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Can Akitas Be Left Alone? (Explained for Owners)

If you’re planning to adopt a dog any time soon and often have to stay a few hours away from home, you might have thought of Atika, since they’re among the dog breeds that can be left alone for quite some time without any troubles.

Can Akitas be left alone?

In most cases, you can leave Akitas alone if he’s potty trained and provide him with meals and entertainment mediums. However, sometimes they can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone in the streets or with the sudden demise of the owner and are most likely to develop destructive behavior.

Can an Akita dog be left alone for 8 hours?

You can leave your Akita alone for six to eight hours, more or less. However, you can’t leave an Akita puppy for that long. But you have to correctly potty train your adult Akita and ensure his meals if you’re leaving him alone for eight hours. 

Akita dogs are well behaved, gentle, fearless and loyal; hence they are expected to spend six to eight hours alone if you leave them suitable treats and entertaining opportunities like keeping the TV or radio open or simply leave him in the garden or yard.

For that long period, your furry friend will need something to keep himself occupied with, like chew toys and so on.

You can also leave your pup at a dog daycare if you’re going to leave him alone daily for 8 hours and probably should give a second thought on adopting a dog in the first place since dogs are highly social. For sudden plans, you can call up your trusted friends and ask them to stay with your pup for a while.

In such cases, you have to be careful since dogs tend to have separation anxiety. Akitas are no different.

How long can an Akita be left alone?

You can leave your Akita alone for grossly six to eight hours in most cases. But you have to take care of his food and make sure he’s potty trained. Ensure there’s enough entertainment for him when you will be gone. You can also leave him outside to play by himself.

However, you can’t leave your Akita puppy for more than four hours. If you have to leave your pup alone for 4-6 hours regularly, you should probably consider your decision to adopt a puppy again.

Sometimes, your Akita can suffer from separation anxiety for various reasons like the sudden passing of a family member or in the streets, or if you leave him alone for a prolonged time frequently.

Your puppy will develop aggressive behavior, excessive barking, and pee in the house due to anxiety. Hence, you need to track your pup’s schedule if you’re going to leave him alone for quite some time daily.

Are Akitas prone to Separation Anxiety?

Akitas were initially bred from wolves crossing; hence, they naturally tend to live in a pack and completely trust their leader.

So if you’re leaving him alone for quite some time, he’s going to wait for you as long as it takes cause he believes you’ll come back. As a result, they’re not much prone to separation anxiety but sometimes, they can suffer from it.

If you suddenly leave your Akita on the streets, he’s going to panic a lot and lose trust from people. Sadly, he’s going to suffer from this anxiety for the rest of his life.

In most cases, Akitas can handle their separation anxiety 90% of the time and will not give you any tantrums. But things might take a wrong turn too.

Akita suffering from separation anxiety will show quite different behavior than other dogs- they will develop destructive behavior since they’re powerful and dominant. You will also hear excessive barking and howling.

In such adverse scenarios, having another dog around may fix the issue somewhat. But it’s best to consult with a professional.

Causes for Separation Anxiety in Akitas-

Losing trust from people:

While you’re out with your furry friend on the street and suddenly got busy buying stuff or saw an old friend and your pup has to stay with your absence for quite some time, he’ll start to think you’ve abandoned him. Consequently, he’ll develop separation anxiety and stop trusting people.

Demise of an owner or family member:

Akitas are wolves crossed breed; hence they love to be around their owners and quickly form a deep attachment.

As a result, the sudden passing of the owner or a family member causes immense shock in Akitas, and they become depressed and sad. They can’t bear the sudden absence of a pack member.

Genetic issues:

It’s pretty unnatural for Akitas to be alone; they inherit this thought genetically. And with a solid physical structure and dominant nature, if they get stubborn and decide to form any destructive behavior, it will be a nightmare.

But don’t worry, Akitas, in general, are amiable dogs and don’t throw any tantrums.

Extreme loyalty:

If an Akita is suffering from too much anxiety, it can even lead him to harm himself. Studies have found that 60% of the Akitas having separation anxiety has harmed themselves as they couldn’t cope with the situation.

The story of Hachiko, the world’s most loyal dog, is notorious for his incredible infidelity and love for his owner. This dog kept waiting at the train station for his master to return.

Little did he know, his master had passed away. Hachiko couldn’t cope with the sudden passing of his owner and felt so lonely that he kept on believing that his owner would return.

Lack of early socialization:

If Akita doesn’t get proper exposure and socialization from a young age, he’s likely to suffer from separation anxiety, abandonment issues and fear of isolation throughout his entire life.

Can you have an Akita in an apartment?

Akitas are very cheerful, energetic, dominant and wolves-like dogs. It’s a bad idea to adopt an Akita if you’re living in an apartment. Akitas don’t like to stay at home doing absolutely nothing. Instead, they will spend ten to twelve hours outside exploring.

It can get troublesome taking your Akita all the way up and down your building every day for peeing and pooping. Furthermore, Akitas tend to get aggressive if they’re not getting the proper exercise.

Akitas being a large-sized dog, needs more space, so give it a second thought if you’re living in a rented small apartment.

Do Akitas make good pets?

Akitas will make good pets and bond with you and your family with the proper training. Though Akitas are notorious for being aggressive, you can train him from an early age to behave well and balance his behavior with kids and strangers.

With adequate training, you can bring out the most affectionate and wonderful side of an Akita and thus, he’ll trust you to be vulnerable with you and your family. Akitas are renowned for their loyalty. The heart touching story of Hachiko has earned quite a fame. Later on, a movie was made based on the story.

Some Akitas will also make ‘talk’ with you through mumbling or grunting and respond to your commands since they’re brilliant dogs. They will make excellent pets as long as you can train them properly with treats and praise and never use punishment.

However, if you’ve never had a dog before, it can be a hassle. Akitas are dog breeds for experienced owners.

Why are Akitas so mean?

Well, Akitas can get mean sometimes if not appropriately trained and show aggressive behaviors. But in most cases, they don’t become mean if not provoked. However, lack of socialization can also result in making your Akita mean.

Akitas also have a hunting nature and are very protective of their owners. So they will get mean when they feel a threat against their owner and will make a move hoping to save their owners.

Which dog can be left alone the longest?

Dogs are notorious for being clingy with their owners and always prefer human company. However, some dogs don’t mind some time by themselves.

Here’s a list of dog breeds that can be left alone-

Greyhound:

Greyhounds are hunting dogs bred to hunt alone without any human direction. People having a busy schedule can adopt Greyhounds, and they’re also notorious for their higher energy level.

Basset Hound:

Though Basset Hounds love human company, they wouldn’t mind taking a long nap by themselves and tend to spend most of their day sleeping.

Pug:

Pugs are very easy-going, and you can adapt them to your busy schedule since their puppyhood, and they’ll be able to spend time by themselves when adults.

Boston terrier:

You’ll do fine with a Boston after a proper exercise and leaving him for work. He’ll happily spend the day napping.

Chow Chow:

Chow Chow are low maintenance dogs and can adapt to a situation. They make good ‘home alone’ dogs and require a moderate amount of exercise.

Nevertheless, if you’re leaving your Akita alone frequently, try contacting a dog care centre or ask your loved ones for help. 

Even if Akitas can manage independently for a few hours, they shouldn’t be left alone like this continuously, as it may result adversely. So think before adopting an Akita.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can Akita live in hot weather?

Can Akitas handle cold weather?

Why is my Akita so itchy?

When do Akitas stop teething?

Why do Akitas growl, snore, grunt, nibble or whine?

Why does my Akita sleep so much?