Terrible twos Anyone?

[CalistogaPyr]

My Bo is almost two (on 9/23) & she seems to be going through a change.  In the last few months or so, she's become more vigilant with her guarding behavior, especially at night.  She also has become WAY more protective of us when we're out in public, often barking at people if they approach us.  She's not aggressive, just noisy.  Anyway, this is a change for her, as she's normally not this vocal and/or hypervigilant.  I wanted to know if this was normal for Pyrs of this age range. I'm a first-time Pyr mom & I'm still trying to learn as much as I can about the breed.  I've read all the books, but we don't have a lot of Pyr people around here, so I'm putting it out to the BPO family to see what other pyr parents have seen in their young dogs.
Thanks!
Jenn & Bo

[greek4]

My Newf mix acted up for a little while right before he turned two but quickly calmed down even more than he had been before.  Are there other changes going on in your life, someone new, someone leaving, new house, new schedule?

[CalistogaPyr]

No changes that I know of!  The only thing that I can relate it to was that there were some problems with our neighbors (they had a creepy guy staying at their house), but that resolved itself a few weeks ago.  I pretty much chalked her recent change up to an age milestone.
Jenn & Bo

[tanimara]

Jen,

Guardian dogs are a very different animal.  If you are a first time Pyr owner, I would highly recommend you join us at Pyr Talk.  It is a mailing list set up to help educate folks on the use of Pyrs as livestock guardians.  Wether you use your Pyr as a guardian or not, this list is still great for answering your questions about your pyrs temperament and character.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PyrTalk/

It's a close list but just let me know you want to learn about your Pyr and not post spam and I'll ok you...lol

By the way.. normal behaviour for a 2 year old....

Jackie

[DixieSugarBear]

PyrTalk is a great list. I have learned a lot about my pyrs from Jackie and the others on that board.  I have had pyrs for the last 10 years and I still have lots to learn.  Everything is new when you get a puppy after having a 9 year old.

Lisa,

[CalistogaPyr]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the invitation!  I've been looking for a "community" where I can learn from other Pyr people (or other Big Dog people, as I'm doing with BPO).  I look forward to joining up with y'all!! 
Thanks, also, for the information about age-appropriate guarding behavior.  I also figured out that there's a stray cat that is lurking into our yard at night & I think that might be upsetting her applecart, so to speak!  She's a cat chaser...not killer, just chaser.
Jenn

[tanimara]

Why thank you Lisa!  I needed that 

[DixieSugarBear]

You are so welcome.  You were also a great help when I was looking to add another puppy.  I still think I have room for number three 

[meleesha]

This is very normal and good behavior for a pyr, she is reaching maturity and developing her adult, serious personality. IMO

[pyrmom420]

I noticed a change in my Gandalf but he turned two right around the same time Max died, and I just chalked it up to getting used to being "the one" now. Hmmm....

Any chance I can get an invitation to that Pyr discussion group too???

Kim and Gandalf in Alaska

[tanimara]

Sure, just send me your email address to tanimara@townsqr.com and I'll send you an invite.. love to have you.

Jackie

[GYPSY JAZMINE]

Jackie, I wanna join too!...May I?

[tanimara]

Not sure if I sent you this post, but yes of course, just go here...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PyrTalk/

Jackie