Big Paws Only Dog Forums

yes, from everything we have seen he definitely is more pyr like than lab!
I'm so glad I found this board so I can be reassured that these behaviors are just right for a pyr!

Or is this another Pyr thing I should just accept? LOL
Toby (who is a Pyr/Lab mix about 8 months old) will not run around and play in our yard. When we go out to potty, he goes from one gate to the other thinking about escaping (he can currently get out of both of them). If I throw a ball he sometimes runs after it, but usually just looks at me like I'm crazy. He does dig some, which is fine with me, but usually doesn't get much activity in. Then we go inside and he picks up a toy and runs around like a crazed dog. If I take him back outside half the time he will just wander around and then lay on the patio.
I know it is hot and this may be contributing some, but he has most always done this.
Also he will run and play until exhausted when I let him go next door and play with their dog. We are thinking about geting another dog, the neighbors are moving soon. I don't know if that would help or not.
Also because he escapes I can't leave him alone. I don't mind this a bit. I just wish I knew a way to get him to use up that energy while we are out there.

Welcome Sheba! She is beautiful!

I am glad this thread has been started as it has answered a lot of questions for me.
So is someone advertising in the local paper most always a BYB? Do legit breeders ever advertise there? How do you find someone who is not a byb?
And really what is a going rate for a purebred dog from a reliable breeder? I ahve seen Great Danes and Saints in my paper for $500. I have also seen Great Pyrenees for $250. Aren't the better breeders going to charge more?

Thanks Yaz! I like the idea of a puppy time out. Out side is when he has the hardest time. I already do all of the other things you mentioned so that makes me feel good. After I went to training classes I taught the kids the proper way to give commands. And he never

Thanks for that great story! I needed it!
Good job Moose!

After reading the article posted about preventing children from getting bitten I have some concerns.
Our puppy is 6 months old-a lab/pyr mix. Our sons are 3 and 5.
The 3 yr.old has some learning to do still about how to treat a puppy nicely. I never leave them alone (well except maybe to go to the bathroom, but that site said not to even do that).
So the other day we were all out back. The 3 yr. old ran towards Toby (the pup) and raised his hand to him, but did not hit him. Then he stood staring at Toby and took off running and making a growling type noise. Toby chased him, then jumped up nipping his ear and simultaneously knocking him to the ground. My hubby just said-well he asked for it-meaning our son.
But after reading that article I wonder if I should be really worried about this. It's not the first time he has been knocked down by the dog or nipped at hard enough to leave a scratch. It had gotten better, but now seems to be escalating again.
I am worried that something worse could happen, but don't know what to do. I am having a very difficult time in general making my 3 yr. old listen. He is just being very stubborn and willful. No amount of punishment seems to matter, and I am now afraid he is just going to make the dog mean. I am worried we made a bad choice by getting a dog at all. 
Does anyone have any advice? Is puppy biting indicative of future problems?