How to Train a Great Pyrenees to Stay in the Yard

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

Hello, First, know that four months is an age where puppies tend to get more curious and are less dependent on their people to feel secure - which means that things like Come and automatically following you around decrease if you don't intentionally practice it - what you are experiencing is probably normal for a puppy his age. Check out the Reel In method linked below for teaching Come - that method will help pup learn that coming is not optional, while still helping to motivate pup to want to come. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall More come - the premack principle section of this article especially: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-to-come-when-called/ As far as only obeying when there are treats, I recommend phasing the treats out gradually, using life rewards to motivate pup for obeying throughout the day, and potentially switching to a method that works on proofing a command (which is where you practice teaching pup that obedience is not optional and work up to distractions). To phase out treats, practice pup's obedience but only give a treat every third Sit, or for sits that are better than previous sits - like quickly responding - make pup work a bit more for the treat and keep them guessing on when it will come, but don't phase out all together immediately, and do continue to praise pup every time they do what's asked. To use life rewards, begin telling pup to sit before you give them things they want - like sit before petting them, sit before opening the front door for a walk, sit before setting their food bowl down, sit before tossing a toy, ect...What they want becomes the reward and pup also learns to sit in every day life and not just during training sessions. When you tell pup to sit, and you know they heard you and understand, then simply wait until they do, repeating the command only after 5 minutes. At first, you may wait 10 minutes before they finally sit. If you are consistent pup should realize you mean business and get quicker at obeying gradually. If pup really wants what you have, they should be motivated enough - like waiting for that walk or dinner. Finally, there are times when you need to enforce the command gently but more insistently. You will need to do the above things I have mentioned too though. Check out the article linked below. Pressure method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-sit Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Steve, What is pup barking at? It sound like pup needs a combination things. Desensitization to whatever is triggering the barking - some dogs enjoy the activity of barking itself and others are overly sensitive to certain things - leaves, squirrels, people, dogs, ect...and need to be desensitized. Mental and physical exercise. What does pup's mental exercise look like as far as training, games that make them think, or toys that require thought like puzzled toys? Look for activities that stimulate pup's mind and body, like the above suggestions, walks that involve commands like a structured heel, practicing Down and Sit. Desensitization article: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hi there! These breeds can be tricky to train. They are very independent dogs who appreciate their solitude. I have worked with quite a few. If she doesn't know her basic commands yet, that is a good place to start. That will teach her that the words coming out of your mouth are expectations, not just blank words. I would start with sit, lay down, stay, and leave it. There are step by step instructions on Google for teaching these commands. If you have any questions on these, please feel free to write in again!

Beautiful! This breed needs lots of exercise a day. Typically, this breed does not stay in the yard - they have the lineage of being a herding dog who roams the mountains - they really need to be fenced. If you are not able to fence your yard, you can try the Boundary Training Method and the Perimeter Method as described here: https://wagwalking.com/training/stay-in-an-unfenced-yard/. But never let Jack out in the yard on his own. Until you are confident that Jack will stay in the yard, keep him on a leash. Take Jack to obedience classes as well where they can teach you all the skills he needs to know to obey. Recall will be essential! Start working on the Reel in Method here: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall/. Good luck!