How Much Exercise Do Shiba Inu Need (Are They Very Energetic)?

No matter how much of a couch potato your Shiba Inu may be, they are still hunting dogs by heart. Thus, they need more physical and mental stimulation than you think. If they do not get adequate exercise, they will let you know how displeased they are.

You may come home to destruction, with your favorite shoes chewed on. Or, your furry friend may annoy you with their incessant vocalizations. And many Shiba Inu owners can attest to the fact that this is not a pleasant experience.

So to keep the peace in your home life, you need to manage your buddy’s energy levels. But where do you start and what should you do? This is what this article is for, use this as a guide to keeping your furry friend tired, healthy, and happy.

Is a Shiba Inu an Active Dog?

Shiba Inu is an active and athletic breed that loves to go on walks or even go with you on a jog. They move effortlessly, and this nimble and agile breed enjoys a hearty romp in a yard.

Frolicking around is what they take great pleasure in. So when they sense any chance of playing or going out, you will get quite an alert expression from them. You can tell by the happy smile on your furry friend’s face!

Although Shiba Inu is an active dog, they are not the type to drive you crazy when do not get exercise. Still, you need to dedicate time each day to get your buddy active. Especially if you do not have ample space in your yard where they can get their body moving.

Providing them with opportunities for exercise is part of caring for any dog. But this is especially true for the Shiba Inu; you will understand this more if you look into their history.

This headstrong breed was originally used for hunting small game, such as boars. And as you can imagine, this task is both mentally and physically challenging. Thus, your Shiba Inu is already used to being active, even if they already live a lavish life in your home.

Why Is My Shiba Inu So Energetic?

It is natural for Shiba Inu to have bursts of energy throughout the day, especially when it is time for fun! Once you establish a daily routine for them, they will develop a body clock and know when it is time for a walk. With this, your furry friend may seem too energetic, but this is their excitement showing.

Much of their energy comes from their history of being hunting dogs. They may not be a hunter today, but they have been doing this for centuries. Thus, their need to stay active still lives on today and this labels them as an energetic breed.

But even with their long past chasing game, they are not the type of dog to drive you nuts with their energy. Your furry friend will not climb walls if you skip their afternoon walk, unlike other dog breeds. But if your Shiba Inu appears too energetic lately, this may be due to the following:

• Boredom
• Lack of exercise
• High-carbohydrate diet
• Medical Conditions

Your Shiba Inu is Bored

If your furry friend has nothing fun to do, they will look for ways to entertain themselves. Boredom is an issue for owners of intelligent breeds, like the Shiba Inu. This is because they will be relentless in their quest to look for something interesting to do.

And you can trust your Shiba Inu to get creative with this. A common thing that bored dogs do is dig scattered holes in your yard. This activity is a ton of work, and your furry friend may look like they are more energetic than usual.

But this is only because they have so much pent-up energy, and what they are doing is releasing all that to calm down.

They Lack Adequate Exercise

Spaced exercises throughout the day keep their energy levels in check. But if you skip one of them, especially if you go a day without exercising, you may have a problem.

If you do not allow them to play, they will take lead and have fun themselves. Like boredom, they have a lot of energy, and so they will look for ways to shed it off.

Your furry friend may even try to manipulate you to go outside. This is their way of asking you to play with them because you have not followed their routine.

A Shiba Inu with free access to a yard may also go out and run around at full speed, also called the “zoomies”. They may be energetic now, but your Shiba Inu will calm down after this. This is their goal, to get rid of the excess energy that they have.

They Have a High-Carbohydrate Diet

The carbohydrates that your Shiba Inu gets from their diet give them fuel for their daily life. This gives them energy, thus, this is a necessary component of their diet. But as you can imagine, too much carb consumption can mean trouble for your Shiba Inu.

The most obvious issue with this is that it can contribute to weight gain. But excess carbs in their diet can spike their blood sugar levels. This drastic increase can amp up your furry friend, making them energetic.

They Have a Medical Condition

If your Shiba Inu does not have the above issues, you should look into the possibility of a health issue. Oftentimes, this happens suddenly and their energetic behavior may persist.

One medical condition that you should look into is hyperthyroidism. This disorder occurs when the thyroid gland produces an excess of thyroxine. A dog who suffers from this may become energetic because its metabolism speeds up.

This is a rare condition in dogs but you should still consider this thyroid disorder. If your Shiba Inu suffers from this, they may also exhibit the following symptoms:

• Weight loss (even if their appetite does not change or even increases)
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased poop
• Rapid heart rate
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

If you see any of these signs, you must take your Shiba Inu to the vet as soon as you can.

Hyperkinesis is also something you should consider. This is quite rare in dogs, but this may explain what is going on with your furry friend.

Other than being energetic, a hyperkinetic dog may also exhibit the following:

• Agitation
• Aggression
• Distractible

Hyperkinesis is easy to confuse with lack of training, overactivity, or hyperactivity. When in doubt, it is best to consult your vet or a dog behaviorist. This way, you can get your furry friend appropriate help.

Why Is My Shiba Inu Puppy So Hyper?

Your Shiba Inu puppy is hyper because, at this age, they are still learning about the world for the first time. As a curious pup, your buddy will investigate anything that catches their interest. A young puppy will also test your boundaries and even your patience.

And because they have a lot of energy in their little bodies, you can expect your buddy to be boisterous. Not only that, but they can also be quite mischievous.

Take running around at full speed in the house or yard, for example. Your Shiba Inu puppy is pushing its body to see how speedy it can be.

Another example is when your Shiba Inu puppy smells something pungent in the garbage. Dogs have a weird interest in nasty stuff, and your little pup will let their curiosity take a hold of them. Thus, they will rummage through trash for the fun of it.

In both of these examples, it seems like your Shiba Inu puppy has so much energy to spare. Hyperactivity at this young age is natural, and this is why having a puppy can be quite a handful.

But keep in mind that this is only a phase, and your Shiba Inu puppy will mellow down as they age. Here is what you can expect with your furry friend’s energy levels depending on their age:

• Newborns to 10 Weeks of Age: When this young, your Shiba Inu will explore more using their mouth. And even at this age, you can expect some play fighting, jumping, and running.
• 10 to 16 Weeks of Age: By this time, your Shiba Inu puppy will enter a “teenage” phase. They will still explore and learn more about the world. But sometimes, they can be hard-headed and ignore your commands.
• 4 to 6 Months of Age: After their adolescent stage, your Shiba Inu puppy will begin to act more like an adult. Play fighting will continue, but they will be stronger already. So you need to ensure that they had gone through proper socialization so they have good manners.
• 6 Months of Age to 2 Years of Age: Once your Shiba Inu puppy is older, it will start transitioning out of puppyhood. But keep in mind that this is a slow and gradual process, and others may take time. With this, you need to be patient with them if they still act like a puppy.

Just hang in there and make sure they get plenty of playtime. This is crucial in keeping their energy level throughout the day stable.

How to Calm Down a Hyper Shiba Inu Puppy

A great way to calm down a hyper puppy is to take them out and get their body moving. At this young age, all your Shiba Inu puppy can think of is play so if you have time, why not give it to them? This will drain their energy a ton, thus, they will be too tired after and opt to take a restful nap.

But of course, you cannot give this to your Shiba Inu puppy all the time. So it is best if you have other ways to keep their energy levels in check. To help you with this, below are other ways that you can manage your puppy’s hyperactivity.

• Establish and Follow a Fixed Schedule
• Create a Timetable for Their Hyperactivity
• Ignore Their Boisterous Behavior
• Reward Their Calm Behavior
• Teach Them the Settle Command
• Use the Settle Command When Needed

Establish and Follow a Fixed Schedule

Keep in mind that puppies will push boundaries a lot. But by following a schedule, you let them know when it is okay for them to be active.

So make sure you plan out their day: when they sleep, play, walk outside, and more. By doing this, you are also helping them with what to expect at certain times of the day.

In time, their body clock will follow the set schedule that you have followed for them. Somehow, their body will know when it is time to get active and this will coincide with their walks or playtime.

Create a Timetable for Their Hyperactivity

Another thing that you should do is to keep track of when your puppy’s hyperactive bouts show up. This way, you will always be one step ahead in managing their behavior.

For example, when it is nearing their hyper time, keep the house calm and quiet. Make sure the household members do not give your pup much attention. You may also want to keep their toys out of their reach during this time.

The goal here is to let them understand that they cannot be rowdy whenever they want. And they will learn this by taking away what they see as fun during this time.

Ignore Their Boisterous Behavior

Sometimes, you reward your Shiba Inu puppy’s hyperactive behavior by mistake. When they get too overexcited, you may have given them attention such as talking to them or giving them pets. But all these acts are rewarding their behavior, and you are encouraging them to keep doing this.

With this, you need to completely ignore your furry friend whenever they become too hyper. Take a step back and do not engage with them in any way, even by making eye contact. If your Shiba Inu puppy begins to jump or paw at you, turn your back on them and do not give in.

In time, this will discourage them from doing behaviors that you do not want to see. Even if this breed is independent, as a puppy, they want your attention. Thus, this will curb their unwanted behavior as they do not want you to ignore them.

Reward Their Calm Behavior

Along with ignoring them, you should also reward your Shiba Inu puppy whenever they calm down. The former is great for teaching them what not to do, while the latter is for teaching them what they should do. Thus, you need to use both for them to learn how to manage their energy.

So once your Shiba Inu puppy finally behaves and keeps quiet, then give them a high-value treat. Not any treat will work here, you need to make sure it is their favorite so that they listen to you.

And remember not to use their kibbles as a reward. This is something that they get for their daily meals, so it does not seem special to them.

You may want to avoid giving them their favorite toy as a reward too. This can make your Shiba Inu puppy overexcited again, which is what you are trying to avoid.

Teach Them the Settle Command

This is an intelligent breed, which makes it easy to train your Shiba Inu puppy in basic commands. But since they are quite stubborn, teaching them more advanced commands can be tricky. But with patience and consistency, your Shiba Inu puppy will pick up on the “settle” command in a few weeks.

To teach this command, you can follow the method above and reward their calm behavior. But before giving your buddy their favorite treat, say the command “settle” first. And if you have a clicker with you, say the command first, use the clicker, and then reward them.

It is crucial that you repeat this many times throughout the day, for at least a few weeks straight. Repetition and consistent training are what will help your puppy understand their training.

This does not only apply to waiting for them to calm down after being rowdy. You should also use this command whenever you see them being calm, such as lying down and relaxing. This will help them associate the behavior, the command, and the treat.

Use the Settle Command When Needed

You first need to be certain that your pup understands the settle command before using it. This is crucial because if you give out the command and they ignore it, this will devalue the cue word. Your Shiba Inu puppy has to respect the command, otherwise, all your effort and theirs will be useless.

So make sure your Shiba Inu puppy has gone through a few weeks of training for this. Once you are confident that they know what it means, only then can you move forward.

When your furry friend starts to become rowdy, do not say the command amid the moment yet. They may be too distracted to listen to you or even hear you. Again, you are trying to avoid them ignoring the command.

So where do you go from here? Well first, you can take a low-value toy and play with them for a bit in a quiet room that is free of distractions. Do not use a high-value toy as this will only add to their excitement.

Play with your puppy for a minute or so, and then stop and say the command. You should do this before your furry friend begins to become overexcited again. Now wait for them to calm down, and this may take you a while.

As soon as they do, say the command, shower them with praise, and give them some tasty treats! You can also use this command in different situations to test out your pup’s obedience.

Why Is My Shiba Inu Restless at Night?

A common reason why dogs can become restless at night is that they hear an unusual sound. Your Shiba Inu has sensitive hearing, and they can pick up on the slightest sounds that you cannot. When they do, they will be up all night whining and pacing, as if something is troubling them.

This is usually not of any concern, as your furry friend may have only heard nocturnal wildlife. An example is some rodents in the attic moving around amping up your Shiba Inu. Your buddy may bark and pace all night out of frustration because they cannot hunt down the critters.

So most of the time, your buddy’s restlessness may be due to squirrels, raccoons, and bats that they see or hear. If this is getting out of hand, then consider hiring a pest exterminator.

But there are more reasons why your poor Shiba Inu cannot seem to settle down at night. Naturally, you want to figure out the root of the behavior so that you can help your furry friend out. To help you with this, below are more possible reasons for this worrying behavior.

• Fear of Loud Sounds
• Overwhelmed by Environmental Changes
• Puppy Anxiety or Loneliness
• Lack of Physical Activity
• Canine Dementia
• Age-Related Issues
• Pain or Discomfort

Fear of Loud Sounds

In connection to the example above, some sounds are terrifying for your Shiba Inu. They are already sensitive to slight sounds, to begin with. And as you can imagine, louder sounds can send them into a state of panic.

Thunderstorms or fireworks, for example, can easily make your buddy restless. So they will need your help and reassurance to calm themselves down.

Overwhelmed by Environmental Changes

Once your furry friend has a structure in their daily life, they want it to remain that way. Dogs like a routine, and if there are disruptions in this, they will feel overwhelmed.

So now, take a step back and assess your furry friend’s situation.

Did you move into a new home? If so, your Shiba Inu has to get used to the new sight, scents, and sounds of their new environment. They will calm down in time but in the meantime, your buddy will have trouble drifting off to sleep.

The same can happen even if you do not move into a new home, too. Do you have guests over, or is there a new family member? If so, this creates a change in the house dynamic and even its smell. Your Shiba Inu may not like the sounds they make, especially if it is a crying newborn baby.

Since sights are also a factor, new furniture or house renovations can also be disruptive.

While some of these may be minor to you, your Shiba Inu does not feel the same way. Give them a few weeks to get used to this and their restless nights should go away. But if this persists, then you should take them to the vet for an expert opinion.

Puppy Anxiety or Loneliness

During the first few days of welcoming a puppy into your home, do not expect them to fall asleep soundly at night. From the moment your Shiba Inu was born, all they knew and had was their mother and littermates. They were your puppy’s source of comfort, but now, they do not have them.

So their restlessness at night is due to missing their family. This is even worse because they also have to get used to a new environment. They also do not know the new faces that they have to meet in the comfort of their home.

With all these stacked up on your poor pup, they will cry and whine at night.

This is even worse if you put them in a crate outside of your bedroom. To them, you are their only source of comfort. But if you keep them away from you at night, your poor Shiba Inu puppy will feel even lonelier.

Because of this, they will also exhibit excessive behaviors. Your Shiba Inu puppy will bark and relentlessly scratch its crate or any barrier. This is their attempt to escape confinement so they can reunite with you.

Lack of Physical Activity

Exercise is crucial for all dogs, and this will use up their energy and tire them out. If you have been busy during the day and come home late, your buddy will have a lot of pent-up energy. So you will be coming home to a hyperactive pooch, ready for some fun.

Your Shiba Inu will get so excited about your return because they think it is time for play. But even after some fun outdoors and a hearty meal, your buddy will not be ready for bed.

There will still be some pent-up energy remaining and they are still keen on using all this up. An evening exercise is not adequate exercise for your Shiba Inu. Sleeping is the last thing on his mind.

So even if you and the other household members have settled for the night, your buddy will still be active. They will exhibit their restlessness in various ways. This includes barking and whining throughout the night.

Canine Dementia

As your Shiba Inu ages, they may develop Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). This condition has several cognitive dysfunction symptoms. But the first one to get affected is their sleep-wake cycle.

If your buddy suffers from this, they will have trouble falling asleep at night. They may even start to sleep more during the day too. This shift in their normal sleeping cycle is what makes your Shiba Inu restless at night.

When your furry friend experiences this due to dementia, this is a behavioral issue. Thus, diagnosing this can be tricky. So you must take your Shiba Inu to the vet for some blood work to confirm if they have this.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for canine dementia. But your Shiba Inu can take medications to help with the symptoms.

Age-Related Issues

A young Shiba Inu still cannot hold their bladder throughout the night. So they may bark or do anything to get your attention to let them out so they can do their business. This may be why your furry friend seems restless at night.

But the same thing can happen to an older dog. If your Shiba Inu is a senior, then its bladder will not function as well as it used to. Thus, they will need more trips to the potty, even at night.

In both of these scenarios, your furry friend will get anxious at night out of concern for their potty break. Make sure that you take them on a last-minute trip outside so they can relieve themselves. You may also want to limit their water intake a few hours before bedtime.

Pain or Discomfort

Any dog, no matter their age, can experience pain that makes it difficult for them to settle down at night. Their pain can be due to a medical condition, an injury, or normal wear and tear. But keep in mind that an older dog is more susceptible to health issues that bring them chronic pain.

Here are some conditions that can bring pain to your Shiba Inu:

• Injury: Superficial injuries include scratches, wounds, and scrapes. But injuries can be skin-deep, such as ligament tears. Blockages due to ingesting any foreign objects are also something to consider.
• Surgery: Of course, dogs will feel discomfort after surgery. But your Shiba Inu may make this worse by licking or biting their post-surgery wounds.
• Arthritis: This is a common issue in older dogs, causing inflammation in their joints. If your Shiba Inu suffers from this, they will be in chronic pain.
• Dental Issues: Gingivitis and periodontitis are painful dental diseases for any dog. But your Shiba Inu may also have pain due to an oral ulcer or tumor.
• Musculoskeletal Issues: There are a variety of bone diseases that can bring pain to a dog. This includes hip dysplasia and luxating patella to name a few.
• Skin Issues: Your Shiba Inu may be suffering from Lyme disease or ringworm. But allergies can also be uncomfortable because they can scratch themselves too much. As a result, your Shiba Inu may form wounds due to the friction and this can lead to an infection.

With these possible causes, you need to make sure you act right away to help your poor pooch. So if you see any of the symptoms below, bring them to the vet right away:

• Excessive vocalization
• Trembling
• Lack of appetite
• Rapid heart rate
• Faster breathing
• Reluctance to move

How Do You Tire a Shiba Inu?

Daily walks are an essential part of your Shiba Inu’s day to shed some pent-up energy. Not only that, but it also helps in stimulating their mind. During walks, they experience smells, sounds, and sights that put their minds to work.

And for this intelligent breed, mental exercises are just as important. Physical exercise alone is not enough to drain their energy. Thus, you should take advantage of a walking routine for your Shiba Inu.

Daily walks should be between 45 minutes to an hour. While you can walk them once a day, twice a day is much better to keep their energy level in check. Be sure to take them out at the same time each day, consistency is the key here.

But of course, you should do more than take your Shiba Inu around the neighborhood. Although they are not extremely energetic dogs, remember that they were once hunters.

With this, here are other ways for you to tire out your lovable pooch.

• Fetch
• Tug-of-War
• Flirt Pole
• Digging
• Agility Obstacle Course
• Exercise With Stairs
• Nose Games
• Puzzle Toys
• Chew Toys
• Training

Fetch

This is a popular game for dogs for a good reason, and most of them enjoy a fun game of fetch! Playing fetch is an opportunity for your buddy to run and chase the ball. A bonus for playing this is that it also involves some mental work too.

Your Shiba Inu may want to keep playing, even if you are already tired. So if you want, you can get an automatic ball launcher for your buddy so they can play by themselves until they want to.

Tug-Of-War

A good game of tug-of-war is another favorite of many dogs. Watch as your furry friend uses all their might and energy to pull on their tug toy. As you can imagine, this play will drain the energy out of your furry friend.

Flirt Pole

Like a cat tickler, a flirt pole is a stick with a rope and toy attached to its end. You can move the toy around in any direction and your Shiba Inu will chase it. This will tap into your buddy’s hunting instincts, as chasing is part of the job.

Because of this, flirt poles will also provide your Shiba Inu with mental stimulation. Other than that, this is also a great indoor game if the weather outside is too harsh.

Digging

Digging is only one of the many canine instincts that dogs find pleasure in doing. Many dog owners struggle with their pooch scratching at the floor or making holes in the yard. But this is not something you can get rid of, so why not embrace it?

Digging is a taxing activity for your buddy, it gets their heart pumping and tires them out. So you can always add this to their daily exercise too.

But this can be harmful to them because the ground can have rocks or other hard objects underneath. So it is best to give them a safe spot in your yard where they can dig to their heart’s content.

A great solution for this is a sandbox filled with soft soil or sand. You can entice them to dig there by hiding their toys or chews in the box. Your furry friend will then do some detective work to unearth their toys.

Providing them with a sandbox is also great for your yard. This way, you will not have to worry about some random holes that your Shiba Inu made.

Agility Obstacle Course

This natural hunter is an agile dog, and you can take advantage of this too! Building an obstacle course at home is both a great mental and physical exercise for them. The best part is that this does not even have to be expensive.

Obstacle courses have weave poles, tunnels, hoops, hurdle jumps, and even platforms. And you can get creative with this by using what you already have. You can already make use of some items you have lying around your home.

But there are also affordable agility sets that you can buy if building one is too much work for you.

Exercise With Stairs

Going up the stairs is a great exercise that many people often forget about. But you can also use this to burn some calories and energy off of your Shiba Inu!

It may help you if your furry friend already knows basic commands, such as “stay”. Otherwise, they may find it hard to understand the game you are playing.

Begin by letting them stay at the bottom of the stairs first. Then throw their ball to the top, and ask them to go and get it. They may run to the top, but ask them to go down the stairs slowly to prevent any injury.

Going up the stairs strengthens their leg muscles, as all their body weight goes to each leg as they climb. As your Shiba Inu goes down, they will use their other set of legs to make their descent more stable.

Nose Games

Although Shiba Inu are not scent hounds, they have a keen sense of smell. So you can play with them by hiding some stuff at home and have them find it by scent.

A popular way to do this is to hide some of their treats around your home. This food-motivated breed will do what they can to get their paws on their tasty treats! Thus, this gets their mind to work too, keeping them sharp.

Other than hiding them around your home, you can also use a snuffle mat for this. Snuffle mats have a ton of places to hide treats. But even if they will look for treats in one area, your buddy has to go through every crevice in the mat for their reward.

Both of these examples are also a great way to feed your furry friend’s daily meals. You can hide half of their dry food around the home or in the snuffle mat. Then leave the rest for them to eat out of their food bowl.

Puzzle Toys

For a smart breed like Shiba Inu, puzzle toys are wonderful for sharpening their minds. And because they love a good challenge, this will entertain and drain their energy. With toys like this, your furry friend’s problem-solving skills will get tested.

There are a wide variety of puzzle toys that you can choose from, so you are bound to find one that your Shiba Inu enjoys. A popular option for many dogs is kongs, and these toys have a lot of benefits. Puzzle toys that dispense toys as a reward for your furry friend may be better for them to keep playing.

Chew Toys

Chewing is also another canine behavior that dogs love to do. It not only feels good for them, but it also helps them relax when they feel stressed or anxious.

With this, you can keep your Shiba Inu occupied by providing them with a variety of chew toys. You can also give them some edible chews, rawhides, raw bones, and more. But remember not to give them cooked bones as these are brittle and may break and harm them.

Shiba Inu are notorious for chewing on things that they should not be, such as furniture. Some of the items that they may decide to chew on may harm them, like electrical wires. So chew toys are also great for keeping your buddy safe.

Training

Teaching your Shiba Inu new commands and tricks will also suck up all their energy. Although this may not be as physical, learning something new takes up a lot of their brain power. So at the end of a training session, your Shiba Inu may want to get a restful nap.

It may be hard to train your Shiba Inu because they are quite stubborn dogs. So a crucial thing to keep in mind is to always use a high-value treat as a reward. This will encourage your Shiba Inu to listen to you and work for their tasty treat!

If you have this, then you can teach your Shiba Inu more advanced tricks in time. Having their favorite treat as a reward will also make training sessions fun! Not only will this keep them mentally sharp, but this will also deepen your bond with them.

How Do You Tire Out a Shiba Inu Puppy?

The best way to drain your Shiba Inu puppy’s energy is to play. Have them play with age-appropriate toys in their own time and pace. This is quite different from tiring out an adult because a puppy has different needs.

You need to consider your Shiba Inu puppy’s development. Their bones are still soft, and their muscles and joints still need to mature. Thus, strenuous and high-impact exercise may impede their development or even harm them.

So at this young age, your Shiba Inu puppy does not need formal exercise yet. The best thing you can do for them is to provide them with a variety of toys. Rotating their toys will help in keeping them interested in playing too.

But of course, there are other ways to drain your puppy’s energy to curb hyperactive behavior. Here are some other ways you can tire them out.

• Look for a Puppy Socialization Program
• Take Them on Puppy Play Dates
• Play With Them on the Stairs
• Play Some Scenting Games
• Play Some Mind Games

Look for a Puppy Socialization Program

If you want, you can look for a dog socialization facility that accepts puppies. Not every place will accept unvaccinated puppies, so make sure you go for a puppy-friendly one.

With this program, your Shiba Inu pup will socialize with others that are roughly the same age as them. A puppy program is the safest way for your buddy to meet other dogs. This is because the pups involved are far too young to go in public, so they likely did not contract any disease.

Socialization is crucial for your Shiba Inu pup as this is when they learn how to interact with others. But this will also help in developing their personalities.

Your furry friend will keep on learning with each session, and as you can imagine, this is draining for them. With this, not only are you helping them become well-behaved dogs. But you are also keeping their energy level in check!

Take Them on Puppy Play Dates

If you have friends and family who have dogs, then you can let your Shiba Inu puppy play with their dogs! An older dog will teach your young pup proper manners and how to behave, all while having fun!

Again, with all this learning and interaction, your Shiba Inu puppy will feel drained. Thus, your exhausted furry friend will get a good night’s sleep later on.

But you need to make sure that the dogs your Shiba Inu puppy will interact with are all vaccinated. You should also make sure that they know how to act around a small and fragile puppy. You can never be too sure when it comes to your young pup’s health and safety.

Play With Them on the Stairs

Climbing up the stairs is tiring enough for a human adult, it is great at getting your heart pumping. So if you have stairs at home, why not put them to good use for your puppy?

A simple game of fetch up and down the stairs should do the trick. Have your Shiba Inu puppy stay at the bottom of the stairs, then throw the ball up to the top of the stairs. Your energetic pup should get it and retrieve it back for you.

This is tiring for your Shiba Inu because climbing the stairs puts all their body weight on their legs. So your puppy is working against gravity a lot here. Going back the stairs also work their legs as they have to stabilize themselves as they come to you.

Make sure not to push your Shiba Inu puppy to its limit here. Your pup will let you know once they have had enough, so bring them water and get them ready for bed!

Play Some Scenting Games

One of the senses that your Shiba Inu relies on a lot is its smell. And by putting their nose to work, you are stimulating their brain. This is a form of mental stimulation and a great way to tire out a pup without overworking them.

There are several ways to do this. But a popular option you can try is to make them look for their food.

You can hide some of their favorite treats around your home and ask them to look for them. As long as there is food involved, your Shiba Inu will do all they can to sniff out every treat they can find.

This can also be a way to make your furry friend’s meals fun! Take half of their meal and scatter it around your home. And then have your buddy put in some work so they can eat their food.

And instead of hiding their treats or kibbles in your home, you can also use a snuffle mat. This will allow them to search for their food in one place. But this is still challenging, as they have to look for their hidden treats.

Other than these, scenting games do not have to involve food too! If your Shiba Inu puppy has free access to your yard, you can leave some scents around.

You can splash some chicken or beef broth around and your buddy will get intrigued. They get a whiff of these interesting scents and they will look for their location. This is great for keeping them occupied, and soon after, your puppy will become tired.

Play Some Mind Games

There are a variety of mind games that you can play with your Shiba Inu puppy. Since this is not physically taxing, you do not risk overworking their fragile body. But mind games still do the trick in draining your furry friend’s energy.

A fun one for your Shiba Inu puppy is the muffin game. You will need some muffin tins and dog-safe tennis balls to play this. You will also need strong-smelling treats so your puppy can pick up on the scent quickly.

Begin by hiding some of the treats in the muffin tins. Then, cover the tins with tennis balls. You must show them how to play the game first, so pick up a tennis ball, show them the treat, and give it to them.

Once your Shiba Inu understands the game, have them sniff out the hidden treats. Your buddy should react to the tennis ball covering the treat, so give them the treat as a reward!

Why Is My Shiba Inu Lazy?

There are several reasons why your Shiba Inu may appear lazy. This may be how their personality really is. But being lazy can also be a sign of boredom, health issues, and more.

With this, laziness is not always about the dog, as most love going out and playing around. So there may be something wrong with their environment or with their health.

But to correct this issue, you first need to pinpoint the root of the behavior. Only then can you figure out ways to help your furry friend be their happy and active self again.

With this, here are all the possible reasons why your Shiba Inu seems lazy.

• Their Need for Sleep
• Their Old Age
• Their Diet
• Their Lifestyle
• Their Personality
• They Have Depression
• They Have a Medical Condition
• The Hot Weather

Their Need for Sleep

Shiba Inu is often likened to cats, and part of the reason is that they love to take a lot of catnaps throughout the day! An adult Shiba Inu will sleep for 10 to 12 hours each day. But this can be more for younger and older dogs of the breed.

As a young puppy, your Shiba Inu will sleep for 18 to 20 hours daily. And as they reach adulthood, their need for sleep will decrease. But once they grow even older, their sleeping habits may go back to being like a puppy.

The reason why puppies need a lot of sleep is that they need time to develop. By sleeping, all their body’s energy goes into working for their growth. Other than that, puppies get tired easily so they need to recharge throughout the day by taking naps.

The same goes for a senior Shiba Inu too, as their energy levels are not what they once were. Other than that, older dogs are more prone to developing health issues. So they would rather reserve their energy for healing by sleeping rather than getting up to play.

For these reasons, your Shiba Inu may seem lazy because, rather than going out, they prefer to nap by the window. This is not due to their laziness, but sleeping is a big deal for this breed. Once they wake up though, you can expect your buddy to be up and ready for a trip outdoors!

Their Old Age

Humans slow down as they get older, and the same thing happens to your Shiba Inu. They will calm down as they age, which is natural because their body and brain cannot keep up as they used to. So it will take a lot of energy for your senior buddy to move around, and they will become less active.

With this, your older Shiba Inu may not walk as far as they used to or sprint as fast as they could. More and more, you will notice that they would rather lounge by the window or in their favorite spot of the home. This is something all dogs go through, and you can find other ways to spend time with them in their golden years.

Their Diet

You must also look into your furry friend’s diet if you notice them being lazy. What they eat has a big impact on their activity levels. Not only that, but it can also affect their sleeping pattern.

For example, eating too much can send your Shiba Inu into a “food coma”. If their stomach is too full due to a big meal, they feel too exhausted and they feel like they cannot move around. As a result, this will lessen your furry friend’s physical energy.

This can also interfere with their sleeping pattern as a food coma also makes them want to sleep more. So even if it is their time to play, your buddy will not budge as they would rather take a nap.

Other than that, a wrong diet can also contribute to laziness. If your Shiba Inu eats the wrong food, they may lack essential nutrients in their diet. And dogs who suffer from malnutrition sleep through the day to conserve their energy.

Another concern is that your Shiba Inu may find it hard to digest their food. See if they are intolerant to any ingredient in their food, as this can make them sluggish. Again, this will also make them sleep more but their quality of sleep will be bad.

Their Lifestyle

Your buddy’s day-to-day activities will tell you a lot about their sleeping pattern. If they always have something to do, they will be more active and sleep less. This is true for working dogs whose daily life is full of activities with no time for sleep.

But dogs who have a sedentary lifestyle usually sleep all day, because there is nothing to do. Without opportunities for exercise or play, they become bored, uninterested, and appear lazy.

This all boils down to your Shiba Inu lacking daily stimulation. Nothing interesting is happening around them. And this hurts their quality of life too.

So take a step back and assess where you can improve your furry friend’s lifestyle. If you are too busy with work, consider a doggy daycare or getting a dog sitter to walk your Shiba Inu. Or, you can always enrich their environment by providing them with toys, access to a safe yard, and more.

Your buddy may seem lazy now, but if you take the time to bring them out, you will notice that they are full of energy. So give them more exercise and toys to play with, and spend more time with them.

Their Personality

This breed is notorious for being headstrong. You may want to spend time with them one way, but they have other plans. When a Shiba Inu wants to do something, they will do it even if you do not want to.

So even if you want to take them for a walk, your Shiba Inu may protest and stay indoors instead. This breed often has an opinion on how they spend their time, and they can have fun even without your presence. Because of their independent and stubborn nature, they may appear lazy.

Each dog is an individual and has a personality. While stubbornness may not be a trait of a Shiba Inu, they still have their interests.

For example, they are not interested in jogging or long walks. If these are something you like to do, taking your buddy with you can be a chore and you may think they are lazy. But you need to figure out their preferences for you to know how to spend time with them.

Some dogs, including Shiba Inu, may prefer a more mellow lifestyle. As long as they are healthy and happy, there is nothing to worry about.

They Have Depression

Like humans, dogs can also experience depression. And its symptoms are like what you see in people. Some signs that point to canine depression are the following:

• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Sleeping more
• Appearing withdrawn
• No interest in participating in activities they usually enjoy

Unfortunately, you cannot ask your Shiba Inu why they are feeling so down lately. Thus, you will need to figure out what may have caused this. Some common reasons why dogs get depressed are the following:

• Struggling to adjust to their new home
• Grieving the loss of a loved one
• Mirroring their owner’s depression

If you suspect that your Shiba Inu is battling depression, you need to spend more time with them. Engage in meaningful activities with them, such as playing more fun games with them. You need to make them feel that they are not alone, as this is reassurance for them.

In most cases, your Shiba Inu may improve in a few weeks. But if you do not see any progress, you need to seek help from an expert.

Your vet will figure out if there is any illness affecting your Shiba Inu. They may then prescribe some antidepressants for your furry friend. While a dog behaviorist can help you come up with ways to help your buddy cope.

They Have a Medical Condition

No dog wants to get up and play around when they do not feel their best. If they suffer from a health issue, their sleep pattern will change and they will snooze off more. This is their way to conserve energy so that their body can redirect its attention to healing faster.

Oftentimes, health issues can bring your Shiba Inu pain. With this, walking, running, playing, and even getting up are not appealing to them.

All these can make your buddy lethargic and uninterested in doing the things that they love. And unfortunately, there are a lot of health issues that have lethargy as a symptom. Here are some of them:

• Heart conditions
• Respiratory issues
• Parvovirus
• Injuries
• Narcolepsy

Being overweight is also an issue for your Shiba Inu. The excess weight can make it a chore to move around. But not only that, but this also puts so much pressure on their joints, causing pain.

With this, you must rule out any medical condition before labeling your buddy as “lazy”. If you see any of the symptoms below, take your Shiba Inu to the vet right away:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Limping

The Hot Weather

A hot, humid, and sunny day can make it dreadful to go out, this goes for both humans and dogs. But your Shiba Inu will have a harder time in this condition. They can only sweat through their paws and nose, so it is hard for them to cool down.

With this, your furry friend’s body will find it hard to cope with the warm weather. To conserve their energy, your Shiba Inu will slow down during summer, appearing lazy.

Dogs are prone to overheating, so they will do all they can to stay cool. So on a hot day, make sure to keep your Shiba Inu indoors and provide them with plenty of water.

Why Is My Shiba Inu Puppy Lazy?

You may think that your Shiba Inu puppy is lazy because they sleep a lot. But keep in mind that puppies sleep up to 20 hours a day, so there is nothing to worry about here. Still, appearing lazy can be due to more serious issues.

But before you figure out the possible causes of their laziness, you must know what is normal for a puppy. Especially when it comes to their long sleeping hours.

A young puppy will sleep for around 18 to 20 hours each day, so they are only awake for 4 to 6 hours. This is normal and nothing to worry about as long as your pup is energetic during their waking moments. They should make the most out of those few hours, running, playing, and even getting into trouble.

But if your Shiba Inu puppy is lethargic when awake, that is when you should begin to get concerned. The root of this behavior can be due to boredom, environmental factors, and more. But your biggest concern is any underlying health issue.

With this, below is a list of factors that may explain your puppy’s lethargy.

• Your Puppy Is Sick
• Your Puppy Has Nothing Better to Do
• Your Puppy Is Still Adjusting to Their New Home
• Your Puppy Lacks Interaction
• Your Puppy Is Eating the Wrong Diet
• Your Puppy Has a Parasite Infestation
• Your Puppy Had Too Much Exercise

Your Puppy Is Sick

If anything is out of the ordinary with your puppy, you should always rule out health issues first. Lethargy is a common symptom that many medical conditions share. But this alone does not necessarily mean that your puppy is sick, though.

You should also look for other symptoms, such as the following:

• Pain
• Excessive vocalizations
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weakness

Getting sick is a big worry for puppies, especially if they have not completed their vaccines yet. Their immune system is not as strong as an adult’s so they may struggle more. So make sure that they see a vet right away if you see any of the signs above.

Your Puppy Has Nothing Better to Do

Like a human child, your Shiba Inu can get bored out of their mind, too, which can make them act lazy. At this young age, they have a lot of energy for learning about the world around them. But if they do not get the chance to do this, they will be lazing around instead.

It is easy to spot if this is the case for your Shiba Inu puppy. They may act lazy, but if they sense that they are going to have fun, they become suddenly energetic!

This means that your Shiba Inu puppy lacks the stimulation they need. They may also not get enough chances to be active quite often. As a result, your poor puppy may also feel neglected.

With this, you need to surround your Shiba Inu puppy with enough toys. You must provide them with a variety of toys as they may find one type more interesting to play with than others. So make sure that you figure out what your furry friend likes.

Enrichment toys are also a great option for them. Interactive toys, such as those that dispense a treat, are great for mental exercise. These toys will only release a treat when your pup does something, so they have to put their mind to work.

Your Puppy Is Still Adjusting to Their New Home

Did you recently welcome your puppy into your home? If so, they are still adjusting to their new environment. They do not feel comfortable enough yet to explore around.

So give your Shiba Inu puppy a week or two to come out of its shell. They should begin to show their playful and naughty side soon enough!

Other than that, your Shiba Inu puppy may also miss their mother and littermates. Thus, they may sulk in a corner to cry or whine.

This stage is never easy for dog owners and especially puppies. So make sure to give them lots of love and assurance to help them transition better and faster.

Your Puppy Lacks Interaction

While free play is the best for exercising a puppy, they do better when they have someone to interact with. Because of this, they may not be as energetic when they play alone with their toys. They may want you to play with them instead.

Once you play a good game of fetch or chase with them, they will get a burst of energy! So at this early stage, make sure to be present for your furry friend.

Your Puppy Is Eating the Wrong Diet

Since your puppy gets their fuel from food, it is no wonder that its diet can affect its energy level. A puppy needs age-appropriate food, of course. But another concern is the quality of their food.

Having your pup eat low-quality dog food is as bad as you eating junk food. So like humans, your Shiba Inu puppy will also feel sluggish after eating this.

Thus, you must look for premium puppy food that provides your pup with balanced nutrition. It must contain the right amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and carbs. This is necessary for a developing pup to grow strong and healthy.

If your Shiba Inu puppy does not get these, lethargy is not your only concern. Your furry friend is more prone to getting sick. And they will struggle to fight off infections and diseases. This means that they will have trouble doing their daily activities. They would rather sleep to help their body heal faster.

Your Puppy Has a Parasite Infestation

When picking a puppy, you should make sure that they are not lethargic as this is often a sign that they have worms. So no matter where you got your Shiba Inu puppy from, you first need to take them to the vet for a checkup. This is especially important if you got them from a shelter as they likely got exposed to other dogs.

Other than extreme tiredness, here are other signs that your Shiba Inu has parasites:

• Lack of appetite
• Anemia
• Weight loss
• Presence of blood or mucus in their stool

Your Puppy Had Too Much Exercise

At a young age, your Shiba Inu does not need formal exercise yet. This is because it is easy to overwork their body and they get tired faster than an adult.

A general rule to follow is that a pup needs 5 minutes of play per month of age. So if your Shiba Inu is 4 months of age, they only need 20 minutes of exercise per day. As you can see, it is easy to go overboard with their physical activities.

Going over the limit can make your furry friend exhausted, and they will be out like a light. But a bigger issue is that this may compromise their growth. Too much physical activity can damage their fragile joints, for example.

Is a Shiba Inu a Calm Dog?

Your Shiba Inu can be a calm dog, but only if you put in the work and provide them with their needs. Setting them up for success is crucial because you cannot expect them to be calm if left to their own devices. With this, you need to make sure that your Shiba Inu has the following:

• Proper training
• Daily routine
• Adequate exercise
• Nutritious meals
• Various toys

All these are factors that can affect your furry friend’s energy level. But the biggest consideration here is their mental and physical exercise. If they get these throughout the day, then you can keep their energy levels in check.

Your furry friend will get bursts of energy at certain points of the day, especially after a nap. Now that they feel energized, they must shed off their excess energy through walks or play. So if you give them the opportunity to, they will mellow down soon after.

This also ties in with their daily routine. Following one will help your Shiba Inu learn when they can and cannot play. If they know what to expect, they are more likely to behave and wait for their playtime to be energetic.

For example, you must take them out for a walk before you leave them at home for work. Then once you come back, take them out again to play.

Being consistent with this will let them know that there is always time to have fun. And this reassures them that they will get the chance to shed off their pent-up energy. Thus, they will behave while waiting for you.

And while they are alone at home, they can still enjoy their time by playing with their toys. If you provide them with a variety of toys, you help ensure that they will not get bored. For this intelligent breed, puzzle toys are a great way to drain their mental energy so they remain calm.

If you feel that your Shiba Inu needs more than their toys to stay calm, then you have other options. You can take them to doggy daycare so they can interact with other dogs and people in your absence. Or, you can also hire a pet sitter to ensure that your buddy gets walks around the clock.

All these mentioned above will manage their energy levels, making them much calmer dogs. So make sure your furry friend gets their necessities. Otherwise, you will have an unhappy dog in your hands.

This is bad news as Shiba Inu are notorious for being destructive when they feel bored. So you may come home to broken furniture, which is not the surprise anyone would want.

Are Male Shiba Inu Calmer Than Females?

If you want a calmer companion, then a female Shiba Inu may suit you better. They are less playful than a male, and would much rather sit beside you and observe what is going on around them. A female Shiba Inu even calms down more as they age, while a male will keep their puppy-like energy much longer.

But keep in mind that this is only a generalization that does not apply to every Shiba Inu.

There are many other factors to consider here. Your furry friend’s personality will also depend on their training and environment. Thus, you cannot fully depend on your buddy’s gender if you want a calmer dog.

There will always be a rowdy female Shiba Inu and a calm male Shiba Inu. But if you take the time to train them and provide for what they need, both genders can be calm dogs.

The key here is to train them, as this will help them learn how you expect them to behave. If you leave them to their devices, then they can be rambunctious as they do not know your rules.

So more than their gender, your furry friend’s upbringing plays a bigger factor. This generalization will only give you a good head start.

At What Age Do Shiba Inu Settle Down?

Your Shiba Inu will calm down at two points in their lifetime, and the first one starts when they hit 5 to 6 months of age. The second one occurs much later in their life, at around 5 to 6 years of age. These are when your buddy calms down as a natural part of their aging.

At 5 to 6 months of age, your Shiba Inu enters their adolescence stage. They will then begin to mellow down and act more like a grown-up. But this is only possible if they underwent proper socialization and training.

And both of these should occur early on when your Shiba Inu is still 7 to 14 weeks of age. This is the critical period for their social development and learning. This stage is when they are more open to meeting new people and learning about the world.

Thus, you should put a lot of effort into your Shiba Inu puppy during this period. Have them meet plenty and a variety of people, and make sure they go through various experiences. Only then can they calm down once they reach adolescence.

But if you have a male Shiba Inu, you can expect their hyperactive traits to come back at 8 to 9 months of age. This is when they begin sexual maturity, and their testosterone peaks at this age. This will go on once they reach complete mental maturity at around 16 months of age.

As your Shiba Inu gets older, they will begin to calm down again. Once your furry friend reaches 5 to 6 years of age and older, you can be confident that they are much more mellow.

By this time, they are already well socialized and trained. They are already used to almost everything they encounter, so they do not get overexcited as much. Your mature Shiba Inu will also be more obedient, and they are reliable to carry out commands that you give them.

This will continue as they get even older, which is a natural result of aging. A senior Shiba Inu will slow down, as they cannot keep up anymore.

How Do You Calm a Hyper Shiba Inu Puppy?

The first thing you should do to calm down your Shiba Inu puppy is to remain calm. Remember that your buddy can pick up on your emotion and energy better than you think. So if you panic, get angry, or exude negative energy, they will pick up on that.

When that happens, your Shiba Inu puppy may become even more hyper. So take a step back and calm yourself down first. This way, you can project the energy that you want to see in your furry friend.

Now that you have controlled your emotions, there are a variety of other ways to help your Shiba Inu tone it down a bit. To see better results, use a combination of the methods listed below.

• Create and Follow a Fixed Daily Schedule
• Play Fun Games With Them
• Take Them Out for a Walk Every Day
• Make Eating Their Meals Challenging
• Work on Daily Obedience Training
• Arrange Play Dates With Other Dogs
• Take Your Puppy to the Vet

Create and Follow a Fixed Daily Schedule

Setting a daily routine for your Shiba Inu puppy to follow is one of the first things that you should do. This way, your pup will know when it is time to sleep, eat, play, and more. Once your buddy learns this, they will understand that there is a time and a place for everything.

But your Shiba Inu puppy will only get to that point if you are consistent with your rules. Skipping playtime for the day, for example, will only confuse them more. They will not understand why there is a sudden change of plans, so you are back to square one again.

Along with a schedule, you should also do some rituals with each routine. This will help them transition from one daily activity to another.

For example, you can bring out their toys when it is time to play with them. But after that, pack up the toys and keep them out of your puppy’s reach. This is an indicator for them that the fun is over, and now it is time for something else.

By following these, you can lessen their hyperactivity during periods of the day. They should know that they must be calm and quiet when it is nap time. But this will also reassure them that they have a chance to be hyper later in the day when you take them out for a walk.

Your puppy knows what to expect, and this will make them feel more at ease.

Play Fun Games With Them

It is no secret that puppies can be a handful, as they need a lot of your time and attention. At a young age, they do not need formal exercise so free play is the better option for them. But this does not mean that your Shiba Inu puppy does not need to play with you.

Providing them with a variety of toys can only do so much for them. This may not be enough to drain their energy if you have a hyperactive puppy in your hands.

And puppies still do best when they have someone to engage with during play. This young age is when they are most active, both their bodies and their minds. So your Shiba Inu learns how to interact with others during play.

Thus, you have to spend time with them to provide them with physical and mental exercise too. Spending time with them will give them a safe and positive outlet for their energy. Otherwise, your Shiba Inu puppy will look for other activities to occupy its mind. And they can get into trouble if they play around with harmful items, such as cleaning agents.

Go for low-intensity activities first so you do not harm their growing bodies. A light game of fetch, hide-and-seek, and playing with a flirt pole will do. But you can opt for other creative activities too!

Take Them Out for a Walk Every Day

If your Shiba Inu puppy has completed their vaccines, then you can already do this. Otherwise, it is best to stay at home and do the activities mentioned above.

A walk around the neighborhood or park combines both mental and physical exercise. It is not an intense activity for your growing pup to do, which is what you should always go for when they are young.

Walks give your Shiba Inu puppy a chance to socialize with other people and dogs. It also exposes them to many sights, smells, and sounds so that they get accustomed to them. If your puppy gets used to these, then they will be better behaved and friendlier.

During walks, your Shiba Inu constantly learns, which is draining for them. It also wears their body out, because they need to get moving too. So this is a positive outlet for all their puppy energy.

Make Eating Their Meals Challenging

Even at a young age, a Shiba Inu is always up for a challenge and they will not back down. You can always make their meals stimulating and tiring by making them work for them!

A simple way to do this is by hiding half of their meals around the house. Let your puppy’s nose do the work and watch as they try to locate every kibble you have hidden! But make sure you keep the rest so they can eat it straight out of their food bowl too.

You may also use interactive food toys as well. Your Shiba Inu puppy has to figure out how to get its food out of the toy. Thus, this takes up a lot of their energy and this is great for tiring them out.

There are a variety of toys like this on the market, so make sure to grab a couple of them. If your furry friend gets tired of one, you can always switch it out for another toy.

Work on Daily Obedience Training

Obedience training is a must for any puppy as this teaches them to listen to your commands. This will also strengthen your bond and it will help them respect you as the pack leader. Not only that, but this also exercises your pup’s mind because this is a learning experience for them.

You can start with the basics first and teach them the usual commands such as sit, stay, and lie down. Once your Shiba Inu puppy gets a good grasp of this, you can move on to more advanced commands.

Most dog owners work on obedience training at home. If this is what you are planning, make sure to keep sessions short, at around 10 to 15 minutes each day. But you can also enroll your furry friend in obedience training classes if you wish to.

Arrange Play Dates With Other Dogs

Sometimes, only another dog can keep up with your young puppy’s energy. So if you know someone with a dog, why not organize a play date?

Make sure to screen the dogs that your Shiba Inu puppy gets to play with. They should be friendly and know how to treat a puppy with care. Other than that, they should also be up to date with their vaccines.

If you do not know anyone who has a dog, you can always go to doggy daycare. This is safer than dog parks because they filter the dogs that they allow into their facility. By doing so, your Shiba Inu puppy is safe to play with other canine friends.

Reputable daycares will supervise all the dog’s interactions. Not all are like this, so make sure you choose one well.

Take Your Puppy to the Vet

If all else fails, then it is best to take your hyperactive pup to the vet. Usually, the methods mentioned above should keep their energy levels in check. But if these do not work, you need to rule out any medical conditions that may cause this.

How Do You Calm a Shiba Inu Puppy?

A tried and tested way to calm your Shiba Inu puppy down is to provide them with adequate exercise. Since they have a ton of energy, they need healthy outlets for this. And through physical and mental exercise, they can tire themselves out and calm down.

But training your Shiba Inu puppy is also a powerful tool that combines these. Other than draining your pup, you are also teaching them how to behave.

Still, these methods above do not work for every Shiba Inu puppy. A puppy can be unpredictable because they get too excited from time to time. And you cannot keep relying on exercise all the time to calm them down.

With this, below are other methods to calm your pup down. You are bound to find one that works for them during specific instances, such as settling them down at night.

• Train Them With the “Settle” Command
• Take a Time Out
• Manage Your Home Environment
• Reward Their Calm Behavior
• Exude Calm Energy
• Ignore Their Excitement
• Try Alternative Therapies

Train Them With the “Settle” Command

Teaching your Shiba Inu puppy a settle command will help you calm them down on cue. Think of it as sort of an “off” switch for their overexcitement.

Before you go ahead and train them for this, make sure to play with them a bit. This will shed off any initial burst of energy that they have. By doing so, your furry friend can focus more on the task at hand.

Now once your Shiba Inu puppy gets too excited during play, wait for them to calm down. Once they do, say “settle” right away and give your pup a high-value treat. You must do these steps in quick succession, as your timing is crucial.

This will help your pup understand that settling means calming down. And the treat that follows soon after the action will encourage them to keep doing this.

Keep practicing this throughout the day and be consistent. It may take your furry friend a few weeks before they can fully understand this command. But in time, they will learn that their calm behavior warrants a reward.

Once your buddy gets the hang of it, make them wait longer for their treats. After you say your command, wait for a few seconds before giving them their reward. This way, you can wean them off from receiving treats.

Your end goal here is for them to calm down without expecting any tasty treats.

Take a Time Out

Your Shiba Inu puppy must never go overboard with their excitement. So, when engaging with them, especially during play, take some breaks. By doing so, your furry friend will never get to a point where it is hard for them to settle down.

As a young puppy though, almost anything excites them. For example, when you call out their name with a leash in your hand, they will get excited. Running to you with a wagging tail is welcome, but they should not jump all over you.

If this happens, turn your back on them for a bit and wait for them to calm down. Do not interact with them at all until they have settled and only then can you proceed to have fun. The start and end of all your interactions with them should be calm.

But what if your buddy is already out of control? Take their time out more seriously and isolate them in a quiet room for a bit. Wait for them to handle their emotions so you can continue your engagement with them.

Manage Your Home Environment

Every dog has a trigger that gets them overexcited. Once you know your pup’s triggers, then you can take some steps to prevent them from hearing or seeing these.

If they bark whenever they see someone or something out the window, then you can close the curtains. Or if they get triggered by sounds, then play some white noise for your buddy.

When you do this, you do not allow them to act out. Thus, they can remain calm even in your absence.

Reward Their Calm Behavior

Rewards are a powerful tool in training your Shiba Inu puppy. And whenever you reward their calm behavior, you are encouraging them to keep doing this. This is like training them with the settle command but this does not involve a verbal cue.

So whenever you see your puppy relaxing and being quiet, give them praise and their favorite treat. Any behavior goes here, as long as they are calm and behaving.

As you progress with this, make the wait for their reward longer. Only give them praise and treats if they remain calm for longer periods. In time, your Shiba Inu pup will do these on their own without expecting treats.

Exude Calm Energy

Whenever you engage with your overexcited pup, it is crucial for you to approach them calmly. Do not let your anger or agitation get the best of you; they can sense this, which may rile them up even more. Instead, lead them by example, and they may mirror your energy.

Remember not to raise your voice when trying to discipline your Shiba Inu puppy. Puppies are still building their confidence, and this may make them fear you. Instilling fear in them may bring out aggressive behaviors, which can mean trouble.

Ignore Their Excitement

Sometimes, giving your Shiba Inu puppy the cold shoulder is best. Giving them attention when they are uncontrollable may encourage their behavior. Comforting them, matching their energy, or any attention may be a reward for them.

Instead of trying to diffuse the situation, turn your back on them and remain neutral. As a puppy, getting ignored by its owner is the last thing that they want. So if you keep doing this, they will learn not to do this as it will mean that they do not get to engage with you.

Try Alternative Therapies

Creating a soothing environment is one proven way to calm down dogs. And there are a variety of ways that you can do this.

Music therapy is one, and it is beneficial for both you and your Shiba Inu pup. Play some relaxing music wherever you are, but not any type of music will work for your buddy. Go for classical music, as rock or any other loud genres may overstimulate them.

This will also help in blocking out unusual noises that may trigger their excitement.

Other than that, you can also go for aromatherapy. Adaptil is a popular choice for this, as it uses pheromones that are like what a nursing mother gives off. This familiar scent will help in soothing your furry friend.

You can have this as a diffuser and plug it wherever your Shiba Inu pup spends a lot of time. But you can also opt for a collar so that your buddy carries it around with them.

Do Shiba Inu Require a Lot of Exercise?

The Shiba Inu is not an extremely energetic dog; they only need a decent amount of exercise daily. They are not even close to a working dog’s exercise needs, which makes them more manageable. But because they are an intelligent breed, it is easy for them to get bored.

This curious breed is always up for something interesting to do. They can get aggressive or destructive if they do not have anything to do. They may get creative and engage in excessive activities due to boredom.

So when your Shiba Inu does not have an outlet for their energy, you may come home to complete chaos. Your furniture may get clawed up, your shoes may get chewed on, and you may find random holes in your hard.

With this, you must set up a daily exercise routine for your furry friend. They should get at least an hour of exercise. It does not have to be intense, a nice long walk around the neighborhood will do. But you should also work with their mind and play with them, such as a fun game of tug-of-war.

How Often Should You Exercise a Shiba Inu?

A healthy adult Shiba Inu needs at least an hour of exercise daily. But if your furry friend is on the active side, then they may need longer play sessions. Your goal is to help them release pent-up energy so you need to adjust to their needs.

An older Shiba Inu will become less active due to their low energy, you still need to follow an exercise routine. So they will need shorter exercise sessions with low-impact activities. This is not only necessary to keep them at a healthy weight. But this also ensures that their joints and muscles are still mobile.

But no matter their age, you must never cram an hour’s worth of exercise in a single session. You need to divide it between 2 or 3 bouts of activity throughout the day. This helps ensure that you do not overwork your furry friend.

Walking your Shiba Inu around the park or neighborhood is great exercise. It also stimulates their mind as they have to take in various sights, sounds, and smells. But this is not enough activity for your furry friend’s daily routine.

You should also include purposeful activities and mental games in their daily routine. This includes popular games such as tug-of-war, fetch, and playing with a flirt pole.

But you can take this further and get creative with what they can do. You can tap into their canine instincts and find activities that work with that. This includes digging and providing them with chase toys, as they are natural hunters.

How Much Exercise Does a Shiba Inu Puppy Need?

Your Shiba Inu puppy’s exercise needs will depend on its age. A general rule is that they need 5 minutes of exercise per month of age twice a day. Experts recommend this as a growing pup’s body is still fragile.

Following the general guide, here is how long your buddy’s exercise needs are, based on their age:

• 2 Months of Age: 10 minutes
• 4 Months of Age: 20 minutes
• 6 Months of Age: 30 minutes
• 8 Months of Age: 40 minutes
• 10 Months of Age: 50 minutes
• 12 Months of Age: 60 minutes

Keep in mind that this duration is for their daily exercise, twice a day. Puppies are often energetic and you can manage this through constant exercise a day.

Still, you should not be too aggressive in shedding off their puppy energy. Too much exercise can damage their developing joints. And permanent damage may arise due to overworking their bodies.

This issue becomes worse if they engage in high-impact activities. To help you prevent this issue, you should know what activities are best for a growing pup. Below are examples of some that are appropriate and some that you should avoid.

Here are some light activities that your Shiba Inu puppy can do:

• Casual walks
• Free play with toys
• Frolicking in the yard
• Fetch
• Tug-of-war

Below are some strenuous activities that your Shiba Inu puppy should not do:

• Going biking or jogging with you
• Long running sessions
• Extensive hikes
• Vigorous play sessions

Can You Overexercise a Shiba Inu?

Like humans, overexercising your Shiba Inu is also a possibility. When you have overworked them, they will shy away from exercising. They may also appear lethargic, anxious, and have mobility problems.

It is tough to figure out your furry friend’s exercise needs. When you think that you have given them enough play, they seem to want more. But to avoid overextending them, you should consider the following:

• Age
• Fitness level
• Lifestyle

As you can imagine, it is way easier to overwork a young Shiba Inu puppy than an adult. Since their bodies have not matured yet, they are prone to damaging their body. You need to be careful in avoiding this issue because this may hinder their development.

But once their bodies have matured, you are not out of the woods yet. Overexercising them is still a real possibility. A good way to avoid this is by looking at what they are already used to.

Generally, having them do more intense activities than what they got used to is overdoing it. A Shiba Inu who gets an hour of exercise daily will struggle with bumping this up to 2 hours daily. And taking them on a hike without preparation is also too much for them.

Keep in mind that dogs also need to increase their fitness level over time. So if you need to increase the intensity of their exercise, do so gradually. Add small increments to their exercise duration until they can handle long stretches of play.

How Can I Tell if I Overexercised My Shiba Inu?

A sign that you have overexercised your Shiba Inu is when they refuse to move. Instead of getting up to go home, they will lie down and not move an inch. Your buddy is trying to tell you they have had enough, so you must not force them to walk.

This is a clear sign of overexertion, and it is great that your furry friend knows when to stop. But sometimes, they carry on playing with you even if they are already tired. This is scary because continuing the fun can have more serious consequences.

Other signs of overexercising your buddy are more subtle. Thus, you need to know what to spot so you can end the session immediately even if they want to continue. This is a part of your duties as a fur parent and you should know what their limits are.

With this, here are other signs that your Shiba Inu had too much exercise already.

• Damaged Paw Pads
• Sore Muscles and Stiffness
• Joint Injuries
• Heat Exhaustion
• Extreme Sleepiness After Exercise
• Slowing Down During Exercise

Damaged Paw Pads

Some dogs will continue to run around even if their feet are already killing them. Wear and tear on the paw pads are normal, it should not cause your Shiba Inu discomfort or pain.

Make sure to check your furry friend’s paw pads from time to time. Here are some signs that you should watch out for:

• Paw tears
• Flaps of skin
• Red paws
• Swelling
• Pus

If you see any of these signs, then you should keep them off of their paws. You must contact your vet so that they can instruct you on what to do with your buddy’s paws.

Sore Muscles and Stiffness

Muscle pain is an aftermath of strenuous exercise. If your Shiba Inu pushed their body to the limit, they may struggle to get up. They may even refuse to walk or eat their meal because it is too painful to reach their food bowl.

Often, your Shiba Inu will only need to rest so their muscles can heal and regenerate. But a worst-case scenario is that they develop exertional rhabdomyolysis. This occurs when their muscle tissue dies, causing extreme pain. The products of muscle breakdown can lead to kidney issues and even failure.

Joint Injuries

Vigorous exercises are hard on your furry friend’s joints. More than half of your buddy’s weight goes to their front legs, thus putting a lot of pressure on their front joints. The most common joint injuries are at the toes, wrist, and elbows.

So if your Shiba Inu has a joint injury, you will notice that they have a limp. This is so that they avoid putting pressure on the other aching leg.

Your poor pooch may also hang its head low when they step with its good leg. And when they use their bad leg, they will raise their head.

If your Shiba Inu has arthritis, overexercising causes them pain immediately. This will also exacerbate their condition. It speeds up the degeneration of their joint tissues.

Heat Exhaustion

When your Shiba Inu exercises, their body temperature rises. If this reaches a temperature of 106 degrees F (41 degrees C), then you have to worry. Heat exhaustion is a serious and life-threatening condition with fatal consequences.

This is why it is crucial to have breaks when you are playing with your Shiba Inu. Some time out gives them a chance to cool down because they only sweat through their paws and nose. This is worse if they are exercising under the glaring heat of the sun.

All dogs are at risk for heat exhaustion. But some are more at risk for this, such as puppies, seniors, and overweight dogs. If your Shiba Inu has a medical condition, they are at higher risk for this too.

With this, you should know the warning signs of heat exhaustion:

• Vigorous panting
• Uncoordinated movements
• Unconsciousness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Confusion
• Glazed eyes
• Odd gum or tongue color (turning bright red or blue)

If you see any of these signs, take them indoors or in a shaded area right away. Provide them with plenty of water and cover them with damp cloths. Most importantly, take them to the vet as soon as you can.

Extreme Sleepiness After Exercise

It is normal for a dog to take a nap after a fun exercise session. This way, they can recharge and prepare for the next one after waking up! But if your Shiba Inu sleeps all day after exercising, then this is worrying.

Lazing all day can mean that your Shiba Inu had too much exercise. Because their body went through so much, they are trying to conserve their energy. This is so their body can focus on healing and regenerating.

Slowing Down During Exercise

If your Shiba Inu is lagging behind you on a nice walk, then they had enough. This is a sign that they are struggling, so it is best to take a break or end the session altogether. So give them some water and treats for energy, and go back home right away.

You may also need to carry your Shiba Inu if they will not move a muscle. If they do not want to walk, do not force them, and carry them home instead.

What Activities Do Shiba Inu Like?

With their go-getter attitude and athletic body, Shiba Inu can enjoy a ton of activities. Of course, they like to take walks, but this intelligent breed can get bored easily. Variety is the spice of life, and if your buddy has this, it will keep them engaged and happy.

So if you are looking for some fun entertainment for your Shiba Inu, below are some that you can try.

• Play With a Flirt Pole
• Play Tug-Of-War
• Play Fetch
• Play Catch
• Play Soccer
• Play With a Water Hose
• Go Into Dog Sports
• Go for a Hike

Play With a Flirt Pole

Flirt poles are toys with a handle with a rope attached and a toy at the end. You can play with your Shiba Inu by moving the rope around in all directions. This way, their hunting instincts get activated and they will chase the toy around.

This is a great game as it gets your buddy moving without you having to move around as much. But keep in mind that people use flirt poles to train fighting dogs. This is because it increases a pooch’s coordination and prey drive.

With this in mind, you need to lay out some rules during playtime. Your Shiba Inu should strictly follow them, otherwise, the fun is over. Here are some ground rules that your furry friend must obey while playing with a flirt pole:

• No jumping at humans
• No grabbing the toy out of your hand
• They can only grab the toy once you give them the go signal to play
• They should let go of the toy when you ask them to
• You must have frequent breaks to discourage overexcitement

Play Tug-Of-War

Many dog owners avoid playing this as they think that this promotes aggression in dogs. But this should not be the case for your Shiba Inu if you set and follow clear rules. The goal here is that you should always be in control of the game, and never them.

Commands are crucial here, and your Shiba Inu must know what they mean. Even more important is that they follow your verbal cues whenever you give them out.

To start the game, you must give them commands such as “take it” or “tug”. Only then can your Shiba Inu grab the tug toy, and they should never take it without you saying so. This will let them know that you are allowing them to begin the play.

After a game, you should also end with a command by saying “drop it”. Your furry friend must let go of the toy without trying to guard it.

During the game, their teeth should never touch you. Accidents may happen, but take this opportunity to correct your Shiba Inu. When their teeth do meet your skin, say “uh-oh” and end the game right away and take a break.

This will let your Shiba Inu know what their limits are. So the next time you play, they will be more careful about their pearly whites.

If they lose grip of their toy, never let them grab it back until you say your “take it” command. If they do grab it without your permission, say “uh-oh” and ask them to drop it. Take a short break before having fun again.

These will help your Shiba Inu become a great and obedient playmate. You do not give them a chance to act out and encourage bad behavior.

By following these rules, tug-of-war can be a great game for your furry friend. It teaches them self-restraint and strengthens your bond. But it also wears out their body as they have to crouch and use all their might to tug the toy.

Play Fetch

This game is a staple in a lot of dogs’ daily activities. Like the games mentioned above, this is also great for their obedience. It also gets your Shiba Inu running, doing wonders for their health and weight.

But teaching your Shiba Inu how to play fetch can be tricky. They will not understand it right off the bat, so you need to put in the work in helping them learn. If your Shiba Inu already knows basic commands, then this process will be easier.

Begin by having them hold a toy in their mouth. Then ask them to stay as you move a few steps backward. Now you can ask your buddy to come to you, and when they do, shower them with praise for going to you.

Once your Shiba Inu is in front of you, ask them to drop the toy and give them treats for doing so. Keep doing this until your furry friend understands what to do.

After lots of practice, try to throw the toy nearby. If your Shiba Inu chases after it and brings it back to you, celebrate with lots of praise and tasty treats! But more often than not, they will make mistakes as they are still getting the hang of it.

If they do what you expect of them, you either have to change the toy or the treats. Use higher-priority toys and treats to get your furry friend to listen to you. Keep practicing, and in time, they will know what to do.

Play Catch

This is another ball game that your Shiba Inu may enjoy. To get started, you must pick the right-sized ball.

The ball should be small enough for your buddy to catch it with their mouth without problems. But it should be big enough that they do not accidentally swallow it whole.

So go outside and throw the ball, making it easy for your buddy to catch it. Once they know how to play the game, make your tosses more tricky for them to catch. You may also use a frisbee in the future.

Play Soccer

This game may come naturally to your Shiba Inu because this breed has a strong drive to chase. Playing soccer with your furry friend is pretty simple. Kick the ball away from them and watch as your Shiba Inu zooms to chase it.

When your Shiba Inu gets to the ball, give them time to play with it for a bit. After that, kick the ball again in a different direction.

Choosing the right kind of ball is also crucial for this game. Opt for a larger and sturdy ball, as your buddy may puncture it whenever they bite the ball. For this, you cannot go wrong with a rubber ball.

Play With a Water Hose

Because most Shiba Inu love a fun game of chase, your furry friend may love this. To play this, you need to adjust your water-hose nozzle so that it shoots out a strong jet of water. Move the hose around and watch as your little hunter gets to work.

For your buddy’s safety, make sure that the water force is not too strong. You should also avoid hitting them in the face. Standing far away from them will help you get better control over the situation.

You can take advantage of this game as it is also a great way to bathe them! Since this breed does not like going into bathtubs, this is a fun way to bribe them into getting wet.

But like any game, you need to enforce clear rules for your Shiba Inu to follow. Do not let them jump on you or attack your water hose. If they do, stop the game right away and practice some obedience commands.

Go Into Dog Sports

Because they are nimble, Shiba Inu are great for agility sports. You do not have to make them compete too. You can always set up an agility course in the comfort of your home.

But this is not the only dog sport that your Shiba Inu may enjoy. Remember that they are also quite athletic, thanks to their hunting background. With this, you can give them a shot at the following:

• Flyball
• Frisbee dog
• Lure coursing

Dog sports are so much fun for any active dog. It allows them to display their physical prowess while enjoying what they are doing. But keep in mind that this is not an everyday activity as you may overwork your poor pooch.

Go for a Hike

Your Shiba Inu may be small, but they are more than capable of exploring the great outdoors. Their energy level, endurance, and athleticism make them great hiking buddies. So not only do they enjoy going outdoors, but they are also well-equipped for it.

The crucial step here is preparation. Make sure that your buddy has exercised enough weeks prior. This helps in conditioning their body for the hike.

And before you explore, make sure your Shiba Inu is on a leash at all times. Bring the following items below with you too:

• Dog food
• Drinking water
• First aid kit
• Collapsible bowl
• Flea and tick control

Are Shiba Inu Athletic?

Bred for hunting, Shiba Inu is still quite athletic today even if they are pets. They are well-muscled, agile, and can run and jump without breaking a sweat. These dogs also have great endurance, so you can have them as a jogging or hiking buddy.

More than their athleticism, this breed is also intelligent. Combining both these makes them quite an energetic dog. So even if they are not on par with working dogs, Shiba Inu still needs tons of physical and mental exercise.

Is Walking Good for Shiba Inu?

Taking your Shiba Inu out for a walk has tons of benefits for them. It promotes a healthy body and mind, and it also hones their social skills with other people and dogs. But these are not the only benefits of walks, as there are plenty more to know about.

So without further ado, here are the reasons why walks are wonderful for your Shiba Inu.

• Walks Build Their Socialization Skills
• Walks Keep Them at a Healthy Weight
• Walks Are a Great Training Opportunity
• Walks Relieve Their Stress
• Walks Promote a Healthy Urinary and Digestive System
• Walks Help in Curbing Their Boredom
• Walking Helps in Maintaining Healthy Joints
• Walking Increases Their Physical Fitness

Walks Build Their Socialization Skills

When walking your Shiba Inu outside, you are bound to run into unfamiliar people and dogs. This is a great opportunity for them to learn appropriate ways to interact with them.

And as your furry friend gets used to meeting new faces, you also build their confidence. Unsocialized dogs will shy away from strangers, and may also become aggressive. But if your buddy knows what to do, they will accept strangers without issues.

So they may allow strangers to interact with them and pet them. With other dogs, your Shiba Inu may invite them for play! Even if they are playing rough, a well-socialized dog will know when to stop without hurting the other dog.

This does not only benefit their interactions with other people and dogs. Walking also exposes them to various sights and sounds.

A dog who lacks socialization will scurry away at the sight and sounds of a running car. And this is not something that you would want, as being outside is constantly stressing them out. But through daily walks, your buddy will see cars as a normal part of life that are not to be afraid of.

This applies to anything they may find outdoors: bicyclists, wildlife, and more.

Walks Keep Them at a Healthy Weight

Walks do not only get rid of excess energy, but they also shed off the extra calories your Shiba Inu has. All the calories that your furry friend does not use get stored as fat. And this natural biological process leads to weight gain.

With this, their calorie intake should match their daily exercise. If they eat a lot, they should get their bodies moving more. And a great way to do this is by walking your buddy, although this alone may not be enough.

If you do not take them out for walks daily, then your Shiba Inu may become obese. Obesity hosts a ton of health issues for your furry friend. Not only will they have trouble moving around, but they may also develop the following:

• Arthritis
• Insulin resistance
• Liver disease
• Cardiovascular disease

So walking your lovable pooch is a way to prevent all these scary health issues!

Walks Are a Great Training Opportunity

Training your Shiba Inu starts at home, in a controlled environment. But to see their true progress, you must take them outside. In an uncontrolled public space, there are a lot of distractions for your furry friend.

But these distractions will test your Shiba Inu. You will see how obedient they are despite the chaos around them.

Take the “lie down” command as an example. This is a great verbal cue in controlling them when you feel that they are getting overexcited. You can use this whenever they are getting rowdy at the sight of another playmate, a dog.

This is also an opportunity to hone their leash skills. They should not tug on their leash and when they do, you can correct this right away. Your furry friend should also sit, heel, and stay when you ask them to.

Walks Relieve Their Stress

Your Shiba Inu gets bursts of energy throughout the day. When they do, they have to release this because if they cannot, all this energy will bottle up. As a result, they can become stressed, restless, and anxious.

But walking provides them with a healthy outlet for all their doggy energy. It gives them the chance to tire themselves out, so they can relax soon after.

Walks Promote a Healthy Urinary and Digestive System

Dogs are creatures of habit and they love following a schedule and routine. It gives structure to their daily life and helps them know what to expect. By following a walking schedule, your Shiba Inu also learns when they can “go”.

Taking them outside allows them to relieve themselves. And because most dogs like to poop or pee on a schedule, this is crucial. If they cannot go out to do their business, they are likely to hold their bladder and bowel.

As you can imagine, this is a big issue for your furry friend. But walking them at least twice a day gives them a chance to release their poop or pee.

Holding their pee in too long can host a lot of issues, such as UTIs and crystal formations. So letting your Shiba Inu pee frequently helps in preventing these.

Other than that, walking also speeds up their metabolism. As a result, their bladder and bowel movements move faster.

So your Shiba Inu will want to pee during or after a walk. This also prevents constipation. Their stool will move much faster through their digestive tract.

Walks Help in Curbing Their Boredom

This breed generally does well when left alone at home due to its independent nature. But this does not mean that they can stay indoors the whole day. Shiba Inu needs to spend equal time outdoors and indoors.

If they do not get enough time to explore outside, they can get bored fast. This should be one of your top worries because Shiba Inu is often destructive when they get bored.

So other than their incessant barking and whining, they will destroy your home. Your Shiba Inu will chew and scratch on furniture, dig holes in your yard, and more.

But if you follow a walking schedule for them, you can prevent this from happening. This diverts their energy from being destructive to a healthy outlet like walking. And when you leave them alone at home, they will be too tired to even think about destruction.

Walking Helps in Maintaining Healthy Joints

Healthy joints help your Shiba Inu stay agile and mobile. Because they are active dogs, this means everything to them. It allows them to do the things they want to do without any physical hindrance.

A sedentary lifestyle can lead to immobility, which no dog owner wants to happen to their poor pooch. As your Shiba Inu gets older, so do their joints as they become stiffer. With this, they cannot move as well as they used to.

But even old dogs need to work their joints to keep them flexible and strong. No matter your furry friend’s age, walking is a great exercise for their joints.

Dogs of any age can do this as this is a low-impact activity. You can worry less about overworking your Shiba Inu because of this.

Walking Increases Their Physical Fitness

When you work out regularly, you get fitter and fitter as time goes by. The same principle also applies to your Shiba Inu. The more you take them out for a walk, their body will become stronger.

Who would not want this for their furry friend as a dog owner? You are helping them move around more with ease. And for an active breed like this, that is a big bonus of walking in itself.

With regular walks, your Shiba Inu can take on more intense activities. If you decide to take them on a hike one day, then they are well-prepared for it.

This is a benefit that your Shiba Inu will still enjoy once they are a senior. They will remain in better shape than dogs who live a sedentary lifestyle.

Walking can also provide them with other benefits such as:

• Lower blood pressure
• Stronger bones and muscles
• Improved cardiovascular health

All these while preventing obesity, which can lead to plenty of serious health issues.

Do Shiba Inu Like to Go for Walks?

Generally speaking, Shiba Inu likes to go on long, leisurely walks. This gives them a chance to release their pent-up energy, get their minds to work, and meet new faces. They also get to experience various stimuli, which is great for this ever-curious dog.

But take this with a grain of salt as this is only a blanket statement. Whether your buddy likes walks or not will depend on their preference. Keep in mind that even if they do not like walks, they still need it even if for a short while.

Why Does My Shiba Inu Not Like Walks?

There are various possible reasons why your Shiba Inu does not like to go on walks. It can be due to fear, a lack of training, and plenty of other reasons. This can even mean that they are in pain if this happens suddenly.

Because there is no one reason for this, you need to consider all possibilities. Pinpointing the root of the behavior will help you figure out the correct fix for this.

So to help you with this first step, here are potential reasons for your buddy’s dislike of walks.

• Your Shiba Inu Is in Pain
• Your Shiba Inu Lacks Leash Training
• Your Shiba Inu Had Too Much Exercise
• Your Shiba Inu Cannot Move Due to Fear
• Your Shiba Inu Does Not Want to End the Fun
• Your Shiba Inu Finds Walks Boring
• Your Shiba Inu Does Not Have a Strong Bond With You
• Your Shiba Inu Finds Their Gear Uncomfortable
• Your Shiba Inu Does Not Like the Weather

Your Shiba Inu Is in Pain

This is the first thing that you should consider if your Shiba Inu refuses to walk. You would not like to walk around when you are in pain, would you? The same goes for your poor pooch.

The reason behind your furry friend’s pain can either be visible or invisible. So first, you need to do a thorough examination of their body.

See if they have superficial injuries, such as wounds on their paws. They may also have splinters or other foreign objects stuck between their paw pads. Since their paws will carry their weight, this makes it hard for them to walk.

But injuries can be invisible to you. Your Shiba Inu could be suffering from a torn ligament, for example. With this, you may see them limp as they move around.

Sometimes their pain may be so subtle that you cannot pinpoint anything. Many medical issues can be the cause of this, but dogs often hide their pain.

If you see any signs or if you are in doubt, you should always see a vet first. Only medical attention can help your buddy if this is the case.

Your Shiba Inu Lacks Leash Training

You may wonder why your buddy does fine walking without a leash but goes limp when you put one on. This is a clear sign that they need more leash training. You cannot expect your furry friend to know how to walk on a leash right off the bat.

Leash training is a constant lesson for any dog. They need to keep relearning leash manners on walks.

The first step to leash training is always a proper introduction to the leash and collar. This should be a positive experience for your Shiba Inu. Skipping this may only make them form negative associations with walks.

So show them the leash and collar one at a time. Have them sniff and interact with these at their pace. Whenever they do, give them a tasty treat.

By doing so, you are helping them form a positive association with a gear. They will learn that by interacting with the equipment, they get treats. In time, your furry friend may even like their leash and collar.

Then you can have your buddy wear these and walk them around your home. Soon enough, you can move on to taking them outside for walks!

Your Shiba Inu Had Too Much Exercise

If your Shiba Inu plops to the ground during walks, then they had too much of it. They are already struggling to move around because they are too tired. This is one of the signs of an overexercised dog.

So if your buddy refuses to move, consider what you were doing beforehand. Walk routes that are too long, for example, can lead to an overtired pooch.

Your Shiba Inu Cannot Move Due to Fear

Fear can make your Shiba Inu stop in their tracks and freeze up. Many environmental stimuli can scare your furry friend. Loud sounds, rowdy children, strangers, and more.

By their posture, you can tell that this is the case for your Shiba Inu. They will become submissive, pulling their ears back, crouching, and tucking their tail. Your furry friend may even pant heavier, and this is a sign of stress.

This issue is a sign that your Shiba Inu needs more socialization training. Proper socialization is a must, as it helps them get used to things that they encounter on walks.

You should also consider their history here. If you have a rescue Shiba Inu, they may have some past trauma. Being scared of signs could mean that they were in a traffic accident before.

A puppy born and raised in the countryside will not do well in an urban setting. They will get scared of the busy street and big crowds of people.

Your Shiba Inu Does Not Want to End the Fun

Face it, your Shiba Inu seems to be happiest when they are outside. So they may refuse to walk when it is time to head home because they do not want the fun to be over. To prevent you from taking them home, they may lie down or run far away from you.

Outside, they can frolic around, play with other dogs, and more! Why would your furry friend want to go home?

To correct this, make your home more exciting for them. You can treat them to toys smeared with peanut butter after returning home from a walk. This way, your Shiba Inu always has something to look forward to when going back home.

Before you head home, you need to help them calm down first. Hold their leash and say some basic commands that they already know. All while preventing them from interacting with their playmates.

Their focus should be on you and if you cannot get it, make use of high-value treats. Whenever they do something you like, reward them. This will help them understand that you are the boss, and what you say goes.

Other than that, they should also go through recall training. Once they learn this, one command should send them straight back to you.

Your Shiba Inu Finds Walks Boring

Some dogs do not get what the fuss is all about when it comes to walks. If your Shiba Inu is like this, they are not interested in going around the neighborhood. This is why it can take all your power to bribe them to go outside.

You may be successful with this, but they will want to come back home soon after. So what you need to do is to make walks more interesting for them. Careful planning is a must here, and you must know your buddy’s likes first.

So if they enjoy nose games, for example, take that outside! Throw some treats around for your buddy to find. This will encourage them to walk around your area even more.

Your Shiba Inu Does Not Have a Strong Bond With You

Going out of your home makes your buddy feel like they are going out of their comfort zone. Outside, they feel insecure and they are always on alert mode for danger. Thus, dogs will want to walk outside with someone they can trust.

Your Shiba Inu may have no trouble walking outside with another person. But when it comes to you, they will resist you. This is a sign that you do not have a great relationship with them yet.

It is not easy to get a Shiba Inu’s trust. So you need to be present for them more, spend a lot of time with them. Only then can they trust you enough to walk them in scary public places.

Your Shiba Inu Finds Their Gear Uncomfortable

Ill-fitting collars, harnesses, leashes, and shoes can bring your furry friend discomfort. Because of this, they will refuse to walk because moving around hurts. If you refuse to walk with uncomfy shoes, do not expect your buddy to do the same.

You can tell that this is the case for your Shiba Inu if they keep scratching at where their gear sits. So if your buddy wears a collar, they will excessively paw at their neck area. If the issue is with their collar, they may start attacking it and biting it.

So make sure you get lightweight collars, harnesses, and leashes for them. Choose breathable fabric, too, for extra comfort. And if they wear a collar, avoid choke or prong collars at all costs.

Your Shiba Inu Does Not Like the Weather

Sometimes, the issue is way out of your control. If it is too hot or too cold outside, your buddy will get discouraged from walking.

During summer, make sure your Shiba Inu always has a cool, shaded area to rest. Provide them with plenty of water to replenish their thirst too. You may want to get them a cooling vest too to help them cool down.

Keep them off of hot sidewalks too. This can hurt their paws, bringing them more pain and discomfort.

During winter, you may want to give them a jacket to wear. Shiba Inu do better in the cold than in the heat though, so your buddy may not even need one.

Can Shiba Inu Walk Off-Leash?

It is generally accepted that Shiba Inu are bad off-leash, so this should not be an option for them. While some people have success with walking their buddies off-leash, this is rare. The reason for this all boils down to the Shiba Inu’s history and personality.

First of all, Shiba Inu was originally employed as hunting dogs. Though a majority of them are pets today, they still have a high prey drive. This makes them hard to control whenever you walk them outdoors.

At the sight of small wildlife, your furry friend’s hunting instincts will activate. They will chase their prey and your buddy will never back down until they catch it. Because like a true warrior, a Shiba Inu will never surrender.

And once that side of them gets activated, your Shiba Inu cannot hear your commands. Keep in mind that they are a primitive breed, and this makes walking them off-leash harder.

As a primitive breed, they are less domesticated than other dogs. When nature calls to them, they are more likely to follow their instincts than your cues. So once your furry friend bounces off to chase a squirrel, they will not listen to you.

This does not necessarily mean that they are disobedient dogs. Your Shiba Inu may have a solid recall, but they cannot shake off what they were born to do.

But sometimes, this all boils down to their notorious stubborn nature too. Your furry friend’s independent streak may come without warning off-leash. When you want them to go one way, they may decide to go another.

Some Shiba Inu owners can walk their dogs off-leash but extra precautions are still in place. If you do decide to do this, make sure you always have two people guarding your Shiba Inu.

One person should walk in front of your Shiba Inu, while another should follow them from the back. You should always let them walk single-file so that your buddy gets sandwiched. This way, you can act right away if they decide to go out of line.

Are Shiba Inu Known to Run Away?

Shiba Inu are notorious for being escape artists. Whether you are walking them outside or letting them roam your yard, they will run away. Much of this is because of their high prey drive and independent nature.

Back then, your furry friend was a ferocious hunter of small game. When their high prey drive gets activated, they will run away from you or your home to chase small critters. This is a bad combination for their independent nature as they can be pretty stubborn too.

Your Shiba Inu knows how to have fun, even if they are not with you. So if they find something interesting, they will set their mind to go to it and do what they want. Even without your permission, your buddy will run away from you to have fun!

This is why you should not put all your trust in letting your furry friend be without restraints. When walking them outdoors, make sure they are on a leash at all times. If you let them have free access to your yard, make sure that you have secured it well.

But sometimes, your Shiba Inu may run away for other reasons. This can be a sign of issues at home or their relationship with you. So you have different possible reasons to think of, such as the following:

• Bond Issues: It is hard to gain a Shiba Inu’s respect and trust, so you should start with this early. Otherwise, they will not see you as a pack leader and they do not want to be with you.
• Improper Training: Lack of training can make your Shiba Inu develop behavioral issues. If they do not know your rules, then they will decide what to do on their own. In this case, they think that running away from you is normal.
• Boredom: Enriching your buddy’s home environment is a must so they always have something to do. Other than that, a fixed exercise schedule should be in place. If you do not do these, your buddy will get bored and escape to look for fun outside.
• Fear: There may be scary stimuli in your home that your Shiba Inu is trying to get away from. A common example is construction going on down the road. With this, make sure your buddy always feels safe and secure at home.
• Mating Instinct: It is common for male dogs to run away to look for a mate. But female dogs may also exhibit this behavior. If this is a big issue for you, then spaying or neutering your buddy may curb this behavior.

How Do You Train a Shiba Inu Not to Run Away

There are various methods to train your Shiba Inu not to run away. Usually, recall training works best for dogs. But since this breed usually does not have a solid recall, you must look for alternatives.

With this, it is best to use a combination of the methods listed below.

• Train Your Shiba Inu Not to Bolt Out of Doors
• Let Them Have Fun Outside Under Strict Supervision
• Teach Your Shiba Inu a Recall Command

Train Your Shiba Inu Not to Bolt Out of Doors

Your furry friend gets rewarded for rushing out the door, even if you are not aware of it. The reward can be the fun activities they get to do outside when they escape. Or it can be an exciting “game” with you as you try to chase your Shiba Inu down.

In these scenarios, your buddy’s unwanted behavior gets rewarded. With this, you must reward them for their calm behaviors when interacting with the door. Along with this, make sure to secure all exits so they do not get to have fun outside or play chase with you.

To do this, you need to teach your Shiba Inu proper door manners. The best time to do this is right before you take them out for a walk. Here are the steps you need to take for this:

• Step 1: Position yourself near the front door with your leash and harness ready. Then call your Shiba Inu to come to you.
• Step 2: Once your furry friend arrives, command them to sit and reward them for obeying and waiting. If they do not listen or remain calm, walk away and do some household chores to take a break. You can try this again after a few minutes.
• Step 3: Do the steps above again. If your Shiba Inu sits and remains calm, then put a leash on your furry friend. They should not get overexcited and jump around. If they do, say “no” and then take them back to step 2 and let them sit.
• Step 4: Grab their leash and open the door as you put on your footwear. If your Shiba Inu stands up when the door opens, say “no” and close the door. Have them sit down and wait for them to calm down. Only then can you open the door again.
• Step 5: If your furry friend remains seated and calm throughout, give them their release cue. Now you can take them outside for an exciting walk around the neighborhood.

By doing these, your Shiba Inu learns that remaining calm by the door gives them a chance to walk outside. Also, they will understand that getting overexcited means that they do not get to have fun.

Let Them Have Fun Outside Under Strict Supervision

Now that your Shiba Inu knows door manners, it is time to test them outdoors. They should also learn not to run away outside, where it matters most.

Oftentimes, Shiba Inu will run away from your yard because you do not have a watchful eye on them. So by being with them at all times, you can prevent their efforts to escape. Here is how you can do this.

• Step 1: Take your Shiba Inu out to your yard and let them do their thing. Make sure they have toys to play with to keep them occupied. This will make it less likely for them to attempt to escape.
• Step 2: Keep an eye on your Shiba Inu as they explore the outside world. Do not multitask, such as scrolling through your phone. You should be present and actively watching them at all times.
• Step 3: If your buddy so much as tries to climb your fence, then end the fun right away. Walk up to them and do not run, as they may bolt away to escape you. Once you get to them, say “no” and take them indoors right away.
• Step 4: Take a break indoors for a few minutes and then try again. Make sure you still practice proper door manners from the previous method.
• Step 5: Keep practicing these steps until your Shiba Inu understands what is going on. In time they will learn that you will end their fun outdoors if they try to escape.

To further prevent your Shiba Inu from running away, make sure you give them the chance to explore more. Take them out for a walk around the neighborhood. This satisfies their curiosity, making them less likely to run off.

This is because they will see what is going on around them with you. Your furry friend will see this as a fun activity to share with you, so they will not need to explore all alone.

Another thing to consider is to keep on socializing with outdoor stimuli. This way, your Shiba Inu will not see strangers and dogs passing by your home as a big deal.

Teach Your Shiba Inu a Recall Command

As you know, Shiba Inu is not reliable with a recall command. Still, it is best if they know this even if you will not see success with it all the time. Who knows, maybe your Shiba Inu will be an exception!

To help you with this, here is a step-by-step method to teach your Shiba Inu a recall command:

• Step 1: Practice indoors first, as you can control the environment. This way, there are fewer distractions to grab your furry friend’s focus.
• Step 2: Have your buddy’s favorite treats in hand. This is crucial, as a high-value treat will get them to listen to you. You keep them motivated and encourage them to come to you.
• Step 3: Have your Shiba Inu roam around and then call them to come to you. You should only say their name once, as overusing this can lead your Shiba Inu to ignore you.
• Step 4: If your Shiba Inu comes to you, then show them the treat and reward them for coming. But if they do not, take a break and try again later.
• Step 5: Encourage your Shiba Inu to come to you by changing the tone of your voice. Make yourself sound more inviting by patting your legs and saying its name in a higher pitch. Your furry friend is more likely to come to you if you give off a friendly presence.
• Step 6: Turn the recall training into a game to make it more fun for your Shiba Inu. Call their name and wave the treat around while running away from them. This will make your buddy think that you are playing a fun game of chase with them.
• Step 7: As soon as your Shiba Inu comes to you, reward them with plenty of their favorite treats! Make sure you shower them with verbal praise and act all excited too. This will encourage them to keep coming to you as you say your pooch’s name.

Keep practicing the steps above until your Shiba Inu obeys you to no fail. Then, you can practice this in your yard with more distractions. The final test will be in a public place, where you have no complete control over the environment.

Knowing what not to do is just as important in preventing your buddy from running off too. So while you are training your Shiba Inu, make sure you do not do the following:

Punish or Beat Them Up: Being harsh with your Shiba Inu will not help in teaching them not to run away. They will not understand why you are doing this, and you are only instilling fear in them. Remember that fear can push any dog to run away from you.

Keep Them Attached: Leashing your Shiba Inu at home will only cause more issues. This prevents them from doing what they want, and they will get bored. Thus, this can lead to destructive behaviors, bringing you more headaches.

How Often Should You Walk a Shiba Inu?

A healthy adult Shiba Inu will need an hour of walks each day. You can cram this into one session if you are on a tight schedule. But it is still best if you divide this into two sessions or more.

Remember that walks are crucial in managing their energy level and potty frequency.

The more you walk them, you can keep them calmer throughout the day. Your furry friend gets bursts of energy throughout the day. So after an hour of walking, they may still need to release their energy.

Frequent walks also regulate their bladder and bowel movements. It hastens their metabolism so they get the urge to pee and poop more often. And by taking them outside to walk, they get the opportunity to relieve themselves.

If you have an older or younger Shiba Inu, do not expect them to walk for an hour each day. Their bodies cannot keep up with this, so make sure to listen to what their body tells you. Overworking them is a big issue because they cannot heal as fast as a healthy adult.

How Far Should a Shiba Inu Walk Each Day?

It is hard to tell how far your Shiba Inu should walk each day, as this will depend on them. Various factors are at play here, such as their age, fitness level, and their preference. But this breed can hike as far as 10 miles (16.1 km), so you can assume that they can walk this far.

Take note though that hiking is not an everyday thing, so do not force them to walk this far. Otherwise, you will be overexercising your Shiba Inu even if it is a healthy adult.

With this, try to figure out their tolerance. Try walking them for a mile each day first, and if they can go further, then let them do so. Once they begin to lag, then stop the walk immediately and take note of the distance. Each dog is different, and this way is best because you will know what works for your buddy.

For a senior Shiba Inu though, this is a different story. Do not expect them to walk as far as an adult Shiba Inu. So you need to learn how far they can walk too.

Can Shiba Inu Go on Long Walks?

Shiba Inu have great endurance, so they can tolerate long walks well. But keep in mind that this breed prefers sprinting to long-distance walks. So although they can, it does not mean that your Shiba Inu will be okay with long walks.

Can Shiba Inu Hike?

Your Shiba Inu can go for a hike with you and enjoy their time. They are adventurous, which makes this a fun experience for them. Not only that, but they are also natural athletes, so they can keep up with you.

To give you an idea, they can hike as far as 10 miles (16.1 km). But make sure you prepare them for a long hike weeks before. You should condition their body through exercise, and only then should you take them with you.

How Far Can Shiba Inu Walk?

It is hard to tell how far a Shiba Inu can walk because it will depend on the individual. A healthy adult may walk for a mile or more, depending on their fitness level. But you should also consider other factors, such as their age, health, and lifestyle.

If your Shiba Inu gets intense exercise each day, then they can walk further. But if your buddy has health issues or has a sedentary lifestyle, expect much less from them.

With this, you should figure out how far your buddy can walk through trial and error. Walk them a mile to start, and if they can keep going, continue the walk. Stop right away when you see that they are already tired and then take note of the distance they walked. This should tell you how far your Shiba Inu can go on a nice walk.

How Fast Can a Shiba Inu Go?

Shiba Inu over the age of one can run as fast as 25 miles per hour (40.2 kilometers per hour). This is above-average speed, making Shiba Inu one of the fastest dogs around. Some Shiba Inu can even sprint up to 30 miles per hour (48.3 kilometers per hour) without breaking a sweat!

Can You Overwalk a Shiba Inu?

Although your Shiba Inu may enjoy walks, it is still possible to overwalk them. This is why you should never walk them too long or far from what they usually do. This puts them at risk for overheating, injuries, and more.

Walking your Shiba Inu too much is an even bigger issue if they are still young puppies. Puppies have fragile bodies that quickly get hurt when overworked. This may hinder their development, so severe and life-long repercussions may occur.

So although this breed is a natural athlete, you should know their limits. Whenever you take them out on a walk, always watch out for their body language. You will know if they are already tired by taking a good look at them.

So always watch out for the signs of a tired dog:

• Heavy panting
• Lip licking
• Excessive thirst
• Lying down
• Forgetting commands
• Losing interest

When Can You Start Walking a Shiba Inu Puppy?

You can start walking your Shiba Inu puppy outside after 1 to 2 weeks of getting fully vaccinated. This is usually once they are 8 weeks of age, but it will still depend on your pup’s schedule. Thus, the main consideration here is not their age, but their vaccines.

Shiba Inu puppies start walking very young, at around 3 to 4 weeks of age. You can already start walking them at this stage, but only indoors. Taking them outside is still too dangerous for them.

The outdoors can expose our Shiba Inu to parasites, bacteria, and viruses. They may even catch a fatal disease by interacting with other dogs. And because their immune system is weak, it is easy for your poor pup to get sick.

This is why you should only let them explore outside a few weeks after completing their vaccines. By doing so, you give your furry friend time to build a strong immune system. Only then can they combat deadly microorganisms to keep themselves safe and healthy.

How Do I Get My Shiba Inu Puppy to Walk on a Leash?

Getting your Shiba Inu puppy to walk on a leash starts with a proper introduction. Your young pup should form a positive association with their leash and harness. Only then can your furry friend accept and wear these on your walks.

But this is not as simple as showing them their gear and having them wear them right away. This is a meticulous process that needs time, patience, and practice. So a lot can go wrong here, so you need to pay attention to detail.

With this, below is a step-by-step process on how you can start walking your Shiba Inu puppy on a leash.

• Step 1: Prepare the Right Materials
• Step 2: Introduce Them to Their Leash and Harness
• Step 3: Desensitize Your Puppy to Their Leash and Harness
• Step 4: Practice Walking Indoors
• Step 5: Practice Walking in Your Yard
• Step 6: Take a Walk Around the Neighborhood

Step 1: Prepare the Right Materials

Do not go to a pet store and grab the first leash and harness you see. Not all gear types are suitable for a young puppy learning to accept its leash and harness. You should consider their comfort, otherwise, they will refuse to wear their gear.

So start with a lightweight and breathable harness for your Shiba Inu. Get a 6-foot (1829 mm) leash too, as this gives you better control over them while they are still learning. Avoid a retractable leash until they learn how to walk politely.

Make sure you have your furry friend’s favorite treats, too, for rewards. High-value treats will help ensure that they listen to you and your commands.

Step 2: Introduce Them to Their Leash and Harness

Show your pup their walking gear indoors, in a calm and quiet environment. This way, they will not get distracted and focus on the task at hand.

Allow your puppy to come near their harness and leash, and do not force them to do so. When they sniff and touch their gear, shower them with praise and give them tons of tasty treats. This helps them form a positive association with their gear. By doing so, they will not resist so much if you let them wear these.

Keep practicing this for a few days. In time, your Shiba Inu puppy will learn that these are not something to be afraid of.

Step 3: Desensitize Your Puppy to Their Leash and Harness

Begin this process with their harness first. Let your furry friend wear their harness and offer them tons of treats and praise. Remove this right away as soon as they have gobbled up their treats.

Keep repeating this process until your buddy is comfortable with the harness. Then you can make them wear their harness much longer.

While they are, take time to play with your pup and give them treats from time to time. This will make them form a positive association with wearing their harness.

After a few days, attach the leash to their harness. Let your Shiba Inu puppy walk around with it, even if they drag it along. This allows them to get used to the sensation of wearing a leash.

And like getting them used to their harness, play with them while they are on the leash. This not only diverts their attention from it but also helps them associate it with good things.

Keep practicing this for a few days until your Shiba Inu puppy does not mind wearing their walking gear.

Step 4: Practice Walking Indoors

It is crucial to begin walking your Shiba Inu puppy on a leash inside your home. A controlled environment will make them feel more at ease. Bringing them outside may frighten them, creating a negative experience.

So find a calm and quiet spot in your home with limited distractions. Have your buddy wear their gear and give them treats whenever they are near you. Whenever they come to you on a leash, reward them with tasty treats.

This teaches them that being near you while wearing their gear is something good. By doing so, they get rewarded and this will encourage the behavior even more. This is what you want to see in them, especially once you take them outdoors.

Your pup should not jump at you to get the treat, though. Make sure you reward them with the treat at their height.

So when they come to you, lower their treat at nose level. Have them take steps toward you and then give them the treat. If they make a fuss, have them step back and come to you again.

Keep practicing this process until your Shiba Inu understands the rules.

Step 5: Practice Walking in Your Yard

Once your furry friend walks reliably on their leash, keeping close to you, it is time to go outside. Take them to your yard first, where there are more distractions. This will test how they do well on their leash in the face of various stimuli.

Follow the process from step 4, to start with. Then begin walking your Shiba Inu puppy around your yard. Reward them with praise and tasty treats whenever they stay close to you.

You should also reward your Shiba Inu puppy whenever they make eye contact with you. This will encourage them to divert their focus on you more during walks. As a result, you can have better control over them when you take them out in public.

This process may take time, but practice this each day. Once your buddy earns your trust, you can take them to a public area.

Step 6: Take a Walk Around the Neighborhood

When your furry friend gets the hang of walking on a leash, you can now change locations! Start by walking them near your home, like going to the next house first. The key here is easing them in, otherwise, they can get overwhelmed.

Before you head out, make sure to pick a side for your Shiba Inu puppy. If you want them to walk on your left, then stick to that throughout the walk. Avoid crossing them from one side to another, as this can confuse them and cause issues.

Go on a walk and reward them for sticking by your side and for locking eyes with you. If your Shiba Inu pup pulls on its leash, grab its attention with a treat. Then you can lure them back to your side, and give them praise and tasty treats.

How Much Should a Shiba Inu Puppy Walk?

There is no exact answer to this as your Shiba Inu puppy’s walk duration will depend on its age. It is easy to overwork a growing puppy, and this can have some severe repercussions for them. But there is a general guide that you can follow for this based on expert recommendations.

As a general rule of thumb, you can walk your puppy for 5 minutes twice daily. This helps ensure that your puppy does not push their body to the limit. It will also help them have enough time to rest between each walking session.

So following this guide, here is how long you can walk your Shiba Inu puppy:

• 1 Month of Age: 5 minutes
• 2 Months of Age: 10 minutes
• 3 Months of Age: 15 minutes
• 4 Months of Age: 20 minutes
• 5 Months of Age: 25 minutes
• 6 Months of Age: 30 minutes

Keep in mind you should walk your Shiba Inu puppy twice a day. So from the example above, a 1-month-old puppy will need 10 minutes of walking daily in total.

Once your furry friend reaches 6 months of age, they can already walk as long as a Shiba Inu adult. But as your buddy ages, they may need longer sessions than this so you can adjust their walk duration.

How Long Should I Walk My 3-Month-Old Shiba Inu?

A 3-month-old Shiba Inu will need 15-minute walks twice a day. This gives them ample exercise to shed off their energy. But this does not put them at risk of overexercising, which is a big issue for a growing pup.

Your Shiba Inu puppy may still beg you to walk much longer, but you should resist this. Too much exercise can damage their joints, and this can impede their development. If you insist, you are risking life-long consequences for your poor pooch.

How Long Can I Walk My Shiba Inu Puppy?

To figure out the suitable walk duration for your puppy, you need to follow a general guide. Experts recommend that you walk your puppy for 5 minutes per month of age, twice a day. This ensures that you are not overworking their fragile little bodies.

Using the general rule of thumb, a puppy that is 2 months of age should have 10-minute walk sessions. Keep in mind that they need two walk sessions a day, though. So all in all, this pup should have 20 minutes worth of walks in total per day.

How Far Can a 4-Month-Old Shiba Inu Walk?

Your 4-month-old Shiba Inu puppy can walk as far as it can within 20 minutes of walking. And since they need walks twice a day, you should let them walk for 40 minutes daily. Keep in mind that it is best to track the duration of their walk and not the distance.

If you focus too much on how far they walk, you may overexercise them. This is something that you should avoid at all costs. Otherwise, you are putting your buddy at risk for developmental issues.

How Far Can a 5-Month-Old Shiba Inu Walk?

A 5-month-old Shiba Inu can walk as far as they want within a 25-minute timeframe. Instead of asking how far they can walk, you should focus on how long they can walk. Distance is not what you should pay attention to when it comes to walking a puppy.

Walking outside is tiring enough for your Shiba Inu puppy. They are still learning more about the world, and this is taxing on their mind and body. Thus, you should only consider the length of their walks to avoid exhausting them too much.

Take note that your Shiba Inu puppy needs to walk twice a day for 25 minutes each. So in total, your furry friend will need to walk for about 50 minutes a day.

How Far Can a 6-Month-Old Shiba Inu Walk?

Do not base your furry friend’s walks on the distance they can cover and focus on the duration instead. A 6-month-old Shiba Inu puppy needs a 30-minute walk session twice a day. Be careful not to exceed this too much as you may overwork their rapidly growing body.

Can You Overwalk a Shiba Inu Puppy?

It is easy to overwalk a Shiba Inu puppy, and this is a serious matter that you should avoid at all costs. Their body is still going through changes, so they are in a fragile state at this young age. Letting them engage in lengthy walks may hinder their normal development.

With this, your furry friend may face life-long consequences. Leg deformity, for example, is one possible consequence of overwalking a pup. And as a dog owner, this is not something that you would want for your buddy.

As your Shiba Inu puppy grows older each month, it may want to walk much longer. They have grown used to walking and their body has now matured a bit to keep up with the physical demands. But keep in mind that they still have growing to do, so do not give in to their pleas.

You know what is best for your Shiba Inu puppy, and this is your way to protect them from harm. So be firm, and always remember that you can also have fun with them indoors with toys.

Can Shiba Inu Run?

Naturally speedy and agile, running is one of a Shiba Inu’s favorite activities. They often prefer sprinting at full speed rather than long-distance running. Through running, they can shed off any initial burst of energy they have.

But because they do not do well off-leash, avoid letting them run around in public places. Your Shiba Inu may run away from you instead, and you will have trouble catching up to them. Thus, the best place for them to zoom around is within a secure yard.

How Fast Can Shiba Inu Run?

Once your Shiba Inu reaches a year old, they can sprint at 25 miles per hour (40.2 kilometers per hour) with ease. But some Shiba Inu who are in great condition can easily run up to 30 miles per hour (48.3 kilometers per hour). Despite its small frame, this breed is one of the fastest dog breeds.

With their speed, your Shiba Inu can outrun you without a problem. Thus, keeping them secure at all times is a must for this escape artist. Make sure you always have them on a leash and set up a secure fence around your yard.

How Far Can a Shiba Inu Run?

At over a year old, your Shiba Inu can run for around 3 to 5 miles long (4.8 to 8.0 kilometers). They have great running endurance, which makes them a great jogging buddy for you if you want to. But keep in mind that this breed often prefers short sprints to long-distance runs.

Do Shiba Inu Like Water?

Because they are not water dogs, Shiba Inu instinctively do not like water. So much so that they will go around a puddle to avoid getting their paws wet! These dogs like to keep themselves clean and dry.

Much of this has to do with where they were from and what they were initially employed to do. This breed comes from Chubu, a mountainous region in Japan. And back then, this breed was a hunting dog.

Given their history, they did not work near bodies of water as much. Thus, frolicking in water is foreign to them.

But this does not mean that your furry friend cannot like water. If you introduce them to water at a young age, they may even grow up to love it!

They can learn to like stepping on puddles for fun, enjoy swimming in lakes, and playing with a water hose. But they may still have reservations about their relationship with water. For example, your Shiba Inu will stay close to the shore or stay in shallow waters.

So having fun with water is something your Shiba Inu can learn. Taking a shower or bath, though, is a different story. Even with a proper introduction, most Shiba Inu will not like taking a bath.

This is possibly due to being a basal breed of dog. Being one, they do not like getting handled too much. And because baths involve a lot of touching, your Shiba Inu may never learn to like them.

Can Shiba Inu Swim in Cold Water?

Although they have thick layers of fur made for the cold, you should not let your Shiba Inu swim in cold waters. Frolicking in the snow is fine because their fur keeps their skin dry. But swimming is different as getting wet can get them too cold, especially on a windy day.

With this, make sure that your Shiba Inu likes the water temperature. Have them dip their paws in the water first before you go ahead and get them all wet. Let your furry friend decide on their own, and respect whatever they choose to do.

How Do I Get My Shiba Inu to Like Water?

If you want your Shiba Inu to like water, then you should have them explore it at their pace. By doing so, you allow them to get used to water without getting scared. But forming a positive association with water is your goal, and this is trickier.

Of course, you cannot do this by submerging them in water to play. Their introduction to water should be a slow and gradual process. And this will determine how your buddy will like playing with water.

Thus, you should start small and introduce them to water with a kiddie pool. Once they get comfortable, you can take them swimming in a lake! But for you to do this, you must follow the process below.

• Use a Kiddie Pool
• Take Them to a Pond or Lake

Use a Kiddie Pool

Your furry friend’s initial interaction with water should be a positive one. So set up your kiddie pool to make it exciting for your Shiba Inu!

Fill the kiddie pool with shallow water and add some of their favorite toys floating above the water. Once your buddy sees this, they will instantly think of fun as they see their toys. Let them explore around the pool and give them treats whenever they go near it.

If they are reluctant to go near, then do not force them. But if they show interest in the pool, then you can proceed.

Now offer your Shiba Inu some wet toys from the pool. Have them play with it for a bit and then engage in a good game of fetch. After playing for a bit, toss one of their toys inside the kiddie pool.

Your Shiba Inu may splash into the pool to retrieve their beloved toy, and that is good progress! Give them a treat when they do to make the experience more positive for them.

But if your furry friend does not do this, then that is okay too. Take a break and then try again after some time.

Keep doing this until your Shiba Inu gets into the pool. Now you can play with them in the pool with all their toys around. In time, your furry friend will feel relaxed and comfortable in the pool.

Take Them to a Pond or Lake

Now that your Shiba Inu can comfortably play with water, it is time to take them to a body of water. Remember not to rush your furry friend to go in. Allow them to wander around and stay by the edge of the water.

Your Shiba Inu may begin to dip their toes into the water and splash around. This is a good sign that they are accepting the experience.

Have some fun with them along the shore first. Splash some water around, play with their toys, and become as animated as you can be. A good game of fetch along the shallow water is always a great idea.

Do the same thing as you did with the kiddie pool. Throw their toy in the water too, but not too far. This will allow them to decide whether to go after their toy or not.

If your Shiba Inu goes for the toy, then you can have fun swimming with them! But if they do not, keep playing in the shallow water to get them comfortable.

Once your buddy feels relaxed by the water, encourage them to go deeper. You can start by walking with them first. Go to where they can still touch the floor so they do not panic.

If they are still okay with this, you can go even deeper. Place your arms around your buddy and guide them in. They will panic once they cannot touch the floor, but this is normal.

In time, their reflex will kick in and your furry friend will begin to paddle. Once you feel that they are comfortable with this, you can let them go and have them swim by themselves. But make sure they are still within arm’s reach so you can act fast if they are having trouble.

Is It Good or Bad for a Shiba Inu to Jump?

Jumping can be both bad and good for your Shiba Inu, and this will depend on what they jump on or off of. This is normal canine behavior that you cannot get rid of, so do not expect to train your buddy out of it. So it is best to know when it is safe for your furry friend to jump.

Instances where jumping is fine for your Shiba Inu:

• Going up and down the stairs
• Jumping sports such as agility

Scenarios where your Shiba Inu should not jump:

• Jumping on and off your couch
• Jumping on the bed (especially if it is high)
• Puppies jumping on furniture
• Jumping on trampolines and beds

You may have noticed that there is no mention of jumping in and out of your car. This is a gray area. It can be okay or bad for your buddy to do so depending on your car.

If you have a car that sits high, then your Shiba Inu should not jump on or off of it. But if it sits lower, then it is fine for your furry friend.

It is understandable for a responsible dog owner like you to get concerned about this. Jumping takes so much toll on your furry friend’s joints, which can be worrying. Jumping can sometimes lead to serious health issues such as IVDD.

But now that you know what your Shiba Inu should avoid, you can help in preventing these medical issues.

How High Can Shiba Inu Jump?

Generally speaking, Shiba Inu can jump at around 3 to 4 feet high (914.4 to 1219.2 mm). With this, they can jump over standard fences without breaking a sweat. So your fence needs to be taller than this height.

For a small dog, this breed can sure jump to great heights. But your Shiba Inu’s jump height can still depend on various factors, such as:

• Age
• Size
• Muscle mass
• Bone density
• The surface they are jumping on

This breed already has a good start, to begin with. Their small size means that they are not carrying a lot of weight to propel themselves upward.

But not all dogs of this breed can jump too high. A couch potato Shiba Inu stands no chance when compared to one that lives an active lifestyle. And an older Shiba Inu cannot compete with a much younger one in their prime.

Thus, how high your Shiba Inu can jump still depends on their condition. So take the generalization mentioned above with a grain of salt.

Is Agility Bad for Shiba Inu?

Agility is not bad for your Shiba Inu, instead, it can benefit your furry friend in various ways. Other than increasing their fitness, it also stimulates their mind. Thus, this helps in curbing their boredom all while forming a stronger bond with you.

But like in other dog sports, there is a risk of injury in engaging with agility. You can lessen this risk though by being careful with your furry friend. As long as you partake in the sport responsibly, the pros of agility outweigh the risks.