How to Train a Shiba Inu to Not Run Away
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Introduction
With stubborn breeds, there’s always an uncertainty whether or not they’ll latch onto certain types of training. A larger breed may struggle with being too rough during play while a smaller dog might not enjoy meeting new people or going to new places. As an owner, there are certain responsibilities to keep in mind when it comes to training for the benefit of your dog’s safety. This especially includes things like keeping him from running away.
One of the notoriously stubborn breeds is the Shiba Inu. These dogs have gone viral in the last few years, popularized by internet videos and pictures and prompting plenty of people to try to bring one home for themselves. However, the Shiba Inu is hard headed and has the reputation of a rebel. This can become dangerous when you’re struggling to keep your headstrong Shiba from bolting out the door and into the street at every opportunity. In order to keep your dog safe, it’s important to establish boundaries early on.
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Defining Tasks
Shiba Inus have a tendency to be motivated by only the things that interest them, which can make training with the wrong motivators a nightmare. If your Shiba doesn’t like what you have to say or what you have to offer him, he will likely turn and find something else to do, but the benefit is, you can easily tell when he is interested in something. The trick is just to find exactly what motivates your dog.
Training a Shiba to stay put when the door is open or on the off chance he escapes is important for a number of safety reasons. It can prevent him from getting hurt by another person or animal and it can keep him away from the dangers of traffic. Every dog should begin this training as early as possible and you should be prepared to dedicate anywhere between three to six months to repetition and training.
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Getting Started
The most important thing you’ll need when it comes to training your Shiba is an appropriate motivator. Some dogs may be motivated by food while others will be motivated by toys. This can also be another object that your dog may enjoy such as a favorite pillow or piece of clothing. Find out what your dog obsesses over and focus on using this as a reward.
Other objects that may come in handy are indoor gates, secure outdoor fencing, a crate, and a leash. Depending on what works best for your situation, consider trying out a mixture of items for added security.
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The Supervision Method
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Watch your dog when outdoors
A great number of dogs run away simply because they are not being watched during outdoor time. Go outside with your Shiba to ensure that he is behaving and not making active efforts to escape. Bring him inside if you notice him trying to get away.
Provide ample activity
Set out some toys or games during your outside time to keep the yard interesting. If he is invested in these items, your Shiba will be much less likely to run off.
Offer opportunities for exploration
Take your dog out on walks often so he has a chance to explore the area that he wants to get to. If he sees daily excursions out into the neighborhood as an activity to share with you, he may not need to escape to see it by himself.
Avoid opening the door with your dog close by
Check for your Shiba near your feet if you go to answer the front door. It’s easy to not notice when your dog is hovering around just waiting for an opportunity.
Socialize often
Offer your dog plenty of opportunities to interact with other dogs or new people. More socialization can make strangers or other dogs walking by your home seem less of a ‘big deal’.
The Restriction Method
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Secure your yard
Use high fencing and concrete blocks to discourage jumping or digging out in the yard. Make sure your gates are closed and there aren’t any holes for easy escapes.
Place gates to block off entryways
Use baby gates indoors to prevent access to the front or back doors. Consider whether or not your dog is capable of leaping over them to decide if this is a good approach.
Install a front fence
On the chance that your pup likes to bolt out the front door, it may be worth the investment of installing a front fence as an added security measure.
Use a crate when necessary
If you have to be in and out of the home, try getting your Shiba adjusted to a crate to relax in while the chance of escape is high. This can provide a safe space for him to wait until the house is secure again.
Designate a separate room
Place your dog into a room with a closed door for short amounts of time when necessary. Provide him some entertainment to avoid restlessness and let him out when the area is safe to do so.
The Recall Method
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Use a reward as a lure
Use your Shiba’s best motivator to entice him to come towards you. This is usually a treat or a toy.
Use your dog’s name once
Don’t overuse her name as you try to get her to come to you. This will generally just lead to her ignoring you. Say it once and once only. If she does not come, end the exercise and try again later with a different motivator.
Encourage a return
Pat your legs and use a higher pitched voice to give off an inviting presence. Your dog will be more likely to come to you if you’re being friendly.
Make recall fun
If necessary, turn recall into a game by waving around the treat or toy and running in the opposite direction. Your dog may be more likely to go to you if she thinks you’re playing a game of chase.
Reward and practice
When she comes to you, immediately reward your Shiba with plenty of treats or her favorite toy and plenty of verbal praise and affection. Making the event seem exciting will encourage your pup to love coming to you when called. Practice with varying levels of distraction over time to prepare for any situation.
Written by TJ Trevino
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 04/06/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Spooky
Shiba Inu
Four Months
Question
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I've had him for two days now and he's very nervous and evasive. How can I calm him. He loves his crate and hiding behind the couch
Feb. 25, 2023
Spooky's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello, If pup will take food from you, work on associating your presence with food - whenever you enter the room, pup comes over, or they stay calm around you, gently toss pup a piece of kibble throughout the day when you are home. Ration pup's kibble into a couple of ziploc bags for each of you and you can feed pup their entire daily food this way. Also give it time. Once pup is completely comfortable with your presence, you can work up to getting pup used to touch using those same bags of pup's kibble - except now, give pup a piece each time you gently touch them somewhere - like a shoulder, ear, collar, ect...Only touch for as long as it takes pup to eat the food, then remove your hand until the next treat is given. When pup can do that, work on introducing a collar and leash gradually. Simply sprinkling treats around both on the ground for a while, then holding them and letting pup eat food out of the hand holding them, then loosening the collar all the way and holding a treat through it - until pup will willingly put their head all the way through, then feeding pup treats while their head is in the loose collar while you tighten and loosen it to get pup used to that feeling. You may need a second person for the last part of the training - you will gradually introduce it over the course of several days - going at a pace pup can handle. Example of how you will do the collar (but more gradually in your case) with harness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn5b8u1YS_g&feature=emb_title Leash introduction: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-your-puppy-to-accept-leash More trust building once pup is okay being closer to you - the section on shy dogs and humans: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-socialize-a-shy-dog/ You may also need to work with a trainer who specializes in behavior issues like fear, for specific issues or if you find pup isn't making progress, to tailor a training program to you that's based on how pup is responding in real time. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
March 1, 2023
Yuka
Shiba Inu
1 Year
Question
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Whenever Yuka gets off leash or dashes, it takes hours to get her back. Most of the time we have to just leave the door open and wait until she comes back at night, although we worry for her safety as we live near large roads and she sprained her paw last time. She listens to callback and will follow you around once she calms down, however if you make any move to lean down to put leash back on she dashes again to play. She will not follow inside. She is too excited to let you touch her at all. Another example of this behavior was when we went to a small fenced in dog park to work on call back. She did fine approaching me, however when it was time to leave and I went to put the leash on her she would not come, and for 20+ minutes would sprint around avoiding in a playful manner. I am not sure how to further our training that callback doesn’t just mean come to me, but to let me put the leash on her as well.
Jan. 5, 2021
Yuka's Owner
Darlene Stott - Dog Trainer and Groomer
104 Dog owners recommended
Hello, having Yuka out alone at night (or any time) is a definite concern. I would make sure she is securely leashed before opening the door. To continue working on her recall: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-come-back. This guide gives excellent tips on solidifying a recall for a dog that loves to run. I think you need to integrate obedience into the recall; sitting upon arrival back to you is ideal. Get Yuka used to sitting before every event. Sitting before she gets her meal, sitting before she gets her leash on to go out, sitting before a treat, sitting before getting into the car. This should ingrain in her mind that sitting brings good things. Then, when using the recall, have her sit and ideally she'll stay to get the leash on. For more obedience tips: https://wagwalking.com/training/obedience-train-a-whippet. Good luck!
Jan. 8, 2021