So your considering trying to place your Akita. On my links page is a good link that tells you how to place your Akita. But if you have a problem you would like to work out maybe I have some tips to help you. There are many reasons people think they need to place their dog. I will cover a few here. One special note-if you have a senior dog, please realize that finding a home for a senior is much more difficult. This breed has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years if healthy. Placing dogs over 5 years of age can be a challenge so keep that in mind. HAVING A BABY---I do not know why this myth because so popular. It is not an automatic given fact that your dog will hate the baby and won't be safe around the new addition. My first baby didn't arrive until my Akita was 2 years old. I suggest getting the book "Childproofing your dog" by Brian  Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson as soon as possible. I read it while I was pregnant. It is a fast read and has a lot of great tips to make the transition smoother for everyone. The most important piece of info about dogs and children is proper supervision is a must. If something happens and you don't see it happen, how can we know it was the dogs fault or was unprovoked? A child bursting a dogs eardrum with a pencil and getting bitten is a provoked response and we cannot fault the dog for an incident that could have been prevented with proper supervision. It is up to use to keep the child and the dog safe. MOVING TO A NEW HOME---Moving to a new home does not always mean you must give up your dog. Even landlords that are resistant to pets can be swayed with a larger security deposit or proof that your dog is a Canine Good Citizen. (Dogs can earn a CGC title to help responsible owners be able to show proof of the dogs stable temperament.) Ask if it would be OK for him to meet the dog and see that it is a good pet. Explain that having a protective breed not only makes you feel safer as a tenant, but point out that the dog will also be there protecting THEIR property from damage.  CANCELLATION OF HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE---There are more than one fish in the  sea. This happened to us because we owned Akitas too. We found another company that would insure us. Explain that the reason akitas are on the "banned list of breeds" because of irresponsible owners. Schedule a meeting with the adjuster so they can see your dog is a stable tempered pet. Explain  the security issues of having a dog in the home protecting the very property they are insuring. If all else fails go to my links page for more info on insurance companies that WILL insure akita homeowners. IF YOU HAVE A CLAIM BECAUSE OF A BITE-yes it will be harder for you to find insurance. If it was a justified situation-the dog bit a burgular-then get verification from professionals. (police and dog trainers)  ALLERGIES/ASTHMA---IF you have a doctor telling you to get rid of the dog PLEASE get a specialists opinion first. Asthma has many triggers and not all of them are pet related. My trigger is mold. Most allergies to pets is actually an allergy to their dander which is the animals saliva. If a pet is given regular baths and the house is dusted and vacuumed regularly you can cut down on the trigger material in the home. Don't jump to the dog being the trigger without testing to be sure. There are also grooming products out for owners with allergies to use on their pets. TRAINING ISSUES---For basic training info see my "Training page." If you are having a specific problem then please e-mail me at [email protected] with your question. Akitas are a very dominant breed and need to learn that they are NOT the leader of the pack in your home. Dogs are pack animals by nature and will become the leader if given the chance. There are a few simple things  you can do to show them that you are above them in the pack rank. One is to not allow them on the furniture. Provide them with a crate of their own to become their den. Dogs are also a den animal and will treasure their safe place. Allowing the dog on the furniture says to the dog that they are an equal to you. For more tips on becoming alpha go to my links page. SHEDDING---This is where doing research BEFORE getting a breed is important. If the shedding twice a year drives you crazy, consider getting the dog groomed regularly at that time by a professional. If you don't have to do the actual work maybe it will be an easier pill to swallow for all concerned. Make sure to find a groomer that likes akitas and keeps it a positive experience for your dog. Regular grooming will help the dog shed the coat much more quickly. Another tip is to put a T-shirt on the dog weather permitting. (not if it's already hot) This way the fur is more contained  until you can get to the grooming yourself. It only happens twice a year unlike many breeds that shed year round so consider yourself lucky for that tidbit. ESCAPE ARTIST---Akitas are meant to be a family dog. That means living in the house with the family. If you have an "outside" dog and he keeps escaping consider making him a part of the family. He may be getting bored outside with noone to play with. If living inside with you isn't an option than yes you might need to place the dog. Akitas do not make good "outside" only dogs.  They thrive on family and can become aggressive living on the end of a chain.  KILLING SMALL ANIMALS---This is why there are leash laws. We are responsible for what our dogs do. Akitas have a high prey drive. Mine were raised with cats but that doesn't mean they wouldn't hurt a stray that jumped into their yard if chased. Akitas can be successfully raised with small animals. Some can also be introduced to a new pet with no problems. So if a cat situation arises use common sense. Be safe with introductions and do them on leash. Chasing the pet cat in the house does not necessarily mean the dog wants to hurt it. Mine chase the cats in the house to play at times but stop when the cats stop.  MEDICAL ISSUES---There are many different medical issues that can crop up. If you can't afford a spay or neuter surgery then contact me. Also contact your local shelter, they may offer certificates to help towards those costs. If you can't afford other medical problems, then placing the dog rarely becomes an option. Dogs with severe medical issues are much more difficult to place. If you as a lifetime owner are having a hard time dealing with it, than can you imagine a stranger wanting to take that responsibility on? NO TIME FOR THE DOG---Akitas are not normally a needy breed. The basics of any day are fine. Twice daily feedings, one good playtime and walks during the day are the average upkeep. When you are not at home most dogs sleep for 95% of that time. It is when you are there to interact with them that they become active. They adjust to our schedules with little problems. Even though they are a large dog they do not need a large house to live in. So space really isn't an issue.  FIGHTING WITH OTHER DOGS---Akitas do not always get along with other dogs unless they are raised together OR have been well socialized with other dogs throughout their puppy development phase. Though they CAN be introduced under proper conditions. (see my links page for info on introductions of a new dog to the home) They also do better under opposite sex situations. (neutered male with a spayed female) While there are households with two males or two females in residence this is not a recommended practice in akitas.  Once they begin to fight with each other they may continue to fight to establish which dog is the "top dog" of their pack. If neither dog choses to submit to the other you might end up with a fatal fight on your hands. You might try contacting a canine behaviorist to do some behavior modification with your akitas if you believe this is the case. With careful planning and rotation of dogs into sectioned off areas of the home it is possible to contain problems once they arrise. Crate training would also be recommended in this situation. Each dog will need set aside family time and it's own routine. For akitas that aren't getting along with dogs they do not know--sorry, but it is a normal part of the breed. Walking your dog in public will mean you having to be extra vigilant of loose dogs and non-dog behavior knowledgeable people letting their dogs get to friendly with yours to quickly. (Note-a dog greeting face to face for a prolonged period is incorrect.They are supposed to sniff noses  briefly and then move to each others genital area. Being on leash inhibits the normal greeting routine and changes the dogs body posture actually causing fights in some cases.This is because the dogs body language pulling against the leash looks like an aggressive stance to the other dog and can provoke a defensive attack.)  Using a gentle leader can help in public if you have a strong pulling dog. Please see my training page for more info on them. This is not a breed that should be walked by a young child.  If you are having a problem I haven't addressed here then let me know. I will try to give you options to help you keep your akita. Sometimes a fresh perspecitive helps see a solution you might have missed. Tail wags.