Some people who have never owned a Shiba Inu might catch the title and ask, “What is a Shiba Inu scream?”
All breeds have their quirks, and this is one for the Shiba Inu. Maybe you own one of these breeds and wonder why they do it.
A Shiba Inu scream is a sound the breed tends to make when it’s anxious, nervous, or uncomfortable- and wants the world to know about it. Though it might sound alarming, the scream is normal for the Shiba Inu as whining would be for other breeds.
It can be a sound for simple communication when the dog isn’t pleased, or the scream can be a begging tool.
Some people think it’s a cute or funny trait and promote it by screaming for treats as if it were a trick (yes, there are videos on YouTube to prove my claim).
Some people find it cute and encourage it; others might try their best to make them stop because they find it annoying. Maybe this depends on the way individual Shiba Inu decide to scream.
Some can sound like a combination of wine and a howl with a slightly higher pitch. Others sound like an extended and louder version of a squeaky door- a high-pitched squealing noise- may be comparable to a coach whistle. One can be much more tolerable than the other.
Shiba Inu Personality
The Shiba Inu was originally used as a hunting dog and is often noted for continuing to have a strong prey drive.
Though small to medium-sized dogs, they have a big dog personality. They can be aggressive to other animals like cats, particularly dogs of the same sex.
These dogs are very energetic and intelligent and are good at finding solutions to various problems. Most notably, figuring out how to get out of pens and jumping over fences.
Commonly, a Shiba Inu can be willingly dominant. Stern training is necessary to remove any negative traits that can come with that behavior.
Their other traits are independence, stubbornness, and territorial.
RELATED ARTICLE: Are Shiba Inus good for first-time dog owners?
Early socialization of puppies can condition many of the aggressive or dominant traits, and training can work out the rest.
Shiba Inu’s aren’t known to be overly vocal dogs. Being generally quiet, they are well suited for apartments or house living.
Despite this seemingly negative review of the breed’s attitude, it should be noted that this is one of the most popular dogs in Japan.
Also, its popularity has grown in the United States over the past 50 years. A well-trained Shiba Inu can make for a great family pet.
Why Does My Shiba Inu Scream?
The answer to this question is simple- communication. It is a noise that it makes to convey a message to you. It could be something it wants, is anxious about, or is scared of.
The most common circumstances triggering a Shiba Inu to start screaming are trips to the vet or a pet grooming visit. If it’s a situation that you’re introducing them to involuntarily, the scream is to make you well aware of their displeasure.
How do I Get My Shiba Inu to Stop Screaming?
The best way to keep your Shina Inu from screaming will be different between puppies and adults.
Removing this behavior as a puppy is possible if you continuously familiarize the pup with notorious causes for screaming (aka the vet, getting nails clipped, baths, grooming, etc.).
They’ll be less likely to scream if they know that they’re not endangered or that it’s not so bad.
With an adult Shiba Inu, there’s only one way to make them stop screaming. Figure out what they’re screaming about, and remove the reason. You’ll notice that they’ll scream while being handled at the vet, but they’ll stop when they get to leave.
They’ll scream at something in the window but will stop when the object of their attention moves on. If your Shiba Inu is screaming at you, figure out why, and try to appease the dog if you can.
If you can figure out why it’s screaming, you’ll be able to figure out how to make it stop- one way or the other.
You can’t force this natural behavior to stop. Still, by paying attention and understanding what’s setting it off, you can help prevent it.
Do I need to Worry when My Shiba Inu Screams?
As far as the dog is concerned, there’s no reason you need to worry, as it is a natural trait of the dog. If you’re talking about noise complaints, that might be another issue.
But there is no cause to be alarmed that it’s screaming any more than if it were whining. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your dog except for its disapproval of a situation.
Screaming can occur while trying to train your dog because you’re not allowing it to have its way. The reasons are as simple as that. The sooner this is understood, the less worry you will have when your dog starts screaming at you.
Shiba Inu’s are willful and stubborn, and at times, when they’re not getting their way, they’ll let you know it by a scream because that’s all it can do about the situation.
A tantrum of sorts. It is no less common than a child throwing a tantrum when it’s not getting its way.
As you get to know your dog, you’ll be able to discern between reasons why it’s screaming and will get better at giving them less reason to do so.
Final Thoughts
The scream of a Shiba Inu is a trait specific to the breed, and it’s no surprise that owners new to the breed can be alarmed.
But there’s no reason to start thinking that there’s something unhealthy going on with the dog or that it’s in some serious distress.
It’s a call for your attention, an expression of frustration, and an effective means to get you to pamper it if you don’t take care to train this out of your dog as much as you can at an early age.
Do you want to learn more about Shibas?
Check out my interesting article about Shiba Inu Pros and Cons.
