Positive training · From eight weeks

Shiba Inu Puppy Training Manual

From 8 Weeks

Harness, lead and reward pouch: build the Shiba Inu's voluntary cooperation alongside physical safety.

29 chapters · English / 中文

Harness, lead and reward pouch: build the Shiba Inu's voluntary cooperation alongside physical safety.

Breed profile

Training group: Sled and spitz dogs
Origin: The Shiba Inu originated in Japan as a mountain hunting dog for birds and small animals.
Shoulder height: Approximately 35–41 cm
Weight: Approximately 7–11 kg
Coat: Harsh, straight outer coat with a soft, dense undercoat
Coat care: Seasonal coat shedding needs more frequent, short cooperative brushing sessions. Introduce coat separation, paw checks and dryer sound in tiny voluntary steps, pausing before vocal or avoidance behaviour escalates.
Drive keywords: Independent decision-making · Chase · Small-animal hunting · Environmental vigilance
Handling practice: During seasonal coat shedding, use frequent but very short sessions for brushing, coat separation and dryer sound, with a non-slip surface and a clear option to pause or leave. · During the 8–16 week window, arrange people with varied appearances, movement and voices at a distance where the puppy can eat, leave and recover. Do not require approach, touch or greeting.

General reference range only; individual dogs vary considerably.

Predictability lowers arousal

The first week: daily rhythm

Move the times to fit your household; preserve the order and the ratio of awake time to sleep.

Example rhythm for an eight-week-old puppy
Time	What happens
06:30	Wake and toilet Before greeting or play, carry a small puppy directly to the chosen toilet spot.
06:35	Breakfast Use part of the meal for name response and calm four-paws-on-floor reinforcement.
06:45–07:00	Calm awake time Five to fifteen minutes of sniffing, chewing or gentle handling.
07:00–09:00	Protected sleep One to two hours of rest in the crate.
09:00	Toilet Go immediately after release from the crate.
09:05	Micro-training Train for two minutes, then allow five to fifteen minutes of supervised activity.
09:25–11:00	Protected sleep Keep visitors, children and household traffic away from the rest area.
11:00	Toilet, water and meal Offer the next meal if following a multi-meal puppy plan, then keep activity calm.
11:30–13:30	Protected sleep One to two hours of uninterrupted rest.
13:30–17:30	Repeat the cycle Toilet, a two-minute lesson or brief activity, then sleep; toilet after drinking, play and every crate release.
17:30	Evening meal Use part of the ration for name work, followed by toileting and quiet family time.
18:00–20:30	Short awake periods Alternate brief activity with naps; do not turn the evening into continuous play.
22:00–22:30	Final toilet Settle the crate beside the bed after the final toilet trip.
Overnight	Quiet toilet if needed Take the puppy out without play or conversation, then return directly to the bedroom crate.

Do not do these things in the first week

Do not invite visitors over to see the new puppy. Do not bathe the puppy. Do not take the puppy to a pet store. Do not start group classes. Do not carry the puppy for long periods as a substitute for rest. Never leave children alone with the puppy.

Introduce family members in this order

Children Ask the child to sit on the floor. No chasing, picking up, hugging or crowding; an adult controls the distance.
Resident dogs Meet outdoors on neutral ground, then begin with a calm parallel walk before entering the home.
Cats Maintain secure separation and prevent every chase rehearsal. If the breed profile requires professional cat or small-animal compatibility assessment, do not progress to visual or direct exposure yourself; the qualified professional sets the plan. The cat must always have an exit route.

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