broke down and bought a shiba today, he is 9 weeks old
any advice for a brand new pup? especially getting him used to a leash and house breaking
no set name yet either, its a boy
-cherie
AHHH!!!! I want to name him 'Fuzyy-Huggle-Butt' .... probably not what you wer looking for .. but he's a sweety!!!
As for housebreaking...
My only advice is... if you CAN take him outside (assuming no other dogs/people are frequenting your yard) DO IT! The transition from pee pads to going outside was VERY VERY VERY hard. If I didn't live in a place with a large amount of human/dog traffic I would have never done it.
Most Shiba pups practically housebreak themselves if you show them where to go. A good rule of thumb is that a puppy can "hold it" for their age in months + 1, so a two month old pup should be taken out every 3 hours. Did you get him from a breeder or is he a pet shop pup?
Adding to what Kyla said, use a crate also. Training your pup that a crate is a safe place is wonderful for down the road when you need to put them in a crate for long periods of time..
If you have an outdoor space, utilize it as his spot for potty. He will know where to go. They are VERY smart. Both Miso and Sake were housebroken practically instantly. Sake does still use the pee pad during the day when no one is home, but when we are there she knows to go to the door and scratch it to go out. We also had Miso to teach her that, but he did the same thing as a pup.
Congrats on your new family member, he is a very cute boy.
Although I do have to ask, if you actually just "broke down" and decided to get a Shiba, where did you get him at? Also I hope you did put a decent bit of research into the breed before you decided to purchase one. If you haven't done a lot of research, please start. Shibas can be very difficult dogs once they hit their "teenage" years and you need to be ready for that. They can go from sweet loving puppy, to little dog that tries to destroy everything that you own.
There is a ton of great information on this website and many other Shiba dedicated websites. You took on a huge responsibility when you brought this boy home, I hope you are ready for it. Your wording has me wondering though.
I am not trying to be mean, or some big jerk on the internet, I just want every Shiba owner to be prepared for the trials ahead. So the owners and dog can have an enjoyable relationship. Shibas mean a lot to me.
Did you get him from a pet store?? My advice would be to go to the bookstore and read as much information about owning a puppy as you can and research trainers in your area and get in contact with them to learn how to train him to be a well behaved family member. Establish a relationship with a reputable veterinarian and buy books on dog behavior and training. Buy books on dog nutrition and read through our threads on high quality puppy food. Go now, buy as many books as you can carry and start reading!!! Just don't buy "Ceasar's Way" lol, Patricia McConnell is a great author, "Don't Shoot the Dog" by Karen Pryor is great too.
oh i've been researching for a good amount of months
but i always planned on getting one from a breeder but ended up getting one from a pet store that I've been staring at it for a week or so that's what I meant.
I'm just trying to squeeze out the pieces of personal advice experienced shiba owners may have, as I do worry all the time about how he will be
Please don't take too much offense to this, but seriously, shame on you. Anyway, good luck with the little one and look into getting some books on behavior, general health, training, etc.
Just promise me you won't buy another puppy from a petstore.
Now come on guys! I know how much you all LOVE this breed and I also know that I'm new here and have a TON of learning still to do about my own Shiba.....but you guys CAN come across kinda harsh at times. I know that pet stores arent the ideal place to get a pup from, but not every pup from a pet store is a mutant with tons of problems. I REALLY dont want to make waves (as I truly enjoy every moment I spend on this forum), but maybe try to give new people advice without the "sorry but....." or the "I dont mean to be rude but...."
We ALL love our Shiba's very much, no matter what blood line they come from.
*EDIT* I thought I'd just add something. We love our pups like they are our children. And just like in the human world there are less fortunate "children" that need homes too. I know we dont want to SUPPORT puppy mills of any kind.....but the fact is that there are MANY pups in pet store that need love too. The way they got there is a HORRIBLE thing...but the fact is they are there. And if someone is able and willing to give them homes and open their hearts to love them....is that so bad?
I'm going to step away from this thread slowly now......and try not to get bitten!
Katie, the problem with pet store Shibas is not that they are mutants. In fact, many of them are probably perfectly healthy and happy pups. The problem is that buying from a pet store supports puppy mills. We have nothing against the dogs from puppy mills, its the mills themselves we want eradicated. Its a tough legal battle that will likely take a LONG time to win. In the near term, the best solution is educating people that buying from pet stores is perpetuating the problem.
I think the purpose of this forum should not be to judge, but to inform and educate. We all have strong opinions and they often differ, but I don't think it's helpful to reprimand a person's decision in anyway. Many of us have been able to voice our opinions without being so off-putting.
Disagree, state your case, but let's leave the naming calling off this site. Having said that, Katie, I think that apologizing before disagreeing is in good taste. What is the other option? Someone recently stated that everything another member wrote was completely wrong. That certainly wasn't the route to go. We are all passionate about our dogs and I think it's good to remember that the goal is to inform and educate and nothing more.
I honestly hated the whole experience of buying the dog from a pet store, never planned to, and I knew I'd probably take shit for it
But I liked this dog, not the shiba breed, but the puppy himself
Thanks Katie for understanding.
In any case, the dog is bought, and I was just looking around for some insightful hand me down advice, not the kind I can find in a book
Barb, I guess when you put it that way...yeah saying...."I dont mean to be rude but..." makes sense. It would just be nice if we didnt HAVE to use the "but"! lol Maybe save that for later?!
It's never easy to disagree, but that's how we learn. Just try to remember that we all have one thing in common - we want the best possible outcome for every dog.
Starry......I may have read more into the comments than what was intended. And I should probably note that I'm having a VERY rough day! HAHAHAH (I'm sure my Honey will make it all better when I get home!)
This forum is a WONDERFUL place!!! Signing in here is part of my daily routine! LOL I love to share stories of Honey's latest adventures. Or ask silly questions when I just dont know WHAT to do about some off the wall Shiba characteristic!!! PLEASE post questions and pictures of your new addition. I PROMISE you will find GREAT answers to your questions....And people will just MELT over any pictures you post!!!
Hi Cherie, Most of what you've read in books and forums is spot on about Shiba's. There will be small variances, but the knowledge and sheer number of Shiba owners around here should let you know what you're in for. Be careful about mouthing because the puppies teeth are needle sharp. For my pup, loud yelps and turning around and ignoring work best. No shouting I have ever done has worked or been effective on my Ichibi at all.
Welcome to the forum and make sure your flak jacket is on . I applaud you for being brazenly honest about how you acquired your dog knowing full well what kind of reaction you would get.
I am late on this but I just want to explain something. I think no one is judging. What we ARE doing is clarifying that pet stores ARE a problem. Unlike Starry, there are many people who BUY dogs as impulse purchases. And get bored with them like they do a purse.
Think I am being dramatic, come to my shelter and meet the beagle, pomeranian, american eskimo, and lab that were all DUMPED today. Then ask me how many dogs get put down because we can't find good homes.
Pet stores are stocked by puppy mills. So sweet loving animals are bred in crates, unsocialized exposed to disease and neglect and then sold to anyone. They will not be made illegal any time soon so our best assault on the phenomena is to not fund them. Where there is demand there will be supply. PERIOD.
This is not an attack on any members of this forum. This is simply a fact. And indeed we have a number of wonderful dog owners on this forum who BOUGHT their dogs before they learned better.
But if we are here to educate people, sometimes we need to say things that may make some people uncomfortable, remember we are here for the good of our animals. Not ourselves.
I agree whole heartedly with what Jessica said. However, what is done is done, and now Cherie has a wonderfully cute (if not deviant looking!) Shiba boy that she will love and cherish.
Advice: Leash walking... When we first got Nola, she had never really been exposed to a leash, or collar for that matter. And she screamed and threw a fit. Do not give in. Be gentle, but firm, and after a couple of days, he will get it.
Potty training... Never had a problem with my two Shibas. They are naturally clean dogs, and if you crate train them, it is a breeze. However, since your boy came from a pet store, it may be harder to potty train him. Just be gentle but firm again. Never yell, a firm "Ah Ah" will do if you catch him, and only if you catch him in the act of soiling the house. And treat and praise him when he goes where you want him to go.
Make sure you take him to the vet, as most pet stores only give you a small window to return the puppy if there are health issues (not that a health issue is a reason to return a puppy). But a trip to the vet is a good idea anyway, as to make contact with the person who will be in charge of his health.
As for the naming... it will come to you. He looks like a Lucian to me, though.
Welcome to the joy of Shiba-hood, and good luck. Please post more photos, and any questions you have, please ask!
Lucian is a nice name. I like really ornate names - Octavio, Claudius, ect....
Everyone has given you really great puppy advice. Mine is just to have patience with him. That holds true when he's older as well, but especially as a pup because his mistakes now will be bigger ones. Always let him know he's loved. I know it sounds obvious and even dumb of me to bring it up, but I never knew just how important that is until I had a dog who may have never known what love was before she found us.
so far, house breaking has been pretty easy, although he's got himself some diarrhea so that doesn't make it to the pad, vet check soon
hates his leash and harness, trying to put it on and take it off a few times a day and give him some treats while doing so
names thrown out so far are: katsu, toby, toke, and jeffery
here is a pic w/ his turtle, mid fling
It hasn't been mentioned yet so I will share with you, shibas tend to be allergic to grain (most dogs are at least sensitive to it). If you are feeding any food with grains that could be contributing to his upset tummy. MOST dog foods use grain as a filler.
If you are feeding a kibble (as opposed to preparing food for your dog), some of the following are kibbles that other members have had great success using Orijen (a forum favorite) EVO (grain free formulas Taste of the Wild Wellness Core
There are many great threads about feeding your dog you may want to take a few moments and read them over. The foods above are slightly more expensive however if it will improve your dogs health and lengthen his life span, safe to say it is beyond worth it.
You have a new family member, and I am confident that you will want to do everything possible to insure that he has the highest quality of life.
Comments
As for housebreaking...
My only advice is... if you CAN take him outside (assuming no other dogs/people are frequenting your yard) DO IT! The transition from pee pads to going outside was VERY VERY VERY hard. If I didn't live in a place with a large amount of human/dog traffic I would have never done it.
Congrats!
He's a cutie!
If you have an outdoor space, utilize it as his spot for potty. He will know where to go. They are VERY smart. Both Miso and Sake were housebroken practically instantly. Sake does still use the pee pad during the day when no one is home, but when we are there she knows to go to the door and scratch it to go out. We also had Miso to teach her that, but he did the same thing as a pup.
Good luck. Let us know when you decide on a name!
I always like wasabi... :P
Jesse
Although I do have to ask, if you actually just "broke down" and decided to get a Shiba, where did you get him at? Also I hope you did put a decent bit of research into the breed before you decided to purchase one. If you haven't done a lot of research, please start. Shibas can be very difficult dogs once they hit their "teenage" years and you need to be ready for that. They can go from sweet loving puppy, to little dog that tries to destroy everything that you own.
There is a ton of great information on this website and many other Shiba dedicated websites. You took on a huge responsibility when you brought this boy home, I hope you are ready for it. Your wording has me wondering though.
I am not trying to be mean, or some big jerk on the internet, I just want every Shiba owner to be prepared for the trials ahead. So the owners and dog can have an enjoyable relationship. Shibas mean a lot to me.
but i always planned on getting one from a breeder but ended up getting one from a pet store that I've been staring at it for a week or so that's what I meant.
I'm just trying to squeeze out the pieces of personal advice experienced shiba owners may have, as I do worry all the time about how he will be
-cherie
Anyway, good luck with the little one and look into getting some books on behavior, general health, training, etc.
Just promise me you won't buy another puppy from a petstore.
We ALL love our Shiba's very much, no matter what blood line they come from.
*EDIT*
I thought I'd just add something. We love our pups like they are our children. And just like in the human world there are less fortunate "children" that need homes too. I know we dont want to SUPPORT puppy mills of any kind.....but the fact is that there are MANY pups in pet store that need love too. The way they got there is a HORRIBLE thing...but the fact is they are there. And if someone is able and willing to give them homes and open their hearts to love them....is that so bad?
I'm going to step away from this thread slowly now......and try not to get bitten!
Disagree, state your case, but let's leave the naming calling off this site. Having said that, Katie, I think that apologizing before disagreeing is in good taste. What is the other option? Someone recently stated that everything another member wrote was completely wrong. That certainly wasn't the route to go. We are all passionate about our dogs and I think it's good to remember that the goal is to inform and educate and nothing more.
But I liked this dog, not the shiba breed, but the puppy himself
Thanks Katie for understanding.
In any case, the dog is bought, and I was just looking around for some insightful hand me down advice, not the kind I can find in a book
This forum is a WONDERFUL place!!! Signing in here is part of my daily routine! LOL I love to share stories of Honey's latest adventures. Or ask silly questions when I just dont know WHAT to do about some off the wall Shiba characteristic!!! PLEASE post questions and pictures of your new addition. I PROMISE you will find GREAT answers to your questions....And people will just MELT over any pictures you post!!!
So again.......
Welcome MySpace Comments
Most of what you've read in books and forums is spot on about Shiba's. There will be small variances, but the knowledge and sheer number of Shiba owners around here should let you know what you're in for. Be careful about mouthing because the puppies teeth are needle sharp. For my pup, loud yelps and turning around and ignoring work best. No shouting I have ever done has worked or been effective on my Ichibi at all.
Welcome to the forum and make sure your flak jacket is on
Once again, welcome.
Jesse
Think I am being dramatic, come to my shelter and meet the beagle, pomeranian, american eskimo, and lab that were all DUMPED today. Then ask me how many dogs get put down because we can't find good homes.
Pet stores are stocked by puppy mills. So sweet loving animals are bred in crates, unsocialized exposed to disease and neglect and then sold to anyone. They will not be made illegal any time soon so our best assault on the phenomena is to not fund them. Where there is demand there will be supply. PERIOD.
This is not an attack on any members of this forum. This is simply a fact. And indeed we have a number of wonderful dog owners on this forum who BOUGHT their dogs before they learned better.
But if we are here to educate people, sometimes we need to say things that may make some people uncomfortable, remember we are here for the good of our animals. Not ourselves.
Advice:
Leash walking... When we first got Nola, she had never really been exposed to a leash, or collar for that matter. And she screamed and threw a fit. Do not give in. Be gentle, but firm, and after a couple of days, he will get it.
Potty training... Never had a problem with my two Shibas. They are naturally clean dogs, and if you crate train them, it is a breeze. However, since your boy came from a pet store, it may be harder to potty train him. Just be gentle but firm again. Never yell, a firm "Ah Ah" will do if you catch him, and only if you catch him in the act of soiling the house. And treat and praise him when he goes where you want him to go.
Make sure you take him to the vet, as most pet stores only give you a small window to return the puppy if there are health issues (not that a health issue is a reason to return a puppy). But a trip to the vet is a good idea anyway, as to make contact with the person who will be in charge of his health.
As for the naming... it will come to you. He looks like a Lucian to me, though.
Welcome to the joy of Shiba-hood, and good luck. Please post more photos, and any questions you have, please ask!
Everyone has given you really great puppy advice. Mine is just to have patience with him. That holds true when he's older as well, but especially as a pup because his mistakes now will be bigger ones. Always let him know he's loved. I know it sounds obvious and even dumb of me to bring it up, but I never knew just how important that is until I had a dog who may have never known what love was before she found us.
hates his leash and harness, trying to put it on and take it off a few times a day and give him some treats while doing so
names thrown out so far are: katsu, toby, toke, and jeffery
here is a pic w/ his turtle, mid fling
If you are feeding a kibble (as opposed to preparing food for your dog), some of the following are kibbles that other members have had great success using
Orijen (a forum favorite)
EVO (grain free formulas
Taste of the Wild
Wellness Core
There are many great threads about feeding your dog you may want to take a few moments and read them over. The foods above are slightly more expensive however if it will improve your dogs health and lengthen his life span, safe to say it is beyond worth it.
You have a new family member, and I am confident that you will want to do everything possible to insure that he has the highest quality of life.
And by the way, he is very cute.
Toby agrees!