Dogs are amazingly wonderful and varied creatures, and what one dog loves, another will hate. If you have ever tried to play Fetch with your Akita, you might have noticed this – and if you’re thinking of getting an Akita, you may be wondering whether to buy balls and throwing aides in advance. They are high-energy dogs and they like a lot of exercises, so is Fetch a good option for them, or would it be better to think up some different activities to get them running around and burning off their energy?
Do Akitas play Fetch? Surprisingly, most Akitas are not very keen on Fetch. Some members of the breed love it and will play for hours, but many prefer “chase” and do not have any desire to return the ball or stick to their owners, even if this would mean continuing the game.
In this article, we are going to look at whether Akitas enjoy playing Fetch on the whole, and why your Akita might not be very interested in it. We’re also going to look at the challenges associated with training an Akita, and the sorts of games your dog might enjoy if it isn’t keen on retrieving things for you. We’ll cover some of the fun activities you and your dog can do together to keep its weight down and its spirits up, and ensure it’s getting both physical and mental exercise every day.
Do Akitas Play Fetch?
No, Akitas do not really play Fetch on the whole. Of course, some members of the breed are the exceptions to the rule and will retrieve a ball over and over again, bringing it back and proudly presenting it to you. However, most prefer not to do this. They might chase the ball, but they won’t readily bring it back.
You might be wondering why this is. Fetch is probably the most popular game out there for most dogs, so why are Akitas less keen on it? There are a few possible explanations, but the most likely one is that Akitas were bred as guard dogs.
They were intended to stand guard at doors and to chase away intruders. That means they don’t have a strong instinct to retrieve – who wants an intruder to be brought back once the dog has caught up with it – and while they may obligingly chase a ball for you, they don’t understand the concept of bringing it back.
Your Akita almost certainly will chase the ball, since it has a high prey drive and loves to run after things. However, you will probably find that you have to get it back yourself and that you can’t easily teach your dog to bring it back to you.
You may be able to, as Akitas are intelligent dogs, but on the whole, they do not instinctively return items to their owners, and you may find that Fetch is not a game they pick up quickly. If you really want to play Fetch with your dog, it’s a good idea to work on training them in the concept when they are young.
Are Akitas Hard To Train?
Akitas are not very easy to train, no. Although they are highly intelligent dogs, they need a strong, confident, and skillful trainer if they are going to be successfully taught how to behave. They do not have automatic respect for people; you will have to earn this through your behavior.
Akitas are not good dogs for beginners for this reason, and if you get one, you need to be able to dedicate long hours to training it in order to get the best outcome. If you don’t have the time to commit, you should choose a different breed, because Akitas are large, powerful dogs, and training is therefore crucial. Without it, your dog may become unmanageable.
Despite that, your Akita’s intelligence will be working with you, and these dogs can pick up on ideas quickly. If you are able to earn your dog’s respect and motivate it, you should be able to teach it a huge range of tricks and ideas.
You should note that Akitas are very food motivated, which can make training easier, although they are prone to health problems if they become overweight, so be cautious about using large treats for training. It’s best to snap them into small pieces so you can reward your dog heavily without giving it too much at once.
Overall, Akitas in all colors and patterns tend to be a bit stubborn and projects a “why should I?” attitude toward training. If you want your dog to learn how to play Fetch (and do other things), you will need to work hard on teaching it.
To begin with, try rewarding your Akita for bringing you the ball, without having thrown it. Get a friend to give your dog the ball, and then call it over with a treat. Reward it whenever the ball makes it to you, and then start doing this after you have thrown the ball.
Your Akita may get the idea surprisingly quickly, and then you can enjoy long hours of Fetch together!
Do Akitas Like To Play?
Most Akitas have medium enthusiasm about play. They enjoy it and they will engage in it, especially when you are playing with them, but they are not obsessed with playing, and if left to their own devices, many Akitas will choose to nap rather than to play with things.
However, they do enjoy being engaged, and you should play with your Akita often, especially if it is young. Akitas cannot be allowed to free roam when in an unenclosed space, so play can be an important supplement that lets them engage their brains in a different way.
You can play with your Akita both indoors and outdoors, and you should make an effort to find different kinds of play until you discover what really engages your Akita.
Like all dogs, different individuals will prefer different games and fun. Some Akitas love to chase, others love puzzles, others enjoy training, and some will only be motivated if you have a treat in your hand.
It’s a good idea to buy your Akita a selection of different toys, including puzzle toys. Rope toys can provide some good exercise if you can teach your dog tug of war, and some just like to walk in new areas as much as possible.
Find out what your Akita loves and make some time for that activity so you know your dog is getting plenty of mental stimulation and having fun.
How Do You Keep An Akita Entertained?
There are lots of things you can do with an Akita to keep its brain busy. Remember, these dogs can’t run free in public, so it’s a good idea to ensure you have an enclosed yard or space where you can run around without a leash.
Some great games to play include Fetch if your dog will engage, or just “chase” if it won’t return the object to you. A walk to the pet store might also prove popular, especially if it involves treats at the other end.
Most Akitas love snow, and they have webbed toes that make them perfectly suited for snowy hikes, so if the weather is turning cold, it’s time to get outside and let your dog enjoy it. Hiking and long walks are excellent ways to keep your dog happy and active.
Although Akitas don’t get on well with other dogs, spending a bit of time helping them to socialize is a good idea, especially with a young Akita. Consider a training class or walks with a friend to help keep the environment structured and easy to control. Encourage and heavily reward good behavior in your dog.
Remember too that all dogs are individuals, so you should spend some time assessing which toys your dog loves best, and think about the texture of them, as well as the purpose of the toy. This will help you choose other toys your dog loves!
There are many more games than just Fetch, so get inventive and think about your dog’s unique personality.
So, do Akitas play fetch? Some certainly do, but most members of this breed are not as crazy about the game as many other dogs are, and they would rather hunt or chase things. You can encourage your Akita’s retrieval instincts with treats and praise, or look for games that they enjoy more.