Akita & Shiba Inu two-crate setup guide

A newly adopted Shiba Inu coming into a home with an established Akita is exactly the kind of setup where two separate crates aren't just convenient — they're genuinely important. Akitas can be territorial and resource-guardy by nature, and a Shiba Inu isn't exactly a pushover either. Getting both dogs their own defined space from day one prevents a lot of tension before it starts. To point you toward the right crates: how big is your Akita, and do you already have any crating history with either dog, or are both starting fresh?

That's a useful picture. A 45kg male Akita needs a genuinely large crate — at minimum an XXL, ideally something with a divider option so you can partition it down slightly if he's anxious at first and a cavernous space makes him feel exposed. For the Shiba, a medium crate is the right fit at 9kg. Since neither dog has a crate history and the Shiba is brand new, you'll want solid, sturdy wire crates that feel den-like but aren't flimsy — both breeds are strong-willed and will test the latches. Are these crates going to live in the same room, or are you planning to put them in separate spaces?

Same room is actually ideal for this — they can see and smell each other without any risk, and it builds familiarity at a pace they both control. Place them a couple of metres apart facing the same direction so neither dog is staring directly at the other, which can read as a challenge. For both dogs I'd recommend the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate — it comes in multiple sizes, has a reliable double-door design, a removable divider panel, and a fold-flat design that makes it easy to move if you need to. For your Akita, get the 54-inch XXL. For the Shiba, the 30-inch is the right fit. They're the same product line, so the look and feel is consistent, which actually matters in a shared space — neither crate feels more or less 'important'. MidWest iCrates are widely available on Amazon UK and hold up well to persistent dogs. Introduce each dog to their own crate separately before you ever have them in the room together — feed meals inside, drop treats in throughout the day, and keep the doors open initially so it's always their choice to go in.

For most dogs, a cover helps — it reduces visual stimulation and reinforces that the crate is a calm, private space rather than just a cage in the middle of the room. A fitted crate cover is cleaner than a thrown-over blanket, which can get pulled inside. MidWest do their own covers sized to match the iCrate range, so they're worth grabbing at the same time. That said, watch both dogs when you first introduce covers — some dogs find them reassuring immediately, others find the enclosed feeling stressful at first. If either dog is panting, pawing, or refusing to go in once the cover is on, pull it back halfway and reduce it gradually.

The key with a territorial Akita is that the Shiba's crate should never be placed in a spot the Akita considers his territory — so not directly next to his sleeping area or feeding zone. Introduce the Akita to the room setup before the Shiba is in it, so he can investigate her crate without her inside it. Let him sniff it, ignore it, then bring her in. Feed both dogs in their own crates with the doors closed from day one — meals are a high-resource moment and keeping them physically separated during feeding removes the main trigger. Don't rush the point where they're loose together unsupervised. With an Akita, that timeline is weeks to months, not days.