Is this a problem?

[Ree'sKujo]

Mt 2yr.old Akita Kujo is a very sweet and friendly dog but fiercly protective.He's fine when my hubby is home but when he's not Kujo becomes another dog.I can't open the door unless it's family or friends and when I walk him if anyone even comes in my direction or speaks to me that he doesn't know he growls and lunges towards them.I can get him under control very quickly but I'm curious if this is a behavior I should correct and if so how/Any advice would be appreciated.

[Alysser]

Maybe special training? Or invest in a crate. That can be very useful.

[Ree'sKujo]

The problem isn't so much in the house because I can put him up.It's when my husband isn't home and I have to walk him alone.I try and do it when people aren't around but there's always one that shows up,like the neighbors kids who no matter how much I tell them to stay away still come and try and pet him until he lunges after them.

[king2005]

My old dog was like that when he was young. He seemed to relax after he was 2yrs old. We noticed at 5 months old. My sister was 8yrs old & was walking him in the campground we were camping at. 2 adult men asked to pet him & they couldn't get anywhere near them. Max went nuts, snarling, barking & snapping. My sister is a little slow & I guess Max somehow knew that & went into big brother mode.

Then from there he got worse, but he was NEVER scolded, as he never pulled to try to hurt someone & he warned quite early. I remember trying to walk him in the park & if someone was walking in our direction, he would stop dead & start to snarl. If they kept coming, he started to bark & if they still came (duh, its not like they could go anywhere else) he would so an agressive kind of snap, with snarling & barking.

After dad moved out when Max was 2yr old, he went into father mode in the house. Whice was good, as our town was quite bad. One night Mom & I we're playing cards in the kitchen & like usual Max was in the kitchen doorway snoozing. Someone knocked on our outside door (its the porch door, then there is a screen door on the house & then the house door). Max barked, normal. We got up & opened the first door (well I did, mom was behind the door). I asked what he wanted, he was going on about something about a Burger King order (which I knew they didn't do delivery). Max was quiet as he had no reason to bark, as we were talking to someone & he couldn't see them. Then they guy tried to open the outside door (it was locked), then he tried to push on it a little hard. I barked at him to get lost or I'll set the dog on him. He ignored me & due to my voice change Max was getting angry, as his breething was deep, snorting & his fur went up. I yelled at him & grabbed Max's collar to get him riled up. I opened the door & let Max go. Max went nuts! I think the guy pi$$ed himself! Max ripped down the blinds, tore up the carpet, scratched the paint off the window ledge & door. He ripped a few pieces of wood from around the windows out & scratched the windows. I was scared of Max & so was the guy as he ran to his car & sped off.

Later on we found out that guy was breaking into homes, stealing stuff & hurting the owners.

Not once did Max ever go too far. Not even when he attacked my dad (its a long story, Max didn't know it was dad). I only had to yell stop once & Max stopped (dad was fine, didn't have a scratch, only a partial disslocated arm).

[Ree'sKujo]

I really don't think Kujo would go to far either as he knows I don't tolerate that behavior,I'm just really curious as to wether or not it's normal and if I should correct it.I kind of like that he's so protective over me but I'm really afraid he may go to far if he feels I'm threatened.After all he wieghs more then me and if he is determined to go after someone in a dead run I couldn't hold him back.That's an Akita for ya.

[king2005]

My friend had an Akita & he wanted to kill anyone & everything outside during walks. It was so bad, that he was over powering my friend & killing frogs & snakes left right & center. She would cry a lot as she had so very little & he ment the world to her.. I talked her into a spiked choaker, so when he would try to kill something or someone, he was allowed to bark all he wanted, but could no longer pull her around. After that he seemed to calm down all on his own.. BUT he was still protective of her, just didn't go nuts all the time.

Maybe the spiked collar would make you feel better?
remember it doesn't harm the dog at all (if you follow the directions properly, which are easy)

[Ree'sKujo]

Good idea after all I'd only need it when my husband is working and I have to walk him.He's not as aggressive as the Akita you spoke of,only when it comes to me being home alone.Thanks for the idea.

[cyber-sibes]

"Is this a problem" -- YES!!!
You really need to get in touch with a trainer who works with aggression issues - it isn't something to allow to go on, it'll just be harder to correct. Ask around & call someone in your area. Your vet or the humane society should be able to refer you to someone who can help assess the behavior and teach you what you need to do to correct it. I've done rounds of obedience classes with a three different trainers, two of them had situations where dogs came to obedience classes that were too aggressive to be in a class with other dogs, but were really helped by one on one sessions. Especially with a very strong dog like an Akita, you're taking an awfully big risk every time you step into a situation he gets aggressive in. I really encourage you to get an expert's help.

[Ree'sKujo]

Kujo shows absolutely no aggression at all except when I walk him alone.He's also very submissive to myself and my husband and when I correct him for his behavior he stops right away.Being a former breeder of Akita's this is not unusual behavior.I'm going to try the spike collar and continue working with him.If I find I can't solve the problem I will definitley take your advice and consult a traineer.I really think it's because my husband isn't home and he feels he has to take over and protect me.

[cyber-sibes]

I can't open the door unless it's family or friends and when I walk him if anyone even comes in my direction or speaks to me that he doesn't know he growls and lunges towards them. . . . Kujo shows absolutely no aggression at all except when I walk him alone.

please re-read your post - sounds like you DO have a problem, no? Think about what could happen if you're out walking and Kujo decides he'll attack a passer-by, because he thinks he's keeping you safe? Or he decides to chase off another dog? You'll get dragged right along. Can you really guarantee you'll never be in this situation?

[Ree'sKujo]

No,but I can tell you he's not dog aggressive and when I've had the problem with him going towards someone and I corrected him he submitted right away.Knowing my dog the way I do I feel I can correct this situation on my own and if not I will definitley get a trainer.I was really simply looking for peoples opinions and having raised nothing but Akita's I know this is not atypical behavior for them.In fact Kujo is quite mellow for an Akita.Please be assured I will take what you said to heart and appreciate your input and advice.

[RobiLee]

It most certainly sounds like a problem and it should definitely be corrected. Kujo should not be allowed to behave this way. I really don't know for sure how you should do this but I think cyber-sibes had a good idea about seeing a trainer or maybe a behaviorist. You should be the leader and have control over Kujo whether it be in your house or on walks. I have problems with Katie and Tori pulling when we take walks and it was very difficult to walk them together. I finally caved and bought prong collars. They have helped me tremendously. Recently I have stepped up my dog walks and practice very hard in the way we walk. I DO NOT let my dogs walk ahead of me what so ever. They are not allowed to sniff the grass or take a pee unless I give them permission too. If we see a dog or cat on our walks and my girls get antsy and start getting excited or whining cause they want to go after it. I give them a sharp tug on their collars to let them know that the behavior will not be tolerated. We are not perfect yet but my girls have come a long way. I am amazed at the difference that has come about since I decided I would be in control and not them. I also want to say that I watch the Dog Whisperer alot and that show is what has helped me on my walks with my girls.

[Ree'sKujo]

Kujo does know I'm in control and when corrected in this situation he submits right away.I've done all of his training and he isn't even animal aggressive.It is an Akitas natural instinct to protect.I simply wanted just to get opinions not people telling me I can't control my dog.Just to double check I logged on to an Akita info site and it says that males are very protective over female owners when the male owner is away.I guess what I need to do is speak on line with experienced Akita owners.If people don't own them they no as little about them as I would about a breed I never owned.I truly love this site and respect everyones opinion but evidently I mad a mistake Putting up this post.

[RobiLee]

I don't understand why you are upset. I did not mean to offend you and no one thinks you are doing anything wrong. I also own an akita, but I am not an expert on the breed and wouldn't even pretend to be one. In your original post you asked if you should correct this behavior and said any advice would be appreciated. When you say that then you are going to get people's advice and opinions. So, why are you upset?

[Ree'sKujo]

I truly do love this site and respect peoples opinions,however I don't like people telling me that I need to teach Kujo that I'm in control,especially when no one knows how he's raised.I don't mean to insult anyone or start a problem as I really love this site and I appreciate the advise but I don't appreciate the critisizm,please know that I'm not reffering to you and forgive my spelling.I don't like people insinuating that I'm putting people in harms way when I take all measures to protect my neighbors.If you own an Akita then you would know it's a natural instinct to protect the female owner when the male owner is not around.Although I asked for opinions I did not ask for critisizm.