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puppy

10 Great Pyrenees Puppy Essentials

January 17, 2022 1 Comment

There’s just something special about Great Pyrenees puppies. They’re adorable little fluffballs that delight everyone around them.

I don’t know about you, but I have never had two identical Great Pyrenees puppies—they all have their own quirks and behaviors. Some are more confident, some are more eager to learn, and some are just downright mischievous (*cough Kiska). But no matter what personality your pyr puppy has, there are a few things every owner should purchase before bringing the puppy home. Ahead, our top 10 Great Pyrenees puppy essentials and recommendations.

1. Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain and Odor Eliminator

With puppies comes house training, and with house training comes accidents. Thoroughly cleaning potty accidents helps prevent your puppy from going in the same place twice.

2. Giant Breed Dog Crate

Crates are non-negotiable when it comes to puppies. Not only does crate training have numerous benefits, but your puppy is going to need to be crated at some point in his life. Whether at the vet’s after surgery, for travel, or at the groomer, preparing your puppy now will lead to much less stress later in life.

3. Collar and ID tag

Accidents happen, so it’s essential to prepare. Putting your name and phone number on your puppy’s ID tag significantly increases the likelihood of your beloved friend making it back home. Even if your dog is microchipped (and every dog should be), your puppy should still wear an ID tag to make it easier to return home.

If you can’t stand the jingling tags make or need to prevent extra noise, there are tags that fit the dog’s collar. I got Kiska this pet tag holder/silencer to keep her from being disruptive when out working.

4. Food and water bowls

It can be tempting to buy small bowls for your puppy, but they truly grow faster than weeds. If you’re trying to get the most out of your Great Pyrenees puppy essentials spending, I highly recommend getting bowls that will transition into adulthood.

My crew prefers stainless steel bowls with an anti-skid bottom, but there are endless options these days. There’s an option to suit every need, from insulated water bowls to slow feeders to bowls for messy eaters/drinkers.

5. Leash and poop bags

All puppies need a quality leash—and don’t forget the poop bags for when you go out on walks! Earth Rated dog poop bags are strong, thick, and leak-proof. And of course, we can’t forget a bag holder. This dog poop bag holder easily attaches to the leash and even has a built-in flashlight for those late evening/early morning walks.

6. High-value treats

Dog treats are a valuable tool whilte training and socializing your puppy. Try out some homemade dehydrated dog treats if you’re a DIYer (and have a dehydrator). Two floof-approved, store-bought treats in my house are Orijen’s freeze-dried treats and Vital Essential freeze-dried mini nibs.

7. Puzzle toys

Most people understand the importance of physical exercise for dogs, but many forget that mental stimulation is just as important. Basic dog obedience training and trick training are excellent ways for you to bond with your dog while challenging her brain, but sometimes you need to keep your puppy entertained while you get things done.

Snuffle mats are great for dogs and puppies and can provide hours of entertainment. Simply toss in some treats and let your puppy’s nose get to work! These mats can even be used to feed dinner to dogs with a high food drive.

8. Grooming supplies

At the very least, you should start your puppy with a basic brush and nail trimmer. Desensitizing your puppy to these tasks will make your life easier when he gets older (and bigger). 

Check out these posts with our favorite grooming supplies:

  • 5 Must-Have Tools for Grooming Great Pyrenees
  • Grooming a Double Coated Dog

9. Puppy/baby gate

Trust me—even with a crate, baby gates are a life-saver for training Great Pyrenees puppies, especially while house-breaking. It won’t take long for your puppy to learn how to scale a gate, so be sure to keep that in mind when you’re purchasing one. We’ve had success with this baby gate, which is difficult to climb and tall enough to last through the house-breaking process.

10. Teething toys

Puppies explore the world with their mouths, meaning they will bite—but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to bite. Set your puppy up for success by offering appropriate teething toys for them to redirect this completely natural behavior. Atka adored his “pacifier” chew toy, and this Nylabone puppy chew has been a hit for everyone.

What are your Great Pyrenees puppy essentials?

Filed Under: Healthy, Happy Dog, What's New Tagged With: great pyrenees, puppy

How Much Does a Great Pyrenees Cost?

April 9, 2019 14 Comments

There are so many factors to consider when determining the cost of a Great Pyrenees. Let's break them down.

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me how much my Great Pyrenees cost, I’d have enough money to buy 100 acres of land and build the Great Pyrenees rescue of my dreams.

The question is asked all the time. And honestly, it makes me pretty uncomfortable.

Because people are generally only interested in the initial cost of a puppy or rescue dog. They don’t care about the lifelong expenses that are just as—if not more—important.

So, let’s start at the beginning—acquiring the dog.

[Read more…] about How Much Does a Great Pyrenees Cost?

Filed Under: What's New Tagged With: breeder, cost, great pyrenees, puppy, rescue

Kiska: Great Pyrenees 11 Weeks

October 26, 2017 3 Comments

Watch our Great Pyrenees puppy, Kiska, as she grows!

How are we at 11 weeks already?! This little floof nugget is growing like a weed.

Weight: 19 pounds

Height at withers:  16 inches

Length (shoulders to base of tail):  17.5 inches

Favorite treat: Orijen Regional Freeze-Dried Treats

Favorite chew: Thin, curled bully sticks

Favorite thing to chew: Couches and coffee tables

Favorite toy: Toys that “crinkle” (wonder when that will change!)

Waking up at night?: Usually one time, many nights not at all

Accidents in the house?: Rarely – she’s very good at asking to go out.

Skills learned: Built on leave it and place

New experiences: Flew on an airplane

Naughty habit: Running off after a potty break (she calls it ‘being independent’, haha)

Victories: Having a successful flight – people were shocked at how well behaved she was!

What we’re working on: Come and under

11 Week Photos

Keeping Up With Kiska

Introducing Kiska

8 Weeks

9 Weeks

10 Weeks

Filed Under: Fluffy Life, What's New Tagged With: great pyrenees, keeping up with kiska, kiska, puppy

Kiska: Great Pyrenees 8 Weeks

October 8, 2017 7 Comments

Watch our Great Pyrenees puppy, Kiska, as she grows!

Puppies, especially Great Pyrenees puppies, grow faster than weeds – I’m pretty sure you can see them grow by the hour. Since they grow so quickly, I thought it would be fun to track Kiska’s growth, both physical and developmental, each week.

I’m a bit behind this week, but check back every Wednesday for Kiska’s growth update!

Kiska, our Great Pyrenees puppy, at 8 weeks.

Weight: 11.5 pounds

Height at withers: 12 inches

Length (shoulders to base of tail): 13 inches

Favorite treat: Only Natural Pet All Meat Bites

Favorite chew: Thin, curled bully sticks

Favorite thing to chew: The wood coffee table

Favorite toy: Rope toys

Waking up at night?: Yes, 2-3 times

Accidents in the house?: Yes, 1-2 per day

Skills learned: “Sit”, “touch”, leash acceptance, and starting to recognize her name

New experiences: Rode in a car, felt carpet and other indoor surfaces, saw a horse, went to work in downtown Seattle, made many people and dog friends.

Naughty habit: Chewing all the things! 😉

Victories: Fleas are gone!

What we’re working on: Housebreaking, chewing appropriate items, learning “down”

 

8 Week Photos

Kiska, our Great Pyrenees puppy, at 8 weeks.
 Kiska, our Great Pyrenees puppy, at 8 weeks.
Kiska, our Great Pyrenees puppy, at 8 weeks.
Kiska, our Great Pyrenees puppy, at 8 weeks.
Kiska, our Great Pyrenees puppy, at 8 weeks.
Kiska, our Great Pyrenees puppy, at 8 weeks.
Kiska, our Great Pyrenees puppy, at 8 weeks.

 

Keeping Up With Kiska

Miss a Kiska update? We’ll link them below each week!

Introducing Kiska

Filed Under: Fluffy Life, What's New Tagged With: great pyrenees, great pyrenees puppy, kiska, puppy

Tips to Enjoy the Waves with Your #NewPetPartner

August 10, 2015 20 Comments

Tips to Enjoy the Waves with Your #NewPetPartner

Summer is by far my favorite time of year. Sunny days, water fun, and vacations – what’s not to love?! Mauja and Atka participate in the majority of our summer activities. I love having them with us and they love getting out and about and meeting new people.

When Mauja first entered our lives, we spent a lot of time preparing for our new fluffy baby. We researched, planned, and then researched some more. I felt pretty confident when she came home with us, but you always have to be ready for some unexpected challenges! Taking Mauja on her first beach trip was one of those challenges.

Here are 5 tips to help your beach visit go smoothly:

1. Make sure the beach is dog-friendly. Many beaches are only dog-friendly during certain times of the year or day.

2. Don’t force your dog. Mauja was scared of the waves at first and it took a few visits before she became comfortable. Let your dog explore at his/her own pace.

3. Pay attention to your surroundings. People don’t always pick up after themselves and can leave drinks or snacks that could harm your dog. Bottle rings, broken glass and cigarettes are often left as well.

4. Watch for over-exercising. Some dogs just have so much fun and don’t know when to stop! Make sure your dog is getting plenty of fresh water and shade breaks to hydrate and relax.

5. Clean up properly. Before heading out, make sure you clean up all your belongings (especially those poop bags) to keep the beach dog-friendly. Find some fresh water to clean the salt and sand out of your dog’s fur for a comfortable ride home. Oh, and don’t forget plenty of towels so you don’t bring the ocean back with you 😉

If you’ve taken your dog to the beach, what other tips do you have?

DSC_0091edit

This post is a part of PetSmart’s #NewPetPartner Passport to Summer campaign. Stay tuned next week to see the fluffies’ summer passport! Want more tips for bringing home your new best friend? PetSmart has great sources here and here and follow @itsdogornothing.kelsie and #NewPetPartner on Instagram for more tips and tricks 🙂 Special thanks to PetSmart and Chuck It for the fun summertime toys!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by PetSmart. It’s Dog or Nothing was compensated for helping promote PetSmart’s #NewPetPartner campaign, but we only share information we believe in and feel you would enjoy!

Filed Under: Pyr Paw Around, What's New Tagged With: #newpetpartner, great pyrenees, petsmart, puppy

What To Feed Your Giant Breed Puppy

July 27, 2015 26 Comments

Mauja at 8 weeks :)
Mauja at 8 weeks 🙂

In our society, bigger is better (just look at iPhones these days!). Unfortunately, the “bigger is better mentality” has transferred into dogs, especially giant breeds. Many people want their giant breed as big as possible, as soon as possible. I often see people exclaim proudly, “My 5 month old is already 80 pounds!” However, promoting rapid growth for a giant breed puppy is one of the most detrimental things a new dog parent can do.

Growth in giant breeds is a topic that is starting to be studied more thoroughly. The nutrition we give to a Maltese puppy surely shouldn’t be given to a Great Pyrenees puppy, but it happens all of the time. Most of the time it occurs from a simple lack of knowledge and inaccurate data from dog food companies. But just what should new giant breed puppy parents look for in a dog food?

For many years, low protein content was the recommended food strategy for giant breeds. However, that was debunked in 1991 by Nap et al. that found dry matter protein from 23% to 31% did not have an adverse effect on skeletal growth. We know now that there are two important factors when choosing a food for your giant breed puppy: overall caloric intake and calcium level. Both aspects play an important role in your puppy’s growth rate which should be kept slow to avoid developmental orthopedic diseases, such as osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis in dogs is noted as a disruption in endochondrial ossification that results in a focal lesion. It occurs in the physis or epiphysis of growth cartilage. When it occurs in physeal cartilage, it may cause growth abnormalities such as angular limb deformities in long bones. Osteochondrosis of the articular epiphyseal cartilage commonly occurs in the shoulder, stifle, hock and elbow. – Ed Kane, PhD

The Problem With Excess Fat & Calcium

Giant breed puppies should be kept lean as a primary risk factor for developmental orthopedic diseases (DOD) is being overweight; making calorie control essential. Most veterinary nutritionists recommend diets of giant breed puppies consist of at least 30% protein and around 9% fat. Since most commercial puppy and adult foods often contain 10 – 25% fat, it is important to thoroughly read the nutrition facts prior to choosing your puppy’s food. Most raw diets contain 20 – 40% fat which is also too high for giant breed puppies. Giant breed puppies fed a high fat, low carbohydrate diet have been shown to have a high body fat level and increased risk for DOD.

The second risk factor for DOD is a diet high in calcium and excess minerals. A high level of calcium means too high of absorption into the bone structure and furthermore, skeletal abnormalities. These include hypertrophic osteodystrophy, craniomandibular osteopathy, and lesions in the skeleton and joints.The diet of a giant breed puppy should contain approximately 1.5% (or 3 grams/1000kcal) calcium content and 0.8 – 1.0% phosphorus (make sure you include treats in that calculation).

Ensuring Optimal Growth

After finding a giant breed puppy appropriate food, the next step is ensuring an ideal body weight. First, don’t free feed. You want to ensure your puppy is getting the necessary food and not any more. Second, ignore the feeding charts on the back of the bag (especially if you have a Great Pyrenees – their metabolism is very slow). The charts are usually grossly overestimated. Instead, go by look and feel of your puppy and try to keep him/her between a 4/9 and 5/9 for Body Composition Score (click here for a detailed BCS chart). Personally, I like to keep my giant breed puppies closer to a 4/9 to keep less weight on their joints.

To Sum It Up
  • At least 30% protein
  • Approximately 9% fat
  • 1.5% calcium
  • 0.8 – 1.0% phosphorus
  • Don’t free feed
  • Keep your puppy at a 4/9 or 5/9 body composition

Feeding a giant breed puppy may be a little difficult, but don’t let it overwhelm you. You are setting the foundation for your puppy to have a long, healthy life. While we don’t want your puppy to grow too fast, enjoy the little days because they won’t last long!

Determining what to feed your giant breed puppy can be challenging. Here is what you need to know.

References

Hazewinkel H. “Nutritional Management of Orthopedic Diseases”. Applied Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, Fascetti AJ and Delaney SJ, Eds. John Wiley and Sons, Oxford, UK, 2012.

Nap RC, Hazewinkel H, Voorhout G, van den Brom WE, Goedegebuure SA, van ‘t Klooster AT. “Growth and skeletal development in great Dane pups fed different levels of protein intake”. J Nutr. November 1991; 121(11 Suppl): S107-13.

http://ivcjournal.com/feeding-large-breed-puppies/

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/09/slow-growth-diets-for-giant-breed-puppy.aspx

Filed Under: Healthy, Happy Dog, What's New Tagged With: food, giant breed, great pyrenees, nutrition, puppy

When Mauja Met Atka

March 12, 2015 11 Comments

A few weeks ago I was feeling nostalgic and decided to tell everyone about our journey of adding Atka to our family. When we chose Atka as our new puppy, we had brought many towels and zip lock bags along. We used these towels to get Atka’s scent so Mauja could start getting used to it until we brought him home. A seemingly endless three weeks later, it was time for Atka to officially join our family.

After talking with the breeder, Nick and I made the decision to fly Atka to us. It would have been a very long drive and we all decided that driving would be more stressful than the quick flight. We scheduled the flight so it would be during his typical nap time and we eagerly (and nervously) awaited his arrival.

At about 11 pm, we arrived at the airport to pick up our new addition. A kind gentleman approached us with a crate while talking about what a hit this little puppy was during the flight. I didn’t care what he said – I just wanted him to open the crate and give me my baby! I remember every detail of that moment. Seeing that scared little puppy immediately relax when I had him in my arms. There’s no better feeling <3

Great Pyrenees Puppy

 

After a quick potty break, Nick and I headed out. We decided we were going to sleep in two separate places that night to avoid a stressed and tired meeting. I took Atka to the hotel so he could relax and Nick went home to be with Mauja. We wanted everything to go pyrfectly.

Atka slept on my stomach most of the night as he had no interest in relaxing anywhere else. Plus, I just couldn’t handle putting him back in that crate so soon. If you’ve ever had a puppy, you know how those first few weeks go. He whined every few hours for potty breaks, but he always went right back to sleep.

Great Pyrenees Puppy

We have a lot of wind in our area so potty breaks were challenging with a tiny puppy. At only 8 pounds, he was by far the smallest of his litter and a bit underdeveloped (you’d never know that now!). For reference, Mauja had weighed 17 pounds at the same age (and that was average for her litter). Add in the massive amount of snow and his little body was not prepared. I had to use my jacket to create a wind barrier so he could potty without being blown over. We had planned on taking Mauja and Atka to an outdoor, neutral location to meet for the first time, but the weather conditions didn’t allow for that.

Nick and I decided to do the intro at the hotel. We were both a bit nervous about the first introductions, but hoped our intense socialization with Mauja would carry over to the meet and greet.

Things went better than I could have ever imagined.

Great Pyrenees

Mauja was so excited to meet this little puppy and was able to contain her excitement enough to be gentle. Atka immediately tried to initiate play and Mauja responded appropriately. Nick and I breathed a sigh of relief and sat down to enjoy our new family.

We knew we weren’t completely in the clear since the hotel was not “Mauja’s territory”, but we were pleased the initial meeting went so well. After they both relaxed, we packed up to head home. Nick and Mauja got back before we did, so they waited outside for Atka and I to catch up. We arrived a few minutes later and Mauja started whining as I got Atka out of the car. She kept heading to the door and then tracking back to help Atka catch up. It was obvious she was eager for him to come inside. After another short play session, they cuddled up for a much needed nap.

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Great Pyrenees

 

Words cannot describe how thrilled Nick and I were to see Mauja and Atka hit it off so quickly. We were shocked at the lack of adjustment period from a one dog to two dog home. I think Mauja really missed having a playmate after Kaeto passed away and was very excited to have that again. Mauja and Atka have been best buddies ever since.

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Filed Under: Fluffy Life, What's New Tagged With: dogs, great pyrenees, puppy

Caring For Critters: Canine Parvovirus

October 14, 2014 15 Comments

I love puppies. I mean, who doesn’t?

I thrive on the opportunity to nurture a tiny puppy into a mature, confident adult through proper socialization. However, there’s more to socializing your new puppy than taking him/her everywhere with you.

When we got Mauja at 8 weeks, we were living in sunny California. I knew she needed to be vaccinated; that’s just something you do with puppies, but I had no idea the seriousness of keeping up with her vaccines. [Read more…] about Caring For Critters: Canine Parvovirus

Filed Under: Healthy, Happy Dog Tagged With: puppy

12 Realities of Being a Dog Owner

August 11, 2014 65 Comments

12 Realities of Being a Dog Owner
DepositPhotos | gdolgikh

 

  1. Poop on your hands is not the end of the world. How many times has the poop bag broken or you just miscalculated the size? Wipe it off on the grass and don’t touch anything, but no need to hurry home.
  2. Speaking of poop, you will talk about poop more than you could have ever imagined. How did his poop look this morning? She had some runny poops last night. This makes for lovely dinner conversation.
  3. Complacency is not acceptable. Just because he didn’t chew the computer cord last time, doesn’t mean it won’t happen this time. Always be on your toes.
  4. Food on the floor is okay. I hear people who don’t own dogs have to pick up their food when they drop it on the floor. That’s not a problem in this house.
  5. Don’t assume it’s water. What did I step in? Is it water? Or pee? Did someone throw up? I can’t look, just tell me what it is!
  6. Keep the ‘pee ladle’ separate from the ‘food ladle’. Ever have to get a urine sample from a female dog? I suggest not using the ladle you use to serve food.
  7. Spelling words is second nature. Are you ready to take the dogs for a w-a-l-k? Think they are h-u-n-g-r-y? Do you want to take them to p-l-a-y?
  8. Dog fur is an accessory. Wear it proudly. Also, accept that it will be a garnish to many meals.
  9. Vacuuming is done daily. Or twice daily. Really, I could have a vacuum cleaner running 24/7 and would never keep up with the fur, dirt, leaves, and grass they bring inside.
  10. Your backyard will need to be on an episode of ‘Yard Crashers’. Don’t look at my backyard. Just don’t. Between the chewed on trees, digging spots, and dead grass, it’s a mess.
  11. Bedtime is not about your comfort. Let me just squeeze myself into this tiny open space with no covers so I don’t disturb anyone.
  12. Your wallet will never be full. I can’t tell you the last time I bought something for myself, but I did spend $150 the other day on dog food.

What am I missing? Anything you can add to the list?

Filed Under: Fluffy Life, Pyr Paw Around Tagged With: dog, owner, puppy

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