Anatolian puppy at shelter, am I crazy to consider it?

[res]

Lily harassing our Dexter cow, Jellybean, wanting her to play.

Lily deciding it's not so fun to play with the cow with horns...

Getting consoled by her "hornless" buddy Clara - our pet Brahma heifer. The heifer closer to the camera was Belle, who is now in the freezer.

 

[bock]

Beautiful dogs everyone! You can tell they really love their jobs!

 

[aoxa]

Bock, want a protector that is easier to train?

Get a donkey. Honest to god.. They are just as good as an LGD, and need absolutely no training. Just make sure when your grandparents' dog comes to visit to keep the donkey locked up

How often do your grandparents visit? If they visited weekly, you could get them used to one another. If yearly, that would be really tough.

 

[bock]

Bock, want a protector that is easier to train?
Get a donkey. Honest to god.. They are just as good as an LGD, and need absolutely no training. Just make sure when your grandparents' dog comes to visit to keep the donkey locked up

How often do your grandparents visit? If they visited weekly, you could get them used to one another. If yearly, that would be really tough.

I have heard that about llamas and donkeys. Not a bad idea! Our neighbor's mule actually chased down our dog when she slipped under the fence into their pasture. It was a really scary experience! He reared up and slammed his hooves down right on each side of her after chasing her for a few minutes, as she rolled over on her back. And I couldn't get in the pen to grab her either. I thank my lucky stars that she found a way out of that fence before he killed her. They really do hate dogs!

They usually bring their dog about 3-5 times a year, so not very often.

 

[aoxa]

Bock, want a protector that is easier to train?

Get a donkey. Honest to god.. They are just as good as an LGD, and need absolutely no training. Just make sure when your grandparents' dog comes to visit to keep the donkey locked up

How often do your grandparents visit? If they visited weekly, you could get them used to one another. If yearly, that would be really tough.

I have heard that about llamas and donkeys. Not a bad idea! Our neighbor's mule actually chased down our dog when she slipped under the fence into their pasture. It was a really scary experience! He reared up and slammed his hooves down right on each side of her after chasing her for a few minutes, as she rolled over on her back. And I couldn't get in the pen to grab her either. I thank my lucky stars that she found a way out of that fence before he killed her. They really do hate dogs!

They usually bring their dog about 3-5 times a year, so not very often. 

If the donkey grew up with your dog, it would have seen it as part of the property. It was defending it's territory, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Bet your dog thought twice about going there again. Glad she was okay!!!

 

[bock]

If the donkey grew up with your dog, it would have seen it as part of the property. It was defending it's territory, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Bet your dog thought twice about going there again. Glad she was okay!!!

Yeah, I didn't realize there was a hole under the fence, and she just thought the horse poop looked tastier on the other side! I am pretty sure she has learned her lesson though. She doesn't even try anymore. They really are great at guarding their property!

 

[aoxa]

If the donkey grew up with your dog, it would have seen it as part of the property. It was defending it's territory, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Bet your dog thought twice about going there again. Glad she was okay!!!

Yeah, I didn't realize there was a hole under the fence, and she just thought the horse poop looked tastier on the other side! I am pretty sure she has learned her lesson though. She doesn't even try anymore. They really are great at guarding their property!

They sure are They are normally pretty good with humans though.

 

[watchdogps]

I have and breed Anatolians. The first thing I'd do is make sure the shelter had ID'd the dogs correctly. I also do rescue and I'd say at least 50% of the dogs I get contacted about at shelters turn out not to be ASDs at all.
As for the behavior etc, the replies given have been pretty on the mark, I'd like to add a couple things -
Aoxa - you mentioned having trouble getting your ASD to listen to commands. Thats because they arent wired for it. Its not a lack of respect, its a different mindset. If that's the only trouble, and the dog isnt mowing you down or gnawing on you, dont sweat it. Be careful using trainer who get "respect" by using forceful tactics. No matter how fair it may seem to you, an LGD breed may see it as an attack and decide to defend themselves someday. They simply arent dogs who follow commands. Now, having said that, I enjoy teaching my dogs obedience, but it isnt forced. My male just completed his Rally title, making him the 10th ASD in HISTORY to get a rally title.
About the acceptance of strange dogs - OFF territory it really shouldnt be an issue, but as they become mature, they will lose tolerance for dogs being rude and in their face, but they should never be the one initiating ugliness. All of mine are fine to go places, BUT I only go places where people will have their dogs well controlled because my two older ones will not hesitate to correct a dog who acts like a jerk to them. Untill they were 3 or so yrs old though, they could go to dog parks and such without problem.
As for household or family dogs - mine tolerate even little tyrants, *** long as they are under about 20 lbs. Grama's golden should be okay as long as the dogs see each other more than a couple times a year and as long as the golden is laid back and doesnt try to be bossy at all. If I bring a new dog home, my dogs are fine with it AS LONG as I bring it in and they see that MOMMY accepts it, AND as long as the dog is relaxed.

 

[aoxa]

I have and breed Anatolians. The first thing I'd do is make sure the shelter had ID'd the dogs correctly. I also do rescue and I'd say at least 50% of the dogs I get contacted about at shelters turn out not to be ASDs at all.

As for the behavior etc, the replies given have been pretty on the mark, I'd like to add a couple things -
Aoxa - you mentioned having trouble getting your ASD to listen to commands. Thats because they arent wired for it. Its not a lack of respect, its a different mindset. If that's the only trouble, and the dog isnt mowing you down or gnawing on you, dont sweat it. Be careful using trainer who get "respect" by using forceful tactics. No matter how fair it may seem to you, an LGD breed may see it as an attack and decide to defend themselves someday. They simply arent dogs who follow commands. Now, having said that, I enjoy teaching my dogs obedience, but it isnt forced. My male just completed his Rally title, making him the 10th ASD in HISTORY to get a rally title.

About the acceptance of strange dogs - OFF territory it really shouldnt be an issue, but as they become mature, they will lose tolerance for dogs being rude and in their face, but they should never be the one initiating ugliness. All of mine are fine to go places, BUT I only go places where people will have their dogs well controlled because my two older ones will not hesitate to correct a dog who acts like a jerk to them. Untill they were 3 or so yrs old though, they could go to dog parks and such without problem.
As for household or family dogs - mine tolerate even little tyrants, *** long as they are under about 20 lbs. Grama's golden should be okay as long as the dogs see each other more than a couple times a year and as long as the golden is laid back and doesnt try to be bossy at all. If I bring a new dog home, my dogs are fine with it AS LONG as I bring it in and they see that MOMMY accepts it, AND as long as the dog is relaxed.

 

My LGD is a Maremma X Great Pyr. She should come when called at least, and not plow me down. She is not following any commands. Sometimes sit.. if she feels like it.

She is 10 months old, and I am having a really tough time with her. She's doing really well right now with the trainer putting her to work and making her feel useful. She needs direction. She craves it. I'll do anything to help her along. She's just so big..

 

[watchdogps]

Even the most obedient ASDs are not always reliable. Get used to it. That's not to say they shouldnt be trained, or that you shouldnt be persistant, but just undertand that it's not your dog giving you the finger, it's just them not seeing it as important. She's not bad, she's normal. I only stress that because I dont want you to be upset that she isnt as obedient as most other breeds will be.