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A black and tan Shiba Inu sits and smiles among open paperback books scattered across a carpet in a living room. 30 / 32

The Bookshelf Was Tidy This Morning. The Shiba Had a Smile on His Face.

AI imageshiba inucaught in the actbookshelf

Paperbacks lie open and face down all over the carpet, and a black and tan Shiba Inu sits in the middle of them with a wide, toothy smile. His fox-like face is bright, his ears are perked, and he looks like he is waiting for applause. Behind him, the bookshelf has been emptied onto the floor and a plush bunny sits calmly on the couch. A sock, a toy car and a water bottle are scattered nearby. We'll call him Kuma, and he seems to think the library is better this way.

Shiba Inus are clever, independent dogs with a strong sense of self. They are known for being clean and cat-like, but also for being strong-willed and able to figure out how to get what they want. They need daily exercise and mental work, such as training games and puzzle toys, to stay out of trouble. Positive reward-based training works best, because Shibas often lose interest when things are repetitive. Paperbacks can be tempting to chew, and paper can upset a dog's stomach if he swallows much of it, so check with your vet if you're concerned. A sturdy bookcase fastened to the wall also adds safety.

Kuma is quite pleased with himself. The books are open at random pages, and he looks ready to start a book club. Someone will have to sort the shelf later, but for now the sunny room belongs to the reader with the biggest smile.

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