Destructive Behaviors

by Joanne
(Twin Falls, ID)

Three months ago we rescued a Great Pyr neutered male from a kill shelter here in Idaho. He's approximately 15 months old. He is house trained. He's low key in the house for the most part. When restless he goes out in our fenced backyard (approx half acre). We have a 4 year old yellow lab female and they play well together. We keep him in our room at night with the other dog as he will raid the kitchen sometimes. When we are home 90% of the time all is great with him - no mischief.

When we are at work and weather doesn't permit him to be outside, we muzzle him because if we don't, he is destructive. Yesterday he managed to get his muzzle off and the results are a typical example: bakeware dish on back of stove pull off and shattered on the floor, wastebasket contents everywhere, laptop sleeve chewed beyond hope, sweater pulled from closet and chewed, large chewed area on floor rug (imported from Pakistan)...

Is this typical or is this separation anxiety? We try not to coop him up inside because he loves to be in the backyard. At -10 I won't leave him out. At 20 and snowing I don't leave him out.

Help.

Comments for Destructive Behaviors

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 19, 2017
Rating

Destructive Behaviour
by: Donna

It's typical behaviour of a puppy which he is. That's not separation anxiety by the sounds of it.

You need to crate train him when you are not there: http://info.drsophiayin.com/crate-training-handout

You might also consider it for him at night but you don't want him spending day and night in it.

You need a crate big enough for him to stand plus a few inches, turn around and lie down fully. That will be the largest crate you can get. Get a Kong, fill it with raw meat, freeze it and tie it to the back of the crate. That's where your start training.

Never use the crate for punishment. Never punish a dog. You need to work with your dog.

Have a positive-reinforcement trainer come in to show you how to do it.

Leaving a muzzle on him is dangerous. He could get caught in something. Leaving him loose in the house, as you have seen, is dangerous for him.

Walk your dog, too, so he gets out to see the world and stay interested and socialized.

As for -10 and -20, as long as he has insulated shelter available, he's fine. These guys have double coats and were meant to be outdoors. They love to be outside in most temperatures. If that is where he wants to be, he'll be fine. That said, you also don't want him to be stolen when you are not there.

Jan 23, 2017
Rating

Destructive behaviour
by: Anonymous

Yes. Crate-training is best. It becomes a safe place for them when they want their own quiet get away, too.

Just leave the door open when you're home and they can come and go as they please.

Jan 25, 2017
Rating

just a thought
by: Anonymous

Cannot think of anything that is missing from the wonderful home your Pyr has been adopted into...except maybe one thing. You did not mention walking your dogs.

Pyrenees are programed genetically with a need to patrol their environment. Miles and miles of it. On these walks everything he sees, hears and smells will be catalogued into his big bear head. On his next walk he will instantly be aware if there is a change in that environment. As a guardian, he needs to know and assess if this constitutes a threat.

His comfort level and his ability to relax in the home is directly tied to his experience with 'due diligence'. If yours doesn't get to do this every day, this could be a source of frustration for your pup. Frustration, any level of it, generally leads to destruction.

That said, there's a lot going on with him in his new life as your guardian, that will be a fairly steep learning curve for him. He's still a pup. It will take time for him to replace his previous life experiences (they never forget) with the new ones you are now providing for him.

You will need to safeguard your home from his activities in your absence with a crate, but do walk your dogs together at the time of day when the Pyr's need to patrol is most acute: early AM and again at dusk in the PM.

Thank you for rescuing and best of luck with your fur babies.

Apr 02, 2020
Rating

No crate
by: MaryJo Cunningham

My 2 yr old rescue Pyreneese goes bonkers in the super large crate I put her in. I bought the largest crate I could find. The first 2 nights he was great, but oh dear the 3rd...😳😱! He chewed off the door frame, a huge piece out of the middle, he chewed chunks out of the banister, I could go on but I think you get the idea, so HELP, please, quickly! He slept outside last night, but I really want him upstairs in my room. I live in the San Diego area so the weather is comfortable at night.

Apr 03, 2020
Rating

Crate training
by: Donna

Hi MaryJo

I did reply to your email. Here is the information:

This isn't something that can be fixed just like that. It takes time and work. The Trust Technique will be extremely beneficial for you. This dog is very stressed. You can also look at Recallers with Susan Garrett to develop a bond so you can trust your dog and he can learn to trust you. Set him up for success.

In the meantime, you can start feeding her in the crate, door open. If she won't go in, feed her outside of the crate, gradually moving her food dish closer each time you feed. Throw high value treats in during the day and tell her what a good girl she is when/if she goes in. Make it a good place to be. There is also an online crate game that is great. However, she is set back somewhat but you can still work on this program to help her. https://dogsthat.com/crate-games-2/

If you're interested, there is a free two month training program that is geared towards rescued dogs. Copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://dogsthat.com/home-school/

I hope this helps,

Feb 04, 2025
Rating

Behaviour
by: Anonymous

I rescued my great Pyrenees / lab mix 5 years ago. He had been abandoned twice and he was roughly 2 years old at the time.I adopted him. He had also had about 6 months worth of Service dog training. One of the conditions to be able to adopt him was that I had to get one of those really big heavy duty crates for him when I'm not home. Well I did. He busted out of it the first day I went to work. He then opened the LOCKED sliding glass patio door, went through the screen door, and roamed the area for I don't know how long. I live in the country and I have a horse. He was back in the house by the time I got home from work, and I didn't discover he'd been out until I walked through the door. I've tried different things and none of them work. He has torn up walls,and chewed up at least three door knobs, A few months later, covid hit and I worked from home, so I was here with him all the time. I had a second dog by then And it seemed to help a little. I didn't have a lot of trouble with him whenI went back to work because I only had to go in two days a week. As long as I remembered to put the kitchen trash in the garage, I had no problems - He didn't get into anything. My sister has been living with me for most of the past year so he's gotten used to somebody being at home with him - although he doesn't listen to her very well. I also have a pit mix rescue that I took in about 2 months after adopting my GP. I put everything away in the Morning before I go to work, Because my sister is visiting her daughter, and he's been getting destructive. Overthe past 2 days Yesterday he pulled the crockpot off of the counter andgot into the candy out of it that I was gonna use for the top cookies I was going to make. I spray vinegar around the cupboards before.I leave because he hates the smell. Today I came home and he had gotten into the cupboard and gotten a bag of pretzels Out and ate them , and he also got into the big container that I keep their treats in and ate most of those. I have a lot going on and i'm having trouble keeping my emotions in check, So the last.
Thing I need is to come home and find out.He's gotten in the things that he didn't use to bther before. I can't put him out in the pasture with my horse because he can clear the fence. I can't leave him outside while I'm at work even though I live in the country, because he WILL go after anything and any one that comes near my property and he WILL attack. I'm truly at a loss. He's a very loving, playful dog, But he has MASSIVE separation anxiety issues and I have to work. I don't have anybody but me. They won't let me work from home, so that's not an option. I'm in the boonies so there's no wireless internet or any other way to monitor him, And he's been out here in the boonies with me and my other dog for so long that he doesn't take well to other dogs, so even if I could afford it, a doggy day care would not be an option. I truly thought he would be ok during the day in the pasture with my horse, But the minute he sees any other animal on my property -deer,rabbit, a cat, another dog, skunk, whatever- It doesn't matter - he goes after it, and his intention is to kill. He would do the same if a person came... Mail man, trash man, amazon delivery, Propane delivery.... He does not distinguish the difference. He is all about doing his job. So I have to leave him inside. I'm truly at a loss regarding what to do for him.

Feb 08, 2025
Rating

Stressed
by: Anon

Humans have failed him sadly.

I would highly recommend taking the Trust Technique video course. The course is videos of James French working with cats, dogs, bears, lions and horses and he shows you how he is doing it. Many were on the verge of being euthanized for behaviourial issues.

Then, hire a practitioner from their website. They do zoom calls. It works and it's very easy. You just need to be patient and work with your boy to help him.

As for putting him in a crate, you need to crate train him so he likes the crate. You need to help him to like the environment so he feels safe. Susan Garret has an online 'crate games' course.

I would also highly recommend Recallers for a full online teaching program. With both the Trust Technique and Recallers, you will create a wonderful bond with your boy. These two programs will set you up for success.

I have worked with these courses and it's made a world of difference. They have saved my dog along with a qualified homeopath.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Great Pyrenees Questions.

ShareFacebook X Pinterest Tumblr Reddit WhatsApp

There are many dogs in need. Please help us reduce their misery. Save a Great Pyr.

CLICK to Donate

CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR

PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE

Breaking News

Leo
Mar 12, 25 06:32 AM
*ADOPTED* DOB: September 2023 (almost 1.5-years-old) Location: Acton, ON Single family home with a securely fenced yard required. This sweetheart was
Read More
Buster
Mar 10, 25 03:36 PM
*Buster is going back to his original family as things have brightened up in their lives and he'll have a wonderful life on acreage.* Buster had to come
Read More
Courtesy - Bear
Feb 28, 25 06:44 AM
Bear DOB: October 2018 (almost 7-years-old) Location: Midland, Ontario Pyr/Maremma? mix Single family home with a large securely-fenced property
Read More
Lucy
Feb 11, 25 01:40 PM
*Foster-to-Adopt* or *Foster* DOB: January 3, 2024 (9 months) Location: Acton, Ontario She will need a single-family home with a securely fenced yard
Read More
Courtesy - Maya
Jan 08, 25 05:35 PM
*ADOPTED* Location: Dunnville, ON DOB: Jan. 3, 2021 (3.5 years) Spayed Companion Dog, Pyr mix Good with children. Single family home. Raw diet (species-appropriate)
Read More
Courtesy Posting - Luc
Dec 20, 24 10:04 AM
*We are delighted that, after providing his family with help in training, they have decided to work with this boy.* Name: Luc Breed: Maremma x Pyr Age:
Read More
Courtesy Posting - Beau
Dec 20, 24 10:02 AM
*We provided his family with some teaching help, and they have decided to work with these two!* Name: Beau Breed: Maremma cross Age: 18 months DOB:
Read More
Courtesy Post - Princess
Dec 17, 24 05:55 AM
*ADOPTED* Great news. Princess has a become part of a new family. They have the space and time to spend with her. Princess DOB: February 6, 2020 (4-years-old)
Read More