TRAINING THE ANATOLIAN

      Commonly used training techniques may not always work with Anatolians, and new owners should stay in touch with the breeder from whom their dog was purchased so that they can be guided through problem training periods. Force does not work with this breed, and patience is high on the list of virtues a good trainer must possess.

       TRAINABILITY

      When you think about training an Anatolian Shepherd, you must first stop to remember his history: as sole guardian of the flock, this dog was expected to make sound decisions based on the welfare of his charges. That takes having a mind of his own and little or no experience in blindly following orders just because someone blurted them out.

      Can you train an Anatolian? The answer is yes. Will it be easy? Well, a lot will depend on the individual dog and your ability as a trainer. Don’t, however, expect your Anatolian to do things like dash off after and retrieve a ball 88 times in a row. The Anatolian is more apt to assume if you’ve thrown something away, you probably don’t want it. And if he does bring the ball or tossed item back to you and you immediately throw it again, he’s far more apt to give you a puzzled look that tells you he thinks you’ve taken leave of your senses. In other words, blind and seemingly pointless obedience is not the Anatolian’s strong suit. Anatolians have acquired obedience degrees in competitions, but I wouldn’t anticipate their pressing Goldens or Border Collies in accumulating top awards.

      There are times when your Anatolian needs correction, and you must be forthright and uncompromising in this respect. This, however, never means striking your dog. A rap on the nose with a finger or holding his head in your hands with eye-to-eye contact and a stern “No!” may well be necessary. The young alpha-type Anatolian male particularly can try and flex his dominance muscles. He must be made to understand that it is you who establishes and maintains law and order. Firmness will not shatter the Anatolian, but harsh methods can destroy the dog’s personality and trainability.

      Repetition and determination work best with the breed and, once learned, lessons seem almost a natural part of the Anatolian’s character. Avoidance of bad habits works best. Not allowing unwanted behavior to occur in the first place is infinitely simpler than trying to convince your Anatolian to stop something he has been doing all along.

       WITH OTHER PETS AND ANIMALS

      Our Anatolian friend Toby lives in a home that also includes what I refer to as an entire “flock” of Papillons. When visiting there, I have watched in awe as the Papillons—adults and puppies—climb over and under this quadruple-dip vanilla mountain. The oldsters cuddle up next to him to keep warm and the puppies dangle happily off his ears. When the “Papillon Wrecking Crew” gets to be too much for the patience of this gentle giant, he simply nudges them aside and then stands by patiently for the next assault. But let a stranger or strange dog even threaten to harm a member of his little flock and Toby is ready, willing and able to turn himself into a canine tornado capable of taking down a full-grown man.

      This is the same dog that amazingly plays sentry the minute he realizes one of the Papillon mothers-to-be is about to commence whelping. And this he knows long before there are any signs discernible to the humans who are in residence. No man or beast is permitted beyond the whelping room door other than his owner or the individuals to which his owner gives the OK, and then only when she is present.

      Another Anatolian whom I got to know on a one-to-one basis is owned by a young lady who suffers from a physical disability. She uses her friend and companion as an assistance dog. He is always directly at her side to steady and support the woman to whom he is so obviously devoted.

      Her Anatolian accompanies her everywhere, but I see them most often at dog shows where strange dogs of all shapes and sizes pass by. Her boy, however, ignores them all and usually will be seen fast asleep in the corner of a room somewhere just far enough away where he can keep a closed but somehow still watchful eye on his mistress. All his owner needs to do is attempt to rise from her chair and he is at her side. His awareness and keen sensitivity to her needs are remarkable and touching.

      Your Anatolian would be no less diligent, watchful and tolerant if your other pets were cats, rodents or birds. But do note that I said your other pets. Woe be to the strange dog or other beast that might trespass! It had better be fleet of foot!

       HEALTH CONCERNS IN THE ANATOLIAN BREED

      The Anatolian Shepherd is still close to his Spartan working dog origins and presently has few significant genetic problems to concern new owners or breeders. The breed lives to a surprisingly old age for a dog so large. A well-cared-for Anatolian may easily live to be 11 or 12, many into their teens. Like all large dogs, however, the breed can occasionally be susceptible to hip and elbow problems, but responsible breeders continue to have their dogs x-rayed and seek certification for all breeding stock. The Anatolian can be extremely sensitive to anesthesia and anyone owning the breed should advise his vet of this problem. It is important to remind vets and their technicians of this periodically to avoid its being overlooked in notes kept on your dog.

       DOGS, DOGS, GOOD FOR YOUR HEART!

      People usually purchase dogs for companionship, but studies show that dogs can help to improve their owners’ health and level of activity, as well as lower a human’s risk of coronary heart disease. Without even realizing it, when a person puts time into exercising, grooming and feeding a dog, he also puts more time into his own personal health care. Dog owners establish more routine schedules for their dogs to follow, which can have positive effects on their own health. Dogs also teach us patience, offer unconditional love and provide the joy of having a furry friend to pet!

      Another congenital defect occasionally found in the breed is entropion, a condition in which the eyelid rolls in toward the eye, allowing the lashes to rub against and irritate the cornea. It is important to consult your vet if excessive tearing or irritation persists.

      Some instances of hypothyroidism have been reported in the breed as well. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland malfunctions, resulting in reduced output. The signs may include poor coat, lethargy and weakness, along with poor appetite in spite of increased weight gain. Treatment usually requires long-term, even lifetime, medication.

      Although bloat (gastric torsion or dilatation) is not actually known to be an inherited problem, it does occur often in large deep-chested breeds such as the Anatolian. Little is known about the actual cause of bloat. Many theories have been offered, but none actually proven. This often-fatal condition seems to occur frequently at night after the dog has had a large meal, ingested a great deal of water and then exercises strenuously.

      Symptoms can range from a severe attack of gas to death. It can occur so suddenly and swiftly that only immediate attention by a vet experienced in dealing with the condition will save your dog’s life.

      Simply described, bloat causes the stomach to rotate so that both ends are closed off. The food contained in the stomach ferments but the gases cannot escape, thereby causing the stomach to swell, greatly pressuring the entire diaphragm and consequently leading to extreme cardiac and respiratory complications. The affected dog is in extreme pain and death can follow very quickly unless the gas is released through surgery. Again, immediate veterinary assistance is necessary if your dog displays any symptoms of bloat. Symptoms and prevention are discussed at more length in the health chapter.

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