Must-Have Items for Shiba Inu Owners

You have decided to get a Shiba Inu because it is the dog of your dreams. You picked the perfect name and are ready to spoil it with a life full of long walks and seat scratching. But before you bring your Shiba Inu home, whether it's a puppy or an adult, there are a few essential things for this dog’s owners that can help you make your life with this breed a little easier.

You can shop the list below to buy everything your new Shiba needs or check out what you've already bought to make sure you're ready to take the little one home!

Home products

• A metal fence: It is convenient to have these fences to isolate your Shiba from places in the house you don't want them to enter or to temporarily contain them in a certain area. Note that most Shibas cannot be contained for long. They will be able to find a way to climb or even jump these objects if they want to get out of them with all their might.
• Kennel: When the Shiba is a puppy, expect some kennels to be destroyed, especially if they are left alone for a period of time. To begin with, purchase sturdy but less expensive ones. Then, as they age, spoil them with a nicer bed! Because of their feline tendencies, they love these cozy beds in which they can snuggle!
• Cage: Some say that the cage should not be too big for the puppies to be properly trained to do their business outside. But this cage can still fit and it is light enough to be taken on trips. In general, remember not to use crates to "punish" the Shiba: being in the crate should be a positive experience.
• Absorbent mats: You may not need to buy many absorbent mats. In fact, Shiba Inu puppies are so easy to train to relieve themselves outside that it is very likely that you won’t need many.

Food

• Treats: Treats are helpful in motivating the dog during training sessions. It is always helpful to have some on hand, so that you can reward your Shiba Inu as soon as they do something good, to reinforce that behavior.
• Dog food: The quality of food is very important for dogs. Poor quality food can lead to allergic reactions or health problems over the years.
• Food and water bowls: Raised food and water bowls are great, especially as they get older. It is easier for them to eat and drink from these bowls.

Play

Play is a key aspect for both adult dogs and puppies. There are several games you can play with your dog.

Here are the most fun games to play with your puppy at home:

Three Cups

Get 3 cups or plastic cups, sit on the floor in front of your dog, and under one of the cups place a treat. Then mix up the cups and invite your dog to find the right one that hides the treat. Not only will they have to find out where the treat is but also how to reach it. Great for mental activation and cheerfulness for you and your dog.

Kongs

Kongs are perfect toys to relieve dog boredom especially if they have to stay home alone. Place the Kong in a quiet corner of the house, if your dog has a cage where they sleep or a kennel, these are the perfect places. Leave the Kong and don't disturb your dog as they enjoy emptying it and finding out what ingredients you used to delight them.

Tug-of-war

Playing tug-of-war is one of the best ways to have fun with your dog! It is a great way to exercise both his mental and physical aspects. And since it doesn't require a lot of space, you can play at home.

Letting your dog win makes the game more fun for your dog and will encourage them to play more. Dogs who play this game with their owners typically are more obedient and safer. Tug-of-war also is also a great way to exercise your dog's reflexes with feints and changes of direction.

Walking products

• Collar: The collar, even if you decide to use a harness, is still useful for tying dog tags with the dog's name and owner's contact, and maybe even an AirTag to always find your furry friend from your iPhone.
• Harness: Historically, the collar has always been the only alternative. In fact, to take the dog on walks the only tool used has always been the collar and leash. Recently, harnesses have developed in the pet accessories market, thus generating debate about which is the best solution for one's dog. For puppies under four or five months of age, it is best to start with a well-fitting harness with a rear closure point so as not to restrict the puppy's natural gait.
• Leash: You can use a simple 4- to 8-foot leather, biothane, or nylon leash that is comfortable to hold. It is good to have several leashes for different needs. In fact, in the first few months, it is also useful to use a fairly short leash in the house to prevent the dog from wandering around without our supervision. A longer leash is useful for walks outside and for teaching your puppy to return to you. Avoid retractable leashes, they can cause friction wounds by providing burn-like burning and generally teach your dog to pull even more.

Dog care products

Clipping nails, bathing, and brushing teeth are essential components to keeping your Shiba Inu healthy and happy.

Grooming must be done frequently, and training Shiba Inu puppies to accept it is much easier than training adult dogs. In addition, dogs that accept being handled during grooming will also be easier to handle at the vet's office.

Here are the things needed for at-home grooming:

• Shampoo
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Brush: To handle the enormous amount of hair a Shiba Inu loses, you will need to brush your dog frequently.
• Nail Clipper: How to trim your Shiba's nails safely and properly deserves an article of its own, as they generally do not like their paws being handled, which leads to dangerously overgrown nails.
• Nail file: To keep nails short and to help reduce the rate of growth, you should trim or file nails often, even once a week. If your Shiba fears nail clippers, you may be able to make it easier by filing the nails first.