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Are Shibas Allowed at Groomers? (Explained for Owners!)

Shibas are notorious breeds infamous for their howls and screams at the groomers, despite being a fun, mellow, and loyal dog usually elsewhere.

For this increased resistance that is almost its characteristic at this point, there are grooming places that do not accept Shibas as clients.

However, this is more as a precaution to do the breed right by giving them to a groomer who knows how to deal with them, rather than to make an unpleasant environment for all parties included.

Are Shibas allowed and accepted at groomers?

As Shibas are known to poorly behave, there may be some places that don’t accept them. This can be easily countered by properly socializing and training them so they know how to deal with such places. Some vets and grooming places have specialized people who allow and accept difficult Shibas.

Shibas need an experienced and steel-willed owner who knows how to deal with them so they can be trained to deal with stressful places such as vet visits and grooming sessions.

This is important since trips to the groomer are needed to keep the shedding under a manageable amount and letting their skin breathe so it and in turn, the dog can be healthy.

Unfortunately, there are instances where Shibas are adopted for their cute looks, so the owner/s do not keep in mind how much training they need. This in turn makes them ill-prepared at places such as the vets or groomers. 

Why are Shibas not allowed at groomers sometimes?

Shibas are known to be on the top of the list of difficult breeds to groom due to how they dislike being touched on their paws, ears, and neck- which are areas that need to be touched to properly groom and clean a dog.

Some are also very scared or aggressive towards strangers (in this case the groomer) so that makes for a bad time too.

Here are a few reasons why Shibas are not allowed at groomers sometimes:

Unpredictable

One of the main reasons a groomer might deny a dog service is because of how unpredictable they can be. Some breeds are hard to read and so become erratic to deal with since they give no warming growl and go straight to bite.

Since Shibas need to have their nails groomed and they are notoriously difficult about having their paws touched and groomed. So, it makes why some places will not welcome them.

Previous experience and prejudice

Ultimately, a groomer can refuse any client they do not feel okay and comfortable working with and on. This can be due to personal reason, or they could just be a victim of their prejudice.

Some breeds are known to be difficult to work with, so they could feed into the stereotype due to previous bad experiences or plain old personal disinterest.

This makes sense on their behalf since one wrongly placed injury could put them out of work for days and weeks, if not unfortunately forever.

The only way to get your Shiba to get used to groomers is to train them to behave and get used to the motions.

Do Shibas groom themselves?

It is a well-known saying that you will be okay with Shibas if you have had a cat before. This is because they are very cat-like in behavior, down to their extensive self-grooming tendencies.

Shibas are labeled as fastidious groomers who keep themselves clean where their coat is naturally waterproof and do not need to be shaved or cut.

As they are known to be clean dogs, they are often seen grooming themselves in their preferred corner where they are licking their paws like a cat.

They also tend to avoid puddles while walking so they don’t need many chances to get themselves a wash or bathe. Overall, Shibas groom themselves for they take great pride in their clean, proper appearance.

Do Shibas need to be groomed?

Since Shibas prefer to self-groom, they do not need to take as many trips to the groomer as other breeds. That being said, there are still instances where it is better if the person holding the brush and clipper at the other end is a professional.

Brushing and combing your Shibas hair coat is an important aspect of their wellbeing for it keeps them clean while increasing the bond between the canine and its master. Brushing also helps to improve the condition of their coat.

While Shibas do not need regular grooming visits, they should still be taken to a professional if anything doing on your own feels too problematic. It is better to have a professional handle their first nail cuts and thorough bathes so you at least can see and know how it is done.

How often should I take my Shiba Inu to the groomer?

How often you should be taking your Shiba to the groomer depends entirely on you and the lifestyle you lead with your Inu. It also depends if they are shedding a lot and how much shedding your environment can handle.

As Shibas are dogs with short hair and double undercoat, they do not need many grooming sessions apart from the almost daily brushing.

American Kennel Club recommends having most breeds be groomed at least once a month, but it eventually depends on the breed, what fur they have, and the lifestyle they lead. As Shiba Inus have seasonal shedding, their grooming routine needs to revolve around that as well.

How to properly groom a Shiba Inu?

Knowing how to properly groom them is going to be helpful regardless of who is the one doing it since you can at least see if it is done properly and do it yourself when in a pinch.

Brush coat:

To start with, brushing the coat for you Shiba should be a regular occurrence, usually done weekly if not every other week. You could use a specialized brush that reaches their undercoat to brush it out.

Brush teeth:

For brushing their teeth, make sure to do it daily, or at least try to make it as regular as possible so you can avoid gum diseases for them. Sometimes sedation is necessary but it should be avoided if possible.

Routine eye maintenance:

When it comes to eye care, Shibas are prone to cataracts and glaucoma hereditary so be on the lookout for them. Typically, Shibas do not need routine eye maintenance as other breeds such as Maltese.

Clean ear:

For ears, Shibas tend to be iffy about being touched there so it could be troublesome if they aren’t used to tolerating it. When showering or bathing make sure to not get water in there to minimize ear issues. 

Occasionally they might need proper medication to unplug debris or wax-filled ears.

Bathing:

Speaking of bathing, it is important to make bath time as stress-free for them as possible. Introduce them to bathing in a happy, healthy, and positive manner at an early age so the habit develops.

They don’t need to have baths too often since excessive bathing can flare up skin allergies they might have. A bath every 3 to 6 weeks should do the job. For quick cleaning sessions just use a damp cloth or baby wipes to gently wipe down your pup.

Hair cut:

Usually, Shibas do not need to have their hair cut for they already have a short coat. Unless the vet decrees it, Shibas do not need a haircut. A light trim should do the job in most cases.

Clip nails:

Last but certainly not least, when you have to clip the nails for your Shiba Inu, patience is your best friend. Start training them early on to at least tolerate someone handling their paws. 

Be in a calm state and environment, clip the tips of the nails and avoid the blood vessels so no one is hurt. Use nail grinders to smooth it out so nothing snags later on.

How often to bathe Shiba Inu?

You Shiba Inu should be given a bath depending on how dirty they get/smell, for they do not need a regular bath at all.

The common average is to have their bath every 6 weeks or so, some saying once or twice a year is enough as well.

How often should you brush a Shiba Inu?

It is recommended that you brush your Shiba at least once a week. This will help to control their shedding and remove the loose hair. Regular brushing also protects them from infection-causing bacteria.

Do Shiba Inus need their ears cleaned?

Shibas must get their ears cleaned since it prevents excessive build-up which can, later on, result in infections and other diseases. Ear cleaning should be a regular event for Shibas and their owners.

How do you deal with a Shiba screaming?

While Shibas are usually quiet when left to their devices, one of the only exceptions is when they are at the vet or the groomers, where they start their disreputable screaming sessions.

The only way to stop a Shiba screaming is to make them feel like they don’t have to anymore. You can accomplish this by making them feel calm, comfortable, stress-free, and loved.

You can also prevent future screaming sessions by getting them used to the places and procedures, whilst training them to tolerate and behave themselves.

When it comes to grooming your beloved pet, making sure they are calm and in a positive mindset is important, so it becomes a pleasant affair for all parties involved.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can Shiba Inus be Left Alone? For How Long?

Can Shiba Inus Be Service or Therapy Dogs?

Can Shiba Inus Live in Hot or Cold Weather?

Can Shiba Inus Be Off Leash?

Common Shiba Inu Behaviors And Solutions

Do Shiba Inus Bark a Lot?