Are Shiba Inus Aggressive? When you look at a Shiba Inu, it’s easy to think of the breed as wild and aggressive, with their triangular shaped heads and teeth that are well adapted to killing prey. However, that’s not necessarily the case!
While Shiba Inus can certainly be aggressive if they feel threatened or are mistreated, they tend to be sweet dogs that love their human owners more than anything else in the world.
However, just like any other dog breed, Shiba Inus do have some unique quirks you need to watch out for when first welcoming them into your home!
Brief Information About Shiba Inu Dog?
The Shiba Inu is a small to medium-sized dog that was originally bred in Japan. As a basal breed, they have more traits from wild dogs than other, more domesticated dog breeds. This means that they are naturally very possessive of their food, toys, and territory.
This can often lead to aggression if not properly trained and socialized from a young age. Fortunately, with proper training and care, the Shiba Inu will be one of the most loving companions you could ask for.
Are Shiba Inus Aggressive?
Yes, there’s no denying that Shiba Inus can be an aggressive breed. As a basal breed, they have more traits from wild dogs than other, more domesticated dog breeds (like Labradors). However, this doesn’t mean that all Shiba Inus are aggressive.
In fact, many Shiba Inus are perfectly well-behaved and make great pets. It’s important to remember that every dog is an individual, and even within the same breed there can be a lot of variation in temperament.
So if you’re thinking about getting a Shiba Inu, it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable breeder who can help you find a dog with the right personality for your family.
How Do I know if My Shiba Inu is Aggressive?
If you think your Shiba Inu may be displaying aggression, there are a few things you can look for. The following are signs of aggression in Shiba Inus:
- Unprovoked barking or growling at people/dogs.
- Unprovoked lunging at people/dogs.
- Unprovoked biting at people/dogs.
- Avoiding eye contact with humans and dogs (i.e., avoiding looking at someone).
- A high body posture (standing on tiptoes with the tail tucked between the legs).
- Hiding or trying to hide from other dogs and humans.
- Running away from other dogs and humans.
- Licking the air (not actually licking anything).
- Playing aggressively with other dogs.
- Jealousy towards any attention given to other animals.
- When meeting new animals, they show no interest and tend to avoid them
How Do I Deal with My Shiba Inu Being Aggressive?
If you have a Shiba Inu, you may have noticed that they can be quite aggressive at times. This is because they are a very possessive breed and have more traits from wild dogs than other, more domesticated breeds. However, there are some things you can do to help deal with your Shiba Inu’s aggression:
- It is important to establish who the alpha in the family pack is. Establishing this will help them understand their place in the pack and lessen their tendency for challenging their higher ranking members of the pack (i.e., humans).
- Feed them in short increments so they don’t feel like they need to guard what little food they get.
- Don’t leave them alone for long periods of time or take away their toys if they have an abundance of these items; it will make them territorial and may cause aggressive behavior like growling or snapping if another animal comes near these possessions without permission (i.e., children).
- Practice basic obedience training techniques such as come, sit, lie down, and leave it.
- Train them to walk on a leash, preferably with positive reinforcement.
- Be consistent with your discipline practices.
- Do not reprimand the dog while they are eating or sleeping unless absolutely necessary.
- Try not to scold the dog too much when they start showing signs of aggressiveness (growling, barking) even though it may seem hard to ignore when frustrated/annoyed by their actions sometimes – eventually they’ll learn not to react aggressively when being disciplined and scolded appropriately by someone who has authority over them.
Types Of Aggression In Shiba Inus
The following are common types of aggression in Shiba Inus:
1. Territorial Aggression
This type of aggression occurs when a dog is defending its territory from an intruder. It will show behaviors such as barking, growling, and snapping at the other dog or person entering their territory without permission;
2. Predatory Aggression
This type of aggression can occur when a Shiba Inu sees a person or animal it wants to hunt down and kill (like prey). It will show behaviors such as stalking, chasing, biting, and attacking;
3. Defensive Aggression
This type of aggression occurs when a Shiba Inu feels threatened by another animal or human that comes near them too quickly, making them feel unsafe. Behaviors may include warning signs like bristling hair on the back, raised hackles on the neck, baring teeth with an aggressive posture and growls;
4. Fearful Aggression
This is typically seen with fearful dogs that were neglected during their socialization periods and do not know how to interact with others around them in a safe way. Behaviors may include whimpering, avoiding eye contact, cowering with tail tucked between legs, whining;
5. Intra-Dog Aggression
This type of aggression can be seen among groups of male Shiba Inus fighting for dominance over each other. Behaviors may include growling, snarling, teeth baring, barking, jumping up and knocking each other off balance;
6. Defensive/Protective Behavior Towards Owner
If you have a Shiba Inu that seems very protective of you and has aggressive tendencies towards strangers or visitors then they may just be protective/defensive behavior towards their owner because they love you so much!
Why Does My Shiba Inu Have Trouble Housetraining?
There are a number of reasons why your Shiba Inu may have trouble housetraining. One possibility is that they’re not getting enough exercise. A dog that isn’t exercised enough is more likely to have accidents in the house because they have all that extra energy with nowhere to go.
Another possibility is that they’re not being rewarded for going outside. If you only scold your dog for having accidents, they won’t understand what you want them to do instead. Make sure you praise them when they go outside so they know that’s what you want them to do.
Finally, some medical conditions can also cause housetraining problems. If your dog is urinating more frequently or having accidents in unusual places, it’s worth a trip to the vet to rule out any health issues.
Type of Training to be Given to Aggressive Shiba Inus?
Training an aggressive Shiba Inu requires a firm yet calm hand. The most important thing is to be consistent with your commands and never give in to their demands, no matter how cute they may be. Start with basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and down.
Once your Shiba Inu has mastered these commands, you can begin working on more specific aggression issues. For example, if your dog is growling or snapping at other dogs, start by teaching them to leave it when they see another dog. With patience and consistency, you can train your aggressive Shiba Inu to be a well-behaved companion.
Conclusion: Are Shiba Inus Aggressive?
Do your research before getting a Shiba Inu, as they may not be the right breed for everyone. Although they are beautiful dogs, they can be aggressive and are not recommended for first-time dog owners. If you have experience with dogs and are willing to put in the time to train your Shiba Inu, then you may be able to create a loving bond with your dog.
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