Big Paws Only Dog Forums

 

So after reading many posts and websites about bark collars I decided to buy one and try it out on Marley. I sort of chickened out of the shock collars, not because I think they are cruel but because many seem to go defective and shock unnessarily. I bought one of the spray collars - gives out a spray of non scented mist that is suppose to startle the dog and annoy him and he stops barking. As I am reading the fine print on the cartridge it explains how this is poison, to not get it on your hands, in your mouth eyes etc and to contact a poison control center if you happen to ingest it!! how is this ok for dogs??

Hi everyone, A couple people have asked me to post some pictures of the house we built outside for Marley.
His house is in a fairly large pen(basically is only in here over night). We built it about a foot off the ground so he has a ramp to get in. We put in a plexiglass window and set up a solar light over the enterance way to the dog house that charges all day and has motion sensor for the night (he's spoiled  )
We created an L shape for wind blockage and added a tip out in the front for shade in the summer and from the rain and snow in the winter. It isn't fully painted yet so looks a little ugly on the outside but all he cares about is how comfy it is. We covered the inside of the sleeping area with pine shavings that he spreads all over..as you can see in the pictures. Let me know if you have any other questions ie: material used etc..

Cheers!

I am so at a loss.
Marley has responded well to hanging out for awhile in the basement where it is cool and chewing on a bone WHILE WE ARE THERE WITH HIM. Once it is bedtime, we cries...to the point were I honestly was worried about his wellbeing. I tried bringing him into our bedroom with us and he still cried.... I let him have the run of the house to see if he would like to pick his own comfy spot...he sobbed... All he wanted was to go sleep outside. BUT the minute he goes out he barks..so we really can't let him carry on barking all night anymore. Last night after about 2 hours we put him in the garage and he cried himself to sleep. I get choked up just writing that. I don't have kids so perhaps I haven't toughened up like some of you when it comes to knowing the difference between a pup wanting to get their way and letting them cry (although after 3 hours...??) and - is there something really wrong with my dog?

Bones, treats, games all work until it is bedtime.... I feel sooo discuraged. If he didn't bark ALL the time outside I would happily oblige to letting him spend his time there but that is what got me into all this in the first place. Is there a dog whisperer out there?? I am desperate...

Marley's mom

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the advice on "the great barking debate".
Seems collars are not the popular or worthy choice. It does seem like many of you keep your pyr's indoors quite a bit - at least at night. Perhaps the fact that Marley is outside ALL the time is why he seems to never stop barking. For example...he has been barking at the wind for about 45 minutes straight so I have brought him into the garage. Problem is... (and I admit it is mostly my problem) he is now whining and crying. I don't know if I hate that worse than hearing him bark!! lol. Is that a breed traight to be whiners and cryers or with persistence on my part to let him cry and get over it.. will he stop? That is generally why he is outside all the time. If I bring him in he whines till I let him out. I know having a winter coat he is hot if I make him come inside... and I think some of his panting is a little of the "drama queen" in him. Has anyone else gone through this? At a little under two years old.. is it too late to convert him into a night time - inside the house- dog? I should mention that we live in a cold climate 6 months of the year -10 sometimes -20 and then he comes into 20 above zero...don't know if there are health risks.. I suppose I should ask a vet?

Hi everyone,
I notice that many of you have more than one dog. I am especially interested in Pyr's. I have gone back and forth about getting a second dog ...or perhaps another animal such as a goat or sheep for Marley to guard. I suppose the biggest reason I flip back and forth is that we travel a few times a year. If we go by car eg:camping we take Marley with us. We can't always do this if we are going places by plane. More than one Pyr will make this even harder. On the other side of it, Marley is an outside dog - I would love it if he came in the house more but he LOVES it outside and would much rather lay on the deck and look inside than lay inside on the floor looking out.   Marley even sleeps outside.For this I think that having a few companions to spend time with outdoors when we can't be out there with him would be great for him....
Can Pyr's be happy on thier own? Are they more independant as a breed or are they happier in two's or three's? Also...how do you know that introducing another dog to the family will be in your dog's best interest as opposed to making him feel like he is no longer your one and only?

Hi everyone,
I have just joined this site and I can't get over all the great people that are willing to share thier experiences and advice! I am the lucky owner of a male Great Pyr named Marley ....named him after Bob Marley 
We got him when he was 4 months old and he has grown into a snuggly young man of almost 2 years now!! He will be 2 in March. Time goes by so fast. He is a pure breed and was born with a mask of black on his face just like zoro. He has lost a lot of it now but is still cute as ever. I am so happy to have found a place where there are other pyr owners to discuss this fantastic breed.

Thanks everyone! look forward to chatting with you all about our wonderful pyr's!

Hi everyone,
I am new to this site and seeking some advice. I have a 1.5year old GP and he is scared of everything! I have taken him to obedience class and agility class to try and build his confidence. He is good for awhile and then seems to regress. As of recently we have bought a new truck. He is so scared of it that he won't even go in the front of the house anymore. I put him on a leash and tried to walk him a bit closer gradually  to the truck to show him it was ok. Now he is running away from me!! I am at a loss as to how to proceed. I don't want to force him as it seems to not do much good....but when I try and give him time to find his own way, he gets more and more skiddish... any suggestions would really be appreciated.