Anatolian Shepherd Puppy Is Already Gentle With Baby Chicks
Livestock guardian dogs are a huge part of keeping farms all over the world safe. These dogs dedicate themselves to the other animals on the farm 24/7, and if it came down to it, they would go down defending their farms without a second thought.
That's not a skill they just pick up, though: training begins soon after they're born. They need to learn to love the animals they're protecting! One Anatolian Shepherd puppy is certainly doing just that with the baby chicks on his farm:
@splitrich18 Orange County Guardians on Facebook has the best Turkish Boz LGD pups . I think I may get one. #LGD#livestockguardiandog#TurkishBoz#anatolianshepherddog#greatpyrenees
original sound - Drake
He is so perfect! Drake's Anatolian Shepherd puppy has mastered the art of the "tuck," tucking the baby chicks safely into his front legs so he can keep an eye on them. He's small right now, but think about how many chicks he'll be able to hold when he's grown!
He's so cute, and his paws are so big that some people even think it's AI, but it isn't: that's legitimately just what these pups look like. In his defense, Anatolian Shepherds get to be huge (around 140 pounds for a male), so of course, his paws are already huge!
Related: 10-Week-Old Anatolian Shepherd Puppy Makes Border Collie Bestie Look Tiny
Right now, he's not actually doing much when it comes to being a guardian. He hugs the chicks, and they run to him, but he's still learning how to guard properly. One thing he is nailing, though, is giving them back rides:
@splitrich18 Stay tuned. Orange County Guardians Boz pups are now offering pup back rides to the baby chicks. I've been told these videos are AI - which just confirms this Sire and Dam pairing was excellent! #LGD#livestockguardiandog#TurkishBoz#anatolianshepherddog#greatpyrenees
original sound - hannasjournal_
That is so funny! When he gets older, it'll be a full-sized chicken on his back, or maybe a baby goat. Daytime is when livestock guardians rest and reset... Which, in a farm full of babies, means it's time to play.
How Do Livestock Guardian Puppies Train?
This puppy was born on a farm already, which is the case with most livestock guardian puppies. They're bred by farmers who can house them in a way that feels natural for them, like a barn or covered kennel outside. Training starts immediately.
The first step in training them as guards is getting them comfortable around the animals, so they're typically raised around the baby versions of other animals, like chicks, baby goats, and lambs. That way, they won't accidentally get hurt. Becoming an LGD is a combination of:
- Gradual training over the first year or so of their lives.
- Learning from other dogs on the farm.
- Instincts.
While it's possible to just have one livestock guardian, two is usually recommended to make sure one isn't facing too much pressure. Additionally, it's a second line of defense! If you stagger them by a few years, the puppy will learn from the grown dog in no time!
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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM.