Re: [pyrnet] Adult Pyr Escape Behavior

["Beth" <pugalesco@earthlink.net>]

"The most recent is due to the adopted 2 year old female Pyr escaping
their fence and, the straw that broke the camel's back, is a couple
accidents of the Pyr urinating on the family's bed. "

I'm not an animal behaviorist either, but listened to one on the radio for
many years while living in LA.  Warren Eckstein is an awesome animal
behaviorist, and would be a great resource to contact on why this dog might
be doing some of the things she's doing.  He has call-in radio programs on
both KRLA in Los Angeles and WOR in New York (toll free numbers too!).  You
can listen to his program over the web and will likely hear other callers
having the same issues that you are having.  Here's a link to Warren
Eckstein's website http://warreneckstein.com/

As I recall, when listeners contacted him regarding dogs suddenly peeing on
the bed, he said that the bed was the place where the scent of the owners
was the strongest in the house, and that as long as the dog was otherwise
healthy, that the incident was likely caused by insecurity or fear of
abandonment type issues...kind of a Hansel & Gretel thing to help you find
your way home!  He suggested that the caller begin feeding the dog on the
spot (in a dish of course)where the dog had peed because most dogs are
pretty clean animals and don't want to eat or hang out in the same places
they've been peeing.  My little pug has peed on our bed a couple of times
when she's had bladder infections, but no other time...so checking the
problem out with the Vet first is probably a good idea.  I've followed
Warren's good advice on other behavioral matters on a number of occasions
with great success.

As far as her trying to escape from the yard, Warren would likely tell you
that she's bored with the activities available in your backyard i.e..; not
enough toys, no playmates, etc..  Personally, I would wonder if she might
miss the family she was with originally or if she was just plain used to
escaping from her old yard so she's just continuing the behavior in her new
yard.  I really admire the work that you rescue folks do. Thanks and good
luck with her.

Beth, Worf (GP), Kali (GSD) & Kira (PUG)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <greatpyreneesrescue@restmypaws.com>
To: <pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 3:22 AM
Subject: [pyrnet] Adult Pyr Escape Behavior


>
>  Hello,  I do Great Pyr rescue in Georgia.  While I do my best to screen
> potential adopters, I do not always get permanent homes and have the Pyrs
> returned.  It seems a few have been really good potential homes, too.
> The most recent is due to the adopted 2 year old female Pyr escaping
> their fence and, the straw that broke the camel's back, is a couple
> accidents of the Pyr urinating on the family's bed.  The couple also is
> owned by a Bernese Mountain Dog so they are accustomed a large dogs and
> the Berner appears happy and content, and was recently neutered.
>  The couple adores the adopted rescue Pyr and are crushed she tries to
> escape.  I tried to explain that, while I am not an animal behaviorist,
> that Pyrs inherently are accustomed to having a huge territory with which
> to explore and many will take the opportunity to do so if given the
> chance.  Maybe not all, but many.  The Pyr, elsewise, is tremendously
> sweet to them, and likes to stay close by when home.  I've suggested this
> list and the Pyr-L list for them to join and begin discussion with Pyr
> experts who might know more than I.
>  I've had two Pyrs, still have one.  My big boy traveled over the Rainbow
> Bridge a little over a year ago due to Addison's disease complications at
> about 5 years old.  That rascal would gallop off to explore in a
> heartbeat if he could, not run nor charge off, but would just gallop off,
> grinning with his tongue lapping out, as though his territory was
> extended far beyond my house/property.  My girl, though, now close to 8,
> would likely not venture off if I left the gate open all day.  I adopted
> her when she was 3 years old, and the big boy when he was 5 months old.
> So I cannot say age would necessarily be the reason.  Both of mine were
> rescue adoptions.
>  But with the ones rescue and adopt, I do not know their complete
> background.  One of my rescues will get out of my fence in a heartbeat
> where he found loose dirt due to erosion and has done so four times.
> Always found and returned and/or retrieved, though, due to tags and
> microchip id's.  This same escape artist wants to be right under foot,
> though, when I'm nearby, and loves to sleep at my bedside on the floor.
>  To make this long story a little shorter, any experience with (1)
> re-training to not escape, and (2) what about the pee'ing on the bed?
> Any ideas of what the Pyr might be saying in that regard?  I didn't have
> any problems with her when she was here at my house/property and she
> slept on the bed downstairs.   She was vet checked and appeared okay
> after she was treated for whips and one of the very sweetest and
> gentlest.
> I might have anywhere from 1-7 rescue Pyrs adoptable at any one time so
> they can not always have the privileges of all sleeping with me, although
> I might love it, I just don't have a bed that big. :>
>  Thanks!
> Dena
>
>
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