Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Some of you may know that I'm in my first year of college; I'm 2 hours from home, and I lived in the dorms this year. But next year, I would really really REALLY like to get an apartment so I can have my dogs up here with me during the school year. I miss them so much.

Anyway, my question is this; I found an apartment that will let me have both my dogs live with me (a hard thing to find since both my dogs are big!). I would either get a 1 bedroom or a studio apartment.

The studio apartments are RIGHT in our price range (even if they are small), but only 1 problem; they are all on the third floor; which means stairs. 

Dolly has very very mild hip dysplasia right now and I'm wondering if this would be a big problem for her (she shows no signs of pain or anything though). I try to avoid all stairs for her sake as of right now (just as prevention), but I'm wondering what you guys think.  Whatever input you all can offer will be very much appreciated. Thank you!

Again, it's an individual dog thing. My dogs are not Pyrs, but are both supposed to be same-sex aggressive. I have never seen any signs of this whatsoever. Socialize, sovialize, SOCIALIZE. Have you done this with your pup? With other dogs? Other dogs of the same gender? If you hope to overcome same sex aggression, it will take effort on the owner's part. It's not just something the dog overcomes on it's own, especially when the breed has such a propensity toward being dog aggressive in any way. Even breeds that are supposedly "good with other dogs" will be testy and ill-equipped to be around other dogs if they've never been around other dogs. They won't know their manners. It's like a child. You have to teach a child manners, they don't just come built-in.  (even if we all wish they did!)

I have a very good friend who used to be a member here who raised her 2 male Pyrs together and they were fine for 2 years. One day, that all changed. That was over a year ago and they cannot even see each other through a window to this day without trying to get at each other. My friend knows that if she doesn't keep them completely separated, they will kill each other.

Keeping same sexes of Pyrs together is definitely a balancing act. Some Pyr's will tolerate it. Others won't. That's just the way it is. I don't think their minds can be changed about it either really. I think the key is socialize, socialize, SOCIALIZE your dog as much as possible now with female dogs and male dogs, to see his response. Start early, and you will benefit, as will your dog. Remember, same-sex aggression is the exception rather than the rule USUALLY, but Pyrs are an exceptional breed.

Hi there! I'm not nearly as knowledgeable or good about training with my dogs as others, but there's only 1 of these 3 things that we absolutely INSIST on at my house. And that is no food is ever given to the dogs while we are sitting at the table. If we did it just even once, I can only imagine the begging and whining and hounding and sad eyes that would ensue the rest of the times we ever tried to eat in front of them again. And because they've NEVER gotten anything to eat at the dinner table, they don't do the begging routine either. They know without a doubt that they get NOTHING from us while we are eating.

With our first dog, we would give into the sad puppy dog eyes (it's so hard not to sometimes!) and raised him to be a beggar basically. I won't do that again! So buggy!

If and/or when you get another dog, have you picked out what breed it will be? Boy or girl? Or are you hoping to rescue whatever mixed breed or purebred comes your way? Got any colors picked out too? Tell us about it! 

I'm pretty sure my next one will be a Harlequin Great Dane puppy, but haven't decided whether I want a boy or girl yet.

What about you? 

I definitely agree that it is possible to make an outdoor dog used to being an indoor dog. BUT and this may or may not be the case for you and your dog, certain members of certain breeds sometimes really DO prefer being outside most of the time as opposed to being inside. For example, dogs that were once livestock guarding dogs may have a very difficult time adjusting to being inside full time because they may feel as though their job has been taken away from them if kept inside. Great Pyrenees, Nordic breeds, Anatolians, Komondors, and other working breeds may or may not prefer to be inside. My personal opinion is, it depends on each individual dog. If after a few weeks, your dog decides he quite likes being inside with you and likes being a couch potato (as most dogs do  ) then I say he's happy and you're happy, so good job! Yay for a living throw rug on the floor, right?  BUT if after a few weeks he still seems to really REALLY desire being outside most of the time or even some of the time but inside at night or whatever, I think you should let the dog choose for himself. Pyrs were bred to be guardians. That's hard-wired into them. And some of them definitely feel they are doing their job better outside and want no part of being indoor dogs. Others love being in the presence of their owners 24/7.  So long as the dog is happy, is what's important, right? 

My girls are outside most of the time, I will be honest. But we let them in probably every day for some of the time. But we ask them if they want to come in. We don't make them. If they decide they'd rather just stay outside, snoozing in the sun or playing in the snow, it's fine by me. But if they want to come in, that's okay too. 

Zoey my Malamute will be 3 in March and weighs in 108; she needs to lose at least 8 pounds though. She's looking chunky. 

Dolly my Saint is definitely a small Saint. She's 2 1/2 and weighs in at 130, however she needs to lose 10-15 pounds.  Also chunky. So both dogs are on diets.