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great pyrenees barking

Will My Great Pyrenees Bark All the Time?

January 14, 2016 57 Comments

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.

There are many reasons why Great Pyrenees are surrendered to rescue, but one very common reason is because Great Pyrenees bark more than most dogs.

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.

There are many reasons why Great Pyrenees are surrendered to rescue, but one very common reason is because Great Pyrenees bark more than most dogs.

Great Pyrenees Day Barking

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.

There are many reasons why Great Pyrenees are surrendered to rescue, but one very common reason is because Great Pyrenees bark more than most dogs.

Ideas To Reduce Barking

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.

There are many reasons why Great Pyrenees are surrendered to rescue, but one very common reason is because Great Pyrenees bark more than most dogs.

Great Pyrenees Night Barking

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!

Conclusion

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

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There are many reasons why Great Pyrenees are surrendered to rescue, but one very common reason is because Great Pyrenees bark more than most dogs.

Filed Under: Pyr Paw Around, What's New Tagged With: barking, breed traits, dogs, great pyrenees, great pyrenees barking, training

So You Want a Great Pyrenees?

June 8, 2015 324 Comments

5 Things I Wish People Knew About Great Pyrenees (before bringing one home) | It's Dog or Nothing

Many people purchase or adopt dogs or puppies without understanding the breed traits and the Great Pyrenees is certainly no exception to this. These irresistible balls of white fluff are stunning, adorable, and are always crowd favorites.

Not to mention they are gentle, loving, devoted, and loyal companions.

However, the Great Pyrenees is not like most other dogs. Many pyrs are surrendered when surprised owners experience these breed-specific traits. Before anyone adds a pyr to their family, I wish they knew these five things.

1. Great Pyrenees bark. A lot.

Usually around six months, a Great Pyrenees will find his voice and begin his job of guarding and protecting. Unlike most guard dogs, they are not “attack” dogs.

Pyrs very rarely attack—and typically only as a last resort. They prefer to scare off predators using intimidation by barking and showing off their extra large size.

Because pyrs have very sensitive hearing, they are able to detect the faintest sounds from miles away. A Great Pyrenees will let you know he has heard something and bark until he feels the threat is gone.

A pyr’s guarding instinct does not lessen when the sun goes down—in fact, it increases. The Great Pyrenees is nocturnal by nature in order to safeguard its flock during vulnerable hours. Patience and a proper nighttime routine are critical to working with these traits when kept as companions.

Related: Will My Great Pyrenees Bark All the Time?

2. Obedience is not a priority.

I have seen several articles circulate recently stating that the Great Pyrenees is one of the dumbest dog breeds. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

As a livestock guardian, Great Pyrenees had to learn to work independently from humans. An adult, working pyr does not need to be told how to do his job—and this translates to house pyrs as well.

Pyrs like to do things at their own pace and on their own time.

While you may see a Golden Retriever plop into a ‘down’ in half a second, a pyr will take his time to slowly position his body. Being off-leash is typically not an option for this breed as well.

Their independence leads to roaming, and a fence is necessary to keeping them contained. You cannot teach a pyr to stay on your property because he feels his property is as far as he can wander.

3. Maturity doesn’t occur until about 3 years of age.

Maturity refers to your dog’s mental capacity, not energy level (an energetic dog is not necessarily an immature dog). Giant breeds take much longer to mature than average-sized dogs‚ and typically males mature more slowly than females.

For example, a one-year-old medium to large breed and a three-year-old giant breed have very similar levels of mental maturity. A Great Pyrenees can reach a triple-digit weight before even turning a year old; a 100+ pound puppy is not for everyone!

Since pyrs mature very slowly and have little interest in obedience, they can be a challenge. It’s not uncommon to ask a pyr to sit, only to have the dog look at me, walk five feet away, and then slowly lower himself into a sit.

I always tell people that if you don’t have a sense of humor with your adolescent Great Pyrenees, you’ll never survive 😉

4. Grooming is a must.

Once a Great Pyrenees gets his adult coat (around 6-8 months), weekly brushings are essential. A pyr’s coat is remarkable in that it keeps him warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

However, a good brush is necessary to pull out the dead undercoat that can prevent proper air circulation.

Shaving a Great Pyrenees eliminates his ability to regulate his body temperature and also greatly increases risk of sunburn to their fair skin. It’s also important to remember to trim the double dew claws on a regular basis.

Related: Great Pyrenees Tips (from people who know the breed)

5. Getting a Great Pyrenees does not ensure a great livestock guardian.

I have seen many people purchase a pyr puppy only to surrender him a few years later because he was not doing his job properly. While instinct is huge, a pyr must have help learning appropriate behavior in guarding his new flock.

Typically, this help comes from an older livestock guardian, but humans can assist as well. Regardless of your pyr’s role–LGD or house dog–socialization and training will mold your pyr into an amazing dog.

The Great Pyrenees is a remarkable dog that will always be a part of our family. I absolutely love the breed and the ‘quirks’ they possess. However, many people fall in love with the breed’s beauty rather than their unique traits.

If people knew these five traits before adding a Great Pyrenees to their family, far fewer pyrs would be surrendered.

5 Things I Wish People Knew About Great Pyrenees (before bringing one home) | It's Dog or Nothing

If you have a Great Pyrenees, what do you wish people knew about them beforehand?

Filed Under: Fluffy Life, What's New Tagged With: breed traits, dog, great pyrenees, great pyrenees barking, great pyrenees grooming, great pyrenees roaming, great pyrenees temperament

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