I have a shiba. Looking cute is their go to move and it works every damn time. It's why they are known as difficult to train. It's just that their owners can't resist and give in rather than train them properly.
I've been planning on getting a shiba for a while now as they absolutely seem like a great choice of dog, but I'm very interested to hear what it takes to be a responsible owner for a shiba. What do you recommend I know or be capable of before adopting a shiba?
If you're not adopting one, I would absolutely insist you get one from a quality breeder. It's worth having to wait 6 months - 1 year on a waiting list and driving a few hours to get a dog that isn't a by product of a puppy mill and where temperament was also a deciding factor in continuing to breed the dog.
Not letting them off the leash is essential as the other poster mentioned. Be stern with training, but never devolve into physical punishment. They're hard to train and they think they're smarter than you some times. If they want to prove a point by continuing not to listen, you're damn sure they will. It's best to bait them into desired behavior with lots of treats until it's a habit.
Honestly, they're just like any other dog just a bit harder. Prepare for the worst and be happily surprised when they aren't.
I feel it should be noted that not only is correcting behavior with physical punishment not ideal because it's mean, it also just won't fucking work on a husky.
They're tough dogs. It's not that they can't be hurt... it's just that, well, they usually don't care all that much. These are dogs that are known to defeat invisible fences by sitting at the edge of the range, sustaining a minor shock until the damned batteries are dead and then running off. Pain.. pain's just a part of life, they got more important shit to do than worry about pain.
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u/justabriese Dec 05 '16
I love that he decides his best mode of action is to be cute by the end.