Anybody out there with an Akita, help needed

[capri_stylee]

I just picked up an Akita yesterday, its 4 months old, and seems to have been trained a bit, he's ok on the lead, still working on that tho, and is house trained with a few simple commands, sit, up etc.

Thing is, i've only raised small dogs before, terriers and collies. I've no idea what to expect with this dog, obviously needs a lot more food, and exercise, but need to get him out of the habit of mouthing peoples hands, hit teeth are like needles :mad:

Anybody out there thats raised these dogs before, what should i look out for, promote, avoid etc? any help at all is greatly appreciated.

PS, pics to follow:D

[grchgatecrasher]

My mom had an Akita many years ago. They are smart dogs but also can be stubborn. They tend to be one owner dogs and form a tight bond with one person. Thats not to say that they wouldnt be affectionate to other family members but they prefer one on one relationships. Training is essential. Positive reinforcement and NILIF (nothing in life is free) will go a long way. Sounds like your pup has started teething, thats probably why he is being so mouthy right now. What you can do is re-direct his attention to a bone or ice cube (to relieve sore gums) when he tries to bite. You can also yell "ouch" and stop playing with him. He will get the idea that biting = no play and should stop the behavior.
Here is some good info on NILIF:
http://www.dogguide.net/nilif.php
Looking forward to some puppy pics!

[Meanderthal]

I don't have experience with Akitas. Mine are another Northern breed, Eurasier, equally independent-minded. I agree with the above, 'though I don't find NILIF necessary for everything. Since love should be free, so should frequent signs of love. Special training treats are earned, of course. I use home-made beef jerky, on an intermittent schedule. Re the teething issue - it will resolve itself in time. grch's recommendations, including the "ouch", is the way to go. Most of all, enjoy the pup's company, without reservations.

[Matthew Patrick]

You should read up on a condition called bloat. I don't know if it applies to Akitas but it kills many large dogs without much warning and it is preventable. I have a Great Dane and bloat is common in Danes. It can kill them in about an hour if you're not careful with feeding, watering and exercise schedules.

http://www.google.com/search?q=bloat+in+dogs&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[Meanderthal]

OP, I'm feeling a bit hollow leaving you with the POTN photo forum for advice on Akitas. While some POTN members may well be experts on the breed, you may find additional information from your national breed club, or forums such as listed in:
http://pets.dir.groups.yahoo.com/dir/1600042480?st=10
http://pets.dir.groups.yahoo.com/dir/1600042480

Each breed is different, each dog has it's own personality, and each owner has different needs and living conditions. Good luck, enjoy your pup.

[grchgatecrasher]

I don't have experience with Akitas. Mine are another Northern breed, Eurasier, equally independent-minded. I agree with the above, 'though I don't find NILIF necessary for everything. Since love should be free, so should frequent signs of love. Special training treats are earned, of course. I use home-made beef jerky, on an intermittent schedule. Re the teething issue - it will resolve itself in time. grch's recommendations, including the "ouch", is the way to go. Most of all, enjoy the pup's company, without reservations.

NILIF is not about withholding love for your dog, on the contrary it is out of love for your dog that it should be practiced. There's nothing wrong with showering love on a dog whenever you want, as long as it is on your own terms. The dog should not be allowed to demand anything, love included, especially with dominant type dogs such as Akitas. If the issue is teething then yes it could work itself out with time. If it used by the dog as attention getting behavior or dominance then it will only get worse over time without any behavior modification. There's no way for someone on the internet to know which it is without seeing the dog. By using NILIF all that can be avoided. You said yourself that 'special training treats are earned,' and that is all NILIF is about. Believe me, a dog that rules the roost is a very unhappy dog and could become a very dangerous dog.

[grchgatecrasher]

OP, I'm feeling a bit hollow leaving you with the POTN photo forum for advice on Akitas. While some POTN members may well be experts on the breed, you may find additional information from your national breed club, or forums such as listed in:
http://pets.dir.groups.yahoo.com/dir/1600042480?st=10
http://pets.dir.groups.yahoo.com/dir/1600042480

Each breed is different, each dog has it's own personality, and each owner has different needs and living conditions. Good luck, enjoy your pup.

Very good advice. The breed clubs will be able to give a very in-depth view of the breed. :)

[mckinleypics]

I'm a Lab guy but I agree with crasher. Akitas were bred to be guard dogs and they need to be trained well or you could have problems. Dogs, even labs, naturally want to have a dominant pack leader. It gives them a sense of security. If you end up with an Alpha, you have to make sure it never achieves that status. Be firm, be consistent, be confident. If you end up with a follower, you still need to be a strong leader or the dog will get stressed out and start acting out.

Watch Cesar Milan - The Dog Whisperer. That dude seriously knows dogs. He is freaky. He can walk into a house with a dangerous dog and within minutes the dog is sitting at attention, awaiting further direction.

[grchgatecrasher]

You should read up on a condition called bloat. I don't know if it applies to Akitas but it kills many large dogs without much warning and it is preventable. I have a Great Dane and bloat is common in Danes. It can kill them in about an hour if you're not careful with feeding, watering and exercise schedules.

http://www.google.com/search?q=bloat+in+dogs&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Good point. Bloat is common in large as well as deep chested dogs such as Greyhounds. I dont think they know exactly what causes it every time but feeding after exercise (not before) and a cool down period is good practice with all dogs.

[mckinleypics]

Isn't bloat where the stomach is full and since it is oriented horizontally, it can flip over itself and twist the esophagus and ilium, blocking the digestive tract? I think if this happens the dog has about 24 hours to live if you don't get it to the vet so they can flip it back.

[capri_stylee]

Thanks for all the help, BTW i haven't been relying solely on advice from POTN, although it has helped. Sumo is currently being walked 3-4 times a day, for a total of 2-4 hours. He is walking much better on the lead than he was a week ago. I think his biting comes more from teething than attention seeking or aggression, as he will sometimes bite (not hard, but can still leave a scratch because his teeth are so sharp) when being petted. I still haven't got a chance to get any decent shots of him, but as soon as i do i'll post them up here.

About the bloat, since reading it i've only been feeding him twice a day, after walks, is this enough to avoid it?

[jlambe]

Hi,
If you want to PM me I will email you the handout I give to anyone that gets a puppy from me. I used to keep and show German Shepherds which like the Akita can be very headstrong. With regards to the walking the pup is only 4mths old and 2-4hrs is too much and can cause joint problems later in life.

John.

[mckinleypics]

Thanks for all the help, BTW i haven't been relying solely on advice from POTN, although it has helped. Sumo is currently being walked 3-4 times a day, for a total of 2-4 hours. He is walking much better on the lead than he was a week ago. I think his biting comes more from teething than attention seeking or aggression, as he will sometimes bite (not hard, but can still leave a scratch because his teeth are so sharp) when being petted. I still haven't got a chance to get any decent shots of him, but as soon as i do i'll post them up here.

About the bloat, since reading it i've only been feeding him twice a day, after walks, is this enough to avoid it?

I'm not a vet but a walk isn't going to put you at risk for bloat. What you don't want is to load up the tummy with food and then let him rip around at the dog park. If you want to be super safe, kennel him for 20 minutes after he eats (let him poop first if he needs to). A dog's digestive tract is only about 7 feet long - puppies obviously even shorter. The short tract, combined with a light barf reflex, are what keep them from getting too sick when they eat nasty stuff. Because it is short, their belly doesn't stay full very long.

[jlambe]

I'm not a vet but a walk isn't going to put you at risk for bloat. What you don't want is to load up the tummy with food and then let him rip around at the dog park. If you want to be super safe, kennel him for 20 minutes after he eats (let him poop first if he needs to). A dog's digestive tract is only about 7 feet long - puppies obviously even shorter. The short tract, combined with a light barf reflex, are what keep them from getting too sick when they eat nasty stuff. Because it is short, their belly doesn't stay full very long.

I would agree with avoiding heavy exercise however the standard is 1hr after eating 20min is way too soon. The problem with bloat or gastric torsion is that it is a mechanical twist of the stomach blocking the entrance and exit to and from the stomach. There is a build up of gas within the stomach causing the stomach to become distended possibly deprived of blood and generally the spleen is also twisted. The dog will generally pass wind and even vomit emptying the rest of the gastro intestinal tracht. However the stomach being twisted remains distented. Many dogs can die within 1-2hrs. The length of the tracht is irrelevant as this generally occurs within 1hr of eating.
Those at higher risk are deep chested dogs fed only once a day (encouraging them to gulp their food)and allowed drink and exercise heavily after feeding.

John.

[grchgatecrasher]

Isn't bloat where the stomach is full and since it is oriented horizontally, it can flip over itself and twist the esophagus and ilium, blocking the digestive tract? I think if this happens the dog has about 24 hours to live if you don't get it to the vet so they can flip it back.

Yes, bloat will absolutely kill a dog if it does not get to a vet early enough.

[grchgatecrasher]

I would agree with avoiding heavy exercise however the standard is 1hr after eating 20min is way too soon.
Those at higher risk are deep chested dogs fed only once a day (encouraging them to gulp their food)and allowed drink and exercise heavily after feeding.

John.

I would never feed a dog 1 hr before exercise, let alone 20 mins. If my dog eats, he doesnt get exercised that day at all. The only exception to that is a protein drink in the morning and then exercise in the afternoon, after which he gets fed. I feed a raw diet which only takes about 6 hrs to digest but I still wont work him after feeding. It takes 12 hours to digest kibble so even waiting an hour after is not helping the dog any. I usually wait at least 45 mins. after exercise to feed, or until the dog is totally cooled down (no panting). But it depends on how hard the exercise is.

[smyke]

Raw diet is the way to go. My german shepherd thrives on it.

One thing I find odd: you either feed your dog or exercise it in a day?

To find answers about the breed join an akita forum.

[grchgatecrasher]

Thanks for all the help, BTW i haven't been relying solely on advice from POTN, although it has helped. Sumo is currently being walked 3-4 times a day, for a total of 2-4 hours.

About the bloat, since reading it i've only been feeding him twice a day, after walks, is this enough to avoid it?

Walking a young pup 2 to 4 hrs a day is way too much, especially if its on concrete sidewalks. Like jlambe said its hard on their joints. The joints and bones are still soft and growing and can be damaged. Just let him be a pup. Short walks a few times a day with fetching a ball (on the grass) and some obedience training is enough for now.
As for the bloat, there shouldnt be any problem with feeding him after short walks. Its when they have a full belly and are then exercised, that can be dangerous.

[grchgatecrasher]

Raw diet is the way to go. My german shepherd thrives on it.

One thing I find odd: you either feed your dog or exercise it in a day?

To find answers about the breed join an akita forum.

I'm sorry I should have clarified. I feed my dog every day and I only feed after exercise. So if it gets late in the day and I didnt get to exercise him, I will feed him dinner and skip exercise for that day rather than letting him digest and work him later on in the evening.

[smyke]

Forgot to add: socialize, socialize, socialize. Take him everywhere (as long as he is UTD on his shots). He needs to see and be around as many creatures and situations as you can think of.
I would put that aspect of training on the top of my list. I'm learning this the hard way even though I thought I have done enough.

Got ya crasher. Thanks for clarifying.

[capri_stylee]

Big thanks to jlambe, help was greatly appreciated!

Had Sumo out in the snow for the last couple of days, he loves it. :lol:

[jlambe]

Glad to help. Beautiful looking dog wish you all the best with him.

[lolapalooza]

Walking a young pup 2 to 4 hrs a day is way too much, especially if its on concrete sidewalks. Like jlambe said its hard on their joints. The joints and bones are still soft and growing and can be damaged. Just let him be a pup. Short walks a few times a day with fetching a ball (on the grass) and some obedience training is enough for now.
As for the bloat, there shouldnt be any problem with feeding him after short walks. Its when they have a full belly and are then exercised, that can be dangerous.

Completely agree here.....too much exercise can put strain on groing joints and ligaments.
He looks like a beautiful dog.....Akitas respond well to Nothing In Life Is Free.
Good Luck with everything

[ClaireD]

Aww, he is absolutely gorgeous.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is to avoid giving too much water directly after food has been eaten or straight after exercise. This would apply moreso when he is older and has had a good work out. Water can cause problems in the same way as feeding straight after exercise.

Have fun with your boy, he looks a real character.