Have you ever wondered about the noise level of an Akita? Often, this is a big consideration when taking on a dog, because barking can be such a problem in some situations. For example, barking can disturb neighbors, children, elderly relatives, or even just owners trying to get a good night’s sleep for work. It’s therefore important to check whether a dog is noisy before you choose to adopt one. It’s much better to ask questions first than to find you have taken on a dog that you can’t deal with, especially if you live in a built-up area.
Are Akitas loud? No, these dogs are not loud, and indeed, they rarely bark. On the whole, Akitas communicate through grunts and whining, rather than via barking. However, you should be aware that they can bark very loudly if they are alarmed, or if your individual dog is inclined to be noisy.
We are going to explore the normal noise levels you can expect if you own an Akita, as well as look at what generally prompts barking or howling in this breed. Armed with this information, you may be able to discourage your Akita from barking, but we are also going to look at training methods that should help you get on top of this behavior if you are having problems with it. By the end of this article, you’ll be an expert in Akita barking and how to prevent it!
Are Akitas Loud?
Akitas have been nicknamed the “silent hunter” in the past, and they are a breed that is famous for being reasonably quiet in most circumstances. They are excellent guard dogs, but will usually wait quietly unless they are alerted to a problem – at which point they can raise a huge amount of noise!
On the whole, Akitas are not thought of as a noisy breed, so if you need a quiet dog or you have rules in place that say no loud breeds are allowed, an Akita may be a great pet for you. These dogs are usually quiet and calm unless something really prompts them to speak up.
However, that isn’t to say that Akitas are silent. They just tend to use other aspects of their vocal range to communicate with their people, and many people find that their Akitas chatter a lot. We will cover this more in the following section.
It is also important to be aware that while the breed is generally quiet, some members of it will not be. Some Akitas can be extremely loud and will bark incessantly at apparently nothing.
If you are adopting an Akita and the noise levels are important to you, you should discuss this in detail with the shelter/adoption agency. They should be able to let you know how likely your dog is to be noisy, which may help to guide your decision on whether to adopt it.
Don’t get an Akita without discussing this aspect with the shelter first. If you are getting an Akita puppy, you may be able to train it away from barking, but bear in mind that these dogs can be stubborn and difficult to train, so you should only do this if you are confident that you can succeed.
Do Akitas Howl And Bark A Lot?
No, they don’t. Akitas do not tend to vocalize their feelings through barking or through howling, unlike many other breeds. This may be because, as guard dogs, they often sat and watched homes for hours on end, and only needed to raise their voices for a true alarm.
Akitas can bark very loudly, but they will usually only do this when they are provoked. The rest of the time, they will let you know what they think by grunting and chuntering. Akitas can be extremely talkative without once opening their mouths to bark.
You might notice that your Akita grunts, snorts, whines, groans, and grumbles, or even growls, to show its feelings. On the whole, these noises will be fairly quiet, almost like having a conversation with your dog. Akitas don’t feel the need to shout the way that other dogs do; they will let you know what they think quietly.
You will find that you quickly learn what the different noises your Akita makes mean. Some will be sounds of approval and pleasure, while others may be complaints or warnings. Watching your Akita’s body language will help you determine which is which, but bear in mind that they often behave differently to other dogs.
You may find it useful to spend some time with Akitas before you get one, so you can get to grips with how they communicate. Neither their verbal language nor their body language is very straightforward if you are used to other dogs!
How Do I Train My Dog To Stop Barking At Everyone?
If your Akita is a barker, you are probably wondering how you can discourage it from barking in a way that is firm and effective. It is important to remember that negative training rarely works with an Akita, because these dogs are dominant and stubborn, and will often take punishments as a challenge and an insult.
Next, remember that you should not shout at your dog under any circumstances, even if it is really refusing to stop barking. Dogs take this as a sign that you are joining in, and will usually bark more, rather than stop. They may also see it as a sign that they were right to be worried about whatever is causing them to bark because you are barking too.
The best trick for stopping your Akita from barking is to allow them a few moments of barking, and then to very gently cover their nose with your hand and close their mouth, and say “no” or “quiet.” Remove your hand, and give your dog a treat if it does not resume barking.
Keep doing this, giving them a treat each time they do not bark once your hand leaves their mouth. Slowly increase the amount of time that they must remain quiet for in order to earn the treat.
Distracting your Akita is also a good way to discourage excessive barking. If it is alarmed by someone coming into the house and responds with barking, make something else happen to distract your dog.
You might jangle your keys, rattle a packet, or call their name. Once they are focused on you, get them to sit down, and provide a treat. The barking will stop, and your dog will start to realize that barking doesn’t produce a reward, but turning to you and being quiet does.
Being able to send your dog to lie down is also a good option, so work on the “lie down” command with your Akita, and tell it to go to its bed or a box or something similar. Once there, the dog should feel calmer because it is following a routine. Remember to reward it for obeying!
Are Bark Collars Cruel? Yes!
You might be wondering whether a bark collar is a good way to prevent barking, but it isn’t, and you should not use one with your Akita. Bark collars are based on making your dog uncomfortable, and they are therefore a means of training that is negative.
Akitas do not respond well to negative training (few dogs do, but Akitas are particularly displeased by it) and will often just bark more. Bark collars may work in rare cases, but they are not a good way to ensure your dog is confident and happy. They do not make it feel safer or teach it that barking is bad.
In fact, they may simply give it a negative association with strangers or the things that generally make it bark, because it will equate them with something negative happening. This is not something that you want, and it may make your Akita unfriendly or even aggressive.
In short, bark collars are a cruel way to try and force your pet to submit, rather than teaching it there is a reward for being quiet and calm.
The answer to “are Akitas loud?” is “not usually.” However, some Akitas may bark if they are alarmed or feel threatened. You can help them to move away from this behavior by giving them plenty of treats and a clear command to be quiet. This should reduce the barking and your Akita will probably go back to other ways of expressing itself.