So I want a Great Pyrenees but considering my age and no experience...?

Question

I'm 13 and me and my family NEVER had any experience training or raising a dog, and supposedly this breed is "stubborn as h**l". I know basically how to train a dog, and show him what is expected of him from the "pack leader" (and how to BE the pack leader, which www.dogbreedinfo.com tells me it's important.)

Plus, I think I should finish behavioral/commands training before it becomes huge because they can go over 100 pounds. I will be responsible for the dog, since if I buy him, it'll belong to ME. So I'm gonna have to be pack leader plus master and all, so what I'm asking is, is this possible?

Can I train him fully before he's gigantic AND be a successful pack leader in which he HAS to ALWAYS listen to? And actually thinking that I have never had a dog before? Would you recommend the breed to this inexperienced 13 year old? (I was considering a shih tzu, maltese, and cavalier king charles spaniel also) Do you think I can walk him with total and absolute control when he's enormous? (I'm 95 lbs, but the dog grows up when he's 2 years of age so I shouldn't be worrying about that). Well, please answer all these questions, thank you! :PS: We have a 1st grader, but pyrenees are well with children, so...)

Please! an experienced pyrenees owner! answer this!

Answer 1

I have a Great Pyrenees and he is very lovable, but stubborn. We have 33 acres for him to live on. He is very territorial by nature. If you introduce grooming and handling techniques to him consistently as a pup, he will be much easier to handle as an adult. You can never truly control and animal, especially a large dog, but his loyalty will make up for his stubbornness. Start walking on a leash as soon as you get him. You don't want him to pull you around.  

Answer 2

wow pyrenees are great herd and farm dogs they need a lot of land to roam. they will fight to the death to protect there wards. we have one on a goat herd, that roams about 30 acres and she is very happy. i have seen people in our area trying to make yard pets of them and it doesn' t seem to work well. if this is your first dog maybe you should try something smaller and go to your local pound i have 2 pound dogs that are super pets and they didn't cost much.

Answer 3

I can't answer about the Pyrenees temperament, but I will say that I wish more people got it that you must train a dog to learn that you're the boss before it gets so big that it can take over, and with the attitude you have you have a very good chance of being successful in training your dog. Many large dogs are pretty easy-going in temperament and not really active once they're adults. For a first dog, though, I'd suggest a smaller one partly because they are easier to handle and generally take care of if you're not used to having a dog in the house. There are lots of medium size breeds that would be better, I think. Consider some rather mundane things, like if you have to pick up after the dog in a public park. You might need two bags for a Pyrenees. Will he fit into your car? A Pyrenees will take up a whole seat practically. My personal rule is that I don't want a dog so big that I can't pick it up and carry it if I have to in an emergency because I walk my dogs in some out of the way places.

Answer 4

I would definately reccomend a dog that is much smaller, and more manageable than a great pyrenese. As you said, they can weigh more than 100 pounds, and even though they may be good with kids in general, accidents DO happen (especially with a first grader!). It doesn't help your case that no one in your family has had a dog, seeing as training is much easier said than done. Training must be done every single day for about an hour (15 minute sessions, as puppy attention spans aren't incredibly long).

It is possible to be the alpha in your 'pack' although even if you are alpha, that definately doesn't mean the dog will always listen, or not drag you around when you go on walks! I am the alpha in my 'pack' but my dogs continue to drag me around regularly.

Considering you are 13 years old, you are still in school and have much more to do besides stay home every day with your puppy, train him/her, house train, ect. You probably have extra cirriculars, homework and a social life.

Also, do you have a large enough, fenced in yard? No matter what, unless you have a yard that is big enough for the dog, the dog will not get enough excersize, and may, if bored, resort to many destructive behaviors.

If you are in experienced, i reccomend getting a dog from the humane society. There, many of them are already house broken, paritally trained, and they are socialized for the most part.

I suggest more family-based dogs like laborador retrievers, or golden retrievers. That or a smaller dog that requires less work.

Goodluck (:

Answer 5

A pyrenees is a beautiful, intelligent, and huge dog. By the time it's fully grown, you'll be 15 and able to handle it. The best thing to do is read, read, and read some more about how to train, keep, feed, cure, etc.etc. The best thing you can do is be armed with knowledge so that you start off right with your wonderful puppy. I wish you the best.

Answer 6

Since I have raised Pryenees, I can tell you that they are not stubborn at all. In fact, they are very intelligent, and bond with their family and are the greatest of guard dogs. I used to have two of them with my goats, but sold the goats and kept the Pyrenees. When I got my male I took him to obedience classes. He was very easy to train, and so have all of my other Pyrenees. At one time I had five of them, and none of them were stubborn. Now I only have one, but he is very smart. He stays indoors, except to go outside to do his business. I get him shaved in the summer so he doesn't get too hot. It would be a great dog for you and your family.

Answer 7

Figure it this way... I'm 66... If I can handle a great pyrenees, so can you.  It's all a matter of your attitude.  You need to learn how to be Alpha Pack Leader and have an attitude that:

1) Failure on your part is not an option.

2) you are a loving and gentle, but calm and firm leader

I would have said to start with a pup, but I know how large a beagle gets and when a 13 year old says s/he got a beagle rescue and recommends a rescue, I must admit it sounds like it can be done.

Join a Yahoo Pyr group.  I'll post a link below to an excellent one and you need to ask a lot of questions so you learn a lot and quickly.  

I'll also post links to some two websites where you can read and learn how to be Alpha Pack Leader.

A pyr will gain about 10# per month till roughly about 7 to 9mo, and will be relatively close to adult height and weight.  Most pyrs continue growing more slowly after that to reach their final height and weight.  

Not all pyrs are that large.  My male is 86# and my female is 96#.

If you're willing to read and learn, and join a pyr group and ask a lot of questions to learn a lot fast, I see no reason why you couldn't train and do well with a pyr.  

You have to teach him how to walk on leash and you can do well and have good control with the attitude I mentioned at the top.  They are very agreeable dogs when they know YOU are the Pack Leader and they can enjoy just being a dog.

Contrary to what Cindy believes, many people have pyrs and have a normal sized yard (fenced to keep the dog home) and the pyr that is not guarding livestock, becomes a family guardian. -!-

Answer 8

just so you know they are about fullsize (height wise) well before 1 y/o.  usually they just fill out weight wise after that.

there is a lot of grooming involved, and exercise since they are so large, and you have to have plenty of space for them in general

Answer 9

I wish I had a a great pyrenees.

Answer 10

well, with very strict training, you definetly can.

i trained my golden (much eaisier breed) a TON of things when i was eight.  he is a great dog.

if i were you, i'd either get help from your parents (if you're really gonna do this) or try and easier breed first.  maybe you could foster for a great pyr rescue, that way you can get to know the breed!

Answer 11

I think you could manage it, but personally I think you should rescue an adult dog instead (you may be able to find a Great Pyrenees rescue around you). This way you won't have to deal with puppyhood and you'll have an easier to manage adult.

http://www.petfinder.com