If you are looking into adopting a Great Pyrenees, be sure to plan on some obedience training in your future. These are lovely animals who will grow up to be the protective gentle giants they can be provided you invest in obedience training. They are adorable bounding balls of fur when they are young but that cute factor is thrown out the window the first time your Great Pyrenees accidentally "tackles" you.
Start immediately on your training with your Great Pyrenees. By beginning early, you can get a handle on your dog before he grows into those huge feet and is harder to control. House breaking, basic commands and training on a leash will serve you in good stead. Be sure to incorporate plenty of play time into your training. Believe it or not, they are learning even when they are being rambunctious pups. They will learn to come to you when called and maintain eye contact. He will also learn when you are receptive to giving him a good ear scratching or belly rub.
Positive reinforcement works best with the Great Pyrenees. It can be heart breaking to see this growing gentle giant of a pup be fearful of you if scolded or reprimanded harshly. Be firm and consistent but keep your voice gentle too. Take plenty of breaks so that you don't overtax your Pyrenees pup. And once he is vaccinated, start socializing him with other people and dogs. This exposure to the "outside world" at an early age will teach him confidence.
Obedience training classes may also be helpful to you, especially if you have never trained a dog before. Here are a few things to look for in a training class:
* Has the trainer worked with Great Pyrenees before? How about other giant breeds? They should be diversified and have had exposure to a number of breeds. * Is the trainer truly interested in your Pyrenees pup? Does the trainer ask questions about your dog - its personality, habits, etc.? * Ask the trainer about their beliefs in types of training reinforcement. Positive ways are the best using a reward/reprimand system. * Be sure that the obedience trainer does not conform to a specific method on your dog. She should recognize that each dog is an individual and will respond differently.
If you plan to go it alone in regards to obedience training, there are a few Great Pyrenees traits to keep in mind. They can make a difference in how your train him. First, understand that historically, the Great Pyrenees were working dogs. They tended to and herded sheep in the mountains. They are alert, independent and smart because they had to be in order to spot predators that could harm the sheep.
When training, know that your Great Pyrenees will be calm and lay back for the most part. They have been accustomed to being a watcher and being still a lot when working. Therefore, you may have some problems getting them to do any retrieving games like fetch. However, because they are highly intelligent, they will easily pick up on the basic commands like sit, stay, down and come. Be sure to spice up your training routines because they can become easily bored. They will switch themselves in the "off" position if they are disinterested. Have you ever tried to move one of these dogs if they do want to be moved? Yikes!
Overall, your Great Pyrenees prove to be an excellent pet with lots of love and some obedience training. They definitely earn the nickname "Gentle Giant."
