Shiba Shake » shiba inu

Socializing a Shiba Inu to Other Dogs

shibashake — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 22:11:12 +0000

Shiba Inus tend to know what they like and dislike and they are not shy about communicating this information to their owners.

Shiba Sephy is particular about his food, how and when he is touched, how he is held, stepping on puddles and wet mats, and of course …

he has his own ideas on how other dogs should or should not behave in his royal Shiba presence.

Here are some things I have noticed about Shiba Sephy when it comes to meeting dogs –

You’re not the boss of me

You're not the boss of me!

Shibas are rebels and do not like having a boss – human or canine. They may sometimes decide to follow certain requests from their human companions but only when there is cheese on the line.

When it comes to other dogs, they do not usually get along with dominant personalities – and this includes other Shibas!

Shibas are not submissive and will not surrender even to a larger dog.
Shibas like to play rough and wrestle.
Shibas will bully other dogs if they can get away with it.

As a result, socializing your Shiba to other dogs can often be a challenge.

Size does matter

Shiba Sephy defeated by puppy Siberian Shania.

Shiba Sephy gets along much better with larger, playful dogs, who also like to play rough. I never let him play with smaller adult dogs because he will very quickly overwhelm them.

Puppies seem more tolerant, are more submissive, and usually like to wrestle, so Sephy has fun playing with smaller puppies.

To the right, my little Siberian puppy is showing Sephy who is boss!

The “Human” factor

While socializing your Shiba, you must also deal with other dog owners, and many people are uncomfortable with the rough and tumble style of Shibas. During play, a Shiba can appear quite fierce, showing lots of teeth and making Shiba war-cries.

It is best to keep your Shiba away from fearful people and their dogs as they will likely project bad energy that may trigger extreme behavior in their dog and possibly even in yours. Do not socialize your Shiba with unbalanced dogs and unbalanced owners, as they may teach/cause your Shiba to engage in bad interaction habits including fear aggression and mouthing on people.

Just as it is important to screen your children’s friends, it is important to screen your Shiba’s friends.

Shiba Sephy is very sensitive to my emotions and to the emotions of the people around him. He quickly picks up on fear, frustration, anger, or excitement, and gets even more crazy. While meeting other dogs, stay calm and do not put undue tension on the leash.

During play, a Shiba can appear quite fierce, showing lots of teeth and vocalizing.

Personal space

Shiba says - My Space!

Shibas do not generally like having dogs come unannounced into their space. Many other guard breeds, such as German Shepherds, feel the same way.

If your Shiba has this preference, you should protect him from strange dogs. Tell other dog owners not to come too near because your Shiba is wary of new dogs. Suzanne Clothier describes this issue very well in her article "He just wants to say hi".

My Shiba is reactive to other dogs so I am very careful during dog-to-dog greetings. He is always supervised when he is with other dogs, and he is not allowed to bully or hump. He also does not enjoy new dogs sniffing his butt without permission, so I will body block dogs from going into his buttockal region.

For reactive dogs, it is best to introduce them slowly to other dogs and have one-on-one play dates. One-on-one play sessions are easier to supervise and there is less excitement and uncontrolled behavior.

Fun one-on-one play session with Kai.

On-leash vs. off-leash

A Shiba may display different behaviors when he is meeting dogs on-leash or off-leash.

The leash can sometimes create fear (Shiba can’t run away) and barrier frustration (Shiba can’t get to the other dog). As a result, a Shiba may show more aggression when he is on-leash compared to when he is off-leash. Nevertheless, it is useful to teach a Shiba polite greetings whether he is on or off-leash.

If your Shiba is only aggressive on-leash, then you can use off-leash time as a reward for good on-leash behavior. If you are unsure of your Shiba, first start desensitizing him to dogs from a distance and slowly work your way towards a greeting.

It is also possible to use a muzzle, but that may cause the same fear and barrier issues as the leash. Shiba Sephy does not like the muzzle and shuts down when he has a muzzle on. Another possibility is to let the dogs meet from across a fence, but this can also cause barrier frustration.

Desensitization from a distance has worked best on Shiba Sephy.

I am King whether on-leash or off-leash.

Spaying and neutering

Spaying or neutering can also help with the dog-to-dog socialization process.

Un-neutered males may posture more when in the company of other dogs. This can lead to dominance displays, which may escalate into aggression. Female dogs that are in heat should always be separated from all male dogs, as she may trigger competition among the males and cause a dog fight.

Some owners may be reluctant to spay or neuter their dogs because they are afraid that the process may change their dogs’ personality. According to the Humane Society of the United States,

A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.

This article by the Dog Owner’s Guide also has useful information on spay and neuter surgery.

Socialize your Shiba slowly

Start socializing your Shiba by walking him on-leash in your own neighborhood. See how Shiba reacts to calm dogs, fenced reactive dogs that he can’t see, and then fenced reactive dogs that he can see.

Desensitize him to each of these situations slowly so that he does not practice any aggressive behaviors. Remember to maintain calm energy when meeting other dogs. If you are tense, your Shiba will pick up on that energy, and get tense and reactive as well.

Once Shiba is calm around the neighborhood, you may want to take him to a nearby SPCA and desensitize him there. At the SPCA there are usually fewer dogs around than in a dog park, and SPCA dogs are usually handled by trainers or trained volunteers. There is less danger of things getting out of control at the SPCA.

Taking a dog obedience class is also a good way to socialize your Shiba and have him focus on you even when there are other dogs around. A class is also a good way to meet friends that you can later invite for play dates.

Socialize your Shiba slowly.

Options for dog-to-dog socialization

1. Dog Playgroups

Fun play session.

Dog playgroups are usually organized by training facilities or dog daycare facilities. The advantage of a playgroup compared to the dog park is that these sessions are supervised, and owners are usually very conscientious about cleaning up after their dog, and making sure that their dog is behaving properly.

Dogs in these playgroups tend to be more balanced because they are more socialized compared to the average neighborhood dog.

The disadvantage is playgroups usually only occur weekly or monthly, and at a specific time; whereas a dog park is open at all times.

2. Dog Daycare

Help! Help! I'm being harassed!

While Shibas may be aloof and independent, they generally like being with their humans. At a daycare center a Shiba gets to enjoy dog and human company all day long. This will help to socialize Shiba and increase his confidence when facing new people and dogs.

Make sure to thoroughly check out the daycare facilities and their staff before enrolling your Shiba. Ensure that the dog playgroups are not too large and are well supervised, otherwise fights may occur or your Shiba may get harassed by the other dogs. Here is more on what to look out for in a daycare center.

3. Enclosed dog parks

Shibas really need to have off-leash time to do their Shiba running and get rid of excess energy. If you do not have a backyard, an enclosed dog park may be a good place for your Shiba to run free.

On-leash walks alone (3 hours daily), were insufficient to drain my active Shiba. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to find a good dog park with responsible dog owners. Unless you find a good dog park, your Shiba may get into fights, get injured, or pick up bad behaviors from the other dogs at the park.

4. Group Dog Walking

Group dog walks may be a good way to socialize your Shiba if he is uncomfortable being in a large group of dogs. Dog walks usually have a maximum of about 6 dogs per walk and is a less stressful social environment for a Shiba.

Walks are a lot more structured, well supervised, and conducted in an interesting environment (e.g. an outdoor park). This means that Shiba has other things to focus on, and need not obsess on dog-play the entire time. Finally it is good training for Shiba to feel comfortable about walking with a pack of other dogs.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find a good dog walker who can handle a Shiba without resorting to forceful aversive techniques. Here is an article from the San Francisco SPCA on choosing a good dog walker. If you cannot find a good walker, it is best to stick to the dog playgroups and daycare.

Shiba has other things to focus on, and he need not obsess on the other dogs the entire time.

Socializing a Shiba Inu to other dogs

If your Shiba is showing aggressive behaviors, do not push him too quickly in the socialization process.

Socialization is now a popular buzzword in dog training, but do not force your Shiba into becoming a social butterfly if he is not comfortable being one.

It is important to teach your Shiba good manners when greeting people and other dogs, but do not force him to interact or play if he prefers not to.

Do not force your Shiba into becoming a social butterfly if he is not comfortable being one.

Thief Shiba, We Hates It, We Hates It Forever!

shibashake — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:10:28 +0000

I got a comment recently from Shiba Monty, a.k.a. Montasaurus about his adventures at the beach, including the new game of beach-ball-tag that he invented.

Shiba Sephy was exactly the same way when I used to take him to enclosed dog parks. He is not interested in playing fetch, but he is very interested in stealing fetch balls from other dogs and then starting a fun game of catch Shiba if you can!

Not surprisingly, the other dogs got annoyed with him and started chasing him and wanting to correct him. This also got all the owners involved in the ball-tag game and Shiba Sephy never had more fun in his life!

Puppy Siberian Shania leading Shiba Sephy on a fun ball chasing game.

I decided soon after that the unstructured environment of enclosed dog parks was just unsuited for a dog like Sephy. He was also starting to pick up ‘more‘ bad habits, getting overly excited, and redirecting his frustration onto us when we tried to stop his Shiba craziness.

Not an alpha roll - just a scratch session

It was also unfair to the other dogs, because often, they would not only lose their ball but they would also get alpha rolled repeatedly by their owners for chasing after Sephy.

We kept a very close watch on Sephy but close supervision alone is insufficient.

Once Sephy figured out that he can easily get the ball and start a chase game, he just kept repeating that behavior. We can’t run as fast as a Shiba, so usually the game goes on for a while, thereby rewarding his ball thievery.

Using any kind of long lead is just not possible in an enclosed dog park because the enclosed area is not very large and a long lead will easily get tangled on trees and on other dogs; ultimately becoming a safety hazard.

What worked best for Shiba Sephy is to let him play in more structured environments, with fewer dogs. I started going to my local SPCA which had a nice enclosed area, and Sephy would get supervised play and training with friendly SPCA dogs – one at a time. This way, he got to socialize and exercise, but if he started with any bad behaviors, play would stop and he would have to go on a mini time-out.

A more structured and supervised play session can also be a lot of fun!

This worked very well for Sephy.

He started playing a lot better, he stopped redirecting any aggression onto us, and he didn’t get overly excited. He still had a lot of fun especially with younger dogs that liked to wrestle.

Sephy and Kai having a fun wrestling session.

I also learned more about Sephy’s dog friend preferences. He generally does not like dominant dogs. Sephy does not try to dominate other dogs, but he will not submit to another dog, however large or fierce. He overwhelms smaller dogs or dogs of his own size, and plays better with larger dogs. In fact, he prefers playing with larger dogs who are not intimidated by his more rough and tumble play style.

Shiba Sephy also had some really fun one-on-one play sessions with Kai – an awesome dog owned by one of our neighbors. Since moving to a different location, I have not been able to find a play-mate such as Kai for Sephy, but I continue to keep an eye out while walking in the neighborhood.

There are many ways to keep an active dog occupied.

Sephy enjoys working on interactive food toys, playing a game of flirt pole, singing, figuring out pumpkins, and much more. Find dog activities that your dog can enjoy as well as learn good behaviors at the same time.

Learning is fastest and lasts longest when combined with a good dose of fun.

Shiba Sephy singing for his supper.

Shiba Inu – A Dog that is More Like a Cat

shibashake — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:53:08 +0000

People always say that

the Shiba Inu is a dog that is more like a cat.

I thought it would be fun to look at why Shiba Inus got their cat like status, as well as consider how they are different from cats.

Shiba Neko 1. Independent, Aloof, and Stubborn

Probably the most important way in which a Shiba resembles a cat is in his independence, aloofness, and stubbornness. Like cats, Shibas enjoy their own company and are not usually interested in too much human attention.

Unlike some of their dog brothers and sisters, a Shiba will pretend not to hear you and may not even deign to look at you, unless you have something Shiba really wants – then Watch Out!

Shibas like playing hard to get, and are not afraid to give you the Shiba Snub.

Shiba Inu - Independent, Aloof, and Stubborn

Shiba Neko 2. Very Much into Personal Hygiene

Shiba self-grooming session.

Like cats, Shibas are extremely clean and will spend a significant amount of time grooming themselves. Frequently, my Shiba will take it upon himself to also groom my Siberian Husky.

Clearly, she does not meet the Shiba standards of cleanliness!

With a Shiba there will be no slobber, and potty training is often a breeze. Even the way a Shiba drinks water is very dainty and clean. No driblets flying all over the place.

My Shiba will also avoid rain puddles and mud. I think he expects me to wear a cape, so that I may drape it upon the ground and protect his dainty Shiba-feet from coming in contact with hideous slimy mud.

However, if there are playful dogs around, the mud puddle rule goes out the window.

Shiba Neko 3. No Touchy. No Touch!

Like cats, Shibas will only let you handle them according to their schedule, and according to their rules. The No-Touch rule goes into high gear when a Shiba is in distress – which can make it very difficult for owner and vet to properly treat a Shiba.

I suppose in this, they are more like feral cats.

There is definitely more than a little bit of the Wild in a Shiba Inu or should I say Shiba-Neko.

How Is a Shiba Inu More Like a Dog?

It is also interesting to consider which Shiba traits are more dog-like in nature.

Good Guard Dog

Shibas are good at guarding the house and will always alert you when something is out of place.

A Closet Homebody

Shiba Sephy - A closet homebody.

Shibas like to put on a show that they are extremely self-sufficient, but in reality, they really like being in the house and somewhat close to their people.

Shiba Sephy likes staying in the house with me most of the day, whereas Siberian Shania is always out in the backyard doing her own thing.

Shiba Sephy also gets more distressed when he is alone, whereas Siberian Shania is happy to keep herself occupied, and then give you a very warm and wet greeting when you get home.

A Loyal Companion

It seems like a strange thing when combined with their apparent independence and aloofness, but Shibas tend to be very loyal.

My Siberian is a very friendly dog, and loves to meet people and get affection. But she will probably go home with whomever is willing to give her some pieces of sausage.

Shiba Sephy, on the other hand, will only go home with his family. I have no doubt that he will also do all that he can to protect us if the need ever arose.

Whether more like a cat or a dog, a Shiba Inu has a truly special and indomitable spirit.

Whether more like a cat or a dog, a Shiba Inu has a truly special and indomitable spirit.

Super Shiba Inu Dusty!

shibashake — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:27:43 +0000

Super Shiba Inu Dusty!

Kawaii!

Dusty is an awesome Shiba who actually comes when called – Imagine that!!

Here is a comment excerpt from awesome Shiba parent Brendan -

“Just a quick note to offer hope to others that read that you can’t take your Shiba off a lead.

Well we have had Dusty a while now and after getting her over the panic of having a lead on we are now able to take her to the park and let her off her lead. I would not do this in a small park or near cars/roads.

Dusty is great for about 30 minutes then she starts to get a little over excited and want to chase birds or becomes very aloof and is hard to get back. we them put her back on the lead for 15 minutes before allowing her off again. its working great. we have been working very closely with the trainers on her recall prior to doing this.”

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Super Shiba Inu Dusty!

Resource Guarding – “Mine!”, Says the Shiba Inu

shibashake — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:36:31 +0000

Many Shiba Inu owners will tell you that “mine” is the first and most favorite Shiba word.

Shibas think that everything, including food, toys, the house, the neighborhood, and even their supposed owners, belong to them.

If not properly handled, many Shiba Inus, and indeed dogs in general can get aggressive about guarding their resources. Shibas are bred to be guard dogs so they have a strong guard instinct.

Dogs often guard objects from people because they associate people coming near them with their objects being taken away.

Resource Guarding - 'Mine!', Says the Shiba Inu

I was inadvertently teaching my dog that ...People coming near him = Loss of resources

When my Shiba was a puppy, he used to pick all all these dirty items from the street including tissues, pieces of plastic, etc. I did not want him eating the stuff, so I would always take them away from him. Ultimately, he started guarding his toys because he thought I would take them away from him as well.

I did not know it at the time, but I was teaching him that …

People coming near him = Loss of resources

When dogs show aggression and we back away, they also learn that …

Aggression = People backing away = Get to keep resources

What helped my Shiba most in breaking this resource guarding cycle is to help him re-associate people coming near him to be something positive rather than something he should guard against. In essence you want to retrain your dog so that he associates …

People coming near = More resources

In this way, your dog will seek out people rather than try to get them to back away with aggression.

Here are some resource guarding techniques that helped with my Shiba Inu.

People coming near = More resources

The key is to set your dog up for success and not expose him to situations where he feels he has to resort to aggression. The less he practices that aggression, the less it will become a habit.

Do not give your dog anything to guard.

Therefore, it is also important to take away all high priority items (such as bones and rawhide) and not give your dog anything to guard. Only give him very low priority items. Cut food up into small pieces and give those to him one at a time so he has nothing to guard.

Make sure that you always remain safe during the training process. Use leashes, baby-gates, or muzzles as necessary. My Shiba still wears a drag lead (with a flat collar) around the house so that I can more easily control him when I need to.

NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) - Sit calmly before getting anything in return.

To stop resource guarding issues, it is also good practice to follow the NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) program. This just means that your dog has to do something for you, before he gets anything in return including food, toys, going into the backyard, or coming into the house.

In this way, your dog learns that you are the source of all his resources, and he has to work for you to get what he wants.

Teach your dog that you are the source of all his resources, and he has to work for you to get what he wants.

If your dog is already aggressive and causing bite wounds as a result of resource guarding, contact a professional trainer.

Never try to take items away from an unknown dog. Even seemingly easy-going dogs may sometimes try to protect a high-priority item.

Shiba says, 'Come sit by me and give me more chicken!'

Shiba vs. Siberian

shibashake — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:45:56 +0000

I really like Spitz type dogs, so I am owned by a Shiba Inu and a Siberian Husky. They are both great friends, but have somewhat different personalities.

Which is better – Shiba or Siberian?

You decide – a cookie is at stake!

Which is better - Shiba or Siberian?

1. Pretty Face

Shiba vs. Siberian - Pretty Face.

Shiba Inus look like foxes and Siberian Huskies look like wolves.

Both breeds of dog are extremely good looking, so it is a matter of taste as to which you like better.

Shibas are a small dog breed, with the males weighing about 18-25 pounds, and females weighing about 15-20 pounds. Sephy weighs about 32 pounds! He is a BIG Shiba!

Siberians are medium sized dogs with the males weighing about 45-60 pounds, and the females weighing about 35-50 pounds. Shania weighs about 43 pounds.

Many people get Shibas because of their small size which makes them more ideal for living in an apartment.

2. Brain Power

Siberian Shania working hard at all her toys.

If you look at the breed descriptions for Shibas and Siberians, they are both listed as very intelligent and independent.

Siberian Shania is intelligent because she is very good at figuring out how to work her interactive food toys. She is always refining her technique, and very quickly, she identifies the most time efficient way to get the most food out per time.

Too tired to eat

Shiba Inu Sephy?

Usually he just waits around for Shania to work on all the toys. When she gets the food out, he will come around and pick up most of the stuff that she leaves behind. In this way, he gets to have the food with the least amount of effort.

Who is more intelligent?

I think they both are, but in very different ways. Shiba Sephy is more of a rogue and a scamp. In fact, he has used his brain power to great effect against his daycare custodians and his dog walker. Here is Shiba Inu Sephy’s resume.

Siberian Shania will usually work within the system. If you tell her to stop doing something, she will do so, and look for an alternate activity on her own.

Shiba vs. Siberian - Rogue vs. Sweetheart?

3. Energy

Energizer Bunny!

My Siberian has A LOT more energy than my Shiba Inu.

Shania is frequently on the go. Even after a 2 hour hike in the hills, she is still going and going – just like the Energizer Bunny! This is even more amazing because she is a three legged dog.

Shiba Sephy and Siberian Shania at play.

She is always bugging my Shiba Inu to play with her, while he is usually pooped out and sunning his royal self.

If you live an active lifestyle, or want a good exercise coach – a Siberian Husky is a great walking and running partner.

If you prefer to hang out on the couch, then the Siberian will likely drive you crazy.

Shibas are easier to leash train and they require much less exercise. My Shiba gets a 1 hour walk in the morning, and a brief 20 minute walk in the evening and he is good the rest of the day.

4. Temperament

Siberians are friendly and affectionate.

If you are looking for a friendly and affectionate dog, then Siberians are the way to go.

Shania loves being with people and will often come over and hang out with us. Shiba Sephy likes to have his people around in case he needs anything, but he prefers to be off by himself.

Siberian Shania likes scratch, hug, and pet sessions.

Siberian Shania likes scratch, hug, and pet sessions. She will roll onto her back and sometimes let her tongue just hang out. It is very goofy looking.

Shiba Sephy enjoys the occasional scratch session, but if you do it too frequently, he will just get up and walk away …

He is that cool!

Shiba Inus are great guard dogs and are always on the alert. On the other hand, Siberians are happy to invite anyone and everyone into the house.

Everyone having some good fun!

5. Vet Visits

Vet visits are never fun for any dog, but Shiba Sephy takes it to a whole new level.

He is fine in the waiting room, and he is fine hanging out in the examination room while Shania gets examined. However, woe be to you if you try to get near him or touch him in any way while at the vet’s office.

Shiba Sephy has to be anesthetized for any type of vet examination. One time he just sprained his toe while we were hiking, but he would not let anyone come near to examine him, or even just to look at it closely.

Siberian Shania does not really like to be poked and prodded either, but she is willing to endure a vet examination without muss or fuss. She takes her yearly shots like a champ, and gets to come home in short order. Poor Shiba Sephy has to be anesthetized, and stays over for at least half a day.

Shiba or Siberian?

Which do you think is better?

Shiba Sephy is a rogue, but a very sweet rogue. He shares all of his toys and resources with Shania, and often lets her use him as a fuzzy chew toy. He is usually careful while playing with her, and lets her win most of the time.

Siberian Shania is sweet and always ready to give licks. She loves people, loves getting affection, and is always up for play, a hike, a walk, or whatever activity you have planned for the day.

She is independent and enjoys spending time hunting for insects and squirrels in our backyard. She has never destroyed anything when left on her own, because she usually finds positive activities to keep herself occupied.

Shiba Sephy, on the other hand, is usually up to no good

Shiba or Siberian?

Finding a Dog Trainer for My Shiba Inu

shibashake — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:56:24 +0000

Sometimes it can be difficult to find a good dog trainer that is knowledgeable, fits your personality, fits your dog’s personality, understands dogs, and is a good teacher.

I had a difficult time finding a good dog trainer for my Shiba Inu.

He is not an easy dog to handle, and most trainers that I visited initially were not very familiar with the Shiba Inu breed.

Finding a dog trainer

Get a list of all the dog trainers in your area. If you live in the United States you can use quickly generate this list using the Association of Pet Dog Trainers search tool.
Decide which dog training style most suits you and your dog.

There are generally three groups of dog trainers -

those that mostly use reward techniques,
those that mostly use aversive techniques, and
those that use a combination of the two.

Here are the pros and cons of the different dog training styles.

Visit the websites of all the dog trainers on your list, and filter out the ones that do not use the dog training techniques that you think are appropriate for you and your dog.
Call up all the trainers that are still on your list and quiz them about the dog training techniques that they use. Tell them some of the problems you are facing with your dog and evaluate the answers that they give you in return.
Pick the top three trainers based on your phone conversation, and set up a dog evaluation session with them.
Most trainers will want to evaluate your dog first before coming up with a training program. These are usually private evaluation sessions that last from 1-2 hours and cost from $50US to $100US. These sessions are also useful for evaluating the trainer in action with your dog.

Do not just follow whatever a trainer tells you.

The dog training profession is not very well regulated so you may run across some mediocre or bad trainers before finding one that suits you.

If you feel uncomfortable about particular training techniques, ask them a lot of questions and do some online research of your own. If the trainer is rude to you or does not want to answer your questions, then leave and find another trainer who will actually work for his pay.

Remember that you are the boss because you pay them, not the other way around.

Do not be afraid to terminate training if you discover in the middle of the program that the trainer is not knowledgeable, does not suit you or your dog’s temperament, or is making your dog stressed and unhappy.

It is also a good idea to ask a trainer what his policy is if you decide to terminate training early.

A great resource in my Shiba Inu trainer search was my local SPCA.

I had very good experiences with the two SPCAs that I visited. Both of them had very knowledgeable dog trainers, and very reasonable prices. They were also very willing to accommodate my training requests, and had a variety of balanced dogs at the shelter that they were willing to use to help train and socialize my Shiba Inu.

Often, the best teacher for your dog is another dog, especially with dog-to-dog aggression issues. While we may try to learn dog to better communicate with our Shiba, a well socialized, balanced dog, is not only extremely fluent in dog language, but knows when, and how to use it to achieve the most effective results.

Using other dogs is often an invaluable tool in dog training. Therefore, find a dog trainer with good access to other dogs, if you can.

In addition to the SPCA, dog trainers who are attached to a dog daycare or dog walking service will frequently have access to appropriate dogs that they can use in the dog training process.

Also consider getting help from your breeder. Good breeders know their breed well and can point you in the right direction to get help for your dog. They may even provide your Shiba with some good playmates.

Dog trainer vs. boot camp

An alternative to getting a trainer is to send your Shiba to boot camp.

I have never sent my Shiba to boot camp.

My poor guy got stressed from going to daycare once, for about 8 hours. He came back sick, depressed, stressed, and car reactive. I don’t think he would handle boot camp too well.

My opinion is that boot camps are risky.

You don’t know exactly what is happening to your dog during his time there. A trainer once told me that she subdued a Shiba by giving him an extremely strong correction with a choke chain and then holding him down in a forceful alpha roll while looming over him and growling at him. The Shiba defecated and after that incident, he was very "well-behaved".

Even if my Shiba miraculously became well-behaved, I would lose a lot of hard-earned trust.

Finally, the training done at boot camp may not transfer to you. If you are still fearful of your Shiba, projecting weak and unbalanced energy, and inconsistent in enforcing your rules, your Shiba will return to his old ways.

My Shiba Inu trainer experiences

Shiba Inus are still not very common in the United States and it can be difficult to find a trainer that is familiar with Shibas.

Shibas are primitive, stubborn, and extremely strong willed. Therefore, it is best to get a trainer with a lot of Shiba experience, is knowledgeable of the breed, and has successfully trained them.

After over a year and a half of meeting with trainer types, I have finally met one who knows Shiba. She handled my Shiba very well and very correctly identified him as a "reaction junkie" (playing, chasing, or fighting are all rewards to him as long as he gets a reaction. The bigger the reaction, the better it is.).

Previous trainers who "said" they knew Shiba, but really didn’t, have alpha rolled him to detrimental results. Others were uncomfortable dealing with a dog that mouthed so much, would not surrender, and would be constantly trying to push their buttons.

Remember that if at first you don’t find the right trainer, find another one.

To quickly get a feel for the trainers around you, enroll for classes in a variety of places, and take your Shiba to a nearby SPCA, daycare center or training facility to get advice and evaluations.

If you have more tips or stories about finding a good dog trainer, please share them with us in the comments section. Thanks!

Are Shiba Inus Truly Independent?

shibashake — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:10:53 +0000

If you look at the personality, temperament, or breed descriptions of Shiba Inus, they are always listed as independent dogs.

Are they truly independent? and what does independence mean here?

According to Dictionary.com there are 17 different meanings to ‘independent’. Many of them describe the Shiba Inu well, especially the definitions pertaining to independent thought and action.

Indeed Shiba Inus are not easily influenced or controlled by others – they have a mind of their own and that is why Shiba Inus can be challenging to train and to share your life with.

However, the other key definition of independence has to do with reliance – i.e. whether someone relies on another for their existence, care, and support.

Clearly by this definition, all dogs are somewhat reliant on us and never totally independent. However, I would argue that Shiba Inus are even more reliant on us than many other dog breeds.

In particular -

Shiba Inus are indoor dogs. My Shiba goes outside sometimes but he prefers being inside the house most of the time, and in the general vicinity of his humans.
Shiba Inus need to have their people around. If you leave them alone for too long they will become destructive and/or escape.
Shiba Inus like engaging in activities with others. This is probably true of all dogs because they are pack animals, however, some dog breeds are more ‘independent’ than others.
For example, my Siberian Husky will go hunting and exploring in the backyard on her own. She is good at entertaining herself and always manages to find something interesting to do.
My Shiba Inu on the other hand will only sleep when he is by himself. For any other activity, including working on food toys, playing in the backyard, or playing with toys, he will wait until someone else is there to do the activity together with him.

Are Shiba Inus truly independent?

Not in terms of self-reliance.

If you must be away at work or somewhere else for most of the day, it is best not to get a Shiba Inu. They may be independent when it comes to following commands, but they are extremely reliant on their people.

Owning a Shiba Inu takes a lot of time and patience. Only consider getting a Shiba Inu if you have a lot of time available to spend with your new Shiba Inu puppy – to train him, to play with him, to walk him, and to bond with him – EVERY DAY.

Kung Fu Shiba

shibashake — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:10:33 +0000

Is your kung fu no match for your Shiba Inu’s kung fu?

How can you improve your Shiba kung fu and become a Shiba master?

To learn the answers to these questions, we turn to the book of Kung Fu Panda. What can a panda teach a dog? Not much – unless the panda is the Kung Fu Panda.

What is the Kung Fu Panda?

Kung Fu Panda is a hilarious animated tale by Dreamworks Studios about a panda and how he accidentally became the Dragon Warrior.

I love Kung Fu Panda. I just watched it last weekend and noticed that there are many lessons in the movie that can be applied to dog training – especially training a Shiba Inu!

Here are five important lessons from Kung Fu Panda applied to Shiba Inu training.

And as my Shiba Inu would say …

There is no charge for awesomeness… or attractiveness.
~~ [Po, the Kung Fu Panda]

Exercise Your Shiba Inu

shibashake — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:51:05 +0000

The good news is that Shiba Inus are not extremely energetic dogs.

My Siberian Husky leaves my Shiba Inu in the dust in terms of daily energy.

However, Shiba Inus are easily bored.

They need a fair amount of both physical and mental stimulation every day or they will get frustrated and will likely become destructive or aggressive.

One easy way to exercise your Shiba is to make him work for all of his food.

My Shiba Inu works for his supper by doing obedience exercises, grooming exercises, and through interactive food toys.

My Shiba Inu also really enjoys exploration.

He fancies himself to be a great lizard hunter and has great fun pouncing on bushes to flush out those fierce, pesky reptiles. He enjoys smelling social markers (urine) left by dogs, cats, and other animals; and has a fun time staring at the goats that sometimes visit our neighborhood to clear out dried vegetation.

Daily walks are a must for a Shiba Inu.

If you are looking for some activities for your Shiba Inu, here are some fun dog exercise ideas …

Shiba Shake » shiba inu

Socializing a Shiba Inu to Other Dogs

You’re not the boss of me

Size *does* matter

The “Human” factor

Personal space

On-leash vs. off-leash

Spaying and neutering

Socialize your Shiba slowly

Options for dog-to-dog socialization

1. Dog Playgroups

2. Dog Daycare

3. Enclosed dog parks

4. Group Dog Walking

Socializing a Shiba Inu to other dogs

Thief Shiba, We Hates It, We Hates It Forever!

Shiba Inu – A Dog that is More Like a Cat

Shiba Neko 1. Independent, Aloof, and Stubborn

Shiba Neko 2. Very Much into Personal Hygiene

Shiba Neko 3. No Touchy. No Touch!

How Is a Shiba Inu More Like a Dog?

Super Shiba Inu Dusty!

Resource Guarding – “Mine!”, Says the Shiba Inu

Shiba vs. Siberian

1. Pretty Face

2. Brain Power

3. Energy

4. Temperament

5. Vet Visits

Shiba or Siberian?

Finding a Dog Trainer for My Shiba Inu

Finding a dog trainer

Do not just follow whatever a trainer tells you.

Dog trainer vs. boot camp

My Shiba Inu trainer experiences

Are Shiba Inus Truly Independent?

Kung Fu Shiba

Exercise Your Shiba Inu

Size does matter