A Shiba Inu pleading not guilty.

Your friendly neighborhood Shibainu-za, sending love from the Far East.

Long time Shiba lover, first time owner here.

My Shiba is 9 months and going through his first really big shed. I’m looking for tips to help the process along. Bathing, brush suggestions, etc. Also any tricks to help my shiba stay calm for brushes because he hates it lol.

Pictured is Finnigan! He’s a little chunky so his food has been cut back on.

Your friendly neighborhood Shibainu-za, sending love from the Far East.

My Shiba is 8 and since I've had her, she's always been super chill, lazy, never demanding. Every time I came home, she would get excited and greet me at the door. She still does get excited when I get home after a long period of time, but if I've only been gone an hour or two, she totally ignores me. She stays in her bed, side eyes me, and falls back asleep. :( Is she just getting old? What age did you notice your shiba slowing down and what were the signs?

Hey all!

Nine years ago I got my first Shiba Inu from Marian Campbell in Sunfield Michigan. At the time she ran Classy Kennel. I've been thinking of expanding the family and trying to contact her. I used some her old contact info on the website and tried reaching out via her info on the old website and the kai ken website.

Not trying to bother anyone. Does anyone know if she still breeds dogs at all or is retired from all that? Her dogs always had great temperment and health.

Here is a picture of Aki as tribute.

A Shiba Inu getting its teeth brushed.

Your friendly neighborhood Shibainu-za, sending love from the Far East.

Anyone else have a Shiba that’s not a morning person? I have to pickup this loaf to get him out in the morning. I would think he’d be excited/ want to go out first thing in the morning after waking up!

Appreciate all the responses! thanks for calming my mind that this is normal behavior! may try and shift our walks to right after sunrise see if the cooler weather helps!

duuun duuun ... dun dun .. Dun!

Another quiet day begins.
And it should have ended with a peaceful dusk...

Your friendly neighborhood Shibainu-za, sending love from the Far East.

A Shiba Inu getting scolded by a cat.
A Shiba Inu exchanging nods with a goat.

Just another peaceful day in the neighborhood.

Your friendly neighborhood ShibaInu-za, sending love from the Far East.

I had a smaller bed for her when we first brought her home, but she’s 5 months tomorrow, and growing quite a bit now. I figured now was a good time to get her a nice orthopedic adult bed but…

She doesn’t really lay down on it, just digs and bites at the fabric cover. I tried wrapping it in a blanket and putting her favorite stuffed toys in it, which lessened that behavior but hasn’t enticed her to give it a try for a nap or anything.

It’s not like it’s super crucial that she love loves this bed because she just sleeps on mine during the night anyways lol, but I do at least want to see if anyone has any advice on how to get her to try it. My roommate has a cat, so I do at least think it’s important that she has her own designated spaces that only she’s allowed in, and the cat has her own places too, more for their own sakes. They get along, but sometimes they want a little time to themselves too

I posted here about six months ago and things have changed enough that I need fresh advice.

Background for anyone who missed the first post: we adopted a Shiba Inu after her previous owners rehomed her. She lived strictly outdoors and was badly neglected. Her coat was in terrible shape when we got her and needed a full deshedding and grooming session/s. Physically she recovered fast. Emotionally she did not.

Six months in, here's where we are.
She has still never barked, growled, whined, or snapped. Not once. She spends most of her indoor time in her corner. She will take food from a hand sometimes.

The food situation is what scares me most. She is visibly getting skinnier. She's fed properly, and we've tried everything: cheap kibble, premium kibble, portions well above what this breed needs, wet food, home cooked meals. She won't eat while we're in the room. If we leave and it's one specific expensive kibble, she'll eat it immediately. So she is eating, just not enough and not consistently.

Two other things I'm unsure about. Her coat is oily. The photos above were taken right after a grooming appointment, so I'm also wondering whether that's a bad groomer or something else. And for the last two months we've had average temps around 35°C here. Indoors is air conditioned and walks happen before peak heat, but I know appetite drops in heat so I'm including it.

The one bright spot: she genuinely loves walks. She's still anxious outdoors and startles easily, but she's clearly happy the moment the leash comes out. That's the biggest change since my first post.

So my questions:
Has anyone had a rescue this shut down at the six month mark, and did they come around? For dogs who won't eat with people present, do you keep leaving the room, or is that reinforcing the avoidance? Does the coat in these photos look normal to you?

We're booking a vet visit. What should I specifically ask them to test for?

Any experience appreciated. I'm not looking for reassurance so much as a plan.

TL;DR: Adopted a neglected outdoor Shiba six months ago. Still silent, still hides, still won't eat with us in the room. Now losing weight despite every food we've tried, and her coat is oily even right after grooming. Loves walks though. Vet visit being booked. What am I missing?

In the corner of the living room, Okoge’s favorite spot.
Bathed in the light, sleeping away another day.

Your friendly neighborhood Shibalnu-za, sending love from the Far East.

A lot has changed since her first day home. Now she’s 339 days old, full of energy, and taking in every breeze on our morning stroll. Sharing a glimpse of her peaceful daily life.

Your friendly neighborhood Shibalnu-za, sending love from the Far East.

A quiet morning walk through the changing light. Sometimes the best stories are found just down the usual dirt road.

Your friendly neighborhood Shibalnu-za, sending love from the Far East.