Training

I am against rigorous training for the Kangal (Karabash) Dog, other than basic commands. Its independent thinking and free spirited temperament make it difficult to train strictly. It is a sheep guarding dog which naturally carries out its duties independently without need of commands or external discipline.

Training Puppies (0-6 months)

Dogs need to be taught good manners just as children do. Training of 0-6 months old puppies forms a base for further training.

Naming

 
Firstly a name should be given to each puppy. The pup should be gradually accustomed to its name by frequent repetition. The main purpose in naming puppies is to benefit from the distinctive feature of a name. A dog must be named in order to distinguish it from other puppies and other animals, and to talk about and introduce it to other people. One of the purposes of naming a dog is to show affection for it. A loving animal-human bond can be established during the first period of 1-2 months. Take the pup on your lap, stroke its head and back with your hand but not too fondly. Let it lick your hands but not too much.

Discipline

Keep the puppies away from children as much as possible. Children's constant desire to play emboldens puppies, and they may easily learn bad habits such as frequent barking, damaging the environment, attacking anyone they see, being persistent and a nuisance, defecating anywhere, and other disagreeable behaviour. In such cases fold a piece of newspaper and hit it on your own leg in a such manner as to create a loud sound it can hear and be discouraged. Never hit or physically punish your puppies. Give an order with different tone of voice. Any punishment should always be made with the left hand. The right hand should be used for petting it, showing attention and giving food. Thus the puppy will learn the different functions of the right and left hands. Otherwise it will be confused.

 
Collar Training

 
The Kangal (Karabash) puppy should be introduced to its collar during the period of 2-3 months of age. Start with a light collar and let it get used to wearing it on its own for 1-2 days but not too tightly fastened. Then get it used to the lead or chain by attaching it to the collar and leading it around the area. In the third step, chain it for short periods to its own kennel. This is done only in order to record such an action to its memory. It will then show no reaction when you later need to chain it for short periods.

Professional Training

The Conditioned Reflex Method of Pavlov (Ivan Petrovich Pavlov-1849-1936) may be used successfully in training Kangal (Karabash) Dogs. Pavlov became interested in studying reflexes when he saw that dogs salivated even without the proper stimulus. Although no food was in sight, they still salivated. When a dog encounters food, saliva starts to pour from the salivary glands. This saliva is needed in order to make food easier to swallow. The fluid also contains enzymes that break down certain compounds in the food. Pavlov realized that the dogs in his experiment were reacting to a bell ringing. Every time the dogs were served food, he first rang a bell. Therefore the dogs reacted as if food was on its way whenever they heard the sound of the bell.

Basic Dog Training Commands

The basic dog commands are 'Heel!', 'Sit!', 'Come!', 'Down!', 'Stop!', 'Wait!' etc. Every time the dog does the action and makes progress praise it warmly.
Here is an example of training. Hold the dog by its leash or chain and walk together with it. Say 'Stop' and stop the dog by pulling the leash, and then praise it. Repeat this several times. You will see that soon the dog will stop without your needing to pull the leash. Repeat the action for a while and do not praise any more. Try to get it used to stopping without praise. Never say the order and the action at the same time. Orders should be single syllabled, supported with face and hand signals and a constant voice tone.

Dog Training (Older than 6 months)

Training is continued gradually although the puppy at this age is not considered mature. Kangal (Karabash) Dogs may be trained for the following purposes.

1. To guard sheep or goat herds.
2. To guard houses, workplaces, and other buildings providing that they can run free in a garden.
3. To be used in hunting against wolves, foxes, wild pigs etc.
4. To be used as a bodyguard dog for women in particular.
5. To become a life companion for old people in particular, providing that the dog can run free in a garden.
6. To be used as detecting dogs for dangerous and illegal substances such as mines, narcotics, and bombs, and as trace detecting dogs and patrol dogs.