The typical Akita temperament is protective, loyal and tough. They require intense socialization to be aloof rather than aggressive with strangers. An independent and strong personality, they do best in families that are well versed in reading canine body language and positive reinforcement training methods.
Contents
- What is the common Akita temperament?
- Akitas as family pets
- Subtle body language
- Conflicts with other dogs
There are actually two strains of the Akita: the Japanese Akita and the American Akita. They were originally bred to guard Japanese royalty, which remains evident in their personality and appearance. You don’t want to come into conflict with this dog, which is why making training a bonding and rewarding experience is vital.
Complex Personalities
Typical Akita temperament includes have quite a few quirks and will develop their own set of likes and dislikes. The Akita does not bark much, but this does not mean that they are not paying attention. Bred as guard dogs, these dogs will guard the family and their home fearlessly.
Are Akitas Aggressive?
One of the biggest temperament issues with the Akita is their tendency to aggression towards other animals. Their guarding nature does mean that they will attack seemingly out of nowhere.
Food aggression is often another problem in Akitas, especially around other animals. Akitas can be aggressive if not trained properly or taught how to act around other people.
Their behavior often mirrors their history as protection dogs. And Akitas have been reported to cause fatal human bites.
Akita Temperament Is Genetic
Akita’s, like many dogs bred for guarding, may inherit a certain predisposition to aggression. However, it is possible to curb your Akita’s aggression. Beginning socialization as early as possible and taking your Akita to obedience classes can make them get along much better with strangers. Just because an Akita may be naturally aggressive doesn’t mean that it is impossible to teach them to behave.
Are Akitas Good Pets?
Akitas may not be particularly friendly towards strangers. You can lower their aloofness towards strangers by making sure you socialize them at a young age. You should introduce them to a wide variety of people and show him or her that they are friends, not foes.
Socialization should begin just as early as training. An Akita should get used to meeting new, different people all the time and should be taught to be friendly.
This does not mean that you should force your dog to come into physical contact with everyone they meet. You want it to be a pleasurable experience. However, taking them to a local park and rewarding them when they do not act aggressively is a wonderful way to show your pooch how to act.
Friendly Toward Family
Akitas love to cuddle and hang out with the family. They are really family oriented and rarely become aggressive with those who live in their household.
It is this loyalty towards the family that causes their aloofness towards strangers, however. They are protective and will growl at anyone they think might be attempting to harm you, including the mailman.
They can be territorial, which also decreases their friendliness towards strangers. When introducing them to a new person or someone they have not seen in a while, it is always best to introduce them in a neutral location before they come into the home.
Reading Your Dog’s Body Language
One of the best ways to combat your Akita’s aggression is to learn canine body language. With in-depth knowledge and a keen eye, you can stop a potential fight before things move too far.
We recommend picking up a book or two on canine behavior and paying attention to your particular Akita. This process will help you pick out the signs that your Akita needs a break before things get serious.
A personal trainer can also help you determine the signs your Akita gives you before they become aggressive. It might be as subtle as a slight shift of their tail. But picking up on these signs can help you determine when you Akita has had enough.
Neutering your male Akita or choosing a female dog can decrease the likelihood of aggression as well.
Do Akitas Like Other Dogs?
Due to their subtle body language, other dogs can have difficulty reading them just like people. This can lead to fights, which can be serious with a large, muscular dog like the Akita. All interactions with other canines should be monitored, and your Akita should not be let off the leash when around dogs he does not know.
Akita temperament is sometimes not suited to having other dogs around. In fact, they are one of the dogs most likely to attack another canine. Most Akitas are not going to like other dogs straight away but proper socialization is important and can help.
(paid link) Of course, each Akita is going to be different. Some might get along fine with a specific dog if they are introduced to them very young. However, others might never get along with another dog, even a playmate they’ve known their whole life.
You can train them to act appropriately and to tolerate or even enjoy another dog’s presence.
Are Akitas Easy to Train?
Although they are very independent, the Akita’s cleanliness is helpful when it comes to house-training. The Akita is intelligent and loyal, but their independent, stubborn nature can be a problem if they aren’t properly trained.
They should be taught to consistently and accurately follow commands until it is a habit. You should use positive reinforcement to convince your Akita that it is always better to listen to you.
If you use punishment it is likely that your Akita will shut down and refuse to listen to you. They are stubborn dogs, so it is essential that you use only positive reinforcement to train them.
Ebersole, Susan says
We are the third family to an Akita/Heeler female. She is about 5 (as to the vets inspection). She is hard to walk as she is very focused on smells and anything that moves. We just got her spayed. I looked like she had been bred more than once. And she has quite a few scars. Love her and are learning what works and what doesn’t. Any suggestions are welcomed!
Valerie says
I have a 2yr. Akia name Nola she’s a sweetheart I socialized her , I am beginning to think to much ,she loves everyone will she protect me are can I make her a little aggressive
Kristen says
I own an American akita (Kira) annnnd I feel like mine is very different then whats described… I braced myself for a dog like this, and we got her to be a protector on our farm but…she’s just a big squish! she’s loving, cuddly, and loves to check on me when she feels me getting stressed (I want to start training her to be an emotional support dog), she wants all the love. Loves new people, she wets herself she gets so excited with new friends come over, and will sit by everyones feet one at a time for rubs. we were worried she’d be aggressive or hostel towards our other smaller animals but she just loves them so much, the cat hates her coz she’ll lick her from head to toe if she catches her, and my 15 pound, 12 year old poodle papillon is the boss, and will take food right out of her mouth! We’ve even had some baby chicks get out of the brooder and she just cornered them and lay there licking them till I noticed the soggy chicks! We also have a 2 year old niece that’ll just push her right out of the way and she’s fine with that. we do always keep an eye out for and behavioural changes coz who knows right? something might just rub her the wrong way one day but so far she’s a dream, sooo smart, has so much love to give, great companion, loves all our farm animals, and she’s quietly patrols the deer that come on our property and grumbles. we have put a lot of time into training her but we haven’t socialized her with a lot of other dogs besides our 2 family dogs. she’s a farm dog so she doesn’t go beyond our 50 acre property much, she dose hate the car tho, and we cant seem to get her to stay around off leash. she is only a year though so she will need some more training 🙂
Mary K Burns says
I owned a 140 lb akita and he was exactly as you described your puppy. He passed over the Rainbow Bridge last year. I miss him so very much.
Melissa says
My 1 year old Akita is just like you described. I worry he won’t protect me if someone tries to hurt me lol.
Kevin says
I thought the same thing about my American Akita as I socialized him so much in an apartment building and everyone wanted to pet him, but when I moved out to my parent’s home and away from so many people, he became very protective and started barking at strangers at about 13 months. He’s 14 months now and a stranger cannot come near him without him barking. If your Akita is still not protective at 24 months, then it might not be in him/her but then again, you never know with this breed. They could still protect if the situation arises.
Danny says
I currently own Haichi an eleven mi th old male Akita and he is fabulous! So much time and deliberate effort socializing him since 8weeks. The best he is my fourth Akita. This breed requires complete and total immersion to get the potential of each dog…
Flora says
I have 2 Akita’s. A male and a female. They are great dogs, somewhat independent. They need to be introduced to anyone who comes into the house. The one big no no is for no one to get on the floor when they meet them. I can get on the floor, but it makes both of them very uncomfortable. They do bark when anyone comes in the driveway. We have an ideal situation in that they can see outside to the driveway through the exit door which is on the second floor. They exit onto a wood fenced balcony where they can see anyone in the driveway or yard. They also can bark at the dogs being walked on the roadway…They have a set of stairs at the end of the balcony which leads down to a six foot high chain link fence. The enclosed yard is about 25 feet wide 40 feet long – enough so they can chase each other and get some exercise. They are wicked smart. They know a lot of words! We sometimes have to spell! especially popcorn. Which I think they are onto!
Angie Hayes says
I have had several Siberian Huskies…similar comments… I also adore AKITAS… I never had problems with Huskies either. They require socialization starting the first week you bring them home continuing for the rest of their lives.
Roslyn Madrid says
One big difference between Huskies and Akitas is that Huskies were bred for pulling. I made the mistake of putting a leash on Humphrey the Husky, and thoughtlessly assumed that he would respond like Connie the Akita. He wanted to chase something: I tried to hold him back, and ended up with a broken leg. Can’t really blame Humphrey. He was just doing what he was born to do. He was an adult when I rescued him, and I didn’t take care to give him on-leash training. This was years ago, and both dogs are with their ancestors now. Now, in looking for a protective companion, and considering how my bones are becoming fragile, I would choose an Akita puppy. Humphrey was dear companion, lovable and loving: for a more active owner, he would have been ideal. Connie was loyal and aloof. Not cuddly, but we had a ‘meeting of the minds’ I’ve not known before – even compared to other humans.
Valerie jackson says
I’ve had Nola 20 months now and I love 💕 her got her at 8 weeks she’s everything I could ever want in a akia loyal,loving ,smart all in one
Kristy says
I own a Japanese Akita, and it is the only breed I will own. These dogs have a calm dignified wisdom, and make wonderful companions. It absolutely makes a difference as to how much time and energy you invest in the animal. They are not a needy dog, but they do require a confident master. Their guarding instinct is strong. The dog will want to be within sight of you at all times, if not closer. As long as they can see you they will lay quietly at your feet. They almost always lay with their tears on or touching you, facing the direction of any potential threats. They rarely bark, but if they do, you should find out why. They never bark for no reason. They will routinely patrol the perimeter of their yard several times a day, and protect if necessary. When our poolguy shows up, my dog will greet him, but then she finds a spot close by and watches him until he leaves. Their extreme loyalty means they are focused on you, and take cues from you. They rarely if ever bark, but clearly communicate with their body language. Their tail tells their mood. My dog is happy and well adjusted, but when I have her out around people or other animals, I always act as if I am handling a hundred pound loaded weapon. Akita are not a status symbol dog. They need to be respected. They take their jobs very seriously. They will fearlessly , and without fanfare, take care of business when they need to.
Juanita says
Hello! Thank you for this information on the breed. You stated on your comment that when you have her around other people, you act as if you are handling a hundred pound loaded weapon. Can you please elaborate? I know that such a beautiful dog will get requests of being petted. Do you allow it? Thank you for all your help!
Roslyn Madrid says
Especially when children are concerned, it is always a good idea to be very cautious where there is a large, protective dog. I have not seen it myself, but have read that Akitas do not do not signal aggression before attack. Right from the very beginning, it is very important to socialize your Akita by introducing her/him to a variety of people and places. I never took Connie in public without a leash. Part of that was to ensure my control, and part was to reassure other people that this large wolf-like dog was under my control.
don thomasino says
Why do people want aggressive dogs. They are a lawsuit waiting to happen and frankly if you’re a man and need a dog to take care of business then you need to cowboy up!
Trent says
It’s the owners who make them aggressive I have had 6 Akitas most loyal dog you will ever have I’d never have any other breed they don’t just attack for
No reason no dog does and the ones that do usually have been beaten up and abused so there scared
Danny says
I currently own Haichi an eleven mi th old male Akita and he is fabulous! So much time and deliberate effort socializing him since 8weeks. The best he is my fourth Akita. This breed requires complete and total immersion to get the potential of each dog…
The Hester family says
We had an Akita and he was the best dog we’ve ever had. So much so that since his passing we refused to get another dog (I guess his sense of loyalty rubbed off on us). Your sssessment of the beeed is absolutely “spot-on” regrading our beloved Shogun. Thank you for the knowledge.