Hind Area / Tail Itching

edited November 2008 in Shiba Inu (柴犬)
So I've got a strange question. My vet can't find anything wrong with Skippy, my 6 month old Shiba. He tries to nip (nicely, though) if we pet or rub his tail area near the base. If he's lying down and we pet his tail, he has a little cry. We don't think he's in pain, just not sure if this is normal for a Shiba. Any ideas? Is this a sign of allergies? If so, now what?

Comments

  • edited November -1
    He may just not like being touched there. My shiba Moto hated having his butt touched. He would snarl if any of the other dogs touched his butt and would walk away if I did. I don't like having my neck touched. Nothing wrong with my neck. Just don't touch it.

    Maybe Skippy is the same way.
  • edited November -1
    Either he's in pain or he's being a turd :)
  • edited November -1
    I'm not familiar with any medical issues that might be causing some discomfort for him, but I'm sure there are some. If your vet can't find any though, I wouldn't be to worried about it.

    I can say that its not uncommon for dogs to be sensitive in that area. Unless its someone you are very close with, you'd be pretty uncomfortable if someone kept touching your lower back above your butt too. Shibas are known to be overly dramatic about EVERYTHING. The nipping is undoubtedly a correction. He's telling you in dog language that he doesn't approve of being touched there. The crying it totally Shiba drama. If I lift my leg too close to Lucy she lets out a scream that the neighbors can sometimes hear.

    There is some value for being able to touch him in those areas without getting a reaction. It mainly has to do with vet visits and your ability to make sure he's healthy outside the vet. But don't push it. He is communicating his discomfort to you clearly, and you don't want to violate his trust by ignoring it. Your best approach would probably be to associate yummy things with being touched on his lower back and tail. I would wait until he's calm and resting near you, and then offer some yummy treats like cheese while you gently touch him there. No reaction from him, he gets a treat. If he does react, respect his communication but also don't offer the treat. That will help to desensitize him to being touched there, while preserving trust because he controls the situation.

    Hope that helps!
  • edited November -1
    Sake SCREAMS at me when I try and mess with her tail and she doesn't want me to. She just doesn't like being touched there. Sometimes it's okay, but other times she just wants me to stop.

    I think Skippy is just being a turd :P
  • edited November -1
    Ichi nips my hand if I try to play with his butt/tail area. No screams though but he gets very agitated. I agree with everyone in that your dog likely doesn't like to be touched back there. However, it's where most vets take temperatures so I think it's basically your choice to associate yummy treats for being touched back there or to just acknowledge it as a "holy" place for your Shiba (pardon the pun).

    Jesse
  • edited November -1
    Thanks for the comments. The "butt" area that he's sensitive in is on his back near the base of the tail. So I guess he's just letting me know not to play with his tail. BUT IT'S SO CUTE how it curls.....

    Anyways, thanks....my fears are lowered.
  • edited November -1
    Interestingly enough, Ichi hates focused petting on the butt, but he enjoys a long pet that starts from the nape of his neck to the base of his tail (like you would pet/rub a cat).

    Jesse
  • edited November -1
    I love grabbing Niko's butt and pinching near her tail. She gets so mad and it is tooooo cute! And then she chases her tail.
  • edited November -1
    you butt grabber, you!
  • edited November -1
    yup! I love Shiba butts!
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