How to Care for Shiba Inu Puppies

If you are looking for a puppy that is affectionate with lots of energy and fluffy fur to cuddle with, consider the Shiba Inu. The independent temperament of Shiba Inu puppies requires owners to devote time and effort to caring for them so that they grow up friendly toward people and other dogs. Their distinct double coat necessitates particular grooming care, which separates this breed from other types of puppies. You might also find yourself attracted to the puppy's physical features, from the tail that curls upward to the pointy ears that stand tall.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog collar and leash
  • Dog brush
  • Dog shampoo
  • Cotton balls
  • Water
  • Puppy toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Train the Shiba Inu to eliminate outside. Although Shiba Inu puppies are small and can easily learn to eliminate on puppy training pads, you will not want your adult Shiba Inu to rely on training pads in the house.

    • 2

      Take your Shiba Inu puppy on daily walks or runs. The American Kennel Club says that Shiba Inus must have regular exercise on the leash. Shiba Inus were originally relied on as hunting dogs, so the breed enjoys running in the outdoors. Get the puppy acclimated with a walking routine and walking obedience so that it does not become difficult for you to manage the dog once it is full grown.

    • 3

      Enroll your Shiba Inu puppy in puppy obedience training, or provide training yourself in the home. Beyond simple commands, such as sit, you should train the Shiba Inu puppy not to exhibit certain dominance behaviors in the home, such as jumping on kitchen counters, begging for food while you are eating and jumping onto the couch unless it is welcomed to. Training a Shiba Inu puppy is necessary to break the breed's natural sense of independence. Without proper structure in the home, the Shiba Inu puppy will test boundaries and can turn into a disobedient dog later on.

    • 4

      Bathe the Shiba Inu puppy monthly. Their medium length double-coat does not get as dirty or oily as other types of breeds, however their skin can become itchy if oils and dirt remain for too long. It is not necessary to bathe the puppy more frequently than monthly, unless it gets dirty from playing outside.

    • 5

      Brush the puppy with a dog brush after every bath, and in between baths on a weekly basis. Brushing helps control the shedding from the undercoat, which is common with Shiba Inu breeds. Since the coat of the Shiba Inu is medium in length, this breed's fur will not become as tangled as breeds with long coats.

    • 6

      Clean the Shiba Inu's ears with cotton balls dipped in water. The Shiba Inu puppy's ears stand up straight, so they can easily become dirty from the exposure to the environment. Gently wipe a cotton ball around the pointy ears to clean them.

    • 7

      Introduce the Shiba Inu puppy to puppy toys. Giving the puppy its own toys teaches the dog to differentiate which items in the home to play with, and which things -- such as your furniture, rugs and shoes -- should be left alone.