I have to say I am one of those people who thinks Shiba people are nuts. They are darned cute but sure not easy to motivate and train. A gal I train with has three of them and she has obedience titles on one (I think a CDX) and is competing in rally and CKC agility with them. We call her the Queen of Shibas
The wierd thing is she also owned and competed with a dobie-- what a weird combo!
The wierd thing is she also owned and competed with a dobie-- what a weird combo!
That being said my boy has learned all the basic obedience stuff (sit, stay, down, come, "watch me," and a nice swing finish), as well as silly pet tricks (kiss, high five, hide and go seek, shake, crawl, dance,and jumping over people). He really loves agility too- I just tend to get neurotic about making sure I don't lose my dogs at outdoor events.
With Kimi I didn't bother with a lot of the basic obedience stuff. I tought her to stand instead of sitting, because the showkids that learn to sit always try to do it on the table. She does know a few REALLY stupid tricks- mostly stuff for the showring. I taught her to back up and fix her free stack by saying "back that thing up."
And as bizarre as it is, she learned agility by *watching* Tai do it. She's been easy as pie in that regard...I just can't trust myself to take off that leash in an open field.
And I know what you mean about the weird breed combos. The country's best agility Shiba was a dog owned by Ken Fairchild, who also competed successfully with BCs, LOL. "Kiri" was an awesome dog- I think he ended up being MACH 3, but I'm not quite sure. At any rate, he died this year- so sadly we'll have to look for a new rising star.
They really do act like they look; a bit scruffy, truculent, not very friendly, ragged around the edges, and they smell like dog all the time. A great dog for a bunch of men to take hunting for a week at a camp with no power or plumbing. They'll even retrieve your beer from the cooler <burp>. Nothing refined about them what-so-ever.
Your dog sounded truly wonderful- makes me wonder if I might have to get one at some point myself...