Young male problem

[savvyone]

Hello everyone,I am now the Proud owner of a 15 month old male Pyr. Here's my problem. When i take him walking where there were any other dogs he has to sniff EVERY single tree or bush. He is not nutered, but thinking about that option. After an hour walk i feel like my arm is going to fall off. I also walk him on private property where there are no dogs and he is fine, but that is a drive from where i live so i don't get there too often. Any suggestions? Also, should i have him nutered?

[risestar]

Thats just about normal for most male dogs. You just need to work on your rules for control so your dog cannot do things that you do not want it to. Invest in a good pinch collar and use it for a bit for reinforcement.

see this page http://www.greatpyr.com/great_pyrenees_training.php

[savvyone]

Thanks risestar, I'll give it a try. I'm off to the pet store.

[Cheech]

Hello everyone,I am now the Proud owner of a 15 month old male Pyr. Here's my problem. When i take him walking where there were any other dogs he has to sniff EVERY single tree or bush. He is not nutered, but thinking about that option. After an hour walk i feel like my arm is going to fall off. I also walk him on private property where there are no dogs and he is fine, but that is a drive from where i live so i don't get there too often. Any suggestions? Also, should i have him nutered?
Hi, I would definetly get him neutered, he will have less chances of cancer when he is older. I don't breed so any dog I have ever owned has been neutered or spayed, first because they stay in better health 2nd because I am not a breeder. :)

[savvyone]

Thanks Cheech, They have a great low cost program in my county for spay or nutering, but i'm not too shure if the cost goes up with a dog the size of a Pyr. I'll find out soon enough.

Some say it will keep him calmer, others say it wont. Any thoughts?

[Jewel]

Hey Savvyone,

I have a male pyr-mix who was neutered at 6 months, after he learned to hike his leg to do his business. He continued to mark like a fiend after he was neutered, he is territorial and can get aggressive toward other dogs, mostly males. So, neutering won't magically stop them from marking territory if they've already learned to do so or if they've learned to be aggressive toward other dogs. However, it is my opinion that neutering lessens the intensity of the dog's reaction - without the testosterone surge, I think it is comparatively easier to redirect a neutered dog's attention when something that excites them appears/happens. Neutering will certainly reduce the urge to follow the scent of a female in heat. With the pyr males being so large, neutering will likely make life easier for you on walks! :)

[savvyone]

Hay Jewel, Thanks for the info. The program is run through the humane society office, but every time i call i get the answering machine. I want to know the vet who will be doing the nutering. A Pyr's metabolism is a concern that i know about, but there may be others. I guess the bes tthing is to drive there and talk to them in person. I have lots of questions. I'll let you know what happins.

[Cheech]

Hey Savvyone,

I have a male pyr-mix who was neutered at 6 months, after he learned to hike his leg to do his business. He continued to mark like a fiend after he was neutered, he is territorial and can get aggressive toward other dogs, mostly males. So, neutering won't magically stop them from marking territory if they've already learned to do so or if they've learned to be aggressive toward other dogs. However, it is my opinion that neutering lessens the intensity of the dog's reaction - without the testosterone surge, I think it is comparatively easier to redirect a neutered dog's attention when something that excites them appears/happens. Neutering will certainly reduce the urge to follow the scent of a female in heat. With the pyr males being so large, neutering will likely make life easier for you on walks! :) Very Good answer Jewel, I have read that Pyrs do not like other dogs,except for those which already live in the home, then the pyr makes the other dog part of its flock. There are exceptions though, dogs of a dominant breed, such as pits, rotti's, dobie,s etc.

[savvyone]

I've only had Sammy a little over a week now but, he's been around a few other male dogs and diden't mind at all. They were nose to nose with tails wagging, no problems. They were both half his size though. I guess I should be leary of socializing him, at least at first.

[fluffylove]

Be careful, socializng does not mean meet every dog youi walk by, actually it's very stressful on dogs. My 7mth old pup has seens thousands of dogs, actually meeting less than 10. Only well manered dogs, usually older ones, and ones at my breeder. Pyrs are capable of mass destruction if called upon. Be careful, Being 'alpha' means keeping your pack safe, if your boy feels that he has to keep the pack safe from other dogs, watch out.

[savvyone]

Thanks Fluffylove,
I understand fully. Sammy seems to draw a croud wherever i take him, and that alone makes me nervous, let alone the dog. He seems to handle it well with people, I'm not looking forward to that loose dog running up to us unaware. Sammy's my second Ryr, my first was Ozzy a 4 year old rescue already nutered. He would just lumber along and diden't care about anybody or anything. I was a regular at the park so most knew us and would stop and talk. With Sammy it will take a while for us to get to that point. We are both learning every day.