Akitas are beautiful, loyal, and intelligent dogs. They make great companions for people who are willing to put in the time and effort to train them properly. However, Akita training can be challenging, as these dogs are known for their stubbornness and independent streak. If you are thinking about getting an Akita, it is important to be prepared for the commitment of training this breed.
Here are some tips for training an Akita:
Start early. The best time to start training an Akita is when they are puppies. Puppies are more impressionable and eager to please, which makes them easier to train.
Be consistent. Akita puppies need consistent training in order to learn what is expected of them. If you are not consistent with your training, your puppy will quickly become confused and frustrated.
Use positive reinforcement. Akita puppies learn best through positive reinforcement, which means rewarding them for good behavior. Use treats, praise, and petting to reward your puppy when they do something you want them to do.
Be patient. Akita puppies can be stubborn, so it is important to be patient with them during training. Do not get frustrated if your puppy does not learn something right away. Just keep practicing and eventually they will get it.
Here are some basic commands that you should teach your Akita puppy:
Sit. To teach your puppy to sit, hold a treat in front of their nose and slowly move it up over their head. As they follow the treat with their nose, their bottom will naturally start to go down. Once they are sitting, say the word “sit” and give them the treat.
Stay. To teach your puppy to stay, start by having them sit in front of you. Hold a treat in front of their nose and slowly take a step back. As you take a step back, say the word “stay.” If your puppy stays, praise them and give them the treat. If your puppy gets up, start over.
Come. To teach your puppy to come, call their name and then run away from them. As you run away, say the word “come” in a high-pitched voice. Your puppy will likely chase after you. When they catch up to you, praise them and give them a treat.
Once your puppy has mastered the basic commands, you can start teaching them more advanced commands. Some popular advanced commands include:
Down. To teach your puppy to lie down, start by having them sit. Hold a treat in front of their nose and slowly move it down towards the ground. As they follow the treat with their nose, their body will naturally start to go down. Once they are lying down, say the word “down” and give them the treat.
Heel. To teach your puppy to heel, start by having them sit next to you. Hold a treat in front of their nose and start walking forward. As you walk, keep the treat in front of their nose so that they follow you. If your puppy starts to lag behind, give them a small tug on the leash. If your puppy starts to pull ahead, stop walking and wait for them to come back to your side.
Fetch. To teach your puppy to fetch, throw a toy for them and then say the word “fetch.” Your puppy will likely chase after the toy and bring it back to you. When they do, praise them and give them a treat.
Training an Akita can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding. With patience and consistency, you can train your Akita to be a well-behaved and obedient companion.
Additional Tips
Socialize your Akita puppy early and often. This will help them to become comfortable around other people and animals.
Provide your Akita with plenty of exercise. Akita puppies need at least two hours of exercise per day.
Take your Akita to obedience classes. This is a great way to learn more about training your dog and to get help from a professional trainer.
Be a leader. Akita puppies need to know who is in charge. Be firm and consistent with your commands.
Be patient. Training an Akita puppy takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if your puppy doesn’t learn something right away. Just keep practicing and eventually they will get it.
With a little time and effort, you can train your Akita puppy to be a well-behaved and obedient companion.
