Cute Shiba Inu Puppies Development and Characteristics

Shiba Inu puppies are born after a gestation period of approximately 58-68 days. They weigh around 7-10 ounces at birth.

Their eyes are closed, and they can't see or hear yet. This is completely normal, as their senses will develop in the coming weeks.

Shiba Inu puppies start to open their eyes around 10-14 days old, and their ears begin to perk up around the same time. They start to walk and stand around 3-4 weeks old.

Their coats are initially soft and fluffy, but they will develop the characteristic double coat of the Shiba Inu breed.

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During the neonatal period, Shiba Inu puppies can't see but are already learning. They spend most of this time bonding with their mother and littermates.

The mother's well-being is crucial, so extra attention should be spent on ensuring she's fed well, unstressed, and comfortable. This is a great time to introduce handling to stimulate learning and get the puppy used to human handling and sound.

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Even small stimuli like handling and noises can influence the puppy's learning and coping mechanisms. Introducing a few squeaky toys can encourage the puppy to engage with various toys.

As the puppy grows, they'll begin to hear and see a little more, starting to open their eyes. They'll also start to urinate and defecate without their mother's help, and take their first wobbly steps.

The neonatal period is a critical time in a Shiba Inu puppy's life, starting immediately after birth and lasting up to 12 days old.

During this time, the puppy can't see yet, but it's already learning and bonding with its mother and littermates.

The mother and pups need a clean, warm, and comfy area at all times, and extra attention should be spent on feeding the mother well, keeping her unstressed, and making sure she's comfortable.

Handling the puppy from an early age is essential to stimulate learning and get the puppy used to human handling and sound.

Even small stimuli like handling and noises can influence the puppy's learning and coping mechanisms.

Introducing squeaky toys to the puppy at this stage can encourage it to engage with various toys and help stimulate its senses.

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At 20 days old, your Shiba Inu puppy is now more independent, able to urinate and defecate without its mother's help.

During this period, it's essential to continue exposing your puppy to various stimuli, such as handling, noises, and other new experiences, to encourage learning and development.

Your puppy's eyes are open now, and they're starting to see the world around them.

As your puppy begins to walk, or rather wobble, make sure to be patient and gentle, as they're still getting used to their new surroundings.

It's crucial to maintain good hygiene when handling your puppy, as they're not yet vaccinated, so ensure anyone handling them has clean, sterile hands and clothes.

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During the juvenile period, which spans from 14 weeks to 6 months, your Shiba Inu puppy will begin to feel more comfortable in its new environment and with its new family.

Your puppy will attempt to assert its independence and may test boundaries, so it's essential to be vigilant about house rules and not let the puppy push limits.

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Proper puppy training is crucial during this time, and hypervigilance or management is necessary to achieve the best outcome.

Your puppy will build confidence and trust with those who provide structure and clear expectations.

Male Shiba Inu puppies will start lifting their legs, so training on acceptable and unacceptable areas is a must.

Your puppy's adult teeth will start coming in, making them quite uncomfortable, so provide ample chew toys and correct any destructive behavior.

Prevention is the best method to handle destructive behavior, and your Shiba Inu puppy should never be left in uncontrolled environments without supervision.

By this time, your puppy should have had all initial vaccinations and started heartworm prevention and flea/tick control.

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Shiba Inu puppies have a critical socialization period between 3-7 weeks, where they learn essential skills from their mother and littermates, such as barking, biting, and proper dog etiquette.

During this time, it's crucial to handle the puppies frequently, introducing new stimuli like noises, objects, and surroundings, and teaching them to be isolated for short periods.

Puppies benefit from their mother's milk even though weaning starts during this period, so be sure to include milk in their diet.

By 8-11 weeks, Shiba Inu puppies become more attuned to their surroundings and can differentiate between good and bad experiences, making it a critical time to introduce them to new situations and correct any fearful behavior.

If you notice your puppy gets frightened by certain things, spend extra time training them to develop a positive association, using low doses of gradual exposure and rewarding them with treats.

Between 3-7 weeks, Shiba Inu puppies undergo a crucial socialization period. Their vision and hearing improve drastically, allowing them to learn and absorb a lot of information.

During this time, puppies learn valuable skills from their mother and littermates, including barking, biting, and proper dog etiquette. They also learn to differentiate between good and bad experiences.

The puppy's learning activity accelerates rapidly, and they should not be separated from their mother and littermates. Puppies still benefit from their mother's milk, even as weaning starts during this period.

Handling the puppy gently and frequently is essential, including their mouth, teeth, gums, fur, paws, and ears. Introducing new stimuli, such as different noises, objects, and surroundings, also helps with socialization.

It's a good idea to start teaching the puppy to be isolated for short periods, making future separations easier. Planning the puppy's first veterinary visit and vaccinations is also crucial during this time.

To make the vet visit a positive experience, bring treats, toys, and warm blankets to keep the puppy comfortable and happy.

Socialization is a critical period in a Shiba Inu puppy's life, and it starts as early as 3-7 weeks old. During this time, the puppy learns barking, biting, and proper dog etiquette from its mother and littermates.

The puppy's vision and hearing improve drastically, and they start to understand the difference between good and bad experiences. This is a great time to handle the puppy gently and introduce new stimuli, such as different noises, objects, and surroundings.

At around 8-11 weeks old, the puppy reaches the fear impact period, where they can easily develop fearful behavior if not properly introduced to new situations. It's essential to monitor the puppy and not let them accidentally get exposed to fearful situations without your presence.

Shiba Inu puppies form strong bonds with their families, and they can be incredibly affectionate and loving towards those they trust. However, they can also be protective and standoffish around other people, highlighting their loyalty to their family.

Proper socialization is crucial to prevent rebellious behavior during the adolescent period, which can be similar to a teenager's difficult time. With successful socialization and training, this period should be relatively smooth, but if the puppy hasn't been properly socialized, it can be dreadful.

As a responsible dog owner, it's essential to continue working with your dog and reinforcing training during the adolescent period. This is also a good time to discuss spaying and neutering with your veterinarian.

Shiba Inu puppies are a delight to behold, and their physical and personality traits are just as charming.

Their small size, typically weighing between 15-25 pounds, makes them the perfect companion for city dwellers or families with smaller living spaces.

Shiba Inus are known for their fox-like appearance, with a curved tail and triangular ears that give them a unique and adorable look.

Their short, straight coats require minimal grooming, which is a plus for busy owners.

These little dogs are also known for their independent nature, which can sometimes make them seem stubborn or aloof.

Shiba Inus are remarkably clean dogs, often described as having cat-like grooming habits. They spend a lot of time licking their paws and fur to keep themselves clean.

Their attention to cleanliness makes them relatively low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, compared to other dog breeds. This is a big plus for owners who don't want to spend hours brushing their dog's fur.

Shiba Inus are meticulous about their hygiene, avoiding puddles and muddy areas during walks to stay clean. Their water-resistant coat also helps them stay clean even after outdoor adventures.

However, during seasonal changes, Shiba Inus shed heavily, a period known as "blowing coat." Daily brushing is necessary during this time to manage the shedding.

Shedding is a significant aspect of Shiba Inu grooming, with these dogs shedding a lot, especially during their twice-yearly shedding seasons.

Their coats are quite thick, and regular brushing is essential to prevent matting and tangling.

If you're not prepared to deal with dog hair, you might be disappointed with the Shiba Inu's shedding habits.

Long hair Shiba Inus require even more frequent brushing to manage their coats.

They have a distinctive scream. Shiba Inus are known for their unique "Shiba scream", a high-pitched, almost human-like sound they use to express excitement, frustration, or stress.

This vocalization can be triggered by things like bath time or getting their nails trimmed, turning your Shiba Inu into a doggy diva. New owners might be surprised by this sound, but it's a charming quirk that makes Shiba Inus stand out.

Shiba Inu puppies are small but fierce, often nipping people with their mouth and grabbing onto things with it.

Bite inhibition training is helpful in teaching them to control the force of their bites.

It's also important to teach them that biting on people is not acceptable, even in play.