We got our Kishu from Carleen. There weren't any problems, she definitely is concerned and cares where her puppies go. And tries to match them up with their owners from what she can tell of their personalities. She had us send a couple of shirts that we slept in for the puppy to get use to our scents a few weeks before she was ready to be sent to us. I think it really helped with the transition, as Kaia was very comfortable with us after about 20 minutes. I spoke with her on the phone several times beforehand and via email as well.
Our Kishu, Kaia, is great for us. I take her hiking with me once a week. Whatever Carleen did, Kaia was basically house trained when we got her, the only issue was her not barking or making a noise to let us know she had to go outside. She just stood in front of the back door waiting for it to open. Now she taps on it when she wants out. Training has been fairly easy, as she picks up on everything quickly, but she is also very stubborn, which we both are too. Proper socialization is needed with them, really with any dog though. She was nervous and timid around other people, but after a few days of having different people come over, she firmly believes whenever the doorbell rings it's someone coming to play with her. She very much wants to be around us, pretty much all the time. Even when she just wants to lay down, she'll make sure she can see one of us. I also only had to get up early to take out for about the first week, after that she was sleeping from 8 or 9pm until 6am which is when I normally get up.
APPRECIATE your insight!!! How old is Kaia? I live in a residential neighborhood. Hard to get to hiking trails. Will walking around the blocks of houses be a problem? How is she with other dogs? Does she 'ever' bark? What 'turns her on' (what does she enjoy doing?).
Sorry to bother you with all the questions. Just trying to get a feel for the Kishu's from Carleen.
She is about 10 months now, I live in a gated neighborhood in Las Vegas. She does pretty well now on walks in the residential areas. At first she was really exited, but with taking her on daily walks when she was old enough that all changed. To train her loose leash walking, I used a piece of cheese on the walk, and just gave a small piece everytime she was walking next to me or behind me. With other dogs and people she is still very exciting at first, it's just a matter of proper socialization. When she was first around other people, she was very much afraid of them and would try to hide, that all changed after only a few days of getting other people around her. Last night I took her over a friends house, which surprisingly people were letting off professional grade fireworks (the ones you would see at a city or large event display) on the empty housing lots. Kaia just stood there and watched the fireworks and people, she was very happy, especially when she was able to lick someone walking by.
The only time she'll bark is when she's in the back yard and someone walks by the front of the house, sometimes when the neighbors are in their back yard though. This is all relatively new behavior though, I think she picked it up from the neighbor's dogs next door who barked at us every time we walked by (and whenever anyone walked or drove by their house). She never really barked until after she was about 6 months old or so. If I'm outside with her, she won't normally bark (she only has when my landscaper came in the back yard and she hadn't seen him before and she hid between my legs at the same time followed by running over and licking him and taking off with one of his gloves).
As far as "what turns her on" really being with us, whether it's just laying on the floor hanging out or in the back yard. She does really likes being outside (not in the summer here though now, and I wouldn't let her be outside for long periods with our heat in the summer, in the winter though she normally didn't want to come inside). She loves going for walks, playing fetch, pretty much any activity that we're there with her. Otherwise, hunting bugs in the backyard seems to be her favorite thing when she's by herself, trying to get the birds on the walls, playing with other dogs (she was initially afraid of all other dogs, but socializing her when she was younger worked great, a little too great she wants to play with every dog she sees which is one thing I'm currently working on). The closest hiking trails to here are about 20-30 minutes away, and she doesn't like car rides.
Feel free to ask me anything. Carleen is pretty open about talking to potential owners too, and making sure she matches the dog's personality with the owner as best as possible.
I'm working with Carleen right now. I communicated with two Shiba breeders and two Shikoku breeders over the last year, and I have simply found Carleen to be the nicest and most open breeder to speak with.
She has been breeding Kishu for some time now, her original dogs were from Japan, but they have been raised, trained, and live in the house like American companion dogs, which I think is very positive. The picture I get is that she is very attentive to the bitch and the litter and has a high level understanding of her dogs and knows the puppies very well by the time she places them. I also believe that her responsiveness to my emails and calls indicates that she doesn't have a huge number of dogs around, which I take to be a good sign.
She is very dedicated to the breed, has founded the american kishu registry, and is actively petitioning the AKC to get the Kishu recognized. She says she is doing this because it will happen eventually and she doesn't want the American Kishu to drift from the Japanese standard, or lose its health.
Anyway I cannot help you if you are thinking of getting a puppy from this year's litter, because I am still going through the process. I go through some angst occasionally because of the cost and the fact that I don't live anywhere near her and can't just drive or fly out there for a visit, but for the most part my gut is telling me that working with Kishu Ken-nel is a good decision and I am going to get a dog of legends.
THANKS for sharing!!! Got any pics of Kaia? She sounds like a 'winner'
Kenshi,
GOOD LUCK with getting a puppy!! Likewise I'm FAR away and have a strict quarantine requirement. Difficult situation! Haven't been able to come up with a reasonable way to get a pup.
Yeah I have pics, we just got a new puppy so been busy lately preparing for him and making sure Kaia and him are getting allow. At the moment they are sleeping. Carleen is really a great breeder and really does care about the dogs and the breed. I'm still a little surprised how accurate the Kishu Ken description fits Kaia.
Where are you at that has a strict quarantine? I was surprised how easy it was (minus waiting) for a dog coming from Europe.
I'll post some more pictures of her (and the new puppy) shortly.
Kenshi, we had Kaia flown here, without going to the kennel ourselves first and our Kishu did very well. Carleen had us send her items with our scents on them first. It did take Kaia about 20 minutes when I got her home from the airport to come out of her carrier, but after that she had instantly bonded to us both and was very comfortable at slowly explorer her new home. She wouldn't go far in the backyard without one of us there for a week or so, but that changed quickly (considering our yards here not as big as other parts of the country).
Comments
Our Kishu, Kaia, is great for us. I take her hiking with me once a week. Whatever Carleen did, Kaia was basically house trained when we got her, the only issue was her not barking or making a noise to let us know she had to go outside. She just stood in front of the back door waiting for it to open. Now she taps on it when she wants out. Training has been fairly easy, as she picks up on everything quickly, but she is also very stubborn, which we both are too. Proper socialization is needed with them, really with any dog though. She was nervous and timid around other people, but after a few days of having different people come over, she firmly believes whenever the doorbell rings it's someone coming to play with her. She very much wants to be around us, pretty much all the time. Even when she just wants to lay down, she'll make sure she can see one of us. I also only had to get up early to take out for about the first week, after that she was sleeping from 8 or 9pm until 6am which is when I normally get up.
APPRECIATE your insight!!! How old is Kaia? I live in a residential neighborhood. Hard to get to hiking trails. Will walking around the blocks of houses be a problem? How is she with other dogs? Does she 'ever' bark? What 'turns her on' (what does she enjoy doing?).
Sorry to bother you with all the questions. Just trying to get a feel for the Kishu's from Carleen.
Have an ENJOYABLE 4th Weekend!!!
The only time she'll bark is when she's in the back yard and someone walks by the front of the house, sometimes when the neighbors are in their back yard though. This is all relatively new behavior though, I think she picked it up from the neighbor's dogs next door who barked at us every time we walked by (and whenever anyone walked or drove by their house). She never really barked until after she was about 6 months old or so. If I'm outside with her, she won't normally bark (she only has when my landscaper came in the back yard and she hadn't seen him before and she hid between my legs at the same time followed by running over and licking him and taking off with one of his gloves).
As far as "what turns her on" really being with us, whether it's just laying on the floor hanging out or in the back yard. She does really likes being outside (not in the summer here though now, and I wouldn't let her be outside for long periods with our heat in the summer, in the winter though she normally didn't want to come inside). She loves going for walks, playing fetch, pretty much any activity that we're there with her. Otherwise, hunting bugs in the backyard seems to be her favorite thing when she's by herself, trying to get the birds on the walls, playing with other dogs (she was initially afraid of all other dogs, but socializing her when she was younger worked great, a little too great she wants to play with every dog she sees which is one thing I'm currently working on). The closest hiking trails to here are about 20-30 minutes away, and she doesn't like car rides.
Feel free to ask me anything. Carleen is pretty open about talking to potential owners too, and making sure she matches the dog's personality with the owner as best as possible.
She has been breeding Kishu for some time now, her original dogs were from Japan, but they have been raised, trained, and live in the house like American companion dogs, which I think is very positive. The picture I get is that she is very attentive to the bitch and the litter and has a high level understanding of her dogs and knows the puppies very well by the time she places them. I also believe that her responsiveness to my emails and calls indicates that she doesn't have a huge number of dogs around, which I take to be a good sign.
She is very dedicated to the breed, has founded the american kishu registry, and is actively petitioning the AKC to get the Kishu recognized. She says she is doing this because it will happen eventually and she doesn't want the American Kishu to drift from the Japanese standard, or lose its health.
Anyway I cannot help you if you are thinking of getting a puppy from this year's litter, because I am still going through the process. I go through some angst occasionally because of the cost and the fact that I don't live anywhere near her and can't just drive or fly out there for a visit, but for the most part my gut is telling me that working with Kishu Ken-nel is a good decision and I am going to get a dog of legends.
THANKS for sharing!!! Got any pics of Kaia? She sounds like a 'winner'
Kenshi,
GOOD LUCK with getting a puppy!! Likewise I'm FAR away and have a strict quarantine requirement. Difficult situation! Haven't been able to come up with a reasonable way to get a pup.
APPRECIATE the feedback!!!
Where are you at that has a strict quarantine? I was surprised how easy it was (minus waiting) for a dog coming from Europe.
I'll post some more pictures of her (and the new puppy) shortly.
Kenshi, we had Kaia flown here, without going to the kennel ourselves first and our Kishu did very well. Carleen had us send her items with our scents on them first. It did take Kaia about 20 minutes when I got her home from the airport to come out of her carrier, but after that she had instantly bonded to us both and was very comfortable at slowly explorer her new home. She wouldn't go far in the backyard without one of us there for a week or so, but that changed quickly (considering our yards here not as big as other parts of the country).
Snf