How do I make my dog more aggressive?

Question

I know that sounds like an odd question. I have a 5 month old Akita puppy. I got an Akita because the breed is very protective. And I live on my own, just moved into a new apt around mid-town. I really like my new apt building next door has a bunch of rowdy guys living in it, I don't like to be bothered.

So they'll cat call to me or even approach me & my Akita just stands there all excited to be meet new people, wagging his tail, prepared to lick the men to death. How do I make him give a warning bark or better yet a little growl? I just want to train him to do that until I tell him it's okay. I've seen people with well trained aggressive breed dogs do that. It works very well. Any suggestions?

Alright listen up guys. My dog is very well trained. I read & researched the breed before I got him. And because of that I have been socializing him since he was just a little guy to keep him friendly, I thought that was the best course of action. I don't actually want an aggressive dog I want a guard dog.

He doesn't bark at all. He makes little whines in greeting sometimes. Once when he was out with my sister (who much more timid then I am) some weird guy approached her & he wouldn't let the man get anywhere close to her, growling w/all his hair on end. So I know that it's in his nature. I'm just wondering if he has to sense my fear of a situation or something first, because my neighbors just annoy me I box & I'm fairly sure if it came to it I could handle my business. I would rather just not be bothered at all. All I really want is for him to give a growl when someone approaches or gets too close to me that he doesn't know.

Kelly - you just really pissed me off. I've never hit or been aggressive towards my dog a DAY IN HIS LIFE. He sits, heals, lays down, shakes, rolls over, and kennels on command, and is almost completely trail trained at 5 months because of the work I've done with him. Keep in mind he's an Akita a breed that is notoriously hard to train.

Obviously he is so well adjusted, he likes everyone & everything. So why don't you go give your pets away to someone with a bit more intelligence then you, that can properly train them & treat them right. You obviously have some issues if you jump to the conclusions that I beat my dog from the question I asked.

Answer 1

I came in here prepared to jump all over you. Now I see you have the same problem that I will most likely have a few years hence. We have certain reletives that my would rather not associate with... who believe all the pit bull hype. And I have 2 pitties (ages 1 and 2) who are as un-hype as can be.

A nice problem, I'll be watching too for a good answer, because I really don't want my pitties to change who they are, but I ouldn't mind them being a little bit aggressive toward the criminally minded.

I like your answer Jessie, I'm gonna have to check out this Cesar guy...

Answer 2

At five months your Akita is still a baby and your'e not going to see the protective side of him for quite some time yet.
My sister has one. He is very friendly out walking and if you come into her house he tries to slime you to death and jump in your lap.
He is now about 2 1/2.
He has been to obedience class just the basic one. Akitas are not known for being good at obedience. They do not excell at it.
They are naturally protective and most will stand their ground against a stranger but not until they get older.
If you want your dog to be protective get into some classes with him/her now and get a good handle on the basic stuff.
The protectiveness should show up on it's own about 12-15 months.
Akitas are not barkers. They usually will make a low rumbleing growl but many do not bark hardley ever. My sisters dog is not a barker but you can hear him growl from about 20 feet away.

Answer 3

I have always been around Blue Heelers, my parents still have two. Although they both seem harmless, and so excited to see anyone and everyone (we always joke that they would welcome a burgler into their domain if it meant attention) These two dogs have run of the house and our lives, and we love that they are cuddly and sweet. I used to to take them on runs later in the evenings in summer, and I would notice that they seemed very alert and attentive to whatever was going on. It was like they sensed my unease.
They have done the same thing with my brother, he was out walking the dogs and ran into some older kids, Bobbi our older blue heeler started growling, showing teeth and hackles. This surprised us because she has always been very laid back.
I believe that the dog protected your sister because it sensed unease with her. Whereas since you are more annoyed then anything with the neighbors you dog senses that instead.
Akitas are very protective, our friend had one that almost bit my fiances nose off (he got 12 stitches) when the time comes and as the dog begins to read you better I think you will notice a difference. But do what you think is best for you and your dog. Good luck!

Answer 4

To directly answer your question, an aggressive dog comes from poor genetics, abuse, poor training and or neglect.

To clarify, you don't want a more aggressive dog. I know that it's a matter of semantics and I think I understand what you meant to ask, but I just want you to be clear that you don't want a more aggressive dog. You want a dog that will protect you more. To respond to your "Any Suggestions" question: Take the dog to a professional trainer who will teach your dog this.

Remember, when looking for a trainer, you want one who uses positive reinforcemend and does not abuse, hit, scream at, or use negative violence toward the dog. If you are EVER uncomfortable with the trainer's techiniques, then you should leave. I'd also be weary of any trainers who bad mouth the Humane Society of the US, the ASPCA, and animal protection organizations because they are 'wimpy animal lovers' or because they are too strict. This usually means they disagree with the abuse policies of these leagues - not someone one wants to do business with.

Good luck to you! : )

Answer 5

Do you have any idea how much trouble you'll be in if your dog (any dog that you might have) harms someone? Do you know how difficult it can be to get homeowners insurance living with an aggressive dog? Can your dog distinguish intent between a person trying to attack you, or a child wanting to play with you at a time when you don't feel like it?
I'm sorry this doesn't answer your question, but try to look at the big picture before you start training a dog to be a weapon.

Answer 6

DON'T TRY TO MAKE A DOG AGGRESSIVE. Especially not an Akita. You will end up with a problem dog and it may even end up in your dog biting something and having to be put to sleep. Your dog is a puppy. It is natural and actually good that your dog wants to meet people and is nice to them. When your dog gets older she will naturally protect you if she senses something is wrong or if someone is trying to hurt you. There are unethical "trainers" out there that teach so-called "Guard Dog Training" and they often create problem dogs.
Trust me, you really will be creating a huge problem if you try to train your dog to protect you.
Even laid back Golden Retrievers can become fierce if their owner is ever threatened.
Please see a regular dog trainer for socializing your dog and don't use a "guard dog trainer". I have seen dogs put to sleep that used these sorts of trainers because they bit children or bit people and that is not what you want.

Answer 7

best bet: you and the puppy start training under a professional NOW. You can you and the dog Protection/attack trained together at a good doggy school, and you'll have a good well trained protector.

Or you can never let anyone else touch the dog or play with the dog and punish it when it plays with another person. Then you'll have a vicious animal that is a dangerous weapon animal.

Answer 8

You need professional help on this matter. There are trainers for guard dogs that can teach your dog to stand guard. It would not bark, growl or attack the guys, until you tell your dog to, but it will also not be thier friend. Asking your dog to bark or growl at someone is not how trained guard dogs act when protecting thier masters.

Answer 9

I understand what you are saying, but I don't think you would want your dog to actually BE aggresive, but maybe give the perception that it is. Maybe work on teaching your dog to growl and/or bark on command during play time, not during possible aggresive behavior.

Definitely don't teach your dog to BE aggresive, but teaching your dog to growl and bark on command, might at least give the impression of it to those who don't know your dog.

Look into clicker training as this is a great method for training a variety of things. We use it in our obedience classes and it's a very productive method.

Answer 10

You are asking a baby to do the job of an adult. The territorial behavior will come.. then he will hopefully read your attitude about an approach and take his clue from your level of uneasiness. Just don't let it get out of hand. Try an obedience class to make sure you know how to stay top dog in his life. You don't want him attacking Mr. Right, do you?