Shiba Inu: The first 90 days

During a Shiba Inu puppy's first 90 days, choose manageable experiences and protect recovery between them. Schedule the first attempt after the dog's normal age-appropriate outlet, not at peak excitement. Sequence sleep, toilet training, handling, food routines, socialisation, and short training sessions with rest between them. Space new experiences with sleep and familiar routines; progress by recovery, not by a calendar target.

What to protect during the first 90 days

Shiba Inu's exercise is recorded as Most Shibas are fairly energetic and love to go for walks. Here, that matters because it changes the amount and timing of movement, stimulation, and recovery this situation needs.

A manageable order of experiences

  1. Sequence sleep, toilet training, handling, food routines, socialisation, and short training sessions with rest between them.
  2. Use this exercise note (Most Shibas are fairly energetic and love to go for walks) to choose the starting amount of movement and the length of the recovery period.
  3. Space new experiences with sleep and familiar routines; progress by recovery, not by a calendar target.

Pause and seek help if

Pause and seek help when development, appetite, sleep, movement, or fear responses change unexpectedly.

References

Height: 14.5-16.5 inches (male), 13.5-15.5 inches (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height

Weight: 23 pounds (male), 17 pounds (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight

Life expectancy: 13-16 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy

Grooming: Shibas shed ' a lot. It has been said that they shed twice a year, but some owners quip that it lasts for six months at a time. Unless a Shiba is a
AKC page Grooming > official section copy

Exercise: Most Shibas are fairly energetic and love to go for walks. They are not so hyper that they will climb the walls if they don't get daily exercise, but a Shiba owner should be dedicated to exercising the dog, especially if the dog doesn't have an adequate yard in which to exercise himself. In general, Shibas are not massively destructive if left alone once…
AKC page Exercise > official section copy

Training: The one thing every Shiba owner must know is that a Shiba can never, ever be considered reliable off lead unless in a confined area. No amount of obedience training will ever change that. Letting a Shiba off lead'or any dog, for that matter'is playing Russian roulette with its life. An open door, an unlocked gate, a moment of inattentiveness, and the Shiba…
AKC page Training > official section copy

Official breed description: An ancient Japanese breed, the Shiba Inu is a little but well-muscled dog once employed as a hunter. Today, the spirited, good-natured Shiba is the most popular companion dog in Japan. The adaptable Shiba is at home in town or country.
AKC page About the Breed > official breed description

Recommended parent-club health tests: ['Patella Evaluation', 'Hip Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation']
AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club

Official breed standard: http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/ShibaInu.pdf
AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard

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