How to Train an Akita to Not be Aggressive

How to Train an Akita to Not be Aggressive
Medium difficulty iconMedium
Time icon1-6 Months
Behavior training category iconBehavior

Introduction

The Akita is a magnificent, powerful, ancient breed that originated in Japan. Akitas tend to think for themselves, and are wary of strangers although they are extremely affectionate with family. Akita is one of Japan's oldest dogs. 

They were developed to hunt big prey like wild boar and bears. Helen Keller was inspired by the Akita's loyalty and bravery, and brought the first few Akita back to the US. Military people serving in World War Two also were impressed by the Akita and brought the dogs home with them. 

Akitas require a skilled and devoted owner. Their power and tendency towards dominance with other dogs, as well as their strong guarding instincts and independent nature, can make them difficult for a novice dog owner to handle. That said, your Akita is an extremely intelligent and adaptable dog capable of learning new ways of doing things, even late into life. 

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Defining Tasks

Before you can begin training your Akita not to be aggressive, you must get a reasonable measure of how and why your powerful friend is expressing aggression. If you are starting with a puppy that has never shown aggression and are training preventatively, your job will be easy as long as you are consistent with socialization.

If your Akita is showing guarding behavior around you on walks or when visitors come to your house, but is behaved with visitors and strangers once introduced, you need only give your Akita instruction in how and when guarding is appropriate.

Akitas tend towards aggression with same-sex dogs and dominance in with dogs in general. There may be a limit to how much restraint you can expect from your Akita, so be realistic in your training goals. 

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Getting Started

The Akita is a powerful dog who sometimes behaves in ways we don't expect, as a result of her having her own thoughts, as well as strong impulses and instincts. Keep the safety of your best friend, as well as any people and dogs involved, forefront in your mind. Muzzle train your Akita with peanut butter or another delicious smearable treat so that she can be muzzled for safety if necessary during training. 

Learn what motivates your Akita. Find a food that has a smell that will distract her from whatever she is focused on, or see if she loves tug enough to play instead of behaving aggressively. If your Akita has very strong guarding instincts, you may have more success teaching her when to be aggressive than overcoming aggression altogether. 

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The Gradual Immersion Method

Most Recommended

2 Votes

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Most Recommended

2 Votes

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1

Food motivated

If your Akita loves food and can be distracted easily by the smell of a treat, you can use food to teach your Akita how to behave in situations where she may otherwise be aggressive.

2

Start with lowest stimulus

Produce as low a stimulus as possible, like a dog or person walking by outside

3

Distract

Distract your Akita by waving a treat in front of her. As soon as she follows it, give her the treat.

4

Practice and add command

Keep practicing, adding a command or sound to have your Akita watch you in anticipation of a treat whenever you make the sound.

5

Gradually increase stimulus

Gradually increase the stimulus, stepping back to the last stimulus level if you fail to get your akita's attention.

The Socialize to Success Method

Effective

1 Vote

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Effective

1 Vote

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1

Ready to act out

If you Akita seems to always be on a hair trigger, ready to act out in aggression, you can enable her to feel comfortable with people so she will lose these aggressive impulses.

2

Muzzle for safety

Get your Akita comfortable wearing a muzzle by rubbing peanut butter or other delicious substance on the muzzle and having your dog wear it in relaxed settings.

3

Babysit

Have friends and volunteers babysit your Akita in various situations. Being removed from a familiar setting and you will inspire your Akita to approach problems differently.

4

Gentle encouragement

Have your friends give your Akita food and affection as it is safe until you Akita learns that being with strangers is good.

5

Work towards removing muzzle

Once your akita is very comfortable and friendly with everyone she meets, you can work towards removing her muzzle.

The People Aren't So Bad Method

Least Recommended

2 Votes

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Least Recommended

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1

Fearful guardian

If your Akita is constantly guarding you from your guests at your house and from strangers on walks, you can teach her that there is nothing to fear from these situations.

2

Muzzle for safety

Muzzle train your Akita in stress-free situation so that she will learn to enjoy wearing the muzzle. Rub peanut buttter or some other desirable paste on the muzzle so that she can have fun licking it off.

3

Unfamiliar place

Train your Akita in a location that she has not established as her own.

4

Calm, still guests

Have your guests stay relatively still but still act natural.

5

Mingle

Let you Akita mingle among the guests, staying with her on a loose leash as she wanders. Have you guests drop food for her so she learns to enjoy being around them.

Written by Coral Drake

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 04/20/2018, edited: 01/08/2021

Training Questions

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Training Questions and Answers

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Taffy

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Akita

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4

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Question

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0 found this helpful

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How do i make sure she will get along w/ my 2 other female dogs, should i even try? So far, she seems great, however, based on everything i have read, it is very risky.

Nov. 7, 2023

Taffy's Owner

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Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

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1133 Dog owners recommended

Hello, If there are multiple adults in your home, taking the dogs on a walk together, with space between them by having one person hold the new dog's leash and the other person handle one or both of the other dogs, can help dogs bond in a less confrontational way. Make sure these walks are structured and the dogs heeling and paying attention to you and not competing to be in front or giving hard stares at each other. I would keep separate when not training while in the home together for the moment. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Nov. 29, 2023

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Flash

Dog breed icon

Akita

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Ten Years

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Question

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My dog is lovely with family but not strangers. Does not like other dogs. We keep him on leed when out and find it very difficult when other people have their dogs running free. They let their dog run up and say it's okay they are friendly, so then i have to try and stop them before they reach us.

April 3, 2023

Flash's Owner

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Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

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1133 Dog owners recommended

Hello, I am very sorry that that is happening to you. Although their dog might not struggle with aggression, many do, and that's a difficult and scary situation for those whose dogs do, when others approach uninvited. I would work on desensitizing your dog to the presence of other dogs. Do this carefully, with barriers like fences or secure leashes on both dogs practicing, and possibly a basket muzzle if needed - which is to be introduced ahead of time using treats so its not an additional source of stress for your dog. If you can manage your dog on leash safely when another is also on leash, then check out the Passing Approach method from the article I have linked below. I recommend avoiding the final greeting in the steps though. Your goal will just be to get your dog alright with another dog passing by more closely initially. It would be helpful to practice a calm greeting eventually, but for that I recommend the use of a basket muzzle, lots of desensitizing to simply passing the dog until that doesn't bother your dog, and a professional trainer with aggression experience and a really well trained dog to practice under the supervision too. Passing Approach method - minus the final greeting, and only if it can be done safely, with either a trainer and their dogs, or those you know with well mannered safe dogs. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs Check out this video channel to learn more about desensitizing. Avoid up close interactions without a basket muzzle and professional oversight for safety reasons though, barriers can help facilitate safe ways to train if used correctly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n_fPKPLA2g Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 4, 2023


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