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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

Watercolour illustration of a Shiba Inu puppy wearing a green harness beside a lead and reward pouch in a Japanese garden
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.

Precision before vocabulary

Marker training foundations

A marker is one short, consistent sound—a clicker click or a spoken “Yes!”—that means: “That exact behaviour; your reward is coming.”

Charge the marker in three steps

  1. Choose a quiet environment Remove toys, people and movement so the sound is the only new information.
  2. Marker, then food within one second ×15 Make the sound once, then deliver one piece of food within one second. The puppy does not need to perform a cue.
  3. Test the association Make the marker sound while the puppy is not already watching you. An immediate turn towards you means charging is complete.
Watercolour diagram showing the timing of a marker word and food reward
YES = marker word; TREAT WITHIN 2 SECONDS = reward promptly. This manual uses a stricter one-second training target.

Reward placement sets up the next action

Keep the position

Feed at the puppy’s mouth

To maintain a sit, bring the food directly to the mouth so the puppy does not need to stand or step forward.

Reset for another repetition

Toss the food away

To have the puppy get up and repeat, toss the food away, let the puppy collect it, then set up the behaviour again.

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