Door Bolting - Prevention and Long Term Solutions

Originally published in the National Shiba Club of America Magazine - The E-News - Summer 2015

One of the greatest fears of Shiba owners is their dog getting loose and taking off. Because Shibas love the outdoors sometimes it seems like they will stop at nothing to sneak out the door and be 1/2 a mile into the neighborhood in no time. Before I started training dogs, I had my fair share of white hairs earned chasing a Shiba down the sidewalk. But those fears can be a thing of the past with careful management/prevention methods and some consistent and fun training.

Prevention:

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The simplest and fastest way to keep your Shiba safe for door bolting is limiting access to the door. If your house has a foyer or hallway that leads to the front door, you can install a gate or two to block access to the front door. If your house has a more open floor plan, you can install an ex-pen around the door to limit access. The reason I suggest these barriers is because when they are implemented, it doesn't matter if you're entering or exiting, your dog will have no access to the door and therefore no ability to sneak out.

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When gates are not an option, a tether can be another choice. Tethers are chew proof tie lines that you can install in your house. If your dog is not a chewer a leash will work just fine. I only recommend these for short term instances when you are having multiple guests entering and exiting. This allows the dog to be kept at a safe distance while the door is opened and closed multiple times. This is NOT meant for when all human occupants are leaving and the dog is left unattended. Never leave a dog tethered unattended.

Training:

While prevention is a quick and simple solution for an immediate problem, training is your best long term solution. Management and prevention will eventually fail so to protect your dog it is a good idea to take the time to train in these three behaviors.

Come! -Teaching your dog to come when called is a life saving skill. Don't just teach your dog in easy places like dog school or in your home. With a long leash attached to your dog, stand on your stoop or porch and let your dog wander. Periodically call your dog and as he is coming, run in the house and shower your dog with tasty treats. Repeat this often and your dog will blaze in the house when they hear 'COME!'

Boundary Training - Teaching your dog that the doorway is something to not cross without your permission can significantly stop the risk of door bolting. With your dog on leash, approach the open door. Stop so that your dog cannot pass through the opening. When your dog relaxes and refocuses on you, shower them with treats and love! Repeat this 4-5 times. Then approach the opening and give the dog enough leash slack that they could choose to go through. If they don't go through shower them with love and treats. If they do walk through, calmly call them back with their name and try again. DO NOT say 'COME'. If they fail 3 times in a row, go back to the first part of the exercise. As they learn to stop at the open door, start practicing with distractions outside such as friends, wildlife, and bicycles. (There is no command for this training. You should be silent except for any praise or to say the dog's name. There are also no corrections.)

Party on the porch! (or stoop) - Worse case scenario, your dog still gets out. That's why it's best to have a backup plan. That's why I teach my dogs - PARTY ON THE PORCH!! For this exercise, walk your dog (on leash!) around your front yard. When your dog is gazing off in another direction, say their name and race them to the porch or stoop. Give them 5-10 tiny treats one at a time and then stop. Then wait. If the dog stays on the porch/stoop repeat the reward. If they hop off, follow them around for a minute or so and then repeat the first step. Pretty soon your dog will become magnetized to your porch/stoop. Now if your dog does slip out or gets out of a fence or kennel, you have a very good chance of finding them waiting for you at your front door. . (There is no command for this training. You should be silent except for any praise or to say the dog's name. There are also no corrections.)

There's a saying that every dog has their day, and what funner way to celebrate this day than a Shiba Inu birthday party bonanaza!

From Shiba Inu pup to senior doge, every Shiba Inu, sometimes secretly, loves attention.

Especially if that attention involves food.

So to ensure that your Shibe / Shibes to have a heckin' good time, you're going to have to pull out all the stops and plan just like you would for a human birthday bash!

That's why we decided to create this guide for throwing the ultimate Shiba Inu birthday party!

Here are some shiba inu and their corresponding toy versions of themselves enjoying a nice dinner party pic.twitter.com/d6jCXP6wCo

— er0b (@er0b) August 25, 2017

The 'initial planning phase' is where you begin to eek out the main details of a birthday / adoption anniversary for your Shiba Inu.

During this period, you begin to lay the groundwork for the birthday bash, which includes the following components:

Date/Time

Is your Shiba Inu a pedigree pup that came with certificates and papers or an adopted dog from the local shelter?

Usually, if you have yourself a pedigree Shiba Inu that you received from a qualified breeder, you'll have the paperwork that indicates the exact date when your pup was born.

If you adopted your best friend, then you are free to choose when your pup's birthday is...

Most often, it's the day the pup was adopted, often coined as the 'gotcha' day.

Once you have figured out your doggo's birthday, take a look at the calendar.

Does the birthday fall on a weekday?

Can you move it to the weekend?

Mark the calendar once you have chosen the perfect day to celebrate.

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Location

Where the party is going to be held is one of the most essential points.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have a spacious enough backyard? Is there shade? How will the weather be?
• How many doggos will fit inside your home? Is your household prepared for that many dogs?
• What about renting an outdoor or indoor space nearby?
• Can you go to Petco, Petsmart, a farm or a doggy daycare?

If where you live allows for dogs to run freely (and safely) on the beach, you could consider having a beach party.

Other places that have fencing or allow for dogs to roam without a leash can also be ideal.

However, do keep in mind that some dogs can't be let off a leash if there is no enclosure, some dogs aren't properly housebroken, and some won't listen to commands.

You need a space that accommodates all doggos who receive an invitation.

This means that if all your friends have dogs no bigger than a Shiba Inu, you won't need the same amount of space as someone who is bringing two Great Pyrenees dogs along to the party.

So we went to a friend's shiba birthday party today pic.twitter.com/EqTq4cQDKw

— ShibeGallery (@ShibeGallery) June 11, 2017

Guests

Before sending out invitations, make sure to take the time to consider who want to invite to your Shiba's special day.

It's best to invite friends and dogs are already on friendly terms with your Shiba.

Don't invite any dogs that have any history of aggression or hyperactivity.

It's also fine if you decide to make your Shiba Inu the only dogs star of the party.

While the party might not be as lively without other dogs, it'll also be a lot less work and planning on your part.

Budget

Before making any major decisions on decorating themes and food - determine your budget first.

Some of the bigger potential expenses of parties are location / equipment rental and food.

Once you have a rough estimate of how many people may be coming and where you are going to hold the party, you can then figure out exactly how much money you need to set aside.

Some ways to save money include:

• DIY the favors and decorations -- this can include free templates and printables from online or simply making your own designs. Get creative!
• Make the party potluck or bring-your-own-plate to reduce how much you spend on food (also a great option for party goers that have stomach problems or food allergies).
• Get volunteers and close friends to help out with the setup, clean up and breakdown. Because no one should have to pick up all that poo alone.
• Ask a friend with a decent camera to take pictures instead of hiring a photographer.
• Use your own home and yard instead of renting a space.

Themes

One of the most fun aspects of any party is getting to choose the theme!

Shiba Inus are so trendy and stylish that there should be no shortage of theme ideas.

From cutesy Kawaii to humorous Doge memes - choose something that best appeals to your design senses.

Don't worry about the theme being cheesy—your doggo will be happy with whatever theme you choose.

It's the attention (and food) that matters! But it would be a good idea to match the theme to your Shiba Inu's personality.

Here are some ideas of dog birthday party themes that have been used in the past:

1. Ice cream party – with all kinds of types for both dogs and humans to enjoy, as well as pastel colors for balloons, streamers, and other decorations. Other variants of an ice cream themed party can be “pastry theme,” “Alice in Wonderland/Disney theme,” or “Victorian theme.”
2. Cosplay party -- if your Shiba Inu was born in October, why not have a Halloween-themed birthday party where everyone invited gets to dress up? People can dress as dogs, and the doggos can be human characters. Talk about role playing!
3. Beach party – perfect for places with loads of sand. Include inflatable palm trees (just be aware they might be used for marking), and bathing suit pieces for dogs to wear.
4. Unicorn party – make unicorn hats for all doggos and humans to wear; include rainbow colored puppy chow (Chex mix), and unicorn poo (dog-friendly icing) as a tasty frozen treat for everyone to enjoy.
5. Dinosaur party – kids and dogs alike will be super excited about a party that involves digging up different kinds of bones and dinosaur eggs.
6. Circus party – you have the animals, so why not make a big top inspired area with obstacle courses and tricks for treats? Have guests dress up as strong men, bearded ladies, lions, tigers, and bears (oh my).
7. Superhero party – because every good boy/girl deserves to wear a cape.

(Note: Pinterest has an overwhelming amount ofdog birthday partytheme ideas for you to peruse. Just have some time set aside, because you will spend hours looking at all the ideas. You can also search#dogbirthday on Instagram.)

Want to go completely off-the-wall? Hold a cat-themed birthday party for your dog. Imagine! Thought, we have to admit, the idea of a fox or cat themed party for a Shiba Inu would be absolutely magical!

shiba inu pool party pic.twitter.com/Z4crEw9U8V

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— Old Grande (@6rande) August 2, 2016

Decoration Ideas

Choosing a theme is fun, but it is the decorations that bring the ultimate Shiba Inu party to life.

You can go as over-the-top or as simplistic as you want. If you love decorating, then your Shibe's party shouldn't be any different that setting up for the holidays.

Decorations, depending on the theme, can be store bought or homemade. The latter may be cheaper in the long run, especially if you are handy with arts and crafts projects and have people who can help!

Some places to shop for decorations include:

• Oriental Trading – you can find a number of balloons, paper supplies, centerpieces, ceiling decorations, and other elements for a decent price.
• Party City – a bit more expensive, but you can find some themed items that may not be available elsewhere. Also, Party City usually has free shipping codes.
• Michaels – not the most budget-friendly for party decoration shopping. However, if you need specifics or supplies for DIY, Michaels is great.
• Amazon – when you need a world of party decoration ideas and suppliers all in one place, no website is better than Amazon.

Other locations where party décor can be purchased include local dollar stores, hardware stores (for DIY projects), and websites with online templates (for example,Catch My Party printables).

Party Favors

What about favors? People are easy when it comes to favors—just give them something they can use or put on a shelf as a reminder of the fun they had.

Dogs are kind of like toddlers. In other words, you should include some edible snacks, chews, and appropriate toys.

Individual bags can be made up, but sometimes have a community “favor-pool” might be the best way for all dogs to share from and enjoy.

Ideas for a toy box include tennis balls, plush toys, Kong chew toys, and similar.

Favor bags can also include necessities, such as poop bags, hand sanitizer (for the picker-upper), dog-friendly wipes for face and bum (or to make the stinky doggo smell better), and dog-friendly breath mints.

Of course, you don't want to forget the humans in attendance either!

Include cookies for both dog and dog-parent to enjoy, maybe an accessory, and something that says, “Thanks for coming today!” You can get creative here, but one way to make deciding on the items easier is to go along with the theme of the party.

Invitations

In the age of digital media, mailing actual invitations might not be necessary (though it is still a really cute idea).

You can decide how you want to invite people to your Shiba Inu's birthday party, whether that is via email, snail mail, opening a Facebook event page, or a blend of all three.

E-invites are a great option for people whose real address is unknown to you, or if you are trying to be eco-friendly and save trees.

NorCal Shibas and traveling Shibas: June 13th. Autumn and I will bring the cheeze #shibapartyhttps://t.co/XgZNvhys4mpic.twitter.com/Mywr3uqkgk

— Prince Zuko (@demondogsports) January 30, 2015

Real invites are wonderful if you want to send a small party favor, such as a home-baked dog treat or accessory—think clip-on collar bow-tie or customizable party hat—that invited doggos and humans have to wear to get in.

If you need some party invitation ideas, check out the local stationary store, Etsy, ordownloadable templates.

You can also create your own for free with programs likeCanva orAdobe Spark.

A couple of things to include on the invitation are:

• Requesting vaccination information (don’t worry, this isn’t prying. Everyone should be glad you are concerned about the health of their fur-children!)

• Including a statement that aggressive dogs may have to be excluded – this is especially important if you are inviting a doggo whom you haven't met yet

• The rules and regulations of any space (beach, park, daycare) that you might be renting, as well as any information about the space, such as a website link or flyer

• A warning about inviting small children

• RSVP information – include your phone number and email address.

• Ask that all pet parents use a traditional leash instead of retractable leashes, which can be a hazard in spaces with multiple dogs running around.

• Include a form for pet parents to fill out pertaining to food allergies or sensitivities they or their fur-child might have.

tfw you will never have a Shiba Pizza Party with all your Internet ShiBros pic.twitter.com/PvdMrW0BjB

— Lapfoxler @ FC18 (@Lewdblockify) October 26, 2015

Food

For most dogs, and humans, food is the absolute best part of any party.

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To produce an awesome Shiba Inu birthday party, be sure to make the food of the party scrumptious and of course, safe.

For Dogs

Dogs are easier to feed than humans most of the time. The menu can easily be decided once you have a list of food intolerances from the pet parents that RSVP'd on time.

Pupcake Recipe Ideas

Whether you decide to go from scratch or purchase a cake from a bakery, there are a number of birthday cakes out there that are ideal for your Shiba Inu.

There are also special birthday cake dry mixes available online for purchase, but you want to make sure that the items you need will be shipped to you before the birthday party!

Whatever you choose, here are some recipe ideas to help you decide:

• Spoiled Dog Cake Recipe byLove From The Oven: This delicious cake is packed with a bunch of delectable ingredients like Greek yogurt, peanut butter, applesauce, and pumpkin, all of which highly digestible for dogs. The best part is that all the ingredients make it friendly for humans too...unless you decide to top it with kibble or dog bones, that is.
• Peanut Butter Delight Birthday Cake byMoms & Munchkins: What is better than carrots and bananas for your spoiled fur-baby? A cake made out of them, that is. The frosting is made out of cream cheese and baby food, making it save for sensitive stomachs. Again, the ingredients used make this cake perfect for dog and pet parent to share.
• Banana and Carob Cake byBaked By Joanna: Can we take a moment to drool over this dog-friendly masterpiece? Not only does the finished product look like something fresh from a professional baker, but the whole process is surprisingly uncomplicated. And no, you don't have to worry about those carob chips. Carob is a dog-friendly alternative to chocolate that is packed with health benefits!
• Grain-Free Cake byA Cozy Kitchen: Have a doggo (or even human guests, for that matter) who have to avoid wheat and other grains? Then this recipe is perfect. There is apple, eggs, yogurt, honey, and chickpea flour to make a fluffy, tasty alternative that everyone can enjoy.

Treats and Chews

When it comes to providing treats to the party-goers, you are going to want something that is small and manageable for all dog mouth sizes

Leave the more intensive chews, like bully sticks and bones, for the favor bags.

Biscuits, jerky, and training treats are the perfect nibbles to have on hand.

Other options include pet-friendly human food options, such as air-popped popcorn without salt, sliced apples (and other pet-friendly fruits), sliced hot dogs or bite-sized burgers, and yogurt.

Here are some recipes for treats perfect for any time of the year:

• Frozen blueberry and strawberry yogurt treats by theDoggy Dessert Chef, which are perfect for summertime parties;
• Frozen apple and yogurt snacks byIrresistible Pets to, again, beat the heat;
• Frozen watermelon pupsicles byGrr Feisty – these are excellent for dogs that can't handle lactose;
• Homemade peanut butter & bacon dog treats bySally's Baking Addiction with dozens of options and flavor combinations available;
• Cinnamon bun bits byBabble to make your pup's tail wag with delight;
• Izzy's apple-cheddar dog biscuits byMartha Stewart.

For Humans

For us humans, typical finger foods may be a good idea since we will likely be busy ensuring our dogs are behaving and having a good time.

Chips and dip, pizza, grilled sandwiches (burgers, hot dogs, sausages), fruit bowls, and crackers and cheese are all great options.

Here are some ideas for doggy inspired 'human' chow:

• Puppy Chow Chex Mix (there are so many varieties, it's madness)
• Bone-shaped Breadsticks (sure, these are a Halloween recipe, but who's barking about it?)
• Bone-shaped Sugar Cookies – basically just mold a traditional sugar cookie dough into bones before baking
• Cupcakes that look like dogs (tutorial provided byFood Network)

Shiba knows RT @BuzzFeed: 18 Classy Tips For Your First Wine And Cheese Partyhttp://t.co/lNWWot3FoJpic.twitter.com/Jzo5BPXPXd

— Aileen Trang (@aileentrang) November 7, 2014

Activities

Human parties and dog parties can both be incredibly fun when you choose the correct activities.

Granted, some Shiba Inus are not exceptionally playful, but try finding an activity to entice and bring out their 'inner puppy'.

Activities can range for chilled to super dynamic and exciting, depending on the crowd. Here are some ideas that will have tails wagging:

Pinata

Now this is an activity that all Shiba Inus should enjoy participating in - tearing and demolishing something to get something yummy in return!

Check out this Shiba Inu having a go at a Pinata:

Canine Karaoke

This includes both human and doggo contestants. Some dogs will sing along with their owner. Others might give hilarious reactions and looks as they get serenaded.

Either way, it is sure to have people howling.

Judges award points according to overall performance, song quality, and how the dog reacted to the overall performance.

Photo Booth

One way to capture memories is to have a photo booth set up where people and dogs can enter to have group pictures taken.

You can choose what type of camera you use, but an instant Polaroid camera will be an excellent way to make a progressive activity, where people then decorate the photographs with markers and stickers.

You can also create a digital photo book to share with everyone once the party is over.

Agility/Obstacle Course

Here is a fun way to make thematic elements also work for you as part of a game. You can having tubing, barriers, pools, and other things that can work as obstacles for dogs to run through and around.

Set them up in a way that mimics an agility course and see if people can get their dogs to follow them through it.

The group that finishes the fastest, clearing all obstacles in a satisfactory way, is the winner.

En plein travail 🙂 #Agility#sportcanin#shiba#shibainu#educationcanine#canin#canine#dog#chienpic.twitter.com/dPcpoIpRep

— Sabine - Shiba CKK (@ShibaCKKEduc) April 28, 2014

Snoopy Says

Just like “Simon Says,” this dog-friendly alternative is going to make certain pets look like superstars. If everyone has a dog that has attended basic or obedience training, then Snoopy Says is sure to be a hit.

Make the game more challenging as it progresses, like instead of just saying “sit,” you try to get dogs to sit on chairs, for example.

Costume Contest

Unless the theme already has pets dressing up in party hats and other items, you can host a costume contest for the best dressed party-goer.

Of course, you are going to want to pull out all the stops with your doggo, too. It will be an excellent time for both pets and their humans alike.

Scavenger Hunts

Find-It and Fetch games are a fun way of tuckering out energetic pups. You can create a list of items that pups and their humans have to seek out, or do something similar to an Easter Egg Hunt but with dog-friendly alternatives.

Dogs don't need any special encouragement for this if every egg has a special treat hidden inside!

Treat Eating Contest

Dogs love food, that's no surprise. So why not have some fun and see whose doggo has the biggest stomach?

You can either whip up the treats or have someone else (like a doggy bakery) help out.

The messier the better, so pet parents can enjoy seeing their fur-children covered in colored icing. Just make sure keeps a hold of their dog.

Safety Measures

While every human and dog will probably know one another beforehand, there are some precautions you need to think about.

Disagreements and misunderstandings happen between dogs all the time.

You're going to need to make sure all dogs are supervised to ensure that no fights break out, especially if there are younger children also at the party.

Here are some tips about ways to ensure everyone remains safe and happy during the event:

• Have information on every single doggo that has been invited, including up-to-date shot information, assurance they are flea and tick free, are spayed/neutered, and whether or not they have attended obedience school.
• Also keep in mind that while your doggo might be completely fine with other animals, such as cats, birds, and farm animals, other dogs won’t always be as well behaved. If you have other animals around, consider moving them to someplace out of sight or having other pet parents sign off on whether their dog is fine with other animals.
• Set up a meet-and-greet area so that all dogs can become acquainted prior to being released into the space. You want to ensure that everyone is going to get along.
• To avoid having poo tracked around, set up a designated doggy bathroom spot -- especially if you are indoors.
• Purchase a first aid kit, because accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. Make sure to include supplies fit for both human and animal.
• Refrain from buying small treats and toys that can become a choking hazard, especially for bigger dog breeds.
• Set up spaces where dogs and humans can be separated to ensure there are no mishaps with food, drink, and other goods.
• Have a well-stocked supply of poop bags, clean up supplies, spare leashes, and towels.
• Set up a shaded space if the location you're using doesn't have natural shade. Also follow the weather forecast closely if you are holding the birthday party outside.

Conclusion

Obviously, every fur-child deserves to be honored on anniversary of the day they were born, so what are you waiting for?

There are a number of themes, decorations, recipes, and activities that every pup and parent can enjoy on the day of your Shiba Inu's birthday party.

Be sure to follow the advice and tips from this guide, and the party will go off without a hitch.

Happy Birthday to your doggo!

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