[pyrnet] Funny Story about Walking off leash

[Mark_Harrison@colliers.com]

I am the new guy on the block and when I joined the list a few days ago I
had asked a couple of questions about the Great Pyr.  Whether in fact they
were harder to train than other dogs and whether they could be let off the
leash reliably to go for walks.  Most people that e-mailed me said yes they
can be hard to train because they have a mind of their own and more
importantly, they can not be trusted off the leash.  Therefore, I responded
to those people letting them know that I was about to meet a fellow that
had trained his Pyr off the leash and the dog was only 5 months old and
that he had no problems with the dog not heeling or coming when he was
called.  Well we met Nick, the owner and his 5 month old Pyr, Guinness.  We
went for a nice leisurely walk with Guinness on the leash and then Nick
said "watch this he is great".  Sure enough the dog was heeling and did not
wander very far away from us.  However, five minutes later the fun started.
Guinness went into the bushes and got farther and farther away.  When Nick
called for him he just went on his merry way not paying one ounce of
attention to Nick.  Finally once we all came out of the trees, Guinness
finally coming out fifteen minutes later, when he felt like it, and then he
proceeded down the block with Nick yelling wildly after him "come Guinness.
Guinness come".  I will give you three guesses who had to go to who to get
him back in the yard.  Yup, Nick disappeared for a good ten minutes trying
to get his dog back.  I was laughing at him so hard and he kept claiming it
was the first time it ever happened.  Anyway, the dog was beautiful and
seemed very happy and friendly.  Let me tell you though after that meeting
and a surprise conversation with a breeder locally that has some Bernese
Mountain Dog pups coming available, I may decide to go Bernese this time
and then Pyr next.  Maybe I will go Bernese first and then a year later go
Pyr.  The potato chip craving I figure can be for different flavors but
still for chips!  Thanks for all your comments confirming what I had read
(along with my experience with Guinness) that they are a leash dog and I
have some final decision making to do.  I love it!! Guinness had Nick
trained!!!