Rehoming an Akita Dog? Should we... Could we... Maybe...

SimbaSimon

Where to start! We recently visited a dog rehoming place to help out and take a few dogs for a walk, purely for voluntry reasons. However we walked a lovely female Akita dog. Now we haven't made any formal enquiries or anything and this is just a thought but she was very sweet!

A dog has been on the plans a while but we were previously renting so never could. The dog is middle aged (according to the website) and describes her as a lovely dog, very obident and would make a great family pet. The description is true and she was lovely.

Partner would love a dog and has been hinting all day. We live in a nice area which is great for walks but I'm slightly reluctant with us both working full time, however with the dog being in rehoming centre for some time now I'm hoping this would be okay with her. I could come home at lunch to take it for a walk so thats do able. The dog looked like it needed a bit of TLC but was very playful and was great taking her out for a short walk for the rehoming centre.

We don't have any kids just 2 guinea pigs but these can be seperated from the dog with not too much hassle. Would be great if we were to give her a permanent home but I just wanted to know some others thoughts. I've never had a dog but partner had one for years and she loves them. :rotfl:

Haven't discussed anything with the centre yet as these are only passing thoughts at the moment.

kamperkat

Hi Simba
Although i have no experience of akita's, we took on an 18 month old springer spaniel a couple of years ago when my MIL moved away. We both work full time, (although sometimes my OH can take him with him as he is self employed and two days a week i only do half days) but when i do a full day i come home for an hour at lunch to take him for a bit of a walk and a cuddle...he is ony left on his own for 4 hours max at a time.
He seems quite happy when i return and we've asked the neighbours to let us know if they ever hear him barking or howling and as far as i know he only gets upset when the phone rings so i take it off the hook during the day! ( he howls at the phone when we're here as well though :rotfl:)...
Anyway - my point is, that our dog is fine being left for a few hours each day - from the warm spot and dent in the sofa when i get home i guess he spends quite a lot of time sleeping!
We live out in the country so take him for lovely long walks in the morning and evening so he gets a lot of exercise.
Some people do not agree that full time work and dogs mix, but i am sure that she would rather live in a warm cosy home where she is loved than a rehoming centre.
Good luck with your decision!
Kkxx

rachiee

Sounds like a lovley idea If its right for you both go for it Im sure she would love a stable home again

BitterAndTwisted

My only reservation is that right now the dog is surrounded by other dogs with all the bustle and noise of kennels but once it's in a home for hours on its own it might find the transition rather stressful.

Have you done any research into the breed?

shoppaholic_returns

Simba please don't hesitate to contact me via pm,we are a couple who have an adorable Akita, who is absolutely fantastic,we had reservations about the responsibility of a dog, but did the reseach and we took the plunge and 3 years on we just would'nt be without her.

The breed are delightful, and although extremely furry only shed their coats twice a year,so you get less fur than an very short coated dog,they are VERY clever and extremely faithful and gentle giants,good luck!

shoppaholic_returns

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

My only reservation is that right now the dog is surrounded by other dogs with all the bustle and noise of kennels but once it's in a home for hours on its own it might find the transition rather stressful.

Have you done any research into the breed?

I can understand your thoughts but alot of Akitas are quite happy to be in their own company,and are very quiet dogs that don't bark much at all,unless they hear noise unfamiliar to them on their teritory.
Plenty of nice walks, toys and things to chew on, and lots of TLC should certainly do the trick, the Akita will certainly be feeling sorry for itself at the mo,they are very sulky!:D

A loving home would beat the pound hands down!

mrcol1000

Atika can be friendly dogs but it depends on their previous owners. They can be very vicous with the wrong owners but then so can any dog.
I was led to belive they are very intelligent dogs and require a lot of exercise and stimulation. If its going to be left alone all day then it will probably take its frustrations out on anything it can get hold off. I would do some research first.
If they are a decent rehoming centre they probably won't let you rehome the dog if your both working full time.
To be honest though I would leave giving a home to a dog until you have more time. The dog is in a kennel and it would much prefer to be in a loving home which I am sure you can provide but unless your very lucky it won't appericate being home all day on its own and it will cause you problems. It would be a shame to have to give the dog back because it does not like being left alone all day. Surely its better to let someone who is home during the day give it a home?

shoppaholic_returns

mrcol1000 wrote: »

and require a lot of exercise and stimulation. If its going to be left alone all day then it will probably take its frustrations out on anything it can get hold off. I would do some research first.
If they are a decent rehoming centre they probably won't let you rehome the dog if your both working full time.

Akitas require a more modest amount of excercise than you would imagine,many people compare them to Huskies etc which require alot of excercise for Akitas this is not the case,yes they like a walk, but they are not destructive dogs if regularly excercised.

I find my Akita is quite happy to be left for a few hours on her own, I don't work, but I do need to leave the house sometimes.

If the couple are working full time, I would only suggest it if they were able to work form home for some hours or have a relative the dog could spend some time with during the day.:D

Hughesy84

You need to look into the characteristics of the dog to see whether or not they are ok on their own for long periods of times.

Akita's are generally fine on their own - however they do require good amounts of exercise. So ideally a good walk in the morning (before you go to work) and then a good walk at night should do.

It probably wont take to well to the guinea pigs as usually they are not keen on other pets.

The Akita is probably THE BEST gaurd dog you can buy, and is also very loyal to its owners.

alleycat`

Firstly from me you get a big thumbs up for looking to take on a rescue dog.

Now for the slightly negative bit:-

I will be surprised if they would let you have the dog if you both work full time (this was the first thing we were asked).

Quite a lot of dogs don't get re-homed (into very good homes) for this reason.

I find this a crying shame as a lot of it is dependent on the people and the dog as to whether or not they will be fine for 4 hours (or more) at a stretch or not.

If the rescue center know who you are they may be prepared to waive this or they might be prepared to do several home visits over a period of time to see how the dog settles (sort of a half way house).

We have a rescue dog (greyhound) and it took him quite a while to get used to spending just a few hours on his own (partner works part time).

It was incredibly stressful for the first few months with some of the destruction due to seperation anxiety but worth it in the end.

It is worth it though.

Louby_Lou85

My nan has had 2 Akitas (one sadly passed away last year) and they are possibly the softest/most loyal breed of dog ive come across. They are so loving but do require a lot of exercise. They were even happy to share a bed with my cat (they had no choice in the matter, she decided she was lying in there if they liked it or not!)

The transition would be strange at first moving from kennels to a new home, but as long as she is getting the attention and love that she needs she'll settle in in no time!

I went to the cats protection league today to look at the kittens, and am now the proud owner of a 7 year old cat instead lol, I couldnt leave her there! hahaha my house is like a petting zoo!