STOP Leash Pulling: Akita Leash Training Guide

Does your Akita pull like crazy while on leash or lead? Do you have a hard time controlling your Akita while on walks? If so, this video is for you! In this video we go over the exact methods and commands we use with our American Akita while walking him on a leash.
Haga the American Akita may not be the BEST dog on leash, but he's pretty darn good, and we get a lot of comments about how he's the best behaved Akita many people have ever seen!
Check out our leash recommendation here:
amzn.to/3Ng3xJp
For more information about Akitas, go to our website:
www.theakitalife.com
#Akita #AmericanAkita #Akitas

[@SlamminSalmon711]

I have the same experience with my 1yr old. She's claimed the neighborhood as her territory. It's hit or miss which dog she'll walk on by and which she'll react to. She's perfect with people in all settings thankfully. In public we could be next to one pug and its chill, but the other pug 300ft away is unacceptable. I've been using a martingale collar with a backup chain attached to a harness since She's learned how to escape collars and her neck muscles are larger than her jaw! Love my stinky bear regardless. Thanks for posting all this valuable info!

[@TheAkitaLife]

Bossy little critters they are!

[@sunshinesill2720]

This is so helpful. My Akita isn't very food motivated outside either. Thanks for the videos!

[@livc1981]

He goes mental with big buses and trucks!!! That's why I love Akita's! They are such brave dogs you are definitely safe from predators. 💖💖💖💖

[@TheAkitaLife]

When we get back from our walks he always stops and sits at the edge of our property looking out. They are true guard dogs.

[@OmegaChu]

They are also very stuborn breed. My last akita got hit by a car and hid instead of coming to me and he paseed away and we found him a few weeks later

[@danthez]

Bro, love

[@miskervbhsd8619]

@@OmegaChu There's a high chance he just knew he's gonna die and didnt wanted you as an owner to feel sad he died. My cat kept hiding too when the time was coming

[@RichJohnstun]

Nice video. The happiest dogs I've seen are the best trained dogs I've known. Giving them structure and a job keeps you sane and then happy. I've always spent a lot of effort on leashing training with my Akitas. I see owners avoid problems like leash reactivity by abandoning walks and they end up with a dog that is confined to their home. I'm about to welcome another Akita puppy into my home and am excited about the challenge.

[@dadbod3493]

Great video, thanks for the tips. I own an American Akita who is 3 now, incredible breed and very protective around the kids, whom came with us when doing dog training when he was a puppy. We struggle a fair bit with walking with him, especially since our neighbourhood has lots of dogs walking which exasperates the problem of pulling.

[@TheAkitaLife]

Yeah if it's constant stimulus it can be tough to get into a good rhythm. Leash reactivity is very common for the breed

[@onlypositivecontents]

Yeah mine is 9 months now very hard to walk Pulls all the time

[@infinitebeats1]

@@onlypositivecontents www.ianfordogs.com

[@eugeniamikulan3328]

I'm so glad this channel exists and you post here because it's such a relieve to know my bf and I will have easier guidance!!!😊

[@TheAkitaLife]

Haooy to help!

[@msholtz4173]

My Sakè is 9 months now♥️ Does great on walks if we go on a loop route BUT if we do a walk where we go to a point and then turn around and head back, he protests the entire way 😂 he will sit, lay down, and do that arguing low growl noise that Akitas do lol

[@TheAkitaLife]

Lol what a punk! Give him a pat on the head for me.

[@omegandalpha]

I just have an Akita puppy (14 weeks) yesterday! And subscribed to your channel. I am in South California. Any starter tips are appreciated!

[@jesusisking-j6h]

Great video I have a Akita Chow chow mix and he is 8 months old and pulls hard and I have to get it under control

[@StogieHoller]

Wild turkeys and bears, oh my!

[@rthj6446]

Hehehe. I love the cheeky Akita butt waving. My 4 month old was born for the catwaok.

[@TheAkitaLife]

lol yep, they definitely have swagger.

[@TheTalkShytShow]

Beautiful Dog he is🐕

[@TheAkitaLife]

Thank you!

[@terawhitaker]

Tell Haga that his buddy Oso (bear) says hello from SC! Love your channel!

[@TheAkitaLife]

Thank you!

[@coryhenry9498]

Great information as always! My akita puppy doesn’t pull he walks behind me a lot until he knows it’s safe or when he gets stubborn he just completely stops and sits down mid walk. Should i be concerned about that or should i just go off of regular puppy behavior?

[@TheAkitaLife]

When Haga was a puppy, he did the same thing. They really don't like structured walking until they are a little more mature. The concept of a "walk" doesn't come naturally to dogs. There was one time when we took him to a park, and he just completely refused to keep walking about half way thru a loop, so we had to carry him lol. Once your Akita hits 12-14 months is when the pulling will usually start, so try working on the "here" command now!

[@daveyfrancis]

Just rescued a 9 month old Akita/ Shepherd. I feel like this page is going to be an invaluable resource for me.

[@TheAkitaLife]

Nice! We hope you find the videos helpful!

[@KIDLOUIEV]

I just rescued a year and a half old fully black Akita shepherd mix he is huge and only gonna get bigger

[@galescott8433]

​@@KIDLOUIEVTHANKYOU FOR SAVING YOUR BEAUTIFUL BOY! I HAVE A AMERICAN AKITA, BEST DOG I HAVE EVER HAD! HE WEIGHS AROUND 170 POUNDS, YES! BREEDER BRED BIG AKITAS, HE WILL BE PROTECT YOU AND BECOME YOUR BEST FRIEND

[@kaneeciaangelique]

Hi there! I have a male 16 week old Akita Shepard as well. Is there any things you’ve noticed or found challenging dealing with this mix?

[@chiral7528]

@@KIDLOUIEV

[@sjoerdkessels712]

I so recognize spitting out treats outside. Like he is saying: "you're not going to bribe me, pall" They can be so stubborn in refraining themselves from things they would actually rather want, just to proof their independence.

[@TheAkitaLife]

100%. Even though they are food motivated dogs, they put protection above all else.

[@picassostumble8016]

lol i like the momemt he took after the " sit command" .. like - ok i will , but don't forget i am an akita !! every dogs should be trained like Haga .. good job man !|!

[@TheAkitaLife]

Thank you!

[@bea4430]

amazing video! our girl really struggles with pulling and is very distracted once we're outside. recently we've been noticing some bald spots on her belly right where her harness touches because of friction so we are thinking of changing to a collar. she is a little over a year old and pulls quite a bit but her main problem is reactivity with other dogs she gets really excited and thats the moment where she will pull the most. ill try to follow your guide, thank you!

[@TheAkitaLife]

Akitas are big time pullers! Thanks for watching and just be patient with your pup, you'll get there!

[@brianguerrero3752]

One of my favorite leash to do early leash training is the muzzle leash. By turning their heads when the go to far it stops them from tugging and they become more attentive to you. Obviously this should not be your main leash but it does help early on in leash training

[@TheAkitaLife]

Yeah head halters are pretty popular with this breed. Also a good idea to get your Akita accustomed to a muzzle in the event you need one at the vet

[@colleenbeard9989]

Mine was such sweet natured. He literally love everyone unless you hurt me then you had a problem. If I said it’s ok then he was cool with you again. 😂 when we would go for walks nobody wanted to approach us cuz he looked mean but in reality he was a big teddy bear! 😂😂😂😂😂 watching your videos makes me miss mine and want to get another one.

[@TheAkitaLife]

Do it!

[@ninamc6116]

My American Akita is almost 4 & I still have issues with him pulling. Especially if he sees other dogs. When he walks well I really praise him a lot. Negative reinforcement does not work with Akitas

[@TheAkitaLife]

Most Akitas will not respond to a positive only training method, as their prey drive and defense instincts are too strong.

[@jessiethornberry2076]

Can yous go over in a video for hotspots/ skin conditions, and also their hip dysplasia symptoms and what to do to calm it down please ?

[@jessiethornberry2076]

I use the stay close command on my female Akita

[@TheAkitaLife]

Yep! Both of those subjects are on our list of to-dos!

[@jessiethornberry2076]

@@TheAkitaLife yay!! Thanks for replying 💜💜

[@adriannacogar8791]

Hello! I’m so glad I’ve found a reliable source! I have a Akita and I kept him very social as a pup with people so he doesn’t have aggression there but I was wondering if I can get some tips and tricks on animal aggression…. He’s never openly attacked but he definitely gets pushy, growls, nips and grumbles. He’s not food motivated so it’s hard training with treats! He will be a year January 30th!

[@TheAkitaLife]

Honestly sometimes that's just the way it is with Akitas. Training can help but your going against thousands of years of genetics

[@dianapendleton5717]

My male Akita is also a party colored, black faced, intact Akita like yours. I have to say, I don't agree with most of what you advice. My Akita is very attached to me, but family can walk him anywhere. He lays at my feet, walks at my side anywhere (troublesome on stairs), protects me (and family) at all times. I've owned many Akitas (and other aggressive breed dogs). I understand why you warn people about aggressive breed dogs, but you should also add: Love your aggressive breed dog like you would a Golden Retriever. Don't be afraid. Be assertive, like any big breed. And most importantly, train them, adore them and love them.

[@TheAkitaLife]

Thanks for supporting the channel

[@sjoerdkessels712]

I see no reason why you would love an Akita any less or more than a Golden Retriever so I don't get that comment. I really hope you don't mean to treat an Akita just like a Golden Retriever because that is just silly. If not dangerous. If you have none of the typical ussues with your Akita...lucky you. But that doesn't make the advice on this channel any less relevant, because many do recgonize these issues. They are typical for the breed.

[@bretjessicayanish1432]

I train all my dogs on gentle leaders and I have my first Akita German shepherd chow chow mix and I am hoping that works well with him he is very attentive to me so he is 4 months old Java and I would like to have him as a service dog he has been very socialized so far

[@DAdamTrammell]

I found y'all on Fi (I think). Ranked #7 in akitas? Impressive. My girls collar is currently broken (series 2), but should be up and going soon.

[@TheAkitaLife]

I've never really looked into any of the social aspect of fi, but very thankful for their product!

[@holerisen]

okay but what if he's on the leash and behaves will at first but then spots something very close that I don't spot, which is dangerous if he puts it's in his mouth and I have to be quick. Then normally I pull him to to another direction so he won't put it in his mouth. But then I also pulling him. How do I handle that? Assume the situation that he walks by my feet and on the way smth lies there. So he's not pulling to get it. When I then notice the thing he wants to eat, idk what else I should do instead of pulling.

[@MrSlushierGravy]

Just rescued 1 year old, just walked him in my neighborhood. Two cars passed and he stood by me & watched. No pulling so far so good 😅

[@TheAkitaLife]

That's great!

[@rjn4757]

I am unable to view the leash recommendation. It is not under the video. I subscribed today. Thanks

[@TheAkitaLife]

Link has been fixed. Thank you for bringing it to our attention!

[@gracebyrne-oc2kl]

i don’t know if you will see this but i’m struggling to train my one year old japanese akita. she had an operation when she was young as we was trying to train her so we couldn’t continue with training for about 6 weeks ish, now whenever we try take her out she slips out of her collar so we’ve resorted to a choker collar and too scared to try walk her incase she slips out of it and try’s to run, anyone got any tips? would be appreciated.

[@twinshorts4088]

Can’t find a link to get that leash. Can you please send one over as I would love to get one! Great video! And Thanks in advance

[@TheAkitaLife]

Sorry, just fixed the issue!

[@larrybarnett5799]

i have an 11 year old akita. hes still awesome!....i have a six year old female as well.

[@marius518]

What size is the collar neck?

[@TheAkitaLife]

I think his neck is 27" now

[@Adrian-wq4yf]

Awesome vid! Any tips on a pup akita that’s been biting a lot?. He’s 8 weeks old and just bites our feet or anything. Is it because he is teething? Or

[@TheAkitaLife]

Fairly normal puppy behavior. They are really mouthy and it's unbelievably frustrating! What we found helped the most having a wide variety of textures for them to chew on, and when it got really bad, literally just gagging them by sticking my finger gently in the mouth. It tends to naturally get better as they get older, but it's probably the worst part about having a puppy.

[@dragonryderslair]

So....nice video but it would be immensly more valuable to see the way you manage his reactivity and corrections given. In this instance you are out in the country without or with minimal distractions to what Haga is reactive to such as cars and other dogs. Of course he is going to not be reactive and in Akita speak ok ill do as you ask theres nothing else going on. Just my opinion

[@lukaivovic369]

I'm taking another American Akita(male puppy) and already have a 2-year-old female. Am I making a mistake? She is not aggressive but she can be tough sometimes.

[@TheAkitaLife]

You should be OK, but you'll never really know until you go through it, but typically males and females are able to coexist.

[@lukaivovic369]

Thank you, and thanks for the great videos

[@gamerrrrr2186]

My Akita is literally Impossible to train

[@TheAkitaLife]

Why do you say that?

[@FoUoCoKYOUTUBE]

I got 7 words for you " prong collar " JB

[@TheAkitaLife]

That's two words

[@FoUoCoKYOUTUBE]

@@TheAkitaLife guess you didn't get the connection 🙄 best of luck 👍

[@gracebyrne-oc2kl]

i don’t know if you will see this but i’m struggling to train my one year old japanese akita. she had an operation when she was young as we was trying to train her so we couldn’t continue with training for about 6 weeks ish, now whenever we try take her out she slips out of her collar so we’ve resorted to a choker collar and too scared to try walk her incase she slips out of it and try’s to run, anyone got any tips? would be appreciated.

[@nyqkqch]

thank you so much for making these videos!! im planning to get an akita next year so im doing alot of research beforehand, your videos are very helpful :))

[@TheAkitaLife]

Awesome! Thank you for watching!

[@jammieflowers9795]

Love the video love your tips but one thing I always stay away from when I'm outside with my dog or inside I don't really like them to sit so much to come by my hip because Akitas we'll have bad hips in the future no matter what so I tried to avoid the outside sitting by my side when I'm walking my Akitas. I have owned six Akitas and on my 7th the hips are the first thing to go when they get to that age 9 - 13

[@ScarletCandlelight]

I hated when we got our akitas we where so ready on a training schedule my partner and I each have a pup same age. His is doing amazing just like in this video. Mine on the other hand is freaked out of things past the property no confidence. Sadly for I had a medical emergency and I was in the hospital and my partner didn't have the energy to take him on walks and his pup in one day we live in FL we only have so much cool time to walk the trail and my pup got the short stick so at 7 months his is chill in new environments mine is stiff and looking in every direction even wetting himself or pooping himself if something unexpected happens. So I'm playing big time make up time on building his confidence and experience

[@gracebyrne-oc2kl]

i don’t know if you will see this but i’m struggling to train my one year old japanese akita. she had an operation when she was young as we was trying to train her so we couldn’t continue with training for about 6 weeks ish, now whenever we try take her out she slips out of her collar so we’ve resorted to a choker collar and too scared to try walk her incase she slips out of it and try’s to run, anyone got any tips? would be appreciated.

[@dustinstone6922]

Didn’t see a link on the leash. Our Akita will be ready early July. Would love good recommendations on gear. First time Akita owner. Coming from labs and husky.

[@TheAkitaLife]

Here you go! amzn.to/3Ng3xJp

[@dustinstone6922]

@@TheAkitaLife awesome thank you

[@kylierushby2870]

My pup is 5 months and Ive been struggling. I will be trying your techniques. Have noticed she will listen to here as she looks at me. Thank you

[@kylierushby2870]

oh and shes an american akita

[@TheAkitaLife]

Let us know how it goes!

[@kumaboyy.7443]

If you are looking for a dog that follows commands, you should have got a retriever! 🤣 Akitas only listen to themself, but dont give up! They are great dogs, you need to stay on them, and be consistent! they will test the limits!

[@nickgordondethlefsen6008]

Gør de det ikke fordi de vil passe på dig eller hvad mvh Nick

[@alexhaplau-colan5414]

With all do respect, 18 years in my life was spent with my Marcel, he was my child, is hard to explain, but he was my child. He used to talk me through his eyes . I live in NH, he hate the leash, I walked with him miles and miles, every day, no leash, and you're right, somehow they're exceptionally intelligent, you have a 4 years child. My wife used to cook for him twice a week, stews from pig necks, nobody buy those, and beef tails, funny thing, he was jealous, I couldn't be close to my wife, he didn't like that. He's power was incredible, he shed a lot and he eat a lot, he didn't smell, have no idea why, he barked twice a year, maybe in Holydays, but his bark was like thunder. Jokes aside, you have to educate people the Akita is not for Manhattan, the need enormous spaces, the love water and they adore snow. Other than that, is just a dog.

[@kumaboyy.7443]

Haga is on akita time when you have to wait for him to listen to your command! 😅

[@bbodan5393]

You are a great handler. I am 1 person, 1 dog. I found a gem female in a county shelter that original owner didn't abuse or neglect. I'm a bully breed lover but putting him down, I turned to the Akita as a possible service animal. I am never harsh to correct, and use the same style of leashes and collars. My only comment would be that a harness might be a good initial step in a heavy yanker. They're all have different triggers and they need your personal self confidence to succeed.

[@TheAkitaLife]

The problem with harnesses is it makes easier for them to pull becsuse of the larger contact patch

[@advocatejawadfarhatkhokhar6846]

Nice information sir God bless you more I learn too much from your video I am from Pakistan 🇵🇰

[@TheAkitaLife]

Thank you for your support!

[@loboowens5929]

Great video brother. I have a 3 yr old female Akita named Karma and I never made the time to teach her to walk on leash. I would walk her but it would mostly be a disaster. I'm going to take a step back and teach the commands in my yard and go from there. Thank you for the information.

[@TheAkitaLife]

Never to late to start. Great name for your pup too!

[@tierralaird1746]

They are very smart and catch on quickly but when my dogs sees a cat or dog he completely stop hearing and goes mental 🥴

[@TheAkitaLife]

Classic Akita prey drive

[@JazBeYou]

I notice one thing that my akita does when I changed directions she would always whine and when I tell her to sit she would either sit next to me, behind me or in front of me any tips?

[@TheAkitaLife]

The whining when you change directions is interesting. I would say just practice that more frequently and she'll likely get used to it. As far as where she sits, that's really important. If she sits behind, that means she may be nervous or afraid. Sitting in front usually means they want to be on guard. The ideal position is right next to you in most instances. The key to that is using your body to position the dog, as well as keeping a second hand down low on the leash so they don't have much leeway. It takes a lot of practice. My guy always wants to sit in front of me as well, because they want to be the leader of the pack, but don't be afraid to use your hips to bump your dog in the direction you want them go.

[@amandautzman6757]

Do you have any advice for the opposite scenario, stopping rather than pulling? (Sorry if this is too specific!) If there is anyone behind us on our local walking trail, even quite far behind, my akita (currently 6 months old) stops dead and will not keep walking until the person passes us. I'm assuming this is breed-typical wariness, as she's fine once they're in front where she can keep an eye on them. I don't want to drag her, making walks a negative experience, but "wait until strangers walk right up on us" could be a safety issue, especially at night. She also won't take treat rewards if we're out walking, so I'm a bit at a loss for how to stop this behavior... In general, is there a good way to deal with a dog that dead stops rather than pulls, without resorting to outright dragging?

[@TheAkitaLife]

Hey sorry I didn't respond sooner. How is your pup doing? The concept of "walks" is very foreign to puppies. Our Akita would do the same as yours until he was about 6 months. You typically just have to give it time

[@amandautzman6757]

@TheAkitaLife Yes, she's a little better now! It only takes an hour and a half to walk instead of two. 🤣 She's very slow to warm up to things so maybe in a year she'll have it down.

[@c.jbowen2461]

Where did you get the leash?

[@TheAkitaLife]

amzn.to/391wO91