Attention or Agitation? How to Train Your Akita in Omaha

Senshi was a quiet dog who watched me closely as I walked through the door. The dog has a sweet personality, and yet her guardian feels shut out. His main issue was the forceful tugging whenever they went for walks together. Every time they stepped out the door, there was tension in the air because something could go wrong at any second.

With Senshi, our goal was to go slow and allow him to approach us on his own terms — basically, the Akita way. When he finally padded toward us, he was cautious yet curious. I gave him space, and that was the foundation of his confidence and independence. Soon afterward, Senshi relaxed a bit, and we kicked off our training session.

Our training session included hand targeting, consent cues, and positive reinforcement with the help of treats. Senshi needed to feel safe, and choosing connection instead of retreat was the way. It took some time, but Senshi learning to walk behind her guardian without pulling became a shared bonding experience that Senshi and the guardian would look forward to.

Training the Akita Way

When we first met a three-year-old Akita named Aurora, we fell in love. She showed physical signs of fear and panic, but this was largely because of the kennel door. When we left the crate open, it made her calmer, and soon enough, the tension was gone thanks to treats and patience.

Her biggest issue was separation anxiety. She knew that the crate only came out when the family left, so she was not a big fan of it. We learned simple kennel games, and scattering treats near the entrance brought us a step closer. She had the opportunity to explore the space, and we could earn her trust.

At the end of the session, Aurora walked past her crate and didn’t even flinch. This was a powerful insight for us. She saw that we were a safe space because of three things:

• Keeping the door open
• Practicing playtime games at home
• Celebrating her calm behavior every single time

Your dog has emotions, and they are trying their best to tell you how they feel. But by adapting simple habits, you build trust in them, and soon enough, they are not so scared of the crate anymore.

Dogs Dominating the Household? Let’s Fix That

While it is normal for dogs to be curious about visitors, it is possible for a strong, instinctive breed like an Akita to take excitement to the next level. If you’re tired of delivery drivers, friends, and neighbors getting annoyed or disturbed by overly excited energy, then you are not alone.

Raptor, a two-year-old Akita mix, was one such example. He came to us because his energy shot through the roof whenever someone went to the door. And this made his housemate, Champ, get excited too, which led to a frenzy in the house.

Our sessions were all focused on positive reinforcement. We didn’t correct Raptor; we gave him treats whenever we saw calm leadership. This way, the dogs settled and started behaving completely differently when they had guests over. At Dog Gone Problems, we believe that an Akita’s headstrong nature is actually a positive quality. They just need to be calm, and positive reinforcement coupled with trust from their human will lead the way.

Teaching Akitas New Habits

Food time can be stressful, especially when you have multiple dogs. As Akitas are powerful breeds, the tension can build up fast. This was the case with a three-year-old Akita named Sampson and a four-year-old Shiba Inu named Hudson.

When we met the dogs, we picked up on the pattern right away. They only butted heads when it was time for food or treats. The kitchen was the source of their tension. This meant there was nothing to fix with the dogs, per se; we just needed to teach them new habits that would de-escalate the conflict.

It is important to redirect your dog’s brain before their body reacts. You can do this by giving them something to focus on. If you can get them to focus on you instead of each other’s bowls, you have eliminated the source of the tension.

We tried a few exercises with the dogs, interrupted the conflict at the early stage, and before you knew it, they were staying calm and eating their food together. We also saw them check in with the guardian, wait their turn, and move around the kitchen without showing any signs of aggression.

The home had been turned into a peaceful place.

Getting Along and Making New Friends

When you get a new dog, you imagine your buddy will love having company; you aren’t expecting them to turn into mortal enemies. And that is the challenge many pet owners face. In the case of one-year-old Trillian and four-year-old Mycroft, playtime was tipping into conflict, and the guardians were not happy.

Trillian had just come out of her heat cycle, so we were expecting some behavioral fluctuations. Once the hormones leveled out, she was settling in nicely. It wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine, though. There were still times when play escalated into aggression. The guardians were uncertain how long it would be before they were fast friends.

Here’s what we did:

• Recognized early warning signs of aggression, such as stiff posture, stillness, or intense staring
• Redirected energy by asking for a known behavior (like sit)
• Reinforced calm moments with praise and treats
• Used petting as a tool to teach the dogs to ask politely for attention

By the end of the sessions, Trillian and Mycroft were completely relaxed around each other and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company. They were playful toward each other, and the household was peaceful.

Train Your Dogs the Right Way

Training your Akitas can be a challenge; they are passionate and willful, but they are also absolutely adorable. With the help of Dog Gone Problems, you can expect your Akita to be a loyal, intelligent, and fiercely protective dog who can also spend time on their own. We believe in fear-free training, which is focused on building lasting, loving relationships before you rehome your dogs.

Our training sessions are designed for your fur babies to feel truly at home:

• Reduce tension between dogs in the same household
• Build trust with a reserved, anxious, or new dog
• Prevent playtime from turning into a full fight

A calm and cooperative pet is a well-trained pet, and you don’t have to fear dominance issues. Dog Gone Problems is here to ensure you and your fur babies live happily ever after.

Schedule your Akita training sessions today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Akitas hard to train?

They can be, but consistent, positive reinforcement makes training effective.

Can Akitas live with other dogs?

Yes, with proper introductions, structure, and supervision.

Do Akitas get aggressive?

They can show protective tendencies, but training helps prevent escalation.

Is an Akita a good family dog?

They’re loyal and loving when given clear boundaries and guidance.

How do I stop my Akita from guarding?

Teaching impulse control and calm behavior reduces guarding habits.

Can Akitas be trained without force?

Absolutely — they respond best to calm, reward-based training.

Are Akitas good for first-time dog owners?

They can be, if the owner is committed to structure and consistency.

Why does my Akita ignore commands?

They’re independent, so motivation and practice are key.

How do I help two Akitas get along?

Use controlled interactions, structure, and positive redirection.

Do Akitas need a professional trainer?

Training helps greatly, especially for multi-dog homes or behavioral issues.