I am a newbie to a lot of things concerning dogs. I'll be the first to admit it. I take my puppy to kindergaten classes and to agility classes. why? Because I'm not an expert and can't possibly train him myself. and when he's older, we're going to conformation handling classes. why? b/c I'm a newbie. I've never shown a dog.
BUT, I'm not a newbie to basic dog care or to my breed.
I have a puppy akita and those aren't extremely rare but they definitely aren't "popular" in seattle. Several trainers I've called before enrolling in classes have never taught an akita.Â
I just can't stand everyone who automatically becomes an akita expert or a vet, even though they aren't when I go to parks or take my pup on walks.
I'm 5'3", asian, and look as if I'm 19 years old (but I'm a freakin' attorney!! I'm much OLDER) and everyone wants to tell me how to raise my pup and everyone just assumes I'm feeding him kibble n' bits and not training him even though he almost always has his eyes pinned on me and listening to what I'm saying/doing. They all talk down to me and say, well, you should start obedience classes b/c akitas can be mean" and they go into a tirade about the breed's history, what they were used for, etc. as if I just bought my dog off a bum on the street without thorough research. These people have only "read" of akitas, not actually owned one. This is my second akita, if you count my half breed I rescued. I've been researching akitas and been wanting one for over 5 years now. My friend in Houston breeds and showed akitas so I asked her tons of questions and had tons of exposure to them (I'm no expert, but I certainly know as much as one can from reading and asking people).
People have even said, "are you sure you will be able to handle him? maybe an akita wasn't a good idea. I know they are pretty, but they take a [insert whatever adjective they think I'm not here] owner." Gee, guys, this is my SECOND akita, my FIFTH asian spitz, and I'm not in highschool!! People have even asked me if it was my parents' pup! Or if we take him to the park, everyone has to give me advice about what shots I should give him. They assume that I havent' taken him to a vet. Several women on different occassions have come up to me and said "what kind of dog is that? an akita! oh, I've heard they are aggressive. You should take him to obedience class! Have you taken him to a vet? It's very important that puppies get their shots and you can't just go once, you have to go several times. Well...good luck with him, you're going to need it!" or "How old is your pup? 12 weeks? Has he received his rabies yet? No?! Why not! You are going to kill your dog! He needs to get his rabies. Oh, your vet said he's too young? well, your vet isn't as good as my vet. you shouldn't go to a discount vet." Well, I was told that rabies isn't given untli they are at least 4 months by...everyone! but, I guess you're the expert lady!
Oh, a vet? I was supposed to take him to a vet? really?!? I took him to a vet within 24 hours of picking him up from the breeder. I've already spent hundreds at the vet (mostly due to Seattle's ridiculous inflation rates!) and I've only had him for 4 weeks. I've chipped him, dewormed him, gave him his shots, done fecal exams, wellness exams, etc. I even spent hours and hours researching and calling vets/pet store owners before I got him to find out which vet would be the best for me and my pup.
If you are an expert on akitas, please, by all means, talk to people with akitas, give them information. this type of info is extremely appreciated. but if you have only heard of akitas, or don't have a clue on akitas, please don't assume that you are an expert and start dispensing advice. Also, not everyone is an idiot or as inexperienced as you think they are. Even if I were 19, there are 19 year olds in the show ring who have won! If you're not an expert, don't act like one! (sorry for the rant, I'm just so fed up!)
