How to Train a Great Pyrenees to Stay in the Yard

Hello Justin, For dogs who have learned to cross invisible fences, a physical barrier is needed. This fence doesn't have to be something super high or fancy if you build it two feet past where the current invisible fence is and use that in combination with it, to pup approaches the physical barrier, is corrected for getting to close, and learns to not even approach that physical fence. The physical fence makes it so that pup can't just bolt through the yard, speeding past that correction point though. If cost is an issue, if you google "inexpensive fencing ideas", there are some creative ways to build a fence yourself using less expensive materials like pine boards, welded wire fence, refurbished pallet wood (be careful what it's been treated or covered with), or even natural logs and branches on your property if you have woods. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 22, 2022

Hello, Check out the passing approach and Walking Together methods from the article I have linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs Try to do this in an area where a lot of other dogs haven't been since puppy hasn't been fully vaccinated yet - a private fenced in yard big enough to walk the dogs around, or just generally an area where other dogs don't frequent, since diseases like Parvo are most often transmitted through infected/unvaccinated dog's feces. Having pups meet on a walk with two people walking them and gradually decreasing distance as both get used to each other and are calm, then go on a walk together can set a great foundation for a calm interaction. If you have any friends with puppies, I highly recommend doing the Passing Approach and Walking Together methods with them on a walk before bringing pup home to see how your dog does with puppies. If you decide to add a puppy, once you add them, crate train pup, teach the dogs commands like Leave It, Out, and Place, and you be the one to make and enforce the house rules, like no hovering around while the other eats, no blocking or threatening each other, no stealing toys, no being pushy for your attention, ect...If your current dog is pushy or doesn't listen to you well right now, work on that first, so that there will be less of that with both dogs competing later, and so that the dogs are more willing to abide by your rules, instead of trying to make and enforce rules for the other dog themselves. When you cannot supervise the dogs together, puppy should either be crated or in an exercise pen with a dog food stuffed chew toy for entertainment and settling purposes. The confinement helps keep them safe from chewing things destructively, helps with potty training, but also ensures the dogs won't fight while getting to know each other still. You can also tether pup to yourself with a hands free leash (you can add a carabiner to a leash handle to make hands free), to ensure pup doesn't go over to your older dog and pester all the time. You want calm, peaceful co-existence. Don't expect a lot of play or being best friends, especially with the age difference. If they can peacefully co-exist, they will likely learn to enjoy each other's company with age, time, and puppy calming down. A middle of the road puppy that's not overly excitable will probably be the easiest for your current dog. Not the most dominant, exuberant pup, but also not the most submissive, timid one - who could be easily bullied. The middle of the road, a little on the submissive side puppy. Opposite sexes tend to do a little better than same sex, but individual personality will make the most difference. I would highly encouraging safely exposing your dog to some puppies, through a careful gradual process - to ensure puppy's safely, and observe your dog's body language when the puppy is in the area briefly and for longer amounts of time. Many older dogs who are well socialized with other dogs are a bit more tolerant of young puppies than they are with older dogs - there is a grace period many dogs will give until puppies are a certain age, but those dogs who lack social skills can lack the patience and impulse required for a puppy, and view the puppy's antics as highly offensive and deserving of an attack. You need to know where your dog falls with that. Your dog may not be super interested in puppies, which is fine, but you want to make sure they are not out right aggressive toward them. Crate Training -Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - meaning leave the room/space - good for dealing with pushiness or hovering: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ I also highly recommend feeding both dogs in separate closed crates or rooms, to avoid the potential for food fights, or stress of competing for food which could later lead to food aggression with a more dominant dog. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 9, 2021