Thank you for expounding.
Is that a dead horse?
Now we find it easier on us to lock them in a lambing jug or in the house while we move the sheep around.
It might be a good idea to get an EKG before getting one of these dogs. 
Sorry Bruce, but that is wrong. My male Great Pyrenees, Trip, can Jump a 4’ fence like it’s not even there. He also jumps cow panels, doesn’t climb, he jumps.
That always amazes me... .
Thank you. I read part 1 before bed and was bummed. I’m glad you were able to finish your thoughts. That’s a lot to digest.Sorry, to continue -
The commands
Come - Teaching the "come" command is essential but remember that if the LGD believes that the far pasture harbors danger, he or she will ignore your command even when it is for his dinner bowl.
Heel - Not happening - although you can (and must) teach the dog to walk on lead. These are very powerful dogs and when the dog is off property and on lead you need to be vigilant that something does not trigger the "protect" action. A sudden lunge from even a small LGD of 110 lbs. can pull you off balance. A sudden charge from a 160 lbs. dog in full protect mode is almost impossible to control unless you are braced and ready. Control is essential.
Stay - Never going to be reliable although you can teach the dog to remain in one place for a few minutes.
Back off - Very important and valuable command to tech since there will be a time when you want the dog to back away - from a lamb or kid, from another dog, from the door, etc.
Leave it - Another good command that will come in handy.
One thing we had to learn is that these dogs are accustomed to having their flocks in a certain place. Due to the steep layout of our current place it is difficult to move our sheep from the main pen to lambing jugs, breeding pen, separate out rams and move them to the breeding pen, etc. Apparently they think we are really stupid for allowing the sheep to "escape". The dogs will try to put them back in their original pens as we try to move them to new quarters!
One thing you will not have to teach most of these massive dogs is to be calm inside the house. Our smaller dogs were very excitable in the house while our 3 Anatolians can be inside at one time and lay quietly. We tend to forget they are inside (after locking up the sheep) until they ask to go outside or sometimes share the %*^#*! out of us by suddenly barking at a noise outside.
I don't recommend rescue dogs as LGD since you don't know their history. Since training these dogs is not always easy, more of them are ruined by ignorant owners that other breeds. Also, poor breeders that don't test for genetic problems, or ignore temperament problems have produced a lot of bad LGDs that are not safe around livestock or sometimes even around peoples. When you combine these poor specimens with poor trainers, the result ends up in the shelter. Not every member of a guardian breed is suitable for livestock guarding. If you buy a dog from a breeder, make sure that the breeder is knowledgeable about training. You will want to rely on them for any problems that arise with your dog.
Of our 3 Anatolians, Rika (Miss Perfect) is the brains. She is the smallest in stature and weight at 110 lbs. She trained the other 2 and directs them when all 3 are in pursuit of a threat. DS1 has named her "The Brains". She is 9 and when she goes I will be devastated. Truly the perfect LGD and home guardian for my grandchildren. Also sensible to distinguish a true threat.
Second is Bubba. DS1 has named him the "Brawn". He is the heavy artillery of the operation. 160 lbs. of muscle, he is an all around ranch guardian as well as sheep protector, Going on for 6 now, gentle with the grandchildren, but very suspicious of strangers. He has a sharper temperament, more typical of old style Anatolians in attitude. Very menacing after dark when his suspicions rise towards everyone except family.
Finally, Angel. Just turning 3 this month she has come into her full growth. Taller than Rika but not as heavily built as the older 2, she is 125 lbs. of muscle. She is the "foot soldier", youngest and least experience she is assigned a lot of night duty. Devoted to the sheep she is less a home protector. Her temperament is much softer towards people and strangers. She loves the grandchildren too.
Three Anatolians, same bloodlines, closely related, same kennel, totally different personalities and temperaments. Different styles of protection, different levels of aggression. They all work as a team, communicating with each other. A new puppy will join them next year - before Rika is too old and grouchy to train her. Another of Erick Conard's Lucky Hit dogs. I have been waiting for him to finally breed another litter for several years.
