Great Pyrenee Help

[MarleyPyr]

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.

[People Whisperer]

Welcome! Is he food or toy motivated? Could you use a very nice treat to gradually introduce him to things? Also, if you have a friend with very outgoing dog it could help a lot! Dogs do learn from each other 

[maxsmom]

I am not a patient person, so for me the direct approach is usually the one I use.  When Jake got scared from all the fireworks, last July, he would not go into the back yard at all.  I put a leash on him and drug him out 3 times a day and stayed til he did his thing.  After a week, he understood, if I told him to come on, he might as well go.  When he still was not happy out there, he got fed out there.  Moving the bowl further and further from the door.  After a week, he would go out voluntarily and finally figured out that playing and running in the yard with Max was almost as much fun as running through the house.  I would simply put a leash on him and drag him to the truck.  Once I got to the truck, I would open the door, put him in it, literally picking him up, one end at a time.  Then take him for a ride.  If he settles down quickly, once he is in it.  Stop a few times and let him out.  Each time putting him back in, after a minute or so.  Go by Macdonalds and buy a burger.  Feed him little bits of it.  This way,
1.  He understands that you are in charge.
2.  He has a good time, when he does what you want.
3.  The truck is not going to hurt him.
4.  You are not going to do something that will hurt him.
5.  The truck now signifies good things.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Kathy

[bigdogs@5501]

Kudos to Kathy- I would have to agree. Its going to be tough but he has to learn that it is not anything to fear. Picking him up (yes, I know, he is probably 100 pounds) and getting him in the truck and giving him a treat is going to help. Usually you can not force a Pyrenees or strong arm them- but this is not necessarily discipline. I am guessing you do not have another dog. I think mine are so well rounded because there are so many and if one is afraid, usually the rest are not and the one that is afraid of some thing overcomes that fear fairly quickly when the other dogs are not showing fear. I am not saying go out and get another dog but maybe have a friend come over with thier dog- and then feed them treats in the truck.
(or hey, I have Pyrenees pups that are ready to be adopted soon..... )
Let us know if the treat idea works.
Paige

[GoldenPyrs]

Hi & welcome, MarleyPyr.  We had some similar issues with Cassie & Sam when we first adopted them.  Neither of them wanted to get into the car, but our's probably were afraid that they were being rehomed again.  Sam was extremely "eager" (read: frantic) to get back out, but Cassie flatly refused to get out of the car.  Within a few months of them coming to live with us, they both would beg, dance & carry on (you get the picture) in order to get us to take them along in the car.  We are fortunate to live in a climate where our dogs can travel with us nearly year around, so we just took them in the car whenever we possibly could. 

You didn't say what your Pyr's background is or if you have any idea what may have caused his fear, but the result is the same anyway, right?  What we did with Sam & Cass is just what Kathy suggested to you and it definitely worked for us.  Pyrs are very headstrong (my family would say that say that I am too & that's why I love the breed so much    ) and you are going to have to convince him that the truck is ok by showing him (over time, with treats) how much FUN it is.  I just strongly recommend that you keep your voice calm, your hands gentle, and your pockets full of treats.  LOL         Oh, and try not to take him to the vet or groomer for awhile as they typically aren't too fond of those destinations, McDonald's is a great idea!  He'll love you for that one!  It will work...eventua lly.  Again welcome and please post pics of your sweet boy when you have a chance.

[London_Pyr_Lover]

Hi there! I unfortunately don't have any advice, but everybody elses is so good, you really don't need my input.    I just wanted to say welcome to the board, and please post pics of your boy, I always love seeing other Pyrs!  My girl is Naja, she's 8 months old, I've also got a little Cairn terrier/Toy Poodle mix named Moo (yes the sound a cow makes! lol  )

[MarleyPyr]

Thank you to everyone for responding with great ideas. I will try some of them out starting today!

Carolyn