Behavioral Issues

The first one is the toughest. Consider getting another one. I know it sounds crazy, but it really does make life easier. They like their own kind. Very true, ours was like any only child - constantly need to be entertained or he would cause trouble- the second dog comes along everything changes. His focus was the other dog- what's she getting that I'm not, then the constant playing with each other like little maniacs, wearing each other out.

I think neutering him will do the trick. Max never mounted anyone or anything after he was neutered :) Tyler, the male that I have now, was used by a backyard breeder for breeding. He was neutered at the SoCal Basenji Rescue–I think he was about 4 or 5 when that was done. I have him and his daughter (who was spayed), and I haven't seen Tyler do any mounting since I've had them (about 6 months now).

Well after 3 nights Tiggy is an ear licker but it's just a few quick licks then he climbs to his part of the bed and chews on his chew toy for a bit and then snuggles into my shoulder blades.

We had the exact same situation. Our female was mostly Alpha, but since they were siblings, our male exhibits some Alpha traits at times and they are kind back and forth. We ended up getting another girl which I think will end up being the Alpha, but I am not sure if it matters that much in the end since everything will be out of whack until they get the order settled themselves.

@Quercus: When females are spayed, it removes the estrogen production which in turn had masked the natural androgen (female testosterone) in her body. So, yes, I believe that spayed females will sometimes have some more masculine characteristics. But also some unspayed females will exhibit more masculine traits during "the season"….the other day Bella decided she would try to breed Luna @@ and Luna seemed happy to oblige. Hopefully Daisy will go back to her normal, less testosteroni, self in a few weeks..... Thanks for your replies Andrea and Pat. My curiosity in observing them is eye opening to say the least. I thought I'd seen it all with all the bickering and full out brawls when resolving together some time ago - in March. LOL with the Bella and Luna!! :D Silly girls . . . I can guess you've seen and observed more than the average parents of furkids. Thanks again - will wait and see how the "world" changes here. :D

Hi, Lori–how is Zoe?? I hope everything is ok.

What a face! This is one cool basenji.

Thanks for all of the advice .

I've been meaning to post a gallery of him. I'll try to upload some this weekend… I wish I had been able to get some of him swimming in the Chesapeake Labor Day weekend, but carrying a wild devilish B AND a digital camera while walking in the ocean is a BAD idea!

@Tayda_Lenny: So y'all know I have had issues with Lenny being ultra agressive at the dog park. I'm in between jobs now, so I thought it'd be a good time to bring Lenny and Tayda to the dog park when there is no one there, maybe get him used to the smells and perhaps one or two other dogs. So today was our first try. We were alone for about 5 minutes and then a britney spaniel came in. She was really submissive - I guess that was good for our situation. As she was getting in through the gate I was holding Lenny and Tayda, then I let Tayda go, and then Lenny after that. He started to chase and nip at the britney for a few minutes, and then he let up. From that point he didn't really pay a lot of attention to her. She went into the water to escape and wouldn't come out. She came out a few times, and he would chase her, but it was more of a playing chase, rather than a "i'm gonna kill that dog chase" So it seems like Lenny had this initial urge to establish his dominance, and then once he accomplished that, he didn't care much. Any hints on how to get him to ease up at the beginning? Overall I think it was promising. The britney left cause the owner couldnt get her to come out of the water, and then we were alone again for another 20 minutes or so and then I left with them as well. Tayda, as usual, played a little, and then just sunbathed. :) I totally understand where you are coming from. Dash is the same way. I was watching Ceasar one day and he mentioned that dog parks are a lot of high energy which can rile your dog up. I have noticed that with Dash too. As soon as we get to the park he races in 90 miles/hr to the first meanest, biggest dog he can find and bites at him. To combat that we actually have cut back a lot at the park and are just walking him more. But when we do go we try to use the small dog section to wear him out a little. For some reason the small dogs don't seem to be dominant towards him. Once he is a little tired and used to the park we switch over to the large dog section. He is not nearly as bad.

Abby- don't fret it sounds like this is a common problem. I know I've seen it discussed on her a few times. Try to do a search to see if any of the posts can help you & Abby out.

"garlic deters fleas" Also works on my wife. Either everyone has to eat it or no one. Dogs don't seem too fond of garlic breath either, this should be for the foot & kissing thread?

The very day I responded to this thread we had a visiter that evening at our new home. The visiter was unexpected and when he banged on the door Hollie jumped up, stretched out her body to see out the window, hair up on her back, barking & growling. She continued this behavior until the person went away (we didn't answer the door - unknown visiter). She is constantly leery of situations, things and people. Having rescued her from a shelter that picked her up as a stray, we know NOTHING about what happened to her before she joined our family. I believe I have a pretty good "Watch Dog!"

Oh, the other thing I wanted to mention was that Lexi will go forever if she has woods– like squirrels to chase. Here in DC, we have graveled-treeless dog parks that are small. Lexi does not like those at all. It's too boring.

Hollie's barrroooo is so cute. Just one reason I love this breed. Hollie's barroo is her "happy" sound. She did this one day at the park and a lady jumped back saying "what did I do?" I told her Hollie was just happy, that she wasn't growling at the lady. The woman actually thought Hollie was growling… too funny!! Doesn't sound like any growl I've ever heard.

Jala sleeps all night and then almost half the day. My mums basenjis are the same :D Given half a choice I would do the same :D :D

Yes, it is normal for bitches to mark… my girls (I have three at home) mark all the time... and usually over top where the last one went... on walks or at shows/lure trials, they will mark over top other Basenjis....

There is a light at the end, but with some dogs it can be farther away. I had a boxer a few yrs ago that had it really bad, and after lots of crate training and patients she was able to stay in her crate. She would make such horrible noises she sounded like a fog horn. And she'd pee in her crate or poop in and then step all in. IMO, I don't thing Lola needs medication. It can be quite frustrating, but biggest thing is lots of patients to train her that you will be back and it is okay to hang out by herself. Also, since she is not destructive but is pooping when you leave, make sure she gets a good walk or play session where you know she has gone potty. I'd take out the treats, that gives something to put in that must come out. You can give simple treats or things that need worked on like a kong stuffed with soemthing tastey and frozen so it'll take work for her to eat it all. Here are some links with articles on seperation anxiety. http://www.wagntrain.com/SeparationAnx.htm http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/anxiety.html http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/separation_anxiety.html

jeez I didn't look at the date when I asked for an update…hope all is good with the dog.