Re: [pyrnet] Paranoid Pyrenees (Long)

["Amy Bailey" <newbailey@attbi.com>]

Stacy,

We had a nasty neighbor for a while (late stages of Alztheimers so we knew
it couldn't last forever and wasn't actually his fault) and it certainly
changed all three of the dogs outlook on the yard while he was around.

If she doesn't cause any problems in the house, can she stay in?

There are some fancy dog doors which use a radio transmitter on the dogs
collar to activate a lock on the door.  They are intended to keep all of the
neighborhood dogs and cats from using the door to visit while allowing your
animal access.  Expensive, but so are all of the other changes you have
tried.

Amy





----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob & Stacey Korn" <mushroom@gator.net>
To: <pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 8:29 AM
Subject: [pyrnet] Paranoid Pyrenees (Long)


> Hi all, I usually lurk more than I reply and post, but I was hoping some
> of you could help me out with a problem regarding my Pyr/Maremma cross.
> Juma is 3 years old and of late has taken to being totally panicked when
> she's left alone outside.  We have left her outside during the day from
> the time she was 5 months old.  She currently has 2 fenced acres to run
> around and regular access to our screened porch (where she likes to lay
> on the cold cement floor).
>
> She has gotten into a routine where she will wait until my husband Rob
> and I have left for the day, then will get out of the fencing and trek
> 1.5 miles down our private easement to our friend's house.  Our friend
> has a key to our house, so she loads Juma in her truck, drives her home,
> and puts her inside for the rest of the day.  Juma has been persistent
> about getting out; we've thwarted her attempts at four different dig
> spots, but she continues to try to escape at these spots.  We have a 2x4
> buried along the base of the gate, we've put in an electric fence along
> the north and west sides of our property (which I hate, but it only took
> Juma one shock on the nose to avoid that area--sometimes we don't even
> leave it on), and we've added extra fencing along the bottom of a third
> corner, buried along the ground.
>
> Today, while Rob was getting ready for work, I left in my car to go tend
> to the neighbor's dog.  Juma was in the yard and was quite insistent
> about getting into my car and going with me.  I left her in the fenced
> area.  By the time I returned 10 minutes later, she had furiously
> attempted to dig out under the gate again.  I reprimanded her for it,
> then let her come inside with me.  When she realized Rob was still home,
> she wouldn't leave his side.  After he went to work, she spent about ten
> minutes pacing the house, seeming to search for him.
>
> On occasion, I have heard our other neighbor (who lives about 100 feet
> from us) shooting a gun.  Juma has always been skiddish around loud
> noises like guns and firecrackers.  I'm assuming this is part of her
> panic when she's outside.  Once, I came home to the sound of the
> neighbor shooting, and was greeted by a hyperventilating Pyrenees who
> bolted to me from under our storage barn on the back of the property
> (where she rarely ever goes).
>
> My questions are these:
>
> (1) How can I get Juma to not panic at loud noises such as guns and
> firecrackers?  Would it be feasible to desensitize her by frequently
> exposing her to such noises?
>
> (2) How can I eliminate her desire to dig out, even when it's quiet
> outside?
>
> (3) Is it feasible to provide her with a doggie door leading directly
> into the house (given that, with a Pyr's size, it would also be big
> enough for an intruding human to enter)?
>
> Talking to the neighbor is out of the question; we are not on good
> terms, and I wouldn't feel right asking anyone to restrict their own
> activity on their own property anyway.
>
> I am very concerned that one of these days she will find a new spot to
> dig out, will take a new exploratory route to a farmer's chicken coop,
> and will be shot.  The possibility of getting hit by a car is also
> there, although it's lessened based on the fact that she would have to
> travel almost 2 miles before encountering a major road.
>
> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Sorry this is so long.
>
> Stacey Korn
>
>
>
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