The Shiba Inu is a relatively stubborn breed, and its intelligence is not usually considered especially high. Even so, training a Shiba is not impossible. As long as the owner has a reasonable plan and keeps expectations realistic, the process can be much more manageable than many people think.
The Shibas intelligence may not be outstanding, but that does not mean training is hopeless. If the owner stays patient and does not expect too much too quickly, the dog can still learn many simple but very useful skills.
Socialization training
The first important area is socialization. Socialization means teaching the Shiba how to behave around strangers and in normal city life. In some training standards, one goal is that the dog should remain calm and quiet when facing unfamiliar people. Even if a stranger walks up and wants to interact, the Shiba should stay friendly and composed. For dogs living in modern cities, this kind of training is extremely important.
Although the concept sounds advanced, the actual practice is not that complicated. Much of it begins with the owner not ignoring rude behavior. If a Shiba barks at people without reason and the owner immediately and seriously stops the behavior, then a large part of the socialization process is already underway. Shibas watch their owners very closely. If a Shiba barks at people once and receives no correction, it may become bolder. If the owner corrects the behavior early, the dog will gradually change. For owners who want formal socialization training, a professional trainer can also help.
Recall training
The second major area is recall. This means the Shiba can be allowed some freedom in an appropriate place and still return immediately when called. In ordinary life, dogs should still be leashed, but in a safe dedicated play area it can be enjoyable to let the dog move freely for a while. A Shiba with good recall will come back to the owner even when it is having a great time. A Shiba with poor recall will simply continue playing until it decides it is done. Because most Shibas go outside every day, recall training should be treated as a very important life skill.
Food refusal training
The third important area is teaching the dog not to eat everything it sees. Shibas often try to put many things into their mouths during walks, and that can be dangerous. Food refusal training teaches the dog to eat when appropriate and refuse when it should not, including food offered by strangers and random things found on the ground. Many accidents and illnesses happen because dogs pick up harmful objects or food outdoors, so this training is very important. That said, for ordinary pet dogs it is often one of the hardest skills to make truly reliable.
If your Shiba enjoys going out and spends a lot of time outdoors, these training goals deserve serious attention. Anyone who wants to be a responsible and civilized dog owner should understand that suitable training is not optional. It is part of caring for the dog properly.