All Discussions - The Nihon Ken Forum

Meeka (was Nanook)

hondru — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:50:24 -0400

Some of you might remember that we almost adopted a little JRT puppy a while ago, then my sister and her family adopted her. A little over a week ago, my sister told me they were having a lot of problems with Meeka, mainly that she was too exuberant around the kids, jumping in their faces and biting their clothes. Pretty typical stuff, really. Also, she was barking a lot and chewing on everything.

So, I took her for a few days to see how she was. I didn't have any problems with her, so I said I'd come over and see her at her house, and she was perfectly behaved and has been ever since. My sister says she's a whole new dog, she's never been so calm, and she hasn't been causing any trouble.

The weird thing is, I wish I could take credit, but I didn't really do anything. If anything, I'd say that my dogs helped a lot, because they naturally corrected her when she jumped in their faces and I think she copied some of their behaviour, like not getting out of control barking. Hanna said that once Meeka got started barking, that she just couldn't be stopped, but at my place, I let the dogs bark a couple times, then they know they have to stop and move on, so Meeka just seemed to take cues from them. Now that she's back home, she hardly barks at all. She notices things, perks up, maybe barks once or twice if someone's at the door, but other than that, she's fine.

I'm really glad that things have worked out so well. Meeka's been home for over a week and apparently, she's still acting like a perfect angel. I taught my nephews how to say "leave me alone" in doggie language (arms behind the back, head turned away). I told them to put her in her kennel for time-outs rather than outside (so that she calms down instead of just running around and barking). I said they should feed her from the tug-a-jug I lent them, and give her RMBs and stuffed kongs.

I'm kind of wondering how this happened, though, lol. Especially since Turk/Chester's owners say the exact same thing about him - he spent a week here and now he's a perfect angel. I didn't actively try to teach him anything, I just didn't let him jump up, I guess. Although my sister-in-law says he was knocking her kids down over and over and I never saw him do anything like that.

So apparently my house makes dogs behave well? That's good... I guess? Are the canine behaviour gods smiling on me?

Hanging Belly

takumi2 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:34:06 -0400

My 1 1/2 year old Takumi weighs 39 lbs, 18.5'' height (I know he is a big shiba!). I've recently noticed his belly hanging a bit as shown in the pictures below. (It's like women's tummy after giving birth....oops, sorry ladies!! lol.) He does not have a typical shiba waist line. I don't see him overweight, though. I feed him Orijen 6 Fish, 2 times a day, 1 cup each time, and some treats such as carrots, bulysticks. I walk him 3 times a day including one long walk with at least 1 hour duration.
Does he need more excercise or do I need to feed him less?
Give me your advice! Thanks.

Ocean Inquiry - Our first big trip with the shibas!

tsukitsune — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:22:49 -0400

At the end of the month we are headed 9 1/2 hours north to the beautiful coast of MAINE!
Ah, I am so excited.

We are staying with a dear friend and a doggy that is even more dear to me, so I think it will be a wonderful week.

We've never had our shibas in the car for that long, and we plan to make little stops in 3 hour intervals just to let them relieve themselves and stretch out. An hour before we even head out, we're planning a 4am trip to the dog park to let them get good and worked up, hoping for a sleepy shiba ride afterward.

Is there anything else I can do to ensure a nice, calmish drive with them? Normally our trips in the car with them are destinations they get excited about early on, like state parks and what not, so the car is more a place of anticipation than napping :/
But when we drove to the forum meetup, they *mostly* sat and behaved, mostly.

Also, does anyone have suggestions for dog friendly pit stops along the way?

THANKS!

Roxy and The Ryu

brandon_w — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:58:34 -0400

Here are some of the pictures that I took of Roxy and Ryu when I stopped at Pam and Tim's on my way to Tulsa. Such cute dogs.

More here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon_w/sets/72157620504145626/

Maui's Blood work Results

brada1878 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:49:36 -0400

We got Maui's Blood work back from Dr. Jean Dodds. He is totally healthy - which is good news.

Its also bad news tho, because this means we have no idea why he will not eat and his skin is changing colors. He is also still losing his hair. :o\

Its really frustrating - we dunno what to do anymore.

I'm thinking its time for a trip back up to The Springs for an internal medicine check on him.

----

A little video spam

brada1878 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:36:32 -0400

Lani vs. Strawberry

Kaia vs. Blue

Masha vs. Blue

Luytiy vs. Bug

----

Love - ADOPTED 06/23/09!!!

Romi — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:43:35 -0400

(PLEASE READ WHOLE THREAD - MANY THINGS HAVE CHANGED SINCE THIS FIRST POST!)

My friend sent me a message this morning. She has acquired a 8 month old female/spayed pitbull. Aparently one of her friends was the second owner, and his family decided to move to oregon and couldn't take her.

She says that she is the sweetest thing. She isn't very well trained on the leash, but she does know how to sit and lay down. She seems fine with older kids 9+..all she did was lick them to death. She seems very skittish and gets scared from loud noises and even dogs barking. They think that she was abused by the first owner because anytime someone raises their hand, she freaks out and her tail tucks under.

She doesn't know how she will do with other dogs - because she hasn't had her interact with any. But she says when she see's other dogs...she doesn't seem to care.

She is between 50-55 lbs. and is up to date on all shots and is spayed.

I am going to meet this dog to get a better idea of her personality. I will keep you updated.

There is a time crunch. My friend can't keep her for long, due to apartment rules. So if they can't find her another home by the end of this week, they will have to take her to a shelter. I'm hoping we will find a home from her soon, and if she is OK with dogs, I might even consider fostering her for a short while hoping to find her a good home within a couple weeks.

I would also be happy to help transport if not too far, or maybe we can possibly set up a transport system.

Please get the word out!

Here is a pic of the cutie

Toru and Tenshi Spam

h4ckluserr — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:30:57 -0400

toru is my red Shiba, and Tenshi is my Cream Shiba... only two pictures, but Span to come.

Weight training

Zinja — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:37:46 -0400

Sorry I haven't posted in a long time. I've been REALLY busy this summer. Well, I just purchased the Ruffwear Web Harness for Sasuke and it looks amazing!

I am about to make the harness have an interchangeable top, sort of like the Palisades pack. One will have a hiking part, one for durations/easy walking (put a camelback water cooler), and one for aggressive training. All of these parts can be attached to the web harness with buckles.

I was wondering if anyone has done any weight training with their dogs? I have a vest that I attach weights to and it conditions my body more than jogging or climbing without it. I would like to create a top part for the harness that allows me to put weights on it. I understand that dogs do have their limits and do not want to give more than about 20% of their body weight, but is this a safe way to condition a dog if done slowly? Sasuke is already built like a tank at 30lbs.

Any input would be great. Thanks!

Protest Merial's use of Cesar Milan as a spokesperson

kwyld — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:13:46 -0400

Please take a moment to look at this petition. Merial has ignored
pleas by boarded Veterinary Behaviorists (including their own)to avoid an
association with Cesar Millan to promote his training DVD's and sell
Heartguard/Frontline. Please read the letter online and consider signing
this petition.
I signed it because I think Cesar is wack. Thought some of you guys would want to sign it as well.
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?AVSABCMX

He should stick to marriage counseling...

Online Pet Stores

helifican — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:26:12 -0400

Has anyone ever ordered from pawschoice.com? Are they a reputable online retailer?
Thanks

Pitbulls - Blue Nose vs Red Nose

Romi — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:56:38 -0400

This may be a stupid question...but what is the difference between Blue Nose and Red Nose pitbulls? I have been getting some inquiries about Love, and a good amount of people are asking.

I did a search on google and some people say its just a color difference, some people say they have different traits, some people say blue nose are for breeding/showing and red nose are only bred for fighting.

I was just curious - if anyone really knows what the deal is. (Jess?)

Shiba as a 1st dog...

Hikari83 — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:56:49 -0400

I have lurked around these forums and gone "awe so cute" from the Shiba to Akita stories. I have surfed Misanthropic Shiba site (http://shibainus.ca/) and read all the posts about Loki the Shiba (http://lokitheshiba.blogspot.com/). I went to my local Shiba Meetup at the dog park and talked to several people about their Shibas. And after all this I have decided...

...I won't be getting a Shiba as my first dog.

I have been talking myself in circles around this and been changing my mind every other day. But, if I had to be true to all the posts here and everything I have seen so far; I don't have the dog experience to handle all the cute/hair pulling nature of the Shiba. I think after I get practice with a less independent dog, I will be more comfortable getting a Nihonken. On that note, what kind of dog do you all suggest as an easy 1st dog owner? Or is there such a thing? :)

(Oh...and not a puppy. They are like little demons in sheep skin. Besides it probably would not like me working 8 hours a day...)

Look who showed up!

hondru — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:15:27 -0400

Well, I was taking a break from fostering until I built my fence, but this guy parked himself on my porch and told me to foster him. I called local animal control, which works closely with the agency I foster for, so he's got a three-day waiting period to see if his owners are looking for him and then he goes up for adoption. I'll put up a sign at the post office, too, but based on how lost he was acting, it seems like he was dumped.

I've been calling him Brown Bear.

Humping Habit?

takumi2 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:11:33 -0400

A friend of mine who visits my place often loves to make my Takumi (1 1/2 year old neutered male) hump. He shows Takumi a big Shamu (a killer whale from Sea World) stuffing doll and Takumi comes to it and starts moving his hips. Takumi seems to like it and every time my friend comes over to my place, he goes to Shamu and looks at my friend, asking him to do that for him.
I don't do it to Takumi, but I just wonder if it is ok to let him keep on doing it.... Takumi has never tried to hump on other dogs so far, though.
Please advise.

I'm almost afraid to bring this up...

Ippus — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:57:15 -0400

because I've never ever seen it mentioned directly. I'm afraid it might be somehow taboo or gauche, but I'm afraid I really have to ask. I would absolutely LOVE to bring a Shikoku into my family, but I'm not a rich man. I understand all about the cost of care and all, but I'd like to get a rough idea how much I'd have to pay for a Shikoku pup and papers.

My wife really doesn't like the idea of paying for a purebred, when there are so many nice rescues to be had, and I partly agree (although she just recently had a couple of Brittany Spaniels, which makes her attitude just a teensy bit hypocritical)... but I'd really like to see a number, just so I know if it really is a pipe dream to think of adopting a Shikoku.

Would some of you mind terribly telling me what you paid or would expect to pay?

Central Florida?

h4ckluserr — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:39:59 -0400

So we just got our Second Shiba.. and I was wondering if there are any other Nihon Ken owners in Central Florida? We have Ritoru our Red Shiba, and Tenshi our new White/Cream Shiba.... just got her yesterday, so pics aren't readily available yet... but keep your eye's open!

puppy mill? Or something.

miss_mallinson — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:30:22 -0400

My friends looking to buy a pug from a breeder, I explained to him the way me and John have gone about finding our perfect breeder but instead he typed in some details into some pet site or another and came across this guy.

He emailed asking the details or the pups, age, cost, location etc etc and this was the response.

"Hello
I most first of all apologize for the late response to your mail in regards to my puppies ok ,is just that at busy with work all these days in such away that i did not have time and access to check my mail , The puppies are still available for a new and loving home one male one female. Own a lovable personality you wondered if you shall ever find and will put in the best submission into your family this season.They will be going for free they are the most Adorable Puppies AKC registered with health records and shots.Experience in Veterinary Health Care Hospital.They are raised in-home to provide love, play, and socialization. Champion bloodlines. Well socialized puppies with irresistible personalities. Male & Female. Excellent temperaments.I am looking for the best home for the babies.I am in Scotland , a food processing experts by profession. We work in a Food Processing company in the UK and i happened to be one of the experts that where nominated to survey a food
processing and agricultural industry in Edinburgh by name BUBARY AGRICULTURAL SUPPLING GLOBAL COMPANY LTD ( BASC_GLOBAL ) website at http://bascglobal.tripod.com/ . so with the love i have for these puppies, i have to take them along as i have no body to look after them while i am gone. when i got to these city(Edinburgh ) , i found out that my hours for work where too much and i didn't had enough time for the babies so i have to give them out and only to any interested person or family. IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED AND KNOW YOU WILL PROVIDE THE LOVE AND CARE THESE PETS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HAVING IN THEIR LIVES THEN GET BACK TO ME WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIONS. all i want is for the puppies to be out of here and save too. If you know that you will give this puppies or one of them a good, loving and caring home then please get back to me with the following for delivering address no matter where you
are.

YOUR FULL NAMES
COUNTRY
STATE
DELIVERY ADDRESS ( DOOR )
PHONE NUMBER
NEAREST AIRPORT TO YOUR LOCATION
NUMBER OF MILES YOU LEAVE AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT

WHEN I HAVE ALL THESES, I WILL TAKE THE PUPPIES TO THE AIRPORT AND SHIP THE PUPPY/PUPPIES TO YOU AT ONCE.
I WANT THAT TO BE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE PUPPIES MOST LIVE IRELAND ASAP.
GET BACK TO ME ASAP"

I'm sorry it's such a massive lump of text, most of it you wont need to read as it's all repetition and there are a lot of inconsistencies throughout.

Firstly we told my friend to quit typing "pug uk puppies" into google and to take this seriously, he has since agreed and we're taking him to a pug rescue a couple of miles away in a few weeks time. But whats confused me is what is this guys scam? I attempted to email the host of the website but they don't seem to care too much.

We don't understand what it is this guy stands to gain, because he's clearly not the owner of two pups who genuinely need rehoming due to his move (or at least, I don't think so)? If the pups are real then they're clearly not being looked after properly or cared for, socialized etc because of the cavalier way he can just ship them to the first person who emails.

Can anyone explain it to me?

Elbow Calluses

Wryly Brindle — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:00:31 -0400

Sage has the very tiny beginnings of elbow calluses, his vet says that dogs can develop them even though they sleep on the couch and beds all the time. Certain ones are just prone to it. Having said that- I'd like to prevent them as much as I can- any ideas? Might rubbing vitamin E or something on them help?

Shiba Sugar High

santuzza — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:20:17 -0400

This is bad and don't think that I'm not very concerned and monitoring this situation closely, but it's also, for the time being, rather amusing and I'm sure I neither the first nor the last dog owner to have to deal with this.

I was working diligently on some wirework when I got a little hungry. I knew my mother had brought me some yummy, soft oatmeal cookies and left them for me on the table. When I looked for them, I found something very different - paper wrapping on the floor and a wagging little thief of a Shiba doing a fabulous impression of a vacuum cleaner. She must have gotten into a chair and grabbed the cookies off the table because the weren't left on the edge. She definitely devoured four large cookies. I did know she had a taste for anything oatmeal related but I hadn't expected her to steal with me in such close proximity. She usually much sneakier. The last I'd seen of her, she was on the sofa upset that she was anywhere near the wire she detests. I scolded her and cleaned up the few crumbs and went on with my life.

Fast forward to now. Tosca is a maniac. She's been doing a strange version of the standard Shiba 500 - around the kitchen table, into the living room, around in a circle, onto the sofa, jump off the sofa, around the coffee table and into the bedroom, onto the bed, off of the bed, through the living room into the kitchen, repeat. The only reason I can see for this behavior is that my little baby is on a sugar high and I'm laughing at her.

The cookies were homemade and rather healthy as far as cookies go (no raisins), so I'm not too worried about accidental poisoning. I'm keeping an eye on her until this passes, but I'm relaxed enough to laugh. I thought the image of a sugar high Shiba might make you all laugh while stubly checking to see that all goodies are out of reach - a humorous public service announcement.

Restrainment in car

okiron — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:39:45 -0400

What do you use to restrain your dogs in cars?

Corina, I know you have crates on your truck bed, mind taking a pic so I could see your setup?

Potty training mishaps

Mejinx — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:30:13 -0400

Hey guys, our little Shiba has been really good about not messing up in the house, she is only 4 months old. However, it seems recently she has messed up more and my fiance caught her in the act this last time but was kind of in too much shock to do anything about it...So she was not corrected while doing it. I guess she thought she was just sitting down and then went to pick her up and she was peeing! o.O and she didn't know what to do because it was going all over so she just picked her up and put her in her crate and didn't even say anything. This of course was right after she had just come in from outside. Why she didn't go outside is beyond me. Also she was at my dad's house yesterday and ran downstairs to take a dump on the floor ( This is more understandable because she was in a different environment then her own house, but still). And last week in her puppy kindergarten class, we had just come in from outside and she started playing with the other puppys then stopped and took a crap.

Anyways, I told my fiance next time she needs to take her straight outside while caught in the act of going in the house in case la I am not around. (i was sleeping this last time :) )

I am just looking for some suggestions as it seems she lately is more comfortable with going in the house instead of outside. She goes outside and sniffs around and plays instead of doing her bussiness. Seems to be more stubborn and not going when we take her out. We praise her every time she goes outside to use the bathroom. Short of sitting there with treats, im not sure what else to do.

Also when we are not home she is in her crate and when she is out, we try to have a very close eye on her, but she is just so quick, we don't always see her leave the room.

Thanks.

My Kishu Kaia...

dilly — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:37:54 -0400

I know I haven't really posted since I registered, but figured I'd start with a picture or two. This is my Kishu when she was about 7 months.

Teeth cleaning/brushing

wliu003 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:43:57 -0400

Hello everyone. couple of weeks ago when i was at the vet, i met this nice lady that told me that "people dont realize how important teeth cleaning is, it really lengthens their lives."

im not really familiar with this procedure, but she said that it would take a whole day and that her dog really hates it. in fact her dog was actually shaking while we were chatting. is it just called "teeth cleaning?" and what does everyone think about the procedure?

Happy Birthday to lil' boy Kahuna!

Chanur Akita — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:16:07 -0400

Happy Birthday to my lil' boy Kahuna!
Otanjobi Omedeto Kahuna san

Last 1 year.... Kahuna and his brother and sister were born:

Big kiss for Kahuna from me
;-)

Humping Habit?

takumi2 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:53:15 -0400

Bowser puppy Spam (TONS)

jessefritschzy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:20:07 -0400

AKITA AGILITY with Bara: videos!

Chanur Akita — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:56:38 -0400

A friend was make 2 videos of Bara in training Agility with me (from next saturday).

Part 1, the start:

Part 2:

It's just a training, but Bara is very happy!

And some pics of obediance at the canine club with Achiko and his daughter Senseï:

It's happy time!
:-))

Inu? Ken?

Wryly Brindle — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:15:01 -0400

I bet this was covered a long time ago, but searching for "inu" and "ken" reveal a large number of posts...

Why is it "kai KEN" but "akita INU"-- It's never Shiba KEN...

is there a distinction between the two words?
:)

Question for those who breed...

Calia — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:10:47 -0400

I've heard this done in the cat world, and yes I know that cats aren't dogs, but was curious if this can happen with dogs.

When a female cat goes into heat, once the guy has done his thing, the heat stops even if she doesn't wind up being pregnant. A couple of cat breeders keep altered males that were once breeders just so they can end the heat of a female they don't want to get pregnant.

My question is, does a female dog's heat stop once the male is done, or does her heat continue to increase the chance of pregnancy with multiple 'sessions'?