Tips wanted for introducing a new B into the family

Basenji Talk
Log in to reply
  • WalterW

    Hello Everyone!

    I justed wanted to hear some tips and suggestions for introducing a new B into the home. We currently have a soon to be fixed girl in the house…and we will be bringing a boy home in March or April. We are awaiting personalities to develop to make a better fit for our current B Scarlett. The boy will be kept intact and be shown. We have started re-puppy proofing are home but want some insight as what to expect.

    Thanks

    <u>FoPaws Motion Slickness "Scarlett"</u>

    0
  • lvossL

    Plan for having them meet on neutral territory and start thinking about what things in the house Scarlett might find valuable enough to want to keep away from the new pup. Learning to share can be an adjustment for a former only child. Plan for a place for Scarlett to be able to get some time away from the pup.

    0
  • WalterW

    Thanks Lisa. How do I have them meet on neutral territory exactly? We are making visits to Therese and Kevin's for interaction and that is not neutral territory for either, do you mean the first time they meet at our home?

    Scarlett is not attached to any specific toys that I know…just her humans. I will plan on Scarlett having a place to get away.

    What about feeding tips? Same time...different feeding areas or just play it by ear?

    <u>FoPaws Motion Slickness "Scarlett"</u>

    0
  • lvossL

    I usually plan for the dogs to take a walk together or some way for them to do some interacting where they are not likely to want to guard space. Kevin and Therese have a lot of space and Scarlett is comfortable there so that will help but realize it will be different when she realized the visitor is coming home with you then realization the visitor is staying.

    As for feeding, meals are fed in their crates or designated area but mine gets snacks together and are fine with it. We use things like "say please by sitting" so they know good behavior is expected to earn a treat.

    0
  • tanzaT

    Meals for sure in crates….. and be ready for some ungodly noises between the two of them... you can never prepare anyone for the noises that come from them until they hear/see it for themselves. 99% of the time it is just noise and I never try and step in, as they need to work it out for themselves. And an adult will "tell" off a puppy all the time.... consider it as training...ggg... keeps those baby teeth off you.

    But Lisa is right... all might be really cool until Scarlett figures out this "puppy" is not leaving! Then the real noise starts.... My friend Jeff when he brought Tego home, his other boy, Zadi was thrilled to have a "play toy" until he was tired of him and looked at Jeff with that "OK he can leave now" look. Then he stayed on the bed (Tego was too small to get up there) for days and mostly ignored him until it finally dawned on him, he was not leaving.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • D

    How old is your girl and does she get along with other dogs in general? How long after the surgery will you be bringing home the other dog?

    Jennifer

    0
  • WalterW

    @dcmclcm4:

    How old is your girl and does she get along with other dogs in general? How long after the surgery will you be bringing home the other dog?

    Jennifer

    She is about 16 months…gets along well with other dogs. I am about to change vets because I am not comfortable with my current one, I have been waiting to switch vets until her booster shots were due and that will be at the end of the month. The exact time frame right now is unknown. Why do you ask?

    <u>FoPaws Motion Slickness "Scarlett"</u>

    0
  • D

    I did not know if you would be bringing in the new dog close to when she is having surgery. If you are I would make sure she is completely over her surgery as she will not feel well and I think it would not be good to bring in another dog during this time.

    Jennifer

    0
  • WalterW

    @dcmclcm4:

    I did not know if you would be bringing in the new dog close to when she is having surgery. If you are I would make sure she is completely over her surgery as she will not feel well and I think it would not be good to bring in another dog during this time.

    Jennifer

    We are planning to have it done a little bit after he arrives. I am hoping to let them have a month or so together first to start bonding. How long will she need to recoup? She is my first female dog and I am not as knowledgeable about this side of things.

    <u>FoPaws Motion Slickness "Scarlett"</u>

    0
  • lvossL

    Most bounce back pretty quick, especially when young like her. My problem has more often been keeping them from being over active after surgery.

    0
  • tanzaT

    Exactly, I agree with Lisa… the hardest part is to talk them into taking it easy. However, that said, I very, very rarely use any medication for pain on a Spay or Neuter. I would rather they feel a bit of pain to slow themselves down. (After the first night) I think you will find in 3 or 4 days you would not even know that she had a surgery.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • WalterW

    @tanza:

    Exactly, I agree with Lisa… the hardest part is to talk them into taking it easy. However, that said, I very, very rarely use any medication for pain on a Spay or Neuter. I would rather they feel a bit of pain to slow themselves down. (After the first night) I think you will find in 3 or 4 days you would not even know that she had a surgery.

    Thank you Pat…very comforting to know she will bounce back in a few days or so.

    <u>FoPaws Motion Slickness "Scarlett"</u>

    0

Suggested Topics

  • A

    Adapting to a new canine family member.

    Basenji Talk
    10
    2 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @aileen Everyone makes mistakes. Food guarding/possessiveness is a real thing, often not even an alpha issue. It is actually a survivalist characteristic. I never blame the dogs, it has always been my own carelessness. Pam Hamilton took on training a pretty much feral group of dogs and seeing them eat is inspiring. (video below). You can turn the food issue around. They can learn you own the food. :) I'm lazier. I always fed dogs in their crates (Rottweilers, Chow, basenjis) until I got down to 2 dogs. Like tanza, they knew their spot and bowl and no stealing allowed. With treats, they learned to sit as I handed them out. My current basenji, Cara, is food aggressive with other dogs. When I give treats, she knows to go to my left and the Samoyed to the right. No treats til they are in their spots. As for friends... some dogs are social butterflies, some limited doggie friends, some should be only dogs. You don't know how they'll gel til they have time. Give them time. Even if they don't bond, you are giving her a loving home. And even if he doesn't love her, they may both come to appreciate the company. Often dogs are unforgiving if hurt in a fight, but I personally find that more true with same sex. The breeders here may know better... trust them. You can even do some work to change the neurological response. Usually I suggest it with cats or kids or bikes etc... but it can work here too. Crate one, or leash it to you. The moment the other comes in site, do a happy upbeat "YEAH" and toss both a treat (better if you have an accomplice so you can safely hand them one. Slowly but surely the sight of the other is "yum, treat" instead of "ready to fight". With a buddy, do the same thing several times a day in the yard, out for walks, etc. Don't bring near enough to fight... just close enough so you start rebuilding their responses. Plus, it helps to swap out who has which dog so they both get individual time with you. As for spaying...I admit I've joined the "don't spay til you get the facts". At her age, most benefits are negligible. Plus, he knows she is intact... that may make him like her more. :) When we got our first Samoyed, so many stressful things were going on, including my daughter leaving the country for 2 weeks. Pam too the dogs and worked with Cara and her dog aggression. Cujo walking amongst 15 plus basenjis, calm and confident, really made me cry happy tears. When we got Moose, he became her puppy. She adores him. She sometimes sounds like a tree-shredding machine gone wild, but she doesn't even leave wet places when she disciplines him. It can happen, just relax and let it come. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fe2arAaGdI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp1ZGOfGcwo
  • ?

    Tips

    Basenji Talk
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    13k Views
    ?
    Still best tip if you have a basenji… Go for a walk together....
  • LyshL

    Hope has a new B friend!

    Basenji Talk
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    thunderbird8588T
    Lovely pics, thanks for sharing
  • J

    Need Advice on Introducing a new Basenji Puppy!

    Basenji Talk
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    7k Views
    I
    Thanks everyone for sharing your experience! Saturday Feb. 14th 2015, we brought home an 8 weeks old puppy: Pix. Alf who is 2 years old was really great at introducing himself to the puppy. 4 days later, he litteraly is educating Pix, teaching him good manners and snipping him gently from time to time. I wasn't sure if all the noise was normal, but I for sure know that Alf never really hurts the puppy. He never had any troubles with any dogs, and I think Pix is probably a really good actor :)
  • youngandtiredY

    Introducing B & cat!

    Basenji Talk
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    My cat was here for nearly 15 years before I got my B puppy. The puppy of course wants to play, and the cat hates her with a passion. The cat stands her ground and growls, hisses, spits and goes after Shaye with claws raking - the one thing that perhaps is going to save my B is that she is learning the "leave it" command, and is starting to ignore the cat when I give the command. They will never be friends, but eventually I'm hoping the dog ignores the cat through the "leave it" command. The command is even beginning to save my couch, pillows, chair legs, etc., etc. - keep at it!
  • RHicksR

    Trying to introduce new b

    Basenji Talk
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    QuercusQ
    @nomrbddgs: She may always be nasty, or it may be a newcomer thing. I have always had younger B's coming into my home. I've never introduced an older B into my home or an older dog for that matter. Perhaps some of the others have more experience. I know the domesticated dogs (most of them) would get over it, but I'm not sure about a B. I agree…I think it is too soon to tell. She is scared, and hurt, I don't think you can get an accurate assessment at this point. I would keep them separated until she is feeling 100% better, and more comfortable, then go slowly. But let your family know that she may have to go to another home, if the dogs can't work it out.