Behavioral Issues

My Basenjis can't stand dogs who are "mouth breathers". I sometimes wonder if they think that because the dog sounds like it is gasping for it's last breath that they feel they should help finish it off.

I hope so too! Ive also started some training sessions together. Like having them both Sit (they will sit next to each other with no issues). I use a Clicker. Ill have them SIT and they both sit…ill click and they both get treats (a SMALL piece of hot dog). Kind of to teach them that being near each other can be rewarding. So far its worked. They can be inside the house toether with no conflict either. One will be on the couch near me the other in the recliner. The only tension is if one comes over to sniff the other. But neither snap anymore cuz when one growls the other heeds the warning and backs away. I love having another B around...they are like Potato chips...you cant have just one lol

I once bought a really expensive dog bed, brought it home and my boy pulled all the stuffing out of it and climbed inside the hole. I was laughing so hard. I've got a picture somewhere, just not digitized. He had great fun throwing and catching all the stuffing.

@CanisBasenjius: And then there of course is your key phrase, "if the dog has been properly trained with the fence". Many are poorly trained with the fence and, IME, many are willing to run through it given a good enough reason. Just one more reason I dislike them. Gotta say, I agree with everyone else that has said, "Get a physical fence." If you had one, OP, this would never have happened. That is indeed the key phrase, and I should have emphasized it more. Of course, if a small dog teased at the fence when the confined dog was still in training, you bet an association could result! And I would agree some dogs certainly do learn to run through invisible fence. I have a friend with one of those. Two of her three (non Basenjis) never do it, one will with sufficient provocation. She knows she will get zapped, but she just runs fast and takes the punishment to get at those darn coyotes! To the original point, I don't have a handy dog example, but my friend's stallions have not learned to dislike mares in heat because they get zapped trying to get at them. They know it is the fence and they know they are going to get a jolt, but a mare flashing right by the fence is sometimes just too much temptation! They don't go through the fence, however. Gallagher has a way of changing your mind. :) However, they have no issues breeding the same mares when the fence is not in the way, and show no difference in attitude toward them and other mares that have not been close to the fence, so I would say there is no confusion there in terms of the cause of the shock. Of course, horses may be smarter than the average dog….. In the city, I think an actual physical fence is pretty much a necessity. In the country, depending on circumstances, maybe not so much.

@barklesshound: My neutured, male Basenji does this sometimes when he wakes from a nap and the pattern is always the same. There are two very hard acorn size lumps on either side of his penis, closer to the base but not as far back as the scrotum area. Yes, that would be the description of both of my neutered males. Usually after sleeping or relaxing, and it disappears quickly. Maybe erotic dreams at work? Pretty harmless, in any case. :)

lvoss, thank you very much for that link. It was very informative and lots of good advice. I got carried away and read and watched other of her training hints. What a super site!

Congratulations on the future new addition. Boy/girl is a good combination. As others have advised let them meet on neutral ground and take them for a long walk together. For every good interaction praise both inordinately. As Curlytails says don't rush it. Keep us posted, please and best wishes to you all.

Children are often scary for dogs, they don't move the same as adults, they don't act the same as adults, so dogs don't know how to behave around them. You may want to check out this webinar that is coming up next week through the Family Paws Parent Education, http://jennifershryock.enterthemeeting.com/m/PS15862X

My last 2 also did that. Used to scare the bejesus out of visitors at my house because it sounded so viscous but never an injury. Usually a squirrel on the porch would do it then they'd both rocket out the back dog door to see it went that way.

It is amazing thing which is happen to you. Ya, every female has mommy feelings. And I am sure your your baby also love pat animals too much. Pat will take care of your baby.

We camp a lot with the dogs. We have two x-pens set up outside of the camper for the dogs with two camp chairs in there…..you know that they can't lay on the ground right?..... If we can't put up x-pens for some reason then we have two cables for them that are made of wire with the red nylon coating on them. Those work as well but the easily become tangled if they are too close to each other.

@Barklessdog: Basenjis do not like surprises. Very true!

I don't know if you feed your dog before you walk him, but if you don't, you might find walking him first early morning, after waking up will take care of this issue. My boy basenji won't even eat until he has "done" his business. Same in the afternoon. Walks will empty them and make them hungery.

I hope all are okay tonight! :)

It's true, I've never had to even think about crating until I got Oakley. All previous breeds were no problem staying loose in the house, oak is very house destructive so that was a no go, we also went through crate phobia but at 16 months he tolerates it better than I ever imagined

Usually aggression during eating is when you would put your hand over the food bowl while the dog is eating or touch/pet the dog while it is eating and the dog will try to bite you. Shelters will often test dogs while doing the first one. Many dogs flunk because they will bite the fake hand and they become rescue only because of it. Jennifer

Agreed. Sometimes I think the grosser it is they more they enjoy seeing our faces when they do it.

I agree. She is such a friendly little gal.

Good for you for being proactive about the situation!

@agilebasenji: wow - thanks so much for sharing that link. I'll start testing my pups tomorrow! I think it would be a very useful test when choosing a pup for eventual performance dog competition; might be a good test for choosing show dogs too in that it would weed out the pups that wouldn't cut it on the campaign trail.