Zero has major problems with kids

[Ree'sKujo]

Akita's are known for not doing well with kids if their not raised or socialized around them.In fact a golden rule with Akita's is to never leave a child under 12 alone with one.I know his behavior was very frightining but it may have been out of excitement.My kids are all grown and gone so my Akita has never been around small kids and would behave the same way whenever he saw them.Needless to say when it was time for him to be around my 2yr.old grandson i was paranoid.My husband held the baby and I put Kujo's choker chain on him slightly behind his ears as that is a more sensitive part of their neck and held him on a very short lead.I had him go next to my husband,told him to sit and every time he acted up I'd tug on the choke,tell him no very firmly and when he finally settled down,told him it was ok and to be a good boy and my husband held the baby's hand as he pet the dog.Long story short now the baby is the dogs best friend and Kujo is very protective over the baby.Keep in mind though all Akita's are not the same,some males can be extemely aggressive especially if their not fixed and some just will not tolerate children.I certainly wouldn't suggest you trying this unless your totally confident in your ability to control Zero and his ability to obey.Contacting a behaviorist is probably a very good idea especially if this is your first Akita as well as your first dog.Keep in mind if you have to put him outside whenever a child is around this will frustrate him and cause him to be jealous of the child which in turn will make him more aggressive towards them.Akita's a very stubborn and very territorial and as was stated in an earlier post if you give them in inch they'll take a mile.They will test you time and again and will continue throughout their lifetime to regain the alpha role.It is critical to never let them be in control.As this can produce a very dangerous Akita.My Kujo is as spoiled as they come but it is a rare occasion if I have to dicipline him more then once or twice in a row for the same behavior.Trust me though every once in awhile he'll try to see what he can get away with but it never works for him.I hope you work this out ok and keep me posted on how Zero is doing.

[tz1]

zero pretty much does everything I tell him to do...he is submissive to me and I am pretty sure recognizes that what I say, goes..I put him on his back whenever I want , and he sits and does tricks for me most of the time. basically he is a very good boy...unless there are kids around.

I think he probably just needs to get more accustomed to them honestly. I am definitely going to take steps to stop this bad behavior. I know it is my fault and I hope i'll be able to correct it.

we chose the Akita because my dad had an akita when he was a young boy. I am half japanese, with my father providing the japanese half, he respects and loves the akita breed. we love him to death...

[wolfie]

I think other people gave good advice, with a behavorist and crate for Zero. I hope the behaviorist will be able to help him.