Interview with Nicole B.

Nicole adopted Jiro, her first shiba, in August of 2007. She must have really loved shibas, because not a year later, she adopted Yuki-san. She volunteers with the Shiba Inu Rescue of Texas (SIRTx), helped get the organization 501(3)c (non-profit) status, and currently sits on the board of directors. She's helped over 30 shibas since 2008. Way to go!

I'm very glad to have had the opportunity to interview Nicole.

1. How did you first become interested in shibas?
   
   When I was a kid I was in love with Huskies, I always wanted one but we would end up with mutts (I use that term lovingly, I know sometimes it has a bad rap). They were great dogs but my longing for a Husky never abated. So when I was finally able to have a dog of my own, I was in my last year of college and no longer living with roomates, I knew it was the perfect time. But I also knew I wouldn't be able to have a Husky still. I knew they didn't do well in apartments and while I had time to devote, I didn't think I had enough time to properly exercise a Husky knowing what high energy dogs they were. I knew I wanted a spitz type dog. So I starting looking around not knowing what would be a good fit. That's when my husband (then boyfriend) suggested Shiba Inu because of friend of his (Erin) had 3 of them. The more and more I read and researched the more I realized they were perfect for me. Pretty much everything I was looking for in a dog (smart, loyal but not overly clingy, clean, a spitz, primitive). Then one day we ran into Erin out with Kitsune, and I was sold. Turns out she was looking to rehome Jiro because he and Kitsune weren't the best of buddies. She found Jiro in the local Animal Shelter by accident when she was there with her boyfriend looking for a dog for him. It was his (Jiro’s) last day, despite wearing a collar with tags; the owner wouldn't come for him. Since she knew about shiba, she paid for him with the intent of finding him a good home. A year later she still had him; when I expressed interest in shiba she asked if I wanted Jiro and the rest, as they say, is history.
   
   
2. Why do you love this breed?
   
   Oh man, where to start with this one? Like I mentioned previously I've always been drawn to primitive, spitz breeds. I love that they are small enough to pick up should you need to or want to (torture them) but big enough that they can handle anything mother nature wants to throw at them (or think they are big enough to handle it). I love that they can think for themselves but still yearn to please you in small ways. And I'm not going to lie I love the look of the breed, puppies/adults/seniors, they are all adorable. They have to be, they are so much of a brat that their cuteness is their only saving grace.
   
   
3. Why should someone looking for a shiba consider a rescue?
   
   
   This is going to sound weird coming from me, who is so heavily involved in rescue, I don't think you should consider a rescue unless you are certain that's what you want. Let me explain: Puppies from a great breeder, with known linage and testing, are a wonderful thing. You know what you are getting, or at least you have an idea of what you are getting. I would love to have a puppy from a great breeder someday, but I know that time is not now. I know I cannot handle a puppy or puppy training. I once fostered a puppy and was so happy when she was adopted. Potty training is a nightmare when your trainee can only hold it for a couple of hours. I fully support breeders who do things right and the people who buy from them.
   
   On the flip side, should you want rescue think about all the pros and cons. The cons are you will get a dog will an unknown history and lineage; you have no idea what you'll be getting, and it's a crap shoot at best. I love my boys and wouldn't trade them for anything, but it would've been nice to know that Jiro's linage has issues with allergies and Yuki-san's had LP (luxating patella) so I could've been financially prepared. It's a risk going with a rescue, but it does pay off. Jiro and Yuki-san are amazing dogs and are so well bonded with me.
   
   

   I've heard many a people say a dog won't bond with you unless you get it from a puppy. Hogwash, I say! Jiro is my heart dog, that one in a million that comes along and knows you better than you know yourself.

   
   
   Another pro about rescuing is that you can see the dog's personality before opting to take it home. Whereas with a puppy you can meet the parents, but there's no guarantee it will be exactly like either parent or even a good mix of the two.
   
   
   There are numerous reasons to rescue a dog, most importantly is that there are so many animals in shelters and there shouldn’t be. I think when it comes to adding a member to your pack, whether it is your first or tenth, you should really think about what you want and why you want it. No one can tell you one way or the other is better. All I will say is please don't support unscrupulous breeders (back yard breeding or puppy mills). Personally, I think rescue work should involve more education than cleaning up after these people, but the sad truth is we sort of have to. Education goes a lot further than pulling dogs and placing them in good homes. It’s equivalent of the old saying “Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime”. Truth be told I will be happy when rescue organizations are no longer needed. Of course world peace will be abound and pigs will fly when all this happens (yes, I am being sarcastic with that last sentence).
   
   
   
4. What would you tell someone who might be interested in helping out with a shiba rescue, but doesn’t know where to start?
   
   
   Best place to start is to contact whatever organization you want to help with and find out what they need. Also know your limitations. Do not let anyone talk you into things you are uncomfortable with. I give this warning because I've heard too many horror stories as of late. It's sad because some of us are trying to do good and nearly everyone has good intentions but I think some people have lost sight of that goal.
   
   
   I know my rescue will gladly welcome anyone and everyone who wants to volunteer. Foster homes are what we are always in need of, but I know not everyone can foster. We could use people who can transport or pull dogs from shelters, many of our volunteers have M-F/8-5 jobs—unfortunately, that's when shelters are open too. If you are good with legalese, figuring out 501(c)3 applications would be a big help to a rescue looking to get not-for-profit status. Also, if you can help file taxes after obtaining not-for-profit status. If you think you can help fundraise or brainstorm ideas for fundraisers, please do! Can you help at local pet expos? Talk to people? Educate about how and where to buy/adopt a dog? Educate about how to be a responsible owner? What I'm trying to say is volunteering with a rescue isn't just about fostering. The possibilities are endless. Chances are you have a skill that we/they can use.
   
   
   
5. Tell me more about the CGC.
   
   
   CGC is the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program. It is a way of proving that you are a responsible owner and you have taken time to train your dog. Many of the tests are things everyone strides for in teaching basic obedience. There are 10 small tests:
   
      1) Accepting a friendly stranger.
      2) Sitting politely for petting.
      3) Appearance and grooming.
      4) Walking on a loose lead.
      5) Walking through a crowd.
      6) Sit and down on command and staying in place.
      7) Coming when called.
      8) Reaction to another dog.
      9) Reaction to distraction.
      10) Supervised separation.
   
   They are easy enough and it's useful because it is a building block for many other titles such as obedience titles or therapy work. While Jiro had no problem with 9 out of the 10 tests, #8 - reaction to another dog, gave us some problems. Jiro has leash aggression. He is fairly reactive when he even sees another dog (barking, stiff posture, snapping at the air or at Yuki-san). What we had to do for us to pass this was to approach another handler and their dog from a distance of 20 feet, shake hands, exchange pleasantries and then continue on our way. Like I said, Jiro would have not been able to do that when I started the training. I went through private lessons with Jiro because the class I signed up for never had enough people to become a class. We trained at the local dog park, starting 100 feet from the fence and teaching him the command "Watch me." Every time he looked at me, I would treat him until he would hold my gaze while we walked. We slowly worked up the distance until we could walk next to the fence without him becoming distracted by the dogs inside the park, and he kept his gaze on me. On the day of the test, we were able to greet the other handler and Jiro didn't even notice the other dog. The "watch me" command also helps with loose-leash walking because he'll pause and refocus on me. I admit I haven't been great on keeping all this fresh in our minds, but he still retains it. It was my hope to get him into therapy work, but life has a way of happening. March 2011 will mark a year that he's been CGC certified.
   
   
   Yuki-san is not CGC certified, right now he would fail tests 1,2,5,8 & 9. I really should train him.
   
   
   For more info on the CGC program, please visit the AKC site. http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/program.cfm
   
   
   Lastly, I would like to thank Vi for interviewing me. You posed some great questions and made really think about my answers. If anyone has an questions or would like to contact me you are more than welcome to at trainedbyshibas@gmail.com.

Interview with Jenna Gates

Jenna was always surrounded by dogs as well as horses until she moved to NYC in the 1980s. Then, after over 15 years without a pet, she welcomed Snickers, a shiba inu, into her life. A couple years later, in 2006, she founded a shiba meetup group in NYC. Then after about a year, Jenna founded the NYC Shiba Rescue (NYCSR). She is a past president and a current member of the board of directors for NYCSR. In addition to her work in Shiba rescue, Jenna also educates the public about shibas and responsible pet ownership. She helped to establish The Anipal Times. As if this weren't enough to keep Jenna occupied, she also does therapy work with Snickers, and they are registered pet partners of the Delta Society.

I’m honored to have had the opportunity to interview Jenna.

1. How did you first become interested in Shibas?

Honestly, the breed choice was mostly my daughter's decision. Snickers, my first Shiba, was originally meant to be her dog. Like most kids, she wanted a puppy from a very young age. When she was about eight years old, we moved into a dog friendly apartment, so I told her to start researching breeds and we would get a puppy. My mom gave her a "dogalog" - a book of dog breeds with history, typical personality information, and info on grooming, energy level, etc.

She initially picked out 20 breeds that she thought were cute. Then she went through that list and eliminated breeds that (1) wouldn't do well in the city, (2) couldn't stand the summer heat or winter cold of NYC, (3) required a lot of grooming, or (4) wouldn't do well in a small apartment. That narrowed the list to about six breeds, so we went online and did more in-depth research on each of those six. She managed to cut the six down to two: the Cairn Terrier and the Shiba Inu - two very different breeds.

She made notes of pros and cons of the breeds, but she couldn't decide between the two. I have always had a strong preference for Spitz-type breeds and I particularly like independent-minded dogs, so I asked her if I could make the tie-breaking decision. She said yes and I chose the Shiba.

2. Why do you love this breed?

As I mentioned above, I've always had a fondness for spitz-type dogs. My first dog (who was mine as opposed to a family dog) was a Norwegian Elkhound my father gave me when I was a teenager. His name was cacci and he was my best buddy. I love Huskies and Malamutes and the other Nihon Ken breeds as well. I grew up around my mom's Pekingese dogs. After cacci came to live with us, my dad and I would say "Those (meaning the Pekes) are pets, but he (meaning cacci) is a DOG." That sort of explains how I feel about the spitz breeds; they're DOGS. They're closer to their genetic roots. So many of the "pet" breeds, and even many hunting breeds, display so much neoteny. The spitz breeds seem more real to me. When we were researching breeds, I was very enamored of the idea of an "apartment sized" spitz.

When Snickers came to live with us,

it was like a part of nature - something primitive -

had moved into our Manhattan apartment.

He changed our lives in so many good ways.

3. Are rescue shibas good for first time dog owners?

I don't think there is a single answer for this question because there is no single "rescue Shiba" personality. I believe that there are two reasons for this:

1. - Rescue Shibas are not clean slates like puppies. They've had experiences - some good, some bad, some horrible - before arriving in rescue. These experiences have already had an impact on their personality and temperament beyond their genetic breed predispositions.

2. - I haven't crunched any numbers to prove this, but my impression from experience with multiple rescue Shibas is that rescue Shibas are statistically less like the standard Shiba personality than Shibas from reputable breeders. My theory is that since so many rescue Shibas are mixes or poor representations of the breed from puppy mills and back yard breeders, they come from a much more varied (non-Shiba) gene pool, which results in fewer Shiba-like personalities.

NYC Shiba Rescue has rescued about 80 Shiba Inus and Shiba mixes over the past few years. A fairly high number of those were dogs that would definitely NOT have been good for first time owners. Rescues can be fearful and reactive - a combination that should only be handled by experienced owners. On the other hand, we've also had a number of incredibly well socialized, easy-going Shibas who were adopted out to first time owners with great success. We've also had a few older, more sedate, fosters who were perfect for first time and/or less active owners.

The beauty of adopting a rescue dog from a foster organization - for first time owners especially - is that, for the most part, you know what you're getting. These dogs have been living in foster homes, interacting with others, being observed and trained and socialized. I actually believe that a Shiba Inu puppy is a terrible choice for the majority of first time dog owners, but the right rescue Shiba can be a fantastic first dog.

4. Why should someone looking for a shiba consider a rescue?

Other than the advantages of rescues that I mentioned above, most Shiba puppies are EXTREMELY CHALLENGING. Unless it is a special needs dog or a dog with behavior issues, getting a rescue will be much easier than raising a puppy.

Saving a life is always a good thing.

Every time a rescue dog is adopted,

a foster home is freed up for another dog at risk.

The wait for a puppy from a reputable breeder can be long. Buying from anyone other than a reputable breeder is directly supporting the ongoing abuse and neglect of dogs in puppy mills. There are rescue Shibas all over the country looking for someone to love. Why wait?

5. What would you tell someone who might be interested in helping out with a shiba rescue, but doesn’t know where to start?

Start by finding the Shiba rescue nearest you. There is an up-to-date list of Shiba rescues in the US here -> http://shibas.org/rescue.html. Contact the nearest rescue and find out what they need. Rescue groups are all run by every day people volunteering their time to do whatever they can. They'll be grateful for your efforts.

Fostering, of course, is the cornerstone of rescue work. I understand that some people can't do it, but I'll never understand the people who simply won't do it... the ones with excuses like "I'll get too attached." I've never quite understood how letting a dog die in a shelter is better than getting "too attached." Fostering is an incredible experience for humans and dogs alike. Anyone who really loves their dog, should be able to spread that love and squeeze in a temporary resident every now and again! A rescue group without foster homes is basically spinning its wheels. You can help to some degree, but not very much. Foster homes are CRITICAL to saving dogs from shelters and abusive/neglectful owners.

That said, yes, there are jobs for people who can't or won't foster. Anyone who cares can help with whatever skills they have and should contact their local rescue group. If they don't HAVE a local group - and they're really motivated and ready to work - they can start their own! All it takes is a few people who want to save Shibas and some will power and motivation.

6. What are the best and worst aspects of rescue work?

The single BEST aspect of rescue work

is knowing you've made a difference.

I am proud to have helped every dog that I have assisted with rescuing - by evaluating dogs, doing home visit, processing adoption applications, training volunteers, driving transports, fostering dogs... each task has directly affected dogs at risk and made their lives better. There is nothing better than getting an email from a past adopter with photos of a happy, spoiled dog who WOULD HAVE DIED if not for the efforts of rescue. Honestly, it just doesn't get any better!

There are other benefits as well. I've made some of my BEST friends in rescue. When dynamic people with a shared interest and goal come together, awesome things can happen and that's a rewarding experience. I've learned more about dog training, health, veterinary care and nutrition than I would have otherwise and I put that knowledge to use for my own Shibas every day.

The worst aspects are (1) knowing you can't do it all and (2) learning to accept that some people just aren't going to help. It's hard to come to terms with the fact that we can't rescue every dog (Keiko for example) and can't necessarily rehome every dog we rescue (Lola for example). It's also really difficult when you're working your ass off and people around you aren't willing to do anything. (I don't mean people with different causes. My own parents, for example, have never made a donation to NYCSR, a 501(c)(3) started by their daughter! Dogs aren't their thing though; they give all their money to their church, which I understand. Another friend of mine understands my obsession for saving dogs, but he spends his time and effort helping runaway kids and female victims of domestic abuse. We have different causes and I can respect that.) It's the people who claim to love the breed but then make no effort to help who will make you CRAZY after a while in rescue. You just have to learn to let it roll off of you so you can keep going.

Each dog saved is worth all the frustration.

Interview with Jen on rescue dogs and fostering

Growing up, Jen was always surrounded by dogs. There were Irish Setters, Hounds, Poodles, German Shepherds, Terriers, Dalmations, Huskies, and mixes. As a child, her first dog was a Beagle/Basset mix named Woodsie. Interestingly, no Shibas. They came along later in her life -- in her early twenties.

 "I’ve always felt so connected to dogs, drawn to them.
I learn a lot about myself through them and feel like I'm more humane (yes, humane!) because of them."
-- Jen of Inu-Baka

During her early teens, Jen's godmother introduced her to the world of dog rescue, and Jen began fostering Chihuahuas for a week at a time. Through the years, she has fostered for a no kill shelter, on her own, for a Basset rescue, for a Shiba rescue, then all breed rescue, and now for her local shelter. All the while, she blogs about her experiences with dogs at Inu-Baka, which means "crazy about dogs." Yes, Jen is.

I admire her passion for rescue work and am so glad to have the opportunity to interview her.

1. How did you first become interested in shibas?

It all started with a neighbor. Yuka was a marvelous, beautiful, interesting older woman who lived on the same block as one of our previous apartments. She started talking to me because I was always with a different dog, and she wanted to know why.

We got to be pretty good friends, she taught me how to roll sushi and pronounce words like domo arigato and itadakimasu. One day she asked my husband what he thought of our “revolving door dog habit” and he told her how he was more of a cat person. She then told us about her family’s dogs – Shiba Inu - cat like, independent, fussy, loyal, and treasured dogs. It was enough that we started researching them and found Tsuki within 4 months. Yuka named Tsuki. My husband has since declared himself a dog person!

2. I've followed your blog for awhile now and you seem to have a love / hate relationship with shibas. Why is that?

Honestly, I really don’t know. I certainly have an appreciation for the breed, and I have a definite soft spot when one is in need (like with Rudy)… but all in all I don’t want to live with more than the two I have now. If that makes any sense. My inus are well adjusted, awesome dogs. I’ve met more shibas that have attitude & quirky behavior issues (normal for shibas) than I have well adjusted (as dogs go) ones. So, maybe I’m just comfortable with my two as they are now.

The more foster experience I have, the more I realize that maybe I’m not as true a “shiba person” as I thought. I’m just a dog person.

3. Are rescue shibas good for first time dog owners?

I think so. Wonderful inus of all ages are displaced due to human circumstances. Most times if any “issues” are present, they are also due to human error (like a shiba that isn’t yet housebroken, etc). More often than not you get a dog that just needs a few weeks of adjustment, proving to be a really awesome dog thereafter.

A prospective owner just needs to be fully aware of what a Shiba is and can be (the good and the bad), and be ready to dedicate themselves to their dog. Same as if you were buying a puppy, I’d hope.

Even if I don’t want any more shibas in my life, my Kitsu (adopted by us when he was 1y/o) is the epitome of devotion and love in a dog. The bond we share with him is so special, because he is now forever home.

4. Should someone looking for a shiba consider a rescue?

Absolutely. There can never be any guarantees when raising a puppy or finding an adult dog. You have the perfect example with your dogs, Loki is probably a lot different than you anticipated he would be, and Jujube fit in very well as an adult.

The benefit of rescue is that someone is telling you what you will likely get with this individual dog. So, really, you might be better prepared for your dog if you go through a rescue that fosters its dogs.

5. If someone is considering adopting a rescue shiba, is there any difference in getting one from a foster home versus one from a shelter?

Yep, see #[4]. Shibas in the shelter deserve the same consideration as those in rescue. I think for a less experience shiba person, or someone who may never have owned a dog before, adopting from a rescue who fosters their dogs can shed more light on that dog’s needs, limitations (like diet), quirks, likes, dislikes, etc.

6. What would you tell someone who might be interested in helping out with fostering a shiba?

Go for it. Honestly, what can you lose? If you have enough interest to consider it, just do it once and see if it’s a good fit for you. Getting involved with an organized rescue group can help ease you into the transition of fostering. It’s just like getting another dog, except maybe you don’t have to pay vet bills!

7. What are the best and worst aspects of foster work?

Best? Getting to bond with so many amazing dogs.
Worst? The bittersweet goodbyes. I have an easier time knowing these dogs are getting an upgrade from my care, their very own home. So, even the worst aspect isn’t all that bad!