Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Everyone:

I put up a post a couple of weeks ago asking for advice because Kazuki started getting bald spots everywhere on his body. Just wanted to give everyone an update that Kazuki is doing much better now. We switched him to a no grain diet (Innova-Evo) and the change has been remarkable. Fur has grown back and all his bald spots are gone - yeah! He's back to his old self again. The vet never figured out what was wrong but I guess it doesn't matter now.

On a side note, do shibas become more obedient the older they get? Kazuki certainly has. Last Friday we took him to the beach and for the first time ever let him off leash. He walked right beside us and never strayed far. When it was time to leave we called him and he came right over! We haven't done anything different in terms of discipline or training and it's amazing how obedient he is now compared to a year ago. It's almost as if he's all grown up and an adult now! Makes me nostalgic that just only 3 years ago he was a 5 lb fur ball!

Danielle

Congrats on the recovery that Kazuki has made. Changing the food turned out to be good thing as it seems his condition was food allergy related. Sometimes it takes a long time to try and guess which direction to go.

Shibas as they get older won't tend to be any more obiedient but they will get a little more mellower. They won't be seeking to get into mischief but then again... something catches their attention and they are off and running!
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

I agree with Bob when he said,"If something catches their attention, they are off and running!"....My Beni is usually a big couch potato - when we are on our morning walk he actually has his "special spot" where he will plop down and refuse to move until he gets his alotted belly rubs. I have had people pull over in their cars and ask me if everything was o.k - I always assure them that my Beni is a typical man - he loves to lay around and have a good belly rub. I was reminded today how the "Couch Potato" could turn into a "Wild Shiba Puppy" again - all it took was a neighborhood dog that,
for some odd reason, got to him...he was in "Running Man" mode....Thank god Beni and Kari are always on leash because, even though he almost pulled my arm off, we were all ok. Thankfully, we all stayed together and had a great all out run for about 150 ft. Beni is a mature 8, Kari is a spunky 7, but both are puppies at times, and always puppies at heart!

Patty

It does seem (to me at least) that age 3 seems to be kind of a turning point in Shiba behavior. This was certainly the case with Murphy. It seemed to kind of happen all at once, and continued to get better. I've heard this from some others, as well. He will be 3 1/2 in November and has pretty much no issues,other than fireworks and thunderstorms, anymore. However, good as he is, I would not feel safe letting him off leash, in any situation at all. I've heard too many scary stories!

Well, it just took me time to understand just what you and Dad wanted!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

That's good news that Kazuki is doing so much better! I found that three was a "magic" age, too. Artemis calmed down a lot then. I still wouldn't trust her off-lead, but they do grow up.

Beni rescued me when he was about 4 (according to the vet ) - Kari just turned 3- she came from a loving family.
I love them with all my heart... my only wish is that I could have experienced their
puppyhood with them - I envy all the mellow/wild - sane/crazy experiences you were able be a part of ....

Patty

Rescue is an amazing gift--to both dogs and people. Puppies certainly are fun--and a lot of work! It's amazing to see our dogs grow and develop and learn.