Second thoughts

[Whisper]

Hello all! I'm a newbee to this group about to become a new Mom to my first Pyr, but after all I am reading I'm having second thoughts. I've trained Rotties, Shepherds and other assorted canines, but from all I've been reading...Gee you guys are scaring me. My pyr is 4 months old (haven't picked her up yet) and your usual bouncy, friendly puppy. I have other dogs also; and cats and a couple of horses. My rottie has bone cancer and doesn't have much time left. He is the one that makes the rounds and watches over everything, especially our "killer rabbits" <G>. She would be mostly outside, but would come into the house at night. My hay man has a pair of pyr's and they had a litter of pups. He thinks they are wonderful with his stock. I guess what I am needing is a little more encouragement since all the sites I have visited are alot of beware of this and beware of that. I forgot to mention that I have an invisible fence around approx. 2 1/2 acres. Would this contain her. Keeps the Rottie contained very well. Anyway I would appreciate any input you can give me. Thanks alot! :confused:

[fluffylove]

Invisible fencing can work on pyrs, however if it's of great interest no invisible fence will keep the dog in.

Don't be afraid of these discussions, there are plenty of people without any problems. Do not however assume you can train and expect the same things out of rotties as out of pyrs. I have had a rottie, pyrs are MUCH more intelligent, thinking wise. Pyrs dont' perform tricks like rots or GSD.

Was your rot neutered at a young age by any chance? A study came out one with rotties and another with all breeds that the younger you neutere a dog the more likely it is to have bone cancer, about 4x the chance.

Do your research, they shed, bark, and wonder away, very protective, dont' come when called unless they feel like it, they are more like cats, very protective cats!

[Whisper]

Thank you for answering my questions; I really appreciate it. I'm to pick her up next week and can hardly wait.
I figure that I will only be able to leave her loose when I am home which fortunately is most of the time, that way I will be able to keep an eye on her.
Rafe (rottie) was about a year when he was fixed, but I have a friend that used to raise them and the breed is particularly prone to that type of cancer. Sadly she lost four of her show dogs to it.
Well I'm always up for a challange so I guess "Here we go!!"
Thanks again! :)

[fluffylove]

Yeah, it's sad. We had a rottie girl for 11 years, loved her to death and she was truly exceptional and some things she did were truly miraculous!
Pyrs are VERY VERY different! I got very frustrated at the beginning because I wasn't quite sure what to expect of my boy.

Potty training is not hard with them generally, but you need to keep an eye on her, the second you see the squat pick and run out the door!
She's lucky she has so much room to run.

Crate training is a great tool too, because if something happens and she needs to be crated she will know it and be comfortable in it. Not sure if you've ever used one for training.

Have fun, take lots of pics. It's a different breed from your taditional dogs. Remember very cat like, and they often don't care about food, they turn their heads away from it, and if the dog doesn't eat for a few days, even as a puppy, don't worry much about it as long as she is her same old self. My dog just recently started eating kind of ok, but still starves himself regularly.

You getting your pup from a breeder?

[Whisper]

All I can say is WOW. I picked up my beautiful girl, Adara, last week and I am just totally thrilled with her. I thought my rotties and shepherds were smart...this little, and I use that term loosly<G>, had never been in a house before. She went to mess in the hall and I caught her. Picked her up, with much effort on my part, told her no and brought her outside. Since that time she has not peed or pooped once in the house. She goes to the door and sits there til I bring her out. I was totally amazed. I have a basket on the floor that I put dried flowers in, she went to chew on it, as all puppies will do; she is now just 4 months old; I saw what she was doing, told her no and put the item back on the floor again...she has not touched it again! I can't believe it! Thank goodness my second thoughts didn't win out as I would have missed a treasure!

[midwestgirl]

I'm so glad you like your pyr! I love my boy, he's about a year old now. He's the sweetest dog, pyrs have such a sweet, gentle way.

Is it still going well with your little one?