A peaceful walk downtown with your Shiba Inu is an enjoyable pastime that you both would definitely love. Running errands and eating out together are excellent ways to build a bond with your pets.
That is if they know how to behave in public.
The outside world is an exciting environment for your Shiba Inu and an excited dog — all jumpy and distracted — is not exactly a fun experience. Remember, your dog’s unruly behavior is your responsibility. If your Shiba Inu happened to jump at a person and injure them, there’s a high chance you will be held liable for their medical expenses.
But, if you have a well-behaved dog that knows how to remain calm even in the most stimulating situation, going out in public will be a pleasurable adventure for you and your Shiba Inu.
How to Train your Shiba Inu to Behave in Public
A well-behaved dog didn’t happen overnight. To restrain itself from going berserk at new sights and new smells, it underwent consistent obedience training.
And your Shiba Inu can do this too! With time, patience, and positive reinforcement, a walk out to town can be a piece of cake for you and your dog.
Teach basic obedience
When your Shiba Inu has fully mastered basic obedience commands, then he is fifty percent ready to go out in public.
Obedience commands like sit, stay, and leave, allow your dog to understand how they should behave outside. They are helpful in different situations like exploring new places or meeting new people.
When you consistently train them, they are bound to get less distracted and more attentive to you and your commands.
Introduce your Shiba Inu to new experiences
When you’ve socialized your Shiba Inu as a puppy to be comfortable around new and unfamiliar objects, bringing him outside in public or stores will be easier.
The mall, for example, is full of strange objects your dog will be interested in, such as carts with wheels. But with training, you’ll find that your Shiba Inu can be the calmest dog even in the presence of wheels.
First, introduce the object from afar. Train your dog to remain calm with positive reinforcement and gradually get the object closer. You can also use different items that you know your dog might get distracted in, such as strollers or skateboards.
Choose appropriate equipment
There are a lot of collars and harnesses available in the market and each has its pros and cons. So you have to choose one that is safe, comfortable and lets you control your dog.
For smaller dogs that have delicate necks, a body harness is often the best choice. But if you must choose a leash, make sure it is sturdy and comfortable for you to hold.
Burn off excess energy
Excess energy can lead to overstimulation and anxiety, and this is not a good combination if you are planning to bring your Shiba Inu somewhere exciting.
So before heading out to town, make sure to burn off some of your Shiba’s extra energy. Take a brisk walk or jog, play extensive games like fetch, and get them physically active and hydrated.
Offer better rewards
The new public environment can bring either fright or excitement to your dog. They’ll be tempted to jump and bark at people, or cower and fear them.
One way you can overcome this kind of situation is to offer better rewards for good behavior.
If your Shiba Inu is motivated by food, bring their favorite treats with you. Once they are displaying good behavior, give them treats so they know they are doing a good job.
Same with play-motivated and praise-motivated dogs. Bring their favorite toy and frequently praise them for being well-behaved.
Be attentive
Your dog is your responsibility. And even though this mainly refers to you being liable if your dog reacts badly in public, it also means you should be attentive to what your dog is feeling.
Keep an eye on your Shiba Inu and observe their body language. If they are showing signs of distress, move them to a calmer area and offer rewards.
Not every dog is a happy dog just because they are off to adventures with their parents. Some are just scared and anxious about the new sights and smells, but this is nothing training can’t fix!
