Introduction
People love Shiba Inus for their fox-like appearance. Sharp, inquisitive eyes and a pointed nose and ears make for a pet more closely resembling their wolf ancestors than the Golden Retrievernext door. And while their aesthetic is nothing short of a pro for current or potential owners, Shibas are inherently independent and definitely not for just any dog owner.
These canines are more commonly compared to cats by some experts because they tend to lack the "aim to please" quality that most dogs possess. This means that if your Shiba loses interest or doesn't care to learn a certain task, they will choose to ignore you. While this quality gives them theirunique personality, it can make them harder to train, including crate training.
Crate training can be ideal for any dog breed as it appeals to a dog's natural instinct to create or find a "den"-- a place where they can enjoy quiet, solitude, relaxation, and sleep. If introduced properly to your Shiba Inu puppy, a crate may be their preferred cozy corner in your household.
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Defining Tasks
In addition to offering a comfortable, calming retreat to your pet, crates offer other benefits as well. They make potty training and obedience training easier, and they keep the puppy safe from getting into anything that could harm them while they're not under your watchful eye.
Not to mention, this keeps your home safe from any potential chewing or accidents.
Crate training starts with an introduction to the object itself, which may seem foreign and scary to your puppy at first. After the introduction, you may find that your Shiba will respond correctly to commands such as: "Kennel up!" or "Go to your bed!" or even, simply, "Go!" or "Crate!"
Getting Started
To crate train a Shibu Inu, expect todedicate a fair amount of effort to your Shiba. In time, their keen ability to learn will reward you both with success! Before getting started, however, there are a few items and tips you'll need.
If any of these items aren't in your possession already, run to the store or browse online:
- Dog bed or blankets you won't mind your pet sleeping on
- Appropriate-sized crate (read further for details on sizing)
- Toys or other familiar items that provide comfort
- Food and water tray
- Kongs or other puzzlegames
- Pee pads (optional)
- Crate cover (optional)
In addition to the items needed, you'll also need to learn or refresh on some crate training 101: dog's age and size are key.
It's important to not crate train a puppy that's too young, as it could have negative effects and cause behavioral problems down the road. Be sure that your Shiba puppy is at least 10 to 12 weeks old before beginning.
Size is the most important element to successful crate training. A crate too big gives the puppy room to use half of it as a bathroom, while a crate too small will make your pooch feel cramped and trapped. Thus, an appropriately sized crate will do three great things for you and your pet:
- Give their crate the comfortable element you both desire
- Help house train them
- Help obedience train them
And although just a pup with many months of growing ahead of them, many crates come with division slats that can be securely set in place, allowing your Shiba Inu to grow into the full space of the crate.
A golden rule in sizing your dog for their crate is to add 2 to 4 inches to their length, width, and height. With this in mind, purchase a crate for their growth potential and utilize the divisions until they're full grown.
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