I'm sorry for coming off harshly, Don. I feel about Labradors they way many folks here feel about GSDs.

Back to the original topic, I think it's fairly evident that the problem here is that the dog has not been socialized or trained, and that at three years of age, it may be irreversible. These folks shouldn't have dogs, period. I don't have any solutions to offer.

Lisa and Chuck I agree if they are poor dog owners no dog would be a safe bet for them. But if they were wanting a medium/large breed dog that required little training to show and not known for dominance issues. The Lab and golden are two of the best known, for being easy to train and not really human aggressive.

I may have been off base, but I was just rolling the dice, for what if? The Lab is certainly a better pick for a family with kids, then Akita. Wouldn't you say. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Labs require training, period. Whether you show, hunt, or just want a pet, they require training. Not all of them are as eager to please as their reputation would have you believe. They can be buttheads when they want to. Many people get Labs under the mistaken impression that they will be easy to raise. This is how so many of them end up in shelters. Please let's not bring Labs into this thread; these people shouldn't have dogs at all, if they're not willing to train and socialize them. The breed is irrelevant.

I dont usually post but had to this time. Akita's are a VERY difficult breed to own period. They come equiped with dominance, aggresion, possesive of anything they consider theirs. They have an attitude and it is usually there from day 1. The males are far worse then the females. They require very strict and carefull training from day 1 and LOTS of socialization as well. Any one who would try to take an animal with the inherited tempermants they have and raise it in the back yard and crate with no training and then expect it to behave like a lassie dog is like giving a kid a stick of dinamite and a liter and telling it to go play. Its a disaster waiting to happen.
That said this dog needs to go either to a home where they are familiar with the Akita and able to try and retrain him or he needs to be put down. At 3 years old he is now FULLY mature and the behavior he has shown will only get worse. Most shelters will either not place him or will only take him to destroy him. If he is of decent blood lines and can be evaluated by someone knowledgable with Akitas he may be able to be saved. As for the owners well @#$%^&*. Please understand I love this breed and have worked with them for over 10 years. They are wonderfull in the RIGHT hands, in the wrong hands they are dangerous! Tami

tami posted;

 Quote:

They are wonderfull in the RIGHT hands, in the wrong hands they are dangerous! Tami

Tami, I agree with you completly. This is a noble a breed as any, these dogs ned to be socilaized when they are pups. They are not a breed to keep in a kennel, backyard or crate without constant human interaction.

A GSD, Mal,Rott.Dob,Giant any of these k-9's would have problems living under the condition of this male Akita.

As to how Akita's interact with childern, no different then any of the protection breeds. If you do a poor job of raising a pup, you will have to endure the adult problem you created. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

My female is great around kids, infants, older people, doesn't matter, she loves to be with anyone that shows her any attention.

However this breed can be a handful in hands of someone that cannot handle them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

WHAT DOG ISN'T A PROBLEM WHEN THEY ARE THE ALPHA IN THE PACK!!!!!!!!

I completely agree with most of what is being said here. I wouldn't ever put ANY dog, no matter what breed, in a kennel outside with no socialization or human contact. It's just no way for a dog to live! I am glad to say that these people are getting out of Akitas. They have a couple of other breeds including 2 Borzoi, a Foxhound and *ahem* 2 Labs. All of the other dogs (besides the Labs) are inside dogs and are a much better fit for their family. i've had Borzoi and other sighthounds my whole life and think that they make a much better fit for their family.