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

Akitas have unhealthy reputations, however regardless of this, they aren’t unhealthy dogs. They do take devoted folks to take care of them correctly, and Akita house owners usually have the identical widespread complaints in regards to the breed.

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

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

Are Akitas Bad Dogs?

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

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

We’ll discuss extra in regards to the cons of Akitas under, however first, let’s talk about why they is perhaps the fitting dogs for you!

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

They don’t are likely to bark excessively and solely require average day by day train, in contrast to higher-energy canine breeds. And in the event you care about appears to be like, Akitas are attractive 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 identified for getting together with others is your greatest guess in these conditions.

Other Akitas are dog-selective, that 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 pals with.

This tendency towards canine aggression shouldn’t be downplayed. Akitas are giant, sturdy dogs that may do a number of injury, particularly to smaller dogs.

If your Akita is dog-aggressive, it’s your job to handle them nicely. 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 danger 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 sturdy 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 really want is a loving, affected person coach who will even, in fact, implement guidelines in applicable methods. Avoid aversive instruments and methods, and as a substitute use force-free coaching strategies comparable to constructive reinforcement, setting them up for achievement at any time when attainable, and redirecting misbehavior to extra appropriate shops.

Socialize your Akita nicely 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 instantly meet a ton of individuals, or play with many unknown dogs–that is really not advisable, particularly for Akitas because of 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 just amplified by their intelligence.

Rather than attempt to drive 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 number of reward.

If your canine is battling one thing, comparable 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 menace, and what isn’t, and act accordingly. However, this isn’t at all times how issues work.

This is a part of the explanation that socialization is so vital. Fearful dogs with a robust intuition to protect can turn into reactive and will present aggression towards strangers they understand as threats to themselves, their households, or their houses.

Often, Akitas are cautious of strangers or ignore them utterly. It’s a lot much less widespread 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 concern your Akita–even when they’re a complete sweetheart. Neighbors could have complaints about Akitas even when they behave nicely. You may run into bother discovering housing or insurance coverage.

Many condo complexes, insurance coverage businesses, and even cities classify Akitas as harmful dogs. This could limit the place you’re in a position to reside 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 vital to maintain your Akita on a leash or enclosed behind a fence always. These dogs like to chase small animals, which might embody 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 12 months within the spring and fall, these dogs shed in clumps! You’ll be capable of pull tufts of lifeless fur from their coat. This is among the prime complaints about Akitas.

This additionally implies 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, they usually can simply overheat in the summertime months.

If you reside in a scorching local weather, chances are you’ll wish to look into breeds with thinner coats comparable to Chihuahuas or Italian Greyhounds.

#9: Akitas are Prone to Health Problems

Akitas are susceptible to some genetic well being issues. Reputable breeders ought to keep updated on advisable genetic health tests for each dad and mom, and each ought to have CHIC numbers to confirm this testing.

Some well being issues to observe for embody:

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

To put together for sickness and medical emergencies on your Akita, it’s greatest to have a big financial savings account previous to adoption or to buy a pet insurance coverage plan. Vet prices are one of the vital widespread complaints about Akitas!

Overall, Akitas aren’t the fitting dogs for most individuals. They’re an enormous accountability because of their guarding tendencies, prey drives, and tendency towards canine aggression. If you may deal with their wants and prepare them nicely, although, Akitas are fiercely loyal and affectionate companions.

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