Behavioral Issues

If Jasper is only a little over 1 year, now is the time to start working/training him to be a good housemate. Crate training, alone training, proper greeting training, etc etc. are all important items besides obedience training. Is he put in the basement every time your son leaves but someone else is in the house? If that's the case, then he just might develop SA associated with your son's absence. Does he have lots of toys and goodies while in the basement? Is he allowed to exit the doggie door when no one is home (very scarry thought)? How is he treated when your son returns - lots of hugs and attention (contributing to SA)?

I have found that diet can make a b smell different. I know it did when I switched to try a different food…but when I found the right one for my b's, the smell went away. Course, I have no proof, just what I saw in my house. Thanks so much for this post. Your correct, after the bath, it would be interesting to see how long it takes for the smell to come back.

Aside from personal aesthetic preference, I think this is also why I tend to like dogs with pricked ears. I like being able to read the range of expressions through their ears. It's especially cute when they fold their ears flat in their extremely-happy-greeting-face, like when I just get back home and open the door.

@Mango: I can't wait to have a little B ripping around the house… guess I'm a masochist, but it does sound like a lot of fun. Yes, exactly Mango. I too await the day where the Basenji 500 takes place in my home. It should be fun - we have hardwood floors! :D

@Shaye's: Since owning Shaye, I never realized the words "calm" and "basenji" could ever be used in the same sentence. :rolleyes: I envy you in a way - it's fun to watch my wildchild's antics most of the time, but some of the time she just wears me out - I don't think she'll ever be calm, and walks will always be a challenge since we are overrun with squirrels, rabbits, feral cats here, since her prey drive is always her driving force!!! Enjoy the calm - it may be a lifelong attitude, but then again, it could indeed be the calm before the storm.:eek: Oh no, no, no. Lol, the calm puppy isn't one of mine, it is owned by someone else. All 3 of mine are superballs. I was just intrigued as I had never met such a calm basenji pup. Lol, my last one (Liyah) is a far extreme to that pup. :rolleyes: I probably wouldn't know what to do with myself if I had a calm one.

A UTI IMO would be the best case scenario, some antibiotics and bam situation resolved. Changing behaviour is a hard thing to do, it takes time and effort. Having your animal checked for medical issues first is what ANY good behaviourist would suggest when there is a signifigant change in the animal. It makes sense. BTW drinking a lot of water would also make me recommend going to the vet first.

The tables will turn at some time. Aiden will choose Maverik as his best friend and comforter. My daughter told her Tyler all her best kept secrets. His fur was stained with the tears of childhood angst for many years. The dog always knew everything before us:D. Basenji love is the best therapy out there.:) BTW, hows the little bean?? Due date??

You chose an alternative that was very hard for you, but gave Otis a wonderful chance at a new life is a situation better suited to his temperament. I do not call that failure, quite the opposite, you made for success for Otis. Sometimes love just isn't enough to overcome situational issues, but you found a perfect solution. Thank you for the update, I had been thinking about you but didn't want to ask.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but she is definitely worth it. I'd do anything for my best friend! Oh! I think we're having some progress with her. My neighbor's granddaughter is staying the week. The first few days Pippin would bark at her anytime she got near the fence. I had the girl just sit at the fence and I would treat Pip every time she looked at the girl or walked near the fence. Eventually I had Pip eating treats out of her hand!!! (I told the girl not to try to give her treats or pet her unless I'm outside, of course. Just in case Pippin would get spooked.) But I'm super excited about this progress!

Sounds like resource guarding. Food is one resource, you and hubby are another resource. Best I can come up with is you and hubby need to retake the resources and make sure each dog knows they do not own anything, that you and hubby allow them access out of the kindness of your hearts. Min-Pins are very Terrier in their attitudes toward other dogs and typically will not back down from anything, regardless of size. It's one of the endearments of the breed. However, now that Duna is passing puberty and becoming a full adult, she won't want to be bossed around any more. Neither should be allowed to boss the other. When a trigger for an altercation is presented, you choose for them where and when they will sit with you, eat, pick crumbs, etc. When you have to pick one of them up, make the other sit and wait. If she complies, reward appropriately. If the jumping starts, a very sharp, "NO!!!" Would suggest make them both sit first then pick one up. It will take repetition and practice, so you will have to do this a few times each day, with each dog. Other experts here may have more ideas.

Many puppies will totally forget about house training when they really start to teeth…. so just always go back to housetraining 101

I have to tell you, my hubby is the worst..forgets to put the babygates up and gets crabby when his shoes are chewed…well, that basenji puppy won't go for the footwear??? Hubby should know better!

@Forever: You cant leave any glass unattended in my house zoey is a boozer. She especially tries for irish cream but I have had to pull wine glasses and wine coolers away. Hubby has caughter her at his beer or 7and 7. But its the smell of rootbeer that gets that look on her face. By the by our cat cant get any catnip toys in our house because the 2 dogs steal them and chew them up. MY Shaye seems to be becoming a boozer wannabe! If I'm having a glass of wine, it has to be WAY out of her reach, and if my husband has his Jack and Coke on the side table, she is constantly jumping up there and trying to get at it, so he has to move it or hold it all the time! So far we've kept it away from them, but we've had to be very very careful. Both :eek:dogs also steal all the catnip toys from the cat and chew on them - they don't chew them up, but they really really seem to like it!

Have you discussed this behavior with his breeder? Have you tried a behaviorist? And are you sure it was the full thyroid panel, not just the one part that is done with Vet's regular blood work?

Excellent, good job of working with him!

I like the idea of me taking responsibility for being the grouch. Truck drivers are a rather thick lot. When I tell them my dog is not good with other dogs, they almost inevitably insist on bringing their ratty, filthy, scruffy mutts over to spread the mange wealth around to AJ. They almost always say the same thing: "He won't do anything to my dog. My dog can play with anyone." Yeah, but what if I don't want my Basenji to catch mange, fleas or cooties from your dog? Unfortunately, that wasn't the case last night. That Basset was really sweet…with people. She just came in a bit too aggressively for AJ and I didn't give him anywhere to go. With the information I've received here, I think I can be a bit more proactive and confident with him. That will be good. Thank you to everyone.

Our B Kairoe did the same thing after getting his shots. We massaged the area where the needle went in and sure enough he gave out a yelp. I relate it to when we get a shot and the pricked area can become quite sensitive for a few days and up to a week.

I will second everyone else and just go down to the two meals a day. You can give her a mid day snack like a few cookies. But her poos can be soft because she is eating to much food and causing the slight weight loss because it is just coming out LOL Also like most, my adult only eats 2/3 of a cup a day. With the amount on the bags they are just "recommend" amounts. You have to adjust to what is best for your pup/dog and feed them what works to keep them at an ideal weight.

This is great..thanks for sharing.

@Kebasmom: don't even get me talking about the little boy who lives here. Oh the moaning and groaning…...at least he is still eating and maintaining weight. Last year he was so skinny!! Oh, the moaning & groaning…LOL...I have videos on my phone of Brando sobbing & howling last year - definitely a noisy time at my house. And, he was a rail after Liyah's season as I was lucky if I could get part of one meal in him each day. Ruby was fine with Aaliyah last year (granted Ruby is spayed - and she actually acted very motherly to her which was kind of interesting) - but Liyah was quite "bitchy" at times and Liyah mostly acted depressed. Ruby wasn't so fine with Brando though because Brando would have taken "any port in a storm" including Ruby - and Ruby wasn't interested in his advances :D:D - so I just kept him separated from the girls. All in all it was easier than I had thought it was going to be - but then again I had 8 wks of training on running 2 packs when Brando broke his leg - 4 wks felt like nothing to me by that point.