Finally, you’ve decided that you want a Shiba Inu dog. Unfortunately, you work 40 hours a week, and you’re not sure if a Shiba could be left alone.
Shibas like to concentrate on their own business without any interruptions until they get bored. Why? They’re independent dogs.
But can a Shiba Inu be left alone?
Shibas are self-governing dogs, so they like being left alone. Hence, a Shiba Inu can be left alone in an apartment even for 8 hours. However, Shibas, too, can be prone to separation anxiety. While it’s not cruel to leave a Shiba Inu alone, it’s cruel to leave them idle as they need plenty of exercise every day.
Do Shiba Inus Get Separation Anxiety?
Yes, Shibas get separation anxiety. Each Shiba behaves differently when suffering from anxiety. Also, depending on how anxious he is, he’ll show minor to complex signs. More on how to know he is suffering from anxiety later.
Since Shibas are self-independent dogs, it’s possible to leave them alone without hurting them. One sure way of doing this is by giving them the best interactive toys.
So…
How Do I Know If My Dog Has Separation Anxiety?
If your Shiba has been with you for some time, he knows when you’re about to leave and begin to suffer from separation anxiety. This happens if they know that they’ll be locked all day long until you’re back.
Also, Shibas get separation anxiety if they know you’re going to be away from home for a long time.
A Shiba suffering from separation anxiety is likely to:
- Urinate
- Chew
- Flee
- Pant consistently
- Tremble
- Bite
- Hop
- Hide
- Barking
A Shiba Inus suffering from separation anxiety may become destructive or aggressive once you leave.
In response, they’ll bite anyone who comes near your home or tear anything they come across, including your precious things in the house.
Can I leave my Shiba Inus Puppies Alone All Day?
No, you can’t leave your Shiba Inu puppies alone all day. Here’s why. Shiba puppies don’t have the ability to hold their bladder for many hours.
Besides, they still don’t know where to pee or how to do it appropriately without messing around the house.
A Shiba Inu puppy can be left alone for approximately 2 to 4 hours at most. This depends on how old he is. Here’s what we’re saying.
If your Shiba is two months old, the most he can hold his bladder is 2 hours. A 3-month-old puppy, on the other hand, can hold his bladder for at least 3 hours, while four months old can hold his bladder for about 4 hours.
This is an estimation that is dependent on how well you’re feeding your pup and his ability to hold his bladder. The more he eats, the more he is likely to pee a lot.
So, the longest you can leave a Shiba Inu puppy alone is 2 to 3 hours a day. The older they get, the longer they can be left, but not more than 8 hours.
It’s, however, better not to leave your Shiba alone for too long as they’re still pups and require special attention than adult Shibas do. So, if possible, don’t leave your Shiba puppies alone for more than 1 hour.
When too busy, send someone home to check them. Puppies, like adult Shibas, suffer from separation anxiety. So, when left alone, most Shiba puppies cry.
When they cry, they become aggressive and destroy stuff they get hold of.
Can a Shiba Inu Be Left Alone?
Yes, a Shiba Inu can be left alone for up to 8 hours, while the minimum is 6 hours.
During this time, your Shiba Inu should have access to all the basic needs: food, water, and a potty. Bearing in mind that Shibas are among the top active breeds, playing with toys is also a basic need.
It also helps to play with your Shiba before leaving home or after getting back home.
Such times strengthen the bond between the two of you so that he’ll always look forward to seeing you every day.
Nevertheless, if your Shiba is not used to spending many hours alone, start by training him. You can do this by leaving him alone for a few hours, probably two, then wait and see how he reacts when you get back home.
If he is positive, increase the hours as days go by as you take note of his reactions so that you can tell if he is suffering from separation anxiety.
It is, however, inhuman for you to leave your Shiba alone every day for 8 hours. So, if your days are always tight and you hardly have any time to spend with your Shiba, leave him with a trustworthy friend.
Else, take him to a doggie daycare where they can take good care of him before you’re back.
Do Shibas Like To Be Left Alone?
Shibas like being left alone as they’re self-governing breeds. That’s not to say that they don’t need to spend time with their owners. It also doesn’t mean that you should leave them alone for such an extended time every day.
Shibas only like being left alone for some time to do what they love best. One of the things Shibas love is being active. They can, therefore, spend many hours playing yet not think of you. Mostly, this happens if they have all they need at their disposal.
They, however, also get bored quickly, hence may need plenty of toys that can keep them busy for a long time. After all, being inactive is also risky for your Shiba Inu as he may add excess weight, which may result in diabetes.
Is It Cruel to Leave a Shiba Inus Alone All Day?
It’s not cruel to leave a Shiba Inu alone all day if you make prior plans for the provision of all his basic needs. Even so, leaving him in a kennel alone all day is definitely cruel.
He would definitely feel like he is being punished. That would also make him stressed and maybe cause behavioral problems.
When leaving a Shiba Inu alone all day, it’s best to hire a dog walker at least twice a day. During this time, he can check on the progress of the Shiba. That is, if he has enough food and water and if he is still in good health. In addition, let the dog walker make your Shiba active during this time by playing with him.
If a dog walker is too expensive for you, think of a doggie daycare that you can take him to for the time you’ll be away.
What to Do Before Leaving Your Shiba Alone for Many Hours
Unless you want your Shiba to die, never leave him unattended. Here are a few things to do before you leave your Shiba alone.
Provide the Basic Needs
As we’ve mentioned previously, food and water are basic needs that your dog needs while you’re away.
A Shiba Inu that is active but with no food is likely to get malnourished and fall sick easily. Also, a superactive Shiba with no water may suffer from heatstroke.
It’s also vital to ensure that both the food and water are in a good place so that your Shiba doesn’t soil them.
Spare Playing Time before Leaving
It’s necessary to ensure that your Shiba has had enough exercise before you leave. The more he gets exhausted, the better because he is likely to spend more time sleeping.
So, wake up early to have enough time to play with your Shiba. After all, it’s healthy for both of you!
If the weather allows, you can have an early morning walk instead of playing indoors. The key thing is to have him fully exhausted so that he sleeps as soon as you have left.
During playtime, you’ll also be creating a strong, long-lasting bond. This bond is essential as it makes your dog want to protect you from any (potential) harm.
Entertain Him
The Holy book says, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Not only does this apply to humans, but it also applies to Shibas. Leaving your Shiba idle without any entertainment turns him into a ‘devil.’ He develops bad habits and starts tearing everything he lays his paws on.
It can be your diary, sofas, tables, or anything you can think of as long as it is within reach.
Interestingly, it’s easy to avoid this by ensuring that he is thoroughly entertained.
Entertainment makes him stay occupied all day until you’re back. In addition, it excites your Shiba, so he doesn’t get stressed up for being left alone all day.
But how do you entertain a Shiba?
- Buy puzzle toys that make Shibas mentally and physically strong
- Switch on the TV so that he can watch
- Leave a variety of toys so that he can switch to a new one once he gets bored using the other.
- Leave treats in different places in the house, especially where he spends most of the time.
Look For a Companion
Though Shibas love being left alone, they also love companionship and (maybe) some little cuddling. So, talk to a close family friend, a neighbor, or a relative who has a good bond with your Shiba. Ask them to come and spend an hour or so with your Shiba.
They can take the Shiba for a walk, go swimming, play, or do anything that would make your Shiba happy.
The co-purpose is to have a companion while you’re away.
Mind His Safety
Shibas like exploring, especially if there’s no one to issue commands. Consequently, he may see something that is edible but poisonous or dangerous for him. So, before leaving home, ensure that anything that would threaten the life of your Shiba is out of reach.
Also, unless you have a fully trained Shiba, don’t leave the swimming pool open while your Shiba is home alone.
He could drown if he doesn’t know how to swim well.
Install Safety Gates
If you have an ever-curious Shiba, it would be destructive and unwise to give him the freedom to move around the house.
Installing a safety gate keeps him restricted to certain areas. Be sure to buy a gate that he cannot jump out.
Lock All Doors and Windows
It’s necessary to ensure that all doors and windows are closed to prevent cases where your Shiba may want to jump out.
Otherwise, he might run away and associate with other dogs that may be passing by your home. Especially if your Shiba is not neutered, make sure there’s no way he will walk out of the house or home compound.
