Would castration stop him running away?

[Gwennies]

We have always had Pyrenean Mountain Dogs. They are gorgeous, but not the most obedient of dogs and even the bitches are prone to being independent and want to roam. But our latest aquisition who we rescued as a 6 month old, is in a whole new league. He was great as a youngster, but suddenly, when he turned 2 he began making a run for it if anyone opened the gate to the courtyard where he and his girlfriend are free to roam all day. They also get long walks on extended leads as no amount of training has made them trustworthy off the lead. When he escapes, he really bolts and there is no way I am catching him. Today I ran two miles chasing him over soggy fields before he finally ended up on a busy A road. I managed to flag down the traffic, and a helpful motorist caught him for me. He is an outdoor dog and not house trained so we can't keep him in the house. We have taken to chaining him up inside the courtyard when the liveries are here and they all adore him and help out by tying him up when they arrive. But today one livery forgot. I can't blame her. He's not the liveries responsibility. He's ours. But I was wondering if castration was likely to improve the situation at all? None of our others have been this bad. Thanks

 

[EAST KENT]

One of those times an e collar is a boon. Zap him as he bolts,only once should cure him.

 

[CorvusCorax]

It won't cure it, only training will do that, but it will help.
Buy a cheapo flat-pack dog run for him, much better than a chain.
Does he get any structured exercise or just wander around your land? He is probably self-entertaining because he is bored.

 

[Gwennies]

One of those times an e collar is a boon. Zap him as he bolts,only once should cure him.

Wow, I hadn't thought of that. Cruel to be kind maybe. Thanks!

 

[CorvusCorax]

One of those times an e collar is a boon. Zap him as he bolts,only once should cure him.

Hmmmmm....or it might not, it might completely freak him out and he will run away from whatever zapped him. Bad dog ZAP is why people are against them and want them banned.
I'm not against them on a low setting as an OI, pay attention and backed up with a positive.

 

[Gwennies]

It won't cure it, only training will do that, but it will help.
Buy a cheapo flat-pack dog run for him, much better than a chain.
Does he get any structured exercise or just wander around your land? He is probably self-entertaining because he is bored.

Thanks. He gets daily walks and extra long ones at the weekend, but no structured exercise as such. Partly because we can't let him off the lead. I agree, he is probably bored. The courtyard is huge and he and his friend play endlessly. He is extremely fast and fit due to all the running about he does. He loves fuss and gets loads of it all day long from both us and our liveries.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Well it does sound like you keep him busy in fairness!
I am not against e collars as a last resort for certain types of dog but they do not suit every dog, I would enlist a trainer or someone experienced in their use before you start zapping IMO.
And I would really look into a dog run, mine live in runs when they are not with me/out on walks and they do just fine.

ETA also if you have entire females (not clear from your OP) neutering will probably be wise!!

 

[Gwennies]

Well it does sound like you keep him busy in fairness!
I am not against e collars as a last resort for certain types of dog but they do not suit every dog, I would enlist a trainer or someone experienced in their use before you start zapping IMO.
And I would really look into a dog run, mine live in runs when they are not with me/out on walks and they do just fine.

We do have a lovely brick built kennel and dog run, but it is outside of the courtyard, sadly. He is fine in there but only when I put his friend in with him. However, she hates it and it's a real fight getting her in (8 stone of wriggling pyrenean) and once in, she cries quite a bit. She is very possessive of me and panics when she cannot see where I am. In the courtyard she keeps an eye on me through the house windows. He does seem to have settled being tied up as he is right in the 'traffic' path of everyone, just outside the tackroom and also his friend is with him too. The problem is the chance of someone turning up when we are not expecting them or them forgetting to tie him up. I don't want to leave him tied all day. One of my liveries is adamant castration would stop him, but I don't want to do it unless there is a good chance of it working.

 

[CorvusCorax]

See edit x

 

[Gwennies]

See edit x

Yes, she is entire, but he is infertile. She had a litter with our previous dog who we sadly lost very young to cancer. She was chemically spayed and it had worked well for 2 years before she suddenly came into season (only realised when we caught them at it) only 2 months after her last jab. We decided not to abort but there was no litter anyway. We decided to stop the jabs and they bred again. No litter. So we realised for certain that he was infertile. We didn't want to spay her as she is a really well bred bitch and her pups all sold within two weeks of advertising. We did not want to rule out a future litter, though have now decided against it.

 

[CorvusCorax]

She might just have missed rather than be totally infertile, it happens a lot. Usually when you've driven to Germany for the mating in my friends' experience
I'd neuter him anyway if he is a rescue and prone to wonder!

 

[gunnergundog]

Re e-collar....IF you decide to go that route, use an experienced trainer. IMO only certain personalities are suitable for this type of training; you need to be sure of the dog you have (not the dog you THINK you have) and timing is everything! If you **** it up, you could have one hell of a problem on your hands....more so than you do now.

Why not chemically castrate him to see if it works? Tardak or Suprelorin. Also, just 'cos you've had two mis-mates, do NOT assume that he is infertile!!

Also, try mental training as opposed to physical training to tire the dog.

 

[SusieT]

'Buy a cheapo flat-pack dog run for him, much better than a chain.
Curious as to why you think this? Never heard it said before really!
I would be inclined to think it's more fun for him outside?It's a nightmare when it starts. You could always consider an electric fence collar, but as CC says, they can react badly to the shock

 

[CorvusCorax]

He'd be outside in a dog run too? Nearly sure my dogs are outside during the day with a 360-degree view.
I should have added 'personally', I personally don't like chains and find dog runs better. The potential injury factor and the fact that in my experience it can make dogs very territorial.

 

[Gwennies]

She might just have missed rather than be totally infertile, it happens a lot. Usually when you've driven to Germany for the mating in my friends' experience
I'd neuter him anyway if he is a rescue and prone to wonder!

Well they were tied around 5 times on both occasions, but yes, I think we are probably going to go down the castration route.

 

[Gwennies]

Re e-collar....IF you decide to go that route, use an experienced trainer. IMO only certain personalities are suitable for this type of training; you need to be sure of the dog you have (not the dog you THINK you have) and timing is everything! If you **** it up, you could have one hell of a problem on your hands....more so than you do now.

Why not chemically castrate him to see if it works? Tardak or Suprelorin. Also, just 'cos you've had two mis-mates, do NOT assume that he is infertile!!

Also, try mental training as opposed to physical training to tire the dog.

Excellent idea re the chemical castration, and the trainer. Thanks.

 

[Gwennies]

'Buy a cheapo flat-pack dog run for him, much better than a chain.
Curious as to why you think this? Never heard it said before really!
I would be inclined to think it's more fun for him outside?It's a nightmare when it starts. You could always consider an electric fence collar, but as CC says, they can react badly to the shock

Hmm, yes. Even though he is great now, he was extremely nervous when we first got him and still shakes if big lorries come to the yard so it may not be sometning for him.

 

[PolarSkye]

He's basically a teenage boy! Big dogs mature much more slowly so he's in his prime and feeling it. He's probably also bored. So, yes, I would have him neutered as that will certainly help - but you also need to make being at home much more interesting/entertaining than being out and about. Do you have time to spend doing some structured training with him . . . some agility or more advanced obedience or something like that . . . something to keep his brain busy as well as his body?

I'm another one who wouldn't use an e collar . . . I just can't get my head round electrocuting one of my animals - but each to their own.

Good luck.

P