Outside preference

by Richard
(Lexington, MA)

Our Ava has always loved outside, but in the past she has come inside with us after a walk, or when we called her to come in from the yard she would come in without issue.

However, recently she has been reluctant to come inside and wants to stay out more. She is turning 5 in a month. Is this normal?

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Feb 12, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Outdoor dogs
by: Donna

This can be normal. Pyrs love to be outside and can be nocturnal for awhile until they become more mature and used to the routine. They were bred to be outside to watch over their livestock which their double coats to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer.

Some prefer the cold and the colder the better. Just provide the option of an insulated dog house or some sort of shelter with a bed up off the ground.

In the heat, make sure she has shade, as well, an a bit of garden in which to dig to stay cool. And, fresh water.

You're going to have to force the issue when it's bedtime since you don't want her barking and disturbing the neighbours. When she does come in, make a big deal of it and give her treats.

Welcome to the Pyr.
Feb 13, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Welcome to the Pyr...
by: Anonymous

After a while, living with one (or more, if you're lucky!) of these wonderful creatures, you will join the rest of us who smile, shrug the shoulders, say "what can I say...he's a Pyr!?"
They take a notion, any kind will do, make a decision and put it into action. Your input will not be required. But you will be expected to live with his decision too, of course.
Ours, at one point, took a notion to want his meals delivered outside, on the deck. He accepted whatever the weather was, on the day. But would not, eat indoors. So, we accommodated him. Every now and again, we offered him the option to eat indoors. It took a while, but now he does.
Yours is just expressing her inborn ability to decide what she'll do next, all by herself. I can remember my 3yr old daughter doing the same. And this tendency will continue with your dog for her whole life. It's wonderful! You'll never guess what's coming next, until she decides. : )
Feb 13, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Mine has the same outside issue
by: Nancy

My Brutus has had the same issue. He just turned 10. He spent the first 5 years of his life totally outside. I got him at 5 yrs of age and instantly he became an inside fur baby. He has always enjoyed the winter months but the past 2 or 3 months he has wanted to spent 90% of his time outside, rain or shine, cold or hot. And here in the Texas weather, you never know what it's going to be. I've even had to make him come inside in the middle of the night when I noticed him lying in the front yard on a cold night with ice on his coat. He never knew it was cold. However, he now has arthritis bad enough that we have built him a ramp so he doesn't have to try to come up the stairs of the porch anymore which was preventing him from wanting to come in more often. He is free to come and go as he pleases in or outside as he's able to open the storm door to go in or out. I know when I'm cold but I don't believe a Pyr knows or cares when it's cold. He comes in to eat and will lie around to sleep for a couple of hours but then always wants back outside when that nap is over. I've learned to deal with it just as long as his happiness doesn't interfere with what I think is best for him.

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