(Part 2) Top products from r/shiba

I really want to give Yoshi a hug.

My dude was really nervous about getting his nails clipped, hated every minute of it. He still doesn't like it but he doesn't freak out like he used to, here's what I did.

I hated the guillitine clippers, the potential for bleeding, I tried at first and immediately became convinced that filing was the way to go. So I bought high grit sandpaper, that didn't work either. Then I bought a little mini dremel like this one and it works perfectly. Just do it outside and I use a paper mask so I don't inhale nail dust.

Onto the squirming, it might help to have a friend at first but the trick with my guy was treats. Peanut butter may work well because it takes them a while to swallow so their attention will be had for longer, but I used to feed him cut up slim jim pieces during training so I used those. I take a pair of scissors and cut a long slim jim up in to tiny little pieces. Then give him a few to calm him down and take his mind off what he thinks (knows) is about to happen. Then turn on the dremel, let it run for a bit so he gets used to the noise, keep giving him treats and telling him he's doing great. Stay relaxed, if you are worried or tensed up he will be too, so you just have to remain as calm as you can. Remember dogs can be trained to sense seizures in humans, never underestimate how well your dog can sense whether you're tense or not. Then begin to file down his nails, the dremel files them down super fast but make sure to not hold it up against his nails for more than a few seconds at a time because it will create heat, not a lot but it's always nice to be on the safe side. The dremel is really gentle, I hit my skin with it on accident from time to time and it doesn't hurt.

Give him a treat anytime he starts to squirm, but more importantly try to give him a treat the minute he relaxes and is behaving the way you want. The ultimate goal is to help him understand grooming time is a time when he gets lots of delicious treats!

Hopefully that helps!

Here are my favorite positive training book

The Other end of the Leash: this one is a really fantastic book on understanding dogs, dog behavior, interacting with them, building a relationship with respect versus dominance. Anything by Patricia B. McConnell is going to be solid advice and techniques.

101 Dog Tricks - just gives a really good guidelines on luring your dog into tricks versus forcing them, plus a lot of good tricks that help with mental stimulation.

Play with Your Dog: Just another really good book on good training, playing, and positive relationship building.

Ahimsa Training manual: This is the training manual from one of the best training facilities in Seattle. There are really good positive trainers.

BAT Book: Behavior Adjustment Training by Grisha Stewart: This book was a life saver for me. Shibas are prone to being really reactive and sometimes have issues with aggression and predatory drift issues, and this book really digs deep into understanding your dog and helping them make the right choices and building them up for success. I personally don't think you need to have an aggressive/reactive dog to get a lot of good info from this book.

Anything by Cesar Milan will NOT be positive training methods. He very much does not follow that philosophy. Positive training techniques do not use force, aversion, do not believe in alpha dominance theory, no physical punishment. It is a give and take type of relationship. Cesar Milan style tends to not do well with primitive breeds especially the Japanese dog breeds.

Double on this post. We are planning on getting a Shiba Inu and without even having one, I could immediately point out the things that go wrong. My parents always had a dog so I'm familiar with basic training, but mostly me and my boyfriend just read about the breed and the training.

It's super important to know what you get into when buying a dog. Shibas are smart and will try to dominate you and respond VERY bad to aversive training techniques (eg the newspaper, crate for pubishment)

Books on the breed are not expensive, I recommend this one for general info http://www.amazon.com/Shiba-Inus-Complete-Owners-Manual/dp/0764147439 and this one for training http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1500844624/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SL500_SY115&simLd=1#

Also, check out this site for super good info on shiba training: http://shibashake.com/dog/shiba-inu-training-secrets

Please find a way to train him and don't bring him to a shelter. He's your dog and with training, your best and most loyal friend. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

If you use the search bar on the right and search new puppy, puppy list, shopping list, you'll find a lot of good stuff. Here's one old post with a list here's another and a super detailed list in the comments.

In response to those lists, I second the no need for puppy pee pads (shibas potty train quickly but do get something to remove the scent if they do pee in the house, nature's secret etc.).

I would add a toothbrush and toothpaste to that list. Get them used to the toothbrush early on even though they'll lose those puppy teeth eventually. Ditto getting them used to the harness.

We never had a play pen and didn't miss one.

I also recommend shopping on amazon for pretty much anything (petco etc. are always far more expensive but we do go to them occasionally with our shiba as a fun outing or to grab a last minute toy or treat).

Start with small bags of treats and not the giant ones in case your pup doesn't like them and since they'll be eating fewer and they might go stale before you finish them. We try to opt for the highest quality ingredients/most natural food and treats which is totally affordable if you hit amazon.

Specific items: Kong zoom groom brush (gentle but works well), midwest life stages crate (grows with dog, durable), traditional kong, kong wobbler (later added a kong genius as well), whatever random stuffed toys you like (still haven't found something that can survive more than a few days with our shiba) for food we used this wellness puppy food which includes salmon and have since graduated to their adult food alternated with costco's salmon dog food.

You'll definitely need something for them to chew (and chew, and chew), ours had some nylabone chew toys but was never interested in them. Loved bully sticks and rawhide though, just be sure again to check the ingredients, you want american unbleached rolls and not the sheets made of lots of little pieces.

Looks like you have a good list going, remember to update your pups microchip with your address and get him/her a tag with your details.

We got a 36 inch crate and it's plenty big for our boy (he's around 30 pounds).

Puppia harness is a great starter harness, it's soft and doesn't have a bunch of metal jingling pieces which our puppy HATED on his harness our breeder gave us.

Kibble, check out dog food advisor for reviews and ratings of foods content, we were using grain free salmon and sweet potato from chicken soup for the soul, it's decently priced and well rated I can't find it anywhere atm so we're switching him back to their normal kibble.

Salmon Oil is a lifesaver in the winter, our pup gets terribly dry skin and extremely itchy without it.

Start out with a puppy kong, they sell kong fillers that are cheese and peanut butter flavored, our puppy was pretty picky at first and only ate the cheese one, didn't like frozen kongs either.

I'd start with a Basic Collar here's a Dog Tag Silencer and a Break-away collar for outdoors or dog park. A dog was choked unconscious at our park so I typically just keep our guys ID tags on his harness and don't use a collar, but if you do I definitely recommend a break-away if you are primarily using a harness with it.

Items we found useful: Bed Liner, Crate Fence, Kong, Stainless Steel Bowls (highly reccomend US made do not buy any made in China for health reasons), Zippy Paws Hide and Seek toys, Potty/accident cleaner, Potty Bells, Anti-chew Bitter Apple spray, 50 ft Leash, Retractable Leash, Soft stop Leash extender, Car Seat Belt, Car Booster Seat, Gentle Shampoo, Comb, Travel Water Bottle, Flirt Pole, Special Treats, Chew Stick, Greenies

Sorry for the HUGE list lol, feel free to ask any questions!

I would definitely recommend a martingale - it's made to sit rather loosely but the leash is attached to a loop that pulls more snugly when there's tension on it. Great for Shibas since they have relatively thick necks compared to their actual head.

Another bonus is that it doesn't matte down their fur like most collars that you have to fit rather tight in order to ensure it doesn't slip off.

I got my puppy this one after he pulled himself out of his normal collars a few times - haven't had an issue since.

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Title | How to Potty Train your Puppy EASILY! Everything you need to know!
Description | How to Potty Train a Puppy Fast! This episode is sponsored by PetFlow. Set up automatic pet food delivery today at http://www.PetFlow.com/ZakGeorge Enter code Zak20 when you check out to receive 20% off of your first order. Just choose your dog food. Decide how often you want it delivered and you’re done! Modify or cancel your order at any time for any reason! Support these videos by making a small monthly contribution on http://www.Patreon.com/ZakGeorge Thank you! Like me on Facebook: http:/...
Length | 0:09:47


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Title | Potty Training: How to Train your Dog to RING A BELL to be Let Outside
Description | This video is sponsored by Potty Bells! Make house training easier and train your dog to ring a bell to be let out. Get your Potty Bells here! Potty Bells: http://www.pottybells.com?rfsn=365710.b0fb4 Get the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Zak-Georges-Dog-Training-Revolution/dp/1607748916/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463152090&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+training+revolution OR visit http:www.dogtrainingrevolution.com for a list of booksellers. Support my videos by making a small contribution on p...
Length | 0:07:58


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Title | Teaching Your Dog to 'Go Pee' on Command
Description | For more dog training and instructional videos like this, check Darcie the Dog Trainer out: On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommuniCanine/ Website: www.communicanine.ca This week I'm sharing with you one my FAVOURITE life hacks - how to teach your dog to go to the bathroom on command! This has saved me so much time in waiting for busy or distracted dogs that don't want to make going pee a priority. Stay connected with Darcie the Dog Trainer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommuniCa...
Length | 0:04:30






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I love the furminator (short hair version) and the Kong Zoom Groom. I like using the zoom groom during bath time too.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0040QW33W/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542834804&sr=8-3&keywords=furminator+short&dpPl=1&dpID=41hcGO%2BhI4L&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/KONG-ZoomGroom-Grooming-Brush-Raspberry/dp/B0002AR19Q?th=1&psc=1

Could you link the KONG toys w/ the velcro? I am able to locate the replacement squeakers searching on Google but not the toys themselves....this would potentially save me so much money!

Edit: Nvm, I think this is one? http://www.amazon.com/KONG-Snake-Large-Colors-Vary/dp/B0002CSKMQ

I know the dogs are both older but it wouldn’t hurt to take them to a basic training class that uses positive reinforcement. I would maybe suggest that you take your wife’s dog and she take yours. The idea isn’t to train the dogs so much as it is to condition them to listen better, which it sounds like your wife’s dog needs, but it will help both of you learn how to handle the dogs better and improve their bonds with the person doing the training.


It’ll also give them something to do together that’s positive & that’s really the goal. Right now they have negative interactions with negative consequences. This needs to shift to positive interactions with positive consequences.


Punishment when something bad happens is hard for dogs to understand. They don’t know that the bite was wrong or the growl was wrong or the way they looked at something was wrong and so it becomes hard to remove a bad behaviour because instead of stopping an aggression they just hide or adjust how it’s displayed. This is dangerous, because you may think they’re ok when in truth they’re just showing the aggression differently.


Positive reinforcement doesn’t teach dogs to hide their reactions. Instead you reward the actions you want to see and build positive connections between action / your reaction. It takes time, especially after an attack, but with the right training and tools I think you’ll get there.


I’d also recommend seeking a registered behaviourist if it’s within your budget, and recommend the following books:


Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0

Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs

Here’s the amazon link: Shiba Inu Dog Plush Pillow, Cute Soft Corgi Stuffed Animals Doll Toys Gifts for Valentine, Christmas, Birthday, Bed, Sofa Chair (Brown Round Eye, 13.5in) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PG74KDL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4DxsDbWEXDCPC

I would also recommend getting http://www.amazon.com/Grannicks-Bitter-Apple-Bottle-Ounces/dp/B00028ZMEO so she doesn't chew away at the carpet or your furniture or anything else you don't want her to chew.

i had the same issue with my shib, i decided to add salmon oil to her food ( Kiwi Peak Lamb) and she has never "itched itched" again, she now just does the shiba itching every so often

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https://www.amazon.ca/Grizzly-Wild-Salmon-Oil-32-Ounce/dp/B0002ABR6E/ref=asc_df_B0002ABR6E/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292961957265&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16106996455925664204&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061009&hvtargid=pla-353309683625&psc=1

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I hear that the softies last for much longer than usual toys if your dog is a chewer.

Find “The Art of Raising a Puppy” by the monks of New Skete. They train German Shepherds for the most part, I believe, but their advice and knowledge is applicable to most breeds.