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How To Train An Akita & Top 5 Training Tips

Last updated on March 10th, 2024 at 04:15 pm

“My Akita is becoming aggressive!” It is the most common complaint I’ve heard from Akita owners who did not train their dog from a young age or did it in the wrong ways. Taking care of a puppy is not easy. Your dog may nip, go potty inside the house, and bark constantly. So properly training them has countless benefits for your family, as well as a lovely way for the two of you to bond and build a great relationship. So how to train an Akita? Read till the end to learn all the essential rules and tips for successful training.

Are Akitas easy to train?

Generally, Akitas are not easy to train because they are stubborn, dominant, and bored easily. Although Akitas are intelligent, they may use their intelligence in a way that suits their purposes, not yours.

When should I start training my Akita puppy?

You should train your Akita puppy as soon as you bring them home, usually around 8 weeks old. They can learn basic puppy training cues at this age.

Training an Akita puppy might seem a little overwhelming at first because there are so many things you need to do. The good news is that compared to adult dogs, Akita puppies are far more eager to learn. And if you do it right, you will have a happy, healthy, well-behaved companion.

Keep in mind that every interaction you have with your puppy is training! Your dog will learn what is and isn’t acceptable behavior from the little things like how you greet them to how you walk them on the leash. The training you give your puppy when you first bring them home is just the basics, but it will lay the foundation for “higher learning” as they mature.

How to train an Akita puppy

how to potty train an akita puppy

Three simple but important training tasks that will build the foundation for a well-behaved and obedient dog include:

    • Crate training
    • Potty training
    • Leash training

But before we get into the details, let’s go over some general training guidelines to make sure your puppy training sessions are as productive as possible:

1. A cute 8-week-old Akita puppy can learn the basics, but remember that younger puppies have shorter attention spans. Therefore, training sessions at this age should be short and super fun.

2. Puppy training involves a lot of rewards. You will need a pouch full of high-value puppy treats. Something like Blue Buffalo BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats is a good option. You may want something low in calories, small in size, but tasty enough to keep your dog interested.

3. It’s a good idea to try a variety of flavors so you can figure out your puppy’s favorite. That way, you can utilize dog training.

4. Having a few puppy toys like a tug toy or ball for fetching on hand is also helpful so your dog can take play breaks and burn off some excitement before it’s time to focus again.

5. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly package that includes both treats and toys, the Puppy Goody Box is a great way to get all the basics.

6. You should choose a familiar, distraction-free place to make it easier for your dog to focus on you and training lessons.

How to crate train an Akita puppy

crate training an akita puppy

Lots of people make the mistake of believing that they can let their puppy roam freely. If puppies are at home alone, they can get bored and want to do something, which might involve ripping up your sofa. 

We all want a well-mannered dog who does not destroy stuff and relieves itself outside. Crate training is a big part of that! So teaching puppies to love their crates will make your life lots easier.

Although many people view crates as being “caged up” since they are small and enclosed, most dogs like living in these conditions because they are naturally denning animals. Crates give dogs a feeling of security and can reduce their anxiety if trained from a young age.

Step 1: Choose the right crate for your puppy

It’s vital to find your puppy the proper crate. Get one that is flexible, comfy, and durable. Wire crates work best for most dogs, but if your puppy prefers sleeping in the dark, you can choose the plastic option (which is more enclosed).

You must be careful not to get a crate that is too big for your puppy. You can buy a wire crate that fits your dog’s adult size, then get a divider so you can build up space and gradually give them more and more space.

Step 2: Reward your puppy with a treat after they go into the crate

This step follows a positive association rule. A handy tip is to give your puppy a KONG toy filled with peanut butter to help associate going into the crate with a fun activity. 

Key points

    • Crate training gives your dog a feeling of security and can reduce their anxiety.
    • Use treats and fun games to create positive associations with the crate.

Select the best dog crate

For almost any Akita: Wire Crate

For Akitas who loves a privacy space: Plastic Crate

For traveling Akitas: Soft-Sided Crate

How to potty train an Akita puppy

japanese dog names

Learning how to potty train an Akita puppy at the right time and place should be your top priority if you want a long, happy life together. You will not want to clean a stinky mess after a hard day at work!

Before potty training, make sure you have the right supplies, including poop bags, pee pads, and a crate to help your puppy only use the bathroom outside. Potty training can be successful if you follow some handy tips below, including:

    • Have the right potty training supplies
    • Controlling your puppy’s diet
    • Providing them with regular exercise
    • Reinforcing your dog for “going” outside
    • Keeping a consistent schedule

Key points

    • Crates are essential for dog house training.
    • Puppy pads and paper training are temporary solutions.

Select the best potty training supplies

Poop bags. View

Pee pads. View

Crate. View

How to leash train an Akita

how to train an akita

You may think your puppy innately knows how to walk politely on a leash. But it’s not always easy to walk a playful puppy on a leash. In fact, this skill takes practice, and you’ll value it every time you take your pup out for a walk.

Introduce your puppy to the collar or harness and leash by letting them wear these things for short periods of time in the house and give them their favorite treats. Because it is a positive experience, your dog will enjoy wearing a collar and leash.

Key points

    • Let your dog wear a collar/harness and leash inside before going outside. 
    • Use a positive approach. Don’t yank or drag if your puppy misbehaves on the leash.

Select the best leash training supplies

Collar. View

Harness. View

Leash. View

How to train an Akita to not be aggressive

how to train an akita

Due to the tendency to be aggressive, you should begin socializing your Akita as soon as possible. Bring them with you to dog-friendly places like pet stores or parks to build their confidence, make them friendlier with people and other animals, and teach them how to behave calmly and respectfully.

Here are some training tips to help you deal with aggressive behavior:

    • Be the alpha: The most crucial part in dealing with dog aggression, particularly with more dominant dogs, is to show yourself as the alpha, the leader, by setting firm boundaries. You will build trust, respect, and loyalty.
    • Use a leash: Use a leash inside the house. It shows your dog that you are the one who makes decisions.
    • Work Slowly: Introduce your puppy to new environments, people, or other animals gradually if they have struggles with social situations. Use positive reinforcement like rewarding desired behavior with treats, toys, and praise.

Akita training tips for success

1. The training space should be quiet and distraction-free.

2. Make sure your Akita has eaten and been to the toilet before you start training.

3. Use positive reinforcement. Reward with compliments, their favorite treats, or incorporate both to keep your dog interested.

4. Keep training sessions short and fun (about 10 minutes at a time). Just focus on teaching only one behavior before ending the session with a fun game.  

5. Be patient. If your Akita is struggling, pause, go back a step, and do more slowly the next time. 

About training knowledge and skills

If you feel like training your Akita is too hard and makes you exhausted but still doesn’t bring any results, it may be a sign that shows you’re doing it wrong. Improper dog training will not bring any good results, even making things worse. You waste your time, and your dog remains stubborn, destructive, and aggressive.  

You have to train your dog PROPERLY if you want to eliminate bad behavior and create the obedient, well-behaved dog of your dreams. I recommend you educate yourself before getting started to make sure the training process goes really smooth, either by hiring a professional or becoming one yourself.

Many readers have loved learning how to train their dogs based on scientific methods from a free workshop conducted by Dr. Alexa Diaz (one of the top service dog trainers in the U.S.) and Eric Presnall (host of the hit Animal Planet TV show “Who Let the Dogs Out”) at the K9 Training Institute. In the free workshop, you’ll discover:

    1. How to train your dog using body language rather than verbal cues
    2. The 3 key techniques that service dog trainers use to train dogs and how you can use them too
    3. The most important step that “normal” dog owners have been missing (this is very important to get your dog’s attention, and it works 100% of the time)
    4. How to stop bad behaviors like excessive barking, pulling on the leash, jumping, etc.
    5. Why a lot of dog owners are unable to establish the amazing bond that service dog trainers have with their dogs

Etc.

Whether your dog is a puppy or an adult, this pre-recorded workshop will help you train them successfully. You may not want to miss the chance to learn these groundbreaking techniques. Here’s the free workshop.

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