Niko still shows some signs of having itchy skin, but it’s not increased. He’s on a diet of eating potato and duck and occasionally being a naughty pup and getting into the trash can to find “forbidden food.” He’s healthy overall and was very calm at the vet.

Sometimes he will get hyper and zoom around the house, also known to many shiba owners as the “Shiba 5000!” but he mostly like to play with toys and enjoys the squeaky ones a lot. Sometimes he even barks at them.

His foster mom told us he loves massages and is very good with listening to her. He sometimes does not want to be gated or put into a room if someone comes over, like a repairman, but if she insists he will do it and does not argue with her. He’s gotten better at leash walking but still pulls and his foster mom is continuing to work with him on this. She has also taught him to sit, lie down, and stay. He does resist but will do these commands because he knows there is a reward.

Valerie told us that she believes Niko is now 100% comfortable and being himself. He now barks when he needs to go out or will nudge her with his nose. She says it’s the cutest thing ever. He also likes to sit in the window and watch the world go by. Niko is comfortable in her house and isn’t afraid of any of the rooms or going up and down the stairs. He likes to play a little when they are getting ready to go for a walk and will go in the crate if there are treats leading him in but prefers to be free and hanging out.

Niko comes when called in the house but outside he may get over stimulated. He did bolt out the door recently and Valerie takes extra steps to make sure he doesn’t do it again. All in all, Niko is doing very well and having a good time with his foster mom.

Niko’s foster mom, Valerie, told us that Niko has been itching a lot lately and may have some sort of seasonal allergy or possibly food allergy. He is going to the vet and we’ll find out what he needs to stop being so itchy. However, since he’s been itching and scratching a lot, it seems he gets a lot of massages and petting time. It sounds like Niko is spoiled with Valerie and we couldn’t be happier. He’s pretty mellow and enjoys going for walks.

Niko is walking better on a leash and is food motivated so it helps with training. He is afraid of thunder and doesn’t like to go outside when it’s thundering and raining. He is obviously comfortable at home. He can be playful and will play fetch, although he tends to fetch the ball and keep it. Niko’s been good with other dogs he has met and has even allowed strangers to meet him and pet him. He hasn’t had any recent interactions with children and it may be best that he doesn’t as he’s guarded and a little nervous around small kids.

Sometimes Niko steals food from tables and counters, Valerie is working on trying to get him to stop that behavior and keeping a better eye on her food!

Niko is doing very well, he has even lost about 3-5 lbs. He scratches often, but not to the point that he is damaging himself. He did not have an appetite the first week or so. The weight loss is from when he first came into foster care. He is now eating regularly.

Niko is mostly quiet. He enjoys being petted and massaged. He is beginning to become playful. He had his first “shiba 500″ the other night (he ran around the house). He is becoming interested in toys and enjoys his squeaky toy and his stuffed toy. He will play fetch a few times in the house before he gets bored. He likes to look out the window and barks occasionally. Not a crazy barker, but he will bark at noise.

Walking on a leash has improved. When he starts pulling, he is given corrections and he improves. Sometimes he is good with dogs on the outside, and sometimes he growls at them. He may growl/snap because they do something he does not like. He is friendly, but aloof with people. Niko has not interacted with children yet. I seem to be able to take toys away from him, but I am careful too. Niko is not very affectionate, but he does come over to be petted and he sleeps in his foster Mom’s room on a rug. He gets into the trash and steals the insoles from her shoes. Other than that he is not destructive at all. He is a good companion, thoroughly housebroken.

If given the chance, Niko would definitely bolt. He got loose from his foster Mom once when she was trying to get him into the car. He ran away, but then stopped to look where she was going. She walked in the opposite direction (away from the street, into an alley). He followed her into the alley, but continued to run away. A young man in the alley picked up his leash.

Food has to be kept out of his reach on the counter. He will look at you for food, but does not bother you inordinately.

Niko is a 4 yr old neutered male who was surrendered to us by his owners because they are moving and cannot take him with them. Niko is about 35lbs and has some allergies to pork, beef, and chicken. His foster family have described him as quiet dog who enjoys being pet and at times becomes playful.

He does not seem to have any aversion or aggression towards strangers and shows an interest in other dogs he passes on the street. We have not tested him to see if he is dog friendly or child friendly yet. He is housetrained and will bark to let you know that he needs to go outside. He also sometimes barks at loud noises.

Niko knows Sit and Come but doesn’t seem to know how to walk properly on a leash, his foster family is working with him on a few other commands and manners. He also has a tendency to chew shoes, but prefers rubber dog toys. So far he’s been adjusting well with his new foster home and has been a good boy. He likes car rides and also plays fetch.

From first impressions, it would be best if Niko was in a home with older children and had someone who would be able to exercise him regularly as he does seem to have a lot of energy and likes to go for long walks.

Keep checking back to learn more about Niko.