So I’ve had My Shiba Inu, Umeko, for exactly a year now! I thought I’d talk about my experience with getting my first dog as an “adult”.
I always grew up with german shepherds,(which are such big wonderful dogs). I work from home so I thought it was the best time to get a dog. I have a small apartment and I know a german shepherd would be out of the question for such a space. I looked at several dog breeds and I found the sweet quirkiness of the Shiba Inu was very appealing. They are like cats that are dogs. I got a bunch of books and started reading up.
I found the breeder for me I was the first to pick my pup out of the litter and I picked the one with the white mark on her forehead. As she got bigger I found out she was the runt of the litter and was also extremely shy. I visited every other week for three months till she was ready to come home. When anyone was visiting she was the only pup to run and hide in her whelping house. I loved her so much already and I was afraid she was not going to like me. I got books and read up on how to help nervous/scared dogs. (dogs love you for you, so don’t worry) She is not a scared dog, but she is a cautious dog. If you have a dog with you though she is your best friend.
I brought her home and could not be happier. I had many late nights when she was really small and I would (and still do) wake up when she makes the tiniest nose. Something to note, I never had to potty train her. I also crate trained her. I wanted to give her a safe place she could sleep and relax in. It really became her safe place, when she is really tired or board she will go in there and sleep.
These dogs need to be kept mentally entertained. I have a few puzzle toys that she often plays with (toys that you have to roll to get food out of are great), otherwise she spends her time carefully ripping the stitches out of her plush toys. She is very good at fetch. It’s gotten to the point that if I am working and I put my hand down she places the toy in my hand and I throw it behind me and she brings it back ( I don’t have to look down at her or the toy).
She would be best friends with our neighbor’s cat if she could. she has never barked at the cat, she knows she is supposed to sit for the kitty. She only barks at me, when she wants attention. She also turns on the PS4 and ejects disks when she wants attention. She likes to open her puppy gate and go exploring and nudge open doors that are not shut completely. I don’t consider these dogs to be a very good off the leash dog. She knows her name, but everything is on her terms (we have gone to a three month class to help train her). Lots of times she will walk half way to me stop and sit (like that should be good enough).
Those pictures you see on the internet of Shiba Inus just stopping and looking like they are getting pulled… yep that’s a real thing. She just stops, if you can help teach them a release word to help bring there focus back to you that can help (mines “okay”).
The description of this breed in all the books was dead on. Do your research to see if this breed is right for you. This is my experience with the breed so far and I am excited for the many years to come. I love this dog and she has made my life so much better. <3
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