I have a 5 month old Shiba Inu pup (named Inu). He is mean when he eats and you get too close.
I try petting him but I always get bit or snapped at. I tried holding the bowl so my hands are visible but theirs not progress he just bites my fingers out of the way.

Is there anything new I can do or try?

Also he has a eating problem. He wont eat his dry food. It takes him 3 (or more) days to finish a bowl of food. So we started mixing his food with wet dog food of the same brand. He woofs it down.
Like I said he is 5 months old. And still small. Where as my friend has a 6 month old shiba who is fully grown, and was full grown at 4 months. Hes (inu) not one of those mini breeds of shiba but a full blood shiba. We figure this lack of eating is stunting his growth.

(sorry if its kinda run on ish. I'm all excited to finally be seeking some help. The vet is no help at all)

Help on this topic too?

[chevy & karen]

Can I ask what kind of food you are feeding Ina? I bet he is adorable...

As for the vet, I have been to many vet's till I finally found one that I feel is good....

if you can't relate or disagree with your vet, the best thing to do is find another.

does he take treats from your hand? if he does try hand feeding him.

Does he eat alot of treats during the day or any table food? sometimes that will turn them off from their dog food.

Sometimes the dog is just picky. What brand of food was he on when you got him?

There will be better replies. Just thought I would throw in something to think about.

@ chevy
I am Feeding inu japanese dog food that is made for his breed. He is adorable. But a giant hand full.
We could go to another vet. If there was one.


@ Timber
I have no other options than the one my husband and I are taking him to now. We are in the military. And we have only what the base gives us. We could take him to a vet out in town. But we are not likely to get anywhere as I dont think they speak too good english.

He snatches treats from your hand. But hes gotten better at gently taking them from you.

I am a stay at home wife so whatever I ate he did too. So I'm sure that turned him off on his dog food. So. We have been giving him nothing but doggie food.

We got him from a pet shop out on town. The guy spoke little to no english. We just started feeding him purena then switched to the food made for shibas cus its suposto be better for him.

I have been feeding him now from my hands. At first he was scared but now he happly eats out of my hands. So I think were getting better.



Thank you both for all your suggestions

glad to hear he is getting better.

sometimes when dogs are underfed like at poor breeders or pet shops they get to a new home and eat aggressively so no one else will take it. in time he will slow down and eat.

My timber was like that. never chewed his food but once he realized he was getting two meals a day he chewed his food and now looks forward to meal times without the fear of starving or someone taking his food before he was done.

I understand your circumstances with being on a military base. I have had several family who did the same.

Keep us posted.

[DoggieVogue]

Originally Posted by timber&gizzy

sometimes when dogs are underfed like at poor breeders or pet shops they get to a new home and eat aggressively so no one else will take it. in time he will slow down and eat.

My timber was like that. never chewed his food but once he realized he was getting two meals a day he chewed his food and now looks forward to meal times without the fear of starving or someone taking his food before he was done.

My pup was like that too. He ate so fast he would get the hiccups and horrible gas. He is a Boston Terrier so he already has enough gas for 10 dogs, but at first it was horrible. He is so much better now. He eats slowly and in moderation.

I can't help you with the vet I am retired military so I know the ordeal with some military vets. You get what you get. As far as the agressive eating i found making sure the dog knows he will not run out of food helps. I dont think it is healthy for dogs to eat large meals at a time. I have 5 dogs and there is always food in the trays so they only eat when they are hungry. I also do not give my dogs treats unless they are in a calmed sitting position. If they do not sit I dont give them a treat. It works for a Boxer and German shepherd and a minture schnauzer and my too mixed breads. I have them all sitting together abd waiting their turn. Also, treats need to be treats.