Some advice needed

Comments

• Calia

  February 2009 edited November -1

  I've been using a wire foldable crate, not the type you have to take apart to put away. Crate training definitely made it easy to housebreak my pups, and kept them out of trouble when I couldn't watch them. The size would need to be just big enough for an adult shiba to comfortably stand and turn in. I forget the measurements for mine, but if you want I can measure it for you when I get home.
  
  Look on craigslist for crates, even though they are used they are way cheaper than at a pet store.
  
  As far as getting the shiba used to the crate, first off always make it a positive experience. Never use it as a place of punishment for when they do something bad (like pee on the floor.) Reward them whenever the go in it. And leave them with something to chew on when they are locked up. Lots and Lots of praise goes a long way.
• tsukitsune

  February 2009 edited November -1

  We use a metal/wire crate that is big enough for a beagle (I think the box says beagle/cocker spaniel).
  Calia's advice about creating a positive experience with the crate is spot on - thats exactly what we would do, reward them for being in it, place treats through it with doors open so they go in on their own, willingly. Leave it open for them to nap in when I'm home, fill a kong to keep them busy when I'm not home..
• Saya

  February 2009 edited February 2009

  I agree crating should be positive and not used as punishment. I never punish my past dogs just a firm no if I caught them in the act of pottying in the house never had an accident except when they were puppies.
  
  I already have a puppy kong for my white boxer which she loves it so before I pick up my shiba I plan to get another one, a few more toys, and some puppy nylabone chews too.
  
  Thanks for the advice.
• Saya

  March 2009 edited November -1

  I've read on this forum that some people give their shiba inu caned sardines or mackeral I forgot which, but I'm thinking of doing this as a treat in her meals sometimes I've seen the caned stuff at the stores, but never bought these before is it like a whole sardine or like can tuna and just the meat and any tips for feeding this something like once a month or more often?
  
  I got in contact with the trainer at the place and there's no puppy kindergarten scheduled anytime soon, but she gave me a link to another one that's close by that looks good so I'll check on this one hopefully it turns out ok.
• StaticNfuzz

  March 2009 edited March 2009

  Whatever canned treat you use, look at the label. A lot of canned fish used for human consumption is preserved with high levels of sodium and sometimes other additional additives. You do not want high sodium for your dog(s) since it is difficult for them to process.
  
  For example for stuffing kongs I go with unsalted natural peanut butter and liver dog biscuits.
  
  About the crate: Yeah we use a beagle/cocker spaniel sized crate for our Shibas too and it works well. However, go by the size of your own dog. Some Shibas are bigger than others. Always make the crate a positive thing. There is a dvd by susan garett called crate games and it really helps to visually see how to go about getting dogs adjusted. Craigs list sounds like a good way to go to get a crate. If you order things online you have to pay extra for shipping etc even with ebay in most cases. Its to your benefit to shop around.
  
  Snf
• Saya

  March 2009 edited November -1

  Thanks alot for the information I think instead of canned sardines I might look into salmon and fresh sardines I saw alot of fresh fish at the store that mainly sells fish, meat, and a few other things so it'll be a nice monthly meal or something like that.
  
  I'll look around for that DVD I plan to get a few books on it and some on positive training to learn more on this.
• tsukitsune

  March 2009 edited November -1

  Along with sodium content in canned fish, I also worry about mercury levels (for myself, too!)
  Check this out: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sea-mehg.html
  
  We feed (mixed with kibble) canned in water - no salt added - sardines and jack mackerel. We get fresh tilapia, smelt, mullet and trout. The only two that I dress (take out innards) are tilapia and trout, they get the others whole.
  see:
  
• Calia

  March 2009 edited November -1

  IF your going to give salmon, be sure to get them wild-caught instead of farm raised. Farm raised salmon have really high mercury and PGB levels due to lack of exercise and processed food.
  
  Here's a helpful link
  http://www.healthcastle.com/wildsalmon-farmraisedsalmon.shtml
• rockinhlabs

  March 2009 edited November -1

  When I got Skippy, I owned a wire collapsing crate fit for 2 large dogs (approx 2.5 x 3.5). Yes, it's overly large for a Shiba, however the time that he spends in it during the day when we are absent, I didn't want him to feel cramped. I purchased a pet pad for him to be comfortable. Since day 1 of getting him, he has never soiled in his crate. The #1 key is sticking to a routine. The first thing you do when you get up or get home is take him out to potty. While we are home, the crate door is left open with his food/water in it as not to act like a punishment. There are times when he gets done playing and doesn't feel like he wants to lay down with us or if we're busy, he'll go lay in it with the door open. Just make it a routine, make it large so he's comfortable and not cramped and get a wire one so that he can see outside easier. It's a matter of him feeling safe also. I've read where if you use a box type kennel with minimal viewing for the dog, the dog will be more aprehensive to strangers and things happening in the house. When he can see out while you are gone, he is fully aware of his surroundings and feels safe. Good luck. By the way, my Skippy is only 9 months old.
• Saya

  March 2009 edited November -1

  Very nice looking fish there tsukitsune your shiba looks ready excited. =)
  
  I have a pond in my yard with bluegill, crappie, bass, and catfish that I fish in it also has sometype of crawfish in it, but I leave them alone. The fish taste great and the ponds pretty healthy lots of turtles and fish in it. I was thinking of using them to mix in with their food usually the only fish I catch is bluegill, bass, and sometimes crappie would this be another good option too?
  
  My mom is looking into that pedipaw stuff, but I don't think it's very good it looks like those usual TV order junk, but I've heard about the dremmal I was wondering which would be better? Right now I use the guillotine type dog clippers so far it's going well with Bella I do it when she's relaxed and I give her treats and praise when she's good. What type of dremmal should I get I've seen different types of them so I'm not sure.
  
  Thanks alot for the answers.
• Darwin67

  March 2009 edited November -1

  Here's a good link that explains the dremel (w/ pictures and diagrams). Although it's for dobermans, it's pretty thorough and she does talk about the smaller breeds and gives recommendations.
  
  http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/dremel/dremel.html
• Oliversdad

  March 2009 edited November -1

  I just read the article, very informative.
• Saya

  April 2009 edited November -1

  I'm still searching for a crate right now I'm looking at Midwest Lifestages Double Door Fold & Carry Crates and icrates thing is I'm horrible with decisions like this. I read on amazon review there were a few people on it complaining the bottom tray would brake, it'd make noise when the dog moved, or the wire is a bit small. There was alot of good reviews too so I'm wondering is anything like this true? A few reviews like this makes me nervous, but it could just be a few people got unlucky and shiba being a bit light weight might not break the tray or make that much noise when moving around.
  
  Seeing that the bottom tray might crack doesn't seem good you can replace it, but I just don't know. I never crated my past dogs, but of coarse when we had to go somewhere and there was no one there to watch them they'd always chew on things they shouldn't which is why I'd like to crate train Saya. I know shiba inu are fine in the 30" L crates Romi uses this brand for Ninja so I guess it should be fine.
  
  I was just wondering what are people experiances with other crates and what size is your crate?
  
  The shiba pup will be female I guess I'm just worried about the size since I never seen a shiba inu up close or ever crate trained a dog which I know the crate is more for sleeping and resting, but I wasn't sure if the roomy crate of a 36" L one would be good too for more room to sleep when the shiba inu is grown up or would the extra room cause trouble for me or the dog? Another thing iCrates and Life Stages crates are made by the same company, both are pretty much the same I think the Lifestages ones are the better one also there's Select Series Triple Door crate which seems like an higher quality one and even comes with a crate training dvd. I'm just confused about all the different crats I've found so I'm not sure which is best.
  
  I'm usually home most of the day and only will be gone for atleast 1 to 3 hours to shop or eat out so the puppy won't be left alone for long and I'll have a kong for the pup when needed and some toys. With chews I'm wondering what's good for puppies and dogs to chew on? Some sites say Nylabones are dangerous so I don't want my Bella and saya getting hurt my mom got a medium size hard nylabone and a large hard nylabone which both the boxer and the mix breed loved to chew on both of them it's been awhile now so the two bones are pretty chewed up sharp edges and stuff I guess this'll be a good time to replace them, but I was wondering what other types of chews that are good for dogs and are pretty safe?
• tobyshiba

  April 2009 edited November -1

  I actually think I have a midwest crate right now ...
  
  Toby got a little 'hungry' and chewed one side of the tray, so now it slides out with ease, because the raised edges are gone. We haven't had too many issues with the crate. Toby is older now so he has stopped most of the bad habits and just sleeps in his crate most of the time.