Lead training a rescue Akita

An adult Akita who's never been on a lead before — that's a genuinely challenging situation, and you need to get the equipment right before anything else. The most effective tools for lead pulling are no-pull harnesses and head collars, but with a dog like this the priority isn't just stopping the pulling — it's safety and control when reactions are unpredictable. The right choice depends on the dog's build, how strong the pulling is, and whether they have any reactivity triggers you've already spotted. Can you tell me roughly how big he or she is, how hard they're pulling, and have you managed to get any equipment on them yet?

That's really useful. A 35kg Akita with sudden, startled lunges is a specific problem — it's not about nagging pressure, it's about those explosive moments. Before I suggest anything, have you noticed any pattern to what triggers her? Other dogs, strangers, traffic? And is she generally accepting of being touched around her chest and shoulders, or is handling still tricky?

That makes sense — Akitas often have strong prey drive responses to fast movement. Given that she's only just tolerating a flat collar, I'd steer you away from a head collar for now. They work well on some dogs but they require careful introduction, and a dog who lunges at cyclists while still getting used to being handled could easily injure her neck if she hits the end of one unexpectedly. What I'd recommend instead is the Perfect Fit modular harness. It's built in three separate pieces — front, back, and girth strap — which means you can introduce each part gradually without having to wrestle a full harness over her head all at once. That matters enormously with a rescue who's touch-sensitive. The fit is also genuinely precise, which is critical with Akitas because they have a neck that's often wider than their head and they can back out of poorly fitted harnesses. Combined with a double-ended lead clipped to both the front and back rings, you get real control on those sudden lunges without putting all the pressure through one point.

Perfect Fit has a sizing guide on their site and you measure three points — neck, chest, and girth — rather than just going by weight, which is exactly right for a breed like an Akita where proportions vary a lot. For a 35kg female she'll likely be in the larger sizes but measure properly before ordering because the whole point of the harness is the precise fit. You can order individual replacement pieces too, which is handy if one section wears out. One more thing worth mentioning: even with good equipment, I'd strongly suggest working with a trainer who has rescue dog experience alongside the harness introduction — not because you're doing anything wrong, but because unpredictable reactions in a dog this size benefit from a professional eye on her body language early on.

It's available on Amazon UK — search for Perfect Fit Dog Harness and you'll find it. Ordering direct from their website gives you access to the full sizing guide and the option to buy individual components, which I'd recommend for a first purchase with this dog so you can get the fit exactly right. Either way, it's the same product. Good luck with her — Akitas who find their footing with the right owner are remarkable dogs.