Urgent advice needed please re aggressive akita

[amazonianwoman]

Hi, hoping one of the resident MN dog experts can offer some advice. On phone so apols for any typos or mistakes!

A friend acquired a female Japanese Akita 2 weeks ago, she's only 16 months but had already had a litter (reckon pups would be about 11 weeks now) The previous owner had to give her away supposedly because the male in the house was being aggressive towards her so they'd kept her in the shed.

She's been fine until yesterday but has become very aggressive in the last 24 hours - has tried to bite friend 5 times, proper aggressive actions/behaviour, bitten friend's DH's leg, snapped at her 8 year old DD etc.

They're terrified and don't know what to do. Her and DH have had dogs before, they are experienced and not naive and I'm 100% confident they've been looking after the dog well - plenty of exercise/training/love/attention.

Obviously there is some very dubious history - please no criticism of how/why they've taken on this dog, it is what it is now!

She's too scared to keep the dog in the house & wait to see a trainer/behaviourist and has contacted warden/police/RSPCA/police dog handler friend this evening. She's also worried that one of the above might have the dog put down.

Any advice much appreciated! Thanks

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

Poor dog, and your poor friend and her husband who has been bitten.

This dog will be PTS unless some drastic action is taken very soon.

A behaviourist is needed urgently, this is a young, strong dog. There is no way in hell I would have a dog like that in my house with DC unless I knew its history and even then I would want to assess it myself. What a situation. Very sad indeed.

[amazonianwoman]

Yes sad all round, starting with the breeder by the sound of it, so many alarm bells! Are you a trainer? If so could you recommend any, in the north west? (long shot!)

Thanks for re

[amazonianwoman]

Oops, reply!

[MrsZoidberg]

What a sad situation. If this happened suddenly I'd think pain, or fear - did something happen just before the incident?


I've taken on a number of rescue pups and one thing that has been consistent is that they always take 2 weeks to settle and then the true character comes out. If the male dog was being aggressive, why was this one put in the shed? Having said that, there are few truly aggressive dogs, most that are labelled aggressive are the product of bad owners - and many can be turned around. One of my boys is aggressive due to the breeder - he is currently acting as a foot warmer and I know he'll never bite me now.

I hope your friend can resolve this especially for the poor dog's sake.

[amazonianwoman]

Too late

The Akita rescue place said she'd have to be put down and they wouldn't rehome her. The ambulance turned up an hour later

Have done some googling and have seen several recent ads from the apparent breeder advertising this dog as being loveable etc and the male advertised for stud as a, quote, cuddly teddy bear. And relatively inexpensive pups from the litter with no papers So it would seem the breeder is very suspect

[amazonianwoman]

Thanks MrsZ, forgot to say, no nothing untoward had happened.

[horsemadmom]

My cousins were in a similar position with their Akita who became aggressive when their DD was born. No rescue would take her and Akita rescue advised to PTS. Tragic.

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

No amazonian I am not a trainer, but I have had dogs all my life (large, powerful breed dogs) and some of my best friends are behaviourists or dog trainers, which is lucky for me, or not depending on how naughty my 2 are!

I am so sorry this dog was PTS.
I agree with MrsZoid, they are angels for a couple of weeks until they find their feet, then get into their stride and test the foster carer/owner.