How to train an Akita dog to follow its owner

The Akita Inu, an ancient dog breed originating from Japan, with its imposing figure and loyal character, has become the ideal companion in the hearts of countless dog owners. However, it is not an easy task to take an Akita Inu for a pleasant walk and make it obediently follow the owner's steps. They have an independent nature and a strong sense of territory. If not trained, they may rush forward and pull the leash when going out, which not only affects the walking experience but also poses potential safety hazards. But as long as you master scientific training methods and integrate sufficient patience and love, you can make the Akita Inu a reliable walking companion and feel the tacit understanding and trust between each other during every walk.

The first step of training is to have an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of the Akita Inu. As a large dog breed, the Akita Inu has abundant energy and a strong desire to explore. It is full of curiosity about strange environments. Once it smells an interesting scent, it may rush out impatiently. At the same time, its inherent stubbornness and loyalty to the owner are intertwined. It requires clear instructions from the owner for guidance and also longs to be recognized during interactions. This unique character determines that the training cannot rely on tough measures but should mainly focus on guidance and motivation.

Preparing suitable training tools is the foundation. Choose a leash with a moderate length and firm texture. It is recommended to use a nylon or leather leash with a length of 1.2 to 1.8 meters, which can give the Akita Inu a certain amount of activity space and is convenient for the owner to control. Match it with a comfortable and well-fitting harness. Avoid using a collar that may cause pressure on the neck. Especially when the Akita Inu rushes forward, the harness can distribute the pulling force more evenly and protect its body. Before training, make sure that the leash and harness are worn correctly, so that the Akita Inu feels comfortable and will not have a resistant attitude due to uncomfortable equipment.

In the initial stage of training, choose a quiet environment with few distractions, such as a pedestrian path with few people in your own community or a corner of a closed park. Let the Akita Inu wear the leash, and the owner stands on its left side, gently holding the leash in a relaxed state. Take a small step forward while gently calling the Akita Inu's name. If it can naturally follow the steps and move forward, immediately give praise, gently stroke its head with your hand, and say "good boy" in a loving tone. If it doesn't respond, don't pull the leash. Instead, stop and call again. Wait until it approaches actively, and then continue walking. The focus of this stage is to let the Akita Inu establish the understanding that "following the owner's steps can get attention and rewards".

As the Akita Inu gradually gets used to it, start adding simple commands. Before taking a step, clearly say fixed commands such as "go" or "come along" in a firm but gentle tone. If it follows the command and moves forward, in addition to verbal praise, you can also give small rewards such as pieces of dried chicken in a timely manner. During the training process, it is inevitable that the Akita Inu will be attracted by external things and want to break free from the leash. At this time, the owner should not pull it forcefully. Instead, quickly stop, tighten the leash, and say "no" in a serious tone. Wait until the Akita Inu's attention returns to the owner, and then issue the "go" command again. Through repeated training, let the Akita Inu understand that only by paying attention to the owner and following the commands can it continue to explore happily.

When increasing the training difficulty, it should be done step by step. Introduce turning training. During the walking process, issue the "turn" command in advance, and at the same time, make a turning movement with your body to guide the Akita Inu to follow. If it can complete it smoothly, give a reward in a timely manner; if there are deviations, stop, correct it, and try again. When encountering steps or obstacles, first lead the Akita Inu to pass slowly, and soothe it with encouraging words. On the basis of its trust in the owner, let it learn to follow and deal with various road conditions. Gradually transfer the training site to places with more people and vehicles to help the Akita Inu adapt to complex environments and improve its ability to resist distractions. However, always pay attention to its state to avoid a resistant attitude due to excessive tension.

Training does not happen overnight, and there may be setbacks during the process. The Akita Inu may perform well one day but start rushing forward or getting distracted the next day. At this time, the owner must not be impatient or punish it. Instead, reflect on whether the training method needs to be adjusted, whether the training intensity is too high, or whether the environmental distractions exceed its tolerance. Give more encouragement and patience, and regard every training session as an opportunity to deepen the emotional bond between each other. During the rest time, interact and play with the Akita Inu more. Through ways such as stroking, hugging, and playing with a ball, strengthen its dependence and trust on the owner, so that it is more willing to cooperate with the training.

When the Akita Inu can skillfully follow the owner's steps and walk following commands in various environments, the sense of accomplishment is indescribable. It is no longer a reckless "furry kid" but a companion who can walk in tacit understanding with the owner. Every walk is a sublimation of the emotional bond between each other. In its posture of holding its head high and following closely, we can deeply feel its trust and love for the owner. Training an Akita Inu to walk alongside is not only the imparting of skills but also a warm two-way process. In this process, the bond between humans and dogs becomes deeper, jointly writing a beautiful chapter of life.