Anatolian Shepherd

[Beth'n'Bear]

I have just adopted an Anatolian Shepherd who is 5. I have had him 3 weeks and even though he has had a lot of changes in his life he seemed to be coping, but this past week he has be growling & showing his teeth. I am not sure how to handle this situation as Anatolians are a placid animal. I would appreciate any help/suggestion/advice that can be provided.

[Guest rhapsodical78]

At strangers, dogs or you? And in which context?

[Beth'n'Bear]

At strangers, dogs or you? And in which context?

It seems to have started when I took him to dog obedience and he was attacked x 2 within 10 minutes by other dogs. He was a bit jumpy but settled down with plenty of encouragement. The next night my daughter said he growled & showed his teeth at her. He was very aggresive at dog grooming (yet was fine 1st time there) and on Friday he jumped into the car I told him t come out he just sat there I reached into the car to take hold of his collar and he grolwed & showed his teeth at me. I yelled at him told him to get inside the house. He did so. Wagged his tail when I came inside (happy to see me) I told him to go lay down and I ignored him for the rest of the night.

The problem being I have no idea what homelife he had before I adopted him.

I know that for the first week he was sick and wuld not eat. 2nd week had to feed him by hand. Now he is eating well.

[Cosmolo]

You need to get professional help as soon as possible. This is not something that should be resolved via an internet forum. Perhaps if you let us know your approximate location, we can recommend a good behaviourist in your area. How did it happen that he got attacked at dog school??

[BJean]

I have just adopted an Anatolian Shepherd who is 5. I have had him 3 weeks and even though he has had a lot of changes in his life he seemed to be coping, but this past week he has be growling & showing his teeth. I am not sure how to handle this situation as Anatolians are a placid animal. I would appreciate any help/suggestion/advice that can be provided.

BethnBear - did you adopt this ASD from Melbourne?

Anatolians are a placid animal - with those they respect - this is not a swipe at you - but some male ASDs are known to be very dominant and will challenge those they do not consider to be above them in the hierachy.

A common reason for families surrendering their ASDs to Anatolian Rescue is because the dog is challenging certain members of the household when asked to do something the dog does not want to do.

Have you experience handling and rearing an Anatolian Shepherd before?

I have sent you a PM as you are going to need breed specific help here whatever you decide to do with this dog.

Handling issues like this can escalate into dangerous situations. The Anatolian is a breed that will take the role of leader if it sees it not being carried out.

Also depending on his background and temperament, some dogs are only suited to rehome into particular circumstances.

Were you given any breed advice / support when you adopted this dog?

Edited July 1, 2007 by lilli

[Guest rhapsodical78]

Ah, ok. Dog asggression is one thing, but aggression towards humans is another entirely, particularly when it involves such a powerful breed. I would definitely consult a behaviourist about this behaviour. The signals he is sending are warning signals and it would be terrible if the situation escalated to an attack.

[Beth'n'Bear]

You need to get professional help as soon as possible. This is not something that should be resolved via an internet forum. Perhaps if you let us know your approximate location, we can recommend a good behaviourist in your area. How did it happen that he got attacked at dog school??

He was on the lead and was socialising with the dogs and all of a sudden one particular dog just went for him. I managed to pull Bear away and then not 10 minutes later we were waiting to go for our training and another class came past and Bear made to move towards another dog, I pulled him back and the other dog lunged, Bear did the same and other owner lost their balance and the dogs came together.

I did not take him to obedience this week I thought I would give him a break, but we still practiced in the park.

He is such a lovely dog. Everytime I am near him he wags his tail and always looks for cuddles & pats. I try to reassure him and praise him. I am hoping that when he feels comfortable & safe in his new home that he will become the loving animal that Anatolians are supposed to be.

I live in Melton

[BJean]

Ah, ok. Dog asggression is one thing, but aggression towards humans is another entirely, particularly when it involves such a powerful breed. I would definitely consult a behaviourist about this behaviour. The signals he is sending are warning signals and it would be terrible if the situation escalated to an attack.

This behaviour is not unusual for an Anatolian that considers itself number one in the hierachy.

You need a dog professional who has experience with this type of breed.

The ASDC - Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of Australia will be able to refer you to dog professionals who have experience with this breed - there is also 30 years of experience at the helm with the Club President who can offer you knowledgable advice and recommendations of what your options are for your current situation.

EMAIL: [email protected]

[Beth'n'Bear]

Ah, ok. Dog asggression is one thing, but aggression towards humans is another entirely, particularly when it involves such a powerful breed. I would definitely consult a behaviourist about this behaviour. The signals he is sending are warning signals and it would be terrible if the situation escalated to an attack.

This behaviour is not unusual for an Anatolian that considers itself number one in the hierachy.

You need a dog professional who has experience with this type of breed.

The ASDC - Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of Australia will be able to refer you to dog professionals who have experience with this breed - there is also 30 years of experience at the helm with the Club President who can offer you knowledgable advice and recommendations of what your options are for your current situation.

EMAIL: [email protected]

Thank you everyone for your help and will certainly act on your advice. Before I adopted him I read up on the breed but that is the extent of my knowledge. Before Bear I had a Domerman/Dane X and he was wonderful but I had him from puppyhood so we grew together. Now I think Beth'n'Bear need to learn a few things and hopefully it will become a loving partnership.

[BJean]

If this is the 5yo male I think it is that was surrendered by his family

you are going to need assisstance.

Please seek that assisstance as I do not wish to be notified of an Anatolian attack to human or dog.

This dog is going to need an experienced handler, and as you are not

you will have to learn

so your dog is the safe guardian you wish him to be.

Edited July 1, 2007 by lilli

[Ms James]

Good luck, Beth'n'Bear!

[Cosmolo]

I would get in touch with Four Paws as well for training- you can pm kelpie i who is on this forum.

[ReXy]

i would sugest that lilli is the best person on here in regards to anatoilians to talk to, good luck with your boy i think breeds like the anatolian you really need to be experienced with the breed ..

[Rain]

i would sugest that lilli is the best person on here in regards to anatoilians to talk to, good luck with your boy i think breeds like the anatolian you really need to be experienced with the breed ..

i second that!