Hi
I have not been on this site for a while, however when I need advise I - always find it here.  I have an Akita female, neutered, had her from 6 weeks old, she is now almost 18 months now and has a fantastic temperament for her breed, she has always loved to play with other dogs, any size and has over the months had a few incidents from other aggressive dogs having 'a go' at her for which she has just stood rigid and put up with it.  I have been told that she may change and act differently as she gets older.  She has been brought up with two kittens, whom they all get on sooo well and like I said gets really excited if there is another dog in the park or wherever we decide to walk her and I let her off to play, as we have done since she was a puppy.  Well today there was a dog (mongrel) who she normally sees every few months or so and I must admit the mongrel will run with its stick and Gucci (my Akita) will chase her and nothing else, the only thing is when the other bitch drops its stick she goes for Gucci and barks at her and tries to fight her... Gucci usually stands rigid and turns away ( I obviuosly am right by them and the owner of the mongrel and we call them back for which they normally come.  Today though the mongrel really turned on gucci and looked sooooo agressive and ferrocious - I was so afraid as this is my first dog and I have never experienced a fight and never want to again. This dog kept on going at Gucci and was on her hind legs at Gucci's face, they were in the middle of the field at this stage - so we were not that close to them, so I ran, shouting her, shaking, crying, panicking because I feared for my akita as she is normally afraid and thought she was getting hurt badly, ( I must admit I wouldnt want the other dog hurt either) anyway today she fought back, She was growling and her teeth were showing, she was using her paw - which I found unusual as she does this in play.  i managed to get there in time before things got too out of control, but was shocked at how different she was.  Once on the lead she seemed to calm down, however i am extremely worried now incase this is the start of things to come.  This particular bitch visits its grandad every 6 few months, so is not a problem, but I am concerned now,  Can any one advise me if there akita's usually play with other dogs or if they are always kept on a lead.  I realise when you read about akitas it states NEVER let them off lead, however it states they hate children and cats and rabbits etc, but mine is extremely good around children, cats, rabbits etc as she see's them daily.  Has any one elses akita been involved in a fight? I do not want other dogs to get hurt as I realise the damage an Akita can do, but never thought it would happen to mine.

I don't know much about akitas but I've learned over the years never to let any of my dogs (of any breed I've had) run with another dog which has a toy, be it stick or ball or whatever. Even the nicest-natured dog can become defensive over its toy, tempers flare and fights easily start.

Unfortunately your Akita bitch is now reaching maturity.  You will have to rethink everything you do with her in order to ensure she and other dogs stay safe.  Also heed the advice re other pets etc, the people handing it out have had long associations with the breed and it is rare for a dog to be exceptional against breed traits

Hi, :)
Your Akita bitch sounds lovely and of a very good temperament from what you have said about her. Going literally on what you've said on here, I'd say trouble was perhaps brewing between the 2 bitches caused by the excitement partly and also the fact that the other bitch used to drop her stick and then habitually turn on Gucci. Gucci has really only behaved normally and I'd not get too worried, however what I'd suggest is that you try very hard to pre empt any kind of situation in which dogs might get OTT with each other. Easier said than done! :)

Dogs can learn from one off incidents, however I'd just continue as normal but avoid this other bitch if possible as it sounds as if she was OTT. If you see something escalating, call your dog back - so keep up obedience training to enable you to do this. This can be done with motivational training and rewards :)

Hth and good luck,
Lindsay
x

Thanks for your reply's, it is reassuring to read your comments, and hopefully it was a one off situation that has made me realise to be extremely alert when there are other dogs around.  I will not let her play with dogs that appear aggressive again, the thing is Gucci wasn't even interested in the other dogs stick, she just likes to chase the dog around, she could have caught her up if she wanted and got the stick- but didn't. But I suppose the other dog doesn't realise this... Anyway, Gucci has had plenty of cuddles today to help her through her trauma and thank god I have calmed down, my heart was pounding earlier when it happened

Ive never read that akitas arent good with children, where did you see that ?

i have read over and over though not to let them off the lead as if any other dog challenges them they can do a lot of damage, you where lucky so far but id take the advise  of those who have lived with the breed  , written books etc after all they cant all be wrong.

Hi

I have a 4 year old Akita Bitch called Kia and she is the softest thing known to man or beast unless she is challenged by another dog and then she will not stand for it, especially if that dogs is another bitch (she is generally ok with male dogs tho)

I do not let her run free with other dogs - apart from my lab, because she can tend to get a bit dominant in her play which could cause another dog concern.

As to bad with children - that is complete rubbish (although all dogs should be watched around children) you should see kia with my 16 month old son.  However one thing I was always taught is that never leave her alone with my son if there is another child around as if my son and the other child get into a to do about something as little children do the akita could well decide  to stand up for my son.

Another thing I was also told was that although you can get good recall with the akita (and at obedience class kia was at the top - only beaten by a collie) if she gets too interested in something is will ignore you.

Don't worry you sound like you have a nice bitch and as others have said she is reaching maturity and you will have to rethink your play with her.

It doesn't matter in the slightest that Gucci didn't want the stick - the fact that it was valuable to the other dog made a conflict near it more likely. The mongrel had warned Gucci (and therefore you) many times before that the chasing wasn't appreciated, yet nothing resulted, so naturally she had to make it more clear.

Sheesh.  Sorry but this is ridiculous.  You say this:

"today there was a dog (mongrel) who she normally sees every few months or so and I must admit the mongrel will run with its stick and Gucci (my Akita) will chase her and nothing else, the only thing is when the other bitch drops its stick she goes for Gucci and barks at her and tries to fight her... Gucci usually stands rigid and turns away"

And you STILL let this continue???  No, let me say it again:  You go to the park with your dog, an Akita of all breeds, and you KNOW there is a dog which "usually" "barks at her and tries to fight her" while your dog "stands rigid", and STILL you go to this park and STILL you put your dog in that situation???  You don't recall her until AFTER this has happened?!  You don't head in the opposite direction at the first sight of this mongrel dog??

Sorry but I despair at these sort of posts.  You deserve what happened and you're lucky it wasn't more.

FAO:   ONETWOTHREE
hey hey hey - calm down there, how dare you say that i deserved it, Who the hell do you think you are.... You don't know her or me or the prevoius playful situations there are normally involved in.  I hate it when people such as yourself jump to conclusions, I am concerned and wanted advise which is why i came on here, not to get insulted by people like you.  Take your mixed up emotions out on someone else, who deserves it. People such as yourself just come on here to write abusive remarks and go off the subject in question.  It puts innocent people like myself off writing in these forums in the future. 

In total the mongrel has seen my akita approx 3 times in 18 months, as it lives in London and comes to stay whilst its owners are on holiday.The mongrel had in the last 2 occassions dropped its stick and barked at Gucci, I and the mongrel owner was immediately there and the mongrel always stopped when told from its owner, and Gucci was recalled, then their play would continue because they wanted to-  So nothing more usually happened - they continued to play, I am a very careful, loving owner/mother of my akita and she is the child i never had... I would never ever leave and watch her in a situation like you are suggesting. Not all Akita's are of the same temperament, don't be so shallow minded.

This one time the other dog got out of hand and beleive me I was there immediately and I would have risked getting attacked myself by the other dog to try and stop the fight.  If this dog was a resident of the park then it goes without saying I would not go there and of course if I do see it again I will walk out of the park and re-direct our walk - now that I am aware how far the other dog will go. You should realise I am a caring loving owner or why else would I have written in on here..... Your remark about going to the park with "an akita of all breeds", she is the most wonderful Akita bitch I can ever imagine, and usually loves to play with other dogs and loves the atention of my cats around her.  She loves people and is sooo good natured.   Do not judge - every dog is different!!! I see dogs which are supposed to have fantastic temperaments - however, are very aggressive towards other dogs and humans - so naturallly I will avoid walking by that dog.

I think you are a horrible, nasty person - and I never would normally wish horrible things on people like you do - but I really do hope you get into a situation you deserve - like you said I did !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fortunately for me, I am much less likely to get into such a situation, because I always recall my dogs at the sight of strange dogs and, if I had ANY worry about another dog's behaviour, I would not let my dogs play with it.  This doesn't mean my dogs are perfect, because they're not, but it's not really that hard to stop your dog from playing with a dog you think is suspect, is it?

You don't know her or me or the prevoius playful situations there are normally involved in

No, you're right, I don't.  We all can only go by what you tell us on this forum, and, based on what you've told us in your first post, I completely stand by and would write again everything I have written in my reply. 

Sorry but I'm sick and tired of seeing people arrive on this forum with a problem which they don't perceive to be due to anything they've done.  Then, when it's suggested that what happened was largely due to them, they are outraged that they could actually be to blame and responsible.  Rather than accepting responsibility, they decide to re-write history....

Original: "mongrel who she normally sees every few months or so"
Re-write: "In total the mongrel has seen my akita approx 3 times in 18 months"

Original: "when the other bitch drops its stick she goes for Gucci and barks at her and tries to fight her"
Re-write: "dropped its stick and barked at Gucci"  What happened to trying to "fight" her?

Original: "I obviuosly am right by them and the owner of the mongrel and we call them back for which they normally come"

Re-write: "the mongrel always stopped when told from its owner"

I see, so you both waited until they were fighting before recalling?  That makes absolute sense.

"their play would continue because they wanted to"

Right, so they started to fight, you recalled them and let them go again?  Of course not, and yet this is what you are trying to tell us now, to make out that in the past their interactions have been much more pleasant, and therefore you couldn't possibly have predicted what was going to happen, and therefore you're not to blame, right??  Give me a break.

I'm sorry you think I'm such a horrible person.  I tell it like I see it.  I have a lot of time for people who try, people who are willing to learn.  I have not much time for people who do ridiculous things like let their dogs cross roads off leads, let their dogs off lead with no recall, and continue to allow their dogs to play with dogs which they know are problematic.  Those people need a wake up call, and if they need a bluntly written post to see that, then that's what it takes.

Your text: Fortunately for me, I am much less likely to get into such a situation, because I always recall my dogs at the sight of strange dogs and, if I had ANY worry about another dog's behaviour, I would not let my dogs play with it.

Original: "mongrel who she normally sees every few months or so"
Re-write: "In total the mongrel has seen my akita approx 3 times in 18 months"

Yes correct - few months is around 3 - 4 months over a period of 18 months is approx 3 times

Original: "when the other bitch drops its stick she goes for Gucci and barks at her and tries to fight her"
Re-write: "dropped its stick and barked at Gucci"  What happened to trying to "fight" her?


That was still the case - sorry! I should have copied that section again for you to include the "tries to fight" text ( I have not seen a dog fight before and I presumed barking and jumping at Gucci is starting trouble)

Please note:  It wasn't a strange dog and they have played twice before...Oh Sorry - I forgot -  I am not perfect like you and your dog.

I have not much time for people who do ridiculous things like let their dogs cross roads off leads, let their dogs off lead with no recall, and continue to allow their dogs to play with dogs which they know are problematic. 

Are you taking medication or something?????? Where on earth did you read that I let my dog cross roads off lead???????????? My dog is never near a road off lead, she is very well trained and is excellent on recalls (unlike what the books say about akita's going deaf on you whilst out etc...) and I only let her off when it is safe to do so in rural fenced off places etc..., If another dog appears in the field she is told to come back and she does to have her lead put on.

Those people need a wake up call, and if they need a bluntly written post to see that, then that's what it takes.

I thank you for waking me up ( I needed that, I'm sure... ha ha ) and I am soooooooooo proud of your bluntly written post (I bet all the other readers are too) - Well done! Now go and get yourself a treat - You good girl!!

:rolleyes:

18 divided by 3 = 6

I think your other answers have proved my point. 

Approx - Means "Approximately": estimated, inexact, around, more or less,
I think your answers tell me you are a very bored, try the chat line - It works for some....
Got to sign off this case now - It has completely missed the point, thanks to you and your hormones

Hey come on people - AkitaGucci came here for advice - lets give her some advice not tell her she is in the wrong.

People learn to be more polite - This is a forum for people to ask questions etc.

Maybe the response should have been along the lines of explaining that she may have been misinterpreting the mongrels actions - rather than come on it blatantly obvious!

Thank you! - Nice to hear from a normal polite helpful, person. You are right I only came onto this forum for friendly advise, not to be insulted by the likes of  "onetwothree". I noticed you said you had a 4 year old Akita - She sounds lovely.

She is great - but a handful - in the nicest possible way and I wouldn't change her for the world.

Hi AkitaGucci,

there's a lot of good advice on this thread from everyone which hopefully, when you sift through the less tolerant tones, you'll find helpful.

You are obviously a caring and responsible owner who is trying to do what's best :)  We all make mistakes when raising youngsters - even when not for the first time around :rolleyes: - so try and learn from this instance and work on ways to avoid a similar occurrence.  Sometimes we need eyes in the back of our head!   However this terrible teen stage eventually passes and so long as we try and make it as uneventful (from a negative POV) as possible and keep encouraging good behaviours and experiences, we can usually work through it.

Best wishes, Teri :)

Hey come on people - AkitaGucci came here for advice - lets give her some advice not tell her she is in the wrong.

I second that - when someone asks for help they don't want or need to be shouted down by a few people who seem to think they know it all!

Lets get back to chivalry and only answer posts we can help with!
Maria

I am inclined to agree with JG and onetwothree here.  We all learn by our mistakes and as Gucci is your first dog you will probably make quite a few more of them, (though with an Akita you need to learn quickly) learn from them, and remember to always take into account other dogs feelings and fears too.

Thinking about it, I don't think I have ever met an off lead Akita, Gucci sounds a delight, I too hope she will stay this way.

I do think it worrying that you and the other owner are happy to let your akita chase the mongrel until it is forced to turn around and defend itself. Perhaps you haven't thought about it in human terms so I shall try and explain:

you are carrying something you consider to be valuable (eg your baby/antique vase), someone large and intimidating (which most akitas body shape naturally is) chases you quite determindely on the few occassions you meet them, the only way you can stop them is to put down your baby/antique vase and shout at them while threatening violence by swinging your fists.

I don't like humanising dogs but this is the equivalent of what the mongrel goes through each time she meets your akita. Your dog stands still when the mongrel barks and "tries to fight" because she doesn't know what to do. And despite her standing still it doesn't make the mongrel any less angry/scared.

I wouldn't allow anyones dog to chase mine in a way that upsets them, play is very different but if the mongrel was happily playing she wouldn't "try to fight" as you put it. The mongrel owner should be more considerate to her dog and stop the situation from arising with any dog (not just yours).

You still have to be responsible though, while it is good that your dog is well socialised you need to be aware of how other dogs are feeling, even if their owners don't seem to care.

The owner of the mongrel was happy to let his dog play with mine because he like myself knew they were playing - and this man has had dogs most of his life, he or myself would not have put any of them under stress - It was only the last second it got out of hand.  I have seen the man since and we both know not to let the dogs near each other if they meet again.  I know the difference between chasing and running/playing and Yes - Good point explaining it in human terms, but no-one will know what the mongrel was feeling inside - whether it was a game or a chase for him.... Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression dogs chasing around was playing, and Gucci's way of playing with other dogs is chasing/running around with them - normally behind them as others are faster than her, ha ha, and they all seem to like it and other careful owners will stand with me and smile - happy to see them playing with such an unusual friendly breed... There is a first time for everything and this was the start of Gucci realising that not all other dogs want to play and are not all friendly, like herself.  Obviously she won't have the same freedom now when other dogs are around, as I will not trust any dog now.  I also realise the power Gucci has and will not put it to the test, I love all animals and would never wish any animal any harm, even if they started on gucci I wouldn't want Gucci to hurt it.

On this occassion I did not realise the other dog may not have seen it as a game, like she has done on previous occassions, the mongrel comes running over to Gucci and leads her to play and keeps coming back to Gucci to chase her more.  I must admit I didn't see that my Akita was chasing her, I just saw "playing" around in the park. How stupid of me!!! I feel quite bad now. Its good it happened in a way - at least I will be more aware of other dogs and Gucci's actions now.