Hello, I am Ohtani, the founder and author of this blog. Born and raised in Japan—the homeland of the Shiba Inu—I grew up immersed in the authentic traits and unique culture surrounding Japanese dog breeds.
The Shiba Inu is globally recognized as a primitive dog breed, meaning they are among the closest to their wild ancestors and notoriously difficult to train. Similarly, rescue dogs often struggle to adapt, feeling overwhelmed by sudden changes in their environment. I created this blog for international owners who are genuinely struggling, feeling isolated, and losing sleep over their dogs’ severe biting habits and aggressive behaviors.
Based on my hands-on experience handling aggressive, biting dogs, my approach bypasses the two dominant factions in the global training market: the “purely positive, treat-based” method and the “balanced training” method that relies on choke chains or e-collars. Instead, I advocate for an approach rooted in the following core principles:
- Choke Chains and E-Collars Are Unnecessary There is no need to force your dog into submission through fear or pain. Obedience driven by intimidation is not trust—it is merely fear, which inevitably leads to sudden, unpredictable, and catastrophic accidents down the line.
- Use a Muzzle Preemptively Before Trust Is Built Using a muzzle is not a failure; it is a critical preventative measure. Before a solid foundation of trust is established, a muzzle must be used correctly if you have any safety concerns. This is solely to protect the dog, preventing severe incidents that could lead to tragic, irreversible outcomes such as court-ordered euthanasia.
- Beyond Treats: Achieving Voluntary Focus If a dog only obeys when a treat is present, then that dog does not truly belong to you. The ultimate goal is to establish an optimal, deeply affectionate bond of mutual trust where the dog naturally desires to reciprocate your leadership and voluntarily waits for your cues—even when there is no food in sight.
From my perspective as a native Japanese specialist, I dissect the primitive psychology of these dogs to help you reclaim a genuine bond that relies neither on force nor on food bribery. Let us rethink and build an ideal relationship between dogs and humans.
Since every dog is an individual, I will also introduce tailored approaches that align with different personality types.
I hope this blog serves as a reliable guide to help your precious dog find peace under your care, allowing them to thrive and express their true, balanced nature.