Comments on: Teach Your Dog to Enjoy Hugging

By: shibashake

shibashake — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:51:43 +0000

lol – During thunderstorms *I* am the one running to my dogs for hugs.

By: Teresa McGurk

Teresa McGurk — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:50:43 +0000

Yep: my dogs are both hugger-happy. Especially during thunderstorms, when they will both try to get hugs at the same time. I guess I started them young, and was doing the right things by accident. Your hub showed me why they worked, thanks!

By: shibashake

shibashake — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:49:43 +0000

Shibas can be picky about their food. Sephy really likes bacon, cheese, and chicken, in that order. However, I only give him very little bacon and cheese because of the salt content. The chicken, I microwave it plain and then cut it up into little pieces. He gets more of that.

For commercial treats, I use the Innova EVO treats and chicken jerky. You have to be really careful with commercial treats because many of them have a lot of fillers (e.g. wheat, corn, corn hull, etc.) as well as additives, including salt, which may not be great for a dog.

Finally, a word of caution; Shibas will always try to manipulate you into giving them the good stuff rather than eat their regular food. Save the good stuff for when you need it (e.g. grooming); don’t let them trick you — too much

For a detailed list of Sephy’s favorites, check here:
http://www.shibashake.com/dog/commercial-dog-treats-review-shiba-inu-siberian-husky

By: Jon Gray

Jon Gray — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:48:43 +0000

Hey Shake,

What type of treats (brand & description if you could) to you typically use for positive reinforcement/training?

I’m looking into getting a Shiba Inu sometime this year and am particularly interested in what Sephy likes to be treated with.

Thanks!

By: shibashake

shibashake — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:47:43 +0000

“i also got them use to being touched as a young puppy”

I think that is really the key.

Also there are some dog breeds that are more aloof, and does not like hugging as much as others. My Shiba Inu is like that, so I just let him be. Sometimes, he will seek me out, and those times are special

I suppose people are like that too, some are very physically affectionate and some less so. I try to respect my dogs’ boundaries and appreciate that my Sibe is a “love-bug”. But, I also love my Shiba who is frequently too cool to touch

By: Eternal Evolution

Eternal Evolution — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:46:43 +0000

I had never thought about hugging in this way. I myself have never had a problem with hugging with any of my dogs, but i also got them use to being touched as a young puppy. Bowser my Pit Bull loves hugs, he’ll nudge his way under our arms.

By: shibashake

shibashake — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:45:43 +0000

annemaeve: lol. Its great when you can find a consistent sweet-spot like that. My dogs tend to like belly rubs but they don’t usually roll-over with people they don’t know.
sally: heh I love it when my dogs offer to be my footrest too. Sometimes they will even lick my toes, which just adds that extra umph! to it. Sounds like your dog is really attached to you though. Mine is more like a teenage boy and he likes being on his own most of the time until everyone leaves the house, then he really doesn’t like that. Let me know whether the techniques work out for you.

By: Sally's Trove

Sally's Trove — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:44:43 +0000

I have a big old dog whom I rescued last year, and I have never really believed that she feels all that attached to me, although my friends and family think differently. Maybe part of my problem is that I just don’t understand her language very well. Although she follows me everywhere, she doesn’t particularly want to be in close contact, unless she’s sitting at my feet and then she seems to like being used as a footrest.
I think I’m going about getting close to her in the wrong way, and I’m going to try your suggestions. Great Hub!

By: annemaeve

annemaeve — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:43:43 +0000

Great hub, Shiba! My dog didn’t care one way or the other about hugging (and I was sad, ’cause he’s sooooo fluffy…), until I found that he had a super itchy spot between his front legs. Now he initiates hugging, even with new people, by sidling up to their legs so he can get his special leg-shaking scratch!

By: shibashake

shibashake — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:42:43 +0000

Thanks One time a lady I met on a park trail tried to pick up my dog; out of the blue. I nearly died of fright because my dog doesn’t even really like it when we pick him up at home. Luckily we were able to stop her before she was able to catch my guy.