We Shiba Inus seem to be a difficult breed to handle because they play roughly and don’t learn commands very well compared to other dogs.
Now that he is 3 years old, my master and I both know when I am about to bite, so I don’t bite as much as I used to, but I still have a tendency to say, “Gulp!”
Here I would like to explain when I have almost bitten my master, when I have bitten him, and what my master thought of afterwards to prepare for and prevent biting!
Signs that I am about to bite.
When I am about to bite, I give a signal, or rather a gesture of “I’m going to bite you!” If they don’t notice it, or if they touch me forcibly, I say, “Gulp!” If you don’t notice it or if you touch me forcibly, I will bite you. Please note that if you don’t notice this, or if you touch me forcibly, I will bite you.
Shiba Inus bite at times like this.
- When Shiba Inu is sleepy
- When you put something on Shiba Inu body
- When you are about to have something in Shiba Inu mouth taken away
- When you persistently touche Shiba Inu body
- When you are wiping Shiba Inu feet
When Shiba Inu is sleepy
If Shiba Inu is in a trance and suddenly they are touched or hear a noise nearby, they are startled and bite.
For example, at night after a day out, they are tired and cranky.
<When Shiba Inu actually bites you.>
It was late at night, around 9:00 p.m., and I was getting sleepier and sleepier. My master was still awake at that time, so I lay down near him without going to sleep.
I often lie down under the table when the masters are sitting in their chairs, but I was startled by a noise when the master changed his legs and I bit him!
It seems that when I am feeling relaxed, I get startled when I hear noises in my immediate vicinity.
When you put something on Shiba Inu’s body.
If you try to put on a leash, collar, or Elizabethan collar, depending on the timing, Shiba Inu may not like it and may bite you.
When I still didn’t like harnesses, I used to wrestle with my master just to put on a harness… It is a strange memory now.
When someone is about to take something Shiba Inu is holding in his mouth.
The things in Shiba Inu’s mouth are his prey and he will bite you if you try to take it away.
Even now, when I am not busy at home or to attract my master’s attention, I sometimes suck slippers, towels, etc., and then go berserk trying not to give it to my master.
When you try to take it away from me, I will yelp, “Gulp!”.
<When Shiba Inu actually bites you.>
When the sandal came from the doorway into his mouth, the master said, “Oh! No!” and tries to take it away from me. At first it is like a game of chase, but when my master grabs the sandal, I desperately resist, saying, “I won’t let go!” and I resist.
I once bit my master’s hand just as he was pulling hard on my sandal!
Other times, during a walk, I would grab a piece of tissue paper or a mask in my mouth and when my master tried to take it away, I would say “No!” and when he tries to take it away from me, I bite him…
When someone persistently touches Shiba Inu’s body.
I find that skinship that goes on too long becomes increasingly disgusting and makes me want to bite you.
What surprises my master is when I am giving him a massage and I suddenly barks, “Gawd”! It is a sign of “That’s enough!”
I am still not very good at being touched, especially at the base of my tail and around my buttocks, and I bite them at the drop of a hat.
When you tried to wipe Shiba Inu’s feet.
When we return from a walk, my master ask me to wipe my feet with a wet wipe, but I really don’t like having my toes teased, so I sometimes go into a rage and bites him.
It is not that I don’t like it every time, so it seems that I go berserk when I am worried about what is going on outside or when I haven’t walked enough or have too much energy.
Measures to prevent bites.
First of all, it would be a relief to me and to my husband if he could take precautions to avoid being bitten. If there is a Shiba Inu instruction manual, I would like to have it written down.
- Guess by looking at Shiba Inu’s facial expressions.
- Provide a fence.
- Leave Shiba Inu alone.
- Have Shiba Inu wear a leash.
- Provide plenty of towels.
Guess by looking at Shiba Inu’s facial expressions.
Before I bite you, I have a stern look on my face. My brow is furrowed and my fangs are showing. This is what is called a “pissed off” face. This is a complete “stop it, I’m going to bite you” expression.
When Shiba Inu is sleeping, they may hear noises nearby, have their body touched persistently, or are about to be put on a leash. When Shiba Inu senses something unpleasant, his expression changes and he makes a stern face, please leave him alone.
Provide a fence.
For example, when my master eats something at the table, I am also interested in it, so I approach him and try to suck something on the table. If he puts his hand in front of me in a way that interrupts me, I may bite him.
In such a case, I would recommend that you prepare a fence at the entrance of the room or around the table so that I cannot get close to the table.
By the way, We have four such fences in our house, set up in various formations for cleaning, cooking, eating, visitors, etc.
Leave Shiba Inu alone.
When I am excited, my expression is stern, I am tired, or I am lying down to rest, if you suddenly touch me, I will bite you, so it is better to leave me alone.
If you forcefully approach or care for me, I will bend my navel and bite.
Have Shiba Inu wear a leash.
Although we do not often keep our dogs on a leash indoors unless there is something unusual going on, it is safer to keep them on a leash at first, for example, when someones are staying overnight or when acquaintances come to visit my home.
In unusual situations, Shiba Inu may first notice the smell and in some cases become alarmed. If Shiba Inu senses danger or becomes alarmed, he may become aggressive. If this happens, ask my master to pull my leash, and if my becomes agitated, I go outside and walk for a while to refresh myself.
If Shiba Inu to put on a leash or held down after he is excited, there is a risk of biting, so have them put on the leash beforehand.
Provide plenty of towels, etc.
This is a last resort in case the master has no choice but to hold me up or put me on a leash, even if he is already bitten.
My master prepares four or more bath towels, or as many towels as possible, and he wraps around his hands and sometimes wraps me in the towels so that my fangs do not touch his skin when I bite.
However, if I bite him through a gap in the towel, he will be seriously injured.
Measures to take if Shiba Inu feels like biting but you have to touch.
There are times when my master absolutely has to touch me even when I am obviously going to bite him.
For example, when I am not leashed at the dog run and I am in a bad mood with another dog, or when I come back from a walk and my feet are dirty, or when I am asleep but I have to move away…. I find myself in “I’m going to bite you!” mode, and my master was troubled.
My master had to pick me up and touch me even though he knew I was going to bite him, and sure enough, I bit him and he got hurt.
If you have to touch Shiba Inu that you know is going to bite, it is best if you can handle the situation without touching Shiba Inu, or if possible, turn your attention to something else.
Turn Shiba Inu’s attention to other things.
This is not very effective if the Shiba Inu has already started to act up, but if not, you may be able to get his attention by distracting him with treats, making high-pitched “bleep!” with a toy, play a Youtube video of some dog’s squeals at a higher volume, or swing a large stuffed animal around.
Respond by not touching.
If you have time to wait, it is best to wait until my excitement has cooled down.
The reason for my biting is often because I am warning. Unless it is something serious, once I calms down, I often becomes calm and do not resist being touched.
It would be best if you could avoid biting by using a fence, towel, or cushion to move me from the area without touching me.
What to do if you are bitten.
If you are still bitten, leave the area immediately and wash the wound with water.
For shallow cuts, disinfect the wound after washing with water, apply ointment, and stop the bleeding with an adhesive bandage, and it may not be serious.
If the wound is deep or if it is difficult to stop bleeding, it may be necessary to see a dermatologist or surgeon.
Also, there is a risk of tetanus from the bacteria that may enter the bite site, so it is a good idea to get a tetanus shot just in case.
However, if the dog is infected with rabies, it is a big deal, and you need to tell the doctor immediately.
There’s a reason Shiba Inu bites.
I have written many things about biting, but I believe that there is a reason for biting and that we need to find a way to avoid biting.
In my experience, there is nothing good about biting my master, and if I could avoid biting him, I would, but I do bite him when the situation calls for it.
I hope you all understand us Shiba Inus better and help us to avoid biting.
