Adopting a puppy mill rescue
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We knew to curb food fighting issues from the get go so we set up a gate in a hallway, effectively separating our home in two. We keep Jaco's food and water on one side and Juniper's on the other. And while Jaco eats all his food immediately every feeding, Juniper has always been picky (her breeder even noted it when she was a young pup) so while we use to free feed her we can't do that now because Jaco will eat her adult food leftovers. So as soon as we brought him home and saw how food motivated he is, we've been picking up her bowl after she's stopped eating (though she never finishes) and then open the gate. The first thing Jaco does is run to where June's food bowl would be, he acts so famished. And now Juniper is eating more food for the few minutes her bowl is put it down, not surprisingly!
Thankfully they don't fight over the toys we have that we put treats in even though it's food. And the first time Jaco caught us off guard by going after June's food before she was done/before we had picked up her bowl Juniper didn't get aggressive with him, she just shared. She's still half pup in her heart and has never really gotten violently aggressive with any dog even though she has had to defend herself at the dog park more than once. In fact Jaco's rescuer gave us some of the Fromm kibble she was feeding him so we could ease his transition to Orijen puppy kibble…and when Juniper smelled the new-to-her food in his bowl the first time we fed him, she went and shared with him from his bowl. Juniper is very saintly...but we know that in a few months when Jaco is larger, stronger, and potentially testing her dominance she might feel threatened then and get food protective. So we're keeping their food separate even now in anticipation of that.
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First pictures of Jaco:
http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?16057-Jaco-little-brother-to-Juniper -
Colorado Basenji Rescue. We are her 5th home. We got her when she was 5 and she is now 13. No major health issues-just UTI's and vision problems and weird mannerisms. I think she has some mental issues but is the most loving Basenji I have ever known. She doesnt know how to play and and craves attention. She shys away from hands even now and it took her almost 2 years before she showed her personality and felt good about herself. She was dead behind her eyes and her tail was thin and hung down.
If you are willing to take the time and have the money-you may end up with a fantastic dog. We are lucky and got pet insurance. Good Luck! -
This is a puppy that they adopted…. not an adult that had been used in breeding.... While they will have issues... the fact that he is only a few months old and that have a well adjusted bitch in the home.. will make it all the more easier for them... "still recommend" that you feed in crates...
Kudos for you for taking a puppymill breeding bitch.... and that she has done so well.
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I have to feed 2 of my 6 in crates because after they finish thier food, they then go and share with everyone else and put on weight.
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There would be no sharing in my house; it would turn nasty very quickly!
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Zest! would be happy to share your food, but it's not really a 2 way street. ;-)
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Amen to that!!
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When I had my two Basenji girls, and my Border Collie, I often fed them all at the same time in summer when they were out enjoying the dog run, but I stuck around until they were done (not long!!) because the younger one would try to "help" the older one finish her dinner, and both would be happy to enjoy anything the Border Collie left, but not if I was present to glare at them! ;) (the Border Collie would even defer to the cat if she decided to help herself to his meal.)
