How to recognize appropriate dog play with Akitas

[xWolfHauntx]

Oh, actually I was curious before, What type of Akita is Jade? She look kind of American but also looks like she has Japanese in her from here, or could just be an American of really light stature..lol I've seen people mix the two types and get dogs really similar to Jade in looks, so that's why I'm asking if she is just that. =)

[KCDogguy]

@xWolfHauntx - I don't know she was a rescue when I got her. I would say she has more Japanese in her with her build. I work her a lot and tend to keep my dogs on the thin side. She can clear 4-5 feet with no problem and has scaled 6-7 foot dirt cliffs with a run. Some of the American Akitas seem so heavy boned and lack the stamina I need with my dogs.

[xWolfHauntx]

That was the cutest play session I've ever seen. lol I guess my used to my AmStaff and Presa/APBT mix wrestling hard and play growling so loud it can be a little intimidating for the average person. lol Maybe I should get a recording of them and show people how they play, a lot of people think they are fighting and get afraid, but really it's all good. ;)

May I ask how long you've been studying dog behavior? =)

And lastly, Tsunami is so gorgeous, I wish I could've adopted him!

[Skydancer1971]

Lord, I have a feeling I have a Wolf/husky Akita pup and not chow though he has the tongue of a chow I know that is not always a chow. I took him in to save him from the death chamber fell dead smack in love with the little terror admit he's chewed my PC cord, killed 2 PC mouses and totaled the wireless keyboard. I'm excited to see if I am right I used to work rescuing animals and rehabbing them at safe houses I am now waiting for his blood results to come back on his full breed.

[Tueur213]

My Akita plays like that with me. Gives me tiny tugs with the teeth like at minute 1:31 , but to my hand. Is this normal or should I discipline it, and how? He's 16 months old, and I just got him four days ago. He lets me grab his jaw and head and chest. Comes when hes called for about 60% of the time. I really like the color of your dark Akita. He looks very wild African dog looking.

[tiogar5]

@Tueur213 if you ever choose to "discipline" your dog, try to be as dog like as you can, and never use violence. If your dog exhibits behaviour in play that you don't like, do what other dogs do: stop playing with that dog for a few minutes. It would be pretty confusing for your dog to be happily playing with you one second, and in a lot of trouble the next. Losing your attention is plenty of a penalty for your dog to get the message, and it's a fair one he will understand.

[tiogar5]

@Tueur213 Using punishment will also damage your recall with your dog. If your dog associates returning to you, even once, with a "firm hand" or any form of punishment, your recall will suffer. If your dog has positive interactions with you every time he returns to you, he will happily return to your side. No dog owner wants their own dog to fear them. Enjoy your pup and share life and love with him, and he will share it back!

[CocoAkitaLuv]

This is such a good video of the way akitas play. I think she was keeping his focus on her! Clever girl. Those leg sweeps are classic. I have an akita service dog named Coco. On her channel are some videos of her playing with her best friends, a toy chihuahua and a standard chihuahua. If you would like to check out her videos just type in akita coco service dog and she'll be there.

[moonray67]

Very interesting. I have 2 jacks, one is still a puppy, and I often wonder where I can draw the line between play and serious business... But mine actually go down as well. My elder dog throws the little one over but she will also throw herself on the floor.

[KCDogguy]

Actually, Jade's favorite girlfriend is small little dobie named Nora. Luckily, Jade inhibits her bite for the dog she plays with.

[Vermincelli]

Akitas play rougher than most other breeds so this play is actually very light playing for the breed. It's also a good reason to be cautious when allowing an Akita to play with another dog that's a different breed. Akitas have a very thick ruff around the neck as well as an extremely high pain threshold so it's common for them to play by literally biting and then shaking each other by the neck. That same type of play with another breed could be damaging or even kill.

[plumwoodposse]

great video, thanks for sharing! what a useful guide for many dog owners and trainers. Beautiful dogs too! :-)

[oliverc123456789]

beautiful dogs

[bmary1603]

They look like they are enjoying each other!!