If you have decided to adopt a shiba inu as a member of your family, you may have encountered this problem: your shiba inu bites you. If you're not sure why this behavior is occurring or you just want to fix it ASAP, you've come to the right place.
In this article on our site we will review with you the possible causes that make your dog bite you and we will explain how you should solve it. Read on to find out how to prevent shiba inu from biting and don't forget to comment at the end of the post!
The character of the shiba inu
It is very important to know the natural character of dogs before adopting them. However, depending on the educationhe receives, the adult shiba inu dog will behave in one way or another as a result of what he has learned
In principle the shiba inu is a somewhat independent and silent dog, shy with strangers and attached to his closest relatives. He's really smart but you'll need to spend some time practicing obedience with him to make sure your partner listens to you (for his own safety and that of others.)
On the other hand, although he seems small and fine, the shiba inu is a very restless and nervous dog, robust, that needs to be exercised. He can be a bit mischievous at times
Why does the shiba inu bite?
There are many causes that can lead to a bite and although the shiba inu seems to be a sweet little puppy similar to a stuffed animal, it has a scissor-type bitethat can make us bleed. Here we go with some causes:
A puppy that grows teeth
During the change of teeth of the shiba inu puppy, the animal can feel real discomfort and therefore show a bad mood. During this season the animals feel a great need to bite anything and for this you must offer them soft toys that are suitable for their juvenile stage, never bones or other harder teethers. Praise him when he behaves appropriately and turns his attention to the toys.
A puppy that doesn't know how and when to bite
It may happen that the shiba is still a puppy and does not really understand how he should bite or in what situations he should do it. In principle, the dog would learn this within his pack: his parents would alert him when he did harm and teach him how to behave. In the absence of the mother figure, we will be in charge of teaching him to bite properly, offering him toys and congratulating him when he uses them.
Fears and fears
Sometimes dogs that have not received a good socialization can bite people out of fear or fear. Even if you have an adult dog, it can also be socialized, although the process takes more work and is somewhat more complex.
Lack of socialization can also lead to your shiba inu trying to attack other dogs, even those that are bigger than him. It is very important that if your Shiba Inu has not been socialized, you work on this problem as soon as possible with the help of a professional.
Stress and discomfort
If you still don't know the 5 freedoms of animal welfare, it's time you took a look at them. A stressed dog (that walks little, that is subject to fear and punishment, that accumulates energy, etc.) or a sick dog can bite as a result of their bad personal situation. If you think this may be your case, it will be essential that you solve it as soon as possible, changing your routines or going to a veterinarian.
"Playful" Personality
Unlike the other cases, in this last one the shiba inu can bite as a way of expressing her playful and mischievous personality, something innate in this beautiful Japanese breed. If this is your case, you should make sure to offer toys and use positive reinforcement whenever your shiba uses them. The moment he hurts you, get away from him and change tasks, never scold him excessively or hurt him, a resounding "No" will suffice. Little by little your dog will understand that you don't like this attitude.
What I can do?
On our site we always recommend always use positive reinforcement through sweets, caresses and rewards for attitudes that we like and are correct. Even if you think that scolding can improve a dog's behavior, the reality is that it is much less effective than reinforcement and can cause stress in your pet if you overdo the yelling and how you do it. Some dogs, including the shiba, are very sensitive to these attitudes.
The problem arises when the dog's attitude is really worrying. That's when you should go to a professional, specifically an ethologist to help you solve your pet's behavior problem.
You may be wondering, is it very expensive? The truth is that there are ethologists of all imaginable rates so you can go to the one that seems most appropriate. It is very important that all dog owners understand that if they have taken responsibility for a dog they should also be responsible if it needs psychological help as it may be in this case.
Tips and tricks to make your Shiba Inu happier
In addition to offering toys and going to a professional there are other factors that can make your Shiba Inu happy also improving your relationship. Take note!
- Walk your dog 2 to 3 times a day.
- If your dog is aggressive towards others, try to walk it during the loneliest hours and don't expose it to stressful situations
- During the walk, do not pull on the leash or keep excessive control over it. You must allow him to sniff (urinate too), to interact with other pets, to walk a little where he wants, etc.
- The shiba inu is an active dog so it would be very appropriate to practice exercise with him.
- Teach your pet obedience and spend at least 15 minutes a day.
- Offer him a suitable and dignified environment for him.
