Expert: Akita master - 6/24/2007

Question
Well, I just got a new German Shephard, and my akita has been very anxious of the new dog... He is a little aggressive of the new pup, he's attempted to bite him and his hair stands up, luckily i've been there to thwart his attempts. I've tried letting them meet, and get use to each other but my akita will lash out at him when the puppy gets scared of the much larger akita. I'm not sure how I can get the akita use to the new dog in the house? I'm thinking about buying a muzzle and letting them come in close quarters with each other. The akita IS use to having another dog in the house since I had another german shephard that recently passed away. Any help would be useful let me know thank you.

Answer
Well, akitas are naturally aggresive toward other dogs its there personality. It will be pretty difficult to get the akita to accept the new dog but a muzzle and monitoring them together to let them get to know each other would be the best thing you could do. You will have to gradually get them used to each other. Monitoring at all times. But dont hit or scream because the akita will begin to think that the pup means trouble and just make things worse. So your best bet is a muzzle and slowly intrducing them together .
Best of luck               Alex