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Great Pyrenees Tips (from people who know the breed)

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There can be a lot of misinformation about the Great Pyrenees breed out there. We polled thousands of Great Pyrenees lovers to get their top Great Pyrenees tips.

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.

Top Great Pyrenees Tips:

“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

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10 Tips for Training a Great Pyrenees

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Are you struggling training a Great Pyrenees or just interested in improving your skills? Here are ten tips to train a Great Pyrenees.

In honor of National Train Your Dog month, I wanted to address training a Great Pyrenees. Training a Great Pyrenees isn’t like training most dogs — they aren’t necessarily “eager to please”. While a Golden Retriever may do what you say because you said so, a pyr won’t be so likely.

I absolutely love training Great Pyrenees. They push me to my limits and challenge me in ways I never knew possible. Some days, they’re lucky their fluffy butts are so darn cute 😉 I’ve learned a few things over the years, so here are my top ten tips for training a Great Pyrenees.

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My Training Inspiration

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My Training Inspiration

I had half of this post written thinking I knew who my training inspiration was. I wrote about Mauja and Atka and how their pyr nature pushed me to be a better trainer. I wrote how they forced me to learn new techniques, change my habits, and get creative. I went on and on about them until it hit me: they weren’t my first training inspiration.

Kaeto was.

If you’ve been around here awhile, you know a bit about Kaeto. Kaeto was the first dog my husband and I got together – he’s what truly made us a family. After moving across the country and away from family, we knew we couldn’t be without a dog. So, we headed to the local shelters and immediately fell in love with Kaeto.

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His different colored eyes, his freckles, and his half floppy ears – I couldn’t resist that face. He was extremely malnourished and had obviously had zero training. At about a year of age, he didn’t know how to sit or even his own name. He came home with us later that day.

Over the next few weeks, we slowly started to realize the extent of his “issues”. While the shelter told us he wasn’t leash-reactive, he definitely was. They also told us he was great with other dogs, which he wasn’t. He was far too excited and didn’t know how to handle his emotions, which often turned into aggression. He also had terrible separation anxiety and chewed his way through a metal crate in less than a half hour.

I quickly realized why he was relinquished by not one, but two families. However, I knew he wasn’t going anywhere. He was ours and ours to stay.

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If he couldn’t sit on my lap, he would nap like this 😉

Since we had just moved and were only supposed to be in that location for 5 months, I didn’t get a job. This gave me ample time to work with Kaeto. I knew how to teach basic commands, but Kaeto’s needs went far past that. I can’t even remember the number of books I read and hours I spent online researching and learning.

We were out and about every day. Kaeto taught me how to exercise a dog on a bike and just how much energy a dog can have. He taught me how to be patient. He taught me how to get out of my comfort zone. He taught me more than I can possibly say.

Kaeto lived with us for less than a year before he very unexpectedly passed away. I still remember that day like it happened in slow motion and am tearing up as I write this.

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Kaeto and Mauja <3

Thanks to Kaeto, I learned how to work on so many skills, including leash-reactivity, over-excitement, separation anxiety, and overall socialization. He pushed me to my limits and there were days I cried and cried because I was so overwhelmed.

But thanks to Kaeto, I now have the confidence to take on “tough cases”. I’ve built a foundation for dealing with difficult behavioral issues. I can help save more dogs.

So, here’s to Kaeto – my true training inspiration. We miss you every day <3

Great Pyrenees Info – A Beginner’s Guide

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Have you thought about adding a Great Pyrenees to your family? Here's a basic guide to determine if a pyr might be a good fit!

 

History

The Great Pyrenees, or Pyrenean Mountain Dog, is an ancient guardian breed that originates from the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, although many believe they can be traced even further back to Siberia. These dogs were bred to handle the dangerous task of guarding flocks of sheep and other livestock on the steep mountains from predators, all without human intervention.

Paintings and literature depict Great Pyrenees at least 2,000 years ago, however often under a different name. In 1675, the Great Pyrenees became a royal court dog due to their beauty, elegance, and majestic appearance by King Louis XIV.

 

Appearance

The Great Pyrenees is a regal dog who is predominately white, although some have coloring on their bodies. Per the breed standard, Great Pyrenees may have badger marks in various shades gray, brown, and tan on their face and covering up to 1/3 of their body. The double dew claws on the hind legs are also a classic breed characteristic.

Height at the withers is 27-32 inches for males and 25-29 inches for females. Weight should be proportionate to the size and structure of the dog. Typically, Great Pyrenees will range from 90-150 pounds at a healthy weight.

The Great Pyrenees is considered a medium boned breed (for reference, a Newfoundland is well boned and a Mastiff is heavy boned). This means that a 120-pound pyr could appear to be the same size as a 150-pound Newfoundland. A Great Pyrenees should not be overly lumbering or light—the dog’s proportions are most important.

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No, Your Giant Breed Does Not Need a Prong Collar

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So many people assume that the only way to control a giant breed dog is through force such as a choke or prong collar. There are so many detriments to using such an aversive tool. Thankfully, there are better ways to ensure your dog doesn't pull you down the street.

No, Your Giant Breed Does Not Need a Prong Collar

Nothing hurts my heart more than to see a dog wearing a prong collar. I often wonder why the individual is using a prong collar on his/her dog. Oftentimes, it’s simply a lack of knowledge or misinformation.

Prong collars are used far too frequently, especially when it comes to giant breeds. So many people believe that prong collars are the only way to control such a large dog. I am able to walk Mauja and Atka (who easily outweigh me) by myself without the use of prong collars, choke collars, or any other aversive. If I can do it, anyone can do it.

What Are Prong Collars?

A prong collar is a device that has fang-shaped, metal prongs and is worn around the dog’s neck – much like a regular, flat collar. When the dog pulls, the prong collar creates a pinching sensation that causes the dog pain and discomfort.

Prong collars are a form of positive punishment. Don’t let the word “positive” confuse you. Positive punishment means that a negative consequence occurs after an undesired behavior. You are adding (hence the positive) a consequence to prevent a future behavior. Another example of positive punishment would be receiving a speeding ticket after driving too fast on your way to work.

Prong collars can also be looked at as a form of negative reinforcement. For example, after the dog learns that pulling causes the collar to pinch, he stops pulling. The dog changes his behavior (pulling) to prevent an aversive stimulus (pinching).

So many people assume that the only way to control a giant breed dog is through force such as a choke or prong collar. There are so many detriments to using such an aversive tool. Thankfully, there are better ways to ensure your dog doesn't pull you down the street.

Consequences of Prong Collars

Studies have shown over and over that pulling and jerking of the leash (on any form of collar) is extremely harmful to the dog’s neck and throat. Many dogs experience bruising on their neck and even eye damage. I see more puncture wounds in the dog’s neck than I care to say.

Physical damage aside, there are mental/emotional consequences of utilizing prong collars. Perhaps you’re struggling with your dog pulling toward other dogs while on a walk. Leash corrections don’t do anything to address the root cause of the issue. They do, however, increase behavioral issues such as fear and anxiety.

Our first dog, Kaeto, had horrible leash reactivity. We learned that in his prior home he had received leash corrections for over-excitedly pulling toward other dogs. He began to associate strange dogs with the pain of the correction which led him to fear other dogs. Seeing a dog meant pain. Not a good thing.

My Dog Doesn’t Act Like He’s In Pain

This is one of the most common arguments for proponents of prong collars. Just because a dog doesn’t show signs of pain or discomfort, doesn’t mean they aren’t actually experiencing it. Dogs typically have a high pain tolerance and won’t show pain most of the time. This is especially true for Great Pyrenees. The Great Pyrenees not only has a high pain tolerance but doesn’t let pain impact his job. It takes a very high-level of pain for a Great Pyrenees to react.

Another argument is that prong collars don’t cause pain if they are used properly. This is completely and utterly false. If they didn’t cause pain, they wouldn’t work. Going back to positive punishment and negative reinforcement, either the dog is receiving an unpleasant stimulus or the pain is removed after doing the “right thing”. Pain is involved either way.

So many people assume that the only way to control a giant breed dog is through force such as a choke or prong collar. There are so many detriments to using such an aversive tool. Thankfully, there are better ways to ensure your dog doesn't pull you down the street.

My Dog Gets Excited When I Grab the Prong Collar

What does the prong collar mean to your dog? Does it means he gets to go for a walk or a car ride? Maybe he gets to go to the dog park. Your dog is associating these events with the prong collar. However, he’s not excited to experience pain while out on these adventures.

No, Your Giant Breed Does NOT Need a Prong Collar

When Atka was only 3 months old, we had him in a puppy kindergarten class to work on the basics and on his socialization. The class had an adorable Saint Bernard puppy who was about one month older than Atka. They were the two biggest pups in the class, so they always had a great time wrestling together.

The owner was having a really difficult time working on loose leash walking with her Saint puppy. He would drag her into the building happily pursuing the closest person for pets, thanking them with copious amounts of slobber. After a few weeks, the trainer pulled out a bucket of choke and prong collars and selected one for the puppy. The owner seemed hesitant, but ultimately she allowed the prong collar. He wore it every week after that.

When Atka graduated puppy kindergarten, we decided to sign him up for basic obedience at the same location. Nick and I weren’t completely fond of the trainers, but they had been letting us do our own thing (I was the only one using a clicker). Our options where we live are extremely limited, so we went with what we had.

When signing Atka up, the trainer asked if we had a prong collar and a leather leash. We didn’t, so she started to head to the bucket of pain to grab one for Atka. Mama bear in me picked up Atka and told her absolutely not – she was not putting that on my puppy. We were not allowed to sign up for the next level obedience class.

There seems to be this idea that the only way to control giant breeds is through force. According to so many, giant breeds are strong, tough dogs that need to be put in their place so they don’t take over. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t want to train a dog that could easily take me down through force and intimidation. I would much prefer to have a dog that trusts me unconditionally.

So many people assume that the only way to control a giant breed dog is through force such as a choke or prong collar. There are so many detriments to using such an aversive tool. Thankfully, there are better ways to ensure your dog doesn't pull you down the street.

There Are Other Options

A few weeks ago, I ran into a couple with an adorable, 7-month old Great Pyrenees. He was stunning, but obviously still in his bouncy puppy phase (remember, giant breeds don’t mature until at least 3 years of age). I had to hide the horror on my face when I noticed the poor guy was wearing a massive prong collar.

Since I absolutely have to talk to anyone with a Great Pyrenees (we all know I’m obsessed), I approached them and we started chatting about their pup. They were in the collar aisle, so I asked if they had ever sought alternatives to the prong collar they were using. They said no because they were having great success with it. Their puppy was much more behaved in public. After discussing the dangers of prong collars and explaining their options, I was thrilled to see them leave with a Gentle Leader in hand.

No Pull Harness

No pull harnesses generally clip in front of the dog’s chest rather than on the back. When the dog pulls, the harness gently steers your dog to the side which allows for more attention to be directed toward you. There are many brands of no pull harnesses available, but we’ve had great success with this Easy Walk Harness with Mauja.

Gentle Leader

The Gentle Leader is my preferred tool for training loose leash walking. I’ve used it on Great Pyrenees, Great Danes, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, and several other giant breeds.

The Gentle Leader works much like a horse halter. When your dog pulls, the leader gently directs his head to the side. This allows you to steer your dog in the desired direction. While out on walks, Atka gets very excited when he sees other dogs. No treat is going to lure his snout around to look at me when he’s highly stimulated. The Gentle Leader allows me to get his focus and then reward him for walking calmly.

The absolute most important thing to remember about the Gentle Leader, or any other head halter, is to not just shove it on your dog and go. Unless your dog is muzzle trained, he is not used to having something around his snout (just like when you first put a collar on a puppy – they’re typically not happy!). The Gentle Leader comes with instructions to desensitize your dog to the sensation so he accepts it just like he would a regular collar. Do not skip this step. Proper training and desensitization are vital to your success.

Training: The Key To Success

Using the above-mentioned tools are great while training your dog to walk politely on a leash. However, it’s important not to allow them to become a crutch. You really have to understand why your dog is pulling so you can successfully train loose leash walking.

There are many tactics and techniques for training loose leash walking. Rather than describe them all, here’s a list of helpful articles:

For More Content

We’re teaming up with Fidose of Reality and Budget Earth to take a stand against the use of prong collars. Head over to their sites to see what they have to say!

So many people assume that the only way to control a giant breed dog is through force such as a choke or prong collar. There are so many detriments to using such an aversive tool. Thankfully, there are better ways to ensure your dog doesn't pull you down the street.

Will My Great Pyrenees Bark All the Time?

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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.

National Train Your Dog Month

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First, I just wanted to thank everyone who has participated in the survey. I’ve been going through the responses and have been beyond overjoyed with the kind comments made by so many of you! Just gives me the warm and fuzzies 🙂 If you haven’t filled a survey out yet, you can do it here and be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card! Over the next month or so, a few new series will begin on It’s Dog or Nothing. Stay tuned!

Now, on to the post!

January is National Train Your Dog month. As weird as this probably seems, I really enjoy training with Mauja and Atka. Even though their pyr independence prevents “perfect obedience”, I love the challenge. Their minds are fascinating and I enjoy working with their instincts (and laughing when their instincts take over).

My obedience training with Mauja is fairly limited due to her anxiety. If you’re not aware, Mauja struggles in new places. She’s completely fine outside, but she becomes immediately stressed when we go inside. Some places are worse than others, but there are very few places that she is truly comfortable. We’re not sure what triggered this anxiety as she went everywhere with us as a puppy for socialization. When she was about 7 months, something changed. We keep working with her, but I doubt she’ll ever be completely comfortable in new places. That’s okay – I’m a bit of a homebody, too 😉

Atka is a completely different story. He is the most chill, laid back dog ever. He’s such a “go with the flow” guy and makes himself at home wherever he goes. I admire that about him! Because he’s such a social butterfly, we can do a lot of work out in the community. This also makes him perfect for therapy work!

Sometime this year, we will complete Atka’s therapy dog test. There really aren’t any evaluators near us so we’ll have to plan a trip; hopefully by summertime! Atka will be pretty busy with therapy visits, but I want to find other activities to do with him. Two have come to mind: rally and agility.

We won’t be winning any awards for speed! 😉

I know what you’re thinking… “A pyr in rally? A pyr in agility? What?” You heard me right! Do I think we’ll be competitive? No. Do I think we’ll have fun? Yes! Nothing makes me happier than spending time out and about with Atka and I know he feels the same. We just need some more activities. Unfortunately, we don’t have any places nearby that offer rally, but hopefully, we’ll have options next time we move (whenever that may be).

We like to set up "obstacle courses" filled with toys, treats, and water (his biggest challenge!).
We like to set up “obstacle courses” filled with toys, treats, and water (his biggest challenge!).

Since January is National Train Your Dog month, I’m going to try and get Atka signed up for some sort of agility class to learn the basics. We recently learned that he can jump (more on that silly story later!) and he did very well in puppy agility.

For Mauja, we’re going to work on her novice title from Do More With Your Dog. I think she could pass right now, but I’d like to do a bit of sprucing up on her skills first!

Do you have any plans for National Train Your Dog month? Have you particiapted in rally or agility?

Positive Pet Training Blog Hop

This post is part of the Positive Pet Training Blog Hop, hosted by Cascadian Nomads,Tenacious Little Terrier and Rubicon Days. This month’s theme isNational Train Your Dog Month and the next hop begins on February 1st. The hop happens on the first Monday of every month, and is open for a full week – please join us in spreading the word about the rewards of positive training!

 

Back to School Training Goals

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Back to school time doesn't just have to be for the kids! Get your dogs involved with some positive reinforcement training.

Back to school doesn’t just have to be for the kids, it can be for dogs as well! I’ll admit, we slacked a little with training over the summer. With vacations, family visiting, and extra trips, I just didn’t dedicate as much time to training as I should. Now that life is settling back down and we’re getting into a routine, it’s time to get back into it.

As many of you know, Atka is training to be a therapy dog. I’d love for him to meet with military individuals with PTSD and kiddos with autism as these are two things I feel passionate about. Atka has such a wonderful, loving personality and I know he will bring light and happiness to so many individuals.

Right after Atka turned 1, he took and passed the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. I knew he could do it; I was mostly worried about myself! I get easily stressed and worked up about these things. Our next step is for him to take the advanced CGC, or community canine, test. While I know he could pass the test, I’m a little apprehensive due to him still having a few puppy habits that we are working on (leaning on a grown man might be okay, but leaning on a kid is not!).

I work a lot with Atka on his self-control and I plan to ramp that up this fall. I’ve talked about how giant breeds mature much more slowly than other dogs, so even though he is 2 years old, he is not mentally 2. Time and maturity will do wonders, but for now I have to work with what I’ve got!

I hope that in the next few months Atka will have passed his advanced CGC and be on his way to therapy testing (I know you don’t have to have these titles before therapy, but I wanted the extra practice taking tests). He has almost all of the skills down for the therapy test, so I’m excited for us to start visiting people in the near future. It’s going to be so rewarding and who doesn’t want to snuggle a big, white ball of fluff? 😉

My goal for Mauja is much different than Atka. When we moved, she suddenly became nervous in new buildings; although she does great outside. I’m still trying to figure out what exactly happened, but ultimately that doesn’t matter. We have made definite improvements over the past two years, but we still have a long way to go. I need to set aside more time to work with her.

So there you have it – my training goals with the start of the school year. What are your training goals with your dog?

Positive Pet Training Blog Hop

Does Positive Reinforcement Work for Great Pyrenees?

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Does Positive Reinforcement Work for Great Pyrenees?

“The Great Pyrenees is a large sized dog and a dominant breed.”

“The Great Pyrenees is a dominant breed of dog.”

“It (Great Pyrenees) has an independent, somewhat stubborn, nature and may try to dominate a less secure owner.”

Let me start by saying that I do not like the words “dominant”, “submissive”, and “alpha”. Pack theory has be debunked – let’s move past it. I understand some people use these terms in a more humane way, but the stigma still exists.

Before bringing home my first Great Pyrenees, I did a ton of research. Article after article warned me that my Great Pyrenees would be a “dominant dog”. I would have to ensure I was “alpha” to prevent my pyr from taking over or becoming aggressive. I read that my pyr would need corrections, should never be on the couch, or have any of the same treatment as the humans. I started to wonder if I was making the right decision.

I’m thankful I didn’t buy into what I read or else I probably wouldn’t have Mauja and Atka.

Great Pyrenees are independent thinkers and extremely smart. They were bred to work on their own and don’t need to be told how to do their job. Just because a pyr isn’t guarding livestock doesn’t make the instinct go away. They need to be convinced that what you are asking is in their best interest. “Because I said so” doesn’t cut it with this breed.

Due to their intelligence and independence, people often feel these dogs need to be “put in their place”.

The common training method for pyrs and other livestock guardian breeds is to get your dog to respect you through reinforcement and consequences. If you teach your dog to “respect” you through consequences, what kind of a relationship are you creating with your dog?

Not one that I want.

I wanted Mauja and Atka to trust me. To know that I would never hurt them and always look out for their best interest. Does that mean they get to do whatever they want? Does it mean they have taken over the house? No. It means we work together to find a common ground – to build a positive, trusting relationship.

Working with a Great Pyrenees can be a challenging training adventure, but that just makes successes even more rewarding. If you go into training recognizing that your pyr is just as smart (if not smarter) than you, training will be incredibly enjoyable. Personally, I love the challenge of a smart, independent dog. The kind of dog that doesn’t plop into a sit in half a second. The kind of dog that makes me think outside the box. However, that doesn’t mean I snap their collars when they don’t listen or force them off of the couch. It means I became less noticeable than their breed instincts and I need to determine how to get us back on track.

From day one, Mauja and Atka were trained through positive reinforcement. Neither of them have growled at me or tried to “take over the house”. They aren’t possessive and they don’t make the rules. These are things the articles assured me would happen if I didn’t show my pyr I was “alpha”. Mauja and Atka sit politely for food, toys, and to get their leashes on for a walk – regardless of whether or not I have a treat. In true pyr fashion they take their sweet time, but they enjoy my affection and praise. They do this because we have a strong bond, not because they are avoiding consequences.

I challenge everyone with a Great Pyrenees or other livestock guardian breed to try positive reinforcement training. Enhancing your relationship will bring out the best traits in your dog, not to mention yourself 🙂

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