Tiki came into rescue with a lot of Shibatude! She was a ball of fire that loved every person she met, but was a bit bossy and overbearing with the other dogs in rescue. She was very reactive towards other dogs when on leash and she had a few squabbles the first week along with some resource guarding of her food and toys.
Within a month Tiki made great improvements in getting along with the other dogs in foster care who showed her how to play in a friendly way (while still be very vocal!). She started to share her toys without too much protest and she even began to wait her turn for treats.
Tiki’s greatest evolution occurred when we fostered two puppies. She took on a maternal role and showed the puppies how to share their toys and treats.
Tiki’s absolute favorite game is playing fetch. She will run herself until you get tired. She leaps through the air as if she can fly, to catch balls in the air. After learning, “drop it” fetch became much more fun for her foster mom too!
Once Tiki trusts her people, she will be all over you cleaning your ears and face every night. She always likes to touch her foster mom when napping and loves sleeping in bed.
Tiki’s only bad habit in the home is stealing paper off the table (tissues, napkins, money) and shredding them to bits! Luckily, Tiki learned, “drop it” and does so nearly perfectly!
Tiki’s leash reactivity is much better and can be improved upon with a family willing to put in the time to continue training positive reinforcement. Tiki does not react well to aggressive behavior and this should never be used in her training.
Today, Tiki is the 3rd dog (out of 10 or so) used in introductions to new dogs (off-leash) in the foster home. She has become a shining example of a balanced and socially adept dog! Tiki will need a savvy adopter who will participate in force free training. In the meantime, Tiki will continue to thrive in foster care.
