Behavioral Issues

When I first acquired my previous basenji the breeder suggested putting paper towels in the bottom of the crate (she can tear them up to her hearts content and even if she eats some if shouldn't cause problems) and to give frozen marrow bones to keep her occupied. There are also lots of interactive toys available that also keep her occupied.

@Quercus: Sorry :o Don't be jealous…you have time to read :) True, but the insomnia also helps with additional reading time. aside: I've had insomnia for years. Not every night, but many, many nights. It's better with fewer in the bed, but . . . Anyway, the only time I was really, really happy to have insomnia was when I was reading Seabiscut. Other good books, i didn't mind too much to be awake at 3am, but with Seabiscut I was excited about it.

I always offer my clients a choice. They can train their dog to heel in the same position each time, or they can train their dog to simply be enjoyable to walk with (to pay attention, not pull, not criss-cross in front, or tangle up) So far every single one, scores of clients, have chosen to have a polite walker, not a perfect one. With my own dogs, the only time we work on 'heel' is when we are training for Rally. In the show ring I want them in front a little bit, and on a walk, I want them on the "fun" side of the trail. Now, they do sometimes forget with the stimulus is overwhelming…squirrel, etc...but usually I can do some attention work with them right away and get them back under control. Those of you who see me walking my dogs at the National will probably laugh...I am bringing my two WORST trained dogs...one is virtually resistant to training, and the other just hasn't had the training time he needs..it will be quite a circus :)

Had a Corgi at the bark park come up to me, look at me with the cute face Corgis have, then lift his leg and pee all over my shoe. I gave him the same line I give She-Ra: "You're lucky you're so damn cute!" :)

Also, I would recommend "Click to Calm" by Emma Parsons…and just about anything by Patricia McConnell. You can find these books at dogwise dot com You CAN learn to change Benny's behavior yourself, but it would really help to have a behaviorist help you. You wouldn't really have to risk a lot if you learn exactly what techniques you prefer to use, and then interview people about their preferences. After you do some research, it should be pretty easy to tell who is thinking the same way you are, and whether or not they can help. Did you try Northcoast Dogs? their website is that name then dot com

@-Clar|Emm|Kai-: …Uhh, is it bad to admit that I don't correct my B when it comes to the coffee tree people?... =D That'll teach em to stand around! :D The thing I see most at the dog park is humping.

yeah she likes california natural. didnt know it would help with her energy level. great news! just got back from a nice 3 hr walk w/ a friend. Now we're passed out on the couch and mommy has some quiet time. Good day. :) also, i vaccume stuffing at least 3 times a day. my neighbors/tennets must think i'm an impulsive cleaner!! haha. take care!

The treat issues haven't been too horrible. Most of the time the people who bring them quickly learn the downside of it and don't do it again. :) She's been doing a lot better, and I've been determining when it's okay to discipline and when not. If she's doing a "give me space" where three or four dogs are sniffing her at once, I hold back, but occasionally she's gone after just one dog and I put her down for that. Next thing you know she's just playing with the dog, chasing or whatever. So it seems to be working. She's gotten a lot better at coming on command as well, even from across the park. It's tough to break that ADD that most 'Senji's have :), but of late she's gotten really good at breaking away from what she's doing if I call her. Who knows…we may make a dog out of this "cat-dog" yet! :)

I totally forgot about this website until it was brought up on another list. Here is a good resource for adding a baby in a house with dogs. http://dogsandstorks.com/

ya my male is 1.5 and hardly ever lifts his leg to go, as for the growling my pup about 1 and ahalf yrs old has a similar problem hes super nice with ppl but whenever my other dog goes near a bone hes chewing or his food while hes eating he makes this viscous growling noise. actually any dog he does that to. and he also tries to be dominate over the older basenji and constantly stands over her while shes lying down like hes some big tough guy.

haha quirky indeed!! Corrina and I are making progress, i gave up on trying to be the alpha (slightly) and she seemed to appreciate it. She knows when i mean business, and is a silly little kitty in her downtime. Each morning i wake up to her precious face, which has softened with love over the past month. These dogs give such rewarding relationships!! As i stated before, i wasnt looking for dog.. but to be honest Corrina's better then any dog i could have ever wished for. We're still battling peeing in the rain, she gives me the "i dont have to go" attitude.. taking 3 steps then stopping while we're both getting drenched.. then coming in and pooping by the closet. I blame myself really, the place is so small and messy she probably doesnt understand the difference between in and outside.. but in October we're moving to a slightly more spacious abode… so we'll have the chance to start all over.

Hey Melissa, How did it go over the weekend? Did you get it to where the enclosed area can be his place while you are at work? I have had a B for 71/2 months now. They are unique on the one hand with some breed specifics, but a dog none the less. Any dog needs exercise and mental stimulation(esp B's! A tired Basenji is a Happy One!) and since they are social animals, they need companionship. It sounds like you are strapped financially like us all, but I can only offer you three alternatives: 1)doggy day care or a sitter, 2)another dog, 3)get him to a home where his needs will be met. It's not to be mean or belittle you, it is just that being fustrated is not healthy for you mentally or physically, nor your little boy.

I was very interested on finding out that the horse harnesses are good for our basenjis expecially the ones with a bit of metal chain at the end, so as not to let our doggies chew through the lead, I took Duna out for a country walk and a seaside walk too off leash. She defenetly chooses who to hear when calling her to come…ME!!!!! She's a good girl till she meets other dogs, then becomes deaf!!! I tried runnig away and it workrd for the country walk, where as at the sea, what with the wind noise and wave noise, she just didnt turn to control me and took off for a distance with a big abandoned german sheperd mix!!! So i had to chase her because i new she was in trance and hipnotised by this big black dog that we were shooing to go away and that Duna was following!!! Little Stinker!!!!

!!! thanks everyone !!!! :)

Basenjis just have front ones, which most show breeders have removed from their litters. They can be nasty if they catch on something and rip. I do know German Shepherds sometimes have rear dews. Not sure about most other breeds. lol Again they are removed as newborns (the rears).

After having my girl for several years she become very irritable and out of control. She even attacked a friend's dog. It ended up she was diabetic. She is now on insulin. Now when she get irritable I know her glucose is out of control again and off to vet to adjust her dose. You really need to rule out all possible medical issues. If it isn't medical you might want to look at other option. It might be a little weird to some people but I have had a lot of luck with pet communicator with different pets over the years. It can help, just make sure you find a good one. Check out web site for someone I used in the past http://www.petcommunicator.com/

Curious to know if Gossy ever has this happen occasionally. I notice Kananga does this every now and then. The last two days he has refused to walk in a certain direction. I can tell he's worried about something because his ears are pinned back and he's trying to get out of his collar. I have to pick him up and walk him to where we need to go. Just a few days ago he was fine, it seems like this happens every couple months or so. Sounds similar to what you were going through.

Thyroid problems can show a lot of different ways.. one thing for sure, when it is a sudden change, always best to check out the health angle first.

Cody wags his tail when he's extremely excited, like if there is a cat outside or in the neighbors' yard, when he's about to pounce on Moe, or when I come home from work (not only am I home, but I work in a pasta/seafood restaurant, so he thinks I smell yummy). He doesn't bark though.

Hahaha Yes! I just adore this pose. Nulla does it too :)