Contents
Breed Profile: Akita
Where to Get an Akita
Gear for Your Akita
How to Feed Your Akita
How to Groom Your Akita
Akita Healthcare
How to Socialize Your Akita
How to Train Your Akita
How to Fix Akita Behavior Problems
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Gear for Your Akita
Whether you’ve adopted an Akita puppy or an adult, you’re going to need some supplies. And though you can certainly spoil your dog as much as you want, the basic must-have supplies are the ones listed here.
Bed
Your Akita’s bed should be soft, durable, washable, and large enough for him to curl up on. Even if you let him sleep in your bed, he’ll still need a place of his own to lie down when you need him out of the way or when he wants a nap. Avoid low-quality beds, which you’ll have to replace more often. Even so, expect to replace your dog’s bed every few years.
Crate
Dogs are denning animals who prefer to rest in dark, confined places. A crate is designed to contain a dog safely when he needs some downtime, when you’re not home, and when you’re traveling. Crates come in a variety of sizes, so choose one that’s large enough for your Akita to comfortably stand and turn around in but small enough so that he can’t use opposite ends for eliminating and sleeping. There are four main types of crates:
- Plastic crates: Durable, lightweight, easy to clean, and (in most cases) airplane-friendly.
- Wire crates: Provide good ventilation, give your Akita a great view, and fold up for easy storage or transport. Can’t be brought on airplanes.
- Canvas crates: Lightweight and easily transportable, making them perfect for travel. Not as sturdy as other crates, so should be used for adult Akitas who are past the chewing stage.
- Decorator crates: Come in a variety of materials, from wicker to wood. Not easily transportable and are best for a dog who’s already been crate trained.
Unless you’re willing to buy several crates as your Akita grows, invest in one that has dividing panels. These panels allow you to expand the size of the crate as your dog grows without having to buy a new crate each time.
Crate Pad
To make the crate comfortable, you can buy a fleecy crate pad that fits snugly in the bottom. As an alternative, you can use a flat dog bed or an old blanket or towels.
Collar
Your dog should wear a collar at all times, except when he’s in his crate or you’re not at home. Look for a flat nylon collar or leather buckle collar with ID tags and a rabies tag attached to it. You’ll probably have to buy two collars as your Akita grows—a small one when he’s a puppy and an adjustable collar once he’s a few months old. A collar fits your dog correctly if you can fit two fingers snugly between the collar and his neck.
Choke and Prong Collars
Some people use choke collars or prong collars. Avoid these collars: it’s better to rely on positive reinforcement training (see How to Train Your Akita).
Leash
There are several different types of leashes available, including:
- 25-foot (7.6-m) cotton long line: Used during the training process in the park or other open spaces. The long line is great for teaching “come” and many other obedience commands.
- 4- to 6-foot (1.2- to 1.8-m) leash: Used during the training process and when walking. It should be made of the same material as your Akita’s collar (nylon or leather).
Leashes should not be adorned with any decoration—some dogs like to carry their leash in their mouth, and ornaments may pose a choking hazard.
Food and Water Bowls
There are several important factors to consider when getting food and water bowls for your Akita:
- Material: Stainless steel water and food bowls are best. Ceramic bowls tend to crack, and plastic bowls can scratch, enabling bacteria to gather.
- Size: Puppies need smaller bowls, graduating to larger bowls as they grow into adults.
- Mess proof: Bowls that are heavy, difficult to tip, and that have a nonskid surface on the bottom will help limit messes.
If your Akita also spends time in the yard, make sure to have a second water bowl outside.
Exercise Pen
An exercise pen, called an ex-pen for short, is made of a series of gates that lock together to form a safe area in which your dog can exercise. You can buy as many gates as you need to build an exercise area of whatever size you’d like.
An outdoor ex-pen should be at least large enough to house a crate and allow your dog to eliminate at the other end of the confinement area. Because the Akita is a large dog, get ex-pen panels that are high enough to prevent him from jumping or climbing out. You also can use ex-pen panels to build confinement areas for your Akita inside your home.
Baby Gate
As an alternative to an ex-pen, you can use baby gates to confine your Akita to a specific room or to keep him away from places you don’t want him to enter. Gates are sold at different heights, so for an Akita, the gate should be high enough to prevent him from jumping or climbing out.
Identification Tags
Your Akita should wear ID tags whenever outside (even in an ex-pen). The tags should be plastic or metal and can be ordered online or made on the spot at most pet stores. Include the following information on the ID tags:
- Your dog’s name
- Your last name
- Your phone number
If your dog has a medical condition, include that information and consider signing him up for a service that provides a 24-hour hotline. This will help anyone who finds your dog to provide him with the proper care.
Microchips
To be extra safe, ask your vet to inject a small microchip between your Akita’s shoulder blades. The chip number is registered to you and entered into a pet database, making it much easier to identify the owners of lost dogs. The injection process is neither painful nor allergenic.
Toys
Akitas are powerful dogs, and the best toys for them will be suited to their body size and chewing power. Akita puppies especially need toys for teething and to keep them occupied. Toys that your Akita may appreciate include:
- Hard rubber “stuffable” toys
- Plush squeaky toys
- Rope/tugging toys
- Rubber squeaky toys
- Tennis balls
- Treat-dispensing toys
Make sure that any toy you buy is large enough that it won’t pose a choking hazard for your Akita.
| Text & Photos Copyright © 2007 TFH Publications, Inc. | Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
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