Akitas are large dogs that prefer being alone or with one trusted person or dog and can have difficulties socializing. Due to their aloof nature when around new people, Akitas may seem uninterested in social situations at the park or in any other public space. However, when they encounter new people and animals in their own homes, they can turn aggressive.
Are Akitas Territorial? Akitas can be very territorial about their home and their owners as they are incredibly loyal dogs who were originally watchdogs for royalty and nobility. It can be difficult to introduce your Akita to new people or other dogs in their homes because they feel so protective of their space.
Keep reading to learn how Akitas are protective of their family units, some tips for dealing with aggression towards other dogs, and how to know when your Akita is trying to be affectionate.
Are Akitas Territorial?
Akitas are known to be one of the more aggressive dog breeds because they tend to be loners with strong attachments to their owners and family members. Originally bred to be guard dogs, Akitas take their attachments to their owners very seriously and are excellent at protecting their families and homes from intruders.
However, Akitas don’t always distinguish between intruders and friends coming to visit, so they can turn aggressive and agitated when meeting new people or animals for the first time. Socializing your Akita at a young age is essential to acclimatizing them to calmly interacting with new people and pets.
Are Akitas protective of their owners, family and friends?
Akitas are fearless protectors of their owners and family units. It might take some time for them to bond with someone new, but they are incredibly loyal to them and will do whatever it takes to protect them once they have.
Once you have a bond with your Akita, don’t be surprised if they follow you everywhere or keep an eye on you from afar. They’re just looking out for you and making sure you are safe, even when all you’re doing is chores around the house.
Are Akitas aggressive towards other dogs?
Akitas tend to be aggressive towards other dogs when they do not know them or don’t have the training to socialize correctly with other dogs. They are more likely to be aggressive towards dogs of the same sex and are best suited for households where they are the only dog present.
However, every dog is different, so there’s a chance some Akitas are more open to socializing than others. There are ways of helping your Akitas get more comfortable with other dogs, which will keep them calm in social situations. It’s best to start this train while they are still young to avoid aggressive behavior before it’s a habit.
How to train an Akita to be less aggressive
The best way to train your Akita to be less aggressive around other dogs is to introduce them to social situations slowly. You will need a lead that allows you to change the length and space to train that is not your home or a place your Akita sees as their own. Bring some of their favorite treats along so you can reward good behavior.
Keeping them on a lead
Start by shortening the lead so that your Akita has to stay by your side. Keeping the lead short to start prevents your Akita from charging towards the other dog and making them feel threatened. Enter the space where the other dog is while still keeping your Akita close to you.
Your Akita is likely to start pulling on the lead and barking as it tries to get closer to the other dog. Keep your Akita by your side and wait for them to calm down. If it doesn’t look like they will calm down, then walk back out of the space to somewhere you can be alone with your dog and wait for them to calm down.
Approaching the new dog
Repeat the process of bringing your Akita into the space with the other dog and waiting until they calm down. Once they are calm, you can slowly move closer to the other dog while keeping your dog close. If your Akita starts to get worked up again and barking, then stop and wait until they’re calm again.
This is a slow process, but eventually, you will work your way up to the other dog, and your Akita will be able to see that they are not a threat. Remember to reward your dog for being calm by giving them a treat so you can reinforce the behavior you want.
Increasing the lead
Slowly increase the length of the lead as your Akita successfully approaches the other dog without getting aggressive. The first couple of times you increase their lead, they may take it as an opportunity to charge at the other dog, so don’t be surprised if it almost looks like the previous training was for nothing.
Over time, you will increase the lead and have your Akita approach the other dog calmly without your help. Once you get to this point and you’re confident your dog will not act aggressively, you can remove the lead altogether.
How do Akitas show affection?
Akitas are a very independent breed, so they are unlikely to run up to your to beg for attention and pets. They are more likely to want to be close to you, which is a sign that they are willing to share their space with you. Akitas love to have their own space, so allowing others into it is a sign of trust and affection.
Here are some other ways that your Akita can show affection towards you:
- Leaning: Aiktas generally don’t like to be touched, so if you notice them leaning on you while you’re sitting or standing, then you know your Akita cares deeply for you. You may find that they’re more likely to lean on you when around new people or surroundings.
- Looking to you for help: Akitas are very independent dogs, and they will try to solve problems by themselves. When your Akita comes to you for food, water, being let outside or any other issue they can’t solve on their own, it shows that they trust you to take care of them and that they know you love them.
- Following you closely: If you notice that your Akita is following you from room to room or watching you from afar as you complete chores, then this is a sign they want to make sure you’re safe.
Your Akita might not want to cuddle often or run up to you excitedly when you come home, but they will show their affection in other ways as long as you know what to look out for. Akitas form strong bonds with the people they care for and will want to spend more time around you as the bond grows.
How to bond with an Akita
If you want to bond with your Akita and build trust, you should spend time with them. Yes, it’s a slow process, but an Akita likes to take its time deciding how it feels about new people. A great way of bonding with any dog is to grab their favorite toy and play with them.
Once they decide they like you, you’ll find that you’ll constantly have them by your side, waiting for pets and wanting to be a part of any activities you are doing. The biggest hurdle to bonding with Akita is the time it takes for them to start being affectionate. Remember that just because your Akita isn’t showing they care about you in an obvious way doesn’t mean they don’t.
Final Thoughts
Akitas are fearless dogs who are unlikely to back down when they feel something is threatening them, their owners, or their homes. They have a natural guarding instinct that doesn’t require any training to back excellent guard dogs. However, it can cause some problems when you want friends to visit or introduce your Akita to a new dog.
While Akitas are very territorial dogs, they can learn to trust others over time, especially if they have socialization training when they are still puppies. Akitas don’t adjust to new situations quickly, so the key is to have patience and understanding as you let them get used to what’s new.