Tuesday, June 24, 2025

My Bernedoodle Hated Baths — So I Thought She’d Hate Swimming Too. I Was Wrong.

 


I used to joke that my Bernedoodle was part cat.
She’d fight me during bath time like it was a WWE match, then sulk under the couch like I’d personally betrayed her.

So naturally, when we were invited to a lake weekend, I packed extra towels and braced myself for the aquatic meltdown.

But then something wild happened.
She jumped in.
On her own.
Tail wagging.
Like she was built for it.

And that’s when I realized:
Bernedoodles and water have a love-hate relationship — and it depends entirely on how you introduce it.

If you’re a confused doodle parent or soon-to-be owner wondering whether your Bernedoodle will sink or swim, here’s what I learned — the fun, the wet, and the very messy truth.


🐢 First, Let’s Talk DNA

A Bernedoodle is a cross between:

  • πŸ•‍🦺 Bernese Mountain Dog — bred for pulling carts through snow, not diving into pools

  • 🧠 Poodle — basically water-obsessed. Bred to retrieve from lakes and streams

So you’ve got:

  • One parent who’d rather hike dry trails

  • One who was born to backstroke

The result?
A dog who may love water… but on their own terms.
Some Bernedoodles jump in like Olympians.
Others treat puddles like lava.


πŸ’‘ Spoiler: Bath Hate ≠ Water Hate

Here’s the plot twist:
A lot of Bernedoodles hate baths, but love lakes.

Why? Because:

  • Baths are confined (slippery tubs, weird smells, forced activity)

  • Swimming is freedom. It’s fun. It’s their idea.

  • Lakes don’t come with shampoo and shame

My girl hates the bathroom but goes feral (in the best way) at the beach.

Moral: Don’t assume bath drama means they’re anti-water. Wait until they meet a river.

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✅ Signs Your Bernedoodle Might Be a Water Baby

  • Zoomies when it rains

  • Tries to splash in the water bowl

  • No hesitation walking through streams

  • Chases sprinklers or hose spray

  • Obsessed with floating toys

Got any of those? Your doodle is likely part mermaid.


🚫 Signs They Might Not Be Into It (Yet)

  • Freezes near puddles

  • Avoids walking on wet grass

  • Tucks tail near waves or hose noise

  • Hides when they hear bathwater

But here’s the thing — even if they start water-averse, many Bernedoodles can learn to love swimming with the right approach.


🏊 How I Got Mine to Swim (Without Trauma or Treat Bribery)

Step 1: Start small

Forget lakes. I began with a kiddie pool and a hose on a hot day. She pawed at the ripples. No pressure. No forcing.

Step 2: Bring a dog friend

Dogs learn best from other dogs. When she saw a Labrador dive in, curiosity took over.

Step 3: Floaty toys = game changer

She ignored the water until I tossed in her favorite squeaky duck. Then suddenly the lake was just… one big fetch field.

Step 4: Go in with them

I waded in barefoot, laughing, tossing treats near the shore. She followed. Slowly. But proudly.

That day, she swam. Not perfectly. Not for long. But she did it.
And then she wanted to do it again. And again.


πŸ›Ÿ Water Safety Tips for Bernedoodles

  • Use a doggy life jacket, especially early on

  • Watch for exhaustion — they’ll keep swimming to please you

  • Dry their ears afterward to prevent infections

  • Avoid fast currents or deep water until they’re confident

  • Always rinse off after lakes or chlorinated pools to protect their coat


🧽 Post-Swim Grooming (Because, Let’s Be Honest)

Their thick coat loves to trap water. And muck. And lake gunk.
So if your doodle becomes a water dog, prepare for:

  • Towel piles

  • Blow-drying

  • Regular brushing to avoid matting

  • The wet dog smell — it’s real, and it’s coming for your car


πŸ’¬ Final Thoughts: So… Do Bernedoodles Like Water?

The honest answer?
It depends on the dog, not the breed.
Some Bernedoodles become beach bums.
Others would rather watch from the sand with a snack.

But here’s what I’ve seen:
With patience, no pressure, and a little curiosity, even the most bath-hating Bernedoodle can become a happy swimmer.

Mine did.

And now?
I can’t say the word “lake” without her sprinting to the door like she’s late for work.

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