http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussions/p70/feed.rss Sat, 04 Feb 12 15:48:30 -0500 All Discussions - The Nihon Ken Forum en-CA http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4321/too-lazy-to-cross-post... Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:26:03 -0400 CrimsonO2 4321@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
Costa Mesa Bark Park Pictures on Meetup.com

My favorite is that Ichi came out of his shell and was actually running along with the other dogs. He really looked like he was having a great time.

Here's a pic of him so excited and eager to join the frey, I got him in mid-launch.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4323/shiba-help Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:37:32 -0400 jessefritschzy 4323@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
Now Zoe is randomly being mean and aggressive towards stranger. Is she being protective of the puppy? How can I get her to stop this behavior...I obviously am not doing a good job of asserting my dominance in this situation.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/3993/new-hokkaido-inu Sat, 02 May 2009 11:39:54 -0400 ktrebor 3993@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
JaJa have born three healthy puppies - two males and one female :) all red (maybe one will be sezam, but I am not sure yet)

First male is about 250 g, female 300g and the last male is monstrous :) his waight is almost 350g.

The smalest male is most active from all puppies.

We didnt decided how we should named them - Kate wants to call the female puppy - Ursa (latin term for female bear).

Pictures later - I am going to sleep.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4299/viggo-with-the-kids Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:43:15 -0400 Migoo 4299@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4310/hey Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:49:05 -0400 KFontaine04 4310@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4322/happy-fathers-day Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:47:09 -0400 baanton 4322@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4199/wish-rakka-luck Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:01:16 -0400 hondru 4199@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
Vet reiterated that the lump is most likely harmless, but should be removed just in case. We took her in when it first showed up, and the vet shaved her neck and took a sample and decided it was benign, not infected, so most likely just a random cyst, especially since she's not sick and it doesn't hurt or bother her. He said it might be a wonky saliva gland, and today he noticed on her record that she got a face full of porcupine quills about a year ago, so there's a slight chance it's a quill that worked it's way into her neck. He says that quills don't usually cause much problem, even if they do get under the skin, though. Either way, it's close to her throat and jugular, and you never know what a growth might do if you leave it alone, so now that we're sure it's not just going away on it's own, we're having it removed. I mean, I would just feel really horrible if I left it and a few years down the line, it restricted blood flow to her brain and gave her a stroke or turned out to be cancer. Plus, it's ugly :-P.

He also said there's no way to know why she's scratching her face until they've done a biopsy. So, surgery to remove the lump is scheduled for Thursday, and they'll take a biopsy from her skin then, since she wasn't cooperating today, so they want to do while she's already knocked out.

The weird thing about her scratching is that she's not acting sick, it's only on her face, and none of the other dogs are exhibiting symptoms, which rules out a lot of likely explanations, like parasites or food allergies. Seasonal allergies are likely, but she didn't have a problem last year, or at any time before now. She also didn't respond to antihistamines. At any rate, she is (to her dismay) wearing a cone. Poor pup. She looks pretty rough, with her lump, her face all scratched up, the cone, and the mopey expression. Her face is a little puffy, too, but that might just be because she scratched it all to heck.

Wish us luck.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/3829/an-irreconcilable-difference Sat, 11 Apr 2009 06:11:33 -0400 santuzza 3829@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions

*I know you've seen the pic before, but it fits so well with the topic.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4302/very-frustrated-had-a-better-day-today-o Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:15:41 -0400 Kaddy 4302@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
We haven't been able to get him into a regular training class because he would either cower in the corner or go ape shit crazy barking at people. The barking/lunging looks scary, but it seems as though it comes from fear.

Here's just one example:
When my mom came to visit he went off on her, until I broke out the salmon/chicken gizzard treats I made. He would take treats from me but still growl at my mom, for a while... then he stopped with the growling, but still took treats from me. His eyes always returned right back to my mom as soon as the treat/focus command were over. slowly I got him to focus on me handing her the treat and she would toss it to him - he was still cowering. Finally we got to the point where he'd take the treat from her.

It took about 20 minutes of SLOW progress to finally get him on my lap on the couch with her next to him. Pretty soon I slipped away while she treated him and he was on her like ants on honey - TONS of kisses lots of and wanting belly rubs.

He really is a sweet dog, but every time I have to walk him (and we HAVE to... the condo people are getting down right mean if we let him go in our yard... even though we immediately clean it up) I'm worried about running into another person or dog. He scared a woman half to death today, all the while I'm trying my hardest to get his attention. I seriously need Victoria Stillwell *sigh*

I know there's something I could be doing better, but I'm so thick into the forest I can't see the trees!!

We put a call in to our trainer asking about something private, but I'm not even sure we could take him to the training school because there are ALWAYS dogs and people around :o/

Anyway... just a mini-rant... hopefully she'll call back with some suggestions and/or a behaviorist recommendation.

**Edited the title to seem less "giving up" and more "AHHH I wish I knew what to do!"**]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4270/french-championship-show-1314-june Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:26:31 -0400 Sarako 4270@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
Lot of dogs ! (6500 dogs on 2 days)

Some people of this forum were here... I was there with two of my Hokkaido ken : Niki and Satchan.

Enjoy some pictures :

Niki, with Chanur Akita (Emilie)


Satchan (who lost all his fur just before the show...), with me
]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4304/my-10-wk-old-puppy-and-i-sleep-through-the-night Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:57:55 -0400 shirapup32 4304@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
My 10.5 week old shiba has had only a handful of accidents in the house since coming home at 8 weeks. The first week I had her I would take her out at night every couple hours or so, but after a week I noticed that when I would open her crate to take her to potty she would no longer sit or stand up to come out. So I gradually started taking her out fewer times during the night, and this week we go from bedtime (around 10:30pm) to morning (about 6:15am) with no potty breaks. There have been no accidents in the crate nor crying to get out, and in the morning she would even rather explore my bedroom than go out to relieve herself immediately.

Should I be ecstatic that she is so comfortable in her crate and can hold it that long or is this possibly detrimental to her system? Would anyone know anything about this? I'd really appreciate it.

PS: I like to put some Omega 3 fish oil on a spoon in the morning for her to lick up since I've read here that it's good for her coat (which she technically doesn't have yet). We have 1000mg capsules but I don't put the entire amount on the spoon since I don't know if she's old enough for me to be doing it in the first place. Does age or dosage amount matter?]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4212/similar-personality Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:25:25 -0400 asia 4212@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
Which made me think -
Is it a good idea to get a dog who has similar personality traits to you?
Do opposites attract?
Is it really even a good comparison?

Anyway, just one of those things an insomniac thinks of when they should be trying harder to go to bed...though I would love to know what others think!]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4308/kiya-from-pup-to-almost-1-year-pics Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:23:29 -0400 shibasrules 4308@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
daddy holding kiya (she looks like a little polar bear cub)




mommy holding kiya


kiyas first christmas


after she got fixed sleeping off the pain meds


kiya and my oldest dog missy (chow/boxer mix)


kiya and her sister zoey (boxer)


kiya shaking


kiya sleeping on mom


weaving in and out of furniture while rearranging


sorry if this is too much. just wanted everyone to see Kiya.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4296/how-much-shedding-is-too-much Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:22:14 -0400 starry 4296@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions I'm getting a medium rabbit sized furball of soft hair each day
i am in the process of switching foods so I want to make sure the amount of hair loss is normal and not a reaction to the food...i don't want all his hair to fall off
i'm switching from natural balance to evo poultry, both have chicken
btw, i've noticed with the shedding that he appears to have more black accents, will that go away once he regrows his undercoat?]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4305/parks-closing-in-pa Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:24:46 -0400 StaticNfuzz 4305@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions Apparently the State of PA is planning on closing many national parks I guess due to budget shortfalls.

Snf


Begin forwarded message:
> With more than 35 parks on the chopping block, Pennsylvania's rich
> natural heritage and outstanding recreational resources are at risk.
> We need to guarantee that our children and future generations of
> Pennsylvanians have access to these natural treasures for hiking,
> camping, hunting, fishing and other activities.
>
> Click the link below to email your state senator today, and let them
> know that we need to be protecting our state parks not shutting them
> down. If you're already one of the 1,200 people who have emailed
> their state senator, then forward this email so more Pennsylvanians
> can take action.
>
> http://www.pennenvironment.org/action/our-natural-heritage/save-our-parks?id4=ES
>
> Sincerely,
>
> David Masur
> PennEnvironment Director
> http://www.pennenvironment.org]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4290/looks-like-this-is-the-month-of-lost-dogs...yay-happy-ending Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:07:56 -0400 Calia 4290@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
Knocked on a few doors, but no one seems to know where he may have come from.

He looks to be a somewhat old Beagle, neutered and in good health. His nails aren't trimmed and his teeth are in excellent shape. He looks to have been wearing a collar at some point, and I hope it just fell off. He's very well mannered and sweet, so I hope we can find his family soon.

Tikaani loves him, and this old boy has some spunk before he tires out. He seems to REALLY like Tikaani, so much so that Tikaani can't sit or lay down without this old boy trying to mount him.

We shall be calling some shelters when they open to report him found and see if anyone reported him missing. After I get out of work, we are bringing him to the vet to scan him for a chip, I hope he has one.

Oh, and the pink collar we borrowed from a neighbor as all our extras were too big.

Well, here's some spam of the old boy.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4306/just-some-spam... Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:56:14 -0400 brada1878 4306@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions

































----]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4292/social-level-and-gender Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:22:33 -0400 yukidomari 4292@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
Are Kochiken sociable? To the extent that they will play with at least family. I don't need a dog who loves every person on the street, but I would like one that likes the pack and the family and is willing to play, and not just tolerate, the other dogs. Lantis only tolerates Lilith and never tries to play with her. In part this is because Lilith is very characteristically unbowed when it comes to dominance.. and Lantis dislikes that, since he is the oldest dog. Lilith would rather not play with him and not have to be submissive, then play with him and be submissive unlike Luna.

Is there a suggested gender? We have 2 fixed bitches and one fixed male (the two younger are female). They seem to get along fine right now, but some have suggested that two female spitze tend not to get along well. Seeing as how Kochiken will be significantly larger than our female Spitz when grown, I don't want them to fight or otherwise not get along. I am fine with either gender, but my boyfriend has a thing for the girl dogs... he'd much prefer another female.

Or would it not matter if they are brought up together from puppyhood?


Thanks again for all the input! I really appreciate it.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4181/what-foods-are-our-non-us-forum-members-feeding Sat, 30 May 2009 05:51:19 -0400 lindsayt 4181@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4298/scamps-is-finally-closed Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:08:34 -0400 lindsayt 4298@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
I remember going to gawk at all the puppies and kittens in their plexiglass poo smeared cages when I was a kid. We also brought home my mom's neurotic pomeranian Buddy at the age of 6 months from the Lloyd Center Scamps. At 11 years old, he still succumbs to severe anxiety attacks and loses bladder/bowel continence when he is even briefly crated or left alone indoors. He was a pitiful 6 month old poo crusted puppy all those years ago and it's good to know that this particular chain won't be selling anymore.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4297/uh-oh-space-is-entering-adolescence Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:06:20 -0400 MikeCP 4297@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
I was totally expecting to be all over this forum reporting every little event in Space's life. Then I got him, and everything went out the window.

So I'll have this post serve as both an update on Space the Shiba, and a place for me to describe some of Space's little quirks.

First of all, everything is going fantastic. I was honestly expecting him to be more trouble than he has been, which is nice.

I initially had some trouble with house breaking, because I couldn't get him on a schedule. Once he got his shots, and I could take him for regular walks, his pooping was a bit easier to deal with. He does still, however, take a REALLY long time to poop. He doesn't whine, and the poop seems healthy, but man he just hangs out and poops for like 3-4 minutes.

Right after he began going on walks, he started to get a TON of eye gook. Turns out he had puppy conjunctivitis brought on by some allergy. The vet gave me eye drops and the eye gook is much better.

He graduated puppy class (4 week class) and basic training (6 week). His Shiba-ness showed in full force in the class, in that he just kinda refuses to listen when there's something that excites him (in this case, other dogs). This problem rears its ugly head on walks in the park. In the house I can call his name from 3 floors down and he'll race right up to me and sit. Outside, he will NOT even glance at me when I call his name.

He's got complete control of some of the basic commands: sit, stand up, down, stay, speak, crawl. Unless of course, he's outdoors and its impossible.

He's starting to lift his leg when he pees. Is this something I should correct? How would I do that?

He also is VERY humpy with other dogs. I'm guessing neutering will fix some of that. He's about to turn 5 months old, so thats right around the corner.

He's not very food motivated, making training a bit difficult.

He likes playing but if he's in his pen or crate, he won't touch his toys. I could leave him with in the pen with his kong filled with yummy treats, and he won't touch it. Once I take him out, he'll attack it!

Anyway, here's his Flickr page I just hastily threw together and some pics.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/space-the-shiba/



]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4274/new-pics-of-aston Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:48:38 -0400 a4cefed 4274@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4272/crates Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:50:03 -0400 Ippus 4272@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
But how is a crate to be used? Does it function as a sometime den/sleeping arrangement? Is it a disciplinary tool? Just a place to keep your ken when they have to be indoors and can't be directly supervised?

You've all been very helpful and knowledgeable so far... what can you tell me?]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4301/age-and-food Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:58:58 -0400 shibasrules 4301@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
Thanks to everyone for all your help/suggestions with Kiya, i love that there are so many shiba and dog lovers the can help others out.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4278/food-opinion-extras Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:18:33 -0400 rockinhlabs 4278@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
I guess I'm just looking for opinions from the "Shiba Experts" out there. Skippy has been on Eukanuba: Small Breed Puppy since I got him at 4 months of age. He's content with eating approx 1 cup a day and is lean and doesn't exhibit hunger - he's approx 21 lbs - his dad was very small and Skippy was the runt. How long do I stick with this food? What would you suggest I switch him to after this? What type of "extras" should I be giving him for his health? Pros and Cons from what you've seen. thanks for the opinions...]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4293/leonbergers Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:04:32 -0400 Romi 4293@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
Then...a couple hours later....I see another large dog...and I say...is that ANOTHER Leonberger? And she was like "Yeah!!!" How crazy to get the only 2 Leonberger's who attend our daycare on the same day!

Anyways...Just thougt I'd share...I was super stoked to be able meet not 1, but 2 today! It was a nice treat :)]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4291/i-rescued-a-dog-that-was-hit-by-a-car.... Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:23:35 -0400 ILuvMy2Shibas 4291@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
The guy who was behind me stops as well and he directs traffic around me so i can decide what i want to do, well i decide we need to move him, because if not he's going to get ran over again, so i decide that i'm going to take him up to the SPCA that was 2 miles up the road, i pick him up he starts licking my face.

Well i get up to the spca and they are of course closed, i start calling anyone i can think of, but the whole time i kept thinking of my dogs, and what i would. I call the emergency vet clinic and get everything set up for him. In turns the guy who was behind me and said that people up the road have been feeding him for three weeks, but they don't own him. The young many comes and looks at him and decides he will take him to the clinic and take care of everything that needs done.

I call later that night and get the info from the vet and they saaid he didn't have any broken bones and appeared to be in good condition, but he may have a spinal cord injury(which i'm hoping he doens't at all)

I get a call from the youn man that took him to the vet, and told the same thing the following morning, and that he was taking to another vet and that his family has decided to keep him....but he also tells me that they had called the SPCA on Friday to see if they could bring him down, because no one had claimed in in three weeks, and they didn't want to take someone elses dog. Well the SPCA says they have no room and they can't bring him down(they family wouldn't let the dog in the house because it had fleas real bad)

Well this information makes mad( i do how ever realize that animal rescues are over populated and there is not alot of help) so i call the SPCA and get them involved, i give them the info of the vet and the young man who is taking care of him, I had also found out that the dog did indeed have a spinal cord injury and i let them know this as well, and i also let them know that this would of all been avoided if the family would of been allowed to bring him down on Friday when they wanted to, and instead of them letting them bring him down, he was hit by a car on sunday.

On wednesday i got the call that there was an agency that wanted to help the family get the dog the surgery he needed, but when the young kid came to pick the dog up he was not there, they vet let the dog go to the "supposed owners" and never called the young man and told him. The vet claims that the "owners" came in described him, and they let him go the vet told me that they had no papers, shot records, pictures, or licenses(which in pa you must have). The "owners" however paid the vet bill but made it clear that they were not paying the emergency vet bill because they felt that it was not their respondsibility...the nerve of some people......

Since this i have spoke to the young man, and they are going to court with the "owners" because of the vet bill.]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4288/kiya-wont-sleep-through-night Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:32:41 -0400 shibasrules 4288@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4284/suitable-dwelling-etc Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:44:14 -0400 yukidomari 4284@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
I have been researching Shikokuken for a while now, but only from reading. I never have yet talked to any owners of Shikokuken (Which I like to call Kochi-ken because it's an alternative name and also shorter!). For anyone who owns Kochiken, can you please tell me about a few basic things?

1) What do you think is a suitable living space for a Kochiken? I don't think we will have a house with a lawn for a long long time. In Japan, we live in Osaka but lawns are hard to come by and I think that we will probably be apartment dwellers for a long time. I don't think this should really be a problem because we have owned and fostered all sorts of dogs with all different energy levels and sizes and have found that with proper exercise a yard really isn't needed even for high-energy, large dogs.

2) What do they shed like? Being a spitz, I assume the answer is "a lot". But Lilith (our other spitz-breed) didn't really shed as much as I thought she would have (at least, not as much as 2 German Shepherd Dogs I used to know). It was a lot but not to the point where I'd have to furminate her everyday.

3) How heavy is the average kochiken? A lot of places have restrictions here on the weight of dogs. Breed standards give height at withers and rarely specify a weight.

4) What are common health problems to Kochiken? Since they are so rare, I have yet to find data on health problems they may have. I assume the regulars such as Luxating Patella and eye exams like PRA or CERF testing should be done, but what about other, more specific problems? Do you recommend most breeding Kochiken have OFAs for hips? What about very specific diseases like von Willebrand's disease or Factor VII deficiency or other diseases?


Sorry for all the questions but we are on a hunt for a good dog and an even better breeder. We are not afraid to travel for a dog either in the states or in Japan. I really appreciate any and all input!]]> http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/4283/im-so-excited Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:42:47 -0400 kwyld 4283@/forum/index.php?p=/discussions
Anyway, I'm excited that we are recommending those diets to clients, and some of the other employees are going to start feeding them too. Now, if all the other departments could recommend such fabulous foods to their patients....]]>