I didn't see a thread for this (I stuck it under "general", but feel free to move it if need be) and was just wondering if any of you saw a change in your Shiba's level of attachment with yous if you're the primary caretaker. I saw a few comments floating around the forum about it, but was curious enough to want to start a discussion.
I know some dogs tend to go through a phase where they get used to you and your presence and find other people much more interesting. I was wondering how common it is to see a Shiba become attached to someone else as they get older. For example, I'm the primary caretaker for Apollo, but I do live at home with my parents. Eventually, I plan to move out of course, in which case it's been established that Apollo will come with me. From the start he was going to be "my dog". Apollo has been getting used to my parents too, and has shown a liking towards my dad, who would be considered next in line as caretaker. He is still very loyal to me (and he'll be stuck with me the rest of his natural life, so he better deal with it lol) but I can't tell if he's going to start listening to my father instead of me as he gets older.
Well.....based on my experience. When Bootz was 3-4 months old...she was attached to my boyfriend more. I was the one that walked/bathed/fed them, 75% of the time, whereas my boyfriend helped the other 25%. I think part of the reason was due to the fact that our 2nd puppy was attached to me.
Now that Bootz is 8 months old, I personally think she likes us both equally. Her affections and obedience is the same with both of us. Although my bf gets jealous sometimes and feels that Bootz likes me more than him now.
Bootz is use to us and do find other people more interesting, but thing is, it never last more than 10 mins. I've observed Bootz. With strangers or with familar people, after being with them for about 10 mins, Bootz will get bored and walk away.
Still quite young, almost 4 months. We've had him for nearly 2 months to the day, and for the first few weeks I was always home so he got used to me quickly, took a little longer to warm up to my parents. I think part of the reason Apollo likes my dad is because he's probably a much better authority figure than I am lol. Not that I don't discipline him or work on obedience with him, but my father is much more intimidating and speaks with a low voice, so Apollo seems more likely to listen to him and follow his lead. I do hope he stays my boy though. I've been putting a lot of effort into taking care of him and just don't want to feel unappreciated when he's older.
When I got Conker he was 4 months old. He attached to me from the day I got him. He likes other people he gets to know, tolerates is a better word, but most he wants nothing to do with. When I moved back in with Mom and siblings, he almost waged war against Mom, and largely ignored my younger sister. He doesn't like my younger-taller brother at all unless he hasfood. My older sister... She scares him. He's curious but most of the time avoids her since she doesn't know squat about how to act around a fearful dog. The only person Conker has attached to so quickly other than me was my youngest brother. If it weren't for me, Conkers favorite person would be my him. I know who gets to have Conker if anything ever happens to me. Even though he's only 9 years old, Teddy is the only one I'd actually trust to take care of Conker the way I do. How funny is that? Just shows you how much my little bro actually cares about my dog. Maybe that's why Conker likes him so much, since to Teddy, he's not "just a dog".
When it comes down to who Conker likes and who he doesn't, it entirely depends on what you do with and how you treat him. I spend almost all day with Conker, play with him several thousand times a day (at least it seems like several thousand), walk him, hike with him, fed him (that's a biggie there), and let him sleep on my bed. Teddy is the only other one in the house who comes close to that. Teddy and Conker wrestle the moment Teddy gets home from school, they play fetch and tug, lay on the floor... Be boys basically. Even the Girls like Teddy more than Mom, younger-taller brother or either sister since he given them a lot of attention. (When it's 2:30 and the bus drives by, the dogs all line up at the door and wait for him to come home.) Since everyone else just gives Conker a pat when they come home, I guess they aren't as valuable to him as Teddy and I, because we actually do things with him that are fun.
@konpeito, my bf and i are the same. I do girly voices to Bootz. My bf always has a calm assertive voice. Like Losech, just spend quality time with the puppy and it will be fine. Apollo is still young. He'll show more affections with age. Shibas are a breed with a lot of pride.
Losech said, "When it comes down to who Conker likes and who he doesn't, it entirely depends on what you do with and how you treat him." This is the unbiased truth. INU just adores Chris, a fellow dog walker at the dog park. We do not see him that often (maybe once or twice a month) but when we do he is all over Chris. He rubs against Chris's legs, wants to be petted and gives him kisses. Chris has known INU since he was a puppy and is best friends with his dog Bear.
