Are Akitas the Most Troublesome Dogs? 9 Common Complaints About Them

Akitas have dangerous reputations, however regardless of this, they aren’t dangerous dogs. They do take devoted folks to take care of them correctly, and Akita homeowners usually have the identical frequent complaints concerning the breed.

Common complaints about Akitas embrace that they’re usually canine aggressive, have robust prey drives, and are cussed. They don’t do effectively in scorching climates and are categorized by many buildings and insurance coverage businesses as harmful dogs. Some Akitas guard inappropriately.

In this text, we’ll talk about 9 frequent complaints about Akitas, tricks to increase them proper, and extra.

Are Akitas Bad Dogs?

Public notion of Akitas isn’t very constructive, however this doesn’t imply they’re dangerous dogs! However, it does imply that Akitas want good guardians who will take care of and practice them effectively.

This means not utilizing aversive coaching methods, which promote fearfulness and aggression. It additionally means socializing your Akita effectively, educating them behave round others, and managing any canine aggression they might have.

We’ll discuss extra concerning the cons of Akitas under, however first, let’s talk about why they could be the best dogs for you!

Akitas do effectively with skilled canine guardians who’ve a lot of time to spend with their fur infants. These dogs are sensible, loyal, and make nice guard dogs.

They don’t are inclined to bark excessively and solely require reasonable every day train, in contrast to higher-energy canine breeds. And if you happen to care about appears to be like, Akitas are beautiful pups!

Now, let’s talk about the downsides to this breed to provide you a fuller image of what to anticipate.

#1: Many Akitas Don’t Get Along with Other Dogs

Some Akitas are dog-aggressive and can’t be round different dogs in any respect. This is one thing to look out for in case you have one other canine at home already, or plan to undertake one other sooner or later. A rescue canine who’s recognized for getting together with others is your finest wager in these conditions.

Other Akitas are dog-selective, which means that they do get together with some dogs, however not with others. Oftentimes they might get together with the dogs they grew up with, however not outsiders. Or, they might simply be choosy about who they’re associates with.

This tendency towards canine aggression shouldn’t be downplayed. Akitas are giant, robust dogs that may do quite a lot of harm, particularly to smaller dogs.

If your Akita is dog-aggressive, it’s your job to handle them effectively. This usually means not placing them in conditions the place they’ll encounter different dogs. It might imply muzzling them in public to minimize the chance or working with a force-free coach or behaviorist to scale back any misbehavior on walks.

#2: They Need Proper Training

You’ll hear many individuals declare that robust dogs like Akitas want a agency hand, so that you can present them who’s boss, or to have very strict family guidelines. This known as dominance concept, and it’s lengthy been debunked.

What Akitas actually want is a loving, affected person coach who will even, in fact, implement guidelines in acceptable methods. Avoid aversive instruments and methods, and as an alternative use force-free coaching strategies corresponding to constructive reinforcement, setting them up for achievement every time attainable, and redirecting misbehavior to extra appropriate retailers.

Socialize your Akita effectively from a young age. This means building up constructive experiences round new folks, locations, and issues. It additionally means getting them used to dealing with like they might expertise throughout grooming or on the vet’s workplace.

It doesn’t imply your Akita must immediately meet a ton of individuals, or play with many unknown dogs–that is truly not really useful, particularly for Akitas resulting from their tendency towards canine aggression.

#3: They Can be Stubborn

Akitas aren’t as easygoing as another canine breeds, just like the super-agreeable golden retrievers. They could be very cussed and have a thoughts of their very own, which is barely amplified by their intelligence.

Rather than attempt to power or out-stubborn your Akita, make coaching extra enjoyable. When you want them to do one thing, flip it right into a sport. Act excited, have their favourite treats available, and provide a lot of reward.

If your canine is combating one thing, corresponding to having their nails trimmed, use a sluggish desensitization course of to build constructive associations.

#4: Akitas Have Strong Guarding Instincts

An Akita’s guarding instincts are what they had been bred for. Ideally, they’ll intrinsically know what’s a risk, and what isn’t, and act accordingly. However, this isn’t all the time how issues work.

This is a part of the explanation that socialization is so necessary. Fearful dogs with a powerful intuition to protect can turn out to be reactive and should present aggression towards strangers they understand as threats to themselves, their households, or their houses.

Often, Akitas are cautious of strangers or ignore them fully. It’s a lot much less frequent for them to point out affection towards folks they don’t know–they save that for household!

#5: They’re Often Classified as Dangerous Dogs

In public, folks could worry your Akita–even when they’re a complete sweetheart. Neighbors could have complaints about Akitas even when they behave effectively. You might also run into hassle discovering housing or insurance coverage.

Many condo complexes, insurance coverage businesses, and even cities classify Akitas as harmful dogs. This could prohibit the place you’re in a position to stay sooner or later or require you to pay extra for insurance coverage than you’ll in any other case.

#6: Akitas Have Strong Prey Drives

It’s necessary to maintain your Akita on a leash or enclosed behind a fence always. These dogs like to chase small animals, which might embrace birds, squirrels, and different wildlife alongside smaller dogs or cats.

#7: They Shed a Ton!

Akitas don’t simply shed individual strands of fur such as you may anticipate from a Labrador. During shedding season, which happens twice a yr within the spring and fall, these dogs shed in clumps! You’ll have the ability to pull tufts of lifeless fur from their coat. This is likely one of the prime complaints about Akitas.

This additionally signifies that common brushing is a should, each to scale back the quantity of shed fur you discover round the home and to maintain your canine’s coat wholesome. If not brushed usually sufficient, Akitas could develop painful mats of their fur.

#8: They Don’t do Well within the Heat

Lastly, Akitas don’t have a tendency to love scorching climate. Their thick coats are constructed for the snow, and so they can simply overheat in the summertime months.

If you reside in a scorching local weather, it’s possible you’ll need to look into breeds with thinner coats corresponding to Chihuahuas or Italian Greyhounds.

#9: Akitas are Prone to Health Problems

Akitas are vulnerable to some genetic well being issues. Reputable breeders ought to keep updated on really useful genetic health tests for each mother and father, and each ought to have CHIC numbers to confirm this testing.

Some well being issues to look at for embrace:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Eye situations
• Thyroid illness
• Luxating patella

To put together for sickness and medical emergencies to your Akita, it’s finest to have a big financial savings account previous to adoption or to buy a pet insurance coverage plan. Vet prices are probably the most frequent complaints about Akitas!

Overall, Akitas aren’t the best dogs for most individuals. They’re an enormous accountability resulting from their guarding tendencies, prey drives, and tendency towards canine aggression. If you’ll be able to deal with their wants and practice them effectively, although, Akitas are fiercely loyal and affectionate companions.

The photograph featured on the prime of this submit is © Jannissimo/Shutterstock.com