Finding perfect homes for dogs and puppies

Marcel and I both grew up with animals in our respective families and once we moved in together we've never had a pet-less moment.  Our lives pretty much revolve around our animal pets.  We've had many breeds of dogs, cats, horses, rats & mice, birds, rabbits and hedgehogs.  We've taken in many animals in need and found them their perfect forever homes.  My lifelong friend Tina says "You have a knack for finding perfect homes for animals" and that has always been a blessing.

Most of the dogs we breed ourselves will be placed as pets either as 8 week old pups or as a young adult after a career as a show & breeding dog. I think it's even better to find homes for mature animals because we really know them and know what kind of situation will make them happiest.

As rule my Shiba girls will have 3 chances to produce their female puppy replacement utilizing 3 different sires.  The puppy should be better than her mother and hopefully ads the qualities of the sire I picked for her as well.  If I haven't gotten a puppy from the female after 3 litters there just isn't any reason to breed her again.  She will be spayed and "career change" to a super pet for someone.

The majority of my girls fit right in the pet home I place them in like they have lived there for their entire life and go on to be the best dog their owners have ever had.  I hear that over and over again.  Or how they are thrilled that their last Shiba's negative behaviors aren't present in the girl I placed with them. It never grows old hearing how loved my girls are in their second home.

Knowing my Shiba girls the way I do it's usually pretty easy to find them a perfect home.  Luckily my dogs are well adjusted and fit in just about anywhere a person is somewhat Shiba savvy.  The one thing I'm sure is of they are used to running and sunning in large paddocks and while most would rather be having their turn inside the house with us they still like to go for a yard patrol and potty break so I don't place them in apartments of condos.

What becomes a problem is when a person makes comparisons to their last dog, be it Shiba or another breed.  People who have had other breeds are surprised by the Shibas non dog-like behaviors.  Even people who had Shibas before forget what it was like when  their Shiba was a puppy, they only remember the last few well behaved years together.

New dogs of any age in a new home must be treated like puppies when it comes to bathroom habits and taken out every few hours until you see regular success.  Dogs that must now go potty on leash can have bashful bladders.  Shibas have been known to "hold it" for 4 days or more until they get home to familiar grass or gravel or whatever.  Shibas are truly creatures of habit which can work for you or against you.

Shibas that are well adjusted are more likely to be open to new situations and in forming new habits in new homes.  Dogs that are not well socialized and haven't been challenged with new experiences as puppies have a hard time with changing homes.

We always give people 21 days to return a puppy or dog that doesn't work for them for any reason.  I seriously try to impress upon the new owner that this time should be spent really observing the dog in their home and looking for potential deal breakers and then sticking to their guns.  It's hard for most people to think with their minds and not their hearts when it comes to pets.  I would not offer to take the dog back if it didn't matter to me.  A pet is supposed to add enjoyment to your life not make it more complicated, difficult, sad, messy or angry.  There is always another dog that will fit better and make you both happy.

Over the years we have only gotten a handful of dogs returned because we usually place them wisely but circumstances do change and sometime choices need to be made.  I don't condem those that return a dog, I think they are strong and caring and probably thinking with their mind which they need to do in this situation.  Most of these dogs are rehomed with no problem.  Some have been real gems.  We finally kept one Rottweiler that was returned 3 times.  I think he was the best Rottweiler we've ever had and I miss him every day.

How deeply do we need investigate the the people who inquire about a puppy?  Usually I get a feeling about a person whom I've talked to a few times and then eventually they come to house to meet face to face and I can observe how the adults supervise their children's interaction with the dogs. Marcel and I make a great team because he thinks to ask all the questions I've forgotten to ask about.  Then we discuss our instincts about the potential puppy owners we've met.  We do home checks on local people and I have a network of other breeders all over the US that can do home checks for us.  Google satellite is awesome.  References are called.  A google search, Facebook scan and in some cases a background check will reveal something that makes placing a puppy with them not possible.  Also, the Shiba community will go on alert if a questionable person is making the rounds to breeders searching for a puppy.  Unfortunately there is always someone who will sell them a puppy.

Finding great homes can be a challenge for animal breeders that really care about the sweet baby animals they produce.  Those babies depend on us, their breeder, to find them the best homes we can.

Time for goodbye to a good dog.

The sad fact is that animal lovers will outlive many pets. How do we deal with this loss?

Many people tell me they just can't stand the loss of another animal so they won't get another cat, dog, insert animal here.  I don't understand this way of thinking at all.

I used to get sad and depressed and stay in bed for weeks but I've overcome that.  Now too many animals depend on me for their care to take the time to grieve in that manner.

Now I focus on the good times and remember my animals fondly and without so much sadness.  Instead I am happy in the knowledge that I gave them the best life I could and I let them leave this earth with their dignity.

So how do you know when it's the best time to take your pet his last visit to the vet for euthanasia?  Everyone has a different opinion for this but Marcel and I have decided that we would rather not see any animal suffer much further than the regular woes of old age.  Once an animal shows us his quality of life is gone we have the discussion about the next move.  I have my own way of finding the best time to end my animal friend's life.

If you listen your dog, cat, horse he will tell you when he's ready to go.  Have a quiet moment alone together.  Clear your mind of all thoughts and breath deep and slow.  Relax your body all over. You can speak or you can just think it but ask the question "are you ready to go?" then being quiet and concentrating on your breathing wait for a response and his answer should just pop into your mind. Some people have the "gift" and can do this easily and other people never achieve the ability to communicate with animals in this manner.  I seem to only be able to do to it when the situation is very serious and the weight is heavy on my mind about an issue being passing or doing something else like moving one to a new home.

Many people keep their animals alive simply because they can't let go.  I do not think of that as kindness.  To me it is very sad situation.  Animals live in the moment, that is what they have to teach us silly humans.  When there are no more good moments for them it is kinder to let them go. This is against the grain for us humans who typically live in the past and then spend our lives planning for some uncertain future.

Animals bring such joy and special knowledge to us humans I can't imagine not having some kind of pet in my life.  I hope there is never a time when I can't take care of a pet because that will be the time I'm ready to leave this world and see all my past pets in the next phase of my being.  And what's sad about that??????

Shibas in Pandemic

While people are in lock down at home during the pandemic they start thinking about how this would be a perfect time to get a puppy.  AKC informed their members that puppy inquiries are up 65%.  The news tells us shelters and rescues have been emptied out by adopters.  I think there are two perspectives on this.  The first is if we responsible breeders do not provide good quality health puppies to those interested in purchasing one buyers will be forced to buy from puppy mill and back yard bred dogs on line and in virtual pet stores.  The other train of thought is that responsible breeders should only place puppies as planned with people with those who are on their paid reservation or waiting list because everyone else is just bored and looking for pups on a whim and once everyone goes back to school and work the pups will left alone at home or taken back to the shelter or rescue where they came from. 

I don't necessarily think the second perspective is true of all purebred dogs. Usually if someone pays a large amount for something they don't trash it but there is no denying that we live in a vary wasteful culture.  Hopefully we get to know our buyers and know they have given purchasing a Shiba a LOT of thought.  Besides, breeders have agreements that if any of their dogs ever need to be re-homed it should be returned to the breeder.  Buyers SIGN this agreement but do they follow through?

I have had a few people break the rule.  This is after they have jumped through all the hoops to convince me they are ready for a Shiba only to find out they can't deal with it for no fault of the Shibas but the fault of their own over confidence.  They are embarrassed to come back and have to admit it was too difficult or it didn't fit their lifestyle after all or they plain old aren't cut out for a pet.

People say all kinds of things to me that they expect I want to hear.  Those things make me shudder because I know better.

• I work from home
• We live near the dog park
• We plan on using doggie daycare
• I grew up with dogs
• I've read everything about Shibas
• We feel confident and ready for the Shiba temperament
• I've never actually met one but......fill in all the statements above.

Yikes I say!  I have rebuttals for all those statements that I won't address here.  While all those things might influence the outcome it could never prepare you for the journey through your soul you are about to embark on. 

A lot of it boils down to how well do you know yourself and are you HONEST WITH YOURSELF about your capabilities to own an animal as smart and complex as a Shiba?  Because they do have an evil and mischievous side that is going to test every fiber of your being.  I shit you not.

It doesn't matter where you acquire your Shiba it is still a Shiba.  If you get your Shiba from a rescue you might be told about all the illnesses the Shiba currently has, that he screams and nips at people or other animals when he is scared and that he will take a long time to adjust and trust you, etc., etc.  If you get your Shiba from a breeder they can tell you all about the Shibas healthy background and you can see the good temperament of both parents and how your proper care & training will make him a wonderful family dog.  Both are Shibas and both are extremely intelligent.

This is how a Shiba negotiates the world:

Self preservation is the top priority for a Shiba which means not trusting anything or anyone but themselves until proven otherwise. Running away and/or screaming and biting being the most likely response when stressed, challenged or threatened.  Protecting themselves from other dogs manifests as dog to dog aggression.  He's scared for his safety so he attempts to make the intruder go away by attacking it before it attacks him.  Always just staying out of reach from owners grabbing hands equates to staying safe from the slashing tusks of wild boar. They are extremely fast and agile. Learning by observation and just one or two repetitions means they stay safe and are prepared for the next move.   The aloof and dismissive attitude toward strangers tells us the Shiba does not NEED humans, they are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves and surviving in the wild, something ingrained in them from thousands of years as a semi-feral village dog in the mountains of Japan.  The Shiba decides to stay with a human family if it sees value in the arrangement, if not, they move on just like a cat.  It will be perfectly clear to you if the Shiba is not happy and is requesting to move on. 

Right now is a bad time to try to meet Shibas but I usually tell people to go to a Shiba meetup group and spend some time with Shibas.  There is nothing like first hand experience with the breed and talking to other pet owners about the complexity of living with one.  Depending on you and whom you finally get your Shiba from it will be a piece of cake OR the most difficult thing you've ever done. The words in articles or books cannot fully explain the experience.  It's all sugar coated.  But that being said, people who own Shibas become completely devoted to the breed.  It is a life changer.  Kinda like surviving a family tragedy and coming out the other side a different person.  I became a better person with a more accepting and understanding nature.  It's a strange thing but I see it over and over with everyone who becomes involved with this breed.  It engulfs your life.  Shibas have lessons to teach us, it's amazing.

So even with the challenges and difficulties this breed it's sooooo worth it.  Most people will be hooked on the breed the rest of their lives and will tell you no other breed will do for them.  A few will say they'd never have another one, it was an awful experience.

I think the first major obstacle for Shiba owners to overcome safety issues.  Can you keep your Shiba alive and in your possession through the puppy & teen stages to the adult stage. Once to they are adults and you have a system for containment and control things get much easier. That is besides the fact that all dogs seem to settle down by 3 years of age. 

Human nature being what it is everyone thinks they can handle a dog.  Humans also like to find out the hard way.  After you have chased your Shiba through the woods for two days or through several lanes of  busy traffic you most likely will not make that mistake again. 

So considering life with a Shiba is a major deal.  Our home, the yards, the barn and small kennel is organized and fenced to manage and maintain our Shibas safely and even so we constantly need to be looking out for the new and exciting ways the Shibas attempt to escape so we are constantly changing our system.  NOT they want to run away per say, we own a large property with plenty of space.  Their goal is always to get into the house and get the 4 delicious meals a day that momma's get when they are raising baby puppies in the kitchen.

There are so many good qualities in the Shiba too.  They're clean, quiet, non demanding of attention, perfect size for a house dog and for traveling with, easy to train (not as easy to make listen), gentle, sweet, they mirror your energy level at home but are always ready for action and adventure.  Once you overcome the more difficult stuff he is a loyal friend that still retains his dignity and independence. They are also just fascinating to observe while they interact with nature.  They make you laugh. What's not to love? Then there is always the cute factor because it's off the freakin' carts!  Like any relationship it takes time, dedication and commitment and it's totally worth it.

What is a good Shiba owner?

My regular spiel is "passive people do not do well owning Shibas".  I do think a person should be somewhat assertive to own any kind of animal.  A passive rider of a 1200 pound horse will soon lose control of the horse's actions correct?  A passive person with a 20 pound dominant female Shiba will also lose control of the dog's actions.  Then it's oops, she slipped her out of her way too loose collar (can't be mean with a chain collar right?) and darted into traffic. One dead dog....not good. Who's in charge now?  Just sadness & regret.

I tend to find myself on the fence about so many important issues but when it comes to dogs my opinions are pretty definitive.  I know I'm an extrovert as I know what I want to convey and I'm confident in expressing it.  However, many times I'd rather be an introvert and let someone else go for it and wait and see if my own opinion can be swayed by a good theory.  Does that mean I am this new thing they call an ambivert?  I think not.  Sometimes I think labels are just a bunch of hog wash anyway.  Shibas taught me that.  A Shiba can be dangerously aggressive toward smaller animals but obliging to a Rottweiler or a giant horse. They can be submissive with their human owner but leathal to another Shiba in the household.  Shibas can be total opposites of the scale on traits based on the danger to themselves......they aren't stupid.

I would say both introvert and extroverts can be good dog owners.  It's more about actions then feelings when you are dealing with animals.  Remember all other animals besides humans live in the moment.  They don't much care about your thought on things or your past experiences. They just know what they want at that moment in time and their goal is to make the stupid human to give it to them.  The rest doesn't matter. There are very few gray areas with animals.  Their decisions are based on instincts of survival even if they aren't in any danger at the moment.  You don't see it as much when you have one or even two pets but when you get packs like we have, it's very obvious if you are at all attentive.

Important thing is you are open minded enough to think like a dog because lets face it, dogs do NOT have the capacity to think like humans.  So that is what I look for in good potential Shiba owners.  It isn't science but science has proven that we have to think on the animals level, thinking like a human is way too confusing for them and if you treat them like little furry humans it won't work for the animal or the human.  That way of thinking always ends badly for both parties.

Shibas are such cool dogs, they aren't like any other animal.  They have tons to teach us stupid humans about the natural world. Things we have long forgotten.  If we will only listen to them.  It is such a gift!  However to keep them safe in this land of humans we need a form of communication to speak to them with.  You must learn it.  If you do this will be the most rewarding relationship of your life and it will definitely change you in ways you can't even imagine.  My sister is always telling me she never thought I would be the way I am now.  I was such a type "A" (for asshole....tee hee).  Now I am relaxed and truly generous with my heart.  The Shibas changed me for the better. It's a gift I can never repay.  There is just no way.

All my animals have taught me things.  I've made a TON of mistakes with my animals and they have all forgiven me.  How generous is that????  When I don't listen to them, shit happens.  Ooops.  I should have listened!  Women are notorious for not following their heart or listening to their instincts.  We always question it when we should just go with it.  It's human nature at work.  Damn it.....I hate when I was right the first time and didn't listen to myself!!!!!

Anyway, owning a Shiba is a learning experience you should not deny yourself if you feel at all drawn to them in any way.  As long as you listen to your breeder's suggestions on care and training you should have a really nice dog.  You pay for their experience so don't believe you know better then they do just because you've owned other dogs in the past.  LISTEN and LEARN.  You will never regret this decision.  If you do, return the Shiba to his breeder and move on.  It's still a learning experience none the less.  Just because you aren't a perfect Shiba owner doesn't make you a bad dog owner.  Life is way to short to have a dog, horse, cat or spouse you can't get along with.  Everyone deserves to be happy so make it happen for yourself.

I miss my cat Ming sooooooo much.........

The day after a wonderful Thanks Giving at a friend's house our cat Ming howled at me and I knew something was wrong.  We left for the vet right away.  He had crystals for the second time in his life and this time it was too late.  He was already septic when we got him there, he died, alone at the vet.  They actually put him in his crate to get transferred to ER for the night.  He was already dead as we stood at the counter to pay for him. I knew he was dead but I didn't want to say it out loud because it would make it all real. Over $1000 in just under 4 hours. The money doesn't matter.  I would have paid any amount to save him.  Truth is, I'd have traded the life of any one of my dogs if I could and I love my dogs an awful lot. There's a lot more to the story and a lot of things are yet unanswered about why a dead pet was packed up for us but it doesn't seem to matter now.  We're just sad because we don't have our baby cat anymore.  Marcel wants to sleep all the time to avoid thinking of him.  I have run myself ragged, working too much to avoid thinking of him.  I can't sleep at night, I have insomnia and I'm so used to listening to him purr next to my head until I fall asleep.  Ming was my special once in a lifetime heart cat.  I'm so glad I told him every day that he was the most favorite cat I ever had and he knew it was true.  I think he thought I was his mate.  Oh, he loved Marcel too but he was my shadow.  I couldn't sit down without him appearing.  He sat on my shoulder when I typed.  He watched me all the time.  I don't think there will ever be another cat like that for me. 

I'm a big girl and we've lost lots and lots of pets over the years but this one is the hardest since I was young and didn't yet know as much about loss of loved ones and special pets.  I'm usually realistic about the short lives of pet but we usually have the luxury of losing them older so we can say they had a very well loved and well lived life but this isn't the case.

We both feel we let Ming down and I definitely feel our "team" of vets let us down.  There is always guilt involved in any loss.  We feel we were preoccupied with holidays, my father's illness, mother's back surgery and the death of a two week old puppy just 4 days prior.  We should have taken heed of some off things we saw in hindsight.  Guilt sucks.  We even have 3 barn cats but they aren't the same.  I feel bad I don't love them as much.  I want to give them a chance in the house but they're terrible house cats climbing on everything and knocking stuff over......more guilt.

Animals live in the moment.  I'm glad Ming isn't in pain any longer.  I can't wait to see him again one day and tell him how sorry I am that I wasn't more assertive about making him homemade food instead of deadly kibble crap.  He was the only animal we had that refused to eat homemade. I can't wait till I can think of him again and not cry.

We will pick up his cremains on Saturday and bring home his little box to join the boxes of those who went before him.  No animal will ever eat kibble again.  I learned a hard lesson at the expense of my best friend and for that I am very, very sorry.  Please don't make that mistake with your cats and dogs.

This is the last picture I took of Ming sitting behind me while at my computer, making sure he had the prime spot closest  to mommy.

I miss you so much Ming-Ming, say hi to Stitchy for me.

God, please let him sit on your lap sometimes. 

Response to a Puppy Inquiry

I could have called this topic post: "The difference between your last Golden Retriever and the Shiba you are now inquiring about" but that was too long.  The person inquiring would like to come look at puppies and choose one. Yep....

Picking a Shiba puppy is a little different than picking a puppy from a larger breed's huge litter because Shibas usually only have 1-4 puppies in a litter, with 3 being average. Usually the breeder will keep one, that leaves two puppies for the 20-30 people on the waiting list.  IF the first two people waiting wanted males there would surely be nothing but females in the litter!  It always seems to go that way. If one male and one female was wanted and that's what was available then that works out IF the personalities match the families. The breeder will usually decide which puppy goes where. It is a good idea to listen to the breeder's advice on puppies as they've seen hundreds and you only see one or two.  I try to follow my list but this is not a Golden by any means.  A person who wants a Golden can pretty much pick any puppy from the litter of 14 and they will GET a Golden. We call them Golden Dumbtrievers and yes, we too have owned one. Goldens are all pretty much the same perpetual puppy till near their end. My best friend breeds Goldens and I love to help her evaluate pups because they are so darned cute and bumbly but they are NOT the breed for us.  An 8 week old Golden is still tripping over his feet with that innocent look on his face while an 8 week old Shiba is wearing horns and an Evel Kneivel costume and leaping from the back of your couch, landing on all fours and racing through the kitchen like his tail is on fire.  Not to be misunderstood about the difference, a Shiba is the 2nd closest canine relative to the wolf and a wolf pup has to move fast in case of danger, let's say fire, while the poor extremely domesticated Golden would just sit there and go up in flames. Duh.

I honestly don't think a Shiba should even be considered a dog as it is in a class of its own.  A cat in a dog suit that acts like a coyote/fox mix.  They learn at an alarming rate so you have to be on your toes NOT to teach them the wrong things.  They are not forgiving like a Golden who apologizes to you if you step on his tail and then must reinforce the fact that you still love him by fawning all over you for the next 10 minutes.  If you step on a Shiba's tail he will surely make sure you never get close enough to him to let that happen again and basically....forever!  Lesson learned the end.  That would be one huge difference between those breeds.  The Shiba will have some of the characteristics of the northern/spitz breeds you've owned in the past.........but ad speed.  The Elkhound, Akita and Mal are all working spitz breeds, the Shiba is in it for himself, to be admired and be waited on, not to do anything remotely looking like work!  HA!  It is your job as the boss to make obedience and manners look like FUN so the Shiba wants to participate.

You have to have a good sense of humor along with a an assertive nature to live successfully with a Shiba or they will embarrass you just for fun.  Also, most of what you read on the internet about them is obviously not written by Shiba owners or people that understand them AND it is outdated.  Modern Shibas are much different then the earlier imports who were very sharp, dominant and unsocial with everyone but their owner and sometimes their owner as well.  Modern Shibas have much better dispositions, they are social, friendly to all and cuddly while still having some classic Shiba character, especially once mature at age 3 when they really settle in and become incredible companions.

Still, Shibas don't do well with passive owners.  They will walk all over you like a high maintenance girlfriend in stilettos.  So it's important to look at one's self honestly and decide if you are willing and capable of changing your life for this dog because trust me, life will change.  Luckily most of the best Shiba owners agree that the Shiba changed their life for the better.  Shibas have old souls and they teach you things about yourself you never knew.  It's really kinda cool.

Every Shiba is different too.  As a breeder, I have had many Shibas over the 25 years I have been involved in this breed.  Each one so different then the last and all very special and dear to me.  I was a very strict disciplinarian with the other breeds of dogs I owned before Shibas came into my life.  Shibas taught me to choose my battles and chill out.  My previous training skills are barely used with the Shiba. I had to learn a whole new way. It's something undescribable.

If you want to visit Shiba puppies that is fine but know that they will be spoken for already.  Good breeders have long wait times for pups opposed to the sad puppy mill & back yard bred puppies who are always readily available and actively seeking homes.  You get what you pay for in this breed so be cautious and buyer beware is always a good motto to remember. 

There are Shiba Meet Up groups (yahoogroups.com) in Portland and in Seattle where you can meet with other pet owners who would love to share their various stories about adventures with their Shibas. Neutered pet Shibas are different than the intact Shibas you will meet at a breeders home. You can see different colors and compare personalities.  You will see subtle differences in looks, size and behavior in dogs from different breeders and you may even come away with some certainties in the kind of Shiba you want to purchase and from what breeder.

Just make sure you purchase your Shiba from a National Shiba Club of America (NSCA) member as they have the highest standard of care of their dogs, puppies and customers.  People producing puppies that are not a member of the breed's parent club are not members for a reason.......

OH SCREW THIS NOISE!

Every day I hear people say they treat their dogs "like family" and I understand that it's just a saying....hopefully.  It's mentioned briefly in my website that I am passionate about spreading the truth about animal rights vs. animal husbandry or animal welfare.  Animal welfare is the proper care of companion animals and "animal husbandry" is usually used to describe the humane treatment and care of livestock.  While horses are livestock they are usually kept as companion animals.

As a professional animal trainer I know it isn't fair to treat a horse, dog or cat or any other animal like a human. It confuses them and causes them to become neurotic. So I try to help people remember that the words we use to describe our actions has an impact on others perception of pet ownership and all its legal ramifications. 

The word "ownership" needs to remain in the conversations we have about the animals we keep as pets. If we don't keep this wording then the Animal Rightists like PETA have a perfect spot to move in and lobby our government to change laws that will give animals equal rights to humans!  They are using your donations to do just that. YES! No kidding!  In which case we can no long keep animals as pets because it is considered slavery!  Only with ownership do we have control over the care and containment of our animal friends.

The goal of PETA is to kill all pets and no longer allow animals of any kind to be kept and used by humans in any way.  Wild animals will be left in the wild with no protection.  If they go extinct from poaching so be it.  No meat, fish, poultry consumed by humans or used in the production of consumer products like shoes, etc. No lab rats that save lives. 

People give financial support groups like PETA all the time with funding.  Movie stars endorse PETA. I don't believe these people really understand PETA's final plan for that sweet kitty sitting on your lap, the dogs playing in your back yard, the horses in your pastures or the pet chickens you keep for eggs.

PLEASE google animal rights vs.animal welfare and find out the truth before use the words "pet guardian" or "fur-babies" that were all coined by animal rightist to infiltrate the way we think and describe ourselves and our pets.  Your wording really DOES matter.