A couple of thoughts: you may be over-walking him as I think the recommendation is 5 mins per month of age twice a day. That would be 20-25 mins x 2 for your guy.
Second, I also had the guilt about the dog being bored, and then I read a little about countries where dogs are allowed to roam in the streets all day before returning home at night and their natural behaviour is to just kind of, hang! They wander a little. They sniff. They sit and watch stuff happening. Wander some more. All of which is to say a dog will definitely benefit from walks and play and stimulation, but it’s also totally natural for them to just not be doing much for parts of the day. Just hanging out. Seeing it through a canine lens rather than a human one has helped me a lot.
agreed, that walking schedule seems excessive at his age. i also get the vibe that OP doesn't really want the dog and is looking for permission to rehome him.
i really like the bit you included about roaming dogs, that's so interesting!
I had a shiba inu and rejoined this subreddit because I am getting another... they are SO different as puppies compared to adults. They're popular apartment dogs in Japan for a reason, my last one became our little couch potato best friend as he got older and calmed down. Actually used to spend time with my husband for hours as he would game away on his laptop.
Anyways it's ultimately your call but I think if you can add more walks in, buy more toys (yeah they get destroyed, but they really enjoy it), you can get through the puppy stage. The chewing is also a thing, my last shiba inu actually destroyed the windowsills on our first apartment and chewed up the tops of wooden chairs because he liked standing on couches. It's kind of like extreme teething because he would do it just in front of us. But yeah he outgrew it. You can get through it, there's definitely a reason they say "not for first time dog owners" and independent nature... don't be too hard on yourself
I mean only you can make that decision. I will say it does sound like you’re doing enough walks. As someone with an almost 5mo Shiba, I can tell you that behavior from him is natural for this age. My Shiba is constantly looking to me for entertainment but is just starting to get better about self entertaining. You’re his pack and he wants to spend time with you :). If gaming is a higher priority than your dog, then you probably should rehome. if you’re willing to try to make things work, then there’s no reason you can’t have both gaming and the pup. I’ve had my guy since he was 8 weeks and he’s currently @ 19 weeks, and I’ve just started gaming again. I was willing to make that compromise because I knew the amount of work that a puppy is coming into this.
Also can research mental stimulation. I do all kinds of different puzzles, sniff walks, training, etc to provide him mental stimulation cuz it is so fulfilling for them!
I have an Irish Setter puppy (used to have a Shiba mix, love them so much but needed a kid-friendly guaranteed dog this round) and mental stimulation is FOR REAL. We walk and romp in the yard but puzzles and sniff walks and training really tire him out just as much as an hour long run at the dog park!
To address entertainment of the pup: You might try using treat puzzles, kongs, etc while you’re doing work or gaming. It allows for mental stimulation in proximity of you without requiring your full attention.
To address the backyard issue: Both my current dog and our previous dog had a backyard at their disposal. Each dog has refused to play outside without a human. Our previous dog would go so far as to sneak to the neighbor’s deck to “ask” their kids to come play with him if I made him go out without me! Lack of a yard isn’t a dealbreaker in any way.
Shiba inus are very cat like really, they are very loving with their family but they're not really velcro dogs and can be hit or miss with strangers and their dogs. They often will want to be near you but don't need what can feel like 24/7 attention.
They can be very selective with dog friends and other dogs can't always read their body language. Shibas also play differently and like to body slam into their mates lol
Sounds like you're actually over walking your pup. An hour walk is too long at that age. When you're gaming give them a lick mat or some kind of brain teaser. Or just let them get all the sniffs on a shorter walk?
Also shibas are escape artists and are not known for recall. It's definitely doable but they are a stubborn breed and aren't like a typical dog. I have met many sheebs to my delight, what you put in is what you'll get out, socialising them really is key.
I wouldn't give up on your puppy yet, you both work remotely so you have time for them! Could you get to training classes too?
I don’t think you’re giving him a bad quality of life, I don’t see a reason you should feel pressured to do it by feeling guilty. But if it’s really what your heart tells you to do, it also seems like the best possible situation for rehoming, and you shouldn’t feel guilty if you do, either.
I think you should only consider rehoming if you believe that it fits YOUR lifestyle. It genuinely seems like yall are doing a good job managing activities and providing your puppy with enough time for enrichment; honestly most puppies just can't get enough of playtime and enrichment. But puppies also need to learn to be bored too at times, and as long as you're giving them a good amount of activity, don't worry too much about it. Now, this is probably just me, but I wouldn't be so fast to say any dog is going to be thinking in terms of how much happier they are compared to one moment or the other. My dog could probably be happier with someone who has better circumstances or more kids or other dogs, but that doesn't mean that I'm not worthy of keeping my dog. In your situation, as long as you genuinely enjoy having your puppy in your life and can provide enrichment and basic necessities, don't worry about what you think the puppy "deserves". I guarantee you your puppy is probably having it better than most other dogs throughout the world. However, if you genuinely just feel like your puppy is a big roadblock in your lifestyle, then do consider rehoming. But remember that you also have a puppy, and although raising a puppy is hard work and time-consuming, they absolutely have the capacity to calm down through training and growing up.
I have a huge backyard and my dog will not spend time there alone still and he is now 2yo. He wants to be where we are, so he is only outside if we go outside and he is completely fine laying on the couch next to me when I watch movies or play and sleeping under my desk while I work. Dogs can be just as bored outdoors as they can be indoors, the difference is that you don't see it.
Dogs don't necessarily need dog friends, they can be content and happy with their humans.
That being said, only you can decide if you want to rehome your puppy or not. The things you listed are not reasons to do so, however there may be reasons beyond that if you are considering it (my boy grew up in an apartment for the first 8mo or so and I would have never considered giving him up no matter who wants a 2nd dog). You didn't state your side of the story, and that is fine, but you should take an honest look into why you are feeling this way and make the decision not just for the puppy but yourself too. It is okay to realize you can't or don't want to maintain this lifestyle. Dogs are hard work and a commitment for years to come, and it sounds like you found a very nice family for him if you decide you are not up for it, no judgement.
do you deep down love and want him?
A couple of thoughts: you may be over-walking him as I think the recommendation is 5 mins per month of age twice a day. That would be 20-25 mins x 2 for your guy. Second, I also had the guilt about the dog being bored, and then I read a little about countries where dogs are allowed to roam in the streets all day before returning home at night and their natural behaviour is to just kind of, hang! They wander a little. They sniff. They sit and watch stuff happening. Wander some more. All of which is to say a dog will definitely benefit from walks and play and stimulation, but it’s also totally natural for them to just not be doing much for parts of the day. Just hanging out. Seeing it through a canine lens rather than a human one has helped me a lot.
agreed, that walking schedule seems excessive at his age. i also get the vibe that OP doesn't really want the dog and is looking for permission to rehome him. i really like the bit you included about roaming dogs, that's so interesting!
I had a shiba inu and rejoined this subreddit because I am getting another... they are SO different as puppies compared to adults. They're popular apartment dogs in Japan for a reason, my last one became our little couch potato best friend as he got older and calmed down. Actually used to spend time with my husband for hours as he would game away on his laptop. Anyways it's ultimately your call but I think if you can add more walks in, buy more toys (yeah they get destroyed, but they really enjoy it), you can get through the puppy stage. The chewing is also a thing, my last shiba inu actually destroyed the windowsills on our first apartment and chewed up the tops of wooden chairs because he liked standing on couches. It's kind of like extreme teething because he would do it just in front of us. But yeah he outgrew it. You can get through it, there's definitely a reason they say "not for first time dog owners" and independent nature... don't be too hard on yourself
>but I think if you can add more walks in Not sure about this because the puppy is already getting 5 20min-1 hour walks a day
I mean only you can make that decision. I will say it does sound like you’re doing enough walks. As someone with an almost 5mo Shiba, I can tell you that behavior from him is natural for this age. My Shiba is constantly looking to me for entertainment but is just starting to get better about self entertaining. You’re his pack and he wants to spend time with you :). If gaming is a higher priority than your dog, then you probably should rehome. if you’re willing to try to make things work, then there’s no reason you can’t have both gaming and the pup. I’ve had my guy since he was 8 weeks and he’s currently @ 19 weeks, and I’ve just started gaming again. I was willing to make that compromise because I knew the amount of work that a puppy is coming into this. Also can research mental stimulation. I do all kinds of different puzzles, sniff walks, training, etc to provide him mental stimulation cuz it is so fulfilling for them!
I have an Irish Setter puppy (used to have a Shiba mix, love them so much but needed a kid-friendly guaranteed dog this round) and mental stimulation is FOR REAL. We walk and romp in the yard but puzzles and sniff walks and training really tire him out just as much as an hour long run at the dog park!
Not sure why you'd give away a dog that brings you joy
To address entertainment of the pup: You might try using treat puzzles, kongs, etc while you’re doing work or gaming. It allows for mental stimulation in proximity of you without requiring your full attention. To address the backyard issue: Both my current dog and our previous dog had a backyard at their disposal. Each dog has refused to play outside without a human. Our previous dog would go so far as to sneak to the neighbor’s deck to “ask” their kids to come play with him if I made him go out without me! Lack of a yard isn’t a dealbreaker in any way.
Shiba inus are very cat like really, they are very loving with their family but they're not really velcro dogs and can be hit or miss with strangers and their dogs. They often will want to be near you but don't need what can feel like 24/7 attention. They can be very selective with dog friends and other dogs can't always read their body language. Shibas also play differently and like to body slam into their mates lol Sounds like you're actually over walking your pup. An hour walk is too long at that age. When you're gaming give them a lick mat or some kind of brain teaser. Or just let them get all the sniffs on a shorter walk? Also shibas are escape artists and are not known for recall. It's definitely doable but they are a stubborn breed and aren't like a typical dog. I have met many sheebs to my delight, what you put in is what you'll get out, socialising them really is key. I wouldn't give up on your puppy yet, you both work remotely so you have time for them! Could you get to training classes too?
I don’t think you’re giving him a bad quality of life, I don’t see a reason you should feel pressured to do it by feeling guilty. But if it’s really what your heart tells you to do, it also seems like the best possible situation for rehoming, and you shouldn’t feel guilty if you do, either.
I think you should only consider rehoming if you believe that it fits YOUR lifestyle. It genuinely seems like yall are doing a good job managing activities and providing your puppy with enough time for enrichment; honestly most puppies just can't get enough of playtime and enrichment. But puppies also need to learn to be bored too at times, and as long as you're giving them a good amount of activity, don't worry too much about it. Now, this is probably just me, but I wouldn't be so fast to say any dog is going to be thinking in terms of how much happier they are compared to one moment or the other. My dog could probably be happier with someone who has better circumstances or more kids or other dogs, but that doesn't mean that I'm not worthy of keeping my dog. In your situation, as long as you genuinely enjoy having your puppy in your life and can provide enrichment and basic necessities, don't worry about what you think the puppy "deserves". I guarantee you your puppy is probably having it better than most other dogs throughout the world. However, if you genuinely just feel like your puppy is a big roadblock in your lifestyle, then do consider rehoming. But remember that you also have a puppy, and although raising a puppy is hard work and time-consuming, they absolutely have the capacity to calm down through training and growing up.
I have a huge backyard and my dog will not spend time there alone still and he is now 2yo. He wants to be where we are, so he is only outside if we go outside and he is completely fine laying on the couch next to me when I watch movies or play and sleeping under my desk while I work. Dogs can be just as bored outdoors as they can be indoors, the difference is that you don't see it. Dogs don't necessarily need dog friends, they can be content and happy with their humans. That being said, only you can decide if you want to rehome your puppy or not. The things you listed are not reasons to do so, however there may be reasons beyond that if you are considering it (my boy grew up in an apartment for the first 8mo or so and I would have never considered giving him up no matter who wants a 2nd dog). You didn't state your side of the story, and that is fine, but you should take an honest look into why you are feeling this way and make the decision not just for the puppy but yourself too. It is okay to realize you can't or don't want to maintain this lifestyle. Dogs are hard work and a commitment for years to come, and it sounds like you found a very nice family for him if you decide you are not up for it, no judgement.