A Great Pyrenees, Primo, was purchased by a Flagstaff owner to be a livestock guardian dog - something that Pyrenees are innately bred to do. Livestock guardian dogs live outside with their flocks day and night, regardless of weather conditions.
Primo was accepting of his role in life on his five-acre mini-ranch and blended in well with his small herd of goats, sheep and chickens. He (humanely) slept in a lean-to during the Flagstaff winter, tolerated the unyielding winds and even fought his way through pelting rain. His owners tried to urge him into the house during the coldest days, but Primo would have none of it. He was there to "protect and serve" against wild cats, wolves and coyotes.
However, one day things changed and no one knows why. Normally sedate, protective and fenced-trained, Primo decided he wanted out. He first went under the fence, but when his owners caught on and secured the bottom of the fence, he began going over it instead. Each time he escaped he made his way toward the highway and no one could figure out why. His owners, unable to deter his behavior and afraid he would become injured, eventually decided to rehome him and sent him to a 40-acre goat farm.
Once there, Primo continued to escape and make his way toward a highway. He was then transferred to another home with 1,400 acres and over 20 other Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dogs to keep him company. Unfortunately, Primo was still not pleased and made his escape, disappearing for three weeks before he was found.
Eventually, Primo was given back to his original owners, but his destiny was uncertain. What to do with a dog that wants to run, got along with critters but had no "real" bond to them and had never really been in a house or lived as a traditional pet? His options were very limited.
As a last resort, it was decided that Primo should come down to the valley and try a change of attitude. With a six-foot block wall fence, he couldn't escape and he needed some "tough love." AZPyrs' foster family was extremely careful about letting Primo out by himself. Primo was not kennel or crate trained and reacted adversely to being "cooped up." The nights were long and loud, he spent many long weeks being walked on a lead (sometimes at 3 am) and he was supervised at all times, but one day Primo finally "got with the program." Bucking and crying, he was gently led into the house, parked himself on the dining room carpet (which no dogs are allowed to do) and settled in!
Three months later, Primo is extremely well-adjusted, comes in and out of the house with ease, sleeps through the night (mostly in his foster mom's bed), has never challenged a fence, goes to lunch at the best restaurants, visits kids in schools, walks wonderfully on leash and is 10,000 times housebroken.
Yes, it was difficult at first, but isn't it amazing what time, work and a little love can do?
Visit AZPYRS.com to learn more about our Great Pyrenees rescue.
P.S. Many thanks to Airpark Dodge Ram Chrysler Jeep purchasers Mary Dennis and Glen & Nancy Goldblatt for assisting at the Fiesta Cluster Dog show last week. Your help was invaluable!
