Extreme Great Pyrenees barking problem. Never stops barking!!!!!?
I have a 2 year old great pyrenees that barks nonstop throughout the day. She lives primarily outside. She doesn't live inside because of her shedding, but we do bring her in as much as we can. Every time she barks, my dad runs outside to yell at her, but I know that doesn't work. We have even tried using a shock collar because her problem is so extreme, but even that did not affect the frequency of her barking. This has caused a few complaints from neighbors and even a letter in the mail from the community. Giving her away is not an option and my parents have come to their breaking point with my dog, Sam. They are ready to send her to the local humane society but I won't let that happen. I need an effective solution to her barking problem that can train her to be quiet when she's outside. I am desperate.
Nedra E2011-06-24T04:02:31Z
Favorite Answer
Your dad didn't read up and learn about the breed before you got the dog, I suspect. That's sad. How long have you had her??? There is no quickie one paragraph, or one response solution. You need a support group and you need to be able to exchange questions and answers to resolve this. Please join the Yahoo pyr group below to do so. Some of what we can tell you depends on how long you've had the dog and if she was a rescue dog or not.
Pyrs do shed. You can help that by: 1) grooming them with rakes and combs several times a week, especially when they are blowing coat once in fall and once in spring. 2) taking the dog to a groomer who's experienced with pyrs about in June to have all the undercoat removed with the help of Furminator deshedding conditioner as part of the grooming session.
You're right; yelling doesn't work. If anything, it makes the dog bark more BECAUSE pyrs are SUPPOSED TO BARK to warn you of predators and/or intruders, and to intimidate predators and/or intruders so they stay off your property.
The shock collar is inappropriate as a means of stoping a pyr from barking.
In ANY training of a pyr, if you yell at the dog, you cause the OPPOSITE to happen of what you want. They respond to positive training and reinforcement and rewards, NOT to yelling. The dog I yelled at for not coming when called is the only one I ever have trouble getting to come when called, and I'm owned by FOUR pyrs.
If you want her to not bark as much, you have to: 1) accept that this is what she is SUPPOSED to be doing 2) LISTEN to her... some barks are just barking at that dog on the street, while other barks are more serious and warning you of potential dangers. 3) When she barks, go to the door and look out and ask her "is there anything I need to know about?" Often a pyr will stop barking if it knows you're paying attention to what it's trying to tell you. Once you've acknowledged it's barking, it knows it has done the job of warning you. After that, if it continues, you can tell the dog "thank you, that's enough now". Believe it or not, I've seen it work. My latest puppies responded best to simply saying "shhhhh" in a gentle voice.
I just wish you'd started working on this before your neighbors threatened your dog. -!-
RE: Extreme Great Pyrenees barking problem. Never stops barking!!!!!? I have a 2 year old great pyrenees that barks nonstop throughout the day. She lives primarily outside. She doesn't live inside because of her shedding, but we do bring her in as much as we can. Every time she barks, my dad runs outside to yell at her, but I know that doesn't work. We have...
Find what motivates your dog. Some dogs do anything for food. Some dogs do anything for Toys. Some do anything for a good petting. Some do anything for only one type of food, like cheese, or hotdog. Some only have interest in training for 5 minutes at a time, and others can go for an hour. Figure out what your dog is willing to work for, and then work with her in sessions that are no longer than she can tolerate. How to train your dog properly https://tr.im/trainadog
Sign up for a dog obedience training class. It will not train your dog. It will give you training on how you can train your dog. Most people understand the idea of training, but there is a right and a wrong way to do it, and there is good and bad technique. Timing and consistency is very important, and it helps to have feedback of someone watching you who can help you improve your technique to get more efficient results with your dog.
However, she may be somewhat anxious around other dogs, sort of like the shy kid on the playground. She will benefit from continuing what you are doing as far as asking her to sit before entering, but there are more things along those lines that will help her to calmly go in and out of the dog park. She may also benefit from going in short bursts, or only when fewer dogs are present, or avoiding times when other dogs that make her nervous are present. Maybe she just plays loud - my brother's dog is this way - or maybe she is a dogpark bully - sorry it is possible. But more likely she is just a little anxious around new dogs and she wants to play but just doesn't quite know how to do that and still feel comfortable. Don't be surprised if your dog does not actually like the dog park, and maybe she would get more enjoyment and less stress out of simply going for a good walk somewhere else.
A wagging tail does not mean that your dog is happy or even comfortable with the situation. It means your dog is emotionally aroused. This could be a happy arousal, or it could be a nervous arousal, or it could be an aggressive arousal. Go youtube it, there are plenty of videos of 'vicious' dogs who are throwing a very aggressive fit of barking and snarling while their tail is wagging vigorously. Even police dogs who are not let off the leash to chase down a suspect can be lunging and barking and snarling, and their tails are still going.
What I've found is that my Pyr will almost always stop barking when I come to his side and investigate the reason for the bark. I ask him "what's up"? Then tell him it's OK. He will stop barking 90% of the time.
I know it sounds like I'm personifying a dog, but a Pyr does have an inbreed mission. You can't train it out of them. Don't try.