. Congrats on the new pooch!

[Grendel]

Dogs do not need to eat every day and major changes can get them off routine and upset eating habits. Strange he's not urinated but defecating is based on eating, so not eating not shitting is pretty normal.

Was he vetted prior to taking possession? If not you really need to get him vetted to at least for a check up soon. Make notes of what you have observed and give to vet
Will he take a tasty treat? If he will not take a treat I would be suspicious that he is sick. He might not take from your hand so you might have to put down and walk away some
Dogs drink when they get thirst not when you are looking. Does he have access to water when you are out of sight? This is a new situation and he may be unsure what is appropriate behavior with you and may be waiting until you are out of sight.
One day off his feed and water, I'd not worry too much but if it extends in to 2 or more days especially the water issue you need to get to the vet and make sure nothing is wrong. I have no experience with Bernese Mountain Dogs but there are other breeds many of the Livestock Guardian Dogs that have a large capacity to go without food and water compared to other dogs.

[Spider!]

Our new pup didn't do much the first day. The second day he started to loosen up. On the third day he ate a lot and made me wonder how much he should eat. It took several days for him to get familiar with his new home. He still doesn't go anywhere unsupervised (5 months old).

Sit with him (nearby) if you can so he can settle in. How old is he?

One thing I've heard from vets is the Bernese can get shoulder problems. One theory is that they don't get the pulling work they were bred for. Not sure what kind of game that would be, but my father's great Pyrenees had different needs too. He would dig, like a bear, to get cool dirt but he also was very good at it.

[KingxSlinky666]

How old is he? Giant breeds are far more prone to Bloat(twisting of the stomach) and Berners can be especially prone to health problems. I had a newfoundland for a number of years and learned A LOT about the differences between giant dogs and normal sane people sized dogs.

I would just call the vet and ask them? Seems likes better advise then anything gonna find on here.

[KingxSlinky666]

has it been a day since he ate/pooped or you have had him for a day?

[cellophane]

One thing I've heard from vets is the Bernese can get shoulder problems. One theory is that they don't get the pulling work they were bred for. Not sure what kind of game that would be, but my father's great Pyrenees had different needs too. He would dig, like a bear, to get cool dirt but he also was very good at it.

You can get pulling (sledding) harnesses from a number of places. You can have them pull you on skis, a bike, skateboard, wagon, sled, pretty much anything that will move. If you have kids, put the kids in a wagon and have him pull them around- everyone will be happy. I found this site with a little searching- it will at least get you going in the right direction. I have some Ruffwear stuff for my dog and it is really nice gear.

A lot of working breeds actually need a job of some sort. I've seen stories of dogs that were having behavior issues that completely went away after they had a task of some sort. Doesn't need to be much. Something simple like carrying around a loaded pack or pulling a sled around the yard can do it- just enough for them to get that function that they are bred for some use.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I run my Rottweiler all the time on my longboard it’s great exercise and fun as hell! He will blast down the walking path we ride flat out 3 miles In and 3 miles out. I also run him in my mother-in-laws development. He knows right, left, stop and go commands. I use a 6’ padded lead and a harness. He knows that harness goes on it’s pulling time. Longboard is setup for carving.

It’s important to differentiate the difference between walking and pulling. Otherwise your going to have a bad time walking him. Only use a harness for pulling/Working.

[Jonnydread]

I highly recommend getting a flowing water dish. Dogs can be susceptible to kidney issues and are often more likely to drink from a flowing/moving water source.

Also you need to post pictures for the tax.

[Spider!]

If the water isn't moving, our pup will make it move. We are still negotiating water activities.

[cellophane]

It’s important to differentiate the difference between walking and pulling. Otherwise your going to have a bad time walking him. Only use a harness for pulling/Working.

Couldn't you associate the pulling with a command/phrase? i.e. Lets go pulling! vs Lets go for a walk! I use a harness for walking (never tried any pulling) and it is great for that. Plus if she does decide that a rabbit needs chasing, any force that is applied when she hits the end of the lead is at the chest rather than her neck.

side note: I also have a 45ish foot lead that I'll put on sometimes when we go to the park. She gets to wander all over the place and do curious dog things, but I can still rein her in if needed. Except when she decides to chase deer and has a 30 foot head start... my shoulder was sore for a few days then.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I don’t like harness for walking large breed dogs especially when training it gives them tons of leverage. I found it much easier using the harness strictly for pulling and automotive safety. Bentley is off leash trained. The leash is just there for local leash laws he won’t leave the family’s side. Sits when we stop. My wife will push a stroller with the kids she just loops the leach around the handle he will just follow just off her right hip. It took a lot of work to get him to do that.

[mlzplayer111]

As you guys wanted, pics. Also he has now eaten, no poop yet and he drinks as well.

https://ibb.co/NKt15xH

[Chuck E Ducky]

I ❤️ Big Puppies!

[Jonnydread]

ooooohh that face <3

[Jonnydread]

Squishy

[Chuck E Ducky]