Choji is gaining confidence!
June 27, 2008

Choji is settling in amazingly well.  He is starting to eat all of his dinner while we are in the room with him.  He even took a piece of cheese out of my hands a few days ago.  He is starting to put on weight as well and his fur looks, feels and smells much better.  Even the hair on his tail and hip is starting to grow back in.  He will soon start obedience training and that should help increase his confidence further.  He really is a sweety!

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Meet Choji!
June 27, 2008

Choji is a Shiba in desperate need of a loving family to call his own. SIRA pulled him out of a shelter the day he was slated to be put to sleep. He had been dumped there by the puppy mill he had lived in his entire life. Choji has never known what it means to be a loved house pet. He had been so badly neglected that he had a horrible flea infestation that resulted in a terrible skin infection. His poor tail has hardly any hair left on it. With high quality food, supplements, several baths and brushings his coat is finally starting to look, feel and smell as it should. He really loves to be brushed.

Choji is very timid and needs a family who is patient and understands that he is not going to act like a regular dog overnight. During the few short weeks he's been with us he's made incredible progress. At first he wouldn't eat, drink or take treats when there was anyone in the same room as him. Now he does! He is also building up the confidence to take treats directly from our hands. We expect him to start doing this very, very soon!

Choji has already made another breakthrough. He relaxed enough while being brushed and started eating grass. This showed he trusted me and it only took two days after meeting me and coming into our home. That is quite an accomplishment for a dog who has spent so long in a mill.

Choji's breakthroughs will be seem small but they will be vastly more rewarding. Things like taking a treat from your hand, going on walks and being confident while doing so, walking up to you to have his leash put on, playing with a toy (when he thinks no one is watching), etc. These are the kinds of behaviors we don't usually give much notice to when more confident dogs do them everyday. It really is special when a puppy mill survivor starts doing them, and they eventually do. It just takes time and patience.

Choji is great with other dogs. He seeks out their company when he is not feeling confident. Since he is not a rough and tumble player he would probably do best with another gentle companion dog of any breed, size or gender. Since he is shy Choji needs to be in a home where there are no children under the age of 14. He is also a door bolter so care must always be taken when opening doors.

When outside Choji needs to be leashed at all times even in a securely fenced area. He is very quick and once off leash becomes difficult to catch. For now we are double leashing him on walks. He wears a leash attached to a limited slip collar and also a step in harness as a back up to prevent him slipping out. His forever family will need to continue walking him in this manner.

Choji is going to make someone an awesome dog, but that person needs to be patient and ready to help him improve his confidence. Positive based training with lots of yummy treats would help him immensely. Little steps will be great achievements for him and incredibly rewarding for the person getting him there.

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