Great Pyreneese Mouthing

by Haley
(Tulsa)

We have a seven month old Great Pyreneese with a little bit of Anatolian in him. We got him at six weeks, and mouthing and biting has always been an issue. From the beginning, we would try all sorts of different tactics to get him to stop biting, such as yelping and stop playing with him, using tea tree oil or bitter Apple to deter him from biting, grabbing his nose and giving a firm no. He has basically stopped, but when playing, or when he's really excited when people come over he begins mouthing again and has bitten hard enough to hurt. He also does this when he is being scolded, and will begin to get aggressive. He especially does this when he grabs an item he's not supposed to have and I take it away. When he does this, I make him go in his crate as a time out , and when time out is finished he doesn't usually resume the behavior. He's a very sweet dog, but he can be very dominant and possessive, I'm not sure if this is him trying to exercise his dominance. I hoped that he would outgrow this behavior, as I have wracked my brain trying to figure out ways to make him stop biting. It worries me, as he is already way too big to be doing this, and although he is being playful when doing it, I worry as he gets bigger that he could really hurt someone. Thanks so much for your help!

Comments for Great Pyreneese Mouthing

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 07, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
by: Great Pyrenees Club

Six weeks is too young for a pup to be taken from its mother. Eight weeks is when they are ready to go to their new home.

Those 8 weeks are crucial for it to be with its mom. They are learning many things including the crucial bite inhibition. Mouthing can usually be worked with but biting is a problem.

You have been doing some of the right things.

Do not punish a dog by putting it in its crate. They do not understand this. That crate is to be his safe place.

Do not grab his nose. Never be aggressive or scold your dog since, with guardian livestock dogs, as you have seen, leads to aggression right back.

Bring in a positive-reinforcement trainer to help you learn how to manage your dog. They can assess his behaviour and work with you.

Ensure it is a positive-reinforcement trainer (uses Dr. Sophia Yin, Dr. Ian Dunbar and Bev Hurst's training methods - clicker training)so that it's reward for good behaviour and redirect for unwanted behaviour. Never is their punishment involved.

Best of luck.
Aug 08, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		He's a baby
by: Anonymous

could he be teething? Would a kong toy frozen with some peanut butter (Note: make sure it is xylitol free) make him feel better? Don't punish him. They are too sensitive.

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. Kane

    Jul 21, 19 03:40 PM

    * Foster-to-Adopt * DOB: October 3, 2016 Kane came in with Marley. He is three-years-old and a real sweetheart. He is used to being outdoors but has

    Read More

  2. Marley

    Jul 19, 19 05:16 AM

    *In Foster-to-Adopt* Four-year-old Marley came in with Kane. She has some health issues including epilepsy and allergies. Here is information on epilepsy.

    Read More

  3. Aggression

    Jul 08, 19 10:26 AM

    After my son researched the anatolian/pyrenees mix he approved of my buying a pup for their little family which consists of my son, my daughter in law

    Read More

  4. Grooming / Bathing

    Jul 03, 19 08:04 AM

    I have a Great Pyrenees by the name Momo and when I give her a bath she would stay clean about 4 days and get right back dirty again.... And it’s summer

    Read More

  5. Male Siblings

    Jul 03, 19 08:00 AM

    I found 2 male GP puppies in a box by the side of the highway a month ago. I took them to the vet and other than being infested with fleas and underweight

    Read More

  6. Basket muzzles

    Jun 28, 19 07:33 AM

    We have a rescued 3 year old GP. She is reactive and has fear issues. Our positive trainer suggested slowly acclimating her to movement outside keeping

    Read More

  7. Quincy

    Jun 25, 19 01:53 PM

    *ADOPTION PENDING* DOB: August 22, 2018 Pyr mix Dogs: Yes but advise a female resident dog as dogs of same sex do not always see eye-to-eye. Cats:

    Read More

  8. Kobe

    Jun 19, 19 08:54 AM

    Kobe went into foster and he was adopted before we could post him. Congratulations Kobe and family. DOB: March 25, 2017 Kobe is a big white fluffy. He

    Read More