Do you want a Great Pyrenees puppy? Adding a Great Pyrenees puppy to your home is much different than adding any other breed of puppy. It can be difficult, but if you’re prepared, you will be setting yourself up for an amazing life with your pyr.
We polled thousands of Great Pyrenees lovers for their best tips about adding a Great Pyrenees puppy to your home.
Food and treats
“Find out what their high-value treats are for when you really need them to cooperate, but recognize that not all pyrs are food motivated.” – Emily R.
Great Pyrenees training
“Be consistent with the rules and training! If you let them get away with something when they’re cute and small, they will remember for a long time. It may not be as cute when they’re an 80-pound teenager.” – Lilly N.
“Train from day one the behaviors you want to be followed when the dog is an adult. Don’t let the puppy get away with stuff just because it’s a cute ball of fluff. It’s easier to create good behavior than undo bad habits.” – Michelle V.
“They aren’t Goldens – they are independent. Don’t have the expectation that you can make them behave any differently, and allow them to be themselves.” – Kimberley R.
“Training and socializing immediately – be able to put things in their mouths and take away. They become very large, and they need to know they cannot be aggressive or have issues with resource guarding.” – @johannbashi
“Start leash training immediately, and do not tolerate pulling! That little fluff ball trying to pull you now will be able to easily drag a full grown man in less than a year. – Jessica Y.
“Don’t let them jump up. Your internal organs will thank you later when you teach them to keep those paws off.” – Tara P.
Great Pyrenees grooming
“Bathe them, trim nails, and clean ears, etc. from day one so they’re used to it. All of mine would willingly walk to and get in the tub because they were used to it from the beginning.” – Gail L.
Great Pyrenees socialization
“Socializing is a must, and training is super important, as well. Also, get them familiar with touching paws, mouth, ears, etc. for vet purposes.” – Suzanne H.
“Socialize them right from the get-go – lots of walks but don’t let them lead. Understand from day one that they think they know more than you.” – Dl C.
“Socialize, socialize, socialize. Train, train, train. Embrace the bark. Get a really solid love for fur. – Penny M.
“Socializing and a sense of humor…be patient and invest in a good vacuum!” – Jenn L.
“Socialize as soon as puppy shots allow. Don’t skimp on their food to get that full coat and maintain it. Buy the good grooming stuff… and you’ll only buy once!” – @mntdogsix
Great Pyrenees temperament
“Don’t expect everything to go a certain way or get frustrated when things don’t go as planned. Be patient and appreciate your pup’s personality.” – Julie K.
“Block all the escape routes – they are master escape artists.” – Jo-anne S.
“Do your research. If you think you understand the level of barking, realize that in fact, you DO NOT understand (30 mins of “alerting” me to the danger of the neighbor sneezing 2 acres over). – Katelyn M.
“Read, read, read all you can on the breed first. Train early, then love, love, love, and enjoy that baby. They grow soooo fast. – Roseanne A.
“Don’t underestimate their speed and NEVER leave the door open ;)” – @debihuston
“Extreme patience and never give up on them.” – Dominic K.
“Be gentle. They get their feelings hurt easily. And be aware; they’re very smart, but headstrong!” – @d_w_scott
General Pyrenees tips
“I mean, it’s pure conjecture, but maybe burn all your black pants in the backyard…” – Bryn N., A Dog Walks Into a Bar
“Love. Busy paws are happy paws. Give them safe things to chew!” – Terryl M.
“Stairs! Be careful with them near stairs. Their fast-growing frame can get damaged if they go racing down and jumping.” – @shadowwulf
“Find a good pet sitter so that person will be familiar with your pyr when you need to go away.” – Emmy S.
“Keep the chew toys replenished, and remember to enjoy the cuteness through the annoying parts.” – @pyr_yoshi_and_fam
“Introduce slowly, and work with all pets together to know they are all part of a pack.” – Valerie M.
Most importantly…
“Whatever a ‘normal’ puppy would do, the Pyrenees will do two times faster, and then over, and over, and over. They have no fear of anything, and if you don’t keep the windows closed, you may come home to your Pyrenees puppy enjoying a rooftop moment.” – Colin Noel Vickers, Dogslife
We had so many amazing responses, but we couldn’t include them all here. Head over to Facebook and Instagram for the complete list of tips if you want a Great Pyrenees puppy!
>> Check out our Great Pyrenees puppy essentials <<
They’re intelligent and fearless and will hold a grudge for a loooong time, so they respond much better to patient, positive reinforcement than intimidation. Respect and love them as partners and they will reward you with tremendous loyalty.
I totally agree. I would also add, if you DON’T want a guardian dog- do not get a Pyr…..period. I have a 4 yr old 152 lb, not an ounce of fat, incredibly strong, incredibly fearless that I have guided, not trained. He is fabulous to be around. Unbelievably intelligent. Totally and I mean totally trustworthy with my 3, 5, 6 and 9 year old grandchildren, totally. Where they are, he is. If they are separated, he is in between. Trying to harm one will allow you to meet a Great Pyrenees and the Good Lord at the same time.
Love this. I presently have a 10 month old. He is our 5th great pyr over the last 25 years. They are the best breed ever! Parting with them is the worst hurt ever. Wish God had given them much longer life spans and less susceptibility to bone cancer😥
These are the most intelligent and affectionate dogs ever. My pyr woke me up one night – she was only four months old, and my blood sugar was dangerously low. Now that she guards my animals at night, my bedroom window looks like a bear attacked it. She sleeps outside my window, makes her property rounds about every hour and alerts me when my blood sugar is low by scratching on my window and barking. She is very independent as I would have kept her in the house forever but she made the decision to go outside and protect our livestock so now I just let her come in when she wants to. At 90 lbs and 20 months, she has already proven herself many times over.
How does your Pyr know when your blood sugar is low?
I believe it is in every dogs nature to do so, I know my grandmother had a Australian Shepherd that could detect it with no training to do so.
My question too y’all is I got my first pyr yesterday and she’s super skiddish around me. I’ve done nothing but love her and pet her and tell her what a beautiful girl she is. And she does not respond too much. Am I doing something wrong or am I being the impatient one. She’s 7 weeks old by the way
There have been studies that show your “scent” changes when you’re sick, have low blood sugar, or even have something serious like cancer. A lot of dogs can literally smell when you’re unwell even long before you know it yourself.
Be sure they are properly fenced. I have a 7 yr old who can clear a 6 foot fence.
Pyrenees is one of my favorite puppies. These puppies are very easy to train. They learn easily if taught with affection. Loved your post!!
My 4 year old Pyrenees sleeps for 15-20 hours a day, though I’ve been observing all sorts of safe practices for him like giving him the best food with nutrients like liver, a consistent dose of vitamins,providing the best shelter for him and giving him only safe,non-toxic, biodegradable pet products (amazingly Got eco-friendly pet dish and toothbrush from http://www.petique.com) Still I am worried sick that he’s now so obese and unhealthy 🙁
Nice post…!
Your article is so accurate. I have 3 females, all rescues. Took about a year to get each one to learn MY rules. Hard to undo bad habits, but they have come a long way. Love my girls.
I also love this a lot. You have shared some very very valuable information’s & idea here. Nice one.
We have just purchased our 5th pyr puppy – 11 weeks . The only breed we would ever purchase – she has a lot of paws to fill. She has every personality of all of our late pyrs combined. She can hear a potato chip being consumed 3 floors away. Talks back but the love is intense.
Our very first Pyr, about 1 1/2 years old. A friend of my wife came over with her newborn. After the necessary oohing and awing, she laid her on a blanket on the living room floor. The Pyr came and sniffed her, then laid down and curled himself around the baby. It was the first human baby he had ever encountered, but he just knew.
Getting our first pyr tomorrow so I need all the info I mean I know enough about dogs but knowing all the little extra things are a great help. Are they good with people with severe anxiety? And the grooming of their fur… Is it true that as long as you keep hem brushed they won’t she’d as much maybe either way I love brushing my other dogs I had I hope the furrrrr baby loves it too
We have a second puppy. Thor! He’s 13 weeks. Our other one is 19 months. She’s (Sheeba) doing ok with him during the day. Plays a lot! Night time and her (I want my alone time) not so much. Kennel and leash training on Thor going slowwwwww. We’ll get it. We love them. Patience is key!!
I’ve been reading up on everyone’s comments. All I can say is thank you for this advice and knowledge. I get my baby boy next month. Right now my son has him in Tennessee, he is 7 weeks old and 17 pounds. His name is Finn, Finn is Gaelic for fair haired so I thought that fit lol. Again, thank you all
We just bought our 2nd Pyr. She is 7 weeks old 13 pounds. She is extremely bright. Looking forward to raising one from a puppy. She learns very quickly. Our other Pyr is an 8 year old male that we rescued at a year old. He has been difficult at times but I would never want to change who he is. He is a great dog. My wife grudgingly agrees (I think)