Greetings

[jelpy]

Hello. I am the unexpected owner of a GP. I actually have four German SHepherds, two males, two females, and took a bag of dog food to our shelter when I saw a woman with A GP standing in the parking lot. I asked her if she had just adopted him and she said no, it was her husband's dog and she had to take in. Then she started to cry. About two minutes later I knew everything. Her husband died in March leaving her, the two kids and the two dogs. One was an elderly Lab that literally pined itself to death, and the Great Pyr who ran around on five acres. After the husband died they had to move to a place with a very small yard and the dog was miserable, kept trying to climb over a seven foot fence, plus money was tight, she hadn't been able to find a home for him, she was afraid he wouldn't get adopted and would get PTS......I ended up taking him home. The actual point of this story-beside explaining why I have one more dog when I don't really need one-is that he gets along with one of my males but not another. Lycan can be something of a jerk and so far I'm letting The Pyr wander around while keeping a tight hold on Lycan and calming him down, hoping he'll come around. Frankly, I'm not a very strong packleader. Any suggestions?

Thanks,


jelpy

[robinandoso]

Welcome!

It sounds like you have a really big heart and want to help this new dog.

I've found that walking dogs together (one human per dog) can help them to get used to each other. It also kind of simulates being on a hunt together, so they feel like they have a common goal. Positive reinforcement and calm, happy behaviors around both dogs are important, too.

Some people are really big believers in the pack order/dominance theory, which may be useful for some situations. Unfortunately, it's a derivative of research that was really actually crappy - based on the behaviors of wolves in captivity. THose wolves didn't act like normal wolves, and dogs aren't quite like wolves of any kind. The dog social structures and behaviors are quite a bit more nuanced than the pop psychology versions you'll find on the Dog Whisperer or in articles about pack structure.

But I would encourage you to try different approaches and see what works. Dogs are unique individuals and don't always fit one-size-fits-all approaches. Also, if something feels yukky or just viscerally wrong, then don't do it, no matter who the "expert" is that suggests it. If you don't feel comfortable with something, your dogs will sense that for sure, and it won't turn out so well.

I really like this article: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals...g_new_dog.html

Also, this video shows some lead-ups to aggression between 2 dogs and might help you notice when one dog is upset before any fighting occurs:
http://youtu.be/FLrgtR9U6Z8


Good luck!

[Chicag0_Red]

You might also try contact SPIN (located in Garland) or TXPYRS (Dallas area) to see if they can give you any assistance as well. They are both reputable rescue groups in your area that will have knowledge of resources in your area to aid you. Let us know how things work out. Personally it sounds like your one GSD is expecting the Pyr to be submissive and that just ain't going to happen. Also Pyrs don't follow normal Pack Dynamics they are more of a Team worker.

[Davey Benson]

What Red said.

I have multiple dog breeds and personalities in my pack. Pyrs operate outside those pack dynamics.

I have a gsd as well, and believe me, if a gsd and a pyr don't get along, they probably won't ever get along.

Both breeds are extreamly strong willed, and won't back down from a fight, it's genetic for them. Pyrs have been bred many years ago to protect flocks from large preditors, and gsds are bred as working service dogs and to not back down from a threat as well. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but this is something you will always have to keep on top of while you have these animals.

When you said these animals were trying to climb a 7 foot fence, I chuckeled to myself, because that's what many people have found their pyrs doing, it's not that unusual. Although pyrs are more in their eliment when they can roam large territories (like the entire country) they can acclimate well to much smaller living, (even a small apartment or a trailer camper)

Thank you for being a kind heart and taking in this dog. Best of luck for the future of this great pyr, and wether you keep it or get it re-homed to a better environment.