How do you introduce an older Great Pyrenees to your flock? So far he has seen the chicks inside the brooder. He like to look at them flapping around, wants to sniff them. But zero agression. What next? Patti
How much older? Was he raised around chickens/livestock? He wouldn't have the wild exurberance of a pup but,might be less amiable to chicken behavior. I would be very cautious and not give him opportunies to be up close and personal with the flock, till he showed good will on many occasions. I know I had some of the gentlest dogs on earth but they had never seen a cat. We had a stray living in a carboard box and my best stud noticed him for the first time. He shoved his head in the box and got the cat by the tail. The cat didn't flinch. When the cat didn't move the dog dropped the tail. He wasn't having fun. This was a bird dog breed and never left a mark on anything he picked up. He always retrieved to hand. He was mighty lucky the cat didn't claw his eyes out. But I know if the cat had run he would have chased it unless I yelled NO!! If chickens were just sauntering around I don't think most breeds would bother them. Its when chickens get excited that dogs can't resist so that is always in the back of my mind. I hope your GP is a fine dog, they are so majestic. But let him prove he's a good boy.
He is about 2 years old. Good with Cats - likes to sniff them Great with Kids I don't think he has ever been around chickens before. Hoping I can train him to protect them. He is a foster dog from Texas Great Pyreness rescue http://www.txpyrs.org/TGPRescue/index.jsp It would open up alot of new forever homes for him if he would protect the flock. Patti
I have a Great Pyr who was 1 yr old when we got chickens. He took his cues from us humans and when he figured out that the chickens were part of the family, he actually started keeping the other dog away from the chicken run. I've found that ours (and I think it's the norm for the breed) responds really well to positive reinforcement. Good luck! You may also find some training tips when you google up Great Pyrenees.
I have one thats 3 or almost 3, I got her from a subdivision situation. She'd never seen a chicken before. She used to "flush" them meaning run at them and make them fly out of "Her" pen. I've had the chickens since July, I got this dog about Feb. Its taken her until about a month ago to settle down and realize that every leaf moving doesn't need barked at and she doesn't flush the chickens anymore. But don't even think about someone outside her fence messing with the kids, the horses, stepping one toe on "her" property, then well there's a lot of barking. I get the "look" for scolding the kids if they cry lol. They are really sweet dogs, I am glad I have them except when they bark all night long at the herd of about 30 deer come through about 2-3 times a week. Be patient i didn't think my dog would ever come around but she has finally. Karen
