Helping you find harmony with your best four-legged friend
Maria G. Huntoon Canine Consulting Services
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Nutrition Consulting
  • Contact
    • New Client Questionnaire
    • Dog Selection Consult Questionnaire
  • Testimonials
  • Training Library
  • Lady'sBestFriendBlog
  • Supply Shop
  • Essential Oils
    • RELAX Essential Oil - Dropper
    • RELAX Essential Oil - Rollerball
    • CONVICTION Essential Oil - Dropper
  • The Sheba Chronicles
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Nutrition Consulting
  • Contact
    • New Client Questionnaire
    • Dog Selection Consult Questionnaire
  • Testimonials
  • Training Library
  • Lady'sBestFriendBlog
  • Supply Shop
  • Essential Oils
    • RELAX Essential Oil - Dropper
    • RELAX Essential Oil - Rollerball
    • CONVICTION Essential Oil - Dropper
  • The Sheba Chronicles
Picture
​Welcome to The Sheba Chronicles, your guide for how to raise a happy, confident, well-mannered puppy right from the start! 
Check back often for new posts and videos so you don't miss the good bits, the messy bits, and everything in between that comes with raising a puppy.  Also be sure to like and follow Sheba on Facebook and Instagram.
Warning: cuteness overload ahead!

How Early Should You Start Socializing Your Pup to the Outside World?

12/28/2022

0 Comments

 
Many people know that it's important for their young pups to be exposed to new people, other dogs, novel objects, new environments, and various sights and sounds to build their confidence and become a well-rounded pup that doesn't show fear, anxiety or reactivity/aggression.  Yet we also know we must protect our young puppies from coming into contact with any harmful pathogens that could cause serious illness, which is why many vets will advise to avoid taking your pup anywhere there may be other dogs until after they are fully immunized. 

But did you know that the first 16-20 weeks of a puppy's life and the experiences s/he has during this time can be critical in determining the pup's future confidence?  This is why it's SO important to still give your pup exposure to the outside world - we do not want to miss this very important window of opportunity, we just want to  be sure to do it in a way that is still physically (and emotionally) safe for your pup at the same time.
With some breeds of pups in particular (such as many herding breeds, terriers and hunting breeds), early socialization and exposure is paramount to getting ahead of problem behaviors such as anxiety and aggression later on in life.  Since I know this is so important for Shiba Inus - who tend to be sassy and strong-minded but not exactly confident or comfortable with novelties - I want to start right away with giving my Sheba girl exposure to various sights, sounds, new people, other dogs, different environments, etc and not wait until she is fully vaccinated to do so (since that is still at least 6 weeks away).

So what is a good way to "meet in the middle" and keep her safe but ensure she still gets out and about?  Taking her out in a carriage like the Queen that she is!  

Step one:  make sure Sheba sees the carriage (which we have named the "Scoutmobile" after our late corgi, since we bought it for him when he got sick and couldn't do as much physical exercise anymore) as a good place and not something to be scared or stressed by.  How do you do that?  Watch the video below!
0 Comments

Putting the "Pee" in Potty Time - Tips for a Young Puppy's Success

12/21/2022

2 Comments

 
Picture
One of the most harrowing woes of a parent of a new puppy is tackling housetraining - teaching the pup to potty outside instead of on your hardwood floors, Turkish rug or bed.  Nobody likes finding (or worse, stepping in!) a soggy puddle of puppy pee.  And we've all heard horror stories of pups who painted the walls of their crate or a laundry room with their own poo! 

Some breeds, such as Yorkies and Dachshunds, are known for being notoriously difficult to housetrain.  And some breeds are known for learning more quickly because they are fastidiously clean and do not like to be dirty.  Shiba Inus are supposed to be this way but read on to learn about Sheba's potty training experience!   

Regardless of your puppy's breed, sex or age, you can make the concept of potty training easier for any puppy to grasp by providing clear parameters and working in small slices to build your way up to your final goal.  The more clear and consistent we are in having good training opportunities, the faster your pup will become housetrained!  These are the "rules of potty training" that I share with my clients and that I am practicing with Sheba...
​


Read More
2 Comments

Setting Up a Puppy-Proof Safe Space

12/20/2022

1 Comment

 
Puppies tend to be curious, inquisitive, and can unknowingly get themselves into trouble - these are some of the traits that are so cute about puppies and fun to watch, yet nerve wracking at the same time!  Bringing a new puppy home is also a transition for the puppy as well as for you, and the first few days can be stressful as your pup learns how to navigate her new world and build trust and security.  This is why it's imperative to set up a "puppy proof" space in your home that you can trust your puppy to be alone in without getting herself in harm's way, and at the same time help her feel secure to build her confidence to be left alone (so you can still have the much-needed breaks, go to work, etc).
Here's a brief video explaining how I have set up Sheba's pen and things I will continue to add to provide a safe and enriching environment for her to spend her time when she is not under my direct supervision.  You will also see her being introduced to her new pen for the very first time...

I specifically selected a playpen with only vertical bars (not horizontal) so Sheba could not climb her way out, since Shiba Inus are known for being quite agile, and one that was made of steel as opposed to plastic or wood (which is more easily chewed by a puppy).  I also wanted one with a full door that we/she could walk through easily, that latched securely so she could not accidentally push it open, that could stay open if I wanted to give her free reign of the room and that would close automatically behind us if I didn't want it propped open.  The pen I chose is the Frisco Steel 8-Panel Configurable Dog Gate and Playpen, available on Chewy.  I am pleased with how well it is made and how easy it was for me to put it together by myself (no second person required).  I also like that I can change the configuration anytime I want from a stand-alone pen of various shapes, to a gate across a wide open space in the house, to a pen I can secure against a wall in a corner space as needed.  I don't know how often I will use those other features at this time but they are nice to have as options!


​I have included some items in or nearby her pen to provide mental stimulation - including various types of toys and things for Sheba to engage with or check out on her own - and some items for a feeling of security...
  • A balance pad with surface grooves for her to step on
  • A faux-fur blanket that is soft and large enough for her to curl up in but does not have fill for her to pull out
  • A stainless steel water bowl - only enough water at a time to keep her hydrated but not more than she needs to take in at once (to avoid excessive potty accidents)
  • A large stuffed sloth - not for her to play with but as a novel object she can look at from afar or explore under my supervision
  • A curio cabinet with a mirror backing where she can see her reflection
  • A window with a bird feeder so she can watch birds as they come to eat
  • Lamps for soft light (cords tucked away where she can't access them!) - this provides a more relaxing atmosphere than harsh/direct ceiling lights
  • A music player for some background noise.  Can be a sound machine with river/rain flowing/etc or soft/classical music - right now she is enjoying Josh Groban's Noel Christmas album :-)
  • ​A "cuddle pup" calming stuffed toy - Sheba doesn't care for the heartbeat setting so we leave that off, but she likes feeling she has a "buddy" in her area with her
  • ​Some toys she can safely entertain herself with when not under supervision include: a Benebone puppy stick, a puppy KONG (softer than KONG Classic) - often with some of her food inside, a Moo Tug toy (made of an upcycled cow milker liner - durable rubber - and rope), a Bark Rudolph & Clarice toy set (these are Sheba's favorite so far - thanks to Auntie Nicole! - and are standing up very well to her exuberant chewing and tossing, haha), a braided fleece lanyard tug and a Nylabone dinosaur bone (this was from way back when Scout was a puppy - the dinosaur actually had his head and part of his tail chewed off back then but Sheba doesn't care!).  We have several more toys/chews that we keep for interactive time only to make sure she doesn't chew pieces off when we are not watching her.
I have also "puppy-proofed" the rest of my office, which is the room where the pen is set up, so that Sheba can be free in my office as well if I am in there working or doing a few things around the house.  After all, these are good training opportunities!  More to come on that later ;-).  The floor is tile, which makes for an easy clean-up if she were to have an accident, but I have also included a washable pee pad on the floor of her pen.  I have tucked away any electrical cords where she cannot reach them, have removed any fragile items from anywhere within reach for her, and have made sure there are no areas she can get "stuck" without having enough space to turn around or get out.  Lastly, I keep the door to the adjoining bathroom closed so she cannot help herself to the trash or toilet paper when I am not around and I have a gate in my office doorway so she cannot escape into the hall.

The more Sheba has settled in, the more I have already been able to trust her free in my office without incident while I have taken a shower or gone out to run errands, etc.  Way to go, Sheba!!
1 Comment

COMING 12/15/22 - Our New Puppy!!!

12/8/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Sheba at 7 weeks old, developing more Shiba characteristics and almost ready to come home to us!
Welcome to The Sheba Chronicles!  We are so excited to announce that in less than a week now we will be bringing home our new little bundle of joy, an 8-week-old Shiba Inu puppy girl!!  We have decided to name her Sheba - a play on spelling her canine heritage as a Shiba Inu (a Japanese spitz breed meaning "brushwood dog") but also a name fit for a Queen - since Shibas are known for being strong, independent-minded and sassy! :)  
Picture
Sheba at 5 weeks old - starting to look more like a dog :)
Picture
Sheba at 4 weeks old - looking like a poof with ears (or a teddy bear)!
How did we decide a Shiba Inu would be best for us?  Many of you may know that we lost our beloved Corgi, Scout, in May 2022.   Scout was my best buddy for 12.5 years - not only a best friend and companion, but also a wonderful "co-worker" of sorts, since he often was the subject of many demonstrations and photos for my articles and would meet with me with clients whose dogs needed to learn how to have a positive interaction with other dogs.  Scout was a great "teaching dog", who gave all the right signals to other dogs to indicate boundaries and respect, and he loved getting out and about with me to show the world what a well-behaved dog can look like.  Our vet used to refer to him as "the most gentlemanly Corgi" he's ever met, haha!  Scout really was the best and is missed SO much!!  ​
Picture
Our beloved corgi boy, Scout
​If you have known many Corgis in your life, you may know that Corgis can tend to be bossy (given that they're an active herding breed), independent-minded (they will give you a "run for your money" and are not great for first-time dog owners, despite their cute looks and fluffy butts!), and they act like big dogs in smaller dog bodies.  This "larger than life" personality is what attracted me to Corgis so many years ago and it is the same thing that attracts me to Shiba Inus.

Shibas are one of the oldest and most popular breeds in their native Japan, but have been lesser known in the U.S. until more recent years and especially gained popularity when they became the face of Dogecoin cryptocurrency.  Their pointy ears and big smiles may make them appear adorable and innocent (like Corgis), but don't let those cute looks fool you into thinking they are just cuddle bunnies - Shibas are bold, proud, and active!  Similar in some ways to a Corgi's tendencies as a herding breed, Shibas are hunting dogs meant to flush birds and small game - so they are smart and like having a job to do.  Without the proper outlets to provide mental and physical stimulation, they can tend to get themselves into trouble and are even notorious for not coming when called if they get loose to venture on a walkabout!  So I am looking forward to meeting these challenges with our Sheba girl (including many walks and hikes again) and chronicling her experiences for others to see and learn from!
Picture
An adult Shiba Inu - one day, Sheba will look similar to this!
Often times when I was in college and missing my dog at home, I would spend free time at the local mall where they had a pet shop.  I always felt bad for the pups in there (living in a small cage and likely having been raised in a puppy mill), so whenever it was pretty quiet at the mall the staff would let me come in and take a puppy out to play for a bit in one of their "adoption rooms."  I always chose the Corgi or Shiba Inu when there was one!  And I always knew that one day I would have these breeds as my companions because I felt we were so similar and I loved their independent and fiesty natures.  I couldn't have asked for a better match in my Corgi, Scout, when I brought him home almost 13 years ago, and now I can't wait to share my life with our Shiba, Sheba!
Stay tuned for many posts to come - and be sure to like, follow and share our page, The Sheba Chronicles, on Facebook and Instagram so you don't miss out!   Up next: some of my favorite puppy items we have gotten for Sheba and how to set up a puppy playpen in preparation for Sheba's arrival home! :)
0 Comments

    Author

    Maria Huntoon, CBCC-KA
    As a certified canine behavior consultant, I am passionate about helping people set their pups up to have good behavior right from the start.  Here's how you can do that too, with any age and any breed!

    Archives

    July 2024
    July 2023
    December 2022

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Helping You Find Harmony With Your Best Four-Legged Friend!


Picture
Picture
Picture

Telephone

845-549-0896

Email

[email protected]
Like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Picture
Petworks Approved
Insured and Bonded via Business Insurers of the Carolinas
Picture
Picture