Shiba Inu is a small-to-medium breed whose name in Japanese means ‘small dog’. It is one of the six spitz breeds native to Japan, originally used for hunting small animals and birds. Shiba Inu is an agile dog with a thick coat, pointed ears, and curly tail. In this article, we will cover the most important Shiba Inu Life Stages when it comes to their physical and social development. In addition, we will include some useful tips on how to prolong your Shiba Inu’s life and avoid common health problems.
Shiba Inu Life Stages: The Complete Development
Birth to 3 weeks old: At this early stage of its life, the puppy spends most of its time bonding with other littermates and staying close to its mother. Puppies should get used to human sound and handling, as it is an important part of their learning process. When they are 2 weeks old, they begin walking, as their eyes and ears open. This is a good moment to expose them to more stimuli that encourage learning, such as squeaky toys.
Socialization period: At this point, your little Shiba Inu starts hearing and seeing better. The puppy learns to bark, bite and differentiate positive from negative experiences. It is important not to separate the puppy from its mother and littermates during this socialization time (3–7 weeks). When the puppy is 2 months old, it is old enough to be housetrained and introduced to solid food. Eventually, it can be separated from its mother.
Juvenile period (3–6 months): When your puppy is about 3 months old, you should vaccinate and deworm it. At this stage, Shiba Inu starts feeling comfortable in its new family. The puppy might try to challenge your rules, so it is important to stay consistent and not let it push your boundaries. Remember that a good and structured routine is what makes your dog feel safe and confident.
Adolescence and Adulthood: At 6 months old your Shiba Inu is officially a teenager, so you can expect different kinds of rebellious behavior. However, if you’ve done proper obedience and socialization training in the previous stages, the adolescent period won’t be a headache. A 6-month-old Shiba Inu’s weight is between 12 and 17 pounds. You will also notice the adult coat growing in.
Shiba Inu becomes sexually mature at 8-9 months old. That’s when you can start with more intensive training. At 11-12 months old, Shiba Inus reach adult height and weight. Finally, at 16 months + your furry friends become adults with fully formed personalities.
Can Shibas live longer than 15 years?
We all hope for our pets to have a long and healthy life. To achieve that goal we need to be familiar with the common health issues of that specific breed. If taken proper care of Shiba Inus can live longer than their usual lifespan of 12-15 years. You might find uplifting the fact that the world’s oldest Shiba Inu died at the age of 26.
Since Shiba Inu is not a high-maintenance dog, here are some basic guidelines you need to follow to prolong its life.
- daily workouts and long walks – to keep your dog agile and active;
- a healthy and balanced diet – to maintain Shiba Inu’s proper average weight;
- regular checkups at the vets – to avoid common health issues like hip dysplasia, allergies, and eye problems.
- maintaining your Shiba Inu’s hygiene- regular grooming, ear cleaning and bathing.
- dental health is also important- It affects your dog’s quality of life. Therefore, brush your Shiba’s teeth regularly to avoid dental problems.
When do Shiba Inu calm down?
The Shiba Inu’s adolescence is a key time for them to be aware of their emotions and control. It can sometimes seem like they’re testing out our limits and patience. Therefore, you need to have extremely strong nerves until your dog’s hormones calm down. It usually starts to happen around 8-9 months when testosterone levels peak during this period, then will slowly start maturing into an adult dog with more confidence A lot happens in your pup’s mind before we even notice it happening and it’s just the part of your Shiba Inu life stages.
The Shiba Inu is a great dog, but it can be difficult to properly socialize them. They’re stubborn and have an independent streak. Mastering obedience training from day one will help you avoid many problems in your puppy’s early weeks!
To calm down your Shiba Inu, you have to invest a lot of time and energy. These pooches are very active and allowing them to spend time unleashed in a yard can be tricky. It’s because they have strong hunting instincts, so they can easily run away to chase a rabbit, squirrel, and other small prey.
