Kuna is a very lovable, friendly, loyal dog with such a personality. His foster mom, Sherrie, told us recently that he loves to greet everyone when they come home with a little dance and some funny little noises.

He’s doing great and loves his early morning 6:15am walks. In fact, Kuna sits by the front door in the morning waiting for Sherrie to take him out like a good boy. He’s becoming more and more socialized and learning to not be as possessive over items he deemed high-worth.

Kuna has a basket full of his toys and knows where it is and will take out a toy of his liking and sometimes will even put them back when he’s done playing. He’s a smart boy! We’re so glad Kuna has such a loving foster home and happy to know he is a tidy little shiba.

Kuna recently moved to a new foster home that might become his forever home. A few days ago his foster mom, Sherrie, told us that he’s fitting in well and seems very happy. He plays with the other pets, greets everyone when they come home, and is becoming one of the family.

He’s even trusted to be out and about in the house, no crate training needed. Plus, he’s not a fan of it.

Kuna goes for walks everyday and is learning some new tricks. He looks happy in the pic and we’re so glad he adjusted quickly!

Kuna’s foster mom gave us an update on how life has been with Kuna these last 8 months. She said he has come a long way since he arrived in their home in July. He was a very fearful dog and had to learn how to trust people.

The following is where he is now after being with Joanne and her family for 8 months:

He is a very energetic and happy dog. We have three other shibas and he has learned to get along with them very well and feels he is one of the pack. He eats side by side with them and all four of them ride in the back of the car together wherever we go.

Kuna has taken trips as long as 7 hours without incident. He has stayed in hotels and has had the opportunity to go to a variety of places . We trial our other three dogs in Obedience and Agility and Kuna has had the opportunity to walk around many of the shows with all the dogs around and has done well.

He goes for at least two walks a day which usually are about two miles long. Kuna has many dog friends along the routes. He will heel nicely if encouraged. Although he is basically good with other dogs he will get overly excited and jump if another dog shows too much energy. If we see a dog coming towards us that is not controlled on the leash we just make Kuna sit until they pass by. This works out well.

Kuna’s been good with visitors to the house and on our walks. He enjoyed playing with my twelve year old nephew on a four day visit. He has learned to be comfortable with the crate and often goes in it to sleep on his own although he may not be good in a closed crate for long periods of time.

He initially had a lot of anxiety with the crate and has come a long way but may need a little more time to be totally comfortable in a crate alone for a long periods of time. If we leave for extended periods of time he is left in an enclosed area with his crate and has done well. We did not keep him with our other dogs since our youngest dog and him play too intensely at times and we do not want an accident to happen. Otherwise all four dogs roam the house together without issues.

Although he only did it a few times Kuna has bolted out the door. He did not run far and wanted to keep us is sight. Because of this if people come over (workmen etc, who need to go in and out ) we crate him and that works well. If the visitors are friends and family he does well.

He has become a most loving dog wanting to play fetch and be hugged. He is quite bright and wants to learn. He seems to want nothing more than to be loved.

Kuna’s an amazing dog and has a lot of joy and love to give to the right family. He’s come a long way and has become a wonderful canine citizen. We’re so glad he’s with Joanne and her family, and can’t wait till Kuna finds his forever home!

Kuna’s foster family have been working with Kuna to get over his separation anxiety. Recently, they had to leave him alone for a full work day and Kuna was very unhappy. He became upset and they are trying to confine him in a small room away from the other dogs because he has a tendency to play too rough and needs supervision. However, Kuna is a playful and good dog overall.

He’s becoming very comfortable with his foster family and is friendly towards other dogs he meets on walks, and the ones he lives with in the house. He’s also been very good with meeting strangers, children, and likes to go for car rides. He enjoys playing retrieve with toys and shares with the other dogs. He has shown food aggression in the past with the other dogs but at present he seems to be OK.

Kuna is also their new alarm system! He makes a variety of noises, not quite barks, to let them know someone may be walking by the house, delivering mail, or anything that needs to be brought to their attention. Kuna is also learning to “come” when called but as with many Shibas, this seems to be more dependent on their mood than reinforcement!

Dennis, Kuna’s foster, let us know that Kuna has improved and adapted to the rules, routines, and household. Kuna likes to meet new people and will lean and cuddle up against them rather quickly for a Shiba. He also is very happy with his foster sister and they play together with no problems.

Kuna no longer exhibits agression during dinner with the other dogs in the house and can eat his food right next to them with no growling or posturing. He also willingly will walk into his crate and go to bed at night. Dennis said it seems that Kuna hasn’t had any nightmares or nervous reactions in weeks.

Overall, it sounds as if Kuna has adjusted. He gives kisses to his fosters, walks better on a leash, greets new dogs without hostility, and his anxiety seems to be lessening. Kuna is also quite the guard dog. He barks if he sees or hears something unusual near the house.

Kuna is a great dog and we’re glad he’s adjusted well to his foster home. He started obedience classes last month and we will have an update soon on how he’s doing with it.

Kuna is improving with being crated but still has some anxiety about being left alone. At night he whines, scratches, and wants to get out of his crate but calms down in about 20 minutes and seems to be ok for the rest of the night and sleeps.

He is playful, quiet, and will play in the yard with the other dogs. Kuna does have some food possession issues with the other dogs in the house but his foster family has been working with that and he’s improved some and understands that the other dogs won’t take his food.

Initially on a walk he may strain but he will eventually calm down and walk on a loose lead. At the three day trial, he was able to walk around strange dogs relatively well, without any problem. If there was a high energy dog in the area, he would react but his foster family would make him sit until he was calm and that has been working well.

Kuna also met a 13 yr old boy and played nicely with him and was rewarded for displaying good behavior.

Kuna still is a bit fearful to be alone. He has done better with the crating when one of our dogs is crated besides him or is confined in the room with him. Kuna may do well in a house with a well-balanced dog who can help guide him and give him signals that things are ok.

Check back to see how Kuna is next month!

Kuna is adjusting to his foster home and is still trying to figure out how to act and what behaviors are acceptable. He’s still a bit nervous and sometimes will try to nip if he’s a little startled or unsure what’s going on. However, he doesn’t bit down and it seems to be a fear reaction. His foster family is working to help him understand and trust them.

He also hasn’t fully adjusted to living with the other dogs in the house and sometimes will get into a sparring match with them. But he does love going for long walks and exploring the world around him. Kuna has also taken well to being crated and from what his foster parents, Dennis and Joanne, have told us, he’s learned that the crate is his “safe space.”

They also let us know the following:

In the evenings, sometime between 8 to 9 PM, he seems to break into a play mode. He seeks out a toy and brings it for you to toss or to play tug with, a common shiba ploy. He still is looking to bolt out the front door. We have to make sure that it is secured every time we go in or out.

Kuna is friendly wih strangers and is starting to become friends with the other dogs but it’s a slow process and he seems to prefer people over other animals. It would be best if he was the only dog in the house. He is learning to sit on command and stay as well. Lie down is probably next on the list. He is beginning to walk on a loose leash although, like most shibas, if there is prey, like a squirrel, ground hog, or something around, then all bets are off.

Kuna may change and become a bit more sociable with other dogs after he has been neutered. Stay tuned for more about this cute guy!

Kuna is a male shiba who will be 2 yrs old in September. He’s about 22lbs and was on medication for Lyme’s Disease. He didn’t seem to like the meds as they made him feel ill and sometimes gave him an upset stomach. He’s no longer on the medication but needs to be tested in a few weeks to make sure everything is 100% fine.

Kuna was surrendered to us by his owners because they could no longer take care of him. His foster parents have told us that he’s friendly, affectionate, and has been good with the cat in the house. He’s shown no aggression to the cat and has walked away from it when it’s hissed or swatted at him.

Kuna may have a tad bit of anxiety especially when his fosters leave the house. He tends to howl for a bit. He loves his foster parents and gives them a lot of love. Kuna is learning that jumping up when someone comes home is not acceptable and is learning how to meet strangers and other animals outside. He also seemed to be nervous of cars but has gotten much better about that. Kuna stares at squirrels he sees but hasn’t tried to chase them and ignores birds.

Kuna loves going for long walks (1 mile about 3 times a day), playing with toys, and being outside. He spent most of his time outside at his former owners – so he’s comfortable hanging out in a backyard. He has been a great dog so far and we’re looking forward to seeing him come out of his shell!