LGD not doing his job.

[Justin Seaborn]

I have a pyranese about a year old, he lives with the goats and does great with chickens. The problem is, he also doesn't mind stray dogs coming up and chasing goats and killing every chicken I had. The first time they came up, he was playing with them. They bolted when they saw me. Two days later they are chasing my goats while he sat by a tree. Came home from work about a week later and found another dog in my chicken pen and dead chickens everywhere. He was laying on the porch. About the only thing I have found he does bark at is deer.

 

[Southern by choice]

WOW!

Sounds like he was destined for a pet home from the start.

How old was he when you got him? Were his parents working dogs and is he full Great Pyrenees?

 

[Justin Seaborn]

Some friends got him as a pup and kept him with their goats till he killed their house cat and they gave him to me. I've had him roughly 6 months. He is good with everything but other dogs.

 

[Southern by choice]

How many goats do you have. Wondering if he is bored and wants a friend. Although at 1 yr old a male pyr generally is quite defensive of his territory and the fact that he sits back while other dogs chase his goats is not good.
Many LGD pups are sold way to young 6-8 weeks and they never get any "imprinting" by the parent stock. Imprinting is birth through 16 weeks. The most critical time being 6weeks- 12 weeks. They learn so much during this stage. 12-16 weeks they are learning guarding roles.
He may not ever make it as a LGD, sometimes these dogs will still end up ok IF they can be put in with mature LGD's that will teach him what to do, what is and isn't acceptable.

Sad that the original owners got rid of him because he killed the cat. Sounds like he was trying to develop his guarding role. All our LGD's are fine with the cats and know it is a no no to bother them. However the cats do not ever go into their fields/territory.... they may not make it out... dogs do not want any thing that doesn't belong in their field.

 

[Justin Seaborn]

The first time I saw him he was really tiny so you may be on to something there. I don't really know anyone around here with a good lgd. I don't want to get rid of him but would like to see him come to terms with his job lol. As far as a field, we live on 20 acres in the middle of the woods so they roam free but always stay close to home

 

[Southern by choice]

The Great Pyrenees is a LGD breed but like with any other LGD breed not every one will be a LGD. Starting with a dog that came from parent stock that are guardians is key. Of course even with that, on occasion not every pup will be a LGD. Some pups when evaluated can be rated for 2nd LGD and is paired with an older mature working LGD and that mature LGD brings out the confidence and guarding abilities of the dog. Often they end up being great at their job as the mature dog and actual work brings out their full potential.

Not knowing much about your boy it is hard to say.

 

[Justin Seaborn]

Thank you, I'm gonna ask around and try to find someone who has one and would be willing to let him stay awhile.

 

[Southern by choice]

Your welcome. I hope everything works out. They really are incredible dogs.

 

[secuono]

I got mine at 8wks, she didn't need the myth of imprinting to learn her job. Got my dober at 7wks, he didn't need imprinting of siblings to teach him squat. My past dober I got at 12.5wks, his siblings taught him nothing.

Your dog is simply not a LGD. Not all LGD will actually be good at what they were bred for. Just like not all water dogs like water, it's highly individual and luck of the genetic lotto.

I'd get rid of that dog, catch and get rid of the trespasser dogs as well. Look for a better, proven dog.

 

[Southern by choice]

Imprinting is not a myth.

Secuono the day you train dogs and and deal with an average of 3 calls per week regarding LGD's and training then tell me imprinting is not important. Go back and look at all the issues you had with your pup and all the chasing and the other things you had to deal with. Didn't you have to stand behind your window with a shock collar? Wasn't your girl chasing and biting at your ram? None of those things were acceptable and it required a great deal of work on your part. Because you have not had a dog that was raised through the proper stage you probably don't know the difference.

Most issues people have with their LGD's never need to happen. Pups are sold at 6-8 weeks out of convenience and for money.... PERIOD! Pet pups like dobies etc can be sold at eight weeks they are not LGD breeds with a very specific job.
Siblings do not imprint... it is the parent stock.

You are not giving truthful or helpful advice. Not trying to be ugly but it gets old.