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A cream Shiba Inu puppy sits next to a mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows on a coffee table near a decorated tree. 11 / 26

Latte the Shiba Puppy Sat Next to the Cocoa and Acted Innocent

AI imageshiba inuhot cocoachristmas puppy

Sitting upright with his head tilted slightly and his pointed ears forward, the cream Shiba puppy keeps a polite distance from a mug of cocoa on the coffee table. The marshmallows float on top like little clouds, and the table is dotted with pinecones, a sprig of greenery, and a pile of plaid blankets. Behind him, a tree glitters with lights, and a stack of wrapped gifts sits near the window.

Hot cocoa is a holiday favorite, but it's best kept away from dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs can't handle, and even small amounts of dark chocolate can make a dog sick. Marshmallows are mostly sugar, and some products contain xylitol, which is very dangerous for dogs. If your puppy gets into cocoa, call your vet or an animal poison hotline right away.

Shiba Inu puppies are bold, curious, and a little independent. They're known for being clean and cat-like, but they can also be mischievous, so a mug left at puppy level is a real test of willpower. Teaching leave it early, and rewarding him for ignoring tempting things, builds a habit that helps for life. Choose a cup holder or a higher table when you have a young dog around.

We'll call him Latte. He's doing a good job of pretending not to notice the marshmallows, though his nose says otherwise.

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