Board & train
Board and train for Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dogs were bred to pull carts, and many still treat the leash like a harness. Add a friendly streak that greets everyone at chest height and a habit of planting their feet when they disagree, and walks get complicated. Here is what a live-in program works on for Berners, and which options fit a slow-maturing, easygoing giant.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Cart dog habits
Pulling, plopping and over-friendly hellos.
Many Berners pull with steady, patient strength, the legacy of a breed built to haul. Many also greet people with their whole body, and some simply lie down mid-walk when they would rather not continue. A live-in program works on loose-leash walking and heel, a sit for every greeting, and a cheerful willingness to keep moving, practised daily one-on-one around everyday distractions.
On-Leash Foundations ($1,865 + GST) is built for the pulling and the jumping. Functional Off-Leash ($3,030 + GST) works on reliable recall around distractions and comes with a Micro or Mini Educator remote collar, which suits families who want their Berner on the trail with them. Puppy Fundamentals fits younger Berners. Method details are in our Bernese Mountain Dog training guide.
- Walking without hauling the leash
- Sit for every greeting
- Moving on when asked
- Recall on the hiking trail
Trail and home
Keeping a Berner's recall and manners alive afterwards.
Berners often mature slowly, so the handover lesson matters as much as the training weeks. You practise the leash handling, the greeting routine and, for off-leash programs, how to use the remote collar properly, all with your own dog. Follow-up sessions give us a chance to watch your walks and your recall after the routine moves home and the distractions change.
At home, ask for a sit before every hello, keep the leash loose from the first step, and practise recall on ordinary walks before you rely on it at the trailhead. Keep the leash on wherever off-leash is not allowed. The consultation looks at your Berner's age and habits, and if private lessons will close the gap, we will tell you before suggesting anything bigger.
The programs
Programs and prices
NE · 2-week board & train
On-Leash Foundations
If every walk is a wrestling match, pulling, barking, zig-zagging, this two-week program rebuilds the walk from the ground up with foundational on-leash obedience..
Includes handover lesson, follow-up session, lifetime support, slip lead + collar
E · 3-week board & train
Functional Off-Leash
Everything in the on-leash program, then the next level: reliable off-leash recall even around distractions.
Includes handover lesson, follow-ups, Educator remote collar
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
Do you have a Bernese Mountain Dog board and train?
Yes. Northline K9 runs one-on-one board and train programs for Bernese Mountain Dogs in Calgary and surrounding areas. After the consultation, we recommend the program that matches your dog.
Can a Bernese Mountain Dog training program teach off-leash recall?
Functional Off-Leash works on reliable recall around distractions and off-leash manners, with a Micro or Mini Educator remote collar included. Advanced Off-Leash adds an off-leash heel and distance commands, and both include owner education on the tools.
My Berner lies down and refuses to walk. Can board and train help?
Planting on a walk is often a stubborn moment, and a program works on cheerful, rewarded movement on the leash. If it is new, or comes with stiffness or general reluctance to move, see your vet first.
What does Bernese Mountain Dog board and train cost?
On-Leash Foundations is $1,865 + GST, Puppy Fundamentals is $2,775 + GST and Functional Off-Leash is $3,030 + GST. Which one suits your Berner is worked out at the consultation.
Keep reading
Plan your Berner's training
Tell us about your Bernese Mountain Dog's walks, greetings and hiking plans. Book a consultation and we will recommend the right program.
From real owners
Rated 5.0 on Google.
Real Northline dogs