Chopstix is a lovable dog and has a personality that you fall in love with immediately upon meeting her. Her foster mom Jenn has been taking great care of her and Choppy hangs out with a pack of shibas and is living a life of luxury. She’s a lap dog and is friendly and sweet.

Jenn has noted that Chopstix has some separation anxiety but she is doing well with it. As long as there’s someone – be it another dog or person – she’s not nearly as sad and nervous. She sleeps in her crate at night but will whine if she hears people awake when it’s her bedtime as she would prefer to be sitting on their laps or near them. If the whole household is asleep within minutes of Choppy being crated, she settles down with no problems.

Chopstix is a very happy dog and extremely friendly. She likes other dogs, people, and is curious, affectionate, and well behaved. She doesn’t seem to have the aloofness that some shibas have and would do well in a house where someone is home often and where she wouldn’t need to be crated during the day. Choppy would probably do best in a suburban environment as some loud noises do startle her.

Chopstix, also known as Choppy is wonderful! Her coat is thinner than most Shibas probably because of the Beagle mix. Her foster mom, Jenn, has been giving her Salmon oil and vitamins and her coat has improved — much softer and shinier and she is now shedding. She probably doesn’t blow coat like shibas, but she definitely has a decent shed. No allergies noticed or other skins conditions.

She was at the vet and had bloodwork, microchip, etc and the vet says she’s extremely healthy.

Choppy is friendly, loves people, and lap dog. No real behavioral issues. She was not crate trained when she first arrived but she does sleep in her crate at night and she will whine if she’s not in the same room as Jenn. At night, Choppy sleeps in the crate in the bedroom and she’s perfect!

Choppy is in a home with several other dogs and will growl or show her teeth if she wants one of the other dogs to leave her alone but she’s never snapped or bitten. She may do the same to small children. It would be best if she wasn’t in a home with small children whose body language could confuse her.

Jenn told us:

I have seen no signs of food or toy aggression. She is wonderful with all adults – from teenagers to 90. She has been good with respectful younger kids (9+) She’s sleeps in crate at night, and does not need to be crated during the day. Choppy knows sit and down but generally needs a treat to do it. Goes into crate easily with a treat. Comes to her name. Tends to pull on leash but since she’s small it isn’t that bad. Stay is so-so. Its not that she can’t do it, she just wants to be with you. She will stay if you are going out the door and tell her to stay, but off leash and outside with you she won’t.

She’s a wonderful dog and probably could fit in with almost any home. Keep checking back for more on Chopstix!

Chopstix’s foster mom, Jenn, told us recently that things are going well. It seems that Choppy may have allergies as she does tear more than her other dogs and has some stains on her face from it.

Chopstix also has dew claws, which are the little “extra” toe that some dogs are born with. Her dew claws look as if they were never trimmed so the claw looks like it is curling to the point where it could cut her leg or become embedded. Jenn talked to the vet about it and Chopstix’s forever home family will have to be aware of the dew claws.

Jenn has several dogs in her house, and although Chopstix has never been around other dogs, she integrated very easily with them and hasn’t had any issues. She isn’t really to the point of “playing” with them, but she coexists with them very nicely.

Choppy is DEFINITELY a people person. She follows Jenn around all over and whenever she sits down, Chopstix jumps into her lap. She is very friendly and affectionate. She does suffer separation anxiety and is nervous when she is alone.

Chopstix has not been around any kids so we’re not 100% sure how she reacts to them other than that we know she growled at the 6 yr old in her former home. It’s recommended that Chopstix go to a home with older children or no children.

True to a shiba nature, Choppy has learned to open a sliding glass door if it’s unlocked. She has been able to open the backyard door and come back inside when she’s done playing out there. She also can scale a baby gate. Chopstix also could be a door bolter and we’re working to curb this tendency.

It seems Chopstix needs someone who is around a lot and can spend time with her after work and weekends to give her the attention and affection she desires. She does like other dogs and can live with them as long as the other dogs also accept her. Chopstix is having a great time with Jenn and is definitely being treated like a princess!

“Choppy” is a tiny 7 yr old Shiba/Beagle mix weighing in at about only 18 pounds. She is such a sweetie! SO affectionate and well behaved.

Chopstix has never been raised around dogs, but on the first night in her foster home she has already made friends with her foster brother and sister. Choppy is super sweet with adults but can become defensive around young children and therefore shouldn’t be in a home with young kids.

Stay tuned for more on Chopstix…..