Everything is a threat

by Talishia
(Charleston SC)

She is so attached to this baby, you wouldn't believe!

She is so attached to this baby, you wouldn't believe!

Let's start with this; I was told she was a Lab/Shepard who was done growing. Nope. What I have is possibly the most stereotypical Great Pyrenees on earth, and she is maybe a year and a half. She is so loving and sweet, but then another dog, even a small pup approaches our 3 month old and suddenly she is snarling and barking and lunging. As soon as she is between the dog and the baby, it is instantly different. She resumes sniffing and playing with the other dog. I live in town, I need to break her of this without her completely giving up protecting the baby. I was not equipped for this kind of dog, but she is here and we love her! We just need to work on that. Please help! I want to take her to obedience classes, but there are other dogs there and I really can not predict how she will act. It seems when I introduce other dogs she immediately goes into beast mode, but once she sees the baby is safe is a sweet little angel again and loves other dogs. All of those dogs however, have stood down.

Comments for Everything is a threat

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 22, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Guardian dogs
by: Donna

Is she a rescue dog? or did you get her from a backyard breeder?

There isn't much you can do. She is protective of the baby and so she should be. That's what Pyrs do. You can't change what is instinct to them.

Have a positive-reinforcement trainer come to your house to show you how to manage her and work with her. That is, there is only reward for good behaviour and re-direct for unwanted behaviour (redirect being you want to take her attention elsewhere through positive words and treats).

Know that Pyrs only listen if it's worth their while. They were bred to be independent thinkers since in their real lives, they have to wander out with the sheep and watch over them without anyone telling them what to do.

Work with her and her instincts. You can't change who she is.
Aug 24, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		follow upto last comment
by: OP

She was a rescue. at the shelter she did great with the other dogs, even my own when I brought her in. It was as if she didn't believe she had anything to protect so I didn't see this coming. I just don't want this otherwise sweet dog to get out and tear apart another dog. It only seems to be with the baby around that she acts this way... but I am new to this, as my other dog does her best to be friends with every living thing she comes across.
Aug 29, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		tricky situation
by: Anonymous

Your dog is young and so has not yet learned to tone the degree of her reaction to 'threat'. You have encouraged her to 'love' your baby, and so she has taken that task on pretty seriously. For a young female guardian dog, babies are irresistible. If you have another baby, she will guard both babies as if they were hers...she is born to do this. You have allowed her that guardianship...its pretty special after all...so now she is serious and on task. Hard to change this, if it can be done at all.

If she seems a bit obsessive in her guarding, it may be because neither you or your other dog help her at all when a 'situation' seems like it may occur. She has learned its all up to her. A Pyr's reaction time is lightening swift. Her awareness of your surroundings is very precise and acute. She was born with this ability and you cannot change this.

This is a tricky situation. A harsh vocal reaction from you will have no impact on her and it may cause her to accelerate. Re-direction training only works if you can control what happens well BEFORE the situation occurs, and require for you to be on task 24-7, as your dog is. You have not had her long enough for her to trust you with sharing guardianship yet.

Someone else may have a better suggestion than I do. But I would recommend that for the time being you avoid those situations where she may come in contact with other dogs while she's with you and the baby. When you are all together make sure that space is a peaceful, non-confrontational space. As your child (her possession now) grows and begins to have more autonomy of her own life, your dog's obsession may ease, or become an even bigger problem. 'Her' baby will want to be with other people...think about that one for a while.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Great Pyrenees Questions.

CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR
PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE


Breaking News

RSS

  1. Chance

    Nov 06, 19 07:01 AM

    DOB: April 2018 Great Pyrenees Cross He is house broken and has basic training. He is getting better on the leash and is currently walked using a gentle

    Read More

  2. Kane

    Nov 03, 19 04:51 PM

    DOB: October 3, 2016 Kane came in with Marley. He is three-years-old and a real sweetheart. He is a big boy which is why children are not a good fit

    Read More

  3. Sensitive back feet

    Oct 22, 19 07:07 PM

    My Pyr is just 1 yr old. Has double dews on back feet. Sometimes, if he is running or playing, he will stop abruptly and limp for a few minutes, as if

    Read More

  4. White vs Badger

    Oct 01, 19 06:00 PM

    Which side/country of the Pyrenees Mountains produces white vs badger Great Pyrenees?

    Read More

  5. Anxiety - Jumps out windows, though screens

    Sep 29, 19 04:45 PM

    Our 4 year old male golden mix boy has historically destroyed screens by clawing at them and jumping out of windows (even second story). He was better

    Read More

  6. Chloe

    Sep 26, 19 07:43 AM

    *If you don't plan on reading the whole profile, this is not the dog for you.* DOB: April 24, 2018 Crate-trained: She may need some work on this. Chloe,

    Read More

  7. Quincy

    Sep 20, 19 07:52 AM

    We are please to announce Quincy's adoption is now final. He is a puppy who gets into mischief but with ongoing positive-reinforcement training, he'll

    Read More

  8. Training

    Sep 17, 19 07:57 AM

    I was told getting a PYR at 5 months would be a mistake , he would be difficult to train and bond with. Is this so, is there a advantage to getting a PYR

    Read More