7 things you need to know before owning a Shiba Inu
If you are thinking about getting a Shiba Inu and you have a vision of a cute, cuddly, sweet dog attentive to your every need and command, running on the beach together without a leash?: Think again! Cute? Absolutely. Attentive? Most of the time ‘no’, on purpose. Off the leash? Fuggedaboudit!
Here are 7 things you need to know before owning a Shiba Inu that I wish someone forewarned me about before I got my first Shiba. You may get lucky and not experience these traits with your Shiba. But these are common traits you should know about so that they don’t come as a surprise to you:
1. They are stubborn
It is known. My mom got me a Japanese book called “How to train a Shiba Inu” (loosely translated) after I got my first Shiba. In it, one of the very first words you see is “ganko” (pronounced gun-ko) meaning “stubborn.” Thanks a lot for the forewarning, Japan! They are strong willed, bull-headed creatures that once they set their mind on something, no amount of treats can sway their opinion.
2. They are drama queens
You think I’m being dramatic but I really am not. They do have a high-pitched ‘Shiba scream’ that can make your blood curdle. They tend to scream when they think they are being wronged somehow. One time, a loose string from a stuffed animal got stuck between my Shiba’s teeth and she stood there screamed bloody murder (with the stuffed animal dangling from her month by the string) like something was trying to kill her. This can make the bath time, nail clipping or vet visits a fun experience for all those involved! Note, some of them scream when they are happy too, which makes it a double pleasure…
3. They are not hard to train
They just decide when to listen! Shibas are so smart. They can learn pretty much everything so quickly. For example, potty training for Shiba puppies has been a breeze probably also due to their fastidious nature to be clean all the time. All other training, though, I KNOW that they know their commands. They just choose not to listen when it’s inconvenient for them. I’ve watched my Shiba go through mental, visual assessment to see what’s in it for her if she obeys that particular command then decides to make an informed decision to do or not to do!
4. They are independent
Because of their independent nature, many Shibas will come across aloof. Some people say that because of this trait, Shiba Inus are cat-like. I’ve noticed this a little more with my female Shiba than my male, who is my little shadow when we are inside of the house (outside, he has more interesting thing than me to check out). But they all have an independent streak in them that they just do what they feel like doing instead of following you around all the time. So, off-the-leash walking is not possible for many Shibas.
5. They are loyal
Loyalty is never a bad thing. Once you have their trust, Shibas are so loyal and their display of affection becomes something that’s so precious to you. But because their trust must be earned, they tend not to do well with strangers. I have so many friends that just want to pet my Shiba because he is so cute. But until he gets to know the new person, he will stay away and even bark at them to warn them to stay away. Depending on the Shiba, it might take anywhere from a several minutes to a several, separate encounters to become comfortable with someone new.
6. Strangers will stop and talk to you
If you are, like a Shiba Inu, independent and reserved, you have to understand that you will get stopped by strangers on the street. People will pull over their cars to ask what kind of dog it is that you are walking. Little do they know that a) you are, in reality, being walked BY the dog and b) you are kind of tired of being asked that same question over and over.
7. They shed, like, a lot
There is no way around this one. Shibas constantly shed and they BLOW their dense undercoat twice a year – once in the spring and once in the late fall. Be prepared to constantly brush them and vacuum the house. Wearing black/navy wool or fleece clothes will become maddening as they are magnets to Shiba fur. And wearing lip gloss is like putting on the primer to have wooly lips for the rest of the day.
Now, after going through these things you should know about Shiba Inu and think to yourself, “these traits sound just like ME” or someone else you know (possibly a teenager?!), you may be a good match for a Shiba since you already know what to expect. Or, you may decide not to add a (yet another) diva into your household.
Ready to get a Shiba Inu?
You’ve made up your mind and are ready to dive into the world of Shiba Inu ownership? Check out this ultimate guide of essential items every Shiba Inu owner needs!
Are there any other facts out there you think the new owners need to know about Shiba Inu? If so, please leave comments below!
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