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Akita Discussions / Re: What do you guys think?
« on: June 23, 2005, 09:26:21 pm »
Honestly I don't see the first thing Akita about him -- sorry! I could buy Border Collie. Looks Boxer-ish to me in the face.
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Akita Discussions / Re: pop quiz
« on: June 23, 2005, 09:23:44 pm »Do any of you know what the original status of the Akita was in Japan?
---> It depends on whose history you read. History varies from hunting dogs to guardians to dog fighting dogs to imperial guards. I imagine they are a lot like most primitive breeds and used for a bit of everything. They have since been declared a National Treasure and much controversy exists over the correct "type" of Akita. There is even some suggestion that the current Akita in the USA is a blend of the historical Akita and a now-extinct larger Japanese dog.
Do you know how they came to the USA?
-->the first one was via Helen Keller. WWII soldiers brought a lot back as well.
How about what they were good for in Japan?
--> Not sure what is meant by that question. Spiritually they represent good health & good fortune. Practically they have been used for pelts & food during WWII, for hunting & protecting the village from bears, for dog fighting sports, & for guarding the property. And of course the famous statue of Hachiko stands as a timeless remider of the power of love & loyalty
I know the answers I just wanted to see if anyone else did....lol
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Akita Discussions / Re: Akita Mixes
« on: June 23, 2005, 09:19:16 pm »
Sadie seems to be very dominant in her personality. There are a cuple local pups she has grown up with and loves to play with ocassionally. However, she demands to drink from the community water bowl first, and then will dump it with her paw, and carry it away so no one else may drink. Is this something which I should be worried about? 
--> So long as the other dogs are not objecting to this I would leave it alone. Dogs do not exist in a democracy and if in their "play pack" she is the alpha and the others are okay with that - leave it be! Trying to mess with it can generate confusion which can lead to aggression. As to in general - -if she is showing a tendency to be dominant (and that is VERY Akita like) then you will have to be cognizant of the potential for problems with dogs who do not know her and/or are not willing to be submissive to her. Dominance to people is not necessarily linked to dominance with other dogs but it is wise to also take measures like a nothing-is-for-free program to start avoid dominance issues.
Also, I have taken her many times to interact with young children, and she does very well, she is very people friendly, but there is one girl who lives nearby that Sadie seems to always howl and bark at when she comes near. She has met this girl several times, I cannot understand why she acts this way towards her.
---> If there is one person/child she objects too when she as a rule gets along with that type of person -- THERE IS A REASON! I have learned to trust my dogs when this occurs. I would simply not push any and even avoid any interaction b/t them.
Lastly (for this post) cats. How can I get her to stop trying to chase them? She will be very good and leave them alone and then suddenly chase them around the house. She does not attack them, just runs around after them and tries to play with them like she does other dogs. Any help?
---> Boy this brings back memories as my last Akita pup, Inori, was like this!. Akitas in general differentiate mine from not-mine very well so likely she will never offer to hurt the kitties inside -- outside or strange cats may be a different story. As to stopping chasing -- to some extent that is normal play and to some extent it likely has a hunt-chase component. Learn her preliminary behaviors so you can catch her before the chase begins. Teach her a good "leave it" command and use that. And praise/treat when she STOPS chasing or fails to initiate chase (ie sees kitty & does not chase). I finally had to teach a MINE command which means leave alone always and then spend a million hours saying MY KITTY NO THAT IS MY KITTY! Now they live in relative harmony to the point my two recent adopted kittens sleep curled up w/her.
--> So long as the other dogs are not objecting to this I would leave it alone. Dogs do not exist in a democracy and if in their "play pack" she is the alpha and the others are okay with that - leave it be! Trying to mess with it can generate confusion which can lead to aggression. As to in general - -if she is showing a tendency to be dominant (and that is VERY Akita like) then you will have to be cognizant of the potential for problems with dogs who do not know her and/or are not willing to be submissive to her. Dominance to people is not necessarily linked to dominance with other dogs but it is wise to also take measures like a nothing-is-for-free program to start avoid dominance issues.
Also, I have taken her many times to interact with young children, and she does very well, she is very people friendly, but there is one girl who lives nearby that Sadie seems to always howl and bark at when she comes near. She has met this girl several times, I cannot understand why she acts this way towards her.
---> If there is one person/child she objects too when she as a rule gets along with that type of person -- THERE IS A REASON! I have learned to trust my dogs when this occurs. I would simply not push any and even avoid any interaction b/t them.
Lastly (for this post) cats. How can I get her to stop trying to chase them? She will be very good and leave them alone and then suddenly chase them around the house. She does not attack them, just runs around after them and tries to play with them like she does other dogs. Any help?
---> Boy this brings back memories as my last Akita pup, Inori, was like this!. Akitas in general differentiate mine from not-mine very well so likely she will never offer to hurt the kitties inside -- outside or strange cats may be a different story. As to stopping chasing -- to some extent that is normal play and to some extent it likely has a hunt-chase component. Learn her preliminary behaviors so you can catch her before the chase begins. Teach her a good "leave it" command and use that. And praise/treat when she STOPS chasing or fails to initiate chase (ie sees kitty & does not chase). I finally had to teach a MINE command which means leave alone always and then spend a million hours saying MY KITTY NO THAT IS MY KITTY! Now they live in relative harmony to the point my two recent adopted kittens sleep curled up w/her.
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Akita Discussions / Re: Akita temperment
« on: June 23, 2005, 09:11:34 pm »
Akitas & other dogs -- that is profoundly variable Most responsible breeders are breeding out overt aggression but part of being an Akita is being a dominant dog. That alone can incite trouble with other dogs. Akitas are also very intolerant of rude dogs (the ones that jump on every dog they see and the owners don't control) and that can cause problems as well. What I ask of my Akitas is that they initiate NO problems with other dogs. Expecting them to get along with all other or even most dogs is a bit unrealistic IMO -- not saying it can't happen but should not be the expectation.
Akitas & protectiveness - Akitas have an innate ability to differentiate threat from non-threat. I have zero doubts that any of my Akitas both those i have had since puppyhood, those I have adopted & my fosters would protect me against perceived threats. This does mean that intense socialization is needed to help them learn normal from non-normal. My Akitas are friendly, one is a pet therapy dog, and off-leash reliable. But do not come into near me if I do not say it is okay. In general Akitas are more person protective than place protective and, thus, may not be good guard dogs if no one is home,
Akitas & protectiveness - Akitas have an innate ability to differentiate threat from non-threat. I have zero doubts that any of my Akitas both those i have had since puppyhood, those I have adopted & my fosters would protect me against perceived threats. This does mean that intense socialization is needed to help them learn normal from non-normal. My Akitas are friendly, one is a pet therapy dog, and off-leash reliable. But do not come into near me if I do not say it is okay. In general Akitas are more person protective than place protective and, thus, may not be good guard dogs if no one is home,
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Akita Discussions / Re: Need advice on getting a dog...
« on: June 23, 2005, 09:06:50 pm »
In general Akitas do much better in opposite sex pairings. Shibas are a bit less consistent but some of them are best in opposite sex pairing as well. As to children -- ANY dog can be a danger to children. Some Akitas are fabulous with kids and others are not. Shibas tend to be more terrier in temperament and can be very yappy and resistant to handling by children. If you do decide to go with an Akita I would insist upon a breeder that has children OR that has socialized their dogs with children.
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Akita Discussions / Re: what made you choose?
« on: June 23, 2005, 09:03:04 pm »
Hi! I have had an Akita for about 8 years now. I did a lot of research into different breed and the two things that attracted me the most ot the Akitas were their profound loyalty to their people and their silly side. Since then I have learned that Akitas are profoundly intelligent dogs with an amazing ability to discriminate and respond appropriately, they are very unchanged in behavior from the primitive dogs, that I have to constantly learn and grow as as student of dog behavior & dog training to stay just an half-a-step ahead of them. I enjoy their independence and their self-sufficiency.
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