Comments on: The Shiba Inu Breed

By: shibashake

shibashake — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:00:26 +0000

Hello Rin,

Anyway, I know Sephy is 5 years old now, but I was wondering what he was like at 2 years old? Was he still playful and energetic like a puppy at times? Am I missing a lot by getting a 2 years old?

Sephy is still playful and energetic at 5. He is more calm than he was as a puppy, but he plays a lot with the Sibes, and when we least expect it, he will pull-out one of his “Shiba moves”.

Truthfully, I would have been very happy to skip Sephy’s first year of terror.

Congratulations on your new Shiba. Let us know how it goes when you get him and share some pictures with us.

By: Rin

Rin — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:40:03 +0000

Great article as always! I really love your blog and feel like I’m getting a little bit on the stalker-ish side with how much I read all of your articles, lol. I am getting a two year old Shiba and I’m excited that I won’t have to deal with the training, but I’m a little sad that I am missing out on the puppy years. Anyway, I know Sephy is 5 years old now, but I was wondering what he was like at 2 years old? Was he still playful and energetic like a puppy at times? Am I missing a lot by getting a 2 years old?

Thanks for in advance for answering my questions!

By: shibashake

shibashake — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:58:08 +0000

He is so crazy when other dogs are around. Any suggestions?

Yeah, Sephy is pretty reactive to other dogs at all. What has worked really well for Sephy is to create neutral experiences and just move along. I also did a fair amount of desensitization exercises with him when he was young. Here are more on our experiences with other dogs.

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:03:06 +0000

The more I read your postings, the more I fall in love with this dog. We must have gotten the exception with ours. He is mostly obedient, loves to “bring” stuff that you throw for him. He initiates play all the time and becomes very indignant when we don’t have time when he wants it.
He will sit, down, roll over, high five, give paw, play dead, stay (mostly) and loves visitors.
We recently took him to a town celebration where the people were passing by in droves. This was a training session for him to learn to be calm in that sort of setting. He was touchy at first, but with good treats, encouragement from us and a calm firm hand, it was a great sucess.
He is excitable with other dogs, whining and crying to see them. Once he is calm, he will greet, but then turn in an instant. This is my only complaint. He is so crazy when other dogs are around. Any suggestions?

By: shibashake

shibashake — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:49:53 +0000

Charlie sounds like a wonderful Shiba!

Sephy will maybe fetch one or two balls, if he is in the mood, but most of the time he just gives me the Shiba-look.

they are not your standard house breed, they need stimulation, and lots of lots of exercise…the constant long and ENJOYABLE walks, have not only help me get back into shape, but have also helped me to decompress after a long day as well…

That is so very true, and what a positive way to see things. The walks also help me decompress, and to think of things in new ways. Usually I will be struggling with some programming issue, and when I get back from the walk, I have figured out several new ways to attack it.

Hugs to Charlie!

By: Tina Sarao

Tina Sarao — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:06:44 +0000

I will be more than honest, my shiba ( Charlie) is an absolute love, he has all of the listed traits, some more than others LOL! patience is key, as well as calmness in handling, Charlie, was easily housebroken, trained to sit, give paw, as well as Fetch!!!..which we routinely do daily, Socialization of this breed with larger dogs, I find is key for friendly manner developement, he is an ALPHA by far, wit the smaller breeds, and that I find bothersome, but that is their personality, Charlie is the celebrity in my neigborhood, and is a total creature of habit, as we do the exact same hour long walk, so he can do his neighborly visiting of both my friends, as well as their dogs!!, and yes, he whimpers if I try to go in a different direction, so continuity is key with them….also the sound effects from him are quite Hilarious, especially when he wants a nibble of my dinner, all in all, it is true owning a Shba Inu, is not like owning your ordinary dog, they are different all in themselves, and I wouldn’t change a thing about him, and am proud to say, I am a Shiba Inu owner…..he brings so much character and happiness into my life, if you are up to it, then by all means get one….but they are not your standard house breed, they need stimulation, and lots of lots of exercise…the constant long and ENJOYABLE walks, have not only help me get back into shape, but have also helped me to decompress after a long day as well…

By: shibashake

shibashake — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 23:02:32 +0000

Hello Franco,
Congratulations on your Shiba! It is good to hear that he is doing so well.

As you say, I think as long as they get enough of the right attention and exercise, they are actually fairly low maintenance (except maybe when going to the vet). Also, I noticed my Shiba calming down a lot after he turned 1, so maturity is probably also part of the equation. Good early training also helps.

When Sephy was young, one of the most difficult areas to deal with was his mouthiness. But he has gotten a whole lot better about that.

Hugs to your Shiba!

By: Franco C.

Franco C. — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 18:27:26 +0000

Just got mine from a friend recently he’s a year and a half old. He’s stubborn as hell but cowardly. He’s been great though, not a barker, does like attention and being around people, fairly active dog but doesn’t mind lounging for hours as well. He loves the Kong toys I’ve bought him, so perhaps this helps maintain their interest? I don’t know but he’s been smooth sailing so far…knock on wood!

By: Charlie Seaman

Charlie Seaman — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:36:19 +0000

My husband and I adopted a Shibu about 4 months ago…raised in a kennel…7 yrs old, we had her spayed and now she is very nervous and jumpy. We are trying the kindness/reward training. Scolding/yelling/jerking leash only made situation much worse…loves goose meat treats…long walks with her catching small birds when possible, are her favorite. Does not know how to play…yet…We are hoping she can be off lease in a few months and run the 320 acres we have and come back to kennel up at night— using a leash for the rest of her life is not our vision of fun!

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:38:28 +0000

I wouldn’t advocate it – but our Shiba is frequently home the whole day by himself. He is surprisingly nonchalant about it and doesn’t have any noticeable ill-affects. However, he is also a fairly mellow guy. We keep him in a play pen so he doesn’t eat the whole house with some toys, food and water.

When we get home, he is super happy and jumpy for about 20 minutes, we play a game to work off some of the excess energy (fetch or the kibble game), take him for a walk, and then he’s fine the rest of the night.

We do put him in doggy day care once a week for dog socialization and I take him in to work with me periodically to help keep him from getting too lonely. (He just sleeps under my desk – he’s kind of lazy).

I would talk to your breeder when you get the puppy. They can usually help determine if the dogs they are raising are going to be mellow or neurotic based on the parents (though it’s not an exact science!) and tell you if they may adjust to being alone or if they will go bonkers.