Your goal is to maintain a portion-controlled feeding
regimen. Feeding 3 or 4 small meals per day, is better than feeding one or two large
ones. This should be done for up to 4-6 month's of age, then it can be changed
to 2 meals per day. You want an average growth rate; to maintain a lean body
composition. Avoid overfeeding! Also your puppy should be provided regular daily
exercise.
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Grooming
Requirements
Their coats have an amazing
ability to self clean resulting in low maintenance. With regular
brushing, it is very easy to keep their coat in good condition.
The outer coat does not mat, but watch for matting of the softer
hair behind the ears. They actually are very good at removing
burrs on their own. Bathe only when necessary.
Pyr's should not be shaved in the
summer. If he is outside, provide a cool shady spot, with plenty
of fresh water instead.
Exercise
Pyrenees should get plenty of
exercise to stay in shape. It does not need to be vigorous though,
a good long walk or two shorter ones per day are fine.
Living
Conditions
Being a large breed, Pyr's are not
recommended for apartment life. They do need space, not
necessarily a farm but at least an averaged-sized yard. Pyr's do prefer
the cooler climates. They can developed skin problems if they
don't have enough shade in the hotter months.
Fencing
Requirements
You will need a good fence, 6-foot height
all way round is preferable.
The Pyr is a roamer. If allowed to
wander unattended, they often will travel large distances, and
expand their territory. Problem is, they rarely find their way
home. A common saying, is "a free Pyr, is a Disapyr"
A Pyr also must not be tied out
continuously, for tying can cause frustration that leads to
aggression.
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Importance of Early Socialization and
Training
Socialization:
Socialization and Obedience
training can be critical in nurturing the human animal
relationship.
The Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD)
needs socialization to strangers, children and other dogs as well;
You do not want your guardian going through the fence at your neighbour
walking her dog.
Please see this article :
Socializing Your Puppy by Catherine de la Cruz, of Poste de
Pompier Working Pyrenees, regarding the importance of
socialization and training you're LGD.
Socialization is the process of
becoming familiar with the world and new situations, and how to
handle new experiences in a calm and confident way.
Familiarizing a dog with its environment
through exposure to all sorts of
situations. If you want to raise a confident well-adjusted puppy,
socialization is a must! By socializing your puppy early on with a
variety of new and unfamiliar people (including calm and gentle
children), on a regular and ongoing basis; you can help prevent
serious behavioural problems such as shyness, timidity, and
aggression from developing as the puppy matures.
The period from 6 to 18 weeks is
critical because once it ends, familiarizing the dog with new
things is more difficult. But it is important to continue their
socialization and training at least until their second year.
You should take your puppy
for car rides and visits to town.
(beginning when
the puppy is around 8 to 10 weeks of
age) Getting them used to the noise can be very helpful in preventing environmental phobias. In
order to prevent exposure to disease, puppies with fewer than 3 or
4 series of vaccinations, should avoid contact with unfamiliar
dogs. But should be frequently socialized with dogs of other
family members and friends.
Once a puppy has all of his puppy
shots (usually by 16 weeks of age), he should also be socialized
with other friendly dogs, and acclimated to new environments
beyond the owner's home and property. One way is by being taken for regular
daily walks on a leash.
Puppy kindergarten classes may
are helpful. This way they are meeting alot of different puppies and
strange people.
Ideally, an experienced dog trainer
or behavioural consultant should supervise all play activity and be
present to prevent any overly aggressive interactions between
puppies.
Obedience
Training
Again I stress.........
Socialization and Obedience training can be critical in nurturing
the human animal relationship.
Its basic manners training - sit,
down, stay, come and heel - are essential to shaping a good
companion, or LGD.
For example, dogs taught to lie
down at the arrival of visitors, after barking their warnings are
much more reliable and trustworthy. Plus they are readily accepted
by your friends and family. Instead
of having to be locked up when people arrive.
Or if your dog accidentally gets out, his
recall reliability could very well save his life.
With the help of a competent
instructor, you can see early warning signs of dominance or fear,
and can effectively curb the behaviour, before it gets out of
control.
Obedience training is basically an
education in good manners.
Training can be positive and fun, and
create a very strong bond between the dog and the owner. Think of
it as "together time".
Socialization and basic training
are the foundations for this bond. A well-socialized dog with good
manners is a treasured family pet and an asset to the community,
not a
themselves to their
environments.
