[dudeydanni]

Hi everyone. I'm fairly new to all of this, and this will be the first dog I own by myself. My partner is buying me an Akita puppy for my birthday, we're getting him dropped off today. We have a baby on the way and a 2 year old, I've heard mixed things about the breed (couldn't do much research as I only found out last night) so, if anyone on here has owned or owns one, could you shed some light on them for me? Thankyou.

 

[Spirit_of_Cotons]

I have never owned one, but I know they're a powerful breed. I'm not sure if they're good with young children, but if you're getting a puppy, make sure you socialize the dog that way s/he will be good with others. It's nice that your partner is doing this for you, but I think it would've been better for the both of you to research breeds of dogs before hand to see which is better. Akitas need a lot of exercise and have been known to be aggressive, but it all depends on how you train your dog. I knew two from working in the kennels, one was nice, but aloof while the other was a bundle of joy and loved people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_(dog)
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/akita.htm
^Those are the two sites I go on the most for dog breed info. But if you do a search for "akita" in google, yahoo, or wherever you should be able to come up with a whole host of information. Good luck!

 

[spotted nikes]

It doesn't sound like a good idea to get a "harder" breed as your first dog, especially with a 2 yr old and another child on the way. Akitas are kind of "one person" dogs. They also can have a high prey drive, need a lot of exercise, and can be very protective of "their" person. Not the type of dog a first time owner with young kids and a baby, would be expected to do well with.

make sure you have high fencing (6 feet+), the dog gets lots of exercise (1 1/2 hrs-2 hrs a day ) and that you NEVER leave the dog where it can reach the child unsupervised. (As in, you are within arms reach of the child if the dog is around.) Do NOT let your child try to hug dog, or kiss dog.

I personally don't see this situation as a good one. If you can hold off on getting a puppy until the kids are older, or get an adult dog that is proven to be good with children (like an adult Lab, Golden retriever), you'd be much better off and happier in the long run.

 

[JulieK1967]

A puppy of any breed is a tremendous amount of work. It sounds like a fun idea but unless you're willing to put in a lot of work training and socializing the puppy, which frankly it doesn't sound like you have with 2 little ones to manage, you would be better off with an adult dog. If there's anyway to stop this purchase, I would think VERY seriously about not going through with it. IMO, after your baby is born and you have your routine established would be a much better time to consider adding an already trained adult dog to your household.

As hard as you think raising a puppy is before you start doing it, you end up wishing it was that easy.

 

[spotted nikes]

I figured I would elaborate on the post above me, and my previous one.
Puppies-
*Need CONSTANT supervision. In order to housetrain, they need to be taken out every couple of hrs, and be tethered to you when not crated. If you take them out, and they don't go to the bathroom, you need to wait 15-20 min and try again. There WILL be accidents. You need to clean those with an enzyme cleaner. Will your 2 yr old find the poop before you do? They chew on anything they can get their teeth on. Baby's toys and pacifiers are fair game. If the puppy swallows it, then you may need to make a late night ER visit to vet. Do you have child care at all hrs so you can get to vet? Funds for ER vet?
*Puppies can be noisy and bark and cry- waking the baby you finally got to sleep.
* Puppies need to be socialized and trained- Can you have other friendly dogs over that are also good with kids, so you can do the needed socialization? Can you attend puppy training classes?
* Puppies have VERY sharp teeth, and bite- Your 2 yr old may not like being used as a chew toy. Do you know how to train bite inhibition? Will the biting puppy scare your toddler and baby and make them dislike dogs? You do not smack dogs to discipline them, and if you do that to a dog like an Akita, you can make them mean and distrustful
* Akitas are high energy- Do you have the time to do an hr walk/jog in am and another in pm? Without proper exercise, Akitas will be destructive. They can escape yards without high fencing, dig proof fencing.
* Akitas grow a fluffy undercoat and require daily grooming. Even doing so, they blow their coat twice a yr and shed yearround. Are you ok with having fur everywhere, with babies crawling around? Do you have time to vaccuum daily?
*You cannot just leave your dog outside. It needs to be socialized. Left on their own, they will be destructive, jump on people, bite, and may become aggressive or bite people coming into the yard. They will also bark and howl nonstop, bothering you and neighbors.

Read some of the stickies at the top of the first time owner and training forums. Notice how many threads people have about "I'm at my wits end with puppy" "Help! Destructive puppy" "Help! Puppy Bites" Help. Puppy won't stop peeing in house".
Puppies are cute, but not great for first time owners and definitely not for a first time owner with a 2 yr old and another on the way. Then add in that it is a "harder" breed like an Akita, and it really isn't a good idea. Please reconsider. Not only for your own sanity, but also for the puppy's benefit. Too many people jump into getting a cute puppy, and then when they find out how hard it is, throw the dog out back, or get rid of it. Please don't put another living creature's life/happiness/wellbeing at risk, because of some idyllic dream of your child growing up with a puppy. It doesn't normally work out. If your heatr is set on a dog, wait until after the new baby is born, and is sleeping thru the night and get an adult dog that has proven to love kids. I promise you, you will be much happier.

 

[Selah Cowgirl]

Bad idea, look into getting the pup back to the breeder or contact a breed rescue.

 

[dudeydanni]

Okay, thankyou for your replies but perhaps I didn't elaborate enough. This 'puppy' per say, is already 7 months old, already house trained, I only had a chance to read these posts this morning, he arrived yesterday afternoon as it stands, he's been very good indeed. Not had an accident once, and he's very mindful of my daughter. (the family he came from had one too many children) so he is used to them. I haven't needed to crate him, as he hasn't tried to chew, or destroy anything. He comes when I call him and sits when I tell him. Last night he spent the whole night on the floor next to my bed, didn't move once. He seems happy and playful in himself, I've looked up about the breed alot now, and at the moment I can't see any problems with him. I understand your concerns but he's not a young puppy, he's been very good so far.

 

[InkedMarie]

I'm a bit concerned that your partner is buying you a dog that you haven't researched or planned for. There are people who can get a dog spur of the moment and make it work but your situation isn't one of them. I'm sorry if I'm blunt but i see this as a bad situation for all and the dog will suffer.

 

[dudeydanni]

I'm a bit concerned that your partner is buying you a dog that you haven't researched or planned for. There are people who can get a dog spur of the moment and make it work but your situation isn't one of them. I'm sorry if I'm blunt but i see this as a bad situation for all and the dog will suffer.

How do you know my 'situation isn't one of them'?? As I said in my earlier post, he's actually fantastic. Why do you all judge so quickly? I wanted advice but clearly should have gone elsewhere.

 

[hanksimon]

We needed more info. The advice that Nikes gave you is perfect for someone with kids getting an 8 week, untrained, Akita.

A more useful, pertinent question is: I'm getting a socialized, house trained 7 mos Akita. What else do I train him?
1. Even if he is gentle, Train him for Bite Inhibition Sticky: The Bite Stops Here... This can reduce biting accidents.
2. Socialize him with more people. This will reduce the reasons for biting.
3. Socialize him with other dogs. This reduces fighting.
4. Take some training course ... so he will listen to you.
5. Walk him 30 min. a day, and ask the previous owner how they exercised him.
6. Learn about shedding and blowing his coat... which can be 2 - 3 times a year. It's easy to handle when you're prepared, but makes a huge hair mess, if you're not prepared. Done right, it can be fun to rip a garbage bag of hair off your dog. Done wrong, it's torture.
7. He is in a new environment and on best behavior, prepare for a bit more independence in a week or two.
8. Nothing beats talking to a local breeder for other tips.... Ask the Vet if they know of anyone close by.

 

[HollowHeaven]

Why do you all judge so quickly? I wanted advice but clearly should have gone elsewhere.

A lot of people here have your babies in mind. Dogs -especially a dog like an Akita- + babies, generally = trouble. The babies end up hurt and the dog ends up in the shelter, on the side of the road, or dead.
People here are trying to give you advice, but if you're looking for breed specific advice try an Akita forum or breed websites.

 

[InkedMarie]

How do you know my 'situation isn't one of them'?? As I said in my earlier post, he's actually fantastic. Why do you all judge so quickly? I wanted advice but clearly should have gone elsewhere.

You have a 2yr old. You have a baby on the way. You're getting the dog today. That's just for starters. Add the fact it's an Akita, by far not the easiest of breeds and IMO, not suitable for a household with young children. Also, the puppy is being dropped off to you. It's a gift for YOUR birthday yet you didn't choose the breed, the breeder nor the puppy. Shame on the breeder for not even checking you out. I question the breeder as well, to sell an Akita puppy to your household, at this time of your life.

 

[PatchworkRobot]

How do you know my 'situation isn't one of them'?? As I said in my earlier post, he's actually fantastic. Why do you all judge so quickly? I wanted advice but clearly should have gone elsewhere.

You come to a public forum for opinions and advice and that's what you got. This is a HUGE dog forum and you are getting responses from members who have seen this situation many times before and have experience in how it generally turns out. Sorry that you didn't get the answer that you wanted but I agree, this whole situation reeks of TERRIBLE idea.

 

[JulieK1967]

A lot of people here have your babies in mind. Dogs -especially a dog like an Akita- + babies, generally = trouble. The babies end up hurt and the dog ends up in the shelter, on the side of the road, or dead.
People here are trying to give you advice, but if you're looking for breed specific advice try an Akita forum or breed websites.

100%!!! Adult dogs need a lot of attention, too, and with a toddler AND a baby on the way, you just do NOT have the time for a dog. I'm sorry that's not what you want to hear but shelters are full of dogs that are surrendered when people realize how much work they require and they find they can't handle the responsibility of being a parent to young children, who need 100% of your time, and the owner of a dog. When you're giving 100% of your time to your young children, that leaves no time for the dog. I see this dog being shoved out into the backyard shortly after your baby comes home.