All Things Great Pyrenees
When we get
As livestock guardian dogs, they don’t behave like most breeds. They bark, they dig, they roam, and they’re very independent.
I love Great Pyrenees—that’s no secret. But, I don’t promote them
If you want a Great
Great Pyrenees. I could talk about them all day — ask anyone who knows me 😉 On It’s Dog or Nothing, I’m always trying to educate about the breed to help people decide if it’s the right fit.
Instead of me rambling on again, I asked thousands of pyr lovers for their advice to new or prospective pyrents. So many people submitted wonderful responses that I couldn’t include them all in this post. However, the links to all the Great Pyrenees tips are at the bottom of this post.
“Get over thinking you can stop the barking. It can be managed, not stopped.” – Karen Pike
“Barking is innate. Just deal.” – Nicole Bethea
“Don’t continuously yell for your Pyrenees to come. They may see or hear something you didn’t; they may be in a trance. Go out and thank them and pet them to get their attention, then walk them inside.” – Cammi Lynn Brown
[Read more…] about Great Pyrenees Tips (from people who know the breed)
As pyrents, we all know that pyrs bark. During the daytime, I can normally tell what is causing the Great Pyrenees barking. At night, I can only assume they’re barking at ghosts or zombies outside the house–I’d rather not know.
Sometimes, what they’re barking at *could* be considered a true threat. Other times, well… not so much.
Below are 101+ reasons Mauja and Atka have barked and why they are probably barking right now. Be sure to check back because I will continue to update this list in the future!
A person is walking on the sidewalk behind our backyard.
A dog is walking on the sidewalk behind our yard.
A cat is sitting out front of the house.
The blanket that was on the ottoman is now on the couch. Pyrenees disagrees with this change.
A Christmas tree ornament is making sounds.
There’s a bird on the tree in the yard.
A kid is screaming outside the house.
A grasshopper landed on the patio where Pyrenees is napping.
A plastic bag just blew past the backyard.
A person is wearing very large sunglasses.
A person is wearing an overly large hat.
A leaf fell off the tree.
The doorbell rang.
The doorbell on TV rang.
A dog is barking on TV.
TV characters are fighting loudly which Pyrenees does not like.
The cabinet is overly squeaky.
A bike is knocked over on the edge of our front yard.
There is a large box in the middle of the walkway.
A squirrel just leaped through the tree branches.
I wore a hoodie with the hood up.
A woman was wearing too many metal bracelets.
The vacuum is sitting in the middle of the room where Pyrenees wants to be.
There is a kid wearing a bike helmet with a mohawk on it.
The wine cork popped.
The neighbor dog was barking.
There was thunder rumbling in the distance.
I turned on my space heater.
I moved my photography lighting while Pyrenees was nearby.
A toy that Pyrenees felt wasn’t supposed to squeak squeaked.
A dog 18 billion miles away barked.
The wind blew some papers on the counter.
The food bowl tipped over.
My stuffed bear is on the floor instead of the bed.
The FedEx guy dropped off a package.
The FedEx guy drove away.
There’s a chance the FedEx guy could still be in the vicinity so Pyrenees continues barking.
The FedEx guy is definitely gone but Pyrenees continues to bark just to ensure the entire neighborhood heard the message.
A bird is getting a snack from the bird feeder outside the window.
The neighbor moved his RV from the driveway to the backyard.
The Starbucks barista took too long to serve Pyrenees a puppaccino.
A dog is most definitely in the car behind us and Pyrenees is displeased.
A very tall man wanted to pet Pyrenees.
A guy was shoveling his driveway.
Nick decided to play his drums.
A bag of dog treats is sitting on the floor rather than on the counter.
I FaceTimed with a friend.
I had a Skype interview and the random man in the computer was not okay (according to Pyrenees).
I was jogging in place with a workout video.
Nick was doing pull-ups.
Nick was doing push-ups.
I turned on the air conditioning unit.
Nick is using the weed whacker.
Nick is mowing the lawn.
The neighbor is mowing their lawn.
Someone in our massive neighborhood is mowing their lawn.
We walked past a sprinkler.
The woman watering her lawn moved the sprinkler.
The window creaked when I opened it.
There is a dog in a different room of the house that Pyrenees cannot keep an eye on.
There is a cat in a different room of the house that Pyrenees cannot keep an eye on.
There is a person in a different room of the house that Pyrenees cannot keep an eye on.
There is a treat in a different room of the house that Pyrenees cannot get to.
The gate to the backyard was open instead of closed.
There’s a piece of wood leaning against the fence.
The other dog didn’t want to play with Pyrenees.
The hose fell out of the baby pool.
I was blow-drying my hair.
An airplane flew over the house.
A neighbor was shooting off fireworks.
A neighbor was shooting off fireworks two hours ago.
I was wearing a headband.
There’s a new potted plant in the house.
The trash bin was moved.
I was running on the treadmill.
There was a statue of a dog.
The river made a sound.
I was using small gardening tools.
There was a video playing of a baby crying (however, Pyrenees will not bark at an actual crying baby).
There are new rocks under the tree in the backyard.
Favorite ball is just out of reach and Pyrenees would have to get up to get it.
The curtains blew shut.
We were playing foosball.
Someone eight blocks away is using their leaf blower.
Our neighbors put a Direct TV satellite on their roof.
There’s a new carpet in the house.
I dropped an empty soda bottle.
The wind was blowing too loudly.
Our neighbors put up canopy.
The wind slightly shifted the outdoor water bowl.
Our neighbors had a fire going in their yard.
There was a baby gate within ten feet of where Pyrenees wanted to relax.
The crate was moved from one side of the room to the other.
Birds were chirping early in the morning.
Someone gestured to another person in a way Pyrenees was not okay with.
Nick made a weird sound (the sounds he has made could be an entire list itself).
Our neighbor laughed too loudly from inside his own home.
A fly came into the backyard.
The Pyrenees is very excited to see you.
People are talking in the cul-de-sac out front of our house.
I am talking to someone on speakerphone.
Barking is fun.
I was standing on a chair to change a lightbulb.
It’s raining.
And the most important reason of them all – The Pyrenees simply wants to bark.
By all means, this is not a comprehensive list 😉 As I continue to remember barking incidents and new ones occur, I will add them here.
Now I want to know – what are some reasons your Great Pyrenees is barking?
Does your Great Pyrenees bark? If so, you are not alone. There are several reasons that the Great Pyrenees is surrendered to rescue, but the most common reasons include size, their tendency to roam, and to top off the list – Great Pyrenees bark. A lot.
Whenever I talk with potential adopters about pyrs we always discuss what they should expect in regard to barking. They usually respond with, “Oh, my (insert breed here) barks all the time. I’m used to it.” I let out a chuckle and think, “we’ll see how you feel later”. I often joke that anyone interested in a Great Pyrenees should take Mauja for 24 hours and then decide how they feel about their current dog’s barking.
Great Pyrenees don’t typically bark much as a puppy, so a puppy’s bark is not indicative of how the dog will act once mature. Usually around 6-8 months, your Great Pyrenees will ‘find his voice’ as he matures into the guard dog he was meant to be. Mauja’s always been a barky butt (as we lovingly call her), but Atka didn’t make a peep until almost 9 months old.
Mauja and Atka bark at people, dogs, plastic bags, screeching cars, birds, someone shoveling, kids playing, yelling on TV, weird noises, objects that aren’t where they are ‘supposed to be’, and us when they’re feeling particularly sassy. Great Pyrenees bark at anything they feel could possibly be a threat. Furthermore, they don’t stop barking shortly after the sound occurs or when the person is beyond the yard. Great Pyrenees bark and bark until they are absolutely, positively sure that their message was heard and understood.
You cannot train a Great Pyrenees not to bark.
Let me say that again.
You cannot train a Great Pyrenees not to bark.
Yes, you can absolutely manage the barking, reduce its frequency and intensity, and remain on the good side of your neighbors, but attempting to eliminate pyr barking is going against their natural instincts. Asking a pyr not to bark is like asking a bird not to fly or a fish not to swim. I’m a firm believer in working with your dog’s natural instincts, not against them.
Great Pyrenees bark during the day and night. There are several tactics to help reduce the amount of barking and find a middle ground between your desires and your pyr’s instincts.
The Great Pyrenees is a livestock guardian dog who was born with the natural instinct to guard his flock. The flock need not be livestock; it can very well be your family. Pyrs are not attack dogs and generally will not become aggressive with predators unless the situation becomes dire. They prefer to intimidate their enemy through their giant size and booming bark. Attempting to prevent your pyr from guarding will just lead to a confused, unhappy, and unstable dog.
A lot of the time, Great Pyrenees bark at things you can’t see or hear. Rest assured, they are indeed barking at something. It might be the sketchy-looking leaf that just blew by your backyard or a person coughing 3 miles away, but they are barking at something!
Dealing with Great Pyrenees barking during the day is a bit easier because you will generally have more understanding neighbors when the sun is shining. The technique that has worked time and time again is to thank Mauja and Atka for barking (read more about that technique here). Praising your dog for doing his/her job will go a long way in minimizing the amount of barking. However, sometimes your Great Pyrenees will get so worked up about something you can’t hear or see and nothing you say or do will quiet him down. Mauja and Atka will ignore their highest value treats when they are in serious guard dog mode. Simply bring your pyr inside (you’ll definitely have to go outside and get him!) until he calms down so your neighbors don’t hate you.
Socialize, socialize, socialize. Allow your pyr to experience the world around him and learn about different sources of stimulation. Socialization will allow him to determine what is ‘normal’ in his world and what are the possible sources of threat. Regardless of whether your pyr is 10 weeks or 7 years, socialization should occur. Dogs are most receptive to socialization as a puppy, but that doesn’t mean it should be neglected at an older age. The Great Pyrenees is naturally aloof so socialization will help prevent your pyr from being suspicious of those around him.
Exercise. Great Pyrenees have relatively low activity needs, but their exercise should not be pushed aside. 30-60 minute brisk walks each day will help your pyr to learn even more about the world and hopefully limit boredom barking. Great Pyrenees were bred to do a job so they need to be given the opportunity to use that energy in a productive way. Without proper exercise, pyrs will bark incessantly and/or become destructive.
Mental stimulation/training. The Great Pyrenees is an incredibly smart, yet independent, breed of dog. It’s important not to confuse independent with dumb. Pyrs were bred to work on their own without human direction so they typically have little interest in obedience training. However, it’s important to exhaust their minds to help lessen their barking. It will take time, but find what works for your pyr and keep sessions short as they bore easily. Atka has his Advanced Canine Good Citizen certification – it can be done! Kongs and other interactive toys are also great for keeping your pyr’s brain busy.
Thank your Great Pyrenees. This is hands down, the best technique I’ve tried so far. Never yell at your pyr for barking; he is doing his job! I talk more in-depth on this technique to reduce Great Pyrenees barking here. When you thank your pyr, go outside or over to him and acknowledge his work. Let him know that you’re grateful for the alert but you’ll take it from here. Your Great Pyrenees knows he needs to protect you, but he also knows that you will protect him.
The Great Pyrenees is nocturnal by nature so typically their barking will increase once the sun goes down. Nighttime is when most predators will be active, so the Great Pyrenees had to adapt to best protect its flock. I have found that the most successful way to keep pyrs quiet at night is to establish a consistent bedtime routine.
Our bedtime routines started with Mauja and Atka on day one to try and get them on the same schedule as us. Every night we would do the same thing: evening potty break, bedtime treat, snuggles and a bedtime song (yes, I’m serious), and then finally crate time (when we were still working on house-breaking). Once they were each housebroken, our last step was to close the bedroom door so they were in there with us overnight.
A proper bedtime routine has been a complete game-changer for so many people who are frustrated by their pyr’s nighttime barking. People even tell me that they thought the bedtime song was ridiculous until they tried it. Some pyr’s latch so tightly to their routines that they’ll cry if you try and finish without their usual song! Mauja and Atka’s nighttime routine no longer includes the song, but we still do the same thing every night to keep things consistent.
I would also recommend purchasing a fan or a white noise machine to filter out the sounds that your Great Pyrenees will inevitably hear. I also advise against keeping your window open if you are still struggling with nighttime barking. They have exceptional hearing so Great Pyrenees bark at things you can’t hear. You want to drown out as many noises as possible.
Unless you live in the country and are using your Great Pyrenees as a livestock guardian, it is not recommended to leave them outside overnight. Mauja and Atka would be so incredibly happy if we let them outside overnight, but we would have the police knocking at our door at 1 am due to noise complaints. Trust me. When it’s dark they do. not. shut. up. I never worry that anything will sneak up on us, though!
Great Pyrenees bark. There are some pyrs that are naturally quiet, but they are the rare exception to the rule. Don’t get a puppy and expect to be able to raise him not to bark; their instinct is incredibly strong. If you are hoping to share your life with a quieter Pyrenees, talk with rescue groups where the dogs are living in foster homes. This will give you a better idea of what to expect in the dog (but remember, you never truly know how a dog will act in a different home).
If you learn to appreciate the breed-specific traits of a Great Pyrenees, you will never be able to imagine your life without one <3
Yes, you read that right. I thank my Great Pyrenees for barking.
Let me explain.
When Mauja first came home with us three years ago (has it really been that long?), I knew that Great Pyrenees barked a lot.
No, a ton. They bark a ton.
I started to research ways to manage her inevitable barking. Bringing her inside, telling her it’s okay, teaching ‘quiet’, and various types of bark collars were all suggestions.
I don’t believe in any kind of bark or correctional collar, so that was out. I taught her ‘quiet’. I tried telling her, “It’s okay, it’s just Uncle John”. I tried bringing her inside
With Atka finding his voice more recently and Miss Barky Pants Mauja, I decided it was time to try a different tactic. I decided to start thanking Mauja and Atka for barking.
With any dog, it’s important to find a way to work with their instincts. Great Pyrenees are guard dogs so I wasn’t going to try and stop their barking. That would be an endless battle that would leave everyone frustrated.
Why not thank them for doing their job? Barking, afterall, is a part of their guard dog duties.
We have a 30 second bark rule in our house. If Mauja and Atka have been barking for more than 30 seconds, someone goes outside to quiet them. We don’t want to be *that* neighbor.
For the past several months, we have been trying the “thanking” technique. When Mauja and Atka bark past their 30 second limit, I go outside with them. I look around to try and figure out what they’re barking at.
Sometimes it’s obvious (a biker, dog, etc), while sometimes I truly have no idea what they hear or see (probably a sketchy-looking fly).
In the cheeriest voice I can muster I say, “Thank you! You’re good puppies. Good girl, Mauja. Good boy, Atka. Thank you for letting me know! It’s okay now.” I continue to thoroughly praise them for as long as I feel it’s necessary.
Not only does this end the barking, but they both happily prance toward me with their tails wagging. They both come up to me and lean in for some pets and love. Many times I have treats for them as well. I continue to thank them and then go back inside.
While no technique will ever be perfect for a Great Pyrenees, I have had great success with this one. I’m able to end their barking more quickly and overall they are barking less frequently. I’m not exactly sure why they are barking less frequently, but I’m guessing they are realizing I am taking their warnings seriously.
The problem with this method is that not everyone is going to be willing to get up every time their pyr barks (basically every 5 minutes). I just like to think they’re helping to keep me in shape! They don’t want me sitting for too long 😉
I’m always telling my weight loss clients, “Use your brain for you, not against you.” I believe the same thing is applicable to dogs.
Use their instincts for you, not against you.
[tweetthis]Use your #dog’s instincts for you, not against you. #GreatPyrenees #PositiveReinforcement[/tweetthis]
Do you have an unconvential way you handle a behavior problem or other issue?
If you own a Great Pyrenees, or any dog really, barking can be quite the issue. Great Pyrenees are guard dogs and will bark at anything. I mean anything. I’m pretty sure that they’ve barked at a leaf falling to the ground. Sometimes, they just like to hear themselves talk. In our house, we call it “grumpy barking”. Mauja is particularly good at this. She will lie on the floor with her eyes closed and gruff bark. She’s really protecting us, huh? [Read more…] about How To Get Your Dog To Stop Barking in 7 Easy Steps