We have a great pyrenees we adopted a few months ago and while he's the sweetest dog and we love him he has the issue mentioned in the title. He doesn't want to hurt anyone he just runs up to/in front of them and barks at them. If they happen to stop he just barks at/sniffs them. Since he's a pyrenees I'd imagine this probably stems from the big protection instinct typical of the breed, as when we very first got him this didn't seem to be an issue. He usually just stays in the yard and lays down or hangs out by the corn field/pond otherwise.
It's hard to teach him cause since we live in the country people only pass by on foot/bike a few times a week and we obviously don't know when exactly they'll come by. So we can't just spend 8 hours a day out there waiting. When I take him out on walks he doesn't seem to care about any of it much since it's not by our house I assume. We've been taking him out on the leash in the yard alot lately but this isn't the sort of life we want for him. He does like to run around and I'd hate for him to be forever constrained to a leash or small kennel as our yard would cost thousands of dollars to fence. Especially because I can't take him on many walks right now since my car needs an expensive part replaced (so it won't be fixed for quite some time) and my mother is recovering from surgery so she can't really drive her car.
Does anyone have some advice? I'm just a teenager with no money but lots of time, and my parents don't have much time but are willing to spend a little if needed? Or do we have to consider surrendering him back to the shelter? Which I would hate to do as he's already attached to us and been through a couple homes (not for anything bad just fosters and a failed adopt cause he was too big) His breed is known to be stubborn and he definitely can be so we really don't know what to do.
Watch this guy's videos
https://youtube.com/@willathertoncaninetraining?si=2zVVwZg9jhcoLGXm
He's really good, and will be able to tell you how to distract your dog and get him to focus on you. Good luck!!
I used to own a stubborn Samoyed dog. He benefitted so much from beginner obedience training, and then intermediate training. Being in a class with other dogs showed him that it's ok to learn. I appreciate that money is tight, so maybe ask facebook or other local groups for a trainer recommendation, and see if you can find one who works on a sliding fee scale. Some may help just to make sure a dog doesn't get reactive or aggressive.
You have a lot of time, which is great. Lots of repetition, treats, and consistency will produce a well trained and happy dog!
I had always heard professional dog training was only really worth it if the dog was still a puppy, is that not the case? The shelter forms had said he's about 2 years old, which ik is still pretty young but it's obviously not puppy young. But thank you for your reply, I'll look into the YouTube channel you linked and do my best with what I can do on my own.
Nah.
Learning for any living thing is easier when young, but just like people dogs continue learning their whole lives. For some things it’s even easier because they understand more.
You said your dog “gets tired” and stops reacting to someone going by?
Have the person keep going by, everytime your dog doesn’t give a shit, shower him with praise and give him a treat.
He’ll understand that’s what you want, and he’ll start doing it everytime.
Positive reinforcement always works better than negative
Alright I'll try to convince my Dad to start working on it again with me on the weekends. Thanks for the reply.