[PyrNet-L] Indiana Pyr

[Rodney Brandt <rlbrandt@concentric.net>]

Hi Cheryl,
We are just outside of Indianapolis. We have a Newfoundland, an
Australian Shepherd mix and now the Pyrenees. Our Newfie has hip
problems and and can't pull the cart anymore. Since this Pyr (Napoleon)
comes to us rather nervous and at times fearful, we are hoping to teach
him to pull or at least carry the backpacks as a way to boost his self
confidence. His previous owners used a shock collar on him and often as
well, to try and break the barking habit. After Napoleon's second week
here, we are having very good success with him just by acknowleging that
he has alerted us and then giving him the command 'Quiet' and the second
we have his full attention and he is indeed quiet, giving a lot of
praise and telling him good job. Its going to be in his nature to bark
apparently so we are trying to minimize it. This breed is a little
difficult for me to 'read' yet since he seems to be a rather private
fellow but we are gaining some ground and trying to earn his respect.
Hopefully, we will have him feeling a little more secure in the weeks to
come.  I need to find a book that will explain some of the quirks of the
breed, etc. I got one of those generic books at the petshop the other
day but it was pretty vague and only went on and on about all the
wonderful qualities of the dog. One needs a balanced picture to
anticipate situations that would be difficult for a particular breed. I
just want him to feel loved and secure.......

Candace (And Napoleon, Tessa the Newf and Buddy the Aus/mix)