New to Great Pyrenees.

We are adopting a 7 1/2 mouth old Great Pyrenees. We are very excited about getting him I was just have a few questions. Since the previous owner got him he's been living in the barn to protect their goats but now can no longer keep him well when we get him he will be an inside dog and I'm just wondering how to go about transitioning him into an inside dog and I do have a male 13-year-old golden retriever that's not neutered And just wondering if you think that's going to be a problem?

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Dec 10, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		adoption
by: Anonymous

Many many parameters here and questions you must have answers for. Specifically:
-Have you read and understood ALL of the excellent info on the Pyrenees breed on these pages?
-Has this young dog experienced living with other dogs? If he has, bonus, as he knows some canine behaviour etiquette.
-Is your elder dog used to living with another dog? If not he is at great risk should he protest the presence of a new young dog. It could get messy.
-Do you have children in the house? Your old dog may move to protect them from the new dog. As an unneutered male his reaction could be very quick. It could get messy.
-Are you able to safely keep the 2 dogs separate from each other? You may well have to do this until your elder dog finishes his own life span.
Better yet: and my strongest recommendation:
-Could you delay your adoption until your elder dog finishes his life span? This would give you a chance to visit your potential new dog, get him accustomed to a collar and leash and (most important), to you and your family.
Good luck with this. Adoptions of unwanted dogs is SO important, but setting the adoption up for success is crucial. So, do your homework!

Dec 10, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bigger issue
by: Ed A from NJ

The pyre can be retained to be a happy house dog. However the bigger issue would be is it a male Pyrenees? If do I would advise against getting it. Your male will have a problem. Great Pyrenees males are alpha period. Ever one of them not only want to be boss they will be. The fact yours is natural makes it worse. Soon as the pyre gets settled the fight will insue and you golden will get hurt bad or worse. You don't want to see a pyre fight even if he has a sweet personality he has it in him to do a lot of damage. If on the other hand it is a girl and she is neutered you will do fine. As to her house settling the more you love her the more she will want to be with you. Inside or out.
Dec 10, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Pyr Traits
by: Donna

In answer to your question, you may have a problem with two males especially since you didn't get your Retriever neutered. Not in all cases, but in many cases fights will break out and there is nothing you can do to make them be friends. It's instinct.

We never recommend having dogs of the same sex in a household.

Make sure to do introductions on neutral territory (not in the house). Let them sniff and keep walking, allowing them to get used to each other just knowing each other is there.

Presumably, you have a fully fenced yard of at least 5 feet and a dog house for the Pyr. Invisible fencing is not acceptable since they will get through it. Your dog will want to spend, probably, much time outside since that is what he is used to. Gradually, have him spend more time in the house but let him go out as he wants to.

I hope you have done your research on this breed.

Here is information in a nutshell about the Pyr.

They are beautiful dogs with great temperaments given the right breeding, socialization, care including diet and training.

They require a good weekly grooming to keep them mat free and their skin healthy (hence, pain free from the pulling of mats as they move), and cutting their nails including their dew claws every couple of weeks to a month.They molt twice a year and all year round so your vacuum stays full. NEVER shave a Pyr. Their double coats keep them cool in summer and warm in winter.Also, clean out their ears with 1:3 organic vinegar to water with a piece of gauze or cotton ball.

Their instinct it to wander. Therefore, they require at least a 6-foot secure fence in a large yard in which they can play, run and watch over. No tie outs for these guys. It can lead to aggression since they cannot fully watch over their territory. If they are out all day, as they usually prefer, they need shelter from the elements.

They bark more than most dogs and neighbours do complain. That is a common reason for people surrendering their Pyrs (they didn't do their research). Their bark is what deters predators and it is instinct to them. That and marking their territory. To take away their bark is to take away who they are. The barking can be managed but it takes time, patience and consistency with positive-reinforcement training.

They dig holes in your garden to stay cool in summer.

They require a lot of socialization as pups onward with people and other dogs. They also require positive-reinforcement training (a trainer who shows you how to work with a clicker). Pyrs, nor any dogs, take kindly to any kind of punishment. It will lead to aggression.

It's important to work with the dogs as if in a dance and you are leading. Rewards for good behaviour and redirect for unwanted behaviour. It's up to you to make them a good canine citizen. When engaging a trainer, ensure they use positive-reinforcement training and show you how to manage your dog. Never send a dog away for training. You are the one working with the dog, not a trainer.

To train a Pyr is not like training some other dogs. They are not eager-to-please and just as soon walk away from you than do as you say. They have been used for years as guardian livestock dogs because they do not require human intervention to tell them how to do their job. Lots of patience, consistency and time is required to work with them. If you want an obedient dog, this is not the dog for you.

They require regular walks, of course, so they get out and see the world. They must be leashed because they will wander. Again, because they are so good at wandering they have been used to wander with sheep as they watch over them.

There are those in need of a home because someone didn't realize they would get so big, bark so much, leave so much hair in the house, wander, and require work. Or, they ended up going to a backyard breeder or farmer and ended up with a dog who was aggressive because of bad breeding. Or, they forgot they travel a lot or a baby is on the way and they just don't want the dog, anymore.

It is very important to do your research on any breed before deciding if they are a good match for your family. Please start here:

https://www.great-pyrenees-club-of-southern-ontario.com/Great-Pyrenees.html

Specific to you would be dogs and children. We never want to see these dogs fail so it's important that children learn how to behave with dogs and that parents never leave their children alone with a dog. Here is a link on that subject:

https://www.great-pyrenees-club-of-southern-ontario.com/bestdogsforchildren.html

For training help:

http://drsophiayin.com/

If you need more help, contact a positive-reinforcement trainer in your area (clicker training).

For health:

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/

Best of luck with them.
Dec 10, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Our Goldens love our Pyr
by: Anonymous

I wouldn't think transitioning to indoor would be hard. Just some housebreaking, and these are smart dogs.

As for getting along with Golden Retrievers, we have three Goldens between 2 and 8, and they get along really well with our 4-5 month old Pyr puppy. Goldens are so easy going, I wouldn't expect any trouble. The Goldens saw our puppy as a new addition to the pack, and accepted him right away. To the puppy, all of this is new, but that's true no matter where you take the puppy. The Goldens will just become part of the flock he grows up to protect. Of course, like any aspect of dog behavior, it's all easier if all the dogs understand that the humans are the alphas. Comparing and contrasting the breeds' temperaments and behaviors is interesting. I bet this will work out really well for you.
Dec 10, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My experience only
by: Anonymous

I can only offer my experience. My Brutus was a first Pyr experience also. He is currently almost 7 yrs old. I've had him for almost 3 years of that. The previous owner raised him outside from a very young pup. 3 years ago I got him and immediately transitioned him to an inside dog. He was never once afraid of the indoors, never once "did his business" anywhere in the house, never once jumped on furniture, and immediately learned how to go to the door to be let outside. He has never once even been aggressive to the neighborhood dogs that come into our yard because their owners won't keep them at home. He just barks at them to let them know that they are in his yard and he's telling them to go home which they do. He's 150 lbs so I'm sure he looks intimidating to them. My Brutus is on a remote controlled collar. It took only a couple of times to punch the button that only makes a sound to get him to come back to the front door when I saw him going just beyond the driveway border that we decided would be his max distance from the house. I've never even had to push the remote button to give him a small "buzz" to bring him home. I love this breed of dog! They are wonderful to care for, very loving in return. Your pup will be an absolute delight to your family! I'm sure of it.

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