Ah yes Terry - you are a "hands on" pyr owner -
carefully socializing and training your dog to be well mannered. As we all know,
many pyrs are very strong and single minded characters who need that
hands on approach to shape and mould their personalities to make them a joy to
be with. It is these "strong" dogs that I admire the most. Just leaving a
young pup to his/her own devices in an outside pen - and then hoping that it
will grow up with manners - no food aggression etc - is just "pie in
the sky". What a waste of potential! You would be saddened to know that
even the so called experts in the breed don't always practice what they
preach.
I have a 17 month old male right now, who when
younger, did not like to surrender "contraband" to me. Some of his prizes were a
dead gopher, a leather glove, a childs shoe. I used to "swap" with him for a
treat - and a hug. Now he is pretty good at relinquishing his booty - and
for sure, he knows better than to growl!!
Lots of early attention and socializing with
gentle and consistant discipline - and you
will reap the rewards for a lifetime.
Geraldine
SheepRiver Great Pyrenees and Japanese
Chin
www.sheepriver.com
|