OT- I need to find a new home for my dog

We have been debating for a while, but have decided we need to find a new home for our dog. He is a beautiful 3 year-old Akita. Unfortunately we just do not have the time to spend with him he deserves. He is terretorial and does not like other dogs coming into his space and our neighbors won't keep their dogs home. We have to keep him in a kennel while we are aslee*****t home so he doesn't go after any of these dogs. He really is a sweetheart, just likes his space! If anyone has any suggestions or knows of a good home I would appreciate it! I want to make sure he goes to a good home, not the pound! Thanks, Carmen

Carmen, Have you tried to get help from a dog trainer? Most times these problems are easily remedied with some training and consistency. Also, you can file a complaint with the police about your neighbors allowing their dogs to roam...especially since it's factoring into your decision to get rid of the dog! I really have a problem when people get rid of their dogs because of problems such as this. Pardon me if I seem rude, but this is a "Pet Peeve" of mine. When people decide to get dogs or cats, it should be a life long committment....would you get rid of your kids? And if you don't think that your animals are your children, consider this...they do! That's how dogs think...they are joined to you for life in their minds. The psychological damage done to them when they lose a home can be irreparable. If you really have made up your mind that this is what you want to do...please contact the Akita rescue association so they can find a home with people who love and understand the breed. Akitas are not for every family and shouldn't just be given to someone who thinks he is a sweetheart. There is much more to the breed than that and they need to know what responsibilities they are chosing to accept. Here is the link to Akita rescue. http://www.akitarescue.com/ Just my .02 cents Ann Miller

Amen Ann.... This kind of stuff gets me wild and I am on the side of the dog..always. My dog is my best friend..I even have provisions for her in my Will with funds and caretakers arranged should I die from surgery..God forbid. My dog gives me unconditional love, affection, friendship and protection...it is a livng being with feelings and needs...not an object to be used and cast away at will...I adore Akitas..had one from puppyhood until he passed away..but I lived in a house with a fenced yard then...and now I have a condo on 10 acres but no fenced area...so when I got a dog..I researched and picked a GSD who can handle it and is differently tempered than my Akita was...not faulting either breed,..it was about suitability for the environment I can provide. I would have to be dead/dying before I could ever part with my dog. And if anyone does not like it..too bad! THEY can go!!! Sher'

I really wish we had a fenced yard, things would be totally different! Whenever we bring Kita in the house, he gets ansy and wants out after about 20 mins. I don't feel any animal should have to be in a cage all the time! I think Anne's advise on training is great. We have tried to find an affordable trainer, w/ no luck yet. I did not mean to offend anyone, we do love him and he is part of our family, but I don't think he should have to be locked in a kennel all the time (like the police said). Fortunately after our "incident" in the spring our neighbor stepped in. The dog warden wanted to put him down for protecting his home and territory. We were at work and our neighbor came over and stopped her (thank god!). Carmen

I am sure you love him..I just love dogs and can't help it..I know what the dog's fate can be and it sounds like he has already had some narrow misses....it is true no dog should be in a cage all the time...but neither should they be tied out...vulnerable to everything and everyone. Crate trained dogs like and feel secure in their crates..it is home..especially if given chew toys to play with..they sleep most of the time the owner is away. They don't think of it the way we do. I used to hate crates and then I read up and consulted dog trainers and learned differently...That is not to say that a dog should LIVE in one. I know Akitas love outside..especially cold weather...but they need a fenced yard or at least direct supervision at all times if that is not available, and they can be very strong willed and determined. Sorry you are having such a hard time with this dog. I feel bad for you AND the dog...a trainer is not going to train out a dog's natural instinct to defend his territory...it is well known that Akitas can be aggressive to other animals not in the family pack. I hope Akita Rescue can help. Sher'

Anne, Thanks for the input, and I am not offended. We really would like to keep him, but just feel he is not getting the treatment he deserves. We have looked into obedience classes, and the prices are rather high. At this time we really don't have the $250 we have been told we need up front. If you know of any good trainers, especially if their prices are a little better or they may be flexible w/ payments (pay weekly instead of up-front) I would be grateful for the help! Since we live in the same town, maybe you know someone locally... He is a great dog, & good w/ my daughter, that's why we took him. We are already his second family, so I understand what you mean about the trauma. Sadly the Norwich police / dog warden is not very helpful. In the spring he bit the neighbors dog. She told them that we were responsible for the vets bills even though he was tied in our yard. We also got a ticket for having a vicious/nuiscence dog.... Totally insane. We had been asking them for months to keep their dog home, not only would she antagonize my dog, but our entire family. She would come on our porch, poking her head in our house barking. I called to file complaints and nothing was done, until WE got a ticket! Every since we were told to keep him locked up if we couldn't supervise him, even on the run! Sorry to go on, but I hope you can understand my frustration! Thanks, Carmen

You ain't gonna like this..but an Akita should NEVER be tied up outside...for that matter..no dog should...when a dog is tied he is in a defensive position by definition and vulnerable to whatever comes..he will always be on guard...and is not wrong for defending his territory..that is natural instinct...but tying up an Akita is like tying up a time bomb! The dog deserves at least his own fenced dog run..with a solid floor preferably because they also love to dig and can be great escape artists....Akitas were used as hunters and guard dogs in Japan and are very loyal to family and home turf..the dog is not out of line..all humans involved ARE. Akitas also like to live inside with their people...it is a sucky life for any dog to live alone tied up in a yard.

These are natural traits for an Akita..I had one for 15 years...I have a German Shepherd now, or I would take him in a minute..Akitas need a fenced yard and room to exercise..that is very clear on all literature about them..so are the territorial traits. You can't fence the yard or make him a dog run outside that he can't jump? If he is in the house when you sleep, how does he go after other dogs? Does he spend all his time outside?? I keep my GSD in a large vari kennel in my home while I am at work and she does well. She lives with me in the house and we both go out for exercise daily. I am an avid dog lover...so I am not objective...I just hate seeing stuff like this...dogs have no control over their fates...poor things...they are a commitment...You might try the Akita Rescue organization...they have one in or near CT...it can be looked up on the net. Akitas also bond very tightly with their owners and can be difficult to place, especially after they grow up and are no longer adorable furballs...care must be taken that they go to the right kind of owner and not some macho yeehaw. I hope you can place him if you can't accomodate him and I sure hope he does not end up in a pound...:o( P.S>>>>Can you return him to the breeder you bought him from?? Most breeders WANT you to return the dog rather than pound it or give it to an uncertain fate...often there is a clause in the puppy contract...they would have a better shot at placing him as well as they will have contacts. Sher'

Sher, We are his second family, so the breeder is a no go! We were told if he attacks another dog (he was on a run the first time and they wanted to put him down) they would confiscate him and put him down, even though he is on a run in our yard!!!! The dog warden here is terrible!!! Basically the only time he should be on the run is when we are close by in case one of the other dogs (who roam freely) come onto OUR property! Totally insane. He HATES being indoors for any length of time, so it makes the situation tough! Carmen

Hi Carmen, I understand and your dog warden is a jerk! LOL..Sorry for getting up on my soap box...I wonder why the first family got rid of him? I guess Rescue is his best bet if you can't build him a kennel run for whatever reason. Who knows what his puppyhood was like? Maybe they kennel raised him..who knows...wish I could do more than run off at the mouth...I don't mean harm..I just love dogs and I think humans..(not you) are jerks most of the time..like your neighbors and dog warden. needless to say the Warden is not being fair in any way... OK..I will kindly bow out of this whole topic.... Wish you the best of luck, Sher'