Is this a problem?

[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.