Protective Bernese Mountain Dog Refuses to Leave Kids' Side During Backyard Sleepout
Sleeping outside for the first time can feel like a big adventure for kids, but for us parents, it can be a bit nervewracking. Lucky for River the Bernese Mountain Dog's family, she was on security duty, and watched over them all night.
In this heartwarming video, the gentle giant refuses to leave the kids alone during their backyard sleepout on the trampoline and stayed right next to them until the next morning. And when mom come out to check on them? You could tell she was very proud of how she completed her first security assignment.
@riverthebernie How do you reward this behavior from a dog? #dogsoftiktokviral#protector#dogsoftiktokviral#tiktokdogs#bernesemountaindog
Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) - Edison Lighthouse
River is the goodest girl, and she knows it! Her mom asked how she should reward this behavior, and we say give her new treats, a new toy, and lots of extra snuggles!
One commenter got 88,000 likes when they shared, "She told me she wants a Texas Roadhouse ribeye with green beans and sweet potato." That sounds perfect!
Related: Neighbor's Cockapoo Swings by to See if Bernese Mountain Dog Can Play
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Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Protective?
Dogster describes Bernese Mountain dogs as beasts with loving hearts. These dogs were bred to protect animals on farms and in mountain pastures, and were also trained to pull carts. They add that they are fast, agile, and highly protective.
"Protective by nature, they risk their own lives to keep the owners from harm's way. This dog's bark is very loud: it will push most critters and burglars away." And while they have an intimidating bark, they are not big barkers, so you don't have to worry about them barking at everything.
According to Dogster, "the loud bark, aggressive stance, and large size turn the Bernese Mountain Dog into a wonderful guard dog. They won't attack and bite the intruders immediately, as that's not what they are trained for. That means little children, distant relatives, and even strangers will be safe around it."
All that being said, Berners are friendly, affectionate, cheerful dogs who love meeting new people and other animals...including cats! They also love being with their families, so if you're a family on the that will have to leave the dog home often, you might want to skip making a Berner a part of the family.
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This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 7:00 AM.