Another Great Pyr question or two

[mekasmom]

They have an inward instinct to guard. You do not train that. If you go out there on your hands and knees showing the dog how to guard the flock then you would be the first. They do not have to be trained-- it is instinct. They do have to bond. If they are not bonded as YOUNG puppies to the flock then they will be more likely to hurt them. That is why you get them when they are eight weeks old not years old. In fact not all older pyrs would hurt them, but bonding occurs at a young age, so young puppies work out better in many instances.

I have yet to train a flock guardian. I couldn't do it. I can't teach them to love and protect their flock mates. It is instinct. If you want them to protect the goats, then put them with the goats to live early, so they grow up as a goat. If you want them to protect the family, then put them with the family. They are very protective and territorial by instinct. You don't teach that.

Now you do have to train them to know boundaries by using fences or invisible fences unless you have many acres. You do have to housebreak them, teach them to stay off the counter, out of the pickup, not chew up the deck, etc. But as far as teaching them to guard and protect? No. That is not correct. Guarding instinct is inbred in the breed.

 

[pixie74943]

Quote:
Apologise for my earlier rant. Put this way your right.

I read your earlier post as 'throw the dog in and all will be well', and then I did this

But your right, it would be HILARIOUS to watch someone on their hands and knees teaching their dog to fight off racoons and such

 

[Barbara9642]

I am actually the proud owner of my very first Great Pyr, and I am in love. He turned 5 months old last friday. I bought a wonderful book that really put me in the right frame of mind for him. He is "trained", and I use the term loosely, as best he ever will be for obedience. He will come when I call him, usually, and mainly cause it involves food.

. He will let me handle him and will get in the truck, although he does not like it. Of course, last week when he got in the truck he went and got all his boy parts cut off, so he might never get in again. I believe what might be key to these dogs is understanding. He is never going to be my german shephard or my labrador. He will never be obedient to the point of doing tricks, he will never perform on command. But this boy was born in the barn, and never has seen the inside of a house. And his loyalty to his goats is astounding. You CANNOT contain him away from his herd. The fool grazes grass with them. He is loving to us humans, and adores my children, I can't wait for the grandson to arrive here next month and let them grow up together. But this dogs first obedience is to his herd. That is as it should be. He has his moments of reprimand, got rowdy on the babies recently, but the book had a ton of hints to fix that problem, along with others. If you would like more info on the book I can get it tonight when I get home and post it for you. They are truly amazing dogs, and now I wish I had one for the house. But take the time to research and KNOW what you are getting, and be prepared for him. And I tell you, you cannot get close to my goats. The chickens he is ok with, but a bit rowdier, and the cat no longer goes in the field at all. But this is a truly regal animal. Sorry, I went off, I love this dog!

 

[mekasmom]

Quote:
Mine do that too. I have actually worried about it. They eat goat food and hay at time. I give them dog food (they share with the goats). But they run right up at grain time to eat the grain with the goats too. It is so strange. It doesn't seem to hurt any of them, but it is a worry to me at times.
I'm out there pushing them back, "Meka, get away from the goat food! Back, Maggie, Back! NO! Max, no! Let the goats eat that. You eat this."
At least I know that my dogs aren't the only ones that eat grass, hay, and grain with their goats.

 

[Barbara9642]

Oh Meka- its a hoot! Danged fool. Right now my gardens are starting to get nasty, so I pick the leftovers and throw them over the fence to the goats- idiot dog is right there with them eating lettuce, carrots, cabbage. Idiot dog LOL. Only time he gets bad with the goats is when he is eating- I have one doe that loves dog food. He hasn't bit her, just fusses terrible, but he does growl at the other dogs. Us humans he don't care- stick my hand in his bowl all day long he laughs at me. I was prepared for him defending the food though, the book actually told me he might. He is fed in a kennel that he can get in and out of, he learned how to open the gate when I was trying to keep him in it to go to the vet for surgery. So now he goes in and out of the kennel and the goat doesn't get to his food. But yea, he thinks he is a goat. Danged fool I tell ya!

 

[griffin45]

We have had our Great Pyr now for less than a week. She came to us at 4 months old. In one week I am amazed at what the dog does instinctively. In less than a week she knows whos kid is whos and when the kid gets to far away from mom, Cheyenne nudges her back to where the kid belongs. I would never beleived it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes! My Jaw just dropped. We have 4 kids w/moms in the yard and I have seen her take 2 back to their respective Moms.

I haven't even started training yet!

Chris

 

[aaronzclark]

Quote:
The livestock is fenced, the rest of the acres are not. I have goats and chickens that are fenced seperately but pretty close together. Does the dog have to be in the fenced area?

I thought I might start with the pups, while small and young, being kenneled close by the chickens and goats. Think that will work?

Yes they have to be in the fence. I would keep the pups out around you guys till about 14 weeks then put it in with the goats and chickens and since you have your goats and chickens seperate you need to get 2 for each fence

 

[Barbara9642]

The book is Livestock Protection Dogs, Selection Care & Training by Dawydiak & Sims. I had to order it online, it was kind of hard to find. I got the book before I got the dog. If you can't find it let me know, I could send you mine if you promise to send it back.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

You can learn a LOT about LGD's here.


http://www.bountifulfarm.com/lgd_seminar.htm

 

[wischickenlover]

My great pyr is 7 months old. She came to us as a small pup and is very intelligent, gentle, and loving. The only problem that I am still trying to work out with her is this puppy instinct to want to "play" with my chickens. I thought she was over it until she did it again last night. I am hoping she will outgrow it......