Phew, this website is a labor of love and largely a one-woman show so unless indicated, all articles written by <\/em>J.Tsukamoto<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Shiba Inus are known for their theatrics when exposing them to grooming rituals such as nail trimming and bath time. <\/span><\/p>\n Shiba Inus that have not been socialized to normal dog grooming tasks may scream, cry, and do everything possible to make it basically impossible to get the grooming task done.<\/span><\/p>\n To completely avoid this from happening in the first place you must socialized young Shiba Inu puppies to these experiences early and consistently.<\/span><\/p>\n However if your Shiba is already an adult that is not receptive to nail trimming, we’ll show you methods on how to trim your Shiba’ nails peacefully – and without losing a limb or appendage.<\/span><\/p>\n 1<\/strong><\/p>\n Start SLOWLY – baby steps – think marathon vs. 5k <\/strong><\/p>\n 2<\/strong><\/p>\n Safety first – take appropriate measures to protect both you and doge<\/strong><\/p>\n 3<\/strong><\/p>\n Learn proper positioning and use equipment if necessary – IT HELPS!<\/strong><\/p>\n 4<\/strong><\/p>\n Your attitude is EVERYTHING! If you are freaking out, your dog is too and more so…<\/strong><\/p>\n 5<\/strong><\/p>\n Some dogs may not come around no matter what – it’s not your fault. Just be sure to seek professional help<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shiba Inus are a basal, or primitive breed of dog that have more wild characteristics than more domesticated breeds such as retrievers and labs.<\/p>\n Because of this, trust and respect from your Shiba Inu needs to be earned. <\/p>\n And the earlier, the better.<\/em><\/p>\n If there is one thing. One thing, that Shiba Inu owners could do to eliminate 90% of behavioral issues with their Shibas – it would be early puppy socialization.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n By socializing your Shiba pup to other people, other dogs, and scary sights and noises you\u2019ll significantly reduce common behavioral and emotional issues later on in your dog\u2019s life.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, not enough Shiba Inu owners spend the necessary time to socialize their puppy correctly. <\/p>\n Of course, this is easy to understand as caring for a new puppy is an already daunting deal.<\/p>\n But if you\u2019re reading this and your Shiba is still a puppy, don\u2019t waste another moment and start socializing.<\/p>\n Now<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n [Read more about Shiba Inu puppy development<\/a> <\/strong>here]<\/p>\n Sometimes, Shiba Inus are rescued or adopted as adults where the <\/span>socialization window has long passed.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n So whatever learned or not learned habits are already packaged in with the Shiba.<\/p>\n And it\u2019s going to take some bit of unwrapping to get to the good parts.<\/p>\n On top of this \u201cprimitive\u201d nature, most Shiba owners are familiar with the \u201cprima\u201d Donna attitude – or as some say, Shibattitude<\/em><\/p>\n This attitude usually manifests in shrieks, screams, and howls<\/strong><\/em><\/a> for the slightest hint of discontentment. <\/p>\n For the uninitiated, these sudden screams can startle you to the core.<\/p>\n But pair this high pitched screaming with nail cutting and you got issues.<\/p>\n Fortunately, with Shibas – it\u2019s usually all bark and no bite.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Somewhat like wolves, vocal communication is still strong in Shibas.<\/p>\n However, even though you know that your Shiba is likely just having a screaming fit, many<\/p>\n groomers will be too unnerved by the screaming and may not want you and your loud Shiba back<\/p>\n at their salon. <\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry too much though. You don\u2019t want a groomer that can\u2019t handle difficult dogs anyway.<\/strong><\/p>\n With some persistence, you will find an experienced groomer that will be able to handle your Shiba drama queen or king.<\/p>\n And if even that fails – you\u2019ll just have to take it to a veterinarian that has the right attitude and staff to get the job done.<\/p>\n Remember though – as much as possible, it’s much better in the long run if you can trim your Shiba’s nails yourself. Read why here<\/strong><\/em>. <\/a><\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> Don\u2019t ever have your dog fully sedated simply for a nail trim. If that\u2019s what your vet recommends – I’d consider looking for another vet.<\/p>\n For even the most difficult of cases, two or three trained vet techs, and a muzzle \/ head cone will be more than enough to get the ordeal over with in the least stressful way possible.<\/p>\n If your current veterinary staff can\u2019t handle this, it\u2019d be best to find one that can.<\/p>\n An example of a calm Shiba = “GOALS”<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Overgrown dog nails not only looks unsightly but it\u2019s also bad for your dog\u2019s health.<\/span><\/p>\n You don\u2019t want to be \u201cthat\u201d dog owner – <\/span><\/span>it\u2019s not a good look.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Long nails are at greater risk for breaking, cracking, and getting stuck to things. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Cracked and broken nails are painful for dogs and make the task of getting your Shiba to trust you with her nails that much harder.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, long nails affects your dog\u2019s ability to walk and run correctly – eventually leading to bigger problems down the road like <\/span><\/span>arthritis and gait issues.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The longer you let your dog\u2019s nails grow, the harder it gets to keep it under control. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Dog nails are not like grass where you can just let it grow and give it a good hacking later when it gets unruly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s because as the dog\u2019s nails get longer – <\/span><\/span>so does the \u2018quick\u2019<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span> – that sensitive area which will bleed and cause pain to your dog if cut.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n By regularly trimming your dog\u2019s nails, the quick will recede and you can eventually be able to cut the<\/span> nails shorter and shorter before hitting the quick.<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Comprehensive Video on Acclimating Your Dog To Nail Trimming:<\/strong><\/p>\n Shiba Inu Nail Care – Tip #1 – Baby Steps, Baby Steps, Baby Steps<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While some Shibas (especially those trained from puppy hood) learn to accept nail care quickly – the majority will take much longer.<\/p>\n A lot longer.<\/em><\/p>\n If you start too fast, you\u2019ll inevitably risk traumatizing your Shiba to the point where future nail grooming will be close impossible<\/p>\n Think of it as an ultramarathon or 100 miler versus a quick one mile jaunt around the park.<\/p>\n Training starts slow<\/em> – like simply handling paws everyday with positive associations.<\/p>\n Then progress to putting your Shiba in a safe nail clipping position and handling paws.<\/p>\n Next, try quick file or clip to see how much you can get away with.<\/p>\n Alternatively, if your Shiba is not bothered by noise too much, you can instead start with a Dremel like grinder \/ sander. <\/p>\n Shiba Inu Nail Care – Tip #2 – Your Mindset and Attitude<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dogs are highly perceptive and will pick up on how you\u2019re feeling in a snap.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re stressed – your dog is stressed.<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re fearful – your dog is stressed.<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not confident – your dog is stressed.<\/em><\/p>\n If all of these apply to you, then it might be more critical to work on these weaknesses before even attem<\/span>pting to trim your dog\u2019s nails.<\/p>\n In the meantime, you can leave nail trimming duties to a qualified and trusted person until you are ready to properly work with your Shiba.<\/p>\n Why?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not confident, fearful, and stressed, you\u2019ll only make future nail trimming sessions harder and more unpleasant for your Shiba.<\/p>\n Shiba Inu Nail Care – Tip #3 – Safety Is ALWAYS FIRST<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Getting bitten in the face is not pleasant. (Happened ages ago when I had zero dog skills)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Trust me. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It usually involves a lot of pain, tears, stitches and a Tetanus shot.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The reality is even the most well-trained dogs bite –<\/span><\/span> especially when stressed \/ fearful.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve raised your Shiba from as a puppy – you\u2019ll at least have a better understanding of your dog\u2019s mood and likely reactions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n But if you adopted or rescued an adult Shiba, you probably won\u2019t be able to predict how the dog will react to different situations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This is where safety measures make a big difference.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The absolute best safety tool is something that can\u2019t be bought. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It must be learned and<\/span><\/em><\/strong> \u2018earned\u2019<\/strong>. <\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As your dog\u2019s caretaker, you must <\/span><\/span>be<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/span>able to understand your dog\u2019s moods, fears, and temperament. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n And as your dog\u2019s \u2018teacher\u2019, you must put in the time for training and obedience. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In a nutshell, you need to have: <\/span><\/span>Training, Obedience, and Trust (T.O.T) .<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Basically, if you can\u2019t even get your Shiba to obey basic obedience commands, how<\/em><\/strong> do you expect her to give you her nails willingly?<\/span><\/p>\n Shiba Inu Nail Care – Tip #4 – Don’t Give In – Grooming in non-negotiable<\/strong><\/p>\n Shiba Inus are known for being loud.<\/span><\/p>\n Dramatic.<\/p>\n Even terrifying.<\/p>\n For this reason alone, many Shiba owners feel that grooming an unwilling and loud Shiba is IMPOSSIBLE.<\/p>\n It’s not.<\/p>\n Shiba Inus are smart and use these high dramatics for a reason – it works. The high-pitched screaming and squealing sounds like they’re being tortured – so they know their terrified owners will stop.<\/p>\n Don’t fall for it. <\/p>\n You need to stay calm, collected, and steadfast.<\/p>\n As long as you feel that the Shiba is not a bite risk and simply being dramatic – keep going on with the conditioning and training.<\/p>\n Don’t push it though. Learn when to stop and always end on a positive not. <\/p>\n Watch this video of a loud Shiba Inu being conditioned to accept wearing a muzzle:<\/p>\n Helpful Safety Tools For Shiba Inu Nail Care:<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"shiba](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shiba_cartoon_nails_300_alternate.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\nShiba Inu Nail Maintenance- Golden Rules<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shiba_painted_nails-copy.jpg\" "\\"shiba_painted_nails")
<\/span><\/p>\nNail Trimming Primitive Dogs Like Shibas…<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/span><\/p>\nWhy is Nail Trimming So Important?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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