After countless bitch fights about dog education, contradictory opinions among breeders and own experiences, I'm starting to think differently about the breed Akita. I think this breed is largely misunderstood.

First off, I'm often told it's a cute quirk in Akitas to grab their master's hand and chew on it or drag them around. Wrong. Wolves grab another's paw to drag them around indeed, but because they think they're the boss and qualified to do so. So if your dog drags you around with your hand in its muzzle, this is likely to mean that your dog doesn't know its (lowest!!) rank and tries to dominate you.

"Akitas don't bark before they bite". Akitas seem unpredictable to the unlearned eye, but in fact, they're just not as "talkactive" as other dogs. Akitas don't need to growl or show their teeth, but they still use signs known to all dogs: eye contact, stiff muscles/gait, stiff wagging of the taill, making themselves look big by standing up very tightly, shoving their lips forward, etc. These are warnings visible to other dogs, but unfortunately, not to many people. Most people think that Akitas bite without warning, this is bullshit.

Also, about aggression and dominance. I'm starting to think it's a crapload of shit when they tell you your Akita is being aggressive because he's dominant. A dominant dog/person is strong and confident and does not need to prove themselves by doing the macho. I know this from two very good examples: Akita Dami who gets along very well with other dogs, including males. He's calm and won't pick fights, much unlike Toya who won't get mad when Dami stares him down BECAUSE Dami emits dominance, confidence and strength. Dami knows what he's worth and THAT is the reason he won't lash out. Myself: I get mad easily. As soon as you hit my sensitive spot (eg. "Fatso", "You can't draw", "You're ugly") I get really mad and try to bash that person into the ground. Yes, I try to dominate them in that moment, so they can't hurt me. But by doing so out of fear of being hurt, I'm proving my LACK in confidence.

In conclusion, I don't think Akitas are aggressive because they're ever so cool and dominant, I think it's the contrary. They don't completely trust their master - you - to be capable of taking care of things, so the dog tries to take care of it himself. Unable to believe in you and your capabilities, the dog is unconfident and easily provoked by other dogs.

In conclusive conclusion, I think those Akita owners - including myself - who have aggressive dogs who lash out at other dogs, are not sufficiantly confident and naturally dominant themselves. They think they are. I thought I was. but they lack something, the aura of natural leadership. This contamines the dog whos confidence will also drop and thus the dog will easily lash out.
I think many Akita owners, including myself, just don't have what it takes to be the leader of such a strong-willed dog who needs a strong leader. Maybe this is why Akitas aren't so popular. Maybe many of us overestimate ourselves and our capacities and we take a dog who needs more of a leader than the average person really is. How can I be a confident leader to my dog when I'm not confident about myself? So most aggressive Akitas are not dominant, they pretend to be. Compare them to real cool kids who naturally attract people and are naturally respected to those kids who bully others in order to look tough. The latter is probably the case in most aggressive Akitas.

Say you're the dog. You're supposed to trust the person in charge of you. That person is your leader, the one who gives orders and takes care of conflict. Yet, that person keeps getting you into trouble, whether they mean to or not, and they can't protect you sufficiently. Another dog attacks you (remember you're a dog) and your master can't shake him off, can't help you. Will you leave it to your master next time another dog crosses your path? No. You're probably going to take care of things yourself and bite before getting bitten, because that person with you is totally useless.

The rule is: a dog pack - a family with a dog is a dog pack in the eyes of the dog - needs hierarchy. There MUST be a leader. If that leader is incapable or untrustworthy of making the right decisions for the pack, the dog will take things in its own hands for the pack's sake, whether the humans like it or not. And Akitas strongly desire that pack hierarchy. If the human shows the Akita that he can trust the human, the Akita will tust them and leave it up to them. If not, the Akita will try to be the boss. And this goes for all dogs, all dogs are hierarchy pack animals. Maybe they don't need the strict and consequent leadership Akitas need, but I'm so sick of owners of small oh so fucking cute doggies who let their dogs do as they please and therefore, give the leadership to them. Those are the dogs who think they can do whatever they like, those are the annoying little shits that come biting your ankles because nobody taught them any discipline. A dog MUST be the lowest ranking family member or else they get really conceited and annoying. Look at some old people with their tiny dogs. They spoil them rotten and give the dogs all they ask for and by doing so, make them leader of the pack. This is EXACTLY why many old people's dogs are so aggravating. No notion of who's boss.

As harsh as it may sound, an underdog is a pleasant dog. A dog who trusts your leadership will probably tolerate other dogs because he knows you're there to protect him.
Dami, the male I like to use as an example, is very confident and knows his mistress is there to protect him. He can play and even live with other males. Something many Akita owners think is impossible. I'm glad I met Dami. He made me want to work harder, on myself and my dogs. He and the book I'll mention below made me realize how little I knew while I thought I knew it all.

Now I just have to learn how to apply all this to myself

For those of you who understand Dutch, I recommend "De Hondentherapeut" by Inge Pauwels. Very good, comprehensible book which helps recognizing and dealing with certain behavior. I think this book helps me alot and I swear, I don't usually read ANY books except manga. I read this one in a day.

It is ALL about confident.. esspecially your own... Try not to take out on Toya... stay calm. He is an Akita.. and he only will follow your lead when he thinks it is right... ONLY THEN !
don't bark at him, but ask him.
That's how Dami is so great !!!
remember these words..
WITH LOVE
Pien