Tues 27th July: Another shiba inu

Casper was in and out

 Having learned the same lesson too many times to begin to count, I waited until this particular surrender dog was physically at our Homing Centre before contacting one of the potential homes that was on our waiting list.  I had also told the would-be adopter that she would have to come today because there were many other families who would love such a bichon puppy, so schedules were rearranged and the result was an in-and-out adoption. 

Little Mario

How I would love to be able to hope for the same for the two new arrivals at Tai Po, both dogs rescued from life as  abandoned strays.  The black boy, now Mario, is quite a small dog so I'm thinking about moving him to Ap Lei Chau once all of the kennel cough cases have cleared.  

The other dog is now called Yoshi, and he was apparently no more than skin and bones when first picked up, so he's been in the rescuer's home for the past month to gain health and weight.  (Please note the photos show the dogs in cages, but they came to us like that and are not caged at the Homing Centre).

Yoshi 

Two other Tai Po residents that are still puppies and in need of homes are Ziti, the "one left behind" from The Edibles litter.  Just like all of the others in his family, Ziti is a gentle sweetheart and really ready to join a family with or without children.  

Ziti has a funny face and a big heart

Donut is a little more reserved on first meeting, but he too is a very sweet older puppy.  Take a look at the video of Donut and Ziti playing https://www.facebook.com/hkdogrescue/videos/1757555601114131

Donut admiring his handsome face

Coincidentally, as I was writing about trainer Cactus and her planned online workshop yesterday, I hadn't realised that she was about to post the details and enrolment application on Facebook.  For now it's only in Cantonese, but depending on interest there will be an English version later. 

Such a large part of what we do is education, because we see the inevitable results of a poor understanding of dogs, their needs and subsequent behaviour.  Once again there was a surrender request today for a shiba inu, with the same seemingly anti-social attitude and with the owners having tried three different trainers (how to really confuse a dog).  I do want to know who these trainers were and what methods they used to change the shiba's behaviour, because thanks to one particalar shiba, namely King, I have come to quite like and even admire this breed.  

From the aptly-named King I know that these dogs are incredibly smart, tough, independent and obstinate, and they're not suitable to be family pets (again, this is a generalisation and there are always exceptions).  King has been adopted and lives next to me, but he takes himself off to visit all the neighbours, hanging out when, where and for however long it suits him.  Luckily our community is very small so he's welcome at everyone's home, but this is the life that is perfect for King.  I know the situation is unusual and it's not possible to recreate such an ideal environment for all shibas, but when I hear about these dogs living in tiny homes with little exercise and mental stimulation with the resulting behaviour issues, I feel terribly sorry for them.  

Donny 

Donny is still a puppy shiba inu and we hope we got him in time to modify his behaviour. He's been improving a lot since coming to us, and a big part of that is the fact that he now lives with a group of other dogs that are teaching him social lessons, how to play and how to share.  A huge part of poor adult behaviour is due to lack of socialisation during puppyhood, when puppies are bought, or even adopted, as babies and then live very lonely lives. 

Donny has learned how to play with others