He fetches!

by Kim
(Northern California)

Harley at 4 months

Harley at 4 months

After 12 years together, and three small mixed breed rescues, my husband (a devout non-dog person when we met LOL) finally agreed to a Pyr. We went looking for a rescue, but in our area of Northern California, most of the rescue Pyrs have been Family Farm Dogs and we need a dog to guard our couch and teenage girls.

We saw a little of pups for sale and without a word to me, my husband got the address and off we went. The pups were adorable and I loved that they were in the house, not kept in the yard. My youngest daughter picked the puppy, our oldest named him "Harley."

As my husband slowly but surely fell in love, he asked me if we could train him off leash, I said probably not. He asked if we could teach him to retrieve, again, I said probably not. Imagine my surprise when my husband called me excitedly and said watch this! Harley chased after, brought back and DROPPED every ball and toy that was thrown for him! He is the best retriever of any dog I have ever had.

A few weeks later, we were at the park and my husband decided to take Harley's leash off and let him run with one of our other dogs (also off leash). I held my breath, expecting a game of chase (the park is fenced but is still a good two acres of space), and Harley ran around with Baileys, then came back and got his leash on without complaint when it was time to go. Somehow he knew what my husband needed and has been just that dog for him. Of course, inside the house he comes when he is good and ready :)

He is insanely smart- I taught him not to bark at or go for the cat by putting him in a sit next to the cat and giving him treats for being calm and quiet by the cat. Now, he goes to the cat's food bowl, barks til he gets my attention, then promptly sits and waits for his treat. I have essentially trained him to bark until he gets a treat. Oops!

Comments for He fetches!

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Jan 01, 2015
under a slight misconception
by: Ed A from NJ

I totally understand why you think what you do. They have a famous reputation for being strong willed and a bit stubborn. Both of these are well earned I assure you. There is one thing we Pyrenees owners forget to mention and that is their need to please the ones they love. When you have properly given your puppy all the love and affection required for him or her to feel like a cherished family member there need to serve is overwhelming to them. With no flock to guard and given a nice soft home to live in they will start to look for other ways to serve. Your husband has shown your little boy he wants him to be an entertainer and so he has picked up the task. Make no mistake these dogs are wicked smart and will respond to the need they sense. Mine is a certified service dog (for balance no less) he has to understand my needs way before I can ask for his help. The training can be super hard and intense, but not for Beau for him it was almost like instinct. Almost from day one as I stated to lose balance Beau seemed to know where he had to be to best serve my needs and keep me upright. The trainer said he was unreal in that regard. The key to training a GP and making him happy is to be sure he has a role in your life. Left with no direction or job they become stubborn and willful. But make them part of your life, give them a role to play and they will shock you. Don't worry though because not only will they accept whatever role you give them in your life the guardian will always be in there, so when he is done playing fetch or anything you ask from your big entertainer if someone were to get aggressive with any member of your family the defender will come out and the transformation will surprise you and make your aggressor wish he bothered the guy up the street with the Rottie instead of you and your quite playful clown.

Apr 19, 2015
You are not alone!!!
by: HTan

Great story!!!

And rare as it is...
You are not alone!!!

Yes, my pyr fetches and its been year 3 that he off leash without leaving my or hubs' side.

It could be Roman's own choice not to leave or stay or fetches etc., it can be our constant reminder and trainings or the combo of the two... doesn't matter.

Best smartest love ever!!!

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