Picked up Mozi today in New Hampshire. As I walked with his owner, I could see how hard this was for her. She truly loved him, but his energy and behavior had become too much to manage. As we talked, I realized many of his “issues” zoomies, resource guarding, reactivity, even the occasional bite, weren’t signs of a bad dog. They were signs of a Shiba Inu being exactly what a Shiba Inu is: independent, intense, and spirited. He’d lived in an apartment with no yard or nearby dog park, which meant he never had the chance to run, play, and socialize the way he needed. Shibas are beautiful, but they’re not lap dogs. They’re bold little creatures that demand patience, boundaries, and understanding. If you’re thinking of bringing one home, please do your research first. It’s not just about rescuing them… it’s about understanding them.