Behavioral Issues

Thank you so much! I was just going to post some new pictures :)

Huge Congrats. I can't give any advice but your pic made me laugh out loud :D

I was just reading this thread tonight - what ever happened to Simba - did he make it back to Tad? Does anyone know?

Yes, like humans older dogs can go a bit senile but there is no need to woryy - take her to the vet and he should be able to help her. Jewel (my senior) isn't quite as bad as that but she does get a bit muddled - she'll go to her water bowl and stand by it wondering why she went there. Occasionally when she's outside she'll do much the same forgetting and I have to go get her and remind her what she was going to do in the first place.

My previous males never had an opportunity to meet other basenjis (outside their breeder kennel) so don't know if the experience with my current female is "typical" or not. The first time she encountered another, it was a tri-color older female that was a real bitch and instantly got aggressive (now whenever they see each other its "hackles up"). The first time I took her to a lure coursing event, mine was friendly enough until a little blind female came up and bit her. The second time I took her to a LGRA event, a lady came up behind us (while mine was trying to potty) with her tricolor female and her dog attacked mine. So now hackles go up any time another female comes within shouting distance.

Seems a good suggestion and like anything else when training a Basenji - requires patience. I find that often people require an instant cure (not folks on this forum, I know).

Some professional intervention is definitely called for at this time. Myself, when I am called for CC&D (counter conditioning and desensitizing), I notice that the dog needs to rely on a strong leader, a protector at the other end of the leash or at the front door, whatever. Think of how your endorphins are shooting out, your body language, your first thoughts translate into body language very quickly and your pup picks up on it! Just a thought, however and not being there I don't get the whole picture I am sure….but you do a good job with describing the scenario and you do seem to take good actions. If putting B-boy in his safe place (crate) makes him feel better, than just don't push the issue with your sister. Has he been around the kids without your sister??? Her fearful interaction from way back when plus her hormones definitely triggered everything (or so it seems...)Good Luck!!!

Cara flea bites me a lot but omg, poor Leora, it's almost nonstop when she is home. One day she made her get under the covers, then said in a sad voice "now she's flea biting my thigh." LOL

"Snoozy Cuddles" Mango I love that. Makes me smile. Cuteness factor, I hear that!!! My husband would say that all the time about our boy Einstein; he had ( Einstein, not my husband) swirly curls of hair on each one of his "bum" cheecks…....good thing too, 'cause he was very naughty when he was a puppy, you couldn't get too mad tho.....when the swirls match the curl in his tail. :)

In my opinion puppy humping is just a natural thing - lambs do it too. Yes it may be a dominance issue, I'm not sure. They usually grow out of it if and irt's quite easy to gently discourage them but above all don't make an issue of it.

Dog parks are unpredictable because every time you go there's some different dogs that you don't know and what they'll do. Buddy is very friendly but the trouble is people throwing the ball for their dog and the dog gets aggressive when another goes after it or near it which sometimes Buddy does and he gets attacked.

Just another suggestion regarding the trash. Shaye used to get into ours all the time - I'd just go over the pick it all up, ignoring her completely. Eventually there was nothing there so she'd back off. Problem not really solved. Then, we bought a trash can with a lid that opened when you step on a lever on the bottom. She figured out how to step on the lever. So, we turned the trash bucket around, she couldn't get to the lever, and couldn't lift the lid, and the problem went away. Just a suggestion - and be sure to get a heavy one. I also agree with everyone who has said Cesar Milan's methods are about the exact opposite of how to train a Basenji. They just don't care enough what you think when they want to do something, and coming on strong with them triggers aggression. Distraction and showing them something they might want more works best for me. When that does not work, the squirt bottle has saved many many confrontations.

Fran, my older b and I are also those who can't sleep throught the night. So, we all get up and take care of business. At least your pup will out grow this… Any chance we will see you at the EBC specality in Aug in Auburn Wa again? I would love it!

And this is why this forum is so awesome!!!!

I know DAP has helped in my household. Zest always goes to the bathroom with me when I shower. When she was little, i'd take her in there with me and give her a bone to chew so that she would not have to be in the crate during that time frame. Now, 3.5 years later she still goes to the shower with me

Spring, who has a loose curl looks so funny when she wags her tail! It really makes me laugh and join in her happiness.

Going back to an earlier suggestion on Bewler's post - I wouldn't throw a bowl of water over two dogs in a fight - it will most probably make them even angrier. What a shame that some owners arer so irresponsible in taking aggressive dogs into the park. It is a privilege to be able to allow interaction in a friendly level in such an environment.

That's definitely progress, I agree. If Agatha is hopping up, I predict one of these nights she'll stay. You could rig it a little and turn down the heat to encourage it, haha. You know, it really sounds like you're dealing with their conflicting needs in a very balanced way. They both are needy at this point. I'm glad you are looking out for them both :) P.S. I love the detective names for the cats.

@ouidah: My basenji mix (photograph on my profile) comes from a home that seemed to spoil her tremendously. 1. Roxy only has interest in eating if it's people food. I would like to transition her to high-end kibble. I have been able to get her to eat dehydrated lamb and potatoes. But, honestly, I will not be able to afford this on a regular basis. Any suggestions? 2. Roxy jumps on people. I know this is her trying to be the alpha, and I am not okay with it. How do I break her of the habit? I have had all of my other basenjis and basenji mixes from puppyhood, so I am a bit overwhelmed by the thought of breaking a 2 year old dog of bad behaviors. About food, only give her the food you want her to eat… all dogs will eat when they are hungry, they will not starve themselves (of course making sure that they are in good health first). Put the food down for her... give her 15 minutes to eat, if she doesn't eat or finish it, pick it up till it is the next scheduled time to eat. About jumping.... does she know sit and/or down? Before you pet her or let people into the house, put her is a sit stay or down stay. No one acknowledges her until she is in a sit/down stay and remains calm. And jumping on people is not always a way of being alpha...

What great ideas! My house is almost too little for hide and seek but it's a good idea to try!