Holden has been with us for 5 1/2 weeks. Because of his overnight break out of his pen that first day, he had a less than desirable rapid introduction to the sheep, but I soon found he continued to be calm around the sheep and all the other critters. Livestock Guardian Dog Test #1 passed! However, he didn't seem too protective of the sheep which is the second important test of a LGD - no marking of his territory, very little barking and leaving the sheep alone out in the pasture. Over the past few weeks, though, he has slowly started to exhibit those important guardian behaviors. We hope those behaviors will continue to improve and, in combination with his very sweet nature, we've decided he's a keeper!
Having lost Gabby to coyotes, I decided having two or more Pyrs was essential. Carolina Great Pyrenees Rescue called me again last week about a young female that had come in. A Pyr breeder was trying to get rid of all his older puppies as one of his dogs was due to have more any day. When the rescue volunteer went out to the farm, she found 16 (!) Pyrs out in the field - many older puppies and young dogs that had never been handled by humans. We brought Abby home, a terrified, small but beautiful Pyr. She trembled with fear every time we came near her at first. It has taken a week of patient work for Abby to trust us, but at least now she will let us pet her and seems happy to see us in the morning. Much more work will be needed to guarantee her LGD skills, and to continue to gain her trust, but she's a keeper too. Holden and Abby are fast buddies, and his comfort with humans is helping Abby accept us.
Having lost Gabby to coyotes, I decided having two or more Pyrs was essential. Carolina Great Pyrenees Rescue called me again last week about a young female that had come in. A Pyr breeder was trying to get rid of all his older puppies as one of his dogs was due to have more any day. When the rescue volunteer went out to the farm, she found 16 (!) Pyrs out in the field - many older puppies and young dogs that had never been handled by humans. We brought Abby home, a terrified, small but beautiful Pyr. She trembled with fear every time we came near her at first. It has taken a week of patient work for Abby to trust us, but at least now she will let us pet her and seems happy to see us in the morning. Much more work will be needed to guarantee her LGD skills, and to continue to gain her trust, but she's a keeper too. Holden and Abby are fast buddies, and his comfort with humans is helping Abby accept us.
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