[PyrNet-L] Re: more puppy problems

[Carol Brescher Boyle <carol@NaturalDogFood.com>]

Dear Colette,

Yes I have dealt with an aggressive Pyr. So I know the terror that comes
with that.
The Pyr we had was a rescue who weighed over 165 lbs. I don't have to be
reminded. 
We managed to identify the trigger for the aggression and could avoid
it. We never felt
confident enough to place him, so he lived out his life with us.

I have also dealt with Alpha dogs and bitches, and live now with a
former Alpha bitch. 
I wouldn't swap her or her "in your face" attitude for anything. 

I have owned Pyrs for 30 years. Bred them, raised them and showed them.
I never bred
a puppy that was not manageable. And we had some pretty tough alphas
come through. They
went at the proper age to the proper home. Alphas were VERY carefully
placed, and we
spent lots of time on the phone with the new owners. We considered this
part of being
a responsible breeder and part of our responsibility to the breed. 

While I am not new to Pyrs (inactive the past 15 yrs) I have only been
monitoring 
this list for the past 6 months. I have seen the word euthanize more
than I like.
And I agree, unless you do a hands on examination of the dog in
question, you cannot
make a firm decision on what is wrong with the dog. We both know it. So
why assume
anything? Assumptions are dangerous. Problem determination is better.
Recommend isolating 
the pup or dog until help can be found. Then look for help from someone
who can do
a hands on. Do a medical work up. Is it truly a chemical imbalance? Is
there something
else physically wrong with this dog. Was he improperly socialized? Is
the dog confused
and think he is an alpha, and does the owner's behavior encourage this
confusion?   
Lots of questions need to be asked. Tests may need to be done. Protect
everyone, but
start with the least drastic measures. And yes, euthanasia may be the
ultimate outcome. 
But it should NEVER be offered as the primary solution. Especially
regarding a 10 week 
old puppy. That suggestions is absolutely irresponsible.

And yes we all come to this list with our own set of baggage. But lets
not exchange one
set of baggage for another. Lets exchange knowledge, information. There
were some
excellent responses from list members on managing that puppy. They and
their
responses should be applauded. And encouraged. Or this list might turn
into a mutiple
choice - Select from below:  1- Go to a vet; 2- complain to the breeder;
or 3- euthanize. 
Helping a Pyr become a worthwhile member of your family requires more
than these three options.
And the list members can help offer those other options. 

Just my 2 cents worth. 
 

> 
> Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 11:08:35 -0400
> From: warrickw@bond.net
> Subject: [PyrNet-L] Puppy Problems
> 
> Carol,  have you ever dealt with an aggressive pyr?  An aggressive pyr that has been that way since
> puppyhood?  Some of the people who responded have.  Their suggestion regarding euthanizing the dog
> came from that perspective.
> 
> I do not believe that "the throw away society" you refer to exists on this list.  If it does, I have
> not seen it.  Turning around or living with aggression problems can be very difficult.  Not everyone
> can do it. Without seeing the dog and assessing it in person anyone giving advice has to make some
> assumptions.
> 
> If Deanna can deal with these problems and correct them great.  If she can't, she had better be
> prepared to deal with the consequences which could include further injury to her children or herself
> and husband or legal problems if the dog bites someone else.
> 
> Colette
> 
> Colette & Warrick Wilson
> Avignon Reg'd Kennels
> Great Pyrenees & Berger des Pyrenees
> Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
> mailto:warrickw@bond.net
> http://www.bond.net/~warrickw/
> 

-- 
  Carol
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