Erick Conard's Lucky Hit Ranch: Anatolian Page
"Introducing Anatolians to
Birthing and Young Kids"
INTRODUCTION
Anatolian Shepherd Guardian Dogs with superior guardian ability possess a
complex mixture of behavioral drives that are genetically competitive.
An easily understood pair of these contradictory behaviors, both of which
are strongly expressed in all effective working flock guardians, is the
desire to nurture newborns with the utmost gentleness and the compulsion
to protect them uncompromisingly. This balanced combination interweaves
a strongly nurturing disposition with a fiercely protective nature,
creating behaviors beautifully geared toward safeguarding the young.
In guardians with strong working instincts, the birth of newborns
accelerates both of these powerful drives into high gear. Experienced
for the first time, this intense rush of conflicting emotions can sometimes
confuse an untested Anatolian. Without guidance and confused by the
passion these emotions create, the inexperienced Anatolian may engage
in unwanted behaviors.
A young Anatolian's owner is responsible for
providing that guidance during this stressful time. Guidance producing
the best behavior is achieved by maintaining the young Anatolian in an
appropriate environment, one that consistently facilitates the emergence
of the desired behaviors and automatically extinguishes unwanted behaviors.
OWNER MINDSET PRIOR TO PLACEMENT WITH YOUNG KIDS AND BIRTHING
When one obtains an Anatolian pup, one accepts responsibility for providing
guidance to direct its strong genetic/behavioral drives, especially those
paired behaviors which are in conflict with each other but are equally
necessary in good flock guardians. No excuse an owner may concoct removes
his/her responsibility for providing this guidance.
This responsibility includes guiding a young Anatolian through appropriate
behaviors during its initial contact with newborns. With skillful guidance
the Anatolian will succeed; without guidance there may be less than
complete success. Because the responsibility for proper guidance rests
solely with a pup's owner, I know that any behavioral problem I discover
in one my pups stems from my failure to provide the proper guidance
and environment for that pup. I do not blame my
pup for my failure.
TRAINING REQUIRED PRIOR TO PLACEMENT WITH YOUNG
KIDS AND BIRTHING
A proper flock guardian environment for puppy training is one in which
incorrect puppy behaviors are automatically addressed and immediately
corrected and extinguished by conditions found in that environment.
For example, if a young dog plays too aggressively with a newborn
in his training flock, he will be immediately punished, usually with a
strong head butt, by the newborn's dam. An environment that is designed
to immediately correct any misbehavior will automatically extinguish
those unwanted behaviors, guiding a pup's development toward only desirable
flock guardian behaviors.
(Please note. Above I qualify the resulting behaviors
achieved as "desirable flock guardian behaviors." I DO NOT SAY the resulting
behavior achieved will be "any type of behavior the owner wishes the dog
to display!" Those who desire to eliminate flock guardian behaviors in well
bred Anatolians with superior flock guardian ability will most likely find
that no amount of behavioral modification leads to complete success -
especially when the behaviors they desire to eliminate are crucial flock
guardian behaviors. If essential flock guardian behaviors can be permanently
eliminated from an Anatolian pup's responses, that pup is poorly bred.)
In addition to being raised in a correct flock guardian working environment,
the Anatolian pup must demonstrate
1.) The proper submissive responses during an owner's alpha respect
training sessions (best obtained using the "juicy bone" technique),
2.) A backward movement to the "back off" command, and
3.) The correct responses to all basic goat/dog interactions (such as pup
"head bow" in response to goat "head tilt," no play/chase
even with kids that run, etc.)
I reinforce these basic lessons on an ongoing basis throughout the dog's
lifetime. I am flexible and willing to modify these techniques to match
each pup's particular situation and needs. I make time to carefully
observe every pup's behavior every day and make necessary adjustments
immediately when I see a problem developing. Most importantly, when
things go awry, rather than blaming the dog for its unwanted behaviors,
I determine how the environment I created led to those unwanted behaviors
and immediately make appropriate corrections.
PROPERLY SUPERVISED INTRODUCTION TO BIRTHING
Leaving a young guardian pup unsupervised with a doe that's almost ready to
kid is asking for trouble. This bad situation becomes even worse if the
doe is young and/or a first time mother. A guardian pup that is placed with
a pregnant doe and is not supervised is an example of an owner created
birthing problem. Without the owner's guidance, when the doe kids the pup
may become confused and respond inappropriately. If so, the pup now requires
corrective training - training most likely unnecessary if the owner had
kept the pup's environment appropriate.
A circumstance in which a working pup is not housed with goats, sheep, or
other flock animals should be short term, lasting only until several training
does or bucks can be procured. When an owner has only goats that are near
birthing, the owner can temporarily keep the pup in a pen adjacent to the goat
shed when the pup is unsupervised. The pup can be allowed in the goat pen
during the day under the owner's close supervision. It's important to
maintain a working Anatolian pup with training goats continuously - goats
who demand respect without being vicious. Owners who make excuses for
failing to obtain proper training goats, claiming it's difficult to obtain
or house the appropriate goats, are unwilling to assume their responsibility
for training and developing their pup's working skills. Later, when that
pup's behavior is inappropriate, rather than blaming the poor environment
this type of owner created for his/her dog, he/she tends to incorrectly
blame the pup.
It's also helpful in birthing situations if the young Anatolian has been
properly raised with a variety of other animals -- animals the owner wants
the pup to bond with and be protective of as an adult. In my case, this
includes llamas, geese, and cats. Unless I'm present to directly supervise,
I keep the geese and cats in pens adjacent to but separate from the pup,
as I never allow my pups to physically interact with animals who can't
demand the pup's respect.
I DON'T put a young pup in a pen with horses
or cows until the pup is three months old. From three to six months of
age I directly supervise the pup with horses or cows. At about six months,
the pup is mentally ready to interact with horses and cows without my
assistance. Proper working Anatolian responses are geared for herd animals
like sheep or goats, NOT for horses or cows. Anatolians younger than
six months of age may not be safe around horses and cows. However, waiting
until the Anatolian is six months old for the initial introductions decreases
the Anatolian's ability to bond and accept larger stock.
It is best to introduce the young Anatolian to kidding, with direct
supervision, at a year of age or more. I evaluate each pup's response
to birthing individually, introducing only one pup at a time to the
newborn area. I watch every interaction the pup has with both the
doe and the kids. I provide immediate feedback to the pup, both positive
and negative, with my voice and sometimes with body posture. The amount
of training each pup requires depends on that pup's behavior. The less
pleased I am with the pup's actions, the more direct supervision I provide
the pup. However, in most cases I find my young Anatolians need very
little supervision. Three factors that help make my pups reliable are that,
prior to their initial introduction to birthing; they received consistent
early training and experience, were allowed to mature mentally, and
received excellent working genetics from their parents.
During birthing, I provide guidance to the pup. The most important lesson
I want the pup to learn is that newborns are precious and requires gentle
handling. I teach this lesson by insisting that the pup keeps back from the
doe and kids. My adult dogs' behavior assists me by demonstrating good
behavior - they lay down about 10 to 30 feet and watch. By this point the pup
is well acquainted with goat postures. When the doe tilts her head in a
warning posture, if the pup doesn't either move back or fall to the ground
and be still, I immediately say the pup's name and then "Back off."
(That is a pattern I ALWAYS follow when giving directions - the pup's name
followed by a command.)
If the pup doesn't instantly comply, I move forward.
Walking into the pup's body as I repeat the command, I use my legs to physically
enforce my request (DO NOT KICK), causing the pup to back away. Whether the
pup moves back by himself or because I walked into his body, I enthusiastically
praise the pup for moving. I repeat this process each time the doe signals
for the pup to back off using a head tilt.
This exercise helps the pup understand it must back away from a doe signaling
her discomfort with the pup's distance, even though the pup's instincts draw
it strongly to protect the newborn kid. As the pup sits quietly at a distance
I talk softly to the doe and help the newborn kid nurse for the first time.
Watching this interaction, the young pup learns that the doe, even when
demonstrating aggressive posturing, is not going to harm the newborn.
Young Anatolians sometimes separate a kid from its aggressive mother because
the confused young dog mistakenly believes the aggressive doe extends that
aggression to the helpless kid.
I sometimes let a pup who demonstrates excellent behavior get close to a
newborn kid, but only for a moment and only a pup with excellent behavior.
Excellent behavior is a loving fascination expressed toward the kid (which I
encourage) combined with very submissive behavior toward the doe (which I help
reinforce). This submissive behavior toward the doe is demonstrated when
the pup falls on the ground and crawls on its side toward the kid, gently
licking toward the kid with extreme tenderness and joy. However, to ensure
proper respect for the bonding necessary between the doe and her kid, I soon
make the pup move away, even if the mother doesn't "tell" the pup to get back
with a head tilt. I generally have my pup sit no closer than 10 feet from
newborns (even when I'm right there with the doe and kids). Over time,
especially if the kids are born in the pasture in the afternoon sun,
the pup will go as far as 50 feet away to sit in the shade and watch.
I leave a young Anatolian overnight with a doe and kids only if the pup
already proved it is safe around young kids and the doe is a calm, older doe
that is both strong willed and dominant. If anything goes awry during the
pup's initial introduction to birthing, the pup needs additional direct
supervision and cannot be trusted with the doe or her kids. I simply move
the pup's training back a few months and continue. I work diligently on
training areas I've identified that strengthen the pup's weaknesses.
As I gain confidence in the pup's behavior, I begin to allow the pup to
spend the night with the mother and newborns. At night all my dogs usually
stay about 10 feet from the kids, surrounding the mother and newborns that
first night. I allow all my dogs, including a pup, to clean up all the
after birth after the doe and kids move away from the area she kidded.
However, the first time the pups are exposed to afterbirth I have it wrapped
around my hand. If the pups are anything other than extremely gentle, I
yell and jerk my hand, popping their mouth if their teeth have grabbed or
pricked my wrapped hand. This method shows the pups that something
delicate may be wrapped inside the delicious afterbirth and that they need
to handle it with great care. Only a reminder to be cautious is necessary
after this "afterbirth" lesson, if even that. Many
Anatolians seem to be genetically programmed to use the utmost caution with
afterbirth. This is another trait I look for in superior working
Anatolians.
PROPERLY SUPERVISED INTRODUCTION TO YOUNG KIDS
Unless my circumstances make it impossible to do so, I don't like to let the
younger dogs be with young kids unsupervised until they are at least 14 months
old and they previously have been through at least one supervised kidding
season with me and I've given them the step by step trust test. That being
said, my best pups have proven themselves by being with young kids from
four to six months on without incident, something I don't recommend as a
standard practice. Instead I recommend allowing a young dog be allowed in
the kidding pasture with young kids and other animals during the day when
they can be under careful and constant supervision.
During the day I praise any pup that walks up to a kid, smells it, and then
walks away. Under my supervision, I let pups clean the yellow newborn kid poop
if they do it very carefully and gently without causing any alarm in the kid.
If the kid is shoved in any way or gets nervous or uncomfortable, I immediately
correct the pup and have it back off, hopefully extinguishing the improper
behavior. A pup with this type of supervision easily learns to be very slow
moving, cautious, and careful when around the kids. Luckily, this response
is genetically instilled in well bred Anatolians and is easy to establish.
However, without an owner's thoughtful guidance, bad behaviors may be
reinforced and an otherwise good pup may increasingly engage in unwanted
behaviors, especially play/chase.
I am frequently asked "If I am unable to be present when my pup is with young
goats or a kidding doe, how long will I have to keep my dogs separate?"
The answer to that question depends on how well bred your Anatolian is, how
much work you have done with your dog, and how effective you were with your
training. Try keeping your dog separated (in an adjacent pen) at night and
only move him/her in with the kids during the day when you are present. As
I begin trusting my pup's behaviors, I go about my business as usual but
occasionally leave the kid pen at times to do other things. However, I always
keep an eye on the pup. Leaving is a test for permanently allowing the pup
to remain with the young goats. If I rush back and correct a pup I know
more training and/or more maturity are in order. I
realize I made an error in my assessment of the dog's developmental level and
accept that responsibility rather than placing blame on the pup.
You may have a young dog that was exposed to kidding and initially behaved
beautifully. Later, that same dog may become confused and start stealing
newborns. When the doe tries to protect and retrieve her kids, the dog may
even punish the doe and drive her off. In the dog's eagerness to protect
the newborn kids, the dog mistakenly imagines the angry mother may injure
the helpless and beloved kid.
Even though the dog has the best of motives,
I'd verbally chastise the dog to immediately extinguish this bad behavior.
I would walk into the dog, moving it back from the goat and kids, while
speaking harshly. To reinforce my displeasure I'd refuse to forgive for
my longest time period (which is about three minutes). After forgiving the
dog, I'd return the dog to the doe and her kids. If the goat gave the dog a
head tilt, we'd practice the exercise "head tilt means move back
immediately!" We'd repeat as often as necessary until the dog quickly
responded as the goat indicated, no matter how many hours it took to achieve
a good response. At this point I accept nothing except correct behavior.
Also, I keep placing the dog in the same learning environment over and over
until I see the dog understand what I accept as correct behavior. During this
time I also allow the dog to watch the doe and her kids interact and let the
dog see that I am well pleased with the kids being with the doe.
One serious word of caution in these and all training
situations with Anatolians -- to perform many of the above exercises
successfully, you MUST be the alpha pack leader (a position you obtain through
respect, not brute force - never work with your dog when you feel
emotional)! If you find yourself in any position lower than
alpha, focus on achieving alpha position rather than working on
ANY OTHER BEHAVIOR.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
The dual factors that result in a superior working Anatolian are proper
environment and exceptional working genetics. In order to select for
genetically superior flock guardian ability (superior working genetics),
an Anatolian must be observed over time in a flock guardian environment
(i.e., living with either goats or sheep). Our breed
was developed in Turkey as a consequence of unrelenting selection for flock
guardian ability. For this reason I strongly support the development and
implementation of a performance test for flock guardians. Testing for
superior conformation is already being done on an extensive and well funded
scale. Therefore, I believe a performance test for working ability is
important in the United States, where many Anatolians making a major genetic
impact on the breed do not live in a flock guardian environment.
Our Anatolians are not machines to be turned on after purchase and worked with
perfect precision. They have intensely protective and strongly nurturing
feelings. They need to grow up in the correct environment and to be provided
with the proper guidance in order to understand how to respond to those
strong and conflicting feelings. My Anatolians respond to their flock
beautifully and understand their role within the flock. With the correct
techniques, raising an Anatolian pup seems easy. However, it requires paying
close attention to your Anatolian's behaviors and spending the necessary time
with them! Luckily, once your Anatolian becomes an adult, your Anatolian
will more than pay you back for all your hard work!
Click picture below for
Erick Conard's Address Email and Phone Number Information
in a New Window
Erick's Address Email
and Phone Numbers Link
Click Picture to Return to Anatolian Main page
Birthing and Young Kids"
INTRODUCTION
Anatolian Shepherd Guardian Dogs with superior guardian ability possess a complex mixture of behavioral drives that are genetically competitive. An easily understood pair of these contradictory behaviors, both of which are strongly expressed in all effective working flock guardians, is the desire to nurture newborns with the utmost gentleness and the compulsion to protect them uncompromisingly. This balanced combination interweaves a strongly nurturing disposition with a fiercely protective nature, creating behaviors beautifully geared toward safeguarding the young.
In guardians with strong working instincts, the birth of newborns accelerates both of these powerful drives into high gear. Experienced for the first time, this intense rush of conflicting emotions can sometimes confuse an untested Anatolian. Without guidance and confused by the passion these emotions create, the inexperienced Anatolian may engage in unwanted behaviors.
A young Anatolian's owner is responsible for providing that guidance during this stressful time. Guidance producing the best behavior is achieved by maintaining the young Anatolian in an appropriate environment, one that consistently facilitates the emergence of the desired behaviors and automatically extinguishes unwanted behaviors.
OWNER MINDSET PRIOR TO PLACEMENT WITH YOUNG KIDS AND BIRTHING
When one obtains an Anatolian pup, one accepts responsibility for providing guidance to direct its strong genetic/behavioral drives, especially those paired behaviors which are in conflict with each other but are equally necessary in good flock guardians. No excuse an owner may concoct removes his/her responsibility for providing this guidance.
This responsibility includes guiding a young Anatolian through appropriate behaviors during its initial contact with newborns. With skillful guidance the Anatolian will succeed; without guidance there may be less than complete success. Because the responsibility for proper guidance rests solely with a pup's owner, I know that any behavioral problem I discover in one my pups stems from my failure to provide the proper guidance and environment for that pup. I do not blame my pup for my failure.
TRAINING REQUIRED PRIOR TO PLACEMENT WITH YOUNG KIDS AND BIRTHING
A proper flock guardian environment for puppy training is one in which incorrect puppy behaviors are automatically addressed and immediately corrected and extinguished by conditions found in that environment. For example, if a young dog plays too aggressively with a newborn in his training flock, he will be immediately punished, usually with a strong head butt, by the newborn's dam. An environment that is designed to immediately correct any misbehavior will automatically extinguish those unwanted behaviors, guiding a pup's development toward only desirable flock guardian behaviors.
(Please note. Above I qualify the resulting behaviors achieved as "desirable flock guardian behaviors." I DO NOT SAY the resulting behavior achieved will be "any type of behavior the owner wishes the dog to display!" Those who desire to eliminate flock guardian behaviors in well bred Anatolians with superior flock guardian ability will most likely find that no amount of behavioral modification leads to complete success - especially when the behaviors they desire to eliminate are crucial flock guardian behaviors. If essential flock guardian behaviors can be permanently eliminated from an Anatolian pup's responses, that pup is poorly bred.)
In addition to being raised in a correct flock guardian working environment, the Anatolian pup must demonstrate
|
1.) The proper submissive responses during an owner's alpha respect
training sessions (best obtained using the "juicy bone" technique), 2.) A backward movement to the "back off" command, and 3.) The correct responses to all basic goat/dog interactions (such as pup "head bow" in response to goat "head tilt," no play/chase even with kids that run, etc.) |
PROPERLY SUPERVISED INTRODUCTION TO BIRTHING
Leaving a young guardian pup unsupervised with a doe that's almost ready to kid is asking for trouble. This bad situation becomes even worse if the doe is young and/or a first time mother. A guardian pup that is placed with a pregnant doe and is not supervised is an example of an owner created birthing problem. Without the owner's guidance, when the doe kids the pup may become confused and respond inappropriately. If so, the pup now requires corrective training - training most likely unnecessary if the owner had kept the pup's environment appropriate.
A circumstance in which a working pup is not housed with goats, sheep, or other flock animals should be short term, lasting only until several training does or bucks can be procured. When an owner has only goats that are near birthing, the owner can temporarily keep the pup in a pen adjacent to the goat shed when the pup is unsupervised. The pup can be allowed in the goat pen during the day under the owner's close supervision. It's important to maintain a working Anatolian pup with training goats continuously - goats who demand respect without being vicious. Owners who make excuses for failing to obtain proper training goats, claiming it's difficult to obtain or house the appropriate goats, are unwilling to assume their responsibility for training and developing their pup's working skills. Later, when that pup's behavior is inappropriate, rather than blaming the poor environment this type of owner created for his/her dog, he/she tends to incorrectly blame the pup.
It's also helpful in birthing situations if the young Anatolian has been properly raised with a variety of other animals -- animals the owner wants the pup to bond with and be protective of as an adult. In my case, this includes llamas, geese, and cats. Unless I'm present to directly supervise, I keep the geese and cats in pens adjacent to but separate from the pup, as I never allow my pups to physically interact with animals who can't demand the pup's respect.
I DON'T put a young pup in a pen with horses or cows until the pup is three months old. From three to six months of age I directly supervise the pup with horses or cows. At about six months, the pup is mentally ready to interact with horses and cows without my assistance. Proper working Anatolian responses are geared for herd animals like sheep or goats, NOT for horses or cows. Anatolians younger than six months of age may not be safe around horses and cows. However, waiting until the Anatolian is six months old for the initial introductions decreases the Anatolian's ability to bond and accept larger stock.
It is best to introduce the young Anatolian to kidding, with direct supervision, at a year of age or more. I evaluate each pup's response to birthing individually, introducing only one pup at a time to the newborn area. I watch every interaction the pup has with both the doe and the kids. I provide immediate feedback to the pup, both positive and negative, with my voice and sometimes with body posture. The amount of training each pup requires depends on that pup's behavior. The less pleased I am with the pup's actions, the more direct supervision I provide the pup. However, in most cases I find my young Anatolians need very little supervision. Three factors that help make my pups reliable are that, prior to their initial introduction to birthing; they received consistent early training and experience, were allowed to mature mentally, and received excellent working genetics from their parents.
During birthing, I provide guidance to the pup. The most important lesson I want the pup to learn is that newborns are precious and requires gentle handling. I teach this lesson by insisting that the pup keeps back from the doe and kids. My adult dogs' behavior assists me by demonstrating good behavior - they lay down about 10 to 30 feet and watch. By this point the pup is well acquainted with goat postures. When the doe tilts her head in a warning posture, if the pup doesn't either move back or fall to the ground and be still, I immediately say the pup's name and then "Back off." (That is a pattern I ALWAYS follow when giving directions - the pup's name followed by a command.)
If the pup doesn't instantly comply, I move forward. Walking into the pup's body as I repeat the command, I use my legs to physically enforce my request (DO NOT KICK), causing the pup to back away. Whether the pup moves back by himself or because I walked into his body, I enthusiastically praise the pup for moving. I repeat this process each time the doe signals for the pup to back off using a head tilt.
This exercise helps the pup understand it must back away from a doe signaling her discomfort with the pup's distance, even though the pup's instincts draw it strongly to protect the newborn kid. As the pup sits quietly at a distance I talk softly to the doe and help the newborn kid nurse for the first time. Watching this interaction, the young pup learns that the doe, even when demonstrating aggressive posturing, is not going to harm the newborn. Young Anatolians sometimes separate a kid from its aggressive mother because the confused young dog mistakenly believes the aggressive doe extends that aggression to the helpless kid.
I sometimes let a pup who demonstrates excellent behavior get close to a newborn kid, but only for a moment and only a pup with excellent behavior. Excellent behavior is a loving fascination expressed toward the kid (which I encourage) combined with very submissive behavior toward the doe (which I help reinforce). This submissive behavior toward the doe is demonstrated when the pup falls on the ground and crawls on its side toward the kid, gently licking toward the kid with extreme tenderness and joy. However, to ensure proper respect for the bonding necessary between the doe and her kid, I soon make the pup move away, even if the mother doesn't "tell" the pup to get back with a head tilt. I generally have my pup sit no closer than 10 feet from newborns (even when I'm right there with the doe and kids). Over time, especially if the kids are born in the pasture in the afternoon sun, the pup will go as far as 50 feet away to sit in the shade and watch.
I leave a young Anatolian overnight with a doe and kids only if the pup already proved it is safe around young kids and the doe is a calm, older doe that is both strong willed and dominant. If anything goes awry during the pup's initial introduction to birthing, the pup needs additional direct supervision and cannot be trusted with the doe or her kids. I simply move the pup's training back a few months and continue. I work diligently on training areas I've identified that strengthen the pup's weaknesses.
As I gain confidence in the pup's behavior, I begin to allow the pup to spend the night with the mother and newborns. At night all my dogs usually stay about 10 feet from the kids, surrounding the mother and newborns that first night. I allow all my dogs, including a pup, to clean up all the after birth after the doe and kids move away from the area she kidded. However, the first time the pups are exposed to afterbirth I have it wrapped around my hand. If the pups are anything other than extremely gentle, I yell and jerk my hand, popping their mouth if their teeth have grabbed or pricked my wrapped hand. This method shows the pups that something delicate may be wrapped inside the delicious afterbirth and that they need to handle it with great care. Only a reminder to be cautious is necessary after this "afterbirth" lesson, if even that. Many Anatolians seem to be genetically programmed to use the utmost caution with afterbirth. This is another trait I look for in superior working Anatolians.
PROPERLY SUPERVISED INTRODUCTION TO YOUNG KIDS
Unless my circumstances make it impossible to do so, I don't like to let the younger dogs be with young kids unsupervised until they are at least 14 months old and they previously have been through at least one supervised kidding season with me and I've given them the step by step trust test. That being said, my best pups have proven themselves by being with young kids from four to six months on without incident, something I don't recommend as a standard practice. Instead I recommend allowing a young dog be allowed in the kidding pasture with young kids and other animals during the day when they can be under careful and constant supervision.
During the day I praise any pup that walks up to a kid, smells it, and then walks away. Under my supervision, I let pups clean the yellow newborn kid poop if they do it very carefully and gently without causing any alarm in the kid. If the kid is shoved in any way or gets nervous or uncomfortable, I immediately correct the pup and have it back off, hopefully extinguishing the improper behavior. A pup with this type of supervision easily learns to be very slow moving, cautious, and careful when around the kids. Luckily, this response is genetically instilled in well bred Anatolians and is easy to establish. However, without an owner's thoughtful guidance, bad behaviors may be reinforced and an otherwise good pup may increasingly engage in unwanted behaviors, especially play/chase.
I am frequently asked "If I am unable to be present when my pup is with young goats or a kidding doe, how long will I have to keep my dogs separate?" The answer to that question depends on how well bred your Anatolian is, how much work you have done with your dog, and how effective you were with your training. Try keeping your dog separated (in an adjacent pen) at night and only move him/her in with the kids during the day when you are present. As I begin trusting my pup's behaviors, I go about my business as usual but occasionally leave the kid pen at times to do other things. However, I always keep an eye on the pup. Leaving is a test for permanently allowing the pup to remain with the young goats. If I rush back and correct a pup I know more training and/or more maturity are in order. I realize I made an error in my assessment of the dog's developmental level and accept that responsibility rather than placing blame on the pup.
You may have a young dog that was exposed to kidding and initially behaved beautifully. Later, that same dog may become confused and start stealing newborns. When the doe tries to protect and retrieve her kids, the dog may even punish the doe and drive her off. In the dog's eagerness to protect the newborn kids, the dog mistakenly imagines the angry mother may injure the helpless and beloved kid.
Even though the dog has the best of motives, I'd verbally chastise the dog to immediately extinguish this bad behavior. I would walk into the dog, moving it back from the goat and kids, while speaking harshly. To reinforce my displeasure I'd refuse to forgive for my longest time period (which is about three minutes). After forgiving the dog, I'd return the dog to the doe and her kids. If the goat gave the dog a head tilt, we'd practice the exercise "head tilt means move back immediately!" We'd repeat as often as necessary until the dog quickly responded as the goat indicated, no matter how many hours it took to achieve a good response. At this point I accept nothing except correct behavior. Also, I keep placing the dog in the same learning environment over and over until I see the dog understand what I accept as correct behavior. During this time I also allow the dog to watch the doe and her kids interact and let the dog see that I am well pleased with the kids being with the doe.
One serious word of caution in these and all training situations with Anatolians -- to perform many of the above exercises successfully, you MUST be the alpha pack leader (a position you obtain through respect, not brute force - never work with your dog when you feel emotional)! If you find yourself in any position lower than alpha, focus on achieving alpha position rather than working on ANY OTHER BEHAVIOR.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
The dual factors that result in a superior working Anatolian are proper environment and exceptional working genetics. In order to select for genetically superior flock guardian ability (superior working genetics), an Anatolian must be observed over time in a flock guardian environment (i.e., living with either goats or sheep). Our breed was developed in Turkey as a consequence of unrelenting selection for flock guardian ability. For this reason I strongly support the development and implementation of a performance test for flock guardians. Testing for superior conformation is already being done on an extensive and well funded scale. Therefore, I believe a performance test for working ability is important in the United States, where many Anatolians making a major genetic impact on the breed do not live in a flock guardian environment.
Our Anatolians are not machines to be turned on after purchase and worked with perfect precision. They have intensely protective and strongly nurturing feelings. They need to grow up in the correct environment and to be provided with the proper guidance in order to understand how to respond to those strong and conflicting feelings. My Anatolians respond to their flock beautifully and understand their role within the flock. With the correct techniques, raising an Anatolian pup seems easy. However, it requires paying close attention to your Anatolian's behaviors and spending the necessary time with them! Luckily, once your Anatolian becomes an adult, your Anatolian will more than pay you back for all your hard work!
Erick Conard's Address Email and Phone Number Information
in a New Window
Erick's Address Email
and Phone Numbers Link
Click Picture to Return to Anatolian Main page
Click Picture to Return to Lucky Hit Main Home Page