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HELP! I LOVE her, but..

Behavioral Issues
  • She's a terror! My Basenji/Maltese mix refuses to listen to any sort of command or name referral, she urinates on the carpet frequently (even after a stern NO! in the process and being taken to the wee wee pad), she has extreme separation anxiety (tears/rips bags, paper, shoes.. anything she can get her mouth on), digs into furniture and peoples' arms if she doesn't get enough attention, and gnaws on arms and hands. I absolutely love her and she is so incredibly affectionate and sweet.. but her behavioral skills are horrendous! I do work 5 days a week and live alone.. however, on my work days either my father or boyfriend will stop by to walk her and spend time with her.. and 2 out of the 5 days, she spends the whole day with my boyfriend! (who is VERY good with dogs and the stern voice/patience) What more can I do?!

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  • Help please!

    Behavioral Issues
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    D
    @basenji_life said in Help please!: Oh and yesterday evening she started peeing on the sofa while looking straight at him... and she normally goes outside to pee... maybe she was upset that he was home? Did you solve this issue? I had a dog who didnt like kids. Someone told me it could be because the previous owner had kids who scared the dog. So it could be a traumatic experience for the dog. And when kids were around, the dog would bark a lot always.
  • Desperately need your help!

    Moved Behavioral Issues
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    DebraDownSouthD
    Sudden behavior change at this age is almost always medical. I am glad you are now keeping him separated, but honestly you should have the first incident. After the first bite, most courts or judges would rule you knew he was a danger and he could not only have been seized, but you sued for significant damages. You are lucky no one is filing. Thyroid is the primary cause that I am aware of for sudden change. Yes, brain tumors are possible, but more likely thyroid. Some forms of epilepsy also can cause a dog to attack, but typically this is truly out of nowhere-- not like what you describe when a dog is told no about something. Pain can also do it.. sadly cancer had been found in similar situations of sudden growing aggression. The ENCOURAGING part is you had several months without problems... so again, look at the most simple... thyroid. Make sure you get a full panel, not just an in-house partial. In the meantime, understand you didn't cause this, and it may be fixable. If thyroid, it's inexpensive medication. But you won't know until you get tests runs. Hopefully those wanting him put down will feel better knowing you are acting to find out if there is a medical issue.
  • The love of fuzz?!

    Behavioral Issues
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    renaultf1R
    I have an extremely expensive long shearling coat (not short cropped shearling, but long fluffy shearling). The only way I can get out of the house with that coat is to carry it over my head and put it on outdoors. When any of my 4 basenjis see the coat, it is like they go into a whole other zone - they will even try to jump up in the air to get it when I'm carrying it over my head. I am not even slightly exaggerating. The basenjis have never seen which closet in the house the coat lives in - and I'm vigilant about that. My Ugg boots suffered the attack of basenjis so needed to be replaced with something "less appealing" this year. So I would say fluff loving is genetic…
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    Buddys PalB
    Wow! this is one of many, many threads that I have responded to and I am very interested in the outcome of Poopydog and the nipping. As I was going through the Thread, I really had to bypass any of the responses of those who enjoy attacking one another. I sure hope this behavior did not thwart our member who really needed help. The majority are replies to one another trying to impart important knowledge or experience to someone who did not ask for it in the first place. Don't try to sound important. Everyone is, just give happy good-hearted advice and let us just not dig into the other who has a different opinion. Just dig, digs, and more digs. Really getting old….........................I know you won't miss me, but this is just too much.................................................................
  • Basenji Help!!

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    Move the crates to different rooms. The female won't be able to see what's going on. Give the male his food first, then feed the female a little later. Don't let them out of the crates at the same time.
  • Guest Dog - HELP!

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    Thanks everyone. I am so very appreciative of your advice. Housesitting is a great idea, but not an option for me as I have 5 teenagers and a husband to "watch". I tried Apolo in his home for the day and when I picked him up at night (I just couldn't leave him there by himself overnight) he went bonkers from being alone all day. I took him to a kennel out in the country as the accomodations at his vet would have meant that he had to be crated all the time which IMO is especially not an option for a big dog!! I worry about Apolo stressing out and have called the kennel to see how he is doing. I will visit as well. I'm really not certain that the kennel would let me know if he was stressing. I don't really know as this is the first time I had to use one. I think I will start another thread on what to look for in a kennel. Once again, learning on the fly!!! I am doing my best and asking as many questions as I can. I also think I may start a thread on how Bs react to Bordatella (I always say, Bortadella, isn't that sausage :D) since I know someday I will have to take Joey to a kennel. I am also going to look at kennels now so that I can choose the best one. So far I have been fortunate and the breeder has been able to board Joey. I think it's like going to Disney World for him!!! He isn't all wigged out to see me when I pick him up!