Tips For Shiba's
For dry,itchy, and irritated skin- I use Old Fashion Oatmeal, you can grind it into a powder or use whole, either way it works very well. I use about 3 or 4 cups of oatmeal, I soak the oatmeal in warm water just enough to make a slight paste, as I wet the dog with warm water. Rub oatmeal into dogs coat and massage into skin. This usually takes about 5 to 10 min. Rinse and dry. Mine always feel so much better after this and their coats are nice and shiny.
OATMEAL BATH
I have found that adding about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of salmon or mackerel to their dry food, is also great for a healthy shiny coat. I do this about 2 times a week. This works well and is
like a treat, they'll love it!!!
ADDING FISH
I have also learned, through 1 of my shibas, lamb does not agree with some dogs. After buying a lamb and rice product, 1 of my shibas kept having leg cramps(her muscles would be rock hard) and she would yelp everytime she would lay down or get up. Needless to say " Out with the lamb". This also happened to one of my Chinese Shar-pei's, way back in 1993, but I had no idea what it was then. I had to do a lot of research to find that it was happening to others too!
NO LAMB!!
POTTY TRAINING
AAHH everyone dreds this one! But one thing I've learned, is to take them to their potty area, right after they are done eating or drinking(because things seem to go right through them), and always take them out, right after they wake up. During the day I try to remind them about every 30 min.(if I can remember), this doesn't go on forever, you'll be surprised how fast they catch on. I have potty trained pups as early as 4 weeks. They are very smart. I teach them to go on puppy pads and to go to the door for outside. One good example, a lady that bought one of my pups from last year(Dec. 06) taught her puppy to ring a bell that was attached to the door to go outside, because they rarely bark. She says he learned this right away!! So hang in there, they should get it witnin a week or 2.
