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.

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Sep 01, 2016
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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
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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
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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
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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.

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