The post How To Train a Great Pyrenees: 10 Vet-Approved Tips & Tricks by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
In many ways, the Great Pyrenees embodies all we love in our canine companions. Theyâre protective yet patient, calm and pensive, with a benevolent, loving personality that makes these gentle giants too easy to love. Finding fault isnât easy with this admirable breed, but if thereâs one struggle many owners underestimate, itâs training.
Pyrs arenât dominating or unruly, but their independence can easily lead to owner frustration while training. If youâre wondering how to train your dog to become the obedient, outgoing pet you desire, weâll make the process as straightforward as possible with these ten tips and tricks for training a Great Pyrenees.
How to Train a Great Pyrenees
1. Be Persistently Patient and Positive
New Great Pyrenees owners must relax their expectations for obedience for their sake and their dogsâ. Pyrs are intelligent, but not in the sense theyâll quickly learn tricks and new commands. Theyâre thoughtful, often weighing outcomes and typically acting on what they decide is best.
Itâs easy to get frustrated at this stubbornness if you previously had obedient pets. Be patient. Donât repeat cues and risk poisoning them, and donât react in a way that could damage your bond. Give your dog time to respond and help them see the value in following your lead. Always look for ways to reinforce desired behaviors while ignoring unwanted habits.
Pyrs are sensitive, so you must avoid punishment and negative feedback. They may not always be compliant, but they are generally well-meaning. While every family companion warrants a positive training approach, Great Pyrenees are arguably the last breed to deserve harsh punishment.
Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin, Shutterstock
2. Train Obedience Basics and Practice âLearn to Earnâ
Although obedience wonât be your Pyrâs hallmark, you canât skimp on training. Puppy classes are an excellent idea, providing early socialization opportunities with other dogs and foundational obedience training to make your dog more tolerant and cooperative. At home, focus on the basics, particularly the following:
Sit/stay
Recall
Down/stay
Leave it/drop it
Practice these commands daily, but donât become frustrated if you canât get 100% cooperation. Use them to train patience and cooperation throughout the day in a âlearn to earnâ approach. For instance, have your Pyr sit before putting their meals down or make them wait before leaving the house for a walk. Doing so will teach patience, encourage calm behavior, and establish your position as the gateway to all the good things.
3. Be Confident, Firm, and Unyieldingly Consistent
Set boundaries and standards for behavior from day one, ensuring that everyone in the family is committed to them. If you arenât consistent and allow your Pyr to do something âjust this one timeâ (e.g., getting on the couch, jumping on you to greet you), your dog will remember it, essentially poisoning the rule youâve set. Your dog will get a taste of the alternative, realize itâs possible, and make your rules harder to enforce.
Stay consistent and firm while remaining positive. Promote an atmosphere of respect between you and your dog. Show that you care for your dog, but donât give them what they want if they donât heed your expectations.
Image Credit: Sierra Tango, Shutterstock
4. Train Daily but Keep the Sessions Short
Obedience routines arenât the average Great Pyreneesâs forte, but theyâre still an essential part of training behaviors and maintaining your position as the leader of the house. Keep them short, and focus on success so your dog stays motivated.
Start with basic commands, and be patient as they learn what you want (or what earns them a reward). Keep sessions to about 5 minutes, ending while your dog is fully engaged. Any longer, and youâll notice theyâll often get bored and decide they want to do something else.
If you cut the session short while you have your dogâs attention, youâll leave them wanting more, making future training sessions more exciting for them.
5. Arrange Puppy Playdates
Great Pyrenees grow up quickly, and socializing is crucial before they get too large to handle. The critical period for dogs is 3â14 weeks, so you must prioritize safe exposure to diverse people, animals, and situations when you bring your puppy home from the breeder. Since they likely wonât have all their shots, you must take extra precautions to prevent unnecessary infections.
Talk to friends and family with well-behaved, vaccinated dogs who can visit for playdates. Supervise the interactions to ensure your Great Pyrenees can create positive associations with the presence of other dogs and people. Make playdates frequent, and try to expose your dog to as many animals as possible to generalize their behavior.
6. Spend Quality Time to Nurture Your Bond
The Great Pyrenees donât need excessive exercise to stay healthy, but daily activity and enrichment are crucial in keeping them calm and fostering the strong bond that will make training easier. Take your dog for daily walks, letting them sniff and explore. Theyâll tire out while having fun, solidifying the connection between their positive feelings and your presence.
Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock
7. Be Mindful of Resource Guarding
Resource guarding can be an issue in a multi-dog household that may spill over into conflict with owners if you donât try to prevent it. Donât give your Pyr a reason or the chance to be possessive, as it can cause long-term conflict.
Be careful about what you offer to your dog. Bones and long-lasting toys can quickly put a Pyr on edge if another dog approaches them, and poor socialization can make them overly anxious and wary. Make resources abundant and equitable, and monitor for aggressive signs.
If you must remove something your Pyr is guarding, keep tasty treats on hand so you can make a trade that wonât make them feel like theyâre losing something valuable.
8. Give Your Great Pyrenees a Job
Since they were bred to work, Great Pyrenees thrive when they have a sense of purpose. Theyâre always guardians, but protecting the home isnât something that requires action every day, especially if you live in a quiet, safe neighborhood. To keep your Pyr stimulated, consider giving them a job, such as:
Patrolling the home
Picking up toys
Nosework outside and indoors
Puzzle toys
Ideally, youâll have plenty of space for them to roam safely, like an expansive, fenced-in yard. If you commit to leash training early, you can do more exploratory hikes to give your Pyr ample exercise, time to sniff, and a chance to secure their territory by patrolling it.
9. Weather the Adolescent Period
The Great Pyrenees will reach adolescence at around 6â10 months, a point when many of your efforts seemingly go out the window. Adolescence may last until your dog is 18 months old, but it can sometimes extend past their second year. New fears and behaviors may emerge, and any obedience youâve developed will often regress.
Like children, dogs go through this transitional period on their way to adulthood to test their attachments and manage their hormonal changes. It can be frustrating for owners, but you must stay the course and remain consistent in your training and positive reinforcement. Encourage but donât force interactions.
Have guests offer treats to show theyâre non-threatening and beneficial, and continue rewarding the behaviors you want while gently dissuading unwanted habits.
Image Credit: Paolo Seimandi, Shutterstock
10. Handling an Independent-Minded Canine
Great Pyrenees arenât necessarily dominating over handlers, but their long lineage has nurtured an independent mindset. The ancient breed has existed for over 3,000 years, with some putting their origins at over 10,000 years ago.
For centuries, the dogs worked to secure their shepherdsâ herd from wolves and other hazards, with their white coats blending among their flock. Owners developed them to work independently, far from guiding hands. With this protective instinct came nurturing personalities. Pyrs are loving protectors, whether for animals in the field or family in the home.
In this centuries-long role, guardian traits are central to the modern breed, and we still see their value today. In 2024, a Great Pyrenees named Casper even won the Peopleâs Choice Pup award from the American Farm Bureau for defending his flock against a pack of 11 coyotes, eight of which he killed despite suffering numerous injuries!
Final Thoughts
Great Pyrenees have an innate drive to be kind and guard their family. Theyâre hardworking and loyal, but that doesnât mean theyâll excel at obedience. Unquestioning compliance was never a breed focus, as handlers primarily valued their drive and confidence, trusting them to do their due diligence with minimal prompting.
Todayâs Great Pyrenees stay true to nature, which wonât align with typical expectations for everyday companion breeds. Although youâll face unique hurdles while developing good behaviors, keeping a sense of humor, staying patient, and appreciating your dogâs priorities will make them one of the most adorable animals you could hope for.
Featured Image Credit: Danita Delimont, Shutterstock
The post How To Train a Great Pyrenees: 10 Vet-Approved Tips & Tricks by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
