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Great Pyrenees => Great Pyrenees Discussions => : BaileyBear March 26, 2008, 05:53:11 PM

: I'm losing my mind!
: BaileyBear March 26, 2008, 05:53:11 PM
My pyrenees is super independent.  I know this is normal with this breed but she takes it to a new level.  She knows her name well and will lift and ear or maybe even look at you when you say it but she refuses to come unless she feels like it.  She runs away from you likes it a game if you try to put a leash on her and worst of all she wanders if she has any chance out of the yard.  She's not a year old yet but i'm getting concerned that she's not just acting like a puppy, and that these things are going to be permenant habits! please HELP ME!
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: Binky March 26, 2008, 05:58:35 PM
Well, she is still a puppy at under a year, but you might want to get used to the not coming when called, etc!  It's typical Pyr behaviour.  Binky is almost 3 years old and she still does the run up to the door when called and then zooms away and thinks it's funny!  It is frustrating but there's not much you can do to change the Pyr mentality! 
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: BaileyBear March 26, 2008, 06:09:05 PM
I love the dog to death but sometimes she makes me crazy!  My parents bred and trained white german shepherds & they helped me to train her.  She knows how to do so many things but she just refuses to do them.  I guess im just going to have to get used to it! ;)  Bailey also is a big fan of digging tunnel sized holes... she's a mess!
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: marypyrs March 26, 2008, 06:33:08 PM
That's pretty much Pyr behavior. They tend to have "Selective Hearing Syndrome".  ;) But there are some things to do to ease your frustrations somewhat. Obedience Training Classes are great in many, many ways. You'll never have the same response nor the personality as the Sheps, but then, you have a totally different dog.

First thing I would do is sign up for the next class available. Find a really GOOD Training Center. Your Vet can probably recommend one.

Never - ever - ever - never - trust your Pyr off lead or out of a fenced area.

One thing that has worked with all my guys over the years to get their attention, is to totally ignore them. Turn your back on her. Call her. If she runs away you can be sure she's watching you & chances are that if you turn & start to walk away - she'll think "Whoops! ? ? ? What's happening? Where's my Person going?" I usually throw in a "Bye! See 'ya!" That gets their attention for sure. Just be sure you're doing it in a safely fenced area and without other distractions.

So far as the digging. Well. What can I say? There was such a discussion on that exact thing here a day or so ago.

Good Luck.  :) Keep smiling. And WELCOME BaileyBear!
   
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: pyr4me March 26, 2008, 06:36:57 PM
Some of the things you listed are known as typical Pyr behaviors...me aning that you probably won't be able to train them away, such as wandering out of the yard when she gets the chance--Pyrs are notorious wanderers, they should never be off leash in an unfenced area.  Also the digging, Pyrs are champion diggers. Many of the folks on this board create special digging areas in their yards with sand for their Pyrs to have a place to dig to help keep the rest of the yard from looking like various landmines have been dug from it. ;) Plus, your dog is still very young and will go through testing periods with you. Hang in there!  ;D  Welcome to the board, it's a great place to ask questions, learn new stuff, and meet other dog crazy folks!
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: BaileyBear March 26, 2008, 06:45:23 PM
Well thank you for all the advice!  ;D  I just wanted to make sure my bailey wasnt as naughty as my husband was making her out to be!  In her defense, she is compared to a 7 year old yellow lab sometimes and obviously he's a better listner.  I have polar opposites in dogs, one who wont leave me alone and one who could care less what i'm doing!  ;) anyways, thanks again & its nice to have others to talk to about these things!
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: MarleyPyr March 26, 2008, 06:48:28 PM
welcome to the Pyr club! Digging...not listening...ru nning away from a leash...YUP you have a pyr! Marley just turned 2 and still does all the above. With this breed it isn't so much a puppy thing as a Pyr thing ;)
Ditto about the pyr off a leash. Not a good idea. They get something in sight or a wiff of something that seems too good to pass up on and they are off...with you in thier dust running to catch them. That is pretty much a guarantee. I have ever only seen one pyr in a non fenced in yard (physical or electric) that stayed put and she was 8 years old with bad hips. It is just in them.
BUT all that being said, they are the most wonderful creatures to own  :)
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: People Whisperer March 26, 2008, 08:37:48 PM
I can shout exactly the same thing "I am LOOSING my mind!" LOL
One year old is a pretty difficult time! Hang in there it WILL get a little better...but not "come" and selective hearing...thos e things will be the same ::) :P
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: bigdogs@5501 March 26, 2008, 09:58:27 PM
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
sorry- But yep, you have a typical Pyr and there is not too much you can do about it. Also if you will notice most of the Pyr people tend to agree that this is something that will never change but none of us are stressing about it too much and some of the more insane crowd actually torture themselves with more than one Pyr.
I am totally teetering on insanity- I have 7 adults that reside here at the house now.
But all of the bad habits aside, they are the most incredible, majestic wonderful dogs in so many ways. Pyrs have what I refer to as an "old" soul and they are wise beyond explanation. Maybe I am hoping that if I surround myself with them long enough I will also gain some insight into what makes them so incredible.
I also have some other big paws and love them dearly- but Pyrs are so much different than the other BP's that share the house with me.
So when the Pyrs totally frustrate me with thier attitude I have my Jake and I just go and hang out with him and really realize what total unconditional love is from a big paw, Pyrs will make you work for it- Danes shower you with it.
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: BaileyBear March 26, 2008, 10:11:42 PM
Oh don't get me wrong I wouldn't change having her around for the world!  She's a great dog despite some of her habits.  I am glad to hear that it's not just her though, i kept thinkin I had just picked out a very naughty dog!  My lab and her seem to balance eachothers personality's out and that has been helping to save my sanity a little!  I'm gonna stick in there, this is my first pyrenees so i'm learning a lot! ;D
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: GoldenPyrs March 27, 2008, 03:08:10 AM
Hi Sarah & welcome!  Everyone is oh so right...your pup sounds like she's just pyrfect!  LOL  ;)  ;D  I could write a book about Cara's exploits when she was that age, but she settled into the most wonderful, sweet girl that you can imagine.  Though she always dug, had selective hearing, and I could never trust her off leash, we had 12 wonderful years together.  :)  The truth is that we've just gotten used to those things, so they don't worry us anymore and we just expect them from our Pyrs.  They are a different kind of dog than many breeds with their own mindset, so it can take some time for us humans to learn how they think.

I'm glad that you found us.  You'll find a lot of friendly, supportive people here that will be happy to help if you have any questions.  It's a fun place to share pup stories, too!   ;D
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: BaileyBear March 27, 2008, 10:50:19 AM
Wow, you did describe Baxter pretty well!  He's a good dog but his life is all about hunting and my husband.  Bailey definatly does not want to be by my side 24 hours a day but she's got a weakness for having her tummy rubbed so i know how to win her over!  I guess i don't think she's got bad behaviors so much as its her breed anymore!  My husband on the other hand has a really hard time going from his 7 year old lab to my independent pyrenees.  Oh well he loves her even if he wont admit it! ;)
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: Zuke April 20, 2008, 08:16:19 AM
Hi Sarah,

My name is Sarah too and I have a 9 month old Pyr. HAHAHHAHAHHAHA H. It sounds like we have the same dog  ;D

However, unlike labs (no offence intended to yours):

1) They aren't made of velcro
2) Every waking hour isn't spent wandering after you wondering when they are going to be fed
3) Coming when called is for mamas boys (and girls) and total sissies, c'mon.
4) They don't wake up in he night as you pass them on the way to the bathroom (you gonna feed me now?)
5) They miss the mountains (why not recreate them in your garden, no?)


Sarah, your post made me laugh!!!  I have a 2 1/2 year old Great Pyrenees named Zuke and a 1 1/2 year old black lab mix named Louise.  We got Louise when she was about 5 months old and we're not sure what she's mixed with, but I'm convinced that she's part pig...she eats anything and everything including Zuke's food, and he lets her do it!!!  She is SO TOTALLY treat motivated that she has been so easy to train her to do tricks, etc.

Zuke's a bit different...he sits, waits (stays), lays down, etc. and he has an OUTSTANDING Great Pyr recall at about 40% of the time! LOL  Okay, maybe 30% :)  He's just not very treat motivated, even for really good treats, like real chicken, liver, etc.  He wants it at first, then he'll go back to whatever he was doing, barking, digging, napping, etc. after he realizes that I'm not just going to give it to him...anything more than sit, wait or lay down and he's bored.

Labs want to please and Pyrs want to guard.  My two dogs are very different and I keep different expectations for each of them...it's great when we can joke about it!  Thanks for sharing!

Val
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: Michelle Schnapp May 21, 2008, 07:36:14 PM
I know exactly how you feel and what you're going through.  We have two Pyrs, male and female, Noah and Jazzy.  Both turned a year in April.  They both do exactly what your pup is doing.  Get used to it.  If they feel like coming in, they'll come in right away.  If they don't, well..... you can just wait.  I avoid the aggrevation and wave a biscuit in front of their noses and that works every time.  Weak? I know, but it works and if it's pouring rain and you want them in the house before they're drenched, or it's late and you want to go to bed, this is the way we've done it and it seems, so far at least, that our Pyrs never turn down a cookie.  We just can't change their behavior with this particular issue.

Michelle
Toledo, OH
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: jesday May 26, 2008, 09:54:11 AM
I'm having a bit of the same problem with our 9 month-old Newfies. Particularly the male, Syrus. Sophie is a bit of a treat junkie so she is more manageable when it comes to getting her attention and come back to me. But Syrus is kind of like, "Thanks, catch ya later. The smells out here are so much better than anything you've got. Oooh, what that? I'm outa here."

We've got 10 acres surrounded by other acreage and I am so fearful they'll be off and lost. We just moved in and haven't been able to fence yet. We've build a large pen area for them temporarily and they have started digging huge holes particularly around a 30ft Pine tree. I hope they don't disturb the integrity of the root system.

Our imagined scenerio of us working lazily around the yard with the bubs following us around or resting under a shade tree is pretty shattered.

I'm hoping this is truly a puppy thing with the Newfs and not a breed inherited trait. Needless to say we never go anywhere off lead. I found I can control them much better with a harness type rather than just a collar, but someday it would be wonderful to take some nice trail hikes without having to manage two leashes through trees and brush.

Are we being unrealistic?
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: pyrenees May 29, 2008, 11:54:47 AM
I was very surprised reading about all the Pyrenees ways. I really must of been lucky. My Great Pyrenees was the easiest I mean the absolute easiest dog I ever had to train. I thought I must have done some wonderful research in finding such a smart dog. He was house trained so quickly and I just had to tell him no and he listened. I taught him hand commands that he picked up so fast. I assumed it was all because of his high intelligence. Even in the yard without a leash. The only problem I had for a while was him knocking over the garbage when I left the house and his obsession with bread.
Wow I was truly blessed in so many ways.
Now my Samoyed was a different story all together. It took a lot longer to train him and he was so full of nervous energy. He did many of the things that everyone was talking about. He too was a blessing though.
Good Luck to you!!!
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: BaileyBear May 31, 2008, 10:48:08 PM
It's been a while since i've been on and we've recently moved which has changed Bailey Bear a LOT!  We're back in Wyoming on the moms land and although Bailey still likes to dig, bark, and pretend that i'm not talking to her she seems to be easing up on it.  My mom has 2 Pyrenees (Noah's 8 months and Gus is 7 weeks) and a 9 year old german shepherd.  I was so happy to see she gets along with all of them however she has gotten VERY aggressive over food and my husband and I.  I would really like to break her of that habit since I have a 5 year old sister!  Anyways, if anyone has any tips please let me know, other than that shes a doll and makes everyone around her smile!
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: Cave2PyrPressure June 01, 2008, 05:57:22 AM
I'm reading "she's gotten VERY aggressive with food and my husband and I" as that she's aggressive when someone else has your attention - does this sound right?  Not on the same scale, as Gomez is only 4 lbs, but whenever we introduce a new dog, adopted or fostered, he wigs out and becomes very protective of me.  He is an alpha alpha ALPHA male, all 4 lbs. of him. I say not on the same scale, because he cannot inflict as much damage on another human or animal as Bailey Bear would, due to her size, bu I've learned that going around the group, giving love to one dog then moving on to the next, giving each the same belly rub, hug whatever, so that it doesn't appear to him that one is getting more than the other.  Gomez sees he's getting as much love and attention as the others, it seems to soothe his bruised ego slightly and it also shows him that the other dogs are "OK".

Food aggression is normal and quite common, even with the most laid-back Pyrs.  I discussed this with my rescue coordinator when we brought Morgan in as a foster and she explained that with any new experience, it is one of the things the dogs feel they can control.  As she gets used to the other dogs and her new surroundings, it may ease some.  Until it does, simply giving her her own space to eat will acknowledge her needs and it may not seem so important to her.

As far as people, especially your small sister - bring her out to meet each and every new person, rather than them coming inside the house.  And slow is sooo key.  Meet outside, approach Bailey with your sister using a soothing, quiet voice.  Make sure she has her hand palm-up and moves slowly.  If you sense any tension, stop and separate.  Try again until you sense Bailey is comfortable.  It sounds cumbersome, but Bailey sounds very Alpha and it may take her longer to adjust to new situations.  Plus, she's in an entirely new environment and doesn't understand what the heck is going on.  We love them as our own, but they are animals and this cannot be forgotten.

I've had a lot to say (LOL) and I am no expert by any means.  But I have 3 small children and have had to take a lot of care with so many animals in a not so large space.  Good luck, with time, patience and consistency, she'll be ok.
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: MeAndMyMuttz June 06, 2008, 03:05:16 PM
From what I have come to know with Pyrs, this is the norm. My Oliver, though very well behaved turns and runs when I'm trying to get him to come inside, but only at night when it is cool out and he wants to stay out. They have quite the independant streak which, with time, I have learned to love.
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: Graidyn June 22, 2008, 09:42:06 AM
I am new here, as you can see, and my Pyr boy, Judge, is only 7 months old, but he is just as reliable on recall as my 2 1/2 year old working Golden Retriever, Drake. I shamelessly took advantage of the fact that he is a guardian breed to achieve this. He also liked to ignore me, so when I would call him and he would ignore me I started to just immediately lay down on the ground where I stood. He had to come investigate why a member of his flock was down and would be rewarded immediately with tasty treats and lovin'. I don't have to lay down anymore (neither does anyone in the house) and we only give treats once in a while for the behavior, although he ALWAYS gets lovin' for it. He is, I'd say 98% reliable on recall as no dog is 100%, not even our hunting baby :) I wonder if this will help any of you out there? I have used it to help others train their Pyrs and the technique has not failed yet (knock on wood) they simply must investigate and guard a fallen member of their flock and the only way to do that is to go to that fallen member. It works very well. When we say his name he comes running like a freight train =D
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: People Whisperer June 22, 2008, 09:52:21 AM
Hmmm, VERY interesting technique!!! I have never heard of it and definitely will try it :) Thanks!
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: Graidyn June 22, 2008, 10:09:46 AM
You're welcome. As I said, so far it has worked very well with quite consistent results with Pyrs of all ages from stubborn pups to one 9 year old rescue :)
My Judge also walks at a better heel on lead than my Golden due to his devotion to hot dogs.....
I sliced one up and then cut each slice in quarters (little itty bitty pieces) I called him to me and let him have one, then let him watch me put the ziploc in my jacket pocket...I then proceeded to just walk around my yard, going about my business, ignoring him, with my thumb hooked in the jacket pocket. Whenever he would touch his nose to my hand I'd give him a piece. But only when he touched his nose to my hand and he did NOT have a leash on at the time. I continued to do that for a couple of days, without the leash. By the time I introduced the leash it was just a formality, when I walk with him now he's glued to my side.....no hot dogs needed, although he still gets them, or another tasty treat every once in a while to keep him on his toes! Maybe this will help those with leash training problems??
: Re: I'm losing my mind!
: MeAndMyMuttz June 22, 2008, 10:30:37 AM
luckily I don't have leash training problems, but I will definitley try the "stop drop and call" method on my recall :P Thanks for the tip!!