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. Intact Males and Females

    Jan 22, 20 06:18 AM

    Can I own a pack of un-neutered great Pyrenees and expect them to gaurd my livestock without being distracted, or is their away I can make rotation so

    Read More

  2. Chance

    Jan 19, 20 07:00 PM

    DOB: April 2018 Akbash Cross Note that the reason these big whites come in is usually because no one has done the work with them. We do work with them

    Read More

  3. Socialization

    Jan 19, 20 03:11 PM

    My Pyr is 11 months old, and she barks at all the neighbors and children. What do I need to do to make her more social?

    Read More

  4. Urinating in home

    Jan 17, 20 06:49 AM

    I bought a Great Pyrenees pup at 7 weeks. I already have a 3 year old neutered Australian Shepherd. I have been trying to house break her for months.

    Read More

  5. Euthanasia?

    Jan 14, 20 02:15 PM

    great pyrnees 12 yrs old, hearing loss, trouble getting up and down back legs, Just wondered if its getting time for old girl to go home, ???

    Read More

  6. George

    Jan 13, 20 06:44 PM

    George has found the life he deserves with alumni Umka. He gets to hang out with livestock and put smiles on people's faces because he is such a doll.

    Read More

  7. Jax - Courtesy Posting

    Jan 12, 20 03:50 PM

    DOB: July 2019 From Helping Paws Rescue: We just took in a 7 month old big white fluffy who has been bounced around four times in the last month.

    Read More

  8. Jax - Courtesy Posting

    Jan 12, 20 03:38 PM

    DOB: July 2019 From Helping Paws Rescue: We just took in a 7 month old big white fluffy (mix of Maremma/Akbash and maybe Pyr) who has been bounced around

    Read More