Training or Introducing a Pyrenese puppy

[Eroc1_1]

We were given a beautiful female Great Pyreneese puppy on Father's day. She is now about 12+ weeks old. I have been leash training her every couple days - the basics like sit, lay down, stop. We first had her on our back porch for a week and then we moved her out to the barn (penned separately) so she would get used to our geese, ducks, and chickens (soon to get goats). I know she is a puppy and I don't want to screw things up. We got her specifically as a livestock guardian so I don't want her to be completely bonded to us. She will every once in a while chase the poultry but will most times give up after 15 feet or if I yell at her. Are there any training tips or advice for this breed? Someone told me that they 'grow-up' after 8 months of age and become more business...I don't know if that is true or not.

Thanks in Advance,
Eric S.

 

[Bbutter]

I just posted a reply, but I don't see that it showed up.


In short, I'm in the same boat as you and had similar questions. Hoping someone replies!

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

I wish I had years of experience to pass along some great sound advice for you, but unfortunatley I don't. All I can share with you is my knowledge gained from others I respect that have LGD's. As my 2 pups are only 15 weeks, you are further along then I am.

I think you are wise to move her out to the barn to be with her charges. We have had our two outside since day one and free to roam our property from week 2. When we are home, including at night, they are free to do what they are suppose to.

A few things that come to mind that seem to be pretty consistant with all I speak with on the subject of LGD's.

1. Consistancy - When you have to reprimand, do it in the same fashion every time. (say "No" or whatever your word is. Grab by the scruff of the neck, push to the ground, roll on back and hold there until they stop squirming) I know, it sounds barbaric, but believe me. These dogs are smart and this method works. And you have to reprimand every time you catch them doing "xyz" no lazy moments.

2. Trust them - a LGD is way different from any other kind of dog. They think on thier own, they have a job to do, and their instincts will lead them. Watch them and see how they handle situations. This will help build your confidence in them. Example: If they bark and run and you see nothing. Assume they do, and don't call them back. They are doing their job. They will come back.

3. Always make sure they have plenty to do so they do not get bored. Real marrow bones, room to move, animals to watch over.

4. Remember that they are still puppies and are going to do puppy things. Even if they seem to be so good and don't chase or play with your animals, allowing them unsupervised time with anything smaller then they can lead to disaster. They will mature as you say, but 7,8, 9, 10,11 months old are teenage years and they will act like teenagers; sometimes responsible and sometimes childlike.

It sounds like you are doing a great job with her. The fact that she stops on voice control is a great thing. Keep working on that one. They are a strong willed breed. You just have to be more strong willed.

These are our two after playing in the wet grass. Best wishes!

 

[Grazer]

I agree with pretty much everything Stubbornhillfarm has said.
Eric S., I think the best way to look at this is to keep in mind the first 18 months are the toughest. LGD's mature very slowly and after they turn 18-24 months, they become a lot more serious and if you've been consistent with your training your labor will pay off.
Bad habits are difficult to break with these stubborn breeds, that's why you will want to be one step ahead and prevent any bad habits by not leaving your puppy unsupervised with livestock. And by correcting the bad behavior and rewarding her whenever she's good around poultry. Consistency is the key here.
She should have her own place next to your animals and you did the right thing to keep her penned separately for now.
Keep teaching her basic obedience, cause you want her to behave whenever she has to go in public (say to the vet's office).
Not all puppies are as stubborn and as dominant, usually the "middle of the litter pups" are easiest to handle.




@Stubbornhillfarm, your pups have grown so fast in the past few weeks!

 

[secuono]

I really don't see that much of a difference from other dogs, other than she is one of the more calm and low prey drive dogs. Just any outside dog that grows with them seems to be possible. All my dogs could do her job if they were raised with them. Even with my one dog's prey drive, really, their only issue would be heat or cold, depending on the dog.
She's the only dog I've ever had or known that actually walks with me and loves to look up to me while doing it.
I've done no 'training' with her, though, I do ask for a sit when I give her a banty egg when I gather the others. But I don't actually train her, I don't move her into position to the sit, I just waited for her butt to hit the ground. She knows not to go past the front gates, she's never touched the ground beyond her yard.
She lived from day one penned next to the ducks. I wanted her to be a part of them, not on my deck thinking she is a part of my pack. Later, when I had her living free with the birds and she killed one, I locked her away from the flock. Let her back out days later and yelled anytime I saw her, always put her back in the pen. She is now back living with the flock, but ehhhh, she has her moments.

Yes, like other dogs, she will go through a puppy stage and then a teenager stage, both where trouble will pop up. But you can only hope the "teen years" won't be too bad and end quickly, lol!

 

[Grazer]

@secuono

It's interesting to read that you say all your dogs could do the job of your LGD if you raised them to (that is if I understood your post correctly).
I personally think that it depends on the livestock, the predators and the owner.
Yes I know people who can raise just about any average sized dog to keep their poultry safe from smaller predators like say foxes, skunks, hawks, owls etc and teach them not to kill the poultry they are guarding.
And from what I've seen only people with many years of experience with animals can do that (I've mentioned that observation in another thread as well).

I think that if a farmer has to deal with large predators and livestock thieves and/or wants a dog with lower prey drive and/or needs dogs for open range operations and/or has to seasonally move their livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures etc, etc, etc....
then IMO the best route is to go for an LGD breed, preferably from working parents. So I guess it all depends on one's situation and needs.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Grazer, they sure have! At 14 weeks, the Male weighed about 44.5 pounds. The female about 34.5 pounds. They are losing the puppy roundness and getting longer legs and a more sleek look although the male I think is going to remain a tank!

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

@secuono

It's interesting to read that you say all your dogs could do the job of your LGD if you raised them to (that is if I understood your post correctly).
I personally think that it depends on the livestock, the predators and the owner.
Yes I know people who can raise just about any average sized dog to keep their poultry safe from smaller predators like say foxes, skunks, hawks, owls etc and teach them not to kill the poultry they are guarding.
And from what I've seen only people with many years of experience with animals can do that (I've mentioned that observation in another thread as well).

I think that if a farmer has to deal with large predators and livestock thieves and/or wants a dog with lower prey drive and/or needs dogs for open range operations and/or has to seasonally move their livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures etc, etc, etc....
then IMO the best route is to go for an LGD breed, preferably from working parents. So I guess it all depends on one's situation and needs.

X2
Not all dogs have the size, strength, power, size,and mental mindset that an LGD has. Also not all dogs can live outside for 365 days a year. I think that if you want a dog to guard, get a Livestock Guard Dog.

 

[Grazer]

I completely agree with you Straw Hat Kikos


@ Stubbornhillfarm, they're going to be huge that's for sure!
At 14 weeks our new female puppy was 42 pounds, but she really isn't that tall, only 17 inches. She's just very heavy boned I guess.
Your male appears to be both tall and heavy and your both puppies are just beyond adorable.

 

[Eroc1_1]

Thank you all for the helpful replies. T

he last week I have been letting our girl out to roam all night inside the fenced pasture and while we are close by during the day. When we are gone during the day we pen her up in a run so that she can still be close to the chickens, ducks, geese, and goats. We take her out on walks and are working on commands every other or second day. She is only about 15 weeks old and she loves to play with us, the goats, and receive any attention/affection she can get from us.

I believe that she is around 40 lbs or so. We love our GP!