Is this a problem?

**Ree'sKujo** · 01-23-2006, 09:08 PM

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** · 01-23-2006, 09:22 PM

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

**Ree'sKujo** · 01-23-2006, 09:37 PM

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** · 01-23-2006, 10:02 PM

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** · 01-23-2006, 10:08 PM

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** · 01-23-2006, 10:24 PM

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** · 01-28-2006, 12:17 AM

Well I spoke with a few vets and they all told me this is not abnormal for an Akita and since he responds so well to my commands I should be able to break him of this and he should be fine.

**KYS** · 01-28-2006, 01:05 AM

Hi Ree'sKujo,
I am sorry I missed your thread until today.
While this behavior might be common in some working breeds
it is NOT desirable.
Working breeds in my opinion are a tougher dog than
many other breeds to own. Many were bread to guard and protect.
(accept for those feisty terriers)

l
Is your male neutered, and if yes at what age?
My suggestion is to join the Akita-L or the Akita Network e-mail
list.
http://akitanetwork.com/org/email.htm
Their are a few rescue and breeder/trainers on the list
that will be glad to steer you in the right direction.
What ever training method you use, I would suggest do not use
overly harsh methods for corrections as some of the old timers might suggest.
In my case Overly harsh methods had the opposite effect I wanted
to achieve with my male.
You want to be able to walk your dog and have him ignore
people walking by. Only when you are threatened than he should
react.

**Ree'sKujo** · 01-28-2006, 09:50 AM

He' two and yes he's neutered.Weve been working with him quite a bit because I agree while his behavior may be common For the Akita breed It's not desireable.I also bought him a harness and since I've been walking him with that instead of just his collar It's easier to control him if he wants to go towards a stanger.We've encounterd strangers on our last three walks and I only had him act up once and as soon as I corrected him he stopped.So,I think his training is working and we're on our way to solving this problem.