[PyrNet-L] Care: Willow's behavior

[Michaelene Sullivan <innerpuppie@barkavenue.com>]

Mitzi Potter wrote:

> Oh, you poor thing! <vbg!!>. I've never had ANY of my Pyrs try to escape in any way.

Mitzi...I was literally terrified when I read the post that indicated you had dogs who broke
windows to get out! I was nearly in tears ;-( I want to describe to you my home and my
lifestyle. After you read it, please, please, give me an HONEST opinion whether or not you
believe me and my home and lifestyle would be good for Willow.

My home is an old Victorian in a populated neighborhood. The homes are in close proximity to
each other. I have a chain link fence (4') that covers the whole of the backyard and runs
along side of the house to the front. My neighborhood is relatively quiet and no one bothers
my dogs when they are outside. My dogs are NEVER left out in the yard unless I am home. If I
am not home the dogs are either with me or in the house. I have noticed when people go by and
Tony "alerts" to the stimulus, Willow just stands by Tony and watches...she doesn't bark or
become overly boisterous. She is calm and pensive.

I live alone but have two grown sons with babies. Both of my boys have dogs of their own and
love them to death. They are good pet owners. ALL dogs are included in on all family events
and holidays...at my home. I own my own business so there is opportunity for me to take my
dogs to work each day. There is a large fenced yard at the back of my business where we take
the dogs to exercise and play periodically throughout the day (my business partner also
brings her dogs to work).

So far Willow has blended in very well with the dogs that she has met. I have found her to be
quiet in the house with excellent manners, except for the window problem. Initially I opened
the blinds for her to see out but last night I came home and ALL of the blinds on ALL of the
windows had been either moved or mangled. I have found that if I move the blinds up, Willow
will still try to get at the portion of the blind high on the window, even if she can see out
perfectly fine!

What is concerning me now is that as she is getting to know me and becomes more comfortable
in my home there will be other Pyr behaviors that become more apparent that I do not know
about. I can handle the recall thing and, if I have to, which it looks like I do, I will
raise blinds, etc. in the house if I leave and can't take Willow along. My fear is that there
are other behaviors "out there" that other Pyr owners know about and haven't mentioned until
I post about them.

In a short week I have grown to love this dog and am very concerned for her welfare and her
living conditions. Her previous owners saw her as a "dog" (property) and I don't believe took
into consideration the fact that she is a living being with feelings and needs. Willow is
becoming bonded to me, I think. She is with me all of the time when I am home. She comes,
when inside, to her name and loves to be cuddled, brushed and "in the thick of things". She
adores my GSD and he adores her...they have become best buddies.

I have not noticed behavior from Willow that she would like to "break out". She didn't want
to come in early this morning from the yard so I let her stay out. After about an hour she
was by the back door and came in just fine to have her breakfast. When she is on a leash she
does not indicate to me that she hates it and wants to be free. All I have to do is touch her
back, if she is unleashed in the yard, and she will come with me so calmly and gently...no
problem. When she is looking out the windows...she is looking, not barking or pawing or
acting agitated in any sense at all. But...will this behavior change and will she be "h*ll
bent" on getting out as others have inferred?

Willow is kind, gentle, loving, attentive and precious. That is my opinion of her right
now...will she change? I think that's my biggest question. As she becomes more and more
comfortable in my home will her behavior change dramatically?

More background on Willow. She was raised by a family with a small child. She was taken for
walks and trained, somewhat. She is flawlessly housebroken. She loves to ride in the car. She
does not play with her toys to the point of destruction. She has a VERY soft mouth.

> Shepherds are actually known to be a LOT more destructive than Pyrs when left alone.

Never had one of those, thank goodness. My GSD's have all been socialized, trained and
are/have been integral members of my family.

> I think Willow just wants to look out the window.

I hope this is the case. She doesn't act agitated when she looks out...she just sits quietly
and looks...left then right...and stares...nothing more and nothing less. Any input you can
give to me to calm my fears would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to give up on this dog
finding that I cannot provide her with a safe home...one that I can live with and Willow can
live in...she is a darling and fits in so well with my little pack. The "breaking window"
post scared me to death!

--
Michaelene & Savannah Leigh, neighborhood busy body,
Tony III, GSD learning machine, and
Willow, my gentle Pyrenees girl.

Mistoo Pwincie & Tony II, my heart & my soul,
waiting for me at the Bridge...

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."
                - Roger Caras

The Sullivan puppers:
http://www.barkavenue.com/innerpuppie/puppers
Visit with Tony II at the Bridge:
http://www.bargraph.com/tony