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Considering adding a new Basenji, need advice!

Behavioral Issues
  • B

    My husband and I are the proud parents of a 2 year old Female Basenji Mix (there are some pictures of her already on here). One of our local rescues has a Boy Basenji Mix that looks exactly like our little girl, except for color! We had the two doggies meet at Petsmart and they got along great, he let her dominate, and they gave each other kisses (on the mouth!). He is a little timid around people at first, he had been abandoned at a local vet (tied to their door when they showed up one day) who found a new home for him that then sent him back to the vet (he had fought with the cat and growled at the grandpa). They think he is 1-2 years old.

    He warmed up to me pretty quickly upon meeting, he started giving me kisses and all! at first he growled and nipped at my husband (who had given him space) but then warmed up to him to the point where he was resting his paws on hubbys leg and sitting next to him (he almost gave him kisses but shyed away).

    He growled at an older gentleman who had got into his space (The pup tried to push him away with his paws).

    My husband is concerned about aggression with strangers, not kids because the dog loved every kid that walked by at petsmart. He is also concerned about marking in the house (we have a rental, and all my husbands boy dogs growing up would mark) but the vet said they don't have any problems with him in their kennels marking, or even going inside.

    We love him, but are concerned about the possible aggression and marking. Does anyone have any advice/experience with boy rescues and these things? We definitely want him, but we want to know what we are getting in to! Thank you!

    Ashley

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    I am not gonna sugar coat this.... If you are that worried with him around new people or strangers use a soft muzzles, especially when near small children. A cloth muzzle protects you both. It’s seems to settle them down and they are unable to bite. It’s not meant to be used often, the less the better. They can drink, they can open their mouth some, but they cannot bite. I am sure that over time your B will relax with you in your home and around visitors....always fore warn strangers visiting, it might be startling to them but it is better than them getting a bite. I am at the point I use it almost never.....If we go out with my B we use it, when visiting the vet, we use it, when very young children are around we use it"........if we are walking where there is a possibility he will get a startle...I use it. I am sure there will be somebody on here that will disagree, but I do what I have to do to protect me, my dog and people around me Take this as a positive thing so that both of you can be comfortable in all situations.
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    When our 12year old girl went blind recently and the puppy is coming next weekend. Fingers crossed.
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    Congratulations on the future new addition. Boy/girl is a good combination. As others have advised let them meet on neutral ground and take them for a long walk together. For every good interaction praise both inordinately. As Curlytails says don't rush it. Keep us posted, please and best wishes to you all.
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    Helena, we still have a long way to go with Kwame but i feel more relaxed about him now. The support from people has helped along with the advice. It was such a relief not to go to classes with him on saturday, i felt like a load had been lifted off my shoulders. I guess i felt we should keep going because Malaika has done so well with them. It took a while to become apparent that the enviroment was wrong for him. Kwame and Malaika do try to avoid having the leaders on and occasionaly on the walk will try to wipe them off on our legs ;) however i feel they are worth persevering with as the effect is so dramatic and our walks are transformed. I am keeping the harness in mind though if neccasary, it's good to know there are options.
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    @sharronhurlbut: With rescue dogs, we make walking them together a big deal..several times a day. Letting them sniff the "leavings" of the other, and just getting them out together and moving. It might help. Sharron, thanks. Yes we do walk them together as well as seperately. They do seem to get on well but i don't think they have sorted out who is the dominant one. I can't say at this point either. When play fighting he certainly makes lots of noise, whilst she is silent. He looks to be in charge sometimes, however if she silently draws her lips back and stares at him he backs off or lets her clean in his mouth/ eyes etc. If Kwame wants to sleep, she is a terrible torment and pokes and prods him, he gets very whipped up and goes for her but it's like water of a Ducks back.
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    I failed as a mother and a dog owner…long...positive advice needed :(

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