Akita puppies are distinguished by their loyalty and restraint. The dog went down in history as the most devoted and faithful dog, so it’s a matter of a few days. However, young dog owners are faced with a question. Is it possible to train a small puppy to later become loyal and... helpful dog? Of course, but you just need to train your dog from a very early age.

Raising an Akita

Raising an Akita puppy- a difficult and responsible task. Usually a puppy comes to its owner at one and a half months of age. What are the main principles of such a dog? She will be interested in everything, she will want to explore every millimeter of the new room. Be prepared for this.

His character is typically oriental. This affects not only the dog’s appearance, but also its behavior. As soon as the puppy begins to perceive the world around us– after a while he will show his independence and individuality. You won't get anything from a dog by shouting and threatening, so during raising an Akita puppy try to act slowly and measuredly. Long lessons quickly tire the dog, and the entire training process will not show its effectiveness. You will have to spend a lot of time being patient before the dog begins to show his true character. Some dog breeders achieve success with education and training only after a few years, when the dog finally becomes an adult. Believe me, the effect of long-term training will lead to the development of courage, endurance and determination in the dog. This will be an excellent watchdog that will stand to the death (remember the story of Hachiko).

Akita training

How to train an Akita? Akita practically does not recognize the dominance of the owner. If you want to teach her to follow commands, you need to become her friend. Threatening, shouting, and especially hitting a dog is strictly prohibited. She will harbor a hidden grudge against the owner, which will sooner or later spill out. And then you can no longer avoid the consequences. The dog is quite trainable, but requires spending a huge amount of time with it. Be patient and try to find a way to get your puppy's attention. Try to turn the training into some kind of game to get the dog interested. You'll see if you can lure the dog with something special - Akita puppy training will be successful and you will achieve significant results.

What are the hours to train your dog? To do this, you have to choose the time interval between feedings. After a successful training session, feed your dog long-awaited treats to make him want to train again in the future. Completed the required command - encouragement. That is why you should start training before lunch. The feeling of hunger will make itself felt, and the dog will follow any command just to satisfy it.

An Akita should not be trained to be a professional detective. However, if you work hard with him from childhood and give him treats for completed commands, soon the dog will understand what “sit”, “lie” and “voice” mean. The “come to me” command is the most difficult to train, since on the street the dog can be distracted by other objects. Therefore, first practice executing the command after the dog has played enough. Nothing will distract him, and he will be able to fully focus on your voice. The command is given in an inviting and joyful voice without any shades of severity or anger. When the dog turns his attention to you, show him a treat. Rest assured, he will instantly rush to the call. Repeat this procedure several times – and the dog will always come running when you call.

Akita training at home presents some difficulties. But its results are simply amazing.

• Height at withers: Male 64-70 cm, female – 58-64 cm
• Weight: Male - 30-40 kg, female - 20-30 kg
• Color: red-red, fawn or sesame, white and brindle (smoky, black or white tiger). Light spots on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheekbones, tip of the tail, chest and belly are required. inside hips, under the jaw.
• Lifespan: 9-13 years
• Other names: big Japanese dog, Akita

Pros and cons

• Uncompromising Security Guard
• Wool is easy to care for and odorless
• Little barks
• Unobtrusive and independent

• Requires a special approach to nutrition
• Proper puppy training is required
• Does not tolerate heat well
• Difficult to get along in a pack

Description of the breed

The Akita Inu is a balanced, self-sufficient dog whose respect must be earned. Their independent disposition and high level of intelligence allow these dogs not only to be excellent hunters - brave, active and enterprising, but also to effectively guard the territory and housing entrusted to them. Until recently, it was considered a medium-sized dog, but the modern standard has once again increased its height.

A hard textured coat with a soft and dense undercoat, the amount of which varies depending on the season, allows the dog to live in the yard of a private house. Thanks to this feature, they tolerate snow and rain well and rarely get sick. Living in the city, these dogs are also convenient because they very rarely bark.

The character of the Akita is characterized by a strong tendency towards dominance. This is especially true for males. From the first minutes spent in a new home, an Akita puppy demonstrates its own view of things. Considering the fact that food eaters are rare among the breed, establishing contact will require patience and special skills from the owner. Therefore, Akita cannot be recommended as a first dog.

There are no varieties in the Akita Inu breed, but there are 4 colors that are similar in type. For families with children, bitches are better suited because they have a more flexible character and a highly developed maternal instinct. At first, the child and puppy should be under the constant supervision of adults until they learn to behave correctly with each other.

Akita Inu breed standard

The main characteristics of the Akita Inu that determine their breed are:

type of head structure

• pronounced gender differences between males and females.

The main idea of ​​the exterior Japanese breeders see simplicity, functionality, majesty, strength and nobility in the appearance of their dogs. Characteristic slanted ears, close-fitting lips, moderate stop, lack of frontal folds, a triangular or round muzzle (the Hakoguchi type with a square muzzle found in the breed is undesirable) - this is what the Akita breed's head looks like. Looking at it, there is no doubt about which of the breeds of group 5 the dog belongs to.

The height at the withers is related to the length of the body as 10 to 11. This means that the ideal Akita has an almost square format. Some stretching may occur in bitches. The priority in evaluating dogs is their balance and the absence of exaggerated features.

The thick tail has a high output and is wrapped in an energetic donut. Its length should be sufficient so that when unfolded it reaches the hock joints. Leading breed experts prefer that the tail be elliptical in shape and located parallel to the line of the back and neck. The standard presupposes good muscularity of dogs, and such a structure of the front and rear girdles of the limbs that would ensure harmonious and energetic movements.

The dog's double, hard coat is ideally adapted to the harsh conditions of its habitat, retains heat well and repels dirt.

The standard lists serious deficiencies as having a bite other than a scissor bite, missing teeth, a short tail, light eyes, and the presence of black or blue spots on the tongue. Faults include a short erect tail and ears, long hair, spots on a white background, and a black mask on the face. All of them indicate the decency of purebred Akitas of other breeds.

Character and characteristics of the Akita Inu

Akita wool is their decoration and one of their breed characteristics. There are strictly regulated rules for breeding Akitas depending on their color. However, the Japanese consider balance to be more important than color, when all parts of the Akita’s body work harmoniously to form beautiful smooth movements and contributing efficient work dogs.

Another feature of the breed is its diet. These dogs do best on fish and rice. Excess fatty foods harm them. Being from a cold climate, Akitas do not tolerate heat well, reacting to it with the appearance of various eczemas. In general, skin problems are typical for these dogs, cut off from their usual habitats. Dietary disorders, reaction to exposure to external allergens, psychological stress during exhibitions or training, influence high temperatures, incorrectly selected vaccines cause skin irritations in dogs, which are best treated by eliminating the cause of their occurrence.

According to Japanese breeders, female dogs are capable of mating every three to four months. At the same time, it is quite difficult to choose the right mating days, since sometimes during estrus the eggs do not come out and the bitch is empty. Stress, some past illnesses, the presence of cysts, as well as antibiotic therapy have a negative impact on fertility.

Akita Inu are dogs whose character has more unusual features than qualities familiar to European dog breeders. Their training must take place in an atmosphere of complete trust between man and dog. High intelligence does not allow dogs to obey humans unquestioningly. Communication with an Akita is more of a partnership than submission on the part of the Akita.

The Japanese Akita is a dog that can live in the yard of a private house or in a city apartment. True, in both cases the dog must have regular exercise and socialization. Raised without the opportunity to communicate with other dogs and cats, in an environment depleted of communication, this dog becomes excessively aggressive and nervous, which most often leads to a lack of proper contact between the dog and the owner and the development of allergies and eczema.

Despite their short fur, Akitas shed twice a year and for quite a long time. The exception is dogs living in cold regions - they shed faster there. Brushing is a weekly ritual for your Akita, to which he is accustomed from the first days of life in his new home. During grooming, contact with the puppy is established and a trusting relationship is formed.

The athletic build of these dogs is a signal for their potential owners. They need long walks and exercise, both physical and intellectual. Smart and cunning Akitas - permanent job for the mind of their owner. It is impossible to force them to do anything by force; to raise and control a dog you will need an understanding of its habits and the ability to outwit or out-stubborn your pet.

When kept in a group, Akitas can become aggressive towards their own kind. Therefore, early socialization is important for them. You should not take into a house where other dogs live an Akita that was raised in an enclosure and does not have the skills to communicate with adult dogs.

Dogs' hunting abilities also cause a lot of trouble for their owners. Many of them recklessly chase cats and birds, hunt chickens and other livestock. Such a dog cannot do without an enclosure - this will protect potential prey from death in the dog’s teeth, and the dog from the unjustified anger of its owner.

If you plan to get offspring from your bitch, then before pregnancy and childbirth occur, you need to equip her with an enclosure in a puppy pen. Akita puppies are well adapted to cold weather; their dense thick fur allows them to feel great even in frosty conditions. But the heat brings a lot of inconvenience to these dogs, so when keeping them in the summer, you need to provide shade or air conditioning in the apartment.

Feeding the Akita Inu

Despite their small sizes, Akita Inu is a rather expensive dog to maintain. This is due to the fact that feeding fish and rice is optimal for her. Low in calories, high in B vitamins, fatty acids – distinguishing feature diets of these dogs.

For residents of coastal areas this will not be a problem. However, in cities where fish are brought from afar, proper feeding of Akita will cost its owners a lot of money.

Proper selection of diet is the key to the health of these dogs. Excessive amounts of vegetable and animal fats, cereals other than rice, lead to diseases, disorders of the liver, pancreas, problems with joints and ligaments, eczema and allergies. Chicken is especially allergic to Akitas. This is not so much due to special properties chicken meat, how much with the huge amount of antibiotics and hormones that are used for industrial cultivation smoke our time.

Often the solution to a nutrition problem is ready-made dry and wet food, the composition of which is suitable for these dogs. We are talking about formulas based on rice, tuna or salmon. Some dogs of this breed do well on foods containing lamb, duck, rabbit and rice. When choosing food, be sure to read its composition on the label. Often brands that say “salmon and rice” actually contain other grains, offal, and chicken. These foods may not be suitable for your dog. The most sensitive to food are those dogs that were exported from Japan.

Akita Inu puppies

Adults beyond their years, Japanese Akita Inu puppies from a young age are distinguished by independence, self-confidence and high level intelligence. Before you decide to buy this special dog, make sure you can give it everything it needs - from an optimal diet to... proper training that you are not looking for a servant in a dog, ready to do anything for a piece of tasty food or a toy, and are ready to take your dog’s own view of things into account.

To choose the right puppy, it is important to consider the following points.

Be sure to read the breed standard before you go to choose a puppy.

Try to pick up the puppy yourself so that it doesn’t turn out that you paid for one dog and received another.

Akitas without pedigrees currently do not exist in nature. If the puppy is not given documents by the breeder, make sure that they exist in nature and you did not receive them only because you paid less for the puppy.

A responsible breeder will ask you many questions before selling and may refuse to purchase a dog from them if they feel the breed is not suitable for you.

When choosing a puppy, make sure that the mother of the litter has a balanced temperament. Cowardly bitches most often give birth and raise puppies with an unstable psyche.

Don’t neglect your puppy’s training – after a year it will turn into a difficult task.

Do not neglect preventive vaccinations. Discuss their choice with the breeder to avoid an allergic reaction.

• The optimal age for purchasing a puppy is 2-4 months. An older dog should be well socialized and raised freely in close contact with people and other dogs. This is a guarantee that you will not get a “cage Mowgli” who is uninterested in human contact and aggressive towards other dogs.

Akita Inu training

Training an Akita begins with building a trusting relationship with it. The first 10 days will be spent studying your dog, its habits, skills and determining the rules of its behavior in your home, which should not change in the future.

The four-legged samurai will require patience and perseverance from you. He will choose a place in the house that would allow him to completely control the entrusted territory and people.

The vigilance of Akitas and their innate distrust of strangers allow owners to be confident in the reliable protection of themselves and their property.

If there are children in the house, getting to know them should not be delayed. Most Akita Inus are very gentle with children and are patient and level-headed caregivers. They enjoy playing with children and very rarely show impatience or aggression. However, this applies to properly raised dogs that have had the opportunity to communicate with people since childhood.

Owners of male dogs should be aware of their fighting inclinations and start taking them out for walks with other dogs as early as possible, controlling the situation and avoiding fights. Given the nature of the Akita, its training should be largely completed by 9 months. At the same time, your dog will be fully formed by 2-3 years. Further education consists of honing self-control, contact and clarity of interaction.

The lack of craving for food rewards will create additional difficulties with the traditional approach to training. The optimal combination is soft mechanics and close contact with the dog.

History of the breed

Akita Inu is one of the oldest breeds that appeared on the Japanese islands. Its name comes from the name of one of the northern Japanese provinces.

Archaeologists have found images of dogs that closely resemble modern Akitas in cave paintings that are more than 8 thousand years old.

Matagi Inu, the ancestors of Akitas, were universal companions of ordinary Japanese. They guarded the house and yard, hunted bears and were small in size. In the 17th century, when the Japanese nobility became concerned about issues of personal safety, Japanese Akitas began to appear in rich houses of the country, where they were trained as watchmen and bodyguards. Over time, these dogs became very fashionable and graced the best Japanese palaces and residences with their presence. Each dog had a personal servant, and their feeding and training was highly ritualized. Most likely, it was then that Akitas developed their dislike of shouting and violence.

Over time, the number of dogs increased and they found use in a new form - as participants in battles. At this time, they began to receive the blood of imported mastiffs to increase the size of the dogs and the entertainment of the fights. The first signs of crossbreeding were the loss of the characteristic strength of the build and the shape of the head. Akitas with droopy jowls and rectangular muzzles began to appear, as well as unusual colors with extensive white spots. Over time, Akitas gave up their place in the fighting rings to Tosa Inu - Molossians of Japanese blood, fairly diluted with European breeds - bull terriers, mastiffs, Great Danes, St. Bernards.

People first started talking about returning the breed to its original appearance in Japan in 1927. It was then that the mayor of Odate, one of the Japanese cities, made these dogs a city symbol and created the Akita Inu Preservation Society. Before the war, the number of dogs was significantly improved, the type of dogs was closer to the original one (and even to the modern one).

Active, loyal and courageous, Japanese Akitas participated in battles along with their owners during the war. Almost all dogs of pre-war breeding died during the war. Only a few specimens, kept secret by the owners from the authorities, survived and became the founders of the post-war population.

During the war, to preserve the lives of their dogs, Japanese breeders crossed them with German Shepherds. This was due to the fact that all other dogs were caught and used to make soldiers' warm clothing. After the war, when Japan was overrun by Americans, some dogs were taken to the USA, where a new breed arose from crossing them with various large Molossians.

The two breeds existed for a long time within the same 1938 standard. However, later the two breeds were separated. Currently, there are two Akita standards - FCI and AKIHO. The second, developed by Japanese breeders, is tougher and is designed to return the dogs to their original, Japanese appearance.

Prices for Akita Inu puppies

The Akita Inu breed is expensive in every way. The minimum cost for a purebred puppy is $500. For this money you can buy a sofa version of a dog, which, although it is a purebred, has disadvantages that do not give it the opportunity to take part in breeding work.

Breeding animals of average quality will cost you $800-1000, and dogs with aspirations for future championships will cost you $1500-2000.

Young and mature titled sires, which are usually purchased by nurseries for breeding, are the most expensive and can cost up to 5,000 euros.

When purchasing an Akita Inu, you need to be prepared for high cost ownership of this dog. Expenses for her proper nutrition, training and exhibitions will already exceed the cost of the animal by three years. Therefore, Akitas should be purchased by those owners who are confident in their abilities and can adequately support and raise this exotic dog.

Important stages of learning in the first year of life

In the first year of an Akita Inu puppy’s life, it is extremely important to consistently go through all stages of education, socialization and training. We will now tell you how to do it correctly.

Training an Akita Inu puppy, when to start

Akita Inu puppy training is essential start from the first days the presence of a dog in your home. There is an opinion that puppies should be trained no earlier than 6 months, but this opinion is erroneous, although quite widespread. From infancy, you need to instill in your dog the rules of behavior in your home, what is allowed and what is prohibited.

Often new puppy owners worry that training from the first days will be excessively stressful for the dog. This is only possible if outdated rigid methods are used, and when the right approach, training from the first days will be, on the contrary, very useful, since it allows you to immediately make contact with the puppy and build a trusting relationship.

Raising an Akita Inu puppy at 2 months

At 2 months old, your Akita Inu puppy is still at home, in quarantine after the first vaccinations, and he is not yet allowed to go for walks. Therefore, it’s time to start raising a puppy in familiar home conditions.

The first step is to accustom the puppy to going to the toilet with a diaper on. At the same time, it should be remembered that any learning is a rather complex thing, and seeing the first positive results, you should not think that your puppy has already understood everything, but you should continue training according to the method, so that after a while you do not have to start all over again.

Second important point the puppy will be trained to the collar and leash. Yes, yes, this should be done at home, so that by the time the puppy goes outside for the first time, wearing a collar will not be additional stress for him, but is already a familiar thing, and he can begin to explore the world around him, rather than trying get rid of an unknown object.

The third point, which causes the greatest difficulties for new puppy owners, will be the puppy’s determination boundaries of what is permitted:

• Teach to play only with your toys, and not with your things;
• Explain that you cannot bite your hands even in a game;
• Establish the correct daily routine, establishing the rule that in the morning you need to sleep and not wake you up;
• Stop chewing furniture, clothes, walls and baseboards;
• Teach to stay at home alone, knowing that your absence is not a reason to bark or howl.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO KNOW: that constant and excessive punishments following almost every action of the puppy have a detrimental effect on his fragile psyche and can lead to the Akita Inu puppy growing up cowardly and embittered. For normal natural development, a puppy must have the opportunity to explore the world around him, which is currently limited to your apartment or house.

You should also start now introduction to basic commands obedience in a light playful form, while focusing on rewards for fulfillment, because the puppy’s psyche is still quite plastic and excessive severity and exactingness can lead to the puppy being intimidated and cowardly. Therefore, it is necessary, first of all, to try to interest the puppy by offering him a toy or treat, and sometimes just praise.

Socialization of an Akita Inu puppy at 3 months

Three months is important stage introducing the Akita Inu puppy to the outside world. Your first walks should be short and not too tiring for the puppy.

At this age it goes formation nervous system puppy, so it is necessary to show him as much as possible: noisy streets, large crowds of people, etc. This must be done very carefully, gradually, over and over again increasing the time spent in noisy places, so as not to overload the puppy and not frighten him.

It is also necessary to introduce the puppy to friendly dogs and people so that the puppy does not subsequently develop aggression or cowardice caused by the fear of new things and the inability to communicate and make new acquaintances. And this is currently, unfortunately, not uncommon in the behavior of adult dogs, but quite common problem, with which people turn to our specialists for help.

The emergence of new places leads to new rules that need to be consolidated:

• Now you can and should go to the toilet on the street, rather than steadfastly endure and carry everything home;
• Not everyone new person or the dog wants to communicate, so you don’t need to run headlong to meet everyone;
• Not all food is healthy, so it should only be taken from the owner’s hands.

Training a puppy follows the same principles as at 2 months. It should be remembered that at this age puppies develop conditioned reflexes quite easily, but they are also quickly forgotten, so you should not scold the puppy for not following commands, especially if they have not been repeated for a long time, but you should pay more attention to learning new things and repeating already learned material .

Training an Akita Inu puppy at 4 - 5 months

By this time, the Akita Inu puppy has already become accustomed to your home and usual walking areas, and no longer needs your support and care so much. Therefore, he begins, flirting with other dogs, pretending that he does not hear you when you call him, and showing a certain persistence and disobedience when performing various commands.

So, it’s time to move on to full training. In classes at this age you can already be persistent and demanding. At the same time, the most important thing is not to overdo it, remember that classes should bring joy to both you and your dog, and only then will you be able to achieve the desired result.

What commands are practiced by an Akita Inu puppy at 4 months:

• Calm movement nearby with the owner with a leash and without a leash, with landing when stopping, with a change in pace and direction of movement
• Return to you upon request
• Excerpt in a free or certain position (sitting, lying, standing) for a long time: if necessary, wait for the owner on the street, when visiting a store or other establishment
• Indifferent attitude towards treats scattered on the ground
• Prohibiting command to stop unwanted actions
• Executing a set of commands "sit", "lie down", "stand" at a distance and near your feet, when giving commands by voice and gestures
• Stop barking upon request.

Training an Akita Inu puppy from 6 months

At this age, the puppy begins puberty and the real rebel awakens in him. He begins to re-test the boundaries of what is permitted and, sometimes, deliberately does not respond to your commands, only in order to look at your reaction. If she is not what the puppy expects to see, then he may decide that now he can no longer carry out your commands.

It should be remembered that the puppy still remains a child, and excessive harshness can forever undermine his trust in you.

At this stage of the Akita Inu puppy’s growing up in training, all the shortcomings made at the previous stages, which were smoothed out by his young age, become clearly visible. And if they appear, then it’s time to correct them.

In many training schools, there is an opinion that a puppy needs to be trained in two stages, the first at an early age, and the second at 8 - 10 months, in order to “consolidate” what has been learned. This is not an entirely correct position; this opinion appeared when newer operant training methods began to be added to the old “DOSAAF” rigid training methods, where they began to work with the puppy strictly after 6-7 months, including working with the method of pointing and following the “target”.

Their weakness was that it two different techniques, which began to be used without adapting to each other, having a huge gap between their tools for developing training skills. The difference between them is like between choreography lessons in kindergarten and army drill training. Therefore, they required training in two stages, which were in no way connected with each other.

Raising an Akita Inu is not for those new to dog breeding. Understanding and love for “their own” are combined in this breed with pride and independence, which requires flexibility and firmness from the owner. Akita Inu accepts consistent and at the same time affectionate upbringing. At the same time, it is very difficult to survive harsh and authoritarian pressure from the owner.

Raising an Akita Inu puppy must begin as soon as it comes into your home, otherwise it will be very difficult to instill respect in it and eradicate possibly formed bad habits.

The age when your dog can be considered an adult is 2 years old, and at this time it is too late to train. The sooner you start, the better. A little Akita Inu must immediately understand who dominates the family, how to treat children and guests, what is allowed and what is not. It is ideal to develop the best in children with the help of positive reinforcement, encouraging correct behavior treats, praise and affection.

In the process of raising and communicating with your pet, you will get a lot of pleasure, because Akita Inu demonstrate very interesting and varied character traits, remarkable intelligence, while remaining calm. The only thing that can be difficult is the attitude towards your own kind. Even little puppy Akita Inu will definitely try to take a dominant position in relation to any dog ​​it meets, and only its submission will avoid a fight. Therefore, this breed requires timely socialization, preferably under the condescending but firm guidance of a beloved owner.

Training an Akita will require a lot of patience and will take a relatively long time. Akita is raised slowly, leisurely, without tedious lessons, since complex and lengthy classes will negate the effectiveness of training. You should also not be guided by templates: each dog must be approached individually.

In the process of raising a puppy, you need to take into account the Akita's desire to dominate in canine society. The Akita Inu develops slowly, and only by the age of two does the dog finally mature. Akita is characterized by a combination of two remarkable qualities: it is a very good guard dog and at the same time very oriental. A lazy look can quickly give way to a quick and unexpected reaction. The deep character of this breed must be well studied, only then can it be appreciated.

The abilities of the Akita are known due to the fact that they tried to use it in the Japanese army and police. There he was used as a search dog, and also as a water rescuer, since the Akita is an excellent swimmer. In the USA, Akita Inu takes part in bodyguard dog competitions.

This breed will find its application in all areas where courage, endurance, calmness and a balanced character are required. On the other hand, it is useless to try to prepare this dog for those disciplines where speed and speed of action are necessary.

Moskalenko Tatyana Valerievna (based on materials from the magazine “Vos Chiens”)