Basic Introduction
The Baby Anatolian Shepherd is the puppy version of this ancient Turkish herding dog, and from the moment they are born, they grow up with an extraordinary awareness of their surroundings. These puppies are natural watchdogs; even during playtime, they tend to observe their surroundings. In the first few weeks, it is common to see them stay away from their siblings and watch the herd.
Anatolian Shepherd puppies develop surprisingly quickly. They can weigh over 10 kilograms by the age of 5 weeks, and their bone structure matures earlier than that of other herding dog breeds. Despite their large size, they have high mobility for their age. This allows them to activate their herding and guarding reflexes at an early age.
Nighttime Danger Awareness
Baby Anatolian Shepherds begin barking at different sounds at night as early as 2 months old. This behavior is not merely a response to environmental noise but also an instinctive urge to “alert the herd to danger.” Even puppies raised in urban areas tend to react to door noises and distant footsteps at night.
Silent Alarm Ability
Interestingly, some of these puppies learn to remain silent in certain dangerous situations. Even without training, they may freeze and observe instead of barking when they notice a stranger. This trait distinguishes them from typical shepherd puppy behavior, as most puppies tend to bark excitedly, while Baby Anatolian Shepherds first observe.
Cool Behavior Toward Strangers
Baby Anatolian Shepherds do not want to form bonds with anyone outside their family. Even as puppies, they only approach a few people they have chosen. They do not like being picked up, remain cool toward strangers, and typically retreat during the first greeting. This is not timidity but selective distancing behavior.
Sudden Growth Spurts
Anatolian Shepherd puppies grow irregularly; they may gain almost no weight for several weeks and then suddenly gain 3-4 pounds in a single week. These sudden spurts are related to bone and muscle development. This can surprise owners because their appearance can suddenly change from “puppy” to “teenage dog.”
Ear and Tail Position
Even as puppies, they communicate with their ears and tail positions. Tilting their ears slightly backward often indicates suspicion toward a stranger. Holding their tail upright is a response when they sense a threat. Using these signals systematically even at a young age is a remarkable sign of intelligence.
Sleeping Position in Cold Weather
Puppies born in cold regions typically lie on their sides without fully resting their backs on the ground, covering their bellies. This instinctive posture is designed to retain body heat and is a strategy unique to shepherd dogs. Additionally, their ears remain open to their surroundings in this position, meaning their defensive reflexes remain active even during sleep.
Scent Memory
Scent memory develops very early in Anatolian Shepherd puppies. Within the first few weeks, they not only recognize their mother's scent but also associate specific areas and people with scents and store them in their memory. As a result, a 2-month-old puppy can recognize someone they haven't seen in a long time solely by their scent.
Response to Sound Toys
When given a sound-making toy, these puppies respond to it rather than playing with it. They often retreat when the toy barks or makes a noise, observe the source of the sound, and then decide what to do next. This demonstrates how their innate “analyzing the unknown” behavior is activated even in a play environment.
Interaction with Other Puppies
Baby Anatolian Shepherds are not dominant or submissive when they are with other puppies; they are usually observers. Instead of initiating play, they watch and analyze the behavior of others. However, when they feel threatened, they can suddenly take the lead. This shows that their natural leadership traits can emerge spontaneously even in a play environment.
Posture-Based Territory Defense
Even before they fully learn to bark, Anatolian Shepherd puppies can defend their territory through their posture. They have been observed standing at boundary areas such as the front door of the house or the garden, positioning their bodies in a tense manner. This behavior instinctively conveys the message, “This is my territory.”
Tendency to Play Alone
When left alone, these puppies often prefer to play on their own rather than panic. When left alone in the yard or a room, they may hide toys, dig, or wait instead of damaging objects. This sense of independence lays the foundation for future guarding duties.
Determination Mistaken for Stubbornness
While Baby Anatolian Shepherds may appear “stubborn” when disobeying commands, they are actually responding to instructions that do not align with their own logic. They will not follow a command without first understanding its purpose. Therefore, obedience training requires a different approach compared to traditional dog breeds. Their refusal to obey is not a sign of disobedience but rather a result of their inquisitive nature.
Heightened Alertness While Sleeping
Even while sleeping, their attention does not wander. They often twitch their ears or suddenly lift their heads in response to sudden noises. Even if they are sleeping in a crowded environment, they can react immediately to any changes in their surroundings. This reflex is clearly observable not only in adults but also in 2-month-old puppies.
Guidance Through Eye Contact
Baby Anatolian Shepherds learn commands more through eye contact than verbal commands. Their behavior of following their owners' eyes begins at a very early age. Behaviors such as turning toward a direction when looked at and using eye movements to perceive their surroundings make them easy to train, but this only applies to people with whom they have formed strong bonds.
Claiming Their Own Bed
When given a bed, these puppies do not see it merely as a resting area; they begin to protect it. They will not allow other pets near it, and sometimes may even exclude people. This possessive behavior is a small prototype of their innate “territorial” nature.
Sibling Preference
Even in a large litter, baby Anatolian Shepherds often choose a specific sibling to stay with, always sleeping or playing with them. This social selection is an early sign of how they will position themselves in the pack later on. They may exhibit passive-aggressive behavior toward puppies forced to be with them.
Limited Food Sharing
Even as puppies, they have clear boundaries when it comes to sharing food. If another puppy gets a little too close while they are eating from the same bowl, they will quietly move away or growl softly. This behavior demonstrates that the instinct to protect resources and defend their territory is active from an early age.
Visual Learning Style
Baby Anatolian Shepherds learn by observing their surroundings. Even if you give the same command in different tones, they will figure out what to do by observing environmental changes. For example, they will first observe visually and then apply responses such as going outside when the door opens or running when the food bowl is placed.
Wind and Air Reaction
Anatolian Shepherd puppies are unusually sensitive to air movements. Even with a slight breeze, they lift their noses to try to detect the direction of the wind. This behavior is linked to a strong innate reflex to analyze scents and movements in their surroundings. This behavior becomes evident very early on in puppies raised in open areas.
Sensitivity to Sound Frequencies
Even at just a few weeks old, they can be observed tilting their heads and moving their ears in response to high-frequency sounds. This is not merely ear sensitivity but an indication that they are trying to detect anomalies in their surroundings. They show particular interest in the sounds of electronic devices, which helps them avoid feeling alienated in technological environments.
Neutral Behavior When Alone
Anatolian Shepherd puppies do not cry or chew on objects when left alone; they perceive solitude not as discomfort but as a duty. This prepares them for independent tasks in open fields rather than apartment living in cities. Their tendency to quietly retreat to a corner and wait at a young age reflects the mental resilience of this breed.
Reaction to Snow
When they first encounter snow, instead of being frightened and retreating, they carefully observe it and dip their paws into it. Unlike many other puppies, they do not immediately start playing excitedly; they analyze it first. This analytical behavior is not limited to new environments but is also observed when they encounter new foods or toys.
Interesting Awakening Moments
Even their waking patterns as puppies show distinctive differences. They typically start by moving their ears, then half-opening their eyes to scan their surroundings, and only stand up once everything seems in order. This detailed waking process demonstrates their ability to instinctively assess their environment immediately upon waking.
Nail-Checking Tendencies
They develop awareness of their own nails at an early age. Sometimes they lick their paws and check their nails while sitting. This behavior is a personal grooming response not commonly seen in other puppies and also suggests that they are checking the contact of their paws with the ground.
Sensitivity to Shadows
Anatolian Shepherd puppies are unusually sensitive to shadows. They take up a position before barking at a moving shadow, then observe it for a long time without approaching. This indicates that their herd protection instinct is activated not only by sound or shape but also by light movement.
They Dislike Pressure on Their Legs
Even as puppies, they may show discomfort when their legs are stepped on or touched by a toy. This area seems to be a zone they have naturally designated as off-limits to protect their “freedom of movement.” The same sensitivity does not apply to their tail or ears, which distinguishes them from other dogs in terms of tactile sensitivity.
Early Connection with the Ground
They form a strong bond with the ground at a very early age. As early as 6 weeks old, they exhibit behaviors such as digging, sniffing with their noses, and selecting specific areas to wait in. This behavior carries the genetic traces of the “choosing a sentry point” instinct found in the Anatolian region.
First Barking Curve
Their first barks are not full or loud; they typically begin with a short, muffled sound. However, what is interesting is that even these first barks are triggered by specific situations: unfamiliar smells, unexpected footsteps, or unusual objects. This indicates that barking is not random but selective in nature.