Ever wondered why your Shiba Inu all of a sudden is running around the house, digging holes in the backyard, barking too much, and chewing furniture constantly? They might simply be indicators that your dog is lacking in some physical and mental activity. Your Shiba Inu dog might appear calm and may not be much as active as other dogs, but your Shiba Inu needs regular mental and physical activity every day to be healthy and happy.
Knowing how physical and mental exercises will benefit your Shiba Inu will help your dog become healthy and prevent him from being stubborn or destructive. This article will show you the amount of daily exercise your Shiba Inu requires and the most enjoyable exercises you can perform to keep them busy all day.
How Much Exercise Does a Shiba Inu Need?
Shiba Inus are an energetic and active dog that needs regular exercise. They need at least an hour of physical activity a day to maintain their physical and mental health. Daily walks, playtime in a safe area and interactive games are essential for their wellbeing. To promote their growth and development, Shiba Inu puppies need to engage in certain types of activity.
Although they experience energy spikes, a lot of rest is also necessary for healthy development of muscles and bones. Short periods of play should be given to the Shiba Inu puppies to avoid any overload.
Shiba Inus are easily bored and require daily physical and mental engagement to avoid frustration, which can lead to destructive or aggressive behavior. Although this breed can get enough exercise by spinning brodies on the bed and banking off the couch, they require more exercise to get into shape.
Here is the amount of exercise your Shiba requires according to age.
| Age | Daily Exercise |
| Puppy (2–6 months) | 20–40 minutes (short ply sessions throughout the day) |
| Puppy (6–12 months) | 40–60 minutes |
| Adult (1–8 years) | 60–90 minutes |
| Senior (8+ years) | 30–60 minutes (based on health) |
Why Exercise Is Important for a Shiba Inu?
Shiba Inus are small to medium sized dogs found in Japan and have a special and exuberant nature. Shiba Inus are exploratory and adventurous breeds. They can’t do without walking, exercising in a safe location and playing with them. The Shiba Inu has also traditionally been used as a hunting dog, chasing small animals like rodents.
However,  today the Shiba Inu is primarily a companion dog, yet retains some of its characteristics – agility, endurance, curiosity and independence. They don’t require much physical activity, but if they do, the calmer and more manageable they will be at home.
Exercises will enable your Shiba to:
- Keep fit and in good shape
- Develop strong muscles and joints
- Lower anxiety and stress
- Promote good behavior
- Enhance the function of the heart and blood circulatory system
- Promote the body to achieve a healthy digestive system.
- Mental stimulation
- Strengthen the bond between you and your Shiba
Best Types of Exercise for Shiba Inus
Understanding Shiba Inus exercise needs helps in keeping them fit, balancing their exercise routine, preventing destructive behavior, and most importantly, keeping them happy and well. Here are the  best types of exercise for Shiba Inus:
1. Daily Walks
Walking is the main component of a Shiba’s exercise. Walking is a great way to maintain fitness and socialization. Two walks a day (typically 30-45 minutes) are recommended. Keep exploration to a variety of other trails for different scents and sensations.
To make your daily walk with Shibu more beneficial, you can follow these tips:
- Short Walks: Begin with 20 to 30 minutes of walking twice a day
- Brisk Walks: Maintain a brisk speed for an effective walk
- Leash Walks: Learn the appropriate leash etiquette
- Morning Walks: Walk in the morning to control their energy
- Evening Walks: Soothe them to end the day calmly
- Variation in Paths: Take different routes to spark interest
- Incorporate Hills: Include hill walks to vary the exercise
- Overexertion: Look out for any signs of exhaustion
2. Hiking
They tend to enjoy hiking, as it has a similar landscape to where they were bred. A nice walk can be a great physical exercise for your dog. Spends time with them for mental enrichment and confidence-building. Hiking can be one of the best ways to have a bonding time with your dog. When you do take your Shiba out for a hike, be sure to keep him/her on a leash, because they are very prone to chasing prey (bunnies or other small animals) and also have great escape ability.
Here are a few tips that you should take care of when you plan to go for a hike with your Shiba:
- Trail Selection: Select suitable and dog-friendly trails
- Short Hikes: Start with shorter hikes
- Hydration: Carry enough water and ensure proper hydration for both
- Foot Care: Take care of paws and check for any cuts and wounds
- Breaks: Plan break stops to prevent fatigue
- Leash Laws: Follow leash laws and guidelines
- Weather Check: Ensure appropriate weather for the hike
- Wildlife Encounters: Watch out for wildlife encounters
3. Interactive Play
The games stimulate Shibu’s mind and body. The dog games will ensure that the dog stays engaged, as well as direct its energies towards more productive activities without having any involvement in property destruction. There will also be dog games to work on obedience and improve our dog-owner relationship. Make sure to set rules for dog games and confirm that you are consistent in their enforcement. Here is a list of dog games that you can try with your Shiba:
- Fetch Games: Using balls/toys to engage them in physical activity
- Tug-of-War: Engaging their natural instinct in playing
- Hide-and-Seek: Hiding treats/toys from them
- Training Games: Combining playtime with simple commands
- Flirt Pole Games: Simulating their hunting instincts with a toy on a string
- Laser Pointer: Engaging in an indoor, safe, and fun game
- Treat Puzzles: Building up their problem-solving skills
- Rotating Toys: Rotating toys on a regular basis
Regardless of your pet’s age, we are here to offer dependable advice and suggestions to ensure that your pet leads the best life it possibly can. Connect with us today to get useful information and valuable recommendations for your pet.
4. Agility Training
All of these breeds are naturally athletic and agile dogs. Agility training not only helps them meet their exercise needs but is also a great source of building their strength. The agility training consists of:
- Obstacle Courses: Simple obstacle setup can be created at home
- Jump Bars: Low bars that help them to jump
- Tunnel Crawling: Make them practice crawling exercises
- Balance Boards: These are helpful in practicing balancing and stability
- Weaving Poles: Help in teaching weaving through poles
- Praise Training: Treats can be used as positive reinforcement
- Small Sessions: Short sessions help in keeping their focus
5. Â Mental Stimulation
Shiba Inus are very intelligent dogs. They should be provided with sufficient brain engagement to prevent them from being aggressive and fatigued. Here are a few exercises you can do with your Shibu that will take about 15 to 30 minutes per day.
- Puzzle Toys: Buy toys that are problem-solving toys
- Training Exercises: Train obedience together with mental exercises
- Interactive Feeder: Use a feeder where your dog needs to work to get the food
- Scent Training: Hide treats so that they learn how to track scents
- Names Learning: Teach them names of toys or other items
- Hide and Seek Games: Hide their toys and ask them to search for them
- Change Tasks: Change their tasks daily to keep them stimulated
6. Socialization Sessions
Through socialization exercises, you will be able to guarantee that your Shiba will stay disciplined and non-aggressive over their lifetime. These are some of the socialization activities that you can try using with your dog:
- Puppy Classes: Early socialization through puppy classes
- Dog Parks: Regular visits to dog parks for dog interactions
- Controlled Play Dates: You can arrange controlled dog play sessions
- Walking with Friends: Dog walks with other dogs
- Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding dogs with treats for positive behaviors
- Behavior Observation: Checking for aggressive and anxious behaviors
- Short Sessions: Conduct short initial sessions
- Matched Energies: Match dogs with similar levels of energy
Signs That Your Shiba Inu Is Not Exercising Enough
You may realize that your pet is not getting enough exercise if he/she:
- is chewing up the furniture
- loves digging in the garden
- keeps barking
- is walking around the house
- is restless in the house
- has gained weight
- needs constant attention
- is attempting to escape from the yard
What are safe indoor activities for Shiba Inus?
Even just 15-20 minutes of playing indoor games will help you keep your dog from being bored. Examples of some of the indoor games are:
- Hide-and-seek
- Food puzzles
- Tug-of-war
- Obedience training
- Indoor fetch
- Playing the stairs game (with caution)
- Training for tricks
- Treasure hunting
What Are the Exercise Safety Tips for Your Dog?
Shiba Inus are renowned for their escape skills, so make sure that fencing is tight before releasing your Shiba. Here are some tips to ensure your Shiba Inu is kept safe:
- Use a reliable harness or leash at all times.
- Don’t rely on recall in unfenced spaces.
- Carry water for long walks.
- Test surface temperatures before walking.
- Gradually increase levels of exercise.
- Do not engage in any exercise directly after eating.
- Make sure that vaccinations are up to date before going to a dog park.
Final Thoughts
One of the major components of the Shiba Inu’s upkeep is exercise. The amount of daily energy exerted is unique to every dog, and most of the adult Shiba Inus are able to tolerate the physically demanding hour of exercise daily and the mental stimulation they receive. Some of the regular exercises you can add to keep your dog well behaved and not bored are walking, playing, training and sniffing around.
If you select the proper exercise program for your dog based on his physical abilities, his age and temperament, you can guarantee you are giving your Shiba Inu a long and healthy happy life. In addition, you must exercise your Shiba Inu more than he/she does as an active dog, provide a balanced diet, visit the vet on a regular basis and provide preventive healthcare for your dog to ensure he/she lives a long, happy life. You can get in touch with us or visit our website for professional advice if you want more information about pet care, including dos and don’ts.
