Great Pyrenees question

[Gonzo]

It sounds like this Dog has the potential to be a wonderful addition to your family. He's tolerant of kids and does'nt care if you put a chicken on his back? Wow! I'd give him some time to adjust. He's overwhelmed with so much right now. He sounds wonderful! Remember any dog can be trained, and that breed is very easy to train!

 

[newchickengirl]

I read that you said that he was severaly matted. IMO they should of never shaved him cause grt pyrs have two layers of fur and this is one reason why they shed constantly. The shelter could of taken a different route to treat his mats. I tried bringing Mine in one time and she sat at the door the entire time. My grt pyr also does not like being tied up. Shes been loose ever since she was born. I wish you luck with the boy. Just give him some patience and love but you really need to get him outside back to his natural environment. Also please DO not shave him in the summer because he could get sunburned very easily. Just give him pleantly of water and provide shade for him. Good luck!

 

[kota1369]

Quote:
Chook is 110% correct. True lifestock guardians are not part of the family they are part of the flock or herd. I do agree that this guy sounds like a good match. But, you have got to have a fnese to protect everyone. Once he has established this is his............ he will go after any animal intruder and chase them out. If you do not have a fense he could go into a street or not stop till he gets to Iowa. Not safe. How big is your property?
And he does need training as you know. Sounds like he needs some work with off leash training and manners also.
And he has good potential to be a good addition.
Good luck to you

The lady with the 4 dogs and 4 city chickens.

p.s. in Colorado he is suseptable to sunburn now. So be careful and use precautionary measures when needed with that along with the cold.

 

[Roses]

I've got 10 acres, with just a regular barbed-wire fence. My property starts 200 feet off the hwy, with a pasture of cows in-between us. My house is about in the middle of the property. I'm hoping the invisible fence will work. Its a bit expensive, but it will be worth it. I feel like I should wait another day to decide for sure, but I think I'll try it. If it doesn't work, I'll have to take him back. I think they will all be safe with a pyrenees presence. He is pretty big, and there is plenty of wild lands around us. Its not like people are taking over territory and forcing the animals out of the woods like in some places. Large predators tend to stay away from people. My chickens were free-ranging for 9 months before some started to go missing. (or maybe the neighboring farms are doing some predator control). He isn't trained at all, doesn't seem to know his name, but he is very gentle and we communicate. Our animals are mostly pets. Our chickens like to come in the house. One inparticular, likes to lay eggs on a blanket on the couch. Kids give her so much praise and attention, and she eats it up. She's never pooped in the house. When she's done, she clucks to be let outside. The goats will probebly get tons of attention too. I think its okay to mix family with animals. A bit harder at culling time, but more rewarding overall. As I'm getting to know him better, as much as he has been wanting to be inside, being loved by people isn't enough for him. I don't think it'll be a probem to both protect the animals and be with people. He was very loving when I was with him the other day, but the instant he realized he was off the cable, he was off down the road. He likes people, but I don't think he needs them. I've got to get him some goats. Then he will have more of a purpose and sense of fullfillment. His mats were so bad that they needed to be shaved. I thought they would only shave the underside of him, but its too late now. I'll be careful about sunburn. And yes, we are working on training. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[kota1369]

Sounds like your on the right track with him and that you like him well enough to put the time in with him. And your right, on 10 acres you can have everyone a group. When you get your goats you will want everyone within very very close proximity of each other to form a group. Then it is easier to let them out together to free range.
Good luck to you and your new found friend.

the lady with the 4 dogs and 4 city chickens

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

With any guard dog there is two ways of thinking Our friend has GPD's that are not at all people friendly she wants it that way When thye have pups she wont allow anyone to touch the pups either. I dont agree witht his method We have a GPD as well We got her at 8 weeks old. She is from a farm where she was born in the pastrue witht he goats and grewup with them. She is also a family pet She comes in during the daytime occassionally but she knows when we say its time to go to work She goes out and stays out. I do know they do not like to be tied up These are big dogs and they like to patrol the property line. I always thought it was cute even when she was little she would go out each morning and patrol the back pasture fence line where the goats where. Thats part of their instinct if you tie them up you are frustrating them they cant do their job. Our dog loves his family people but will still send up an alert when a stranger comes onto the property It is nice to be able to trust him with the animals although she does like to flush up the banties to hear them scream.lol If you intend on keeping him pleae dont expect him to live on a chain or on a leash to go out.

 

[rhodiegal]

We have a stock fence AND an invisible fence around it to keep our Pyr in. We used to have him on invisible only and it worked for a year. Then he decided he did not mind running through it and receiving the short zap, but he would not re-enter without a struggle - even after the collar was removed. We went ahead and built the stock fence, and he acted like he was trying to climb/jump it, so we kept the invisible connected. He absolutely will have nothing to do with the fence now - he would not be able to climb/dig or get over it 'quickly' enough anymore - so no more problems at all.

Pyrs will absolutely make great livestock guardians and pets. I think they call it 'all around ranch dog'. Our guy protects us all - human and animal and is the most affectionate dog I have ever had. He does not allow people he does not know to enter his territory without an introduction from one of us first. We do not have any problems with the local bears/coyotes/racoons at all.

With the invisible fence - you may have to widen the range a bit at first so he learns. After he has learned not to enter the boundary, you can lower it nearer the actual fence line - at least that worked for us. Make sure you create a safe outlet (gate) that he knows he can leave without getting zapped. If you have to take him anywhere (like to the vet), there will have to be a way he can get out. This was a very hard step for our Pyr. It took several times of me literally pushing and lifting him through the 'safe gate' before he realized he was not going to get zapped in this one area after the collar was removed and I called him through it. Good luck! Though I would not recommend Pyr's to everyone, in my opinion, they are the best dog breed ever.

 

[Bizzybirdy]

Wow! if he is good with the chickens that is 80% of the battle. I think some GP's just love to be loose and run. Am sure you can train him to stick around, especially if you get him a few goats.

He sounds like a keeper. The GP I had kept killing my chickens so I had to find her a home in the country without birds...which I did.

Hope he stays with you.

 

[mouse]

Pyrs by nature roam large areas. Any reputable breeder or rescue group will tell you that invisible fences are NOT recommended for Pyrs - you must absolutely have a secure fence. Chaining these dogs is abusive.

A Pyr that is not properly socialized when young will most likely be fearful of humans for the rest of his life. Our local Pyr rescue organization has a uber of Pyrs that can never be adopted out for this very reason.

Pyrs are highly intelligent, amazing, wonderful dogs who deserve the very best life we can give them.

 

[Chexxy]

My 4 year old pyr came from a place where they kept him in a tiny pen and never showed him any attention or love. Hes very clingy because I show him affection and hes always by my side he loves children and other dogs he doesnt bolt if I have him off leash alot hes very well behaved now I have him trained (which requires a lot of positive reinforcement) it took maybe a few months to get him to trust me enough and when I cant take him he goes on a cable for a few hours so he doesnt get into any mischief hes very loyal and friendly after he got adjusted all im pretty much saying is give you Pyr he will calm down and settle in to things. Mine went from no attention to extremely clingy to still loving being apart of my family to being somewhat independent.