New Owner Guideline

Preparations Before Bringing a Puppy Home

Photo credit to Jann the owner of Butter

Playpen/Cage
A playpen or cage is not only for when the puppy is small. It’s recommended to buy a larger size that can be used until adulthood (approximately 75-80 cm high, 90-120 cm long, and 60-90 cm wide). Dogs need their own private space, which helps them feel secure and prevents them from climbing on their owner’s head and causing trouble.

Bowls
Avoid using elevated bowls unless specifically recommended by a veterinarian, as elevated bowls can be bad for digestion and may even harm wide-chested breeds. Do not choose baby bottle–style water containers, as insufficient water supply can negatively affect your dog’s health.

Pee Pads and Trays
Choose according to the habit you want to develop. Training your dog to pee in a designated spot helps avoid having to take them outside in the rain. Shiba Inus are very clean dogs and usually won’t eliminate in their activity area. Whether to buy pee pads depends on personal preference: if you don’t want to wash the tray often, you can use pee pads; if you don’t mind washing the tray regularly, you can skip the pads.

Other Accessories (Optional)

Goat milk: Recommended human goat milk brands include ORiG, Karihome, PureNet, nfa Holland, or any other sugar-free human goat milk.
Dog bed: Purchase based on your preference. In the photo, the dog bed is made by modifying the cage with a cloth on the bottom to prevent the puppy from twisting its paws. You can also buy cotton dog beds or military-net style beds from the market.

Important Notes After Bringing Your Puppy Home

To Do ✅

When the puppy first arrives home, do not feed it immediately. Allow it to adjust to the new environment by resting quietly in the playpen and interacting more with family members to build a bond.
Maintain normal feeding for the first 1 to 3 days after arrival. Once the puppy has adjusted well, gradually increase the amount of food as needed.
After the puppy adapts to the environment, begin training it to urinate and defecate in designated areas to develop good habits.
Between 1 to 9 months of age, help the puppy get used to cage living and learn to be alone to prevent separation anxiety later on.

Not To Do 🚫

1 to 4 months of age

Do not bathe the puppy immediately after arrival. Wait until it has settled, then bathe with warm water and thoroughly dry its fur to prevent chills and skin sensitivity.
Before completing vaccinations around 4.5 months, the puppy’s immune system is still weak. Avoid exposure to outdoor environments to prevent infections. When going outside, use a backpack or stroller to carry the puppy.

1 to 10 months of age

Since the bones are not fully developed, avoid playing or chasing on slippery floors to prevent limb injuries.
Reduce intense activities such as prolonged running or hiking to protect bone health.

7-Day Food Transition Method”

When should you change your dog's food?

Dogs have different nutritional needs at different life stages (puppy, adult, senior, or pregnancy).
Special nutritional support may be needed due to illness or specific conditions.
Change food based on veterinarian advice or thorough research.
Do not change food just because the dog seems “bored” with the old food.

How to change dog food?

Transition gradually to avoid digestive upset.
Days 1-2: 25% new food, 75% old food.
Days 3-4: 50% new food, 50% old food.
Days 5-6: 75% new food, 25% old food.
Day 7: 100% new food.
Keep feeding times and locations consistent.

Observing after changing food

Monitor appetite, stool quality, and weight changes.
Continue feeding the new food for at least 2 months to evaluate adaptation.
If changing food for health reasons, regular veterinary check-ups are recommended.

疫苗

Puppy Vaccination Guide

My puppy begins receiving the Spectra 6 (6-in-1 vaccine) after it can eat normally at 45 days old. After the first dose, the second dose is given 25–28 days later. A total of four doses are required. Adult dogs then receive a booster vaccination once every year.
We choose to give four doses because our partnered veterinary clinic, based on years of experience and local case statistics, found that three doses are insufficient to fully protect puppies. Therefore, I personally take a conservative approach and recommend completing all four doses.
Of course, some clinics recommend only three doses, so you can decide based on the advice of your local veterinarian.

Vaccinations After One Year

Adult dogs need an annual vaccination to maintain immunity.

Are Vaccinations Really Important?

The answer is: Absolutely essential!
Vaccinations are the first line of defense protecting dogs from serious infectious diseases. Many of these diseases progress rapidly and can be fatal within 1–2 days, causing great suffering to the dog. Please take vaccinations seriously and don't neglect your dog's health for the sake of convenience or saving a little trouble.

Deworm

Types of Dewormers and Usage Guidelines

Deworming medications are generally divided into two main categories:

1. Internal Dewormers (e.g., Drontal)
These are usually administered when you take your dog to the vet for vaccinations. Internal dewormers primarily target gastrointestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms.

2. External Dewormers (e.g., Frontline, Nexgard)
External dewormers are used to prevent and treat external parasites like ticks, fleas, heartworms, mites, and mosquitoes. Market-available products mainly come in two forms:

Topical sprays (e.g., Frontline, Advantix)
Oral medications (e.g., Heartgard, Nexgard, Comfortis)

Frequency of Use

Some studies recommend monthly use of dewormers, while others suggest every three months. The appropriate frequency should be determined based on your veterinarian's advice and your dog's specific needs.

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