He's too big and claustraphobic to cage. We live in a medium sized home, and have to shut all the doors to every room so he doesn't get in and wreak havoc whenever we leave to go out. That leaves him the main area of the house and the hallways which is usually fine until he gets on the couch and tears it up because it has our smell on it. He's an indoor dog, so we can't leave him outside when we leave. If you lock him in a room, he will eat through the door to get out. I need a place to sit in my living room. I removed the eaten up couch today. Any creative suggestions to safeguard a new couch as soon as I can buy one? I'm desperate right now. We usually had to put chairs, cardboard boxes and other large items on top when we went out, but he would still knock them off and tear it up. Sorry for posting this additional info as an answer. Apparently there's a real short character limit for questions. how ghey! Here's the beast in question...

Eat your Akita!

I say he'll get used to a crate! put a blanket that you don't care about in there, they are cheaper than couches and will keep him occupied. You could also put bones, and toys in there. There are a few ways to get him used to it. One way: put up the crate in an area of the house were you hang out (like the living room) make it comfy, and then don't make a huge deal out of it. If he doesn't check it out after a few hours or a day (depending on your patience) feed him in there, give him treats in there (but don't lock him in, you will freak him out) once he gets comfortable going in, then you can close the door, but only for a min or so and make sure you either stay right there or at least in the room. The other way (the way I did it and I cant get her out of it now! Although probably frowned upon): Put the crate up in a living area of the house put favorite blanket in (dogs favorite, not yours!), put food and water in, throw a bone or toy in, let dog sniff around for a min while encouraging dog to enter, then just shove dog in once you decide that you aren't waiting any longer(I was impatient and she was acting really scared of it), then close the door, sit on the couch (in your case the floor, seeing how he ate the couch) and watch some TV while dog hangs out in the crate. I really think that this is your only option, once he gets used to the crate he will actually probably learn to like it, my female would act out sometimes so I went and got a crate, once she got used to it she was always in there... it's her own private space.