Shibas are supposed to have a stand-offish attitude to all except "their" humans. I used to know a girl who showed Shibas and she lovingly called her little female Shiba a... well, the technical term for a female dog. I suppose "diva" is a nice euphemism for it.

Earning a Shiba's trust takes an enormous amount of time and patience. However, this is one of the reasons why I love Oriental breeds as a whole. It takes a long time to earn their trust, but once you have it, it is a priceless treasure that will repay you over and over again. Shibas are very proud dogs, and, thus, don't act like Retriever dogs that you may be accustomed to. They are often deemed cat-like because of their independance and cleanliness. They are bold and fearless. Remember, these dogs hunted boars in Japan. You cannot be a lovey-dovey-kiss-me dog if your primary job is to hunt down aggressive animals. Additionally, Shibas can easily develop resource aggression because they are very assertive dogs.

There are three terms that I distinctly remember learning from the girl I mentioned before: Soboku, Ryosei, and Kani (sp?). In other words, boldness, good nature, and spirited artlessness. These are the ingredients to a Shiba: a fearless, proud animal whose loyalty is comparable to none. These dogs believe they are superior, and, according to many Shiba lovers, they truly are.

Sorry if the description was a little blunt but it just sounds like you aren't familiar with the general Shiba temperament. It's difficult for Shiba aficionados because that adorable little fox face is very misleading to the public eye. If anything, your pup is exhibiting perfectly normal behaviors. Just remember - patience and time will pave the way to a lifelong relationship. Good Luck. I adore Oriental breeds and for good reason. I hope you'll find the treasure hidden inside your girl, too.

ETA: Sorry, I really like Shibas so I can write a novel about them, but one thing I should add is that many Shibas can be finicky in their methods of showing affection. I remember one owner saying how proud and happy she was when her pet Shiba would wag its tail for her. So, you see how Shiba behavior is so much different from most other breeds. Soon, though, you'll be able to appreciate it, too