|
FACTS ABOUT
AKITAS |
| The
Akita is a Japanese Breed and in his native country, the Akita
has been declared a national treasure. An Akita in a home is
believed to be a symbol of good health, prosperity and good
fortune. Helen Keller brought the first Akita to the US in 1937. |
| Akitas do not bark
unless there is a good reason. When an Akita is barking, PAY
ATTENTION. They are silent hunters who hunt low to the ground
without growls or noise, similar to cats. |
| Akitas
may consider small animals prey and hunt them. This may include
cats, rodents, birds, small wildlife and smaller dogs. Akita's
can be raised to tolerate animals in residence. Many adult
Akita's can fit into a home where other animals are already
established. It is, however, imperative that the Akita be
closely watched around the other animals until you have
established a peaceful co-existence. Chickens, ducks, and other
birds are a meal for an Akita, so do not expect the Akita to
befriend fowl! |
| Akitas are natural
guardians of the home and SHOULD NOT be trained as a guard dog.
When there is a reason to protect family and property, your
Akita will act to do so. Guests welcomed in your home when you
are present will NOT be welcomed by the Akita when no one is
home. Your gates should be padlocked at all times to protect the
Akita and to keep unwelcome neighborhood children from entering
and teasing the Akita. |
| Akitas
can be inherently aggressive towards other animals and for this
reason, they should never be allowed to run free or roam at
will. You can exercise your Akita off leash only in a protected
area, being sure to follow your state/county/town leash laws at
all times. |
| Male Akitas show
aggression towards other male dogs, and female Akitas usually
will not tolerate another female. There are always exceptions to
these rules, but it is safer for the Akita to not mix same sex
dogs. Akitas can live peacefully with opposite sex dogs,
although some Akitas prefer being an only dog! |
| Some
Akitas may be very food possessive around others. If you have
other pets, be sure the Akita is given its own food and water
bowls and keep' these and other treats away from other animals.
Be certain no animal, small children, or strangers are allowed
near the Akita until its dinnertime is over. |
| Akitas not raised
with children are not always tolerant of them. NEVER leave an
Akita alone with a child even if the Akita appears to love all
children. Accidents can happen with an animal as large as an
Akita. Often Akitas raised with children will tolerate their OWN
children but not strange children so it is wise to never leave
an Akita, or any large dog, alone with children without adult
supervision. |
| Akitas
do NOT like being teased and may respond by biting or growling.
Some children treat animals unkindly (some adults are not much
better!) and these children should be kept away from an Akita
whose large size and hunting instincts can endanger the child's
life. |
| Some Akitas consider
eye contact a challenge and may react aggressively. It is
strongly advised NOT to get down on the Akitas' eye level, close
to the Akitas' face or to allow strangers to hug an Akita. These
positions have triggered aggressive responses in Akitas. |
| Akitas
like to take charge. An inherited trait from their wolf ancestry
and may at some time, challenge you for the dominant position in
your family life, This behavior cannot be tolerated and a
consistent correction should be your immediate response. Akitas
with good temperament accept discipline well from those it loves
-not beating, but intelligent discipline. A good scruff shaking
is an effective form of discipline for an Akita. Frequently, a
firm verbal command will be all that is needed. |
| Akitas should be
obedience trained BY THEIR OWNERS and NEVER sent away to school.
A good obedience class will guarantee you a firm bond with your
Akita and a well- behaved Akita in the end. Remember though,
that Akitas are extremely intelligent and bore easily. 'They
learn quickly so short training periods are suggested. This
keeps the dog from becoming bored. Akitas are also very stubborn
and when the dog thinks its a waste of time to "sit"
or "stay" one more time, it will simply walk away! Be
sure you are working with an obedience trainer who understands
Akita temperament and has patience. Akitas may respond with
aggression if treated harshly-do not hit or kick any dog, that
sort of behavior means YOU have lost control of the situation. |
| Akitas
are dogs, and unlike humans do not have the same short term
memory as humans. Do not discipline your dog hours after an
incident-the dog will NOT associate the discipline with an
incident which occurred hours earlier in the day. If you can see
and catch your Akita getting into mischief, discipline should be
firm and immediate for it to be effective. |
| Do NOT call your
Akita to you for discipline, that encourages your dog to not
come when called. Do NOT use its name when disciplining it, you
want the Akita to associate its name with love and affection,
not punishment. The "come" command is important and
someday may be a life saving command for the dog. Do not
jeopardize that safety factor. Each time your Akita comes to
your side, it should be rewarded with praise and love. |
| Some
Akitas are talkers! They may grunt, groan and mumble to
entertain themselves. Many Akitas "woo" to greet you
and others it loves and tills should not be interpreted as
growling. Akita 'woo' is an endearing trait and should not
frighten you. After living with your Akita you can easily
distinguish between "woo" and growl. |
| Most Akitas enjoy
carrying things in m their mouth, including your hands wrist.
They may take you by the wrist to lead you the cookie cupboard
or to the front door for a walk. It is NOT an aggressive act, it
is an endearing trait. |
| Akitas
are VERY family-oriented and are not happy when kept apart from
their family. If you do not plan on having your Akita live
inside your home, you should not consider adopting or buying an
Akita. When left alone in a yard, the Akita will regress in
socialization and boredom may cause destructive behavior. If you
want a dog simply as a yard ornament, one made of clay would do
just fine! |
| Akitas are not
usually hyperactive and fit into a sedentary household but
exercise is important so plan on giving your Akita walking time
or playing in the yard with your Akita. Dogs left alone outside
simply sleep until you return for them. |
| Akitas
can live for 10-14 years with good care and proper nutrition.
Feed only a good all natural food that contains no ethoxyquin or
soy and is low in protein. The origin of the Akita is Japan
where rice and sea plants are a diet staple and the ideal diet
for an Akita. If possible, they should be fed twice a day to
avoid bloat. Their diet should be supplemented with kelp,
digestive enzymes and a multivitamin daily for optimum
nutrition. Obesity is dangerous for many health reasons. Treats
should be carrots, ice cubes, fruit other vegetables you have
found your Akita likes, not cookies and fattening
"doggie" treats. |
| A high of all Akitas
in Akita Rescue are affected with hypothyroidism which is easily
treated by inexpensive twice-daily replacement thyroid hormone
therapy. This condition is often the TRUE reason the Akita has
lost its home in the first place. A simple thyroid panel will
determine the existence of the condition. We have much
information about this condition, please talk with us about it. |
| Author:
Jodi Marcus |
