The long years as a puppy, headstrong attitude as an adult, and demand to have a job as well as be high up in the hierarchy of the home should be understood as part of the Akbash temperament. While barking is a habit that may be mitigated, you should understand that it should not be completely curbed; this is the way these dogs communicate from afar when working without human supervision.
The puppy stage for this breed is much longer than most dogs, and as puppies, these dogs tend to play roughly. Mouthing is perhaps the one habit that must be firmly prevented. It may be cute when your Akbash puppy is little, but when they get to be 100 or more pounds, it can present a problem. They also need a lot of room to roam and run as they mature, even as they are being trained to guard various types of livestock. Patience is a must in all aspects of training.
Also of note is the Akbash Dog's territorial traits. If they are not trained well and gently handled, they are said to quickly exhibit signs of defending areas around a home against the people living in it. If they are treated harshly, they will respond by carving out spaces where people are not allowed.
This rare breed is known for her courage, fortitude, and intelligence, and she should be trained and socialized to best use these characteristics so that she and her family live well together.
