Although very close to their social group and affectionate towards them, Anatolian Shepherd dogs are able to remain alone at home where they take their role as guardian very seriously.
Nevertheless, absences should not be prolonged and, above all, before and after each period of solitude, this Anatolian Sheepdog must benefit from physical and mental exercise.
The Kangal, as this dog may also be known, is considered to be an intelligent and docile dog, even if it is very independent. This temperament often does not coincide with a high level of obedience and yet, for a hound, this dog is particularly receptive.
For their education to be successful, it is necessary to begin training from a young age in order to prevent the Anatolian Shepherd puppy from developing bad habits.
Be careful never to seek any kind of power relationship with this giant dog as they could quickly begin to consider their master as an incoherent and disrespectful being and therefore stop any form of cooperation.
To overcome their occasionally stubborn side, it is necessary to be firm, consistent and self-confident to build a strong relationship. Concessions must be avoided while fostering an education that respects the principles of positive education.
It should be noted that obedience for this dog is a deliberate, unconditioned act. Therefore, commands must be fair and sensible in order to achieve results.
Barking is this dog's main deterrent technique. So, when they sense danger, they don't hesitate to raise their voice. Good training helps to avoid unnecessary barking.
It is advisable to fence off the environment of this Turkish guard dog, this is not to avoid running away but rather to help the dog understand the boundaries of the territory he/she must guard.
However, they can live freely in the countryside if the environment is sufficiently safe. They will then set their own limits and will be committed to ensuring that no one with malicious intent disrupts the tranquillity of their home.
If they are bored, insufficiently stimulated and lacking a duty, they can easily become destructive, especially if they stay locked in, for example, in a small apartment. Otherwise, they are calm, composed and reliable dogs, if all their needs are met and they are kept in a suitable environment.
The Anatolian Shepherd is a modest eater because of his large size.
Also known as the Turkish guard dog, this mountain molosser is a highly skilled guard who was (and still is) mainly used for guarding sheep.
Indeed, even when adopted as companion dogs they are committed to protecting their family, but are never unnecessarily aggressive. Biting is indeed a means of last resort for this dog following all its other preventive measures in the event of danger.
When at home, they guard their property and all members of their social group (humans and animals alike) and when they are on the move with their master, they know that they are no longer at home but can be very vigilant if they feel their master is in danger.
For a first-time adoption, choosing a large, sometimes stubborn dog with a highly developed guard instinct can be tricky. It is preferable to choose a more flexible and less invasive breed.
Educational and social failures for such a large race can be dangerous. This dog needs experienced, reliable, consistent and self-confident owners in order to evolve well. If they sense any weakness, their protective instinct will only be further developed, and this can be challenging on a daily basis.
