Adoption status: Adopted!
Okami is a 9 month old, male, red Shiba Inu puppy. Follow his Facebook Album! 

Hello everyone, my new name is now Okami and it means, “wolf” in Japanese. I am a small, male, Shiba Inu. I am just 9 months old. I grew up in a home with 2 other dogs. I am a very fearful puppy and my family felt it would be best for me to go to a home that is better suited for my particular needs. I have never walked on a leash and when anyone tries, I just plop down on the ground and freeze. I am also fearful of many sounds and new people. I rode well in a crate to Shiba HQ but when I got there, I wouldn’t come out of the crate until the volunteer was out of sight. I quickly ran to the bushes to hide. When the volunteer started to let out the friendly dogs, I was curious and came up to meet them but quickly went back to hiding.

I came to DC SIR fully vetted but the volunteers think I may need some extra time beyond the minimum 2-week evaluation to work on my fear issues and create positive experiences for typical socialization at my age. DC SIR thinks I will likely do best in a home that has a fenced yard but with a family dedicated to helping me build confidence through reward-based, choice training. DC SIR also thinks that I will do best in a home with other friendly dogs that can help me with my fear issues. I’ve been so shy and hiding from the volunteers that they don’t have too much to tell you about me just yet. But you can expect to learn a lot about me over the next few weeks.

Update: Okami is a fearful, incredibly sweet dog. Since being in foster care, Okami has made improvements in coming out of his shell. He loves playing with other dogs, falling asleep on his foster mom and playing fetch. Okami’s ‘safe space’ is either next to his foster family on the couch, or running around outside. While he loves being outside, he’s still scared of using a dog door, and only comes inside when the door is left open for him. He likes to be near people and will follow you from room to room once he trusts you. Okami has not had any accidents while in foster. He cannot walk on-leash currently, however this is something his adopters can train later on after building up a trusting, positive relationship with him.

Okami will be required to go to a home with another friendly dog (or be adopted with another friendly dog). He does find comfort and cues from the other dogs in rescue. Okami will require a child-free home that has a fenced backyard. He will require adopters that are savvy in dog body language and/or willing to take a fearful dog class (for example: Train Your Best Friend)

Location: Extended (MD, VA, DC, NC, NY, PA, DE, SC)
Dogs: REQUIRED friendly dog
Cats: Good
Kids: No
Weight: 19.9lbs
DOB: 9/21/16
Intake Date: 6/27/17
Available Date: 7/14/17

Considerations: Fearful Puppy
Training Contract Required.
Fenced Backyard Required.

Donate to Okami’s fund here.

Puppy resources:
Importance of puppy socialization

Fearful dog resources:
Train Your Best Friend
Help for Your Fearful Dog
How to Help Shy, Anxious, or Fearful Dogs

Follow Okami’s progress in his Facebook Album!