FluffyWA

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.

Quality, choice and recovery

Socialisation, done safely

Socialisation does not mean “see as much as possible.” It means creating pleasant or neutral associations at low intensity. One intense fright can undermine multiple good experiences.

Three golden rules

  1. Distance is the volume control Begin far enough away that the puppy can still eat.
  2. Choice remains with the puppy The puppy may approach or move away; never block the exit route.
  3. Appetite, body language and recovery show intensity together Food acceptance, soft body language and prompt recovery together suggest the level may be manageable. Refusing food means lower the intensity immediately.
Watercolour socialisation wheel showing six categories of puppy experiences
The socialisation wheel covers PEOPLE, DOGS, SOUNDS, SURFACES, GROOMING and VET VISITS.

The 60-item socialisation checklist

Complete each item at the puppy’s pace; blank fields are for the first date, reaction score and notes
ItemFirst dateReaction score 1–5Notes
People · 10 items
Sounds · 10 items
Surfaces & environments · 10 items
Objects & movement · 10 items
Animals · 10 items
These rows are management prompts, not invitations to test pursuit on live animals. Keep every specified barrier, lead and distance in place. If the breed profile requires professional cat or small-animal compatibility assessment, keep those animals securely separated and leave the row untested and unscored until the qualified professional directs the plan.
Handling & situations · 10 items
3seconds
Watercolour diagram showing a three-second petting consent test
PET 3 SECONDS = touch gently for three seconds; PAUSE = remove the hand; MORE PLEASE = the puppy chooses to return for more.

Training with FluffyWA

Day school, board & train and private sessions are quoted after a chat, and boarding or daycare can be booked online with live prices.