mackenburg

Help. We are a "big dog" family and just adopted an almost 8-year-old Great Pyranees from a rescue. Her previous owners wanted to put her down because she dug holes. We did some research and learned they are stubborn and protective and yes, they dig holes. We live on 3.5 acres with a fenced kennel area that our dogs have unlimited access to through dog doors when we are gone.

Last night I came home from work (nearly midnight) and found her standing in the driveway. She dug herself out of the kennel. When I called her she came right to me, wagging her tail and then deked at the last minute and took off. She was out, somewhere on our property I hope, all night. This morning she was laying in the grass at the side of the driveway, apparently guarding her homestead.

Is this typical Pyr behavior? Are we fighting a losing battle to try to keep her confined when we are gone? We do have invisible fencing around the perimeter of our acres. Would we be better off trying to train her to mind that?

Any and all advice welcomed! Thanks.

Mary Mackenburg-Mohn and Molly