Officially crazy… advice about a 2nd B

[lvoss]

The Rule of Sevens

By 7 weeks old puppies should have
Met at least 7 people
Eaten out of at least 7 dishes
Walked on at least 7 surfaces
Been to at least 7 new environments, rooms, backyard, etc.
Played with at least 7 toys
Heard at least 7 different loud noises

[torchsong]

@Andrew:

Well I just found a few "2 Bs are better than 1" threads & I'm pretty much decided. Now my biggest problem is a name…. We thought up the name Booger before we even went to see any puppies & we both agreed it is the greatest name EVER. Every single person we meet LOVES our unique, beautiful dog, and every single one of them just LOVES his hysterical name once they hear it. What on earth can we possibly follow it up with?

My cat is named Booger. It's a great name for any pet.

We also have a second cat named Monkey (long tail, chirps like a monkey, climbs eerything).

Our Basenji is called She-Ra (after the Princess of Power from the 80's cartoon). Don't know why, it just fits.

[Andrew]

What is the theory behind the Rule of Seven? Lots of exposure and experience gives them a better temperment?
Our puppy isn't even born yet, and I'm already thinking of names, looking at the girly dog stuff, etc. I'm so excited! I really wasn't much of a dog person before, and now I'm worse than a dog person… I'm a basenji person!

[lvoss]

Good early socialization helps dogs to feel that different things being in their environment are normal. By exposing puppies to different, sights, sounds, and people they learn that differences are normal. Puppies that are not well socialized can be less confident in new situations and some become unaccepting of new things. There are people on this list who have dogs they feel are "racist" because the dogs were never socialized as puppies around people of different ethnicities so they don't know that is okay. Some dogs don't know how to react to children because they don't know they are small humans. Many dogs do not know what to think of people with handicaps because they may move differently or have something like a cane or walker which is not what the dog has been socialized to think of as "normal".

[lvoss]

Good early socialization helps dogs to feel that different things being in their environment are normal. By exposing puppies to different, sights, sounds, and people they learn that differences are normal. Puppies that are not well socialized can be less confident in new situations and some become unaccepting of new things. There are people on this list who have dogs they feel are "racist" because the dogs were never socialized as puppies around people of different ethnicities so they don't know that is okay. Some dogs don't know how to react to children because they don't know they are small humans. Many dogs do not know what to think of people with handicaps because they may move differently or have something like a cane or walker which is not what the dog has been socialized to think of as "normal".

[Tayda_Lenny]

Tayda was/is very mellow and non destructive and adding Lenny did not change that. About once/day they do the B500 around the house, but other than that, they have very distinct personalities. I do think that Lenny picked up on the potty training faster than he would had he been an only dog though…

[luvsmy2bs]

Sooooooooo,,,,,,,,,have you made a decision yet about getting B #2????? Have you thought about BRAT???? We did a few months ago and got our first BRAT dog for our lonely boy Dane (our first b) then we REALLY got crazy and just added a third. It gets a little crazy sometimes but they really do entertain each other.

[Andrew]

@luvsmy2bs:

Sooooooooo,,,,,,,,,have you made a decision yet about getting B #2????? Have you thought about BRAT???? We did a few months ago and got our first BRAT dog for our lonely boy Dane (our first b) then we REALLY got crazy and just added a third. It gets a little crazy sometimes but they really do entertain each other.

We are definately gonna get another one. We just have to wait for it to be born! We've thought about BRAT, and I've researched it a little, but I'm not sure that's the right avenue for us right now. I would LOVE to adopt a BRAT dog, but we've only been basenji lovers for a little under a year now. I'd like a bit more experience with a couple of different basenjis before we try to adopt one that has been previously neglected and/or abused.

[tanza]

@Andrew:

We are definately gonna get another one. We just have to wait for it to be born! We've thought about BRAT, and I've researched it a little, but I'm not sure that's the right avenue for us right now. I would LOVE to adopt a BRAT dog, but we've only been basenji lovers for a little under a year now. I'd like a bit more experience with a couple of different basenjis before we try to adopt one that has been previously neglected and/or abused.

Who is your breeder? And hopefully as Lisa stated that they have had DNA tests done for Fanconi before the breeding happened. Also, hopefully the boy you have is neutered, and the girl will be spayed? Typically your breeder will "pick" the pup that best suits your situation, not the other way around. Breeders know the pups, have watch them grow, know the temperament of each of them to best place them in that perfect forever home.

[luvsmy2bs]

Great – Im always happy when someone decides they need a new furbaby! About the BRAT dogs. My husband and I have only had our first b since the summer (he was our "baby" since our real baby is a senior in high school and doesnt really need us for anything now other than to be a human ATM) Anyway, I dont want to seem pushy but just FYI we got our first BRAT dog from a pretty good home -- the humans loved her but one of their other dogs didnt-- so she really doesnt have to many issues. Our newest BRAT dog does have some anxiety and trust issues but he is the sweetest thing and has really fit into our family well. My point is that there are dogs that dont have major issues in the BRAT organization. Also, they do a WONDERFUL job of only placing dogs in families that fit their situation. It might be worth your while to talk to a BRAT representative.

[Quercus]

@Andrew:

What is the theory behind the Rule of Seven? Lots of exposure and experience gives them a better temperment?
Our puppy isn't even born yet, and I'm already thinking of names, looking at the girly dog stuff, etc. I'm so excited! I really wasn't much of a dog person before, and now I'm worse than a dog person… I'm a basenji person!

As Lisa said, the Rule of Seven is all about exposure to new things. It is a great goal for breeders, and puppy buyers…but it isn't a magic bullet. As in...'okay checked everything off the list, dog should be perfect.' Nope. You have to keep working on it, exposing them again and again, and having the right attitude while you do it.

For instance, if you take your puppy for a walk, and a large dog walks towards you, if you are fearful, and pull your puppy away....or sometimes, even if you just feel nervous, you haven't helped that puppy by exposing it to another dog. You may have just made the puppy more fearful.

It is a great outline though, of things that puppies should be exposed to.

[Basenji_Boy]

When the wife started to get our dogs involved with conformation showing I'll admit, I wasn't really keen on it. She started to take them to the shows at a very early age and to be honest I didn't really like it. All I could imagine was that those pups would rather be back in their yard as opposed to being at a show. I knew there was lot's of crate time, expens…....ect. Just didn't sound like fun for the dogs to me. All I kept hearing was they have to get used to all of this and it's in the long run really good for them.
well:)
I've since learned that she is right. Taking them to the shows is some crate time and expen time, but that sure comes in handy to have a dog that will go in a crate willingly and not fuss when you need it to. They're exposed to so many people and of course, lot's of other dogs. When they are at shows, people stop to see them and look, we encourage them to touch the dogs and on occasion have let people walk them around. The result of all of that is the two she takes to shows, I feel confident we could take anywhere! We took them with us to visit Nala(forum member) and they where perfect little boys. I can honestly say, our others I would not even attempt that type of adventure with. Jasper is "finished" and we still take him along when we show Willy.;)
Start them early and keep them used to going out and about.:)

[nala121498]

@Basenji_Boy:

We took them with us to visit Nala(forum member) and they where perfect little boys.

They were! I can only hope that my next Basenji is as well-behaved as Jasper and Willy and I plan on following all of the advice from our expert forum members!

[MyChike]

I think Booger will love a new friend…When I got Chike as a puppy the breeder felt very strongly about having two b's. She believed in opposite sex and an age difference. I deferred to her judjement and she found an older rescued bitch that was supposed to be very friendly.

They got along fine for a few days and then for some reason the older bitch went after chike, cut him up really bad and broke his lower jaw. She went back to the breeder and Chike spent several days in the hospital.

While that is an awful start, once he was well my vet kept his eyes open for a possible addition and we eventually found Brandi. She was about 3 at the time, had been turned in to the pound after her owner died, and was amazingly sweet and kind to Chike who first thought she was a new chew toy. They have been best friends ever since and Chike simply will not abide doing anything or being anywhere without Brandi.

The only time he has torn up things he was not supposed to was when i once took Brandi to the groomer without him. I came home to torn up pillows and such and as soon as we came home he looked at me and peed right in front of me....I learned not to seperate them again....

And as for picking things up....Brandi barked and barked when we brought her home and within a few months she had totally stopped barking. Now she may bark at a squirrel, but she has become basically barkless.

Good luck!!