In this article, we will answer the following question: Are Akitas hard to train? We will give you the ultimate tips for educating your Akita; we will discuss the true nature of Akita Inus and the basics of dog training.
Are Akitas hard to train?
Akitas are not hard to train, but educating it requires perseverance and a firm commitment. Your pet can become very obedient and affectionate, you just have to socialize it from the beginning.
The Akita Inu dog loves to play, run, and have fun. However, its calm and playful appearance hides a strong and domineering temperament. The Akita is reserved and distrustful by nature, so it can be aggressive towards others, although it will never attack without reason.
A study conducted at the University of Tokyo found that aggressiveness is written in their genes, although that doesn’t mean it can’t be shaped. It is only a sign that indicates that you should socialize your Akita dog from puppyhood.
The education of a dog must begin when it is a puppy since during the first months of life it is more receptive, it is more open to new learning and it has a greater curiosity for everything that surrounds it.
To educate Akita Inu, start with simple habits such as teaching him to relieve himself in a specific place or come to your call. Then you can teach him to bring objects, sit or go to sleep.
Keep in mind that this is a very intelligent race, so mental stimulation is essential. You can train your pet’s skills with exercises such as agility or hiking. And don’t forget about your socializing.
Tips to encourage socialization in Akita Inus
An abrupt gesture or a higher tone of voice than usual can cause your pet to attack another person to protect you. You can also fight with other dogs if you perceive an aggressive attitude. To avoid these problems, you must properly socialize the Akita from puppyhood.
- Encourage your pet’s contact with your family members from the first day, especially with children. Make sure that first contact is positive and fosters a relationship based on caring and mutual respect.
- Stimulate your pet’s socialization by exposing it to people in different situations. When you take her out for a walk or have guests at home, let people pet her. Physical contact from an early age will help you become less possessive and nervous in the future.
- Use positive reinforcement, especially since the Akita Inu does not usually respond well to the harshest training methods. That means that, instead of punishing your pet for her aggressive behavior, it is preferable that you use dog treats when she interacts appropriately with others.
- Make sure they exercise daily so they can release excess energy and ease anxiety. Take advantage of these moments for your Akita to interact with other people and pets.
- The socialization of your pet must be voluntary, which means that it must be the Akita who approaches people of their own accord. If you force him, he could end up developing fears and phobias that will make him more nervous and aggressive.
- If you are trying to socialize your pet, but you keep noticing that she is shy, fearful, or aggressive, it is best to consult a professional trainer. If you think you won’t be able to train her properly, you can leave it up to her.
The need for early socialization in Akitas
The American Akita is a self-confident, reactive animal that constantly seeks the upper hand. In this breed, conflicts with congeners, mainly of the same sex, are not uncommon.
In addition, he tends to be suspicious of strangers. In order to avoid any behavioral problems in adulthood, the American Akita needs to be socialized from a young age, and extensively. As soon as the vaccination reminders have been given, take your puppy to meet people (adults and children) and other dogs.
Make sure your Akita puppy interacts with dogs that are themselves socialized, to prevent any inappropriate reaction from the animal. This could indeed leave a very bad experience for your American Akita by jumping on it or trying to bite it, for example.
Training your Akita: Learning basic orders
Learning basic commands should be started as early as possible, as soon as your American Akita arrives in your household. Rappelling, hitchhiking, and kicking are particularly important points to assimilate to your American Akita, this breed having a fairly developed spirit of adventure and not hesitating to roam where its curiosity prompts it.
The education of the dog must also quickly involve learning to walk on a leash. Since the American Akita has a relatively poor tolerance for loneliness, it is necessary to teach him to be alone, especially if you do not have the opportunity to be at home with him throughout the day.
Call a dog trainer if necessary! Due to its strong personality, the American Akita is not recommended for inexperienced owners. Having a good knowledge of the behavior of dogs is a significant asset with this breed. To facilitate its learning, you can also call on a dog trainer. This educational professional will offer you exercises, methods, effective words, and allow you to develop a deep bond with your animal.
When your American Akita shows positive behavior, reward them with petting, games, or dog treats.
A well-behaved dog is more than a pet, it is a true friend who has a lot to offer you. Trained, he will be sociable, and you can take him with you in public places.
The true character of an Akita Inu
The Akita Inu is a bold and willful dog, naturally distrustful in the presence of strangers but extremely loyal to its family. Always alert, it is an intelligent and brave dog, although it has a tendency to be aggressive with other dogs, especially with those of the same sex.
Due to its character, the Akita Inu feels more comfortable in a home where it does not have to share space with another dog. Instead, he is loving and affectionate with the family, enjoys their company, and always wants to participate in daily activities. In short, for our Akita to be happy we have to make him feel like a member of the family.
It is a dog that can be quite noisy, although more prone to growling than barking. You need a lot of exercises to avoid boredom and destructive behaviors. On the other hand, keep in mind that this breed is stubborn, so we will need a good dose of patience to train it and teach it good canine manners.
Although it is known that adults should always supervise the interactions between dogs and children, in the case of this breed you have to be even more vigilant. No child could dream of having a better guardian and playmate than an Akita, but it is very important to teach the little ones in the house to be respectful and kind to their furry companion, thus avoiding provoking dangerous reactions in him.
Is Akita an aggressive dog?
In many places, the Akita is considered a dangerous breed dog due to its physical characteristics, such as size, power, and it’s a very powerful and dangerous scissor bite. In addition, this dog has a very marked character, which can sometimes get out of control if its owner does not educate it correctly.
However, the nature of this animal is not aggressive, and it is rare that it has a tendency to bite, unless it is faced with a dangerous or aggressive opponent. Therefore, beyond the character of the dog, its behavior will largely depend on the education that is offered.
The Akita is an affectionate, friendly, loyal, and protective dog, perfect for those who understand it. Taking these details into account, it will be possible to enjoy a balanced specimen without any inconvenience.
The basics of dog training
Above all, do not think that you are educating or training an Akita Inu like a Shepherd, you must not dream! He is above all a Samurai dog!
This breed loves contradiction and believes me in the past I have paid the price as a professional dog trainer. It is for this reason that it is imperative to understand the behavior of Akita Inu before beginning his education.
If you are intending to acquire an adult Akita Inu and release it a few days later, then I would advise against it unless it responds correctly to the master’s recall in any situation. I suggest that you start learning recall as early as possible, always promoting positive reinforcement, do not wait until your Akita Inu is an adult to start learning recall.
If you intend to educate your Akita Inu by promoting negative reinforcement, then I can assure you that you will get nothing more out of it.
When an Akita Inu does not want to, he will make it clear to you and seriously! There is no point in pushing the plug to win the game, you are wasting your time.
Conclusions
When training your Akita, do not let yourself be influenced by American films… Having an Akita Inu in your life is a serious commitment, you must behave as a responsible future owner. Unfortunately in our country, there are a lot of abandoned dogs, a lot of people take purebred dogs on the spur of the moment because it is a fad.
It doesn’t work like that, basically, you have to fall in love with the Akita first, then try to get to know these flaws … to understand it better.
For more advice (behavior, education, etc.) on Akita Inu, click here. If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know.
FAQ on Are Akitas hard to train
Are Akitas good family dogs?
Akitas can become good family dogs. They are extremely intelligent, calm, and like to spend time with the family members. They are great because they also do not mind spending time by themselves.
Do Akitas make good pets?
Akitas can be great pets, as they are calm, highly intelligent, and affectionate. However, due to its size and character, Akita is not a dog for everyone.
Will an Akita protect its owner?
Akita will protect its owner without a doubt. Akitas are generally very calm dogs, but if they bark, there is usually a serious reason for that.
Do Akitas bite their owners?
Akitas do not bite their owners, unless they are not properly trained, did not learn socialization, or are provoked. Akitas are incredibly loyal dogs.
Why are Akitas so mean?
Akitas are not mean unless provoked or if they do not know how to socialize. Akitas are very loyal and protective of their owners, so they can quickly become aggressive if they feel their owner is in danger.
References
Peteducate.com
Hillspet.com
Pets.thenest.com
