In some ways, the Great Pyrenees embodies all we love in our canine companions. They’re protecting but affected person, calm and pensive, with a benevolent, loving character that makes these mild giants too simple to like. Finding fault isn’t simple with this admirable breed, but when there’s one battle many homeowners underestimate, it’s coaching.
Pyrs aren’t dominating or unruly, however their independence can simply result in proprietor frustration whereas coaching. If you’re questioning the right way to practice your canine to grow to be the obedient, outgoing pet you need, we’ll make the method as easy as doable with these ten suggestions and tips for coaching a Great Pyrenees.
How to Train a Great Pyrenees
1. Be Persistently Patient and Positive
New Great Pyrenees homeowners should calm down their expectations for obedience for his or her sake and their canine’. Pyrs are clever, however not within the sense they’ll shortly be taught tips and new instructions. They’re considerate, usually weighing outcomes and usually performing on what they determine is finest.
It’s simple to get pissed off at this stubbornness for those who beforehand had obedient pets. Be affected person. Don’t repeat cues and threat poisoning them, and don’t react in a means that might injury your bond. Give your canine time to reply and assist them see the worth in following your lead. Always search for methods to bolster desired behaviors whereas ignoring undesirable habits.
Pyrs are delicate, so you will need to keep away from punishment and unfavorable suggestions. They might not all the time be compliant, however they’re usually well-meaning. While each household companion warrants a optimistic coaching strategy, Great Pyrenees are arguably the final breed to deserve harsh punishment.
2. Train Obedience Basics and Practice “Learn to Earn”
Although obedience received’t be your Pyr’s hallmark, you possibly can’t skimp on coaching. Puppy lessons are a wonderful thought, offering early socialization opportunities with different canine and foundational obedience coaching to make your canine extra tolerant and cooperative. At house, give attention to the fundamentals, notably the next:
- Sit/keep
- Recall
- Down/keep
- Leave it/drop it
Practice these instructions each day, however don’t grow to be pissed off for those who can’t get 100% cooperation. Use them to coach persistence and cooperation all through the day in a “be taught to earn” strategy. For occasion, have your Pyr sit earlier than placing their meals down or make them wait earlier than leaving the home for a stroll. Doing so will educate persistence, encourage calm conduct, and set up your place because the gateway to all the great issues.
3. Be Confident, Firm, and Unyieldingly Consistent
Set boundaries and requirements for conduct from day one, guaranteeing that everybody within the household is dedicated to them. If you aren’t constant and permit your Pyr to do one thing “simply this one time” (e.g., getting on the sofa, leaping on you to greet you), your canine will keep in mind it, primarily poisoning the rule you’ve set. Your canine will get a style of the choice, understand it’s doable, and make your guidelines tougher to implement.
Stay constant and agency whereas remaining optimistic. Promote an environment of respect between you and your canine. Show that you take care of your canine, however don’t give them what they need in the event that they don’t heed your expectations.
4. Train Daily however Keep the Sessions Short
Obedience routines aren’t the common Great Pyrenees’s forte, however they’re nonetheless a vital a part of coaching behaviors and sustaining your place because the chief of the home. Keep them brief, and give attention to success so your canine stays motivated.
Start with fundamental instructions, and be affected person as they be taught what you need (or what earns them a reward). Keep classes to about 5 minutes, ending whereas your canine is totally engaged. Any longer, and also you’ll discover they’ll usually get bored and determine they wish to do one thing else.
If you chop the session brief when you have your canine’s consideration, you’ll go away them wanting extra, making future coaching classes extra thrilling for them.
5. Arrange Puppy Playdates
Great Pyrenees develop up shortly, and socializing is essential earlier than they get too giant to deal with. The important interval for canine is 3–14 weeks, so you will need to prioritize protected publicity to numerous individuals, animals, and conditions whenever you carry your pet house from the breeder. Since they doubtless received’t have all their photographs, you will need to take further precautions to stop pointless infections.
Talk to family and friends with well-behaved, vaccinated canine who can go to for playdates. Supervise the interactions to make sure your Great Pyrenees can create optimistic associations with the presence of different canine and folks. Make playdates frequent, and attempt to expose your canine to as many animals as doable to generalize their conduct.
6. Spend Quality Time to Nurture Your Bond
The Great Pyrenees don’t want extreme train to remain wholesome, however each day exercise and enrichment are essential in retaining them calm and fostering the sturdy bond that can make coaching simpler. Take your canine for each day walks, letting them sniff and discover. They’ll tire out whereas having enjoyable, solidifying the connection between their optimistic emotions and your presence.
7. Be Mindful of Resource Guarding
Resource guarding could be a difficulty in a multi-dog family which will spill over into battle with homeowners for those who don’t attempt to forestall it. Don’t give your Pyr a purpose or the possibility to be possessive, as it might trigger long-term battle.
Be cautious about what you supply to your canine. Bones and long-lasting toys can shortly put a Pyr on edge if one other canine approaches them, and poor socialization could make them overly anxious and cautious. Make assets ample and equitable, and monitor for aggressive indicators.
If you will need to take away one thing your Pyr is guarding, preserve tasty treats readily available so you can also make a commerce that received’t make them really feel like they’re shedding one thing worthwhile.
8. Give Your Great Pyrenees a Job
Since they had been bred to work, Great Pyrenees thrive after they have a way of goal. They’re all the time guardians, however defending the house isn’t one thing that requires motion daily, particularly for those who reside in a quiet, protected neighborhood. To preserve your Pyr stimulated, take into account giving them a job, resembling:
- Patrolling the house
- Picking up toys
- Nosework exterior and indoors
- Puzzle toys
Ideally, you’ll have loads of house for them to roam safely, like an expansive, fenced-in yard. If you decide to leash coaching early, you are able to do extra exploratory hikes to provide your Pyr ample train, time to smell, and an opportunity to safe their territory by patrolling it.
9. Weather the Adolescent Period
The Great Pyrenees will attain adolescence at round 6–10 months, some extent when a lot of your efforts seemingly exit the window. Adolescence might final till your canine is eighteen months previous, however it might typically prolong previous their second 12 months. New fears and behaviors might emerge, and any obedience you’ve developed will usually regress.
Like youngsters, canine undergo this transitional interval on their method to maturity to check their attachments and handle their hormonal adjustments. It could be irritating for homeowners, however you will need to keep the course and stay constant in your coaching and optimistic reinforcement. Encourage however don’t pressure interactions.
Have company supply treats to point out they’re non-threatening and helpful, and proceed rewarding the behaviors you need whereas gently dissuading undesirable habits.
10. Handling an Independent-Minded Canine
Great Pyrenees aren’t essentially dominating over handlers, however their lengthy lineage has nurtured an unbiased mindset. The historical breed has existed for over 3,000 years, with some placing their origins at over 10,000 years in the past.
For centuries, the canine labored to safe their shepherds’ herd from wolves and different hazards, with their white coats mixing amongst their flock. Owners developed them to work independently, removed from guiding fingers. With this protecting intuition got here nurturing personalities. Pyrs are loving protectors, whether or not for animals within the area or household within the house.
In this centuries-long function, guardian traits are central to the trendy breed, and we nonetheless see their worth right this moment. In 2024, a Great Pyrenees named Casper even received the People’s Choice Pup award from the American Farm Bureau for defending his flock towards a pack of 11 coyotes, eight of which he killed regardless of struggling quite a few accidents!
Final Thoughts
Great Pyrenees have an innate drive to be form and guard their family. They’re hardworking and dependable, however that doesn’t imply they’ll excel at obedience. Unquestioning compliance was by no means a breed focus, as handlers primarily valued their drive and confidence, trusting them to do their due diligence with minimal prompting.
Today’s Great Pyrenees keep true to nature, which received’t align with typical expectations for on a regular basis companion breeds. Although you’ll face distinctive hurdles whereas creating good behaviors, retaining a humorousness, staying affected person, and appreciating your canine’s priorities will make them one of the lovable animals you may hope for.
Featured Image Credit: Danita Delimont, Shutterstock