Inside or outside?

by Sherri
(Edmonton)

I adopted a 5 year old male GP from the local shelter. He was a stray. I have had him for a week and one half.

Judging by his reactions, I do not believe he had ever been in a house before. My guess is he was a farm dog in an abusive home. He is very fearful, submissive etc, however I thought he was responding very well to his new home. But now in the last two days, he has not wanted to come in the house anymore. I don't know if he feels that it is too warm for him, although we are keeping the heat set at 19.5 during the day, and at night it goes down to 17 c.

I would rather have him inside, but I am wondering if I am asking too much, and that he would actually prefer to be an outside dog only. I live in Edmonton, and our winters are very severe, I don't feel comfortable leaving him outside.

Comments for Inside or outside?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 10, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Inside
by: Nancy

I, too, adopted a Pyr that had lived totally outside for the first 4 years of his life. Then I got him and have had him for a year and a half now. He was very leery at first to come in the house. For the first 3 or 4 months, we didn't leave him inside when we went anywhere because he would tear the blinds off the front windows trying to get outside. However, he is now very comfortable being inside and going out when he wants to. He loves to stay out and bark, and just lay in the driveway guarding his territory. have let him stay outside all night before because he wears a shock collar and he won't go outside his boundaries but when he starts barking very late, we have to make him come in so he won't wake neighbors for miles around. These dogs absolutely love cold weather, so don't worry about it getting too cold for him outside. But if you want him to be an inside member of the family, I say go for it. Give him some time to adjust, letting him stay in for longer periods of time as time goes by. I think he will adjust wonderfully to inside after a while. Anyhow, that's my opinion.
Nov 13, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: sherri

Thanks Nancy, for the encouragement. I also had a follow up Spca training/meeting and she said the same thing as you. He has a really sweet temperament and not to give up on him, it will take time. And, as of today, he actually ran back into the house after doing his business. Don't know if it was the large financial contribution to the Oscar Meyer wiener company, but I am feeling a lot more confident.
I also ordered a gel cooling mat off the internet, not sure if he will use it, but thought it was worth a try.
It was really good to know that some one else had faced the same concerns. Thanks again.
Nov 14, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Inside or Out
by: Donna

You haven't had your Pyr for long. He's doing what, as you say, he is using to doing. It takes at least three weeks for him to start to become comfortable and trust you.

As Nancy says, take your time with him. Ocar Meyer is a great way to start, too!

When he does start barking, it can be managed with some patient training. He will bark for his own 'reason' so when he does, you go over and look at what he is barking, tell him it's okay, and 'shhhh' and 'go lie down'. Stay there until he does as you have asked him. It takes time but it will happen.

Barking is part of their instinct as that is what they use to guard their territory. Work with it.
Nov 19, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Comfort Zone
by: Katy

They tend to gravitate to what they're used to before they accept a new routine. When they go through a big change, they seek out their comfort zone. Buddy was a guard dog at a junk yard for most of his life before we got him. Though he had apparently had some experience with being inside, he very much preferred to be outside, and still does. He's outside during the day when we're not home because he's gotten himself into trouble eating carpet and we can't risk another incident, but he always comes inside at night. He whines a bit on occasion but he's gotten used to it. We've had him for almost a year now.

Your boy will get there as well. Just give him a lot of time, patience and understanding and soon enough he'll get used to being an indoor dog instead.

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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Yuki

    Jun 19, 19 05:26 AM

    *ADOPTED* Not all families are suited to a particular dog and so, with Yuki, her sweet personality attracting a few families but not truly understanding

    Read More

  8. Holly

    Jun 11, 19 10:28 AM

    Holly, the big white fluffy, was adopted before we could post her. She will have a wonderful life with her male Pyr pal working on the farm looking after

    Read More