Introduce Your Akita to The Crate Place the crate in a room where family members gather or use a lot.
A dining room for example is ideal.
Put the crate in a corner where it is not in the way of anything.
Make the bottom of the crate comfortable by placing a few blankets inside.
Put a few doggy toys and treats near the door.
Take your dog over to the crate and speak to him soothingly.
Lie down near the door and direct your dog to pick up a treat just inside of the crate.
So he has to put his head inside.
Praise him when he does.
Throw some treats deeper into the crate so the dog has to enter to retrieve them.
If he does this, then praise him and stroke him.
If he refuses accept it, do not under any circumstances force him into the crate.
This will be his home, a place he will spend a lot of his time so he must associate it with positive feelings.
If he does not enter the crate straight away.
Just continue to coax him with treats and soothing talk.
Once you get him to enter the crate start to lock the door for a few minutes to begin with.
Stay in the same room where he can see you and continue to talk to him.
Release him after a few minutes then repeat the process.
Start to place the puppy into the crate for five minutes at a time, then ten minutes.
Once you have achieved this start to put him into the crate while you leave the room for a short time.
Gradually increase the time he is in the crate and the length of time you leave the room.
By patient training and slow incremental steps you will build, his confidence up until he will realise the crate is his place of safety.