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Shiba Inus are a high-energy breed that just never seems to calm down. I often thought my Shiba Inu, Faith, was just going to be crazy forever.
Shiba Inus calm down substantially after they reach two distinct milestones. Many Shiba Inu owners note their puppies calmed down after they finished teething, while others mention they’re Shibas calmed down when they hit the age of two. Which Shiba Inus hit maturity at the age of two.
Armed with the knowledge I just had to survive until my Shiba Inu was 2 I knew there had to be another way. Of which I was able to research and successfully implement, resulting in my female Shiba Inu being remarkably calm, quiet, and affectionate.
At What Age Do Shiba Inus Calm Down?
Shiba Inus mature around the age of 2, with the most calming down once they hit that milestone. Do know that this isn’t the case for every Shiba Inu. Many owners note it as just the beginning with some claiming their pets didn’t start calming down until age 5 or 6.
Every Shiba Inu is different, from how they’re raised to their unique heritage, all of which play a role in their temperament along with when they may start to calm down. Regular play and exercise, at least one hour per day, along with routine training, can help mellow out this breed.
Shibas Tend To Calm Down After Teething
If you’re struggling to calm your Shiba Inu down while they’re a puppy they’re likely struggling with teething. Be sure they get at least 30 minutes of exercise and play a day, an hour is too much for a puppy, and make sure they have easy access to teething-appropriate toys.
Teething is a stressful time for not only you but also your Shiba Inu. The constant pain drives most crazy and most turn to destructive chewing as a remedy to it. That’s why you want them to have loads of toys nearby. Not only do they provide your puppy an appropriate outlet for their chewing but it makes correcting any bad behaviors easy by redirecting their attention to an appropriate toy. They also provide you plenty of opportunities to get them to play, further helping to calm them down.
Maturity Mellows Some Out, But Not All
With Shiba Inus maturing at the age of 2 it’s easy to see that age as a golden bullet to your Shiba’s crazy behavior, but it isn’t. While many Shiba Inus will start to mellow out and calm down around that time that isn’t the case for all of them.
Their daily activity, social skills, and training play a role in calming a Shiba Inu down as they age. While it’s fine to miss their daily exercise needs here and there the last thing you want is to routinely miss it. Missing, or even hitting that hour of exercise for an adult, won’t magically fix everything but it’s a step forward in the right direction by tiring them out.
Why Are Shiba Inus So Hyper Active?
There are a number of reasons your Shiba Inu could be acting crazy or hyper. Many Shiba Inus get random spikes in energy that are called Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs) that most people refer to as “zoomies“. Most of the time zoomies lead a Shiba to randomly start dashing around the house, randomly throwing toys and chasing other pets or people.
But zoomies aren’t the only reason your Shiba Inu is so hyper. Shiba Inus as a breed are known for their intelligence, high levels of energy, and strong prey drive. All of which could be playing a role in your unique case.
Shiba Inus Are A High Energy Breed That Easily Gets Bored
Shiba Inus are smart and full of energy, which is a real double edge sword if you don’t manage them properly. A Shiba’s high energy constantly has them seeking out something to do, whether is to bark, chase, or chew. When paired with the fact they’re intelligent, they get bored fairly easily.
That boredom can be managed with daily play, exercise, and a rotation of appropriate toys. But failing to keep them mentally stimulated for at least a large portion of the day leads them to find their own entertainment.
This is where destructive chewing comes in, and it’s a problem many Shiba Inu owners struggle with it. Over excitement is another common problem owners face.
Their High Prey Drive Keeps Them Going
Shiba Inus were bred to hunt independently, hints their stubborn solo nature. That high prey drive really winds them up and often gets them in trouble with leash pulling, aggression, and chasing other pets around both indoors and outdoors. This is a large part of why Shiba Inus aren’t recommended for those who have other small pets, like cats.
How To Calm A Shiba Inu
Thankfully, even with everything listed above, you have plenty of positive and effective ways to calm your Shiba Inu down. Many of them I’ve touched on above but will explain in more detail here.
Train Them Regularly
Training does more than teach your Shiba Inu a new command. It brings structure and routine to their lives, which they love, and helps the two of you bond. While different types of training are more physically exhausting than others, all of them are a great way to mentally tire out your Shiba Inu.
Mentally stimulating a Shiba Inu is just as important as getting them physically active, and most owners are dropping the ball here. With the fact Shiba Inus get bored easily it’s critical you give them adequate and appropriate ways to pass the time, leaving toys out is a common solution, otherwise, you run the risk of them grabbing and chewing anything they can get ahold of.
But there is a limit to how much training your Shiba can do in an individual session and throughout the day. Do your best to keep most training sessions to roughly 10 or 15 minutes in length with at least a 5 to 10-minute break for them to eat, play, or go to the bathroom. Adults can typically handle 2 or 3 of these types of training sessions easily while puppies may only be able to focus long enough on one or two.
Make Sure Your Shiba Is Getting Enough Exercise
Adult Shiba Inus need at least one full hour of play and exercise per day. Walks definitely count but some types of training won’t, like when you’re teaching your Shiba Inu to “sit” or “lay down”. Shiba Inu puppies need anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes of play and exercise a day.
Do your best not to over-exercise your pup by taking them on several long walks throughout the day or on a surprise hike. Excessive exercise causes additional stress on their growing bones and joints that they’re not meant to handle.
Be sure your puppy has plenty of toys around to play with, and join in on the fun when you can, but if you notice they’re starting to pass out let them. That’s their way of saying they’ve had enough and need some time to rest and recover.
Let Them Play And Socialize With Others
Proper socialization is critical for Shiba Inus as it helps familiarize them with other people, animals, sights, sounds, and situations. Socializing is also a fantastic opportunity for your Shiba to run around and play with others, helping calm them down by tiring them out.
Poor social skills lead this breed to air on the side of fear and aggression, neither of which is something you want to deal with for the rest of their life. Improper socializing also leads Shiba Inus to be more stressed and anxious.
How Do You Discipline A Hyper Shiba Inu?
Unfortunately, there is no “right way” to discipline a hyperactive or “crazy” Shiba Inu, only improper forms of discipline you should avoid using. Hyperactivity, or zoomies, is normal for pets and is common in both Shiba Inus and cats alike. It’s best to allow these random spikes in activity to play out as they’ll tire your Shiba out. Joining them with either a toy or chasing them around the house as a form of play will calm them down after a few short minutes.
Common negative forms of discipline like hitting, yelling, and crating for extended periods of time do little to remedy the behavior, in fact they teach a Shiba Inu to be more aggressive. These also damage the bond you and your pet shared, causing them to lose trust and start fearing you.
If you want to know how to properly and effectively discipline your Shiba Inu then check out this other post where I go into detail on the do’s and don’ts of disciplining this breed.
Summary Of When Your Shiba Will Finally Calm Down
Many Shiba Inus aren’t as hyper, chaotic, and crazy as they appear when they’re given the opportunity to properly play, exercise, socialize, and learn through training. Routines and habits will be your friend when trying to manage your Shiba’s hyperactivity.
Shiba Inus as a breed mature at the age of two, leading many to start mellowing out and calming down around that milestone. But while that may be the case for most, it definitely isn’t the case for every Shiba Inu. Some owners note two is when their pets really kicked it up a notch or that they didn’t notice their Shiba start to calm down until they were 5 or 6 years old.
Your Shiba Inu’s temperament will play a massive role in when they calm down, but you can take additional steps to help calm your Shiba Inu down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Shiba Inus Calm Dogs?
A Shiba Inus temperament can vary substantially based on both hereditary factors and how they’re raised. Calm and confident is the breed standard and most quality breeders will select for these traits. Poor training and socialization can lead to more chaotic and aggressive behaviors.
Are Shiba Inus Hyper Dogs?
Shiba Inus are a high-energy breed that needs at least one hour of daily exercise. Most hyperactive problems owners face are due to a lack of daily play and exercise. That lack of activity leads to boredom and a bored Shiba Inus turn to destructive chewing.
Why Is My Shiba Inu Crazy?
FRAPs (frenetic random activity periods) are when your Shiba Inu suddenly gets up and start sprinting around the house. While shocking and concerning at first this random spike in energy and activity is perfectly normal. These random spikes in activity are also commonly referred to as “zoomies”.
