Saturday with Shibas

Today we went to the dog park. As usual, there was a lot of butt sniffing, squirrel chasing, Frisbee throwing, and other general shenanigans.

River met a Yorkie who fixated on her as soon as we arrived. Her new boyfriend did all he could to get her attention, however, being the Shiba Inu that she is, River found sniffing trees, bushes, people, and picnic tables more interesting. Not one to give up easily, this little Cyrano followed River around the park, coaxing her to play to no avail.

Rowdy spent all his time running after tennis balls but not bringing them back. Leaving the park is always a little tricky. Sometimes (though rarely) the Shibas will come when called. This time, like most others, we played 'chase the Shibas' around the park. For those unfamiliar with this game, the Shiba waits until you are just within reach then darts away like a bat out of hell. This went on for several minutes until new arrivers to the park drew them to the gate. I usually wait until we're the last ones to leave so I won't seem so silly to the other owners, but the park was busy today. Owners of other breeds find it interesting that the Shiba Inu (most of them) won't come when called and explaining that it's part of the breed's personality seems odd to them. Sometimes I envy the ones who can enter and leave the park without leashing there dogs, but when the Shibas are feeling extra sweet and come and lay down in my lap without being bribed to do so, those times make up for it.

I've posted some pictures I took of them yesterday in the back yard. It was a beautiful day, and the three of us enjoyed laying in the grass soaking in the sun.

Crate Training Article

In my experience, crate training the Shibas was necessary to maintain order and sanity in the household. They sleep in their crates at night and spend some time in there during the day when left alone for more than an hour. At bedtime, after they've had their last romp around the yard, I tell them "Ok upstairs!" and they go up and enter their crates without being told (usually). Crate training can be used to teach young pups how to hold their bladders and how to act appropriately (i.e., it's not OK to chew on the sofa) when left home alone. It took Rowdy a little longer than River to accept his crate, but he was the first to start entering it without being told.

If you are considering whether crate training is right for you, check out this informative article from the Humane Society of the United States: Crate Training