What is the best method for training Akitas?
All dogs, and especially Akitas need to have consistent rules to live by. Your Akita needs to have loving but firm Human leadership to look up to. If your Akita thinks you are not in charge, he/she will take over. Respect for leadership is a huge issue to Akitas. Dogs are born with a set of instinctive behaviors. We can shape these behaviors through training but we can never completely erase them. For this reason, you must remember that Akitas were originally bred to hunt and fight. These are aggressive endeavors and are not usually desirable for a city dwelling house pet. Teaching your Akita how to behave should start when he/she is young and continue to some extent for his/her entire life. Your Akita needs to be taught which behaviors are acceptable and which are not. Do not assume that the dog will figure it out for himself. Whatever training method you select, be sure it is not overly permissive nor overly harsh. Also be sure that you are totally consistent in making and enforcing
