Re: [pyrnet] new pyr owner

[Jack & Charlotte Perry <pyreau@erols.com>]

It seems to me that most of the Pyr "odd" behavior can be explained when
you think about what they were bred for.  All that chase, retrieve and nip
behavior has been bred out because you cannot have a livestock guardian dog
that will chase or maul the livestock.  The best livestock guardian dog is
one that is gentle, slow-moving and does not want to play with its
charges.  What they do best is lie around and sleep near their charges
during the day and patrol and bark at night.  They make up their own minds
about what needs guarding....unfortunately they usually think that they
need to guard much more territory than you own (that's why they need to be
well fenced).  I've had some really good obedience Pyrs (usually trained
with lots of liver tidbits), but know that if they decide that something
needs to be checked out they will go and check it out despite the fact that
I am calling.....it's just that Pyr trait of knowing that they know best!
Charlotte

Katie Allison Granju wrote:

> --- The Pendziwols <pendziwo@air.on.ca> wrote:
> .  We have a Border Collie next
> > door (the two have yet to agree on heirarchy and it's quite comical
> > watching their antics -- especially the BC who is playing some highly
> > intellectual mindgames, and has become somewhat depressed over losing
> > "her" kids to another dog.)  She plays catch, etc.  Do/can Pyrs learn
> > this kind of play?
> >
>
> My Pyr does not play like other dogs do. He has never chased a stick,
> for example. ANd he loses interest in any toy very quickly. He *very*
> occasionally breaks into a romp in the yard with the kids but it's such
> a rare thing and he's so huge that he sort of looks ridiculous:-) I
> didn't really know this about Pyrs before I got one and began learn ing
> more, but they are generally quite calm, dignified, and reserved in
> their behavior. My Pyr also sleeps alot -- mostly during the day.
>
> Katie
>
> =====
> ~Katie Allison Granju~
> Writing ~ Editing ~ Consulting
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/067102762X/o/
>
> katie@katiegranju.com
>
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