To be fair, I'm pretty sure Complaint Investigator knows a fair bit about training dogs, especially as it pertains to aggression.

But yeah, that's resource guarding. Pyr's can be very independent, and function well like that when they got a job. Without a flock to watch over, or territory to defend, and after being a stray for 4 months or more, she's probably lost a fair bit of civility. I'd definitely find an experienced trainer to help ya work with her, or find her a home without other dogs.

In the best of circumstances they are stubborn as hell and you gotta be firm and consistent with any training.

Complaint Investigator said:

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CMayo said:

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BenderRodriguez said:

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I have two Great Pyr mixes (and we also have a baby due in June).

Pyrs are great dogs, but they're not for everybody.

[...]

If you think of any other questions, let me know.

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Sorry for the necrobump but Bender (love that screen name!) seems to really have a handle on Pyrs and I'm hoping he's still around and can offer me some insight:

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

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This dog has an obvious resource guarding issue and you continue allowing it to perpetuate. Feeding dogs together when she has said issue is not the smartest move.

Seek out a balanced trainer in your area to help her over it. Beating her, choke slamming etc is not going to work. If you don't know how to fix it, find a trainer who does.

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I would never strike this dog or mistreat her in any way, and I'm not especially fond of the implication that I might.

You may be (and probably are) spot on about resource guarding, but I'm not "continuing to allow anything to perpetuate," I'm trying to integrate this sweet girl into my placid little family and learning a bit more every day. As I clearly stated, I no longer feed them together and this behavior occurred over the span of a few hours on one of the nine days she's been (literally) under my roof and behaving like a perfect lady.

I appreciate your taking the time to help and for your concern for this pup. I only want to identify and solve the problem so I can continue to give her a good life.

A.G.S. said:

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To be fair, I'm pretty sure Complaint Investigator knows a fair bit about training dogs, especially as it pertains to aggression.

But yeah, that's resource guarding. Pyr's can be very independent, and function well like that when they got a job. Without a flock to watch over, or territory to defend, and after being a stray for 4 months or more, she's probably lost a fair bit of civility. I'd definitely find an experienced trainer to help ya work with her, or find her a home without other dogs.

In the best of circumstances they are stubborn as hell and you gotta be firm and consistent with any training.

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Thanks for the confirmation, A.G.S.. I'll do some reading on the net and will see what I can do/afford about finding a trainer. Short term, should I separate them even to treat them, or might it be helpful to continue treating them together (have never seen a problem while doing this) and hope she grows more accustomed to peaceful family dining?

And long term... CAN this be fixed?

My Pyrs (both rescues) don't have any food aggression so I can't help there, sorry.

Feed separate, find a trainer and remember the general adoption rule (3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months) for setting in.

I also wonder if spaying would help and if being in heat is magnifying her issues, but I'm not an expert.

ironmanag said:

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These dogs shouldn't be allowed to breed. Didn't y'all know they are the 23rd most dangerous and unpredictable breed. They should all be exterminated.

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Uncanny how pit bull owners randomly go off without warning for no reason in an unrelated thread.

Makes you wonder if its a chicken or the egg issue when their dogs display the same behavior.

Random "cool story bro" time:

My female always sleeps on the floor at the foot of our bed. We knew before we could even take a pregnancy test that my wife was pregnant with both kids, because she randomly started sleeping on the floor on my wifes side of the bed instead.

She doesn't move back to the foot of the bed until the baby is born.

BenderRodriguez said:

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Random "cool story bro" time:

My female always sleeps on the floor at the foot of our bed. We knew before we could even take a pregnancy test that my wife was pregnant with both kids, because she randomly started sleeping on the floor on my wifes side of the bed instead.

She doesn't move back to the foot of the bed until the baby is born.

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That IS a cool story, @BenderRodriguez. I sometimes hear stories about dogs being almost extra-sensorily perceptive and wish I could have such a dog for myself. Unfortunately, every one of my dogs has been sweet and lovable, but dumber than a box of rocks. Must be something in the water 'round here.