Message for Todd - AKITAS

Hi there and thanks for the post.

Sorry for the delay in replying. Akitas often get a bad rap from people as being aggressive. I don't believe this and think it is more a factor of them seeming big and scary than anything else.

Firstly i think getting both him and her desexed is really the best place to start. Hormones play a huge part in dogs behaviour, good and bad. Removing these can have a massive effect especially on interdog aggression.
Not only this but there are a huge number of other benefits from getting animals desexed.

Secondly i cannot over emphasise how important alpha training is. This is probably the most important thing you can do for these 2 dogs. A dog that knows its place in the pack is far less likely to cause any problems in the household.

Thirdly obedience and exercise. Obedience needs to be a daily ritual, each dog needs around 20 minutes of training a day until they are very well behaved then sessions can be shorter. Work on sit, stay and come to make sure that you can control both dogs when you need to.
Exercise is as important, a 30 minute burn out before any interaction sessions will help take some of the edge off and tired dogs aren't as aggressive.

You have caught the problem quite early so if you religiously stick to training and alpha work a lot of the problem will dissolve. But we will need to work on some specific areas to make sure they are manageable.

I would separate the two for around 2 weeks after you get them desexed. Continue to work on obedience and alpha stuff during this time. Then we need to gradually reintroduce them in a controlled setting.
A second handler may be a good idea so that you have full control over the two for a while. If you think you may need muzzles then dont hesitate.

On the first session have the two dogs at opposite sides of the lounge. Run through their obedience sessions.
If they show any aggression whether it be a barks, growl or snap they need told off. Blankets, water pistol as well as a loud GRRRRRR work brilliantly. Once they have the idea they have misbehaved they need to be asked to sit. If they respond then they get praised.

Good behaviour during the sessions gets praise as well as some treats. Keep sessions short to start with and only a couple of times a day.

After a few days start to move them closer eg 1/2 a metre every few days (but only if they are behaving). After a few weeks let them play with each other. Only gently, if it gets out of hand separate them for a bit and try again.

After a few sessions of this let them off together, but only in the lounge. You must keep an eye on them and praise/tell off as needed. Slowly over the next few weeks let them into more and more rooms in the house.

The other place to work with them is when they are getting fed. Start with them on leads and the food bowls separated by say 2 metres. Slowly get them closer and closer and once they are close try them without the lead.

Another good idea is to feed them side by side from your hands (when you feel comfortable) as this does a great job to build up trust.

Please let me know how things are going and ask for help. This will be a slow process and patience and consistency are most important. Good luck

Todd