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

mrcol1000

shoppaholic_returns wrote: »

Im afraid we cannot make these sweeping judgements until the op clarifies how long the dog would be left and futher details of their situation.

Akitas wouldn't bark all day, they are quiet dogs as others in this thread have mentioned, they would bark IF they heard or saw someone on their territory.

They said they are working all day and would come home at lunch time so even with the short break during the day its a long time to be alone.
Without direction of what exactly there terrority is some dogs assume their terrority is a lot more than what it actually is. Not a problem if you live in isolation but if you live near a busy road then a dog barking at every person or car that goes by will soon upset the neighbours.

shoppaholic_returns

mrcol1000 wrote: »

They said they are working all day and would come home at lunch time so even with the short break during the day its a long time to be alone.
Without direction of what exactly there terrority is some dogs assume their terrority is a lot more than what it actually is. Not a problem if you live in isolation but if you live near a busy road then a dog barking at every person or car that goes by will soon upset the neighbours.

I live with an Akita who is outside most of the day with people walking past all of the time but she will only bark if someone approaches our gate/land, Akitas are naturally very quiet dogs,not at all yappy, in fact our neighbours regularly say they woud'nt know we had a dog if they didnt see her on patrol. All of the breeders we have spoken to have reiterated this.

suki1964

mrcol1000 wrote: »

They said they are working all day and would come home at lunch time so even with the short break during the day its a long time to be alone.
Without direction of what exactly there terrority is some dogs assume their terrority is a lot more than what it actually is. Not a problem if you live in isolation but if you live near a busy road then a dog barking at every person or car that goes by will soon upset the neighbours.

So perhaps the dog will be left for what - 4 hours a day before someone comes home for it. By your own admission ( see previous posts) that is acceptable - or have you now changed the goal posts?

Who says the dog will bark?

Not every dog is a nightmare. Not every owner is incapable of bringing up a well balanced well socialised dog well trained dog. Many many many dogs are re-homed to working couples without a problem, we hear about the MINORITY that cause a problem not the majority.

shoppaholic_returns

I'm with Suki on this one, I am at home with our baby,but I can't say there haven't been times when she hasn't been left for more than 4 hours, you have to do your best,as long as they have water, food and something to play with/occupy them 4 hours isn't the end of the world, its only equivalent to a part time workers hours.

mrcol1000

shoppaholic_returns wrote: »

I'm with Suki on this one, I am at home with our baby,but I can't say there haven't been times when she hasn't been left for more than 4 hours, you have to do your best,as long as they have water, food and something to play with/occupy them 4 hours isn't the end of the world, its only equivalent to a part time workers hours.

But is 8 hours alone with someone home 30mins in those 8 hours really enough? Some dogs it may be but a lot of dogs it won't be. With barking problems a lot of people don't realise their dog is a nusiance until they get a nasty letter from the council. One of the many downsides of people being too scared to talk to their neighbours.

DKLS

shoppaholic_returns wrote: »

Im afraid we cannot make these sweeping judgements until the op clarifies how long the dog would be left and futher details of their situation.

Akitas wouldn't bark all day, they are quiet dogs as others in this thread have mentioned, they would bark IF they heard or saw someone on their territory.

Very true my two rarely barked,1 night the male caught a burgler and he complained to the police when they arrived that "the ruddy dog didnt bark once just crept up and pinned him against the kitchen wall by his neck"

He didnt bite him just had his jaws arund his neck and when I stumbled into the kitchen, the dog just looked at me as if to say "look what I caught dad, give me the word and I will" just a shame i had to clean up the pool of piddle.

In the right knowledgeable hands they are a wonderful breed.

shoppaholic_returns

mrcol1000 wrote: »

But is 8 hours alone with someone home 30mins in those 8 hours really enough? Some dogs it may be but a lot of dogs it won't be. With barking problems a lot of people don't realise their dog is a nusiance until they get a nasty letter from the council. One of the many downsides of people being too scared to talk to their neighbours.

Its not ideal,but its not every day, and its far better than being stuck in a rehoming centre!
As for the barking comment again!! you should really read up on the breed!

foreign_correspondent

I think that whilst breed guidelines are useful, a lot comes down to the individual dog - I used to have a small terrier, which are often quite yappy dogs mine was the most laid back dog ever, and quite un-terrier like in her disposition!

Also, although barking may not be the normal behavour dislplayed in this breed, a quick google shows that, like any breed, they can develop seperation anxiety. There is a breed rescue, 'friends of akitas', and their website has some useful info about the breed, as well as dogs looking for homes
http://www.friendsofakitas.co.uk/?about-the-akita-breed,9

Some dogs will be quite happy being left alone for several hours, others will be absolutely miserable and this can be very problematic. The best bet is to talk to the rescue centre about this particular dog - it may have come in as a stray, in which case they will most likely know little of its history, or it may have been handed in, in which case they may know much more, including whether it is happy being left.

MinnieMoo_2

I just couldn't resist this one....
1) I have 3 dogs, 2 GSD (also guarders) and a Dane.... who barks the most, the Dane, who is slowly becoming demented. Hes nearly 9 though.
2) Dogs bark, babies cry, the world turns. You can lessen a dogs barking if you do things like not letting them have the chair near the windo where traffic passes. You might have to restrict them to one room, mine live in the kitchen, with no major issues. My house has gated areas though which they don't pass unless invited.
3) Destruction? In a middle aged dog, this can be quite rare and can be minimized by the use of a crate, for the periods when you are out. Crate training is not cruel. Chew toys (kongs) are brilliant. Tired dogs don't (usually) destroy things.
4) Exercise? Middle aged dogs don't require the same amount as a youngster and if they do, there are ways and means: taking them out while you ride your bike, Cesra Milans skates is also recommended, if you are busy in the week, then a good hike at weekends; dioogs are like humans, serious exercise one day, meansa day off the next... unless its a collie!!!
5) Training classes, even the basics are excellent because your dog is using its brain learning new stuff and so are you. As a responsibnle dog owner, this must be on your agenda. Brain work also tires dogs out quicker than just walking (very ineffective).
6) So the potential owners work all day? So do loads of us.. I had my dogs before I had a FT job. What do you suggest I do with them, Mr. Col???They are black, always difficult to rehome, and nearly 9; 6 1/2 and 5 tomorrow, who is going to want them? Into an over stretched rehoming community, Mr Col? NO way, they are part of my family. I work from 8am till 4pm, they go out for a 30 min charge round the fields before work, my friend pops in at lunchtime and lets them out for a wee, then they go out with me in the evening for another 40 mins. Am I a bad owner? No, needs must. My dogs are still winning prizes at dog shows....
7) If the PO's are seriously considering this wee girl, then the rescue may well allow them to take her for 'home' visits to see how she settles.

8) To the potential ownerers; if you go ahead, shop around for insurance and get a deal on lifetime policies.
Buy good quality collar and lead; I use leather.
A bed isn't expensive. MIne have those plastic ovals with old sleeping bags; duvets; etc.,
Another I recommend with an Akita is a feeding stand, again shop around but they are excellent.

In short, my dear OP's & PO's, make friends with this girl, take her out, build a bond, take her to your home, observe her behaviour and responses to new situations and consider consider consider.
The rescue should have a good idea of her temperament, which is the most important thing.
The raw diet (try Landywoods.co.uk, they deliver, you might need a second hand dog food freezer) is usually benefical to Akita's
The posative effects of a dog are many. I wouldn't be without mine.

Please let us know how you get on.

Minnie

Apologies to any previous poster for any repetition.

MinnieMoo_2

My dogs are all rescue BTW.
I work with several breed and non breed specific rescues. The most important thing is to make a good match between dog and owners.