When/how do you pick the pears??

Our Beurre d'Anjou has at last started bearing fruit--- and quite a crop it is! We have had a few since we planted it... but never seemed to pick at the right time.

Online, it seems to say that they need to be cold for several weeks before ripening on the counter. But how cold? Is refrigerator cold ok??

I have seen the fruit go from gold to blushes to more brownish blush.. and they are still very hard. I know i need to pick them hard, but how hard?

Anyone out there have good experience with this fruit??
Thanks much !!