Pyrenees Working Dog Status: Jobs at Home

[vin63]

When I take my dogs to the store, or on general trips, I often get asked about my Pyrenees and what jobs do they have; the typical questions include, do they guard sheep, goats, etc? Or, are they ranch dogs that patrol the property? Are they draft dogs that pull carts or equipment? Anyway, I wanted to see if anyone else have specific jobs for their Pyrenees.

My Pyrenees's specialty is bed warming. They both seem to know when it's bed time and they make their way onto the comforter about a half-hour before we actually go to bed, so the bed is nice and warm. :p It took intense training and years of behavior modification to accomplish this important job....just kidding - my dogs are so spoiled. ;)

[ragingbull83]

Yea Mine is Spoiled too only had him a month he was a working dog with sheep on a farm but now he's retired since I got him doesnt seem to mind that much either.

Ill take him a lot on the construction site with me I thought he would just guard me. Not true he wont anyone near my truck he doesnt know which I dont mind its full of expensive tools.

Just his size willl shy most people away except for kids if hes on guard or not some kid comes by hell want to be petted. He loves kids ive got a 12 year old brother sometimes think my dogs likes him more then me haha

Guess its good for a Farmer to have a working dog but id much rather have my PYR by my side.
The other day he learned to open the doors in the house never getting another breed of dog the rest of my life.

[fluffylove]

My Boy does not warm my bed, he wants his crate and that's it. Even bought memory foam, nope, the crate is where it's at.
Guarding is their first and foremost PASSION in life. It's beautiful to watch them do what they had been bred to do. Mine is also a working therapy dog, they are great at that. I've done carting and tracking with him, as well as rally obedience and skirjoing if you call that a 'job'. I heard of one that was a search and rescue dog. Mine also does education at shows. I get often asked about seeing eye dog stuff, but they aren't for that. People don't understand their purpose in what they were bred to do. They are formidable guardian dogs, not guard dogs. People in Saskachewan use them against mountain lions. They MUST not be trained for protection like rots/dobs/GSD etc. It will ruin the dog and creat unpredictable aggression. They know how much to use and when to do their 'job'. If they are trained like other dogs, they will never go for the arm, they will strike at the neck for the kill. Check out the AKC website under the great pyr club of america, they have versatility awards, showing how versatile pyrs really are. My boy got his first one.

http://clubs.akc.org/gpca/gpcaclub.html

I always make sure we are BOTH enjoying what we do. We love rally obedience, he makes people laugh histerically when we doing trials!

[ragingbull83]

Im not worried about him fluffy he sits by the stuff hes really looking after me hasnt growled or ripped anyones throat out i ment that hes just looking out realize hes not a guard dog.
he will do what ever i ask there hasnt been any problems there either thats what is so nice about having a grown dog he doesnt do the things that puppys do

[ragingbull83]

How old is your boy Vin?

[vin63]

Sebastian (my avatar) is about 4 years, as well as our female, Isabella. Although we are not completely sure since both are rescues and they were both strays.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj33/vin63/Our%20Puppies/Bell_Sebastian2a.jpg
Isabella (looking at the camera) and Sebastian supervising me in my office.

[ragingbull83]

Good looking dogs Vin

[fluffylove]

That pic should be in the 09 calendar!!! NIce to see your dogs so well groomed. I see so many that are a mess. Yours are magestic.

[vin63]

Thanks! They're both in the house 99% of the time, so that helps. Plus, Sebastian likes to lay his head on Isabella and his drool stains everything, so we have to wash them at least once a month with the QuicSilver mixed in with the shampoo. Here's how they crash after playing really hard...

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj33/vin63/Our%20Puppies/Bella_Sebastian_sleeping_1a.jpg

[fluffylove]

Hey Vin,
Do you ever attend the specialties? This one's close to you. I went to the Ohio one this year, and in 2010 I'm going to the one at our end. I breifly considered driving to CA but quickly changed my mind. The drive would kill me and I'm petrified of flying my dog.

[vin63]

I'm thinking of checking it out since it is so close to me. I went to the national specialty that was held in Northern California many years ago. We go to our regionals each year because they have special program for the rescues, which Sebastian and Isabella get to participate. It's great to see the tumbling balls of white hair everywhere. :D

[fluffylove]

Definetly go seeing as it's close to you, it's SO much fun! Nevermind the politics etc etc
I went to Ohio this year, I had a surprisingly great time, met MANY people, going the following year in PA I think it is.
It would be cool to get all the people from this site together, the regs anyhow.