We know that the decision to rehome a pet can be very difficult. If you live in the Midwestern United States and are facing the need to find a new home for your dog, SIRA may be able to help.
***DUE TO AN UNPRECEDENTED VOLUME OF INTAKES AND LACK OF AVAILABLE FOSTER HOMES, WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING SURRENDER APPLICATIONS AT THIS TIME***
SIRA is a small, volunteer-driven organization. Foster Home space is limited. Please know that SIRA is unable to accept dogs with a documented bite history (incidents documented by law-enforcement or medical authorities). We do not purchase dogs or pay rehoming fees. If you are struggling to cope with your dog’s unwanted behaviors, please read the tips below.
If you are unable to continue to care for your dog, please complete our surrender request application. We currently CANNOT accept applications from people outside of the Midwest region. Our service area includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, and Wisconsin. You must complete all applicable fields in the application and be as detailed as possible. Incomplete applications will be returned for correction. Click HERE to complete the application. If you have any problems or questions, do not hesitate to contact us at intakesirashibas@gmail.com.
All dogs who come into SIRA’s care are placed in private foster homes with foster families. All dogs are examined by a vet and complete a mandatory evaluation period in foster care before they are available for adoption. All applications to adopt are thoroughly screened and references checked before being approved. Approved applicants are matched with dogs whose needs align well with their home environment.
Behavioral concerns:
If you are struggling to address behavioral issues, please know that you’re not alone. Shiba Inu can be independent and stubborn, not because they are bad dogs, but because they are an ancient breed with very deeply ingrained instinctive personality traits from their Japanese hunting origins.
Our first recommendations are to seek out the advice and help of a trainer or behaviorist who is accustomed to working with so called “primitive breeds.” Shibas respond best to incentive-based training methods (also called “positive” and “force free” training). It may take time and consistency to address unwanted behaviors like aggression, guarding behavior towards food/toys, fearfulness, separation anxiety, destructiveness.
But if you can devote the time and consistency to understand your dog’s behaviors, often times these can be addressed with very happy outcomes that help you and your dog grow closer together. Shibas are very smart, and if they are motivated (treats can help), they learn very quickly.
***DUE TO AN UNPRECEDENTED VOLUME OF INTAKES AND LACK OF AVAILABLE FOSTER HOMES, WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING SURRENDER APPLICATIONS AT THIS TIME***
SIRA is a small, volunteer-driven organization. Foster Home space is limited. Please know that SIRA is unable to accept dogs with a documented bite history (incidents documented by law-enforcement or medical authorities). We do not purchase dogs or pay rehoming fees. If you are struggling to cope with your dog’s unwanted behaviors, please read the tips below.
If you are unable to continue to care for your dog, please complete our surrender request application. We currently CANNOT accept applications from people outside of the Midwest region. Our service area includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, and Wisconsin. You must complete all applicable fields in the application and be as detailed as possible. Incomplete applications will be returned for correction. Click HERE to complete the application. If you have any problems or questions, do not hesitate to contact us at intakesirashibas@gmail.com.
All dogs who come into SIRA’s care are placed in private foster homes with foster families. All dogs are examined by a vet and complete a mandatory evaluation period in foster care before they are available for adoption. All applications to adopt are thoroughly screened and references checked before being approved. Approved applicants are matched with dogs whose needs align well with their home environment.
Behavioral concerns:
If you are struggling to address behavioral issues, please know that you’re not alone. Shiba Inu can be independent and stubborn, not because they are bad dogs, but because they are an ancient breed with very deeply ingrained instinctive personality traits from their Japanese hunting origins.
Our first recommendations are to seek out the advice and help of a trainer or behaviorist who is accustomed to working with so called “primitive breeds.” Shibas respond best to incentive-based training methods (also called “positive” and “force free” training). It may take time and consistency to address unwanted behaviors like aggression, guarding behavior towards food/toys, fearfulness, separation anxiety, destructiveness.
But if you can devote the time and consistency to understand your dog’s behaviors, often times these can be addressed with very happy outcomes that help you and your dog grow closer together. Shibas are very smart, and if they are motivated (treats can help), they learn very quickly.
Recommendations and tips for all Shibas:
- Do not expect your Shiba to be reliable off leash. Because Shiba Inu are independent, curious, and often have a high prey drive, we recommend keeping them on leash at all times unless in a securely fenced area.
- Shibas can be escape artists. Keep a standard collar with tags on your dog at all times. When leash walking, we recommend using a martingale collar or harness, as Shibas can very easily slip out of a standard collar.=
- Shiba puppies can be terrors. They do mature and calm down over time. Some things that can help include spay or neuter your dog according to your vet recommendations
- Crate train your dog if they cannot be trusted with free run of your home while you are away at work. Make sure they have access to fresh water, toys, and periodic exercise/potty breaks.
- Give them plenty of exercise and stimulation with chew toys, puzzle toys, and play
- Shibas can be fearful of unfamiliar people, especially small children. Child uncertainty can be triggered by something as simple a child’s unexpected movements or high-pitched sounds. Always supervise your dog closely around small children, especially when the child is too young to understand directions or what might scare a dog.