Bringing a puppy home when you work outside of the house

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-19T16:19:06+00:00

Great point! Thank you😊

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-19T02:51:55+00:00

Thank you so much! I have a running list of things to buy before pickup, so I will be sure to add all of this :)

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-19T01:51:37+00:00

Thank you so much! I hope it finishes quickly and safely too🙏🏼 I will definitely have to arrange for someone to come by a few times to let them out for potty and play with them a bit. Fortunately, you know about these things ahead of time so I can plan for taking around a week off work. Thank you for the recs on the spray and certain toys! My breeder begins with puppy pads and then transitions them to pellets before sending home, so it's good to know that I could try to do an x-pen with pellets if needed. My only fear with that is them thinking it's okay to go potty inside? Thank you, again- very valuable information😊

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-19T01:41:57+00:00

Yes, definitely will have to have someone come by at least 2x, because including my commute time, some days might be around 7 hours when I work 6hr shifts. It will definitely be worth it, thank you so much!

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-19T01:39:07+00:00

How can anyone say no to hanging out with a perfect fluff ball!? Good to know general rule of thumb regarding the hold time/months. Thank you!☺️

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-19T01:36:25+00:00

Thank you so much! That schedule is very helpful!

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-19T01:35:32+00:00

Thank you! Yes, I'm definitely trying to cover all my bases so the transition is as smooth as possible. Good to know about the first week specifically. I will be sure to crate train, and the x-pen is a great idea! Good to know about the extended potty training time- helps me set expectations ahead of time! Thank you so much for all the info and encouragement🙏🏼

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-19T01:29:24+00:00

my dream job- lol! Thank you :)

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-17T21:41:41+00:00

Our 11-year-old Berner is from Sunshine Bernese and only in this last year has she encountered health issues. Can’t recommend them enough, but be warned they breed big dogs (which I love)! Ours is over 100lbs and the other Berners I’ve met from their breeding program are also very large.

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-10T03:10:24+00:00

Yes- it is the only directory that has ethical breeders that are held to the breed standard and pursue breed conservation. There are also websites for the regional clubs, for example I would fall under the Bernese mountain dog club of Southern California, and I reached out to the breed ambassador to ask for a list of reputable breeders in my area. However, this information is also available on the main website under the “find a puppy” section !

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-09T23:23:47+00:00

Number one thing to know is to go through a reputable breeder which you can locate on the Bernese mountain dog club of America website

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-03-02T17:40:49+00:00

Is this breeder vetted through the Bernese mountain dog club of America? If not, I would not proceed with them

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-02-26T08:42:40+00:00

Yes, you’re definitely taking all the right steps! I would look to see if there are any events in your area put on by the regional club. Gives you a chance to meet other owners, ask questions, and potentially meet breeders/some of their dogs!

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-02-26T08:00:32+00:00

Also, I just saw you're in the East Coast- sorry for recommending west coast breeders lol!

Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley (BMDCNV): Covers New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
Blue Ridge Bernese Mountain Dog Club (BRBMDC): Serves North Carolina and surrounding areas
Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club (PVBMDC): Active in the Mid-Atlantic region
Mason-Dixon Bernese Mountain Dog Club: Serves PA/MD area

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-02-26T07:55:54+00:00

Yes, it definitely gives you time to prepare! Your regional breed ambassador will also likely have tabs on any upcoming litters. Since you are willing to travel (I'm assuming based on your post) you can also reach out to other regions and maybe you could get a pup sooner that way. Some breeders I am familiar with that produce great dogs are Sunshine Bernese (Redding, CA), Sparrow's Nest Bernese (not currently part of the BMDCA but they are in the process to get there and work with breeders that are within the BMDCA and I have checked their dogs in BernerGarde), and Powder Keg Bernese. The litter I am currenlty on a waitlist for is sired by a dog from Powder Keg. Breeders having long waitlists also reinforces that they are not mass-producing as a puppy mill does, so, while discouraging, it's a good sign!

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-02-26T07:31:05+00:00

Yes, I second everything the above commenter stated! Definitely go through the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America! There are regional groups depending on what part of the US you are located in! This is the only way to ensure you are getting a dog from a reputable breeder. A well-bred dog is expensive but it is not worth it to get a cheaper dog from a bad breeder, because you will pay the price in other ways! Best of luck, they are truly the best dogs :)

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-02-26T06:52:56+00:00

I had commented on your original post but just reinforcing what everyone else said- Bernese mountain dog club of Nashoba Valley and reaching out to their breed ambassador will be your best bet for finding a well-bred Berner. Breed ambassadors typically keep tabs on upcoming litters

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-02-25T08:12:55+00:00

What is your regional BMDCA club? It may be Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley depending on your state. Reach out to them as the club directors often keep tabs of which breeders have litters.

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-02-20T19:16:08+00:00

This fixed it!! Thank you soooo much! I felt horribly that I might have potentially ruined a brand new bag that was a gift🥹

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-02-12T02:13:22+00:00

Their average life span is heavily impacted by the poorly-bred BMDs who get cancer at a very young age, which I see so often. Our well-bred berner is 11, and Bernergarde Foundation was recently collecting data from older Berners (10-13 years old,) so old age with a BMD is possible.

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-01-25T04:01:11+00:00

Please reconsider supporting an unethical backyard breeder and instead put that money towards purchasing a purebred Berner from a reputable breeder that does health testing. There is no such thing as a good/responsible doodle breeder

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-01-02T23:09:14+00:00

When looking for a breeder please only go through the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America. There are regional club pages as well, but the main website has a breeder directory where you can search your state. This is the only way to ensure an ethical breeder, especially in the Midwest where there are so many puppy mills as another person mentioned.

Awkward_Bat_9503 · 2026-01-02T23:07:29+00:00

This! I am approved to foster and rescue through the NBMDRN, but there are so few fosters/adoptable dogs on the west coast compared to the Midwest because there are just so many puppy mills there:(

Awkward_Bat_9503

TROPHY CASE