Would boarding Pyrs be a horrible thing to do?

[Zookeeper]

We want to go somewhere for the kids' spring break for 4 days. I'm pretty sure we can get some local people to help with milking the cow and the other animals, but our dogs may pose a problem. They take their guarding job very seriously, and they are very particular about who they will even let in our driveway, much less get out of the car and roam around our property. One of our Pyrs have even snapped at people in the past. Not altogether a bad thing, as I do like having dogs who protect us and our home.

I have gotten her to where if I'm home and I come out of the house and tell her it's okay and I stand there and talk to the person, she minds her business and will back off and go lay down 20 ft. away and just watch, which is they way I want her to be. But if DH or I are not here to come out and tell her it's okay, I think she'd bite someone if they happened not to meet her criteria (whatever that is...), especially if it's someone we've just hired and she doesn't know well.

SO...I am thinking about boarding them (we have two). I HATE boarding dogs, especially these dogs...but if it's our only option in order to be able to to leave for a few days...would it be bad for them? Would they be totally neurotic when we got home? What would you do?

[Bearfootfarm]

It sounds to me like you only have two choices,
Either board them, and keep somone from being bitten, or stay at home.
As to whether or not it will affect the dogs, that's anyone's guess.
Would they be any less agressive at a kennel?

[Zookeeper]

I really don't know how they'd react at a kennel, I have never taken them to one. When I take them to the vet, they do fine. I think that's because she only feels it's her "job" to guard OUR property, so she minds her own business when she's on someone else's.

The thing is, if we find someone she approves of and if we have time to acclimate her to their being here a few times, things will be fine. It's just that this *particular* trip we were trying to take is only 3 weeks away and I didn't know if we'd have time to do that this time. In the future, if we can have someone who will come milk the cow who she is more familiar with, it shouldn't be a problem.

[bluemoonluck]

Unless there is a way to securely confine your dogs on your property, I have to agree with Bearfootfarm. Either you have to stay home or you'll have to board them.

[Curtis B]

I think you should try to introduce someone to them. I housesat for someone who had a very aggressive and protective chow. A few weeks before I started going over and in their prescence would give the dog treats when he didn't act agressive to me. They left and I would go check on the house and when I could stay the dog even would sleep with me. For the most part it doesn't take long for the dog to accept someone new into the "pack".

[homesteadforty]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

As to whether or not it will affect the dogs, that's anyone's guess.
Would they be any less agressive at a kennel?

Typically, LGD's are indifferent to friendly off their own property. Nothing to protect... so no aggression.

It shouldn't bother them at all to be boarded occasionally. For that short a time they won't likely establish the kennel as theirs and shouldn't forget where home is.

[Hawkfamily]

I too have been wondering about this. We don't have anything planned until summer, so there is enough time to acclimatise someone between now and then. Keep us posted on what you decide and how it goes after you're back from your little trip.
Good luck with whatever route you take.
jodi

[Maura]

If you take them, one at a time, to the boarding facility and let them sniff around, it will be easier the next time, and the next time. I would be concerned about confining them to a kennel if they are always outside. Over the next three weeks, have them sleep in a small area, a crate, a stall, something that will confine them in a way they are unaccostommed to. Even putting them in the largest kennel at the boarder's, these dogs are not going to like being confined if they have never been. If they can be outside during the day, it will be easier on them. My boarder has a large yard area for the dogs, but some kennels do not. The dogs are going to have to be indoors at night for liability reasons.

They will accept the idea that the owner/worker at the kennel is the alpha, and since it is not their territory they shouldn't have a guarding problem other than the typical barking.

[Hawkfamily]

I like Maura's suggestions.

I found this in some USDA LGD literature that was of interest. They were referring here to kenneling dogs through the winter, but I think the findings are of relevance to you here:
We speculated that the relatively long period of removal from the sheep would result in a decrease or loss of the dog’s bond to sheep. Ten years of experience with this situation has revealed that, for most dogs, the bond to sheep remains and may e ven be intensified with periods of separation. The period of isolation in the kennel appears to enhance the dog’s desire and enthusiasm for the freedom of being with sheep. Almost without exception, when we release a dog after it has been apart from the sheep for any length of time, it quickly seeks the scent and trails off in the direction of the sheep. The bond between dog and sheep is established as the pup is raised with lambs and appears to endure even though the dog is separated from the sheep.

[Michael W. Smith]

I would think, that if you have the person come around for up to a week, helping you with the chores the dogs would get used to them. The dogs aren't dumb, and would quickly learn this person means no harm.

Once they've been coming around and the dogs don't seem to take much notice, stay inside the house (or near a window to yell) and have the person come and stop by and go to the barn as if they are going to do the chores.

I'd hate to board my Pyr.