In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Why my Akita doesn’t bark? We will discuss the seven main reasons why your Akita is not barking, but also what to do in each case and how to address the problem (if there is one).
Why doesn’t my Akita bark like all the other dogs?
Your Akita doesn’t bark like all the other dogs, because it doesn’t have the same temperament. There are certain breeds that tend to bark less than others. Of course, this is a statistic and each specimen is unique and has its own character.
If you want to acquire a quiet dog that barks little, you should not only take into account its breed, but also its personality and ask the store or shelter staff how the dog in question tends to behave. Statistically, these are the breeds that tend to bark the least:
– Akita Inu (or Akita dog)
– Bloodhound
– Chesapeake Bay Retriever
– Golden Retriever
– Newfoundland
– Rottweiler.
My Akita doesn’t bark: is this normal and should I be concerned?
While it may be nice for some that a dog doesn’t bark, be sure that his lack of noise is not the result of a medical problem. He may try to bark and there is no sound coming out. Or that he just isn’t interested in doing it. There are countless reasons your dog may not bark. In particular, he is hoarse from excessive barking, his race, his personality, his state of health.
The severity of your dog not barking depends on why he is not. If he is hoarse from excessive barking or has a relaxed temperament, it is not a health problem that he does not bark. If his lack of barking is due to a health problem, its severity will depend on the condition, which can be relatively minor or more serious.
Reasons why your Akita doesn’t bark
- Some breeds of dogs, like the Akita Inu, have a calm temperament that does not lend itself to much barking. This does not necessarily mean that they never bark or express themselves in some other way. For example by screaming or moaning. But generally speaking, these dogs just don’t bark much. All dog breeds are not the same!
- The temperament of your pet’s breed may play a role. Dogs are individuals, each with a unique set of personality traits. Some dogs are just too laid back or too friendly to bother barking. While others don’t like the sound of their own barking.
- If your quiet dog is newly adopted, he may be too shy to bark. Oftentimes, dogs adopted from shelters or from a rescue tend to behave best for the first few days. See the first few weeks after adoption. If this is the case, your dog may start barking more as he feels more comfortable in his new surroundings.
- Vocal stress or health problems. If you have a dog that has suddenly stopped barking or seems to be trying to bark quietly, too much barking may have tired its voice. Another reason your dog is quieter than normal is recent surgery. Or it may just be that he is not feeling well.
However, if your pooch suddenly shuts up, it could also be a sign of a health problem. You should contact your vet to discuss the possible causes.
- If you are dealing with a shelter dog or a dog whose history is unknown, it is possible that its previous owners had it barked. It is a surgical procedure that involves cutting the vocal cords to reduce volume.
Barked dogs are still able to bark, but not loudly. This is a procedure that is not normally recommended. Training near a dog trainer should be your best way to teach a dog not to bark.
- Another possibility is that your dog has been previously trained not to bark. Or that he was forced to wear a bark collar that suppresses his barking and made him break the habit. Unfortunately, it is also possible that your puppy has been subjected to abuse that has made him fearful of barking. In such cases, with love and time, your dog might eventually overcome his fear and resume barking normally.
- At the end of the day, you know your dog the best. You are in the best position to decide whether being able to say “my dog is not barking” is bragging rights or a cause for concern. If you are concerned about your dog’s silence, see your vet to rule out any medical or psychological issues. But if it turns out that your dog is just the strong and quiet type, relax and count on your blessings!
What to do if your Akita doesn’t bark
If your dog is not barking, there are a few things to consider. First, think about whether he has barked a lot. Perhaps he was never a great barker, either because of his personality or his race. Also think about the past few days and think about if your dog barked more than usual. If he was barking more than usual, he may have laryngitis.
If your dog usually barks, but he hasn’t barked more than usual, go to the vet. Your vet will do a complete physical examination of your dog. Your vet will ask you what symptoms you noticed in your dog when you first noticed them, and any changes you observed. You’ll want to let your vet know if your dog has suffered physical trauma and let them know if your dog has any past or current health issues.
During the physical exam, your veterinarian will feel your dog’s throat to see if he may be feeling any abnormalities. He will take a complete blood count which will show your dog’s red and white blood cell levels and your dog’s hormone levels will be measured through a chemical blood profile. A urinalysis will also likely be done to measure your dog’s calcium and phosphate levels. The results of these tests will show if your dog has an underlying condition that leads to laryngeal disease.
If your vet is worried about pneumonia, he or she may recommend an x-ray, fluoroscopy, or bronchoscopy. A chest x-ray may be considered to examine your dog’s larynx. If your vet feels that laryngoscopy is necessary to confirm the presence of a lump, your dog will be sedated before the procedure.
If you notice your dog barking excessively, you will want to see what is bothering him that is causing him to bark all the time. If, for example, there is something in the yard that is disturbing your dog, moving him to another part of the house can help him calm down and reduce his barking, which will keep him from losing his voice.
As for preventing health problems that can lead to loss of voice, taking your dog to the vet for regular check-ups to quickly spot any potential problems before they become more serious. Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s diet to make sure it meets his nutritional needs. Regular exercise is also important for your dog’s overall health.
Training an Akita
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 breed, so mental stimulation is essential. You can train your pet’s skills with exercises such as agility or hiking. And don’t forget about their socialization.
Despite the fact that Akita dogs are faithful and protective like few others, in some countries these dogs are considered to belong to the breeds of “potentially dangerous dogs”, nothing is further from the truth, as there are no dangerous breeds but irresponsible owners. Raising a sturdy and strong dog like the American Akita is not very difficult, but it does require firm commitment and an owner who is not easily defeated.
The first rule that you must always comply with is to be firm in front of your Akita, under no circumstances give your arm to twist. Together with your family members, you must summarize the rules that relate to them (do not get on the sofa, do not receive food from the table, etc.) the entire family unit must always know and comply with the same established rules. Failure to do so leads to confusion and role problems in the dog.
The American Akita, like any other dog, needs abysmal amounts of affection and companionship, but of course, this dog needs an owner with character, firm, authoritative and disciplined. If you do not meet these requirements, better get an adopted dog of other sizes or characteristics.
Conclusions
Akita Inus are very intelligent dogs and easy to train. However, they tend to be possessive and highly jealous, so we empathize with the importance of early socialization with this breed.
The Akita will be balanced as an adult if he receives correct socialization as a puppy. He is silent and discreet, ignoring the bulk of irritating circumstances. It can be dominant with other dogs, but without starting conflicts. On the other hand, with his family, he will stand out for his loyalty, protection, and affection.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on Why my Akita doesn’t bark?
Do Akitas Inu bark?
Akitas Inu doesn’t bark unless they have a reason to. Usually, this reason is that there is a stranger/intruder in the house, and they are trying to scare them away. When an Akita is barking, pay attention, there is something going on!
Why does my Akita bark so much?
If your Akita barks much it may mean that something is wrong. Are you taking care of your Akita as you are supposed to? Are you giving it enough attention, food, exercise? Does your Akita feel safe? Does it have a reason to believe that you are not safe?
Can Akitas be trained?
Akitas like any other dog can be trained as soon as you bring them home. It is very important to socialize the dog as soon as possible, to prevent future conflicts with smaller animals and people outside the family home.
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.
References
Insidedogsworld.com
Petful.com
