Are Shiba Inus friendly is a very common question. It usually comes from the belief that Shibas are like cats. There is some truth to that, but let’s not jump to a conclusion. Shibas can be very friendly if raised properly.
In this article we will cover: Shiba Inu’s personality, if they are friendly with kids, how to make them more friendly and why people consider them not friendly.
Shiba Inu Temperament
There is a difference in Shiba’s behavior towards their owners and other people. With their owners, Shiba Inus will usually be friendly and affectionate. It all depends on their personality and the way they were trained and socialized.
On the other hand, they can tolerate other people if they are properly raised. Shibas can be very territorial and aggressive if not socialized from an early age. This is why it’s important to let your Shiba Inu puppy meet other people and animals whenever there’s a chance.
Shiba Inus are very independent and stubborn dogs. Their behavior towards you or strangers will usually depend on their mood and personality. Some Shibas are more friendly than others. Some will tolerate new people, some will come to meet them, some will stay neutral while some Shibas can show a hostile reaction.
Are Shiba Inus Friendly with Kids?
Shiba Inus can be friendly with kids but there are several factors to consider. First, the outcome of this relationship significantly depends on Shiba Inu’s personality. Some Shibas are simply the best dogs ever and they will fit perfectly with children of any age.
On the other hand, some Shibas can get triggered by small kids’ behavior. Especially if the child is loud, rough to Shiba and doesn’t know how to treat a dog. Shibas also don’t like too much cuddling and touching. This is the reason why Shiba Inus usually have better relationships with older kids who know how to behave with a dog.
There is also an issue of child’s behavior in the sense that they will hurt Shiba Inu. This is because Shiba Inu is a small breed and it can be easily hurt by a child. Small children don’t have a good articulation of their movement, so this can happen as an accident.
Again, a big factor is the socialization and training of Shiba Inu. If the Shiba Inu puppy grows up with a child there’s a good chance for a great relationship. Well-bred Shiba puppies will be able to build a strong and affectionate bond with kids in the house.
If you don’t want to take a risk and put time into training and socialization, it’s better to avoid taking Shiba into a household with small kids. Older kids will usually have a good relationship with Shiba and will know how to act around them.
If you put time into training and raising your dog, spending quality time with them and teaching kids the same, you will have a very loving canine family member.
Are Shiba Inus Not Friendly?
Many people perceive Shiba Inus as not friendly because of their independent personality. But are they really not friendly?
Shiba Inus know what they want and they do everything needed to get it. They often know a command but they don’t care because they have another goal on their mind. They can get aggressive in their quest of getting what they want. They will often fight back if they feel like they are in danger which is why you need to adjust your approach to Shiba Inu.
Since Shibas are very smart they will often test your limits and try to outsmart you. And be sure that they will succeed so many times. You won’t even know it. It’s because they are so strong-willed and can manipulate you to do what they want.
If Oscar was ever given the main drama role it would definitely go to Shiba Inus. They often overreact, mope, and whine over the smallest inconvenience. Wait until you see them when they think they are hurt.
Shibas don’t like touching and cuddling too much. They want to do it but on their terms and when they want it. They will protest loudly when you want to bathe them or even get the idea to cut their nails.
All these behaviors can be prevented by proper training and socialization from a young age. Shiba Inu puppies can be trained to grow into friendly and affectionate dogs. An important part of their training needs to be building trust. Trust is what will get you a long way. Knowing commands is not enough since they will decide if they will obey or not.
Can you Make Your Shiba Inu Friendly?
The short answer is yes, but let’s dive deeper into this matter.
As mentioned before, training and socialization of Shiba Inu puppies play a great role in if they will turn out friendly.
When training Shiba Inu, you need to keep several rules in mind. The most important one is to stay calm and patient. Working with a stubborn breed requires a lot of patience and persistence.
You need to test your Shia and learn which activities react the best. This will help you to communicate with them. If you see that they don’t react to threats, try other kinds of rewards until you find the jackpot.
Shiba Inus generally don’t react well to punishment, yelling and restrictions. Rather try positive reinforcement and an award system that motivates them. Consistency and fair play will help Shiba Inu safe and they can trust you.
Another super important step is to build trust. Shiba Inus often pretend that they don’t understand a command. The truth is that they simply don’t want to do it due to a lack of motivation or trust. Building trust will help your relationship with Shiba and increase obedience.
Conclusion
Shiba Inus are loving, affectionate and friendly if well-bred. In some cases, their strong personality will prevail but it will happen rarely if Shiba is trained well.
Bringing Shiba Inu into your home should not be taken lightly. Consider if you have enough time to dedicate to their training and fun activities that they need. Also, consider if you’re willing to introduce Shiba to small kids and if you have the patience to follow the process.
Making Shiba Inu a friendly and obedient dog is not an easy peasy job but it is rewarding. In the end, if you put effort into your Shiba, you will get a lovely canine companion.
