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New puppy owner Questions

Basenji Puppy Pen
  • L

    My last B came to me litter box trained, and it was so easy. I had a litter box set up for him when I brought him home and he went right to it and used it. No accidents in the house. To transition him, I took the litter box outside where I wanted him to go and he used it there. After a day or so, I took the litter box up and took him to the spot and gave him the "go potty" command, and he got it right away. My current B wasn't litter box trained and it was much harder with her.

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  • B

    @lifewithava @tanza I checked with the breeder and she has a separate section where the puppies go potty, filled with a straw like material that you would normally see in a chicken coop.

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  • tanzaT

    Hopefully you have checked out on www.offa.org for the Fanconi DNA test on the Sire/Dam of the litter? And as I have noted responsible breeders will test for PRA (another DNA test for night blindness), Hips, Thyroid, Eyes

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • B

    @tanza Yes I checked the site and the breeder did do the test for Fanconi (most dogs clear and a few carrier) and the Eyes (normal) but not the rest (hips, thyroid). I noticed the history for the dogs was available, some of the grandparents had all the tests done with thyroid being normal and hips being excellent. I also met all the dogs and they looked healthy and well socialized.

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    @basenji_life said in New puppy owner Questions:

    @tanza Yes I checked the site and the breeder did do the test for Fanconi (most dogs clear and a few carrier) and the Eyes (normal) but not the rest (hips, thyroid). I noticed the history for the dogs was available, some of the grandparents had all the tests done with thyroid being normal and hips being excellent. I also met all the dogs and they looked healthy and well socialized.

    If you were an experienced breeder, then I'd say you could look at them and know if healthy. If you were an experienced basenji owner, you could judge socialization. You can't look at a dog and know for sure if healthy, and certainly if not experienced. As for hips, they can't , as someone suggested, just have a vet check a pup and tell you. PenHip can be done young, OFA recommends 6 mos for prelim. Without x-rays, no one can tell you if your dog's hips are okay. Hips aren't very high in the breed, but should still be checked.

    I swore no dog ever in my bed and then that's where the first baby basenji and the next 2 ended up. I raised every other puppy in a crate next to the bed. So whatever fits you.

    They tend to be not only destructive, but very creative. You'll learn to put your stuff away and secure the trash.

    Debra

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  • B

    @debradownsouth Thanks, I was already going to bring the pup to the vet to get checked + vaccines but now I'll make sure to get the hips tested as well.

    D DebraDownSouthD 2 Replies
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  • D

    @basenji_life Sounds like you are well prepared and on the right track. Welcome to hell! Lol. Remember this, no matter how bad that puppy is and no matter what challenges you face as it gets older and tests you, never lose patience or give up. By the time it is time to say goodbye many years from now, I guarantee you will wish the time had not passed so quickly. Basenjis are smart and will teach you and give you way more love than you can ever repay. Savor every moment, it is worth it!

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  • B

    @dagodingo Thank you! :slightly_smiling_face: I'm looking forward to the good AND the bad! Hehe :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_closed_eyes:

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  • D

    @basenji_life said in New puppy owner Questions:

    @dagodingo Thank you! :slightly_smiling_face: I'm looking forward to the good AND the bad! Hehe :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_closed_eyes:

    So brave!!!! It's not that the puppy will be bad, it's just that they'll be a puppy. And sometimes that means they will do exactly what you don't want them to. Sometimes a sense of humor is required. And some fencing. And a crate. LOL

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    @basenji_life

    The vet can manipulate to see if something severe is wrong, but hips xrays need to wait til 6 mos (OFA) or (I think.. too tired to look) 4 mos.. oh heck I have to look..
    "The PennHIP method can be reliably performed on a dog as young as 16 weeks old."

    Debra

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    Questions from a potential new owner

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    DebraDownSouthD
    Had dogs all my life, Rotties for 22 yrs, first basenji only 9 yrs ago so relative newbie to basenjis… not dogs. Almost all dogs and babies is a question of training and the owner, not the dog. If you are going to wait for a child a few years til the basenji is an adult, then you should have the dog trained by then. Socialize the heck out of it with infants to children. Prepare. Chewing... bwahahahaha. Okay, ahem. Someone on the aol rottie board said how much did one cost and the breeder said.. I don't know, how much is your home furnishings worth? Some never stop, some never stop but slow down to the absolute irresistible items, some stop. Plan on using a crate when not supervised for life. If you are lucky and a nondestroyer, great. But if the idea of using a crate forever isn't an option, either adopt an adult who doesn't need crating when unattended or consider another breed. Socialize, socialize, socialize. Most basenji are not wild about new dogs. But some who are out from puppyhood meeting new dogs all the time can and do like it. But this takes work and commitment on your part. Since I don't believe in dog parks and dog play dates with strange dogs, I never bother. I teach mine to ignore other dogs and figure as long as they learn "leave it" life is good. Dogs really aren't children who need outsiders to be okay... their own pack including humans, a couple of playmates if you don't have another dog, and life is complete. So socialize with your dad's dogs early, don't force things, should be fine if THEY are good with the B. Independent doesn't mean not bonded. That said, my 2nd B came with little socialization and she is well, let's be honest. She likes to be rubbed and fed. But it is a very distant relationship. Not feeding or petting? She has no need to be close. Yes, she wants me to go outside with her but I am at a loss to why since she doesn't come near once out there. But my first and 3rd are velcro. They want to be close, they cuddle, they LOVE and gaze with love. Since the 2nd is the double (half sibling breeding) niece of the first, it wasn't genetics that messed her up, it was a POS breeder who didn't bother to handle or care for her. Enough said. Both the others won't go to bed without me. Sayblee wouldn't even get under the covers. Cara gets under but sticks her head out to watch me. She curls with my child the second she gets on the bed, lays on her. Curls next to me all night, sits close, asks to be picked up and cuddled. I don't think you have to worry about a dog not bonding.
  • T

    Have some questions.

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    nomrbddgsN
    Thanks for the info Lisa, I will remember for next time!
  • T

    A Few Questions

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    Ditto to most of above and I'm going to add the one factor that may be an issue - room-mates mean more people to leave the door open or not close it fast enough. They will bolt quickly and don't do the 'come' stuff very well when bunnies and outdoor smells call them. Visitors and beverages - for some reason college students dogs and beer always seem to get mixed up - these folks may be ok but if you ever have social gatherings with beverages - that could be an issue that could also lead to careless door issues. (while it has been a 'few' years since I was a college student - I think I remember it pretty well)
  • c-busC

    New Basenji arriving Saturday and a few questions

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    S
    My b's chew on your gold!
  • S

    Crazy Puppy….

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    S
    The more exercise you can give the dog, the better she will be. Walk her at least an hr 2 times a day… A basic obedience class is also required to help her learn her manners. Good luck.
  • MiaM

    New puppy with 9 month old

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    When I first got Sugar, then Damisi, the neck biting was allowed to be a bit rough until about six, seven months old, the Shadow put them in their place. I've found they generally work it out and if it gets too rough, someone will retaliate, but without really hurting the other.