ARE JAPANESE AKITAS GOOD APARTMENT DOGS?

Can I Live in an Apartment with a Japanese Akita?

Many people find themselves confronted with the issue of apartment living with a dog. Some believe that this lifestyle is totally incompatible with adopting any doggy at all. However, we think it’s perfectly possible to live in an apartment with a dog; in fact, there are very few dogs who are incapable of adapting to apartment or city life. Contrary to popular belief, big dogs like the Japanese Akita can live in apartments, too. It is not necessarily the available space that influences a dog’s happiness, but the presence of their master and the amount of time they can devote to their dog. 

The Japanese Akita is quite capable of adapting to apartment living, so long as their owner makes a few adjustments. On the other hand, it’s important to be aware that having a house with a large garden does not guarantee that your dog will be happy. An Akita Inu who lives in an apartment, who gets to go out for long walks every day, and whose master is very present, will be much happier than an Akita who is left alone at the end of the garden all day with little human interaction.

How Do I Adapt to Apartment Living with a Japanese Akita?

The Japanese Akita is a large breed dog. However, this dog breed is generally calm and discreet and doesn’t need an excessive amount of space. This is rather ideal for those who want to live in an apartment with their dog. Additionally, the Japanese Akita is not known for barking, another big advantage when you live in an apartment building with lots of neighbours.

First things first, you need to make sure your lifestyle matches that of the dog breed you plan to adopt. A dog should not adapt to the lifestyle of its owner, at the risk of sacrificing its own needs. After all, there are enough dog breeds out there for you to find what exactly you’re looking for. If the Japanese Akita isn’t right for you, why not check out our other guides to some of the most popular dog breeds in the UK!

Before you adopt a Japanese Akita, it’s important for you to ask yourself the right questions:

• How is your house or apartment set up?

• Do you work away from home (in an office, for example)? 

• If so, can you come home during your lunch break to take care of your dog?

• How much time can you spend with your dog each day?

• Do you travel often?

These may seem like fairly innocuous questions, but they are essential to consider if you wish to adopt a Japanese Akita, and even more so if you also live in an apartment. Adopting a dog should never be taken lightly; make sure you have the time and budget to properly care for a Japanese Akita. If you don't work from home, try to come home for lunch to take your pooch out for a little walk to break up the day. If you don’t have time to leave the office, why not ask a friend or neighbour to pop in on your dog, or use a pet sitting service like Holidog. Once you get home, take your Japanese Akita out for a long walk to stretch their paws and sniff exciting new smells. 

Purchase some toys and puzzles for your Japanese Akita to occupy them in your absence. This is an intelligent dog breed that needs mental stimulation as much as physical. Finally, create a quiet sleeping area where your pooch can comfortably rest their head, and choose a dog bed perfectly suited to your Japanese Akita’s size.

The Importance of Training Your Japanese Akita

If you want to ensure that your Japanese Akita is happy and comfortable living in an apartment, there are a couple of crucial lessons to teach your pup early on.

Teaching Your Japanese Akita to Be Alone

Learning to be alone is essential for your dog to feel happy and comfortable in its surroundings. You want to avoid your pup getting overly attached to you, as this could have harmful consequences in the long run, such as separation anxiety. Teaching your dog to be alone needs to start early, as soon as you welcome your puppy home. Begin with short absences of five minutes at a time: leaving the room, for example. Try not to congratulate your dog when you get home; your leaving and coming back should seem like a non-event. Gradually increase the duration of your absences, until your Japanese Akita can be left alone for up to two hours.

Potty Training Your Japanese Akita

If you live in an apartment, housebreaking your Japanese Akita will take a little longer than if you lived in a house. But it’s not impossible! This is another important step in training your dog. And anything is possible with a little patience. Take your pooch out after meals, naps, and when they wake up in the morning. Praise your Japanese Akita if they go to the toilet outside and reward them with a healthy dog treat or a cuddle. There will, of course, always be accidents, but try not to get angry with your pooch if they poop in the house, especially if the accident happened while you were gone. The Japanese Akita has an intelligent nature and tends to learn quickly. So, just be patient and positive and you’ll get there!