Shiba Inu: temperament, training and care

At a glance

Temperament

• Independent and cat-like
• Clean and quiet
• Dislikes being held

Training tips

Handle paws and ears for a treat daily: Shibas need to learn to accept it.

Shiba Inus can be independent thinkers. Find what your dog will really work for, keep sessions short and fun, and expect to repeat things more often than with an eager-to-please breed.

Start with a marker word, sit, come and leave it. For a puppy, see the puppy training guides.

Exercise and energy

A healthy adult Shiba Inu typically needs around 45 to 60 minutes of activity a day. Mix walks with sniffing and short training games: mental work tires dogs as much as running does. Puppies need much shorter sessions while they grow.

See how much exercise a dog needs and our games and enrichment ideas.

Health to watch

Things the breed is known to be prone to. Ask your vet what to check for your dog.

• Kneecaps. Kneecaps can slip: a skip or hop on a back leg is worth showing the vet. See: Broken Bone or Sprain.
• Skin. Folds and allergies need care: keep folds clean and dry, and watch for itching. See: Allergic Reaction.