The nuances of upbringing and training Akita Inu

Akita Inu is an ancient Japanese dog breed. A symbol of love, devotion and kindness. These dogs are excellent guards, at the same time they are very gentle and affectionate, they adore children. They are wonderful hunters, and recently they are increasingly becoming prize winners of exhibitions and competitions.

Akita Inu dogs can be described as follows:

• bold;
• strong;
• decisive;
• sports;
• dexterous;
• hardy;
• independent;
• smart;
• resourceful;
• obedient (with the right approach).

Despite the fact that the breed has been for many years, it became popular thanks to the famous film "Hachiko"... It was after watching the film that thousands of people wanted the same loyal friend for themselves. But don't mix cinema and real life.

It all starts with choosing a breeder.It is from him that you learn the initial information about your future pet. His parents deserve special interest: carefully study all documents, pedigree, consult with experts.

The best option would be a dog from a medium litter with puppies of the same size. Healthy babies are fun, playful and curious. As they grow older, these animals become calm and reasonable.

Caring for this breed is not difficult, but in order to educate the Akita Inu, you need to take into account certain tips from dog handlers. The dog is very quick-witted and instinctively feels what the owner wants from it. Easily tolerates a change of scenery. Feels great both in the city and in nature. Education must be consistent and last a lifetime.

The independence and spontaneity of the character of the animal begins to manifest itself from early childhood. The animal independently decides when and how to play; it is almost impossible to force him to do something else.

The puppy must initially know and communicate with all family members and other animals, if any, living with him in the same territory. This dog will not tolerate obedience, communication should take place only on an equal footing. Akita Inu will eventually learn to understand and execute commands in a calm, even voice.

Most owners of this breed of dog claim that it is not trainable. However, the opinion cannot be so unambiguous. It is quite possible to find an approach to the representatives of this ancient breed and raise your pet on your own. And the sooner you start doing this, the better the result will be.

You need to start training Akita Inu from 2-2.5 months of age. It should be remembered that the dog has an intransigence in his blood towards other animals and strangers. For the social adaptation of the dog, gradual habituation and constant communication are necessary. The first six months of a puppy's conscious life is the period of the formation of the psyche, the search for its place in the world. If from the very beginning you do not show the puppy who is the boss, then he will consider himself the owner.

Akita Inu is almost a wolf. When dealing with a dog, you need to be able to maintain leadership and follow the laws of the pack. You need to love her unambiguously, but at the same time do not allow contradictions in your behavior.

In order for the dog to feel the leader in the owner and strictly obey him, you should immediately prioritize:

• the dog takes food after all family members have eaten;
• the owner must enter and exit in any room in front of the dog;
• the dog should know its place and sleep only on it - the owner's bed is taboo for him;
• in order to position oneself as a leader, any game with a dog should be started and finished only by its owner;
• avoid signs of aggression from the animal (even a seemingly harmless biting).

Not everyone has the opportunity to send a puppy to a specialized dog training school. However, every owner of a small Akita Inu wants his dog to be obedient, know as many commands as possible and be socially adapted. After studying the relevant literature and consulting with a dog handler, you can train an Akita Inu puppy at home.

The dog should feel the line beyond which it is impossible to go. Her desire to dominate, to subdue herself should be immediately suppressed. Even the owner's guard is permissible only on command.When and from whom to protect this or that object, the owner decides, not the dog.

If the animal is in the possession of the owner, whose authority is beyond doubt, then a completely adequate and trained dog will grow out of the puppy. But you will have to constantly monitor the behavior of the Akita Inu, demonstrating your leadership.

To teach a puppy of the Akita Inu breed elementary commands, you should be patient. In no case should you punish a dog. The advice of dog handlers will help to train the animal correctly.

Recommendations for mastering elementary commands are given below.

• "To me!" Is the most essential command. The dog should be in a calm state (not playing, not eating, not sleeping), attract its attention by giving a nickname. Step back a few steps, repeat the nickname, add the call "To me!" and show a piece of cheese or meat. When the puppy comes running, praise him with your voice, give him a treat. You need to repeat the steps 6-7 times a day.
• "Ugh!" - this skill is necessary for a dog, first of all, for its health. If the pet has mastered it well, then he will never take food from the hands of a stranger or found on the street. It takes a lot of patience to develop a team. Pieces of food should be scattered on the floor and the dog should not be allowed to eat them while uttering the command. Then put the food in a bowl and allow.
• "Sit" - standing next to the puppy and holding a treat in his hand, attract his attention and give a command. With the other hand, gently help the pet to sit down and immediately encourage him. It is necessary to repeat it at every opportunity so that the dog learns the command well.
• "Lie" - it is almost impossible to achieve its implementation the first time. The puppy simply cannot understand what is wanted from him. You need to learn it using voice and physical influence. The exercise is performed with a leash, which should be pulled downward while pressing down on the withers. As soon as the dog lies down, immediately reward him with delicious.
• "Wait" - the team develops endurance. Approach the dog with a treat in hand, bring it above the animal's head. Say the command, step back a little, then return and give the treat. Akita Inu will eventually understand what the owner wants. The distance needs to be increased all the time.

The protective instinct of this breed of dog is triggered exactly when there is a real danger. Adults are not always generous in showing their feelings towards the owner, but you should not doubt their love. Restraint and poise are the features of their noble character.

The ability to adapt to the lifestyle of its owner makes the Akita Inu a very convenient companion. For small children, a dog can replace a nanny. For young people who lead an active lifestyle and go in for sports, it will become a reliable partner in training or walking.

Representatives of this breed are not characterized by the manifestation of emotions, but do not hesitate - the dog needs contact with the owner. Even if inside her everything is boiling with emotions, outwardly it may not be noticeable. When starting a puppy, you need to be prepared that some part of your free time will now belong to him.

For those who are going to buy an Akita Inu puppy just so that it is an exact copy of the hero of the movie "Hachiko", one thing can be said: Hachiko is not a breed, but upbringing. And you can raise Hachiko from any breed of dog.

You can look at the initial training of the Akita Inu further.