Great Pyr prefers outside at night. OK?

by Nancy
(Moscow, Idaho)

Hello. My 4.5 month old Pyr puppy, Zeus, loves his new straw bale shelter I made. He now prefers it to being inside at night. He was raised outside at the breeder's on a hobby farm. Lived in a stable, so I imagine the straw bale home is familiar to him.

He was well socialized with animals and people when I got him and continues to meet new people on walks daily.

I have had him about 6 weeks and he was fine inside in a large kennel at night. I let him out more and more in the day in large fenced yard with trees, brambles, two fenced areas. I work at home often (am single) and spend a lot of time with him going outside to garden, bring him inside for a while each day, he loves to go with me in the car and we do almost daily.

Will he still bond with me if I let him stay outside at night? I read the Monks of New Skeet say to have dog sleep in your bedroom (not on bed) to bond. Last night I had to force him to come in...pull at first. Then he went to his crate and then living room spot and then I showed him the bedroom spot. He slept all night just fine, but I felt he thought it was punishment :( Any thoughts appreciated. I would miss him in the house at night, but perhaps it is healthier for him to be outside...he feels he is guarding the yard/house, etc. Nancy

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Nov 15, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Outside
by: Donna

If he wants to be outside, great. As long as barking doesn't bother neighbours. He hasn't found his voice yet, but he will one day.

It's up to you as to what you want to do. If barking will disturb the neighbours in months to come, have him come inside, now, so it's not an issue later. He'll come to like it, eventually.

My dogs always sleep on the bed. It makes no difference if you allow this.

He will still bond with you well if he sleeps outside. Just continue the ongoing walks and socialization with people and dogs. Working with your dog is the best bond there is.

You need to be a partner with your dog and show him the way to be a good canine citizen. You can teach your dog 'up' and 'off' and make it fun in both cases. Use treats. So, if you need him off the bed or whereever, a simple 'off' will have him jumping off. And, 'on' can even have him jumping onto the grooming table. Big bonus.

As for training and behaviour, I would recommend http://drsophiayin.com/

Reward for good behaviour and redirect for unwanted behaviours.

Patience, consistency and time. Pyrs are not eager-to-please dogs. They find their independent minds at about a year old. You need to work with this. Their independent minds are what got them the job of watching over animals. They don't need humans to tell the how to do the job.

Enjoy@
Nov 15, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		sleeping arrangements
by: Anonymous

With a Pyr, it is their purpose to be guardian at all times. So his urge to be outside patrolling, especially at night, is a strong desire totally natural to him.
He most likely does not consider it a "punishment" to be indoors with you, however you have temporarily thwarted his Pyr mindset. It was much the same with ours. We used gentle persuasion but sometimes we had to bodily pick ours up to bring him in. Much sighing and "the look" from him. Be a bit difficult for you as one person!
You keep your dog much the same as we do, and ours has always had his own choice of sleeping arrangements in the house at night. We think he's used to this by now, but would most likely revert if the door was left open and he could make his own choice...inside or outside! Now at 2 yrs. he prefers to sleep in our bedroom. This may change someday, or not. But our neighbours do appreciate the quieter nights, as everyone has heard his booming voice during the day!
As for the bonding, that continues to grow 24/7. You are becoming your dog's "flock" and his responsibility, much the same as if you were a ewe. Our Pyr is a wonderful companion, a comfort and a joy for us. We know we are safe with him, in the house or outside on our walks with him. We wish the same for you and your Pyr.
Nov 15, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bonding
by: Anonymous

Bonding is a funny thing the more you do the more they want. Sounds to me like when he was a baby he was raised outside. It is up to you to make his new experience a good one he wants to continue with. Giving him love and affection when he is inside with you will make him happy if you wit until you are headed for bed bring him in and fall asleep it don't sound like anything exciting. Bringing him in and spending time with him will want him to be with you. Mine spent every night in my room and even hopped up on the bed some times and in the dead of winter if you can toss a quilt over him you will feel like your in Florida it will get so warm. Only you can decide how much bonding is enough. For me they are as much family as the people in my family and they know it.
Nov 19, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		GP at night
by: Donald

I have a 14 month old male Great Pyrenees and as of the last couple of months he has been insisting on staying out all night and patrolling our fenced in 6 acres. He barks a lot on his rounds but we have no nearby neighbors so this is okay. He usually comes in at about 5am for a short time and then goes out again. At 8am he comes in on a permanent basis. Being outside has not affected his character in any way. He lives with 3 Golden Retrievers and three cats and is a very loving pet. At first I was a bit leary about letting him stay outside, but that is what he wants to do. Guarding is in his DNA and it does not do any harm and keeps the raccoons away from our ducks and chickens.
Nov 21, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstar 		New Puppy for Guardian and Family
by: Bess

We are going to n pick up our new boy on Saturday. My question is we have 60 acres with neighbors in front of us, do they f need fence to learn boundary we have cows and horses along with a barn cat and 3 inside Pitbulls and a poodle mix. One of our Pits got attacked by a Cyotee in our front yard this is why we chose the breed Any advice would be great thank you.
Nov 22, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Guardian
by: Donna

If you got the dog from a breeder, they will tell you about the breed which they should have already done. Make sure to do your research on this breed.

https://www.great-pyrenees-club-of-southern-ontario.com/

These dogs must have secure fencing or they will wander. These dogs were bred to wander with sheep back when sheep wandered through fields. These dogs don't learn boundaries. Electric fencing and tie outs are not advised.

If you have a pup, they are not ready to be guardian dogs until about 15 months. Make sure to neuter/spay at the right age of about two years ensuring they are not impregnating or being impregnated in the meantime.

If you have a male dog and you acquired a male dog, two intact males will not see eye-to-eye. Nor will two females in some cases. Always makes sure to spay/neuter.

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