My GP is snapping at people.

by Johnny Crafton
(Hattieville Ar )

My GP has started snapping at people. Even people she is bonded with. We live out in the middle of nowhere and Prim, my GP, has the run of the 600 acre farm. I had a lot of free range chickens and for her first year she guarded them well. Also she would snap at strangers (at our home) that tried to pet her but never at me or my wife and kids. We have lost all of our chickens to a fox. She was seen laying on the front porch watching the fox chasing them? Now she goes down to my in-laws house every day when I leave for work. They are building a new house and has snapped at the workers. My wife went to chain her up this morning and she growled and snapped at her. I don’t know what to do. I was thinking about an Ecollar but have seen mixed reviews.

Comments for My GP is snapping at people.

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 01, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Snapping
by: Donna

Where did you get your Pyr?

How well was he socialzed in his first 8-weeks to 13-weeks of puppyhood? That is the most crucial time for making a good canine citizen.

Their first 8-weeks is where they learn their bite inhibition from their mothers. They must also be socialized with and handled by many many different people. That is what reputable breeders do. They also breed for good temperament and sound health.

And, then, the owner must continue this for the next 5 weeks and for the rest of his life.

If they don't get that, you will have an aggressive dog which is what yours sounds like. There is no amending this in Pyrs.

With reputable breeders, a dog like this should go back to them so they know what kind of dog they are breeding.

Never chain Pyrs up. This will lead to aggression since they cannot properly watch over their livestock. Never leave your dog to roam. They must be contained in a minimum 5-foot fenced area of in a large pen.
Sep 01, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Snapper
by: Anonymous

Pyrs are natural guardian dogs but without their mom showing them the ropes, the human needs to show them the ropes.
You can't just turn the dog out with the livestock and expect him to know what to do.

You need to put him on leash when you're working int he yard with the chickens. When you aren't, he needs to be in a pen so he can see and smell the chickens. Do this for about a month or until he seems ready to accept the chickens as his.

Dogs aren't ready to be alone with livestock until they are about 1.5 years old.

As for the snapping, it sounds like he wasn't property socialized as a pup.
Sep 02, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		health problems?
by: Anonymous

You did not say how old she is. Has been spayed? Is alone in her guardianship. Have you been grooming her regularly? Do you put your hands on her to check body condition, for hair balls that pull her skin every time she moves, ticks, unhealed injuries etc.
My thought is that this goes beyond a lack of socialisation, that perhaps she is in some distress due to a health problem. Unspayed females are susceptible to disease, hormonal disturbances, pain, anxiety. Watching her flock being destroyed from the comfort of the porch is not a normal activity for a healthy guardian Pyr.
You need to get her to a vet for a thorough checkup. Have her spayed if she is not. Consider adding a companion guardian to help with the guarding, as 600 acres is an almost impossible challenge for even the most seasoned Pyr.
Your dog is in discomfort from something. The snapping is only a sign for something else that is going on with her. Find out what it is.


Sep 02, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Take Pyr to vet
by: Nashville

If your dog has a sudden change in behavior, it's time to visit the vet. I had a wonderful, happy sweet dog that started snapping. The vet found the answer. My dog was in pain. He had cancer and they removed it leg. Fortunately, he lived another 4.5 years (with no snapping). Vet medicine has changed so much in the past few years that medicines for people are now being used on dog for a lot less money. Don't give up on your Pyr. Let the vet figure it out!! Good Luck.

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. Athena

    Feb 21, 19 06:25 PM

    *ADOPTED* There is something about these dogs that their fosters snap them up. Athena needed daily treatment to get her fistula under control. Her sweetness

    Read More

  2. Henry

    Feb 21, 19 06:23 PM

    *ADOPTED* It's not a surprise that Henri's fosters adopted him. They did the same thing last year with Snow. They were happy to have a male dog in the

    Read More

  3. Butler - Courtesy Posting

    Feb 21, 19 06:21 PM

    *ADOPTED* This boy was popular. We don't usually get seniors in but this boy needed a place and he found it. Congratulations to his new mom! She is retired

    Read More

  4. Yuki

    Feb 21, 19 04:09 PM

    *ADOPTION PENDING* Yuki has been in my foster care since early September. We are surprised that no one has given her time to adjust to a new family life.

    Read More

  5. Coat - Eating his own coat.

    Feb 20, 19 06:38 AM

    Hey, We have a wonderful 1 year old GP, but here lately he has started to eat his own fur when it sheds. I have not one clue as to why???? Can anyone

    Read More

  6. Yuki

    Feb 20, 19 06:27 AM

    *ADOPTING PENDING* DOB: March 24, 2015 Other Animals: Cats, chickens, other dogs so far Children: Yes Yuki is a beautiful girl and quite tiny for a

    Read More

  7. Behaviour - Bullying

    Feb 15, 19 06:42 AM

    Hello. Norman is a year and a half now, I got him at 8 weeks old from a farm where I met his brothers and parents. He is my first great Pyrenees and

    Read More

  8. Maggie - Courtesy Posting

    Feb 11, 19 01:13 PM

    Courtesy Posting DOB: 5. April 2017 Sweet Maggie, the big white fluffy, is looking for a loving family who will make her a part of their lives. We think

    Read More