Shiba Inu puppy

During the neonatal period, which begins immediately after birth, your young puppy is still in visual darkness, but they have already started the process of acquiring knowledge.

The little companion will spend most of this stage bonding and staying close to their mother and littermates.

At this stage, breeders or human caregivers should initiate handling of the puppy to stimulate their learning and familiarize them with human touch.

Even the slightest stimulation, such as handling and sounds, can have an impact on the young puppy’s learning and adaptation mechanisms.

Your adorable puppy is gradually discovering the wonders of perception as their eyes gently open. The little one can now perform their natural needs, urinating and defecating without maternal assistance, while taking their first steps, although they may resemble an uncertain dance.

During this crucial phase, the puppy should be exposed to a variety of sensory stimuli, including gentle handling, diverse sounds, and other stimuli to promote their cognitive development.

However, since puppies do not yet have the protection of vaccinations, it is essential that anyone interacting with them maintains strict hand and sterile clothing hygiene.

This is the opportune time to introduce some playful toys that emit intriguing sounds, encouraging the puppy to explore them with curiosity.

At this stage, the Shiba Inu puppy’s perspective and hearing improve significantly.

The growing Shiba Inu puppy is finally starting to exhibit typical behaviors of an authentic puppy. They are learning the art of barking, biting, bite inhibition, adopting postures, and observing canine etiquette towards their mother and littermates.

The puppy’s learning becomes more intense at this phase. At this stage, the puppy begins to discern the difference between rewarding experiences (play) and detrimental experiences (being reprimanded by their mother for biting too hard).

Note: The puppy should not be separated from their mother and littermates at this juncture.

Although the weaning process begins during this period, puppies continue to benefit from maternal nursing.

Puppies also benefit from acquiring socialization skills by interacting with their littermates and mother.

During this period, puppies are more exposed to handling and are introduced to new stimuli such as unusual sounds, unfamiliar objects, and a different environment.

This is also the opportune time to initiate the puppy to very short periods of isolation.

It’s important to plan for the puppy’s first veterinary visit and their initial vaccinations.

Since the veterinarian’s office will be a place the puppy will regularly visit in the future, it’s essential to ensure that their first experience is as positive as possible.

A negative experience during this initial visit could lead to the puppy developing a lasting aversion to veterinary appointments, a problem that unfortunately many dogs face.

During this critical phase, the young Shiba Inu is welcomed into a new home, an unfamiliar environment, and a newly encountered family.

Undoubtedly, this is the prime period for the intellectual and social development of your young four-legged companion.

You should seize every opportunity to expose your puppy to a variety of novel stimuli such as unusual sounds, individuals, healthy and properly vaccinated pets, as well as various handling, including grooming and baths.

At this stage, your budding Shiba Inu’s mind is working at full throttle, reaching its peak. The concerted efforts and additional time dedicated during this stage will prove highly rewarding for the future.

It’s time to introduce your young puppy to elements such as vacuum cleaners, skateboards, bicycles, felines, loud noises, music – practically everything becomes a crucial learning experience for your loyal companion.

Start familiarizing the puppy with grooming, collars, and leash walking as early as possible at this early stage.

The most crucial advice to remember is to initiate the process gently, ensuring that each experience is positive, enjoyable, and filled with joy.

And for this to happen, it’s imperative that you display a calm mood, patience, and a positive attitude.

Unfortunately, if a puppy is not properly socialized during this crucial phase, the rest of their life could be marked by issues such as anxiety, aggression, fear, avoidance, and hyperactivity, leading to long-term suffering for the animal and its owner, or even abandonment.

During this initial phase of anxiety impact, it coincides with the crucial period of human socialization.

When the Shiba Inu puppy reaches the age of 8 weeks, they become more receptive to their environment and acquire the ability to discriminate between positive and negative experiences.

As the young puppy becomes more aware of their surroundings, they can easily develop a propensity for fear if not properly exposed to new situations.

Indeed, anything that triggers fear in the puppy during this period will have significant repercussions throughout their life if not corrected before the end of this critical period.

So, if you notice that your puppy shows fear of things like the squeaking of skateboards, you should train them to establish a positive association with these objects.

To do this, gradually and in a controlled manner expose them to low levels of stimuli while rewarding them with tasty treats during this experience.

During the fear impact period, it is imperative to closely monitor your puppy and not let them be accidentally exposed to frightening situations in your absence.

For example: When you visit your veterinarian, it may be advisable to inform the technician not to proceed with trimming your puppy’s nails, as any mistake that could cause pain will further complicate this task during the nail trimming session.

It’s better that you have already started trimming or filing your puppy’s nails as part of their desensitization training.

The juvenile stage begins when the critical socialization period comes to an end.

However, even as this socialization phase nears its conclusion, it remains imperative to continue socializing your young Shiba Inu puppy and introduce them to the rules of conduct within the household.

During this period, the Shiba Inu puppy begins to acclimate to their new environment and family. They may show signs of independence by occasionally testing established rules.

Therefore, it’s essential for you and your family members to remain vigilant about household rules and not tolerate any infractions, even minor ones.

Effective puppy training could be compromised if some family members allow the puppy to deviate from the rules. It’s recommended to maintain consistent vigilance for optimal results.

Dogs have a natural preference for structure and routine. Your young puppy will develop trust in those who provide clear structure and expectations.

During this phase, your puppy’s size and growth increase exponentially, so it’s wise to capture many photographic memories.

Sexual maturity begins to manifest towards the end of this period. Male Shiba Inu puppies start lifting their leg, which requires an introduction to socially acceptable behaviors.

The emergence of adult teeth can cause some discomfort for the puppy. It’s essential to provide them with various chew toys and correct any destructive behavior.

The best approach to managing such destructive behaviors is constant supervision. It’s imperative never to leave your Shiba Inu puppy unsupervised in uncontrolled environments, as undesirable behaviors can become ingrained during these times.

The well-known saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies fully to puppy training.

At this stage, your puppy should have received their first vaccinations. Prevention of heartworm disease and control of fleas and ticks should be initiated.

The choice of the prevention protocol that suits your dog best is your responsibility. Questions about vaccinations and prevention of heartworm disease, as well as parasites like fleas, can spark spirited debates.

Your little Shiba Inu’s adolescence is akin to that of a typical teenager, which means it can be a rather tumultuous period.

Your Shiba Inu may become a bit rebellious, but it’s important to remain firm with rules, boundaries, and limits.

During this time, you will see the results of your efforts (or their absence) during the crucial socialization phase of your puppy.

If your puppy’s socialization and training have worked well, this period should be a relatively smooth transition into adulthood.

There may be some minor challenges here and there, but consistent training and reinforcement should easily address them.

Conversely, if your puppy hasn’t been properly socialized, this period can be difficult. Often, this is when puppies are abandoned by their families.

As your puppy becomes an adult, they undergo numerous physical and mental changes.

These changes may prompt your dog to test your authority.

Even well-socialized dogs can become more stubborn and less inclined to obey your commands.

It’s important to continue working with your dog and, if possible, consider enrolling in obedience classes to reinforce their training and learn new obedience methods.

This is also the time when many dog owners consider neutering or spaying.

Not all dogs go through this experience, or even if they do, you may not notice it right away. This period, which typically lasts for about three weeks, leads your little puppy to develop new small fears.

This second wave of fear arises due to ongoing changes in your puppy’s body and their discovery of the world around them.

They begin to see things from a different perspective and may become afraid of certain situations that didn’t bother them before, simply because they now perceive things differently.

When you notice this, it’s crucial not to push your puppy to confront these new fears.

Instead, take the time to work with them gradually to help them feel confident and reassured.

Hooray! You and your Shiba Inu have successfully navigated the puppy phase!

If you took the time to socialize your dog, your adult Shiba Inu should be a happy, well-integrated, and obedient family member.

Around the age of one, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit to the veterinarian for an annual checkup and vaccinations. Don’t forget to check if a stool sample is needed.

You may encounter a few minor issues that require some additional training and guidance.

Remember, just because your puppy has become an adult doesn’t mean that learning stops there.

It’s a misconception that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Dogs continue to learn throughout their lives.

So, keep learning together and enjoy every moment with your faithful four-legged companion!

• A properly fitting puppy collar.
• A comfortable harness.
• Identification tags or a microchip.
• Leashes suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

1. Plush toys for your faithful companion’s comfort.
2. Fetch toys, like balls, to encourage interactive play.
3. Chew toys, such as Kongs, to fulfill their desire to chew.
4. Noisy toys, adding an extra dimension of fun to the experience.

1. A gentle puppy shampoo with conditioner.
2. A small brush for their lovely coat.
3. Dog nail clippers.
4. A nail file for a smooth finish.
5. Hemostatic powder to stop minor bleeding.
6. A small dog toothbrush (or one for kids, it works too).
7. Toothpaste specially designed for dogs.
8. Optionally, a rotary nail grinder for those who want precision.

1. Paper towels for blotting up little accidents.
2. Rags for all-purpose cleaning.
3. Natural and eco-friendly baby wipes for tackling stains.
4. Eco-friendly enzymatic cleaners to bid farewell to stubborn odors.
5. And for those incorrigible chewers, anti-chew products.

1. Shiba Inus naturally tend to avoid doing their business where they sleep and eat, making the crate an ideal place for learning.
2. By using the crate when you cannot supervise your puppy, you significantly reduce the risk of accidents in the house.

• Serve your puppy’s food in their crate. Most dogs, including Shiba Inus, avoid doing their business where they eat. This trick is especially effective with Shibas, known for their cleanliness.
• Take it slowly. Don’t force the crate on your puppy. Use treats to lure them inside. Initially, leave the door open so they can come and go freely. Gradually start closing the door for short periods while staying nearby. Use the crate after your puppy has done their business, so they associate it with a pleasant resting place.
• Make the crate comfortable. You don’t need to invest in luxurious cushions. An old towel will do just fine. Towels are practical to wash in case of accidents, as they can happen.
• If your puppy pees in the crate, remove the bedding. Some Shiba Inu puppies prefer to urinate in a soft space. If this happens, remove the bedding. Your puppy can sleep in the crate without a cover for a while. While this may seem tough, it will greatly contribute to potty training by preventing your puppy from urinating in the crate.

1. Never make the crate a punishment. If your puppy associates the crate with negative experiences, it will become ineffective. The crate should be a pleasant refuge for your puppy. Many adult Shiba Inus who were introduced to the crate as puppies willingly return to it as adults.
2. Never leave accidents untreated in the crate for too long. In the case of an accident, clean the crate thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner. Even a slight residual odor will encourage your puppy to use the crate as a toilet again.
3. Do not leave your Shiba Inu puppy in the crate for excessively long periods. It is unrealistic to expect them to remain confined for 8 hours while you are at work all day. Your puppy may not be physically capable of holding it in for such a long time.

1. Use enzymatic cleaners rather than conventional household cleaning products like ammonia or bleach. Enzymatic cleaners are more effective at eliminating any trace of urine odor.
2. Also, make sure to clean and wash any blankets and toys that have been soiled.

Crate training a Shiba Inu puppy, like any other breed, requires careful consideration and patience. Here are some “what not to do” tips when crate training your Shiba Inu:

1. Don’t use the crate for punishment: The crate should be a positive and safe space for your puppy, not a place of punishment. Avoid using it as a time-out or for disciplinary measures.

2. Don’t leave your puppy in the crate for extended periods: Puppies have limited bladder and bowel control, so it’s essential to let them out for potty breaks regularly. Don’t leave your Shiba Inu crated for more than a few hours at a time, especially when they are very young.

3. Don’t force your puppy into the crate: Coax your Shiba Inu into the crate with treats, toys, or praise rather than pushing or dragging them inside. Make it a pleasant experience.

4. Don’t leave your puppy alone in the crate too soon: Gradually increase the amount of time your puppy spends in the crate. Start with short intervals and gradually extend them as your puppy becomes more comfortable.

5. Don’t neglect crate training altogether: While it’s important not to overuse the crate, it’s also crucial not to skip crate training altogether. Proper crate training helps with housebreaking, keeps your Shiba Inu safe, and provides them with a secure den-like space.

6. Don’t use the crate as the primary confinement method: Puppies need socialization, exercise, and interaction with their owners. Don’t rely solely on the crate to contain your Shiba Inu; it’s just one tool in their training.

7. Don’t leave your Shiba Inu in a crate with a collar on: Remove your puppy’s collar before placing them in the crate to prevent any potential accidents or injuries from collar entanglement.

8. Don’t make the crate too big: A crate that is too spacious might encourage your Shiba Inu to eliminate in one corner and sleep in another. Use a divider or an appropriately sized crate to discourage this behavior.

9. Don’t ignore signs of distress: If your Shiba Inu shows signs of anxiety, such as excessive whining, barking, or scratching at the crate, address their concerns. Gradually work on making the crate a more comfortable and positive place.

10. Don’t rush the process: Crate training takes time and patience. Be consistent with your training efforts and allow your Shiba Inu to adjust at their own pace. Avoid rushing the process or expecting immediate results.

Remember that every Shiba Inu puppy is unique, and crate training may take longer for some than others. Stay patient, positive, and consistent in your approach to help your Shiba Inu become comfortable and well-adjusted to their crate.

1. Ask for recommendations from your friends, neighbors, or even your veterinarian. Often, the best dog walkers are known through word of mouth.
2. You can also find companies specializing in dog walking. Most of them have online reviews. Check out the reviews for dog walkers in your area and arrange some meetings. Additionally, some of these companies offer GPS tracking, allowing you to follow your dog’s route during the walk and receive regular updates from the walker.
3. Schedule a meeting to observe how the walker interacts with your Shiba Inu. If you don’t feel a good connection, don’t hesitate to explore other options, as your dog’s well-being is essential!