Shiba Inu Puppy Training

If you know have seen the 2009 movie Hachiko: A Dog’s Tale, you are probably moved to tears by the loyalty of Hachiko, who was a Shiba Inu, to his master. In the film, Hachiko always waited for Richard Gere to alight from the train at the end of the day. The dog continued to this after Richard Gere’s character passed away. An intelligent breed, an owner who has this kind of dog should start Shiba Inu puppy training at once.

The Shiba Inu is a breed of dog originating from Japan. Its name means “little brushwood dog” and is one of the most ancient breed of dogs that still exist today. The Shiba Inu is a small and agile dog originally bred for hunting in mountainous terrain. The features of the Shiba Inu include a double coat, fox-like face, similar to that of an Akita, and the shiba scream which is a loud and high pitched scream the dog makes when unhappy, provoked or very happy. They are independent and intelligent dogs, and like many ancient dog breeds, their prey drive is strong. If they are properly socialized, owners will not struggle much with obedience training. The Shibu Inu is a clean and meticulous dog and makes an effort to keep itself clean by licking their paws or legs. They like swimming and playing in puddles. Because of their clean nature, they are easy to housebreak, even sometimes doing it themselves.

Shiba Inu puppy training should be done early because this breed of dog can be difficult to handle as an unruly adult.

• You must establish yourself as the master or alpha during Shiba Inu puppy training so you can get the dog’s trust and respect, which is essential to obedience training.
• Establish a set of routines and stick to the schedule. These include feeding time, going to the bathroom and taking the dog out for daily walks. Any deviation will lead to confusion and eventually, bad behavior.
• Never get angry with your dog during Shiba Inu puppy training. Keep in mind that your dog does not think like you do and when you show anger, you show aggression which will make your dog fight back. Remember to stay calm during training.
• Remember to praise your Shiba Inu for correct behavior.
• You must be consistent and patient during Shiba Inu puppy training. Do not expect results overnight. Proper training takes time.
• Start socializing your Shiba Inu puppy while he or she is still young. Because of their stubborn nature, a Shiba Inu that is not properly socialized may become aggressive. Socializing includes exposing your dog to other people, sights and smells, being groomed and handled, and going to the vet. Remember that this breed has a strong prey drive so your dog is likely to attach other animals if not socialized properly.

If you follow the puppy training tips above, you are sure to have a wonderful dog that is also a great addition to your family.