Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
The Akita can be incredibly loyal to its family and still be a serious challenge around strangers and other dogs.
That contrast is exactly why this breed needs to be understood properly.
Akitas have a massive guardian instinct and, as Tom explains, a very low tolerance for nonsense.
That means their threshold can be lower in situations involving unfamiliar people or other dogs, and reactivity can become a real issue when the dog doesn’t have clear direction.
This is not a breed where leadership can be inconsistent.
They need a handler who understands the breed, provides clear and constant guidance, and has the experience to manage those instincts responsibly.
Loyalty is one of the Akita’s greatest qualities.
But with a powerful guardian breed, understanding everything that comes with that loyalty matters just as much.
Follow for more dog training tips.
The Akita can be incredibly loyal to its family and still be a serious challenge around strangers and other dogs.
That contrast is exactly why this breed needs to be understood properly.
Akitas have a massive guardian instinct and, as Tom explains, a very low tolerance for nonsense.
That means their threshold can be lower in situations involving unfamiliar people or other dogs, and reactivity can become a real issue when the dog doesn’t have clear direction.
This is not a breed where leadership can be inconsistent.
They need a handler who understands the breed, provides clear and constant guidance, and has the experience to manage those instincts responsibly.
Loyalty is one of the Akita’s greatest qualities.
But with a powerful guardian breed, understanding everything that comes with that loyalty matters just as much.
Follow for more dog training tips.
