Otis just nipped my son…

Behavioral Issues
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  • BasenjimammaB
    Houston

    Anne, Belinda..

    Thank you so much for your supporting words. This is one of teh hardest things we have done as petowners, but feel confident he is a great dog that deserves a second chance at living a great life.
    We met with his potential new mommy yesterday and the meeting went very well.
    He was of course a little reserved but warmed up after a little while. I will take him with me to our homevisit with her and then in a week or so he will, if all works out, move to his new home. She will take a weeks vacation from work so he will have time to get used to her and his new home before he is left alone during the days.
    She has had a basenji in the past that had very similar issues, so she nows how to deal with it and feels he will be a great dog in her home. more importantly, she has now children in her home and none that visits on regular basis.
    I will keep you posted as how it goes, but for now I am spending as much time with him as my life permits…and I am loving it. I will miss my little boy and he makes it very clear he will miss me too, he is very much "momma's boy"...

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • agilebasenjiA

    <hugs>
    i'm so sorry he didn't work better in your home. sometimes it is so hard to do the right thing.</hugs>

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  • JannekeJ

    I'm sorry Petra that you have to make such a tough decision.. I hope Otis will have a wonderful life in his new home. I can't imagine how hard it must be to 'lose' your boy.. I already had a difficult time giving up a guest.. Big hug for you for doing the right thing for your boy.

    Tillo's website

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  • thunderbird8588T

    Petra,
    i hope everything works out well for Otis and yourselves. His new home and owner sound ideal. I'm sure in time you will feel so much better.

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

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  • S

    Petra, you are doing the right thing. Hugs.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • MacPackM

    This does sound like an ideal solution. He will be confused at first, but dogs are "forward looking" and he will be happy again soon.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • S

    Dogs really do live in the now. I have been to classes that it takes 3 days for dogs in the shelter on average to quit looking for the old owner and get ready to pond with the new one.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • KipawaK

    Petra, you are really showing that you love Otis by letting him go. Know in your heart that you are doing the best thing for everyone involved.

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

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  • tanzaT

    And great if his prospective home knows the breed and understand what Otis needs… which is structure without distraction.... to redirect his attitude.

    Hats off to you Petra for knowing what needs to be done and doing it...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • BasenjimammaB
    Houston

    Thanks guys..I am feeling more confident, meaning a little less emotional, lots of tears still though..I love this little guy.
    I know he will do well, and I know his new mommy will love him.
    I thank BRAT for giving him and us a second chance to a loving home, I know he will be a wonderful friend, pet and life mate for many, many years to come.

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • agilebasenjiA

    Any updates?
    Hope all is well.

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  • BasenjimammaB
    Houston

    AgileB..
    Otis moved to his new family this past sunday. He is doing well, I am getting daily reports from his new mommy.
    He was crying when we left but stopped after about 15 minutes and then proceeded to check the house out.
    She took him for several walks sunday, outside her home, should he get out, so he knows where to go. He seems very comfortable in her home, sleeps with her on her bed, sits on the couch with her during snuggletimes and is just adjusting very well.
    She took this whole week off from works, so they can have some serious bonding going on, which I really like that she did.

    He has calmed down a lot over the last few weeks, I thing neutering helped him to a certain degree, but because our friends and family know him as a biter, we felt it wasn't fair for him to constantly have to have that label on him..he is a nice boy and will do very good with Nina.

    She is used to basenjis, her boy Neil passed away last june.
    She had him for 13 yrs, he had fanconi, so she is happy that at least Otis won't have to deal with that. Neil had agression biting issues, so she is very "comfortable" with Otis' issues and felt she can provide the strong leadship in his life that he needs.

    I hope he is taking to this easier then me and my kids..lots of tears and sadness in our house right now..I know time will heal that, we did the right thing for him and for us..

    Thank you for asking..

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • JannekeJ

    I'm glad to hear Otis is doing well.. It must be so hard for you and your family to miss your beautiful and sweet boy…. I saw your signature and I felt sad immediately.. :(
    Big hugs for you all!

    Tillo's website

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  • agilebasenjiA

    sounds like a wonderful home and it's nice you're getting updates. You know, it must be nice for Otis to have so much love in his life. You love him enough to find him what he needed and his new mom loves him enough to take him in. Dogs are very adaptable creatures.

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  • BasenjimammaB
    Houston

    Thanks guys..
    I feel like the biggest failure..I swore I would never give up on my animals..yet here I am. I know he will have a good life with her, I just hope he knows that too.

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • QuercusQ

    That sounds like an ideal solution. I am so glad that all of you have some peace of mind now. It *is really hard to adjust to missing them…but as agile said...you love him enough to do the best thing for everybody. Hugs to all of you...

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • ?

    @Basenjimamma:

    Thanks guys..
    I feel like the biggest failure..I swore I would never give up on my animals..yet here I am. I know he will have a good life with her, I just hope he knows that too.

    Petra you didn't give up on Otis….you did the most loving unselfish thing any mom could do for one of her four legged kids..you gave him a chance at a great life.....that's the most loving thing you could do....

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  • thunderbird8588T

    @sonnyboy:

    Petra you didn't give up on Otis….you did the most loving unselfish thing any mom could do for one of her four legged kids..you gave him a chance at a great life.....that's the most loving thing you could do....

    I would like to second this Petra

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

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  • nobarkusN

    @sonnyboy:

    Petra you didn't give up on Otis….you did the most loving unselfish thing any mom could do for one of her four legged kids..you gave him a chance at a great life.....that's the most loving thing you could do....

    I agree here!

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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  • KanangaK

    @sonnyboy:

    Petra you didn't give up on Otis….you did the most loving unselfish thing any mom could do for one of her four legged kids..you gave him a chance at a great life.....that's the most loving thing you could do....

    Also agree.

    There's a difference between "giving up" and choosing an alternative.

    You chose an alternative, not an easy choice, but it allows Otis to still live in a good environment. It was a win for him and it will feel like a loss for you, but remember that Otis still came out ahead and that should reflect as a win for you. :)

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    To me it sounds like the previous owners praised his bad behaviors when he would take something which would be confusing for anyone. I would begin to give treats when he does good things to retrain the idea. Use a spray bottle for growls or bad behavior. Use it to startle but dont acknowledge the bad behavior. Act like you didnt see the water and dont let him see the water bottle. The other main issue it sounds like is the socialization. I would suggest doing the basic obedience training in a Petsmart. You will have a trainer with you each time you go. You will be introducing your basenji to other dogs in your class in a controlled atmosphere. You will be in a busy store with people that will help him socialize and get used to the people. Once you have learned the tricks or commands from class and your basenji performs them with you flawlessly. Have your roommate use the same commands and gestures until your b can do them with your roommate. Then add a friend that isnt around all the time and slowly teach the dog how to communicate and receive praise and treats for his actions. I suspect that with this training, your basenji will soften that aggressive behavior and want the treats. The behavior may never go away completely, but you will always be around to keep an eye on him. If you have a dog walker, I would think that it is very important that your walker follows your guidlines for training to keep your dog safe when he is away from you. Strangers who have been bitten by a dog have had the ability to put the dog to sleep and it is important that you do not permit him to find an opportunity to slip. My rescue was food aggressive and fearful of everything. She had seperation anxiety, growled, and took 2 years to potty train. It is important to be consistant with your training. It is important to praise. My rescue settled down completely after 3years and I learned the triggers to avoid. I would also suggest not having any pull or shake playing with your basenji which would mimick tugging or tearing prey. When your basenji is relaxed, massage him. Touch his mouth, his ears, hold his feet. Teach him to understand that there is no off limit area. Have your roomate and dog walker do this as well once you feel he has begun learning from the training. Have your roommate help you bathe him, and so on and so forth. As long as one of the 3 of you can handle him in basic training, around people and handeling him you should be more confident that you are protecting him as well as the many victims he could encounter in the future. You know he is great and you want to take care of him. The best way to do that is by helping him learn to communicate with people, not out of fear. Oh, and a soft muzzle is a great way to take him for walks with a dog walker and keep him from hurting anyone else. He can move his mouth, but wont be able to open it. I bought mine at Petsmart when Caesar was a puppy and eat his seat belt off when in the car going anywhere. Do not use it with punishment, but as a tool to let him know it is time to go for a walk!!
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    I stopped a little hassle between my Basenjis the other night and was bitten. Yikes, those are sharp little teeth. I would hate to see a child bitten by any dog. Young children and dogs, not just Basenjis, need to be supervised; children should be taught respect for animals. I've seen many lovely pets 'go away' or be put down because one bit a child who was teasing or being cruel. Actually, in my opinion teasing is being cruel. I think children need a "time out" when they play too rough with animals, too.
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    Great story, thanks for posting!:)