Placing Your Akita

If you are happy with the phone card score, invite them to come over to meet the Akita. Akitas are not as well known to the general public as the Cocker Spaniel or German Shepherd, breeds that have faced exploitation for a longer time. Therefore, take time to explain the breed's size, obstinacy and aggressive traits to the potential family. Keep in mind, it is your legal responsibility to mention any incident of biting if it has occurred.

* We strongly recommend you spay or neuter your Akita before placement. People seeking a dog merely to breed will eventually abandon the dog, but families interested only in a spayed/neutered companion, have the best record of responsible dog ownership.

The following are vitally important actions to take BEFORE you allow your Akita to leave your home:

First the DON’T’S:

• Do not talk to anyone claiming to be from a humane organization offering to take your dog and find it a home. The old saying "it takes all types" fits here. There are groups of people who may tell you they’ll take your dog for a price and find it a home. Once they have your money and your dog, they will discard the dog at a shelter, sell it for medical research or, in some cases, kill the dog themselves. There is no easy solution, you have to make an effort to place your dog.

• Do not simply turn your dog over to an individual claiming to be a rescue without some proof they are a reputable rescue. The reputable rescue groups are all overloaded and would not be soliciting people to take on their dogs.

• Do not give your Akita to anyone for free. Usually, people who get something for nothing do not value the free object even if it is a dog.

• Do not adopt to one partner in a marriage. Adopt to both or to no one. The dog should be part of the entire family.

• Single people or roommates under the age of 25 tend not to be long-term pet owners especially if they are still in college. A good rule is to question younger people more not less.

• If there is a small house dog in residence consider these people may want your large Akita for backyard guard duty. It will never be as much of a pet as is the little dog. Make every effort to see if this is the case.

• Get a veterinary reference from the potential adopting family. An Akita should not be placed in a home with people who have never owned a working breed, therefore, they will have used a veterinarian somewhere in the country at some time. Call that vet and inquire about the type of care the previous animals received. Hit by car? Fights or broken legs? Fleas and skin problems? If former pets were not properly cared for and received little or no medical attention, you can be certain it is not a good home for any animal.

• Do a house check to be certain they live where they claim, and check for fencing. Are stacks of wood leaning against the fence like a ladder for any dog to use as an escape route? Are holes visible in the fence? Under the fence? If they plan to be away from home during the day, is there sufficient shade and rain protection?

• If your Akita is accepting of children and if children are part of the new family, observe the behavior of the kids. Any child that is allowed to run wild is an indication the family is not suitable for an Akita that needs firm rules and control.

If there are other animals and your dog has not shown animal aggression, warn the family to pick up ALL triggers to possessive aggression: food, toys, rawhide, etc., feed in separate areas, leave two large water bowls, and introduce the dogs on leash in a neutral territory like a park. Advise them not to leave the Akitas alone until they are certain the dogs are compatible.

Once you place your Akita, do follow-up checks to assist the dog and family during a period of adjustment. The first check about 7 days after adoption should be an in-person review.

For the next 6 months or more, continue checks by telephone and gradually diminish to once every few months. Include a few unplanned visits in your follow-up to be certain your Akita is not simply tied out without proper care.

Your Akita is dependent on you, and though they act as if they are in charge of their world, in reality, the Akita is incapable of calling you when things go wrong. To avoid the tragedy of improper placement, please take the time and make the effort to place the dog in a proper home. We have given you important guidance here but you must apply it when interviewing potential owners.