Some Tips/Advice? - New Dog!! - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

HelloHockeyFans · 03-09-2006, 07:00 PM

My friend is going on a worldwide vacation and is giving me his dog. I'll be a "first-timer" and would love to hear some tips/advice from all the dog lovers here. I've had experience with dogs before, but mostly because of girlfriends and what not. I've never actually had my own dog.

She's 4 years old. A Shiba Inu.

Thanks in advance to everyone!

Regulator75 · 03-09-2006, 08:36 PM

Do not give the dog cheese.

HelloHockeyFans · 03-09-2006, 08:38 PM

Ha! Good to know, thanks!

Cowperson · 03-09-2006, 08:44 PM

What is the dog used to in terms of the habits of its owner?

As an example, was the previous owner home a lot or away a lot - is the dog used to being alone? What are your habits?

Are you an active person?

Is the dog well socialized with other dogs and other people?

I see in my big book of dogs that a Shiba Inu is "an affectionate, friendly and sensitive dog that makes a fine pet as well as a show dog/or hunter. In needs a fair amount of exercise and good daily brushing to keep it looking trim."

Does this person you're getting the dog from have a vet they've been using? If I were you, I'd get a vet and have it given a baseline checkup or get the medical records for your pooch.

It's easy to overfeed a dog and that can be a terrible thing in the long term. Get some recommendations from your vet on how much food this breed and this size of dog might need as well as how often you should feed it.

You might use google to find a Shiba Inu forum on the net to apply some questions to people familiar with the breed. A place to start:

http://www.shibaweb.com/tips.htm

Those are some things off the top of my head.

Congrats. You're a daddy.

Cowperson

HelloHockeyFans · 03-09-2006, 09:39 PM

Thanks Cow! Much appreciated!!!!

Sylvanfan · 03-09-2006, 09:41 PM

Shiba's are a nice dog. I have a Samoyed which is similar in that it's a spitz breed. Sammy is pretty strong willed, but loyal as they come. My samoyed doesn't eat a lot and neither do my brothers Chow Chows. So I don't know if over feeding is a huge issue with spitz dogs. My Sammy breeder says he's never had a dog from his kennel thats over weight. They need a lot of grooming which can be tedious, and love excercise. But my Samoyed is a very social and friendly dog, but my brothers Chows not so much. So I don't know if Shiba's are real friendly with other dogs or not. You look like you need some excercise noob, so the Shiba will be good for ya!!!

Iowa_Flames_Fan · 03-09-2006, 09:50 PM

Congratulations, HHF! Welcome to the wonderful world of dog ownership!

I have 2 lab mixes, which are a little different from the Shiba Inu in that they probably need more exercise, and are also a little less temperamental. The Shiba Inu is a great dog, though; my neighbour has one, and I dated a girl in University whose mom had one too. Very pretty coat, elegant stance, etc.

Some stuff to watch out for: In my experience, which is pretty limited (2 or 3 examples) Shiba Inu tend, like other small dogs, to bond with a smaller peer group and be a little distrustful of strangers. You should find out whether the dog (who is 4, right?) has been socialized to be around children and other dogs, because the Shiba CAN be aggressive. I'd suggest either taking a canine obedience class with your new dog, or at least getting a book about it. They can also be a little dominant--it's kind of a famously bossy breed, sort of like Weimaraners, and so you need to establish a pecking order and stick to it, which means little things like making sure that you always have first priority on beds, couches, etc. and that you control traffic. I'd also, VERY CAREFULLY test the dog for food aggression by petting him/her while they're eating, and if that goes well, removing the bowl and giving it back, putting your hands in the food, etc. Food aggression isn't the end of the world, but if your dog is food aggressive, it's important information to have.

If you do obedience, I recommend clicker-training as a method rather than choke collars--it's worked wonders with my dogs, who amaze our friends at parties with their tricks, and are also pretty well behaved.

It's an exciting journey to embark on, IMO! A dog is like the most loyal, affectionate best friend you could ever have--they never judge you, and they really don't talk much.

Let us know how it goes!

HelloHockeyFans · 03-09-2006, 09:55 PM

Thanks for all your help guys!

I'm sending out a quick email to my friend (previous owner) to get as much info as I can on her and her habits!!

How often do I need to bathe a dog??

metallicat · 03-10-2006, 12:18 AM

I don't think there is anything wrong with giving it cheese...in fact, our vet told us to bury his pills in cheese.

And I'd say once a month at the most for baths...unless they get really dirty.

4X4 · 03-10-2006, 12:35 AM

Every dog I've had could eat cheese. I believe chocolate is poisonous to dogs.

If you are in S. Calgary, adopt the Okotoks veterinary clinic (Cow sent me there) (the doctor is amazing with dogs, and clearly loves her job, which is pretty important) (she's also pretty cute).

If she's already trained, you probably don't need to discipline her. If she needs any kind of training, I subscribe to the slippers and cookies doctrine. Whack her bum with a slipper once or twice and she'll stop doing whatever she's doing anytime you take your slipper off your foot, forever.

Give her cookies when she's good and she'll live to please you. Or maybe she'll please you for cookies. Just don't buy ****ty cookies. Cookies should be as healthy as the food, but taste good for the dog. And cookies should be given often. Right Moxie? Sucha gooda girrl...

I miss my dog.

Regulator75 · 03-10-2006, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

Every dog I've had could eat cheese.

And I bet there was some foul smells not too long after...

Sylvanfan · 03-10-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Thanks for all your help guys!

How often do I need to bathe a dog??

Well once a month minimum for a Spitz breed if you do regular brushing. Their coats are really thick though and bathing them is a trickey endeavor. With the Samoyed I pay someone else to do it because for me it's a one hour ordeal just to bath him, and I don't have a speed dryer like most grooming shops do. So if I bath him at home it takes like and hour with a blow dryer and towels and than he still has to air dry for like 2 hours after that!

Iowa_Flames_Fan · 03-10-2006, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Thanks for all your help guys!

I'm sending out a quick email to my friend (previous owner) to get as much info as I can on her and her habits!!

How often do I need to bathe a dog??

HHF--Got any pictures of your new buddy? You should post 'em!

HelloHockeyFans · 03-10-2006, 08:42 AM

I haven't picked her up yet - plan to next Friday.

My friend did send me a picture of her though:

Ha! Ha!

Regulator75 · 03-10-2006, 09:05 AM

Very nice looking dog.

Displaced Flames fan · 03-10-2006, 09:11 AM

She's gorgeous.

CalgaryCowboy · 03-10-2006, 09:16 AM

Great looking dog. Since it is a purebred get a book on that breed. It will have general stuff breed specific stuff. I have a beagle and was shocked at how accurate the books where on describing his behavior. Also see he has a choke chain on. Make sure they tell you how they have been using it.

Iowa_Flames_Fan · 03-10-2006, 11:18 AM

Beautiful dog, HHF.

(BTW, dogs are a chick-magnet. Take her for some walks downtown, you'll see what I mean!

)

HelloHockeyFans · 03-10-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Beautiful dog, HHF.

(BTW, dogs are a chick-magnet. Take her for some walks downtown, you'll see what I mean!

)

LOL

I get the feeling my girlfriend won't be too fond of my new bestfriend...