Need advice on adopting a dog.

We have been searching to adopt a shiba inu. It seems that everyone we came across had some issue that we just could not get past. We got info on one tonight that is perfect on paper except he has a foot issue. He randomly attacks peoples shoes. Its not consistent & apparently he doesn't do it to bare feet nor outside the house. So would you adopt a dog that has this one issue?

Re: Need advice on adopting a dog.

We adopted a dog with a lot more issues than that. They were different, but we knew what we were getting into and didn't let the issues fester. We learned and trained and now everything is fine.

Am I remembering right that Shiba Inus have strong personalities and need to be kept in line? If that's the case, and you're prepared to be a strong pack leader and work on them, I don't see why you shouldn't get this dog.

Any dog can develop issues like this, if they're not trained properly. If you can commit to working on it over time, I'd take a leap and adopt. No dog is perfect, but this dog might be perfect for you.

Re: Need advice on adopting a dog.

If the dog gets vicious, I don't know that I would take that risk.....maybe speak to a trainer before adopting and of course ask the person you are adopting from if the dog can be returned if the issue is too much to handle....often times people / rescues lie to get the dogs adopted...
good luck

Re: Need advice on adopting a dog.

A lady from the rescure group is going to do a full evaluation on him for us. Hopefully he will pass.

Re: Need advice on adopting a dog.

Our rescue had guarding issues with her food...they told us this from the start...she would try and "kill" anything that went near her food, which being a stray is understandable! My DH worked with her and you can now take any food/toys away from her without so much as a peep out of her..she also used to go thru garbage and stuff...all things we trained her out of...she is really an amazing dog now from where we started with her.....sounds like something that could be worked on. Good luck!