After you buy....
1. I recommend getting a travel crate, the largest one possible. I use the plastic ones, available at Petsmart for about $100. The puppy should be trained to sleep in this crate. For the first couple weeks you can cover up the crate with a blanket. It will reduce the crying.
2. I also use the crate to housebreak the pups. For the first couple weeks, when not playing with the dog, keep it in the crate. Every time you remove the pup from the crate, take it right outside, and, of course, praise it when it eliminates. I have found that the first night the pup dirties its crate, but not on subsequent nights. Akitas are very clean dogs, and keeping the dog confined in one small room will minimize problems as well. After a couple weeks, the dog should be able to go 8 hours without an accident. I don't paper train, as that trains the dog to go in the house. However, the Akita will eliminate consistently in one location.
3. I feed my dogs Purina Dog chow, as well as other brands with the same ingredients. To avoid bloat, my dogs eat continuously from feeders. Akitas also need a lot of water. In the summer, Samson can drink 2-3 gallons/day.
4. Your dog will be micro-chipped. You can contract with the AVID to contact you if the dog turns up missing at a pound. Otherwise, I am recorded as the owner.
5. Your dog will be wormed and vaccinated to date, but you should continue the program with your vet.
6. Be alert to hotspots, especially in the summer. They form from a small skin wound that becomes infected, due to the fact that air cannot get to the wound because of the dense coat. Treatment involves cutting down the hair over the wound and applying an antiseptic, such as betadine. Common spots are the top of the head and near the base of the tail. Daily grooming/petting will alert you.
7. Do not let people tease/torment the dog. It will hold the grudge for the rest of its life. I have found that the tail unwinding is a sign that the dog is not happy with the situation at hand.
8. Introduce the puppy slowly to other family pets, such as a cat. We have no problem with our cat. However, keep in mind that another dog of the same sex will likely be a big problem.