• There aren't many people I can share this with who would be excited for Lola and me, but I know I can count on my basenji stranger friends on the forum to understand and share in the happiness and excitement.
    Lola is a BYB dog, and I brought her home at 5 1/2 weeks old. I didn't know a whole lot about socializing dogs, and she didn't get the greatest start in life. I took her to dog parks from a young age, so she's pretty good with dogs usually. However, she is wary of new people. She refuses to let strangers touch her, whereas Callie will walk up to anybody and allow them to not only pet her but even pick her up. Lola has a process through which she will smell a person, reject them and back away if they try to pet her. After they have given her a treat, and after she is comfortable with them, they are her best friend for life. However, this usually takes some time.
    Since we have moved to Ohio (about 6 months ago), she has met many strangers in a short amount of time. I have noticed the last several weeks that she has been more friendly with strangers. At the dog park, she recently jumped onto a stranger's lap. At the vet this week, a new place she has never been to with people she doesn't know, she was outgoing and friendly with the staff. And today, the boyfriend's uncle came into town and stopped by for a visit. Lola approached him, happy-wagging her tail, friendly and open to being pet. It hit me then that several times over the past several weeks, I have said to people, "Wow. Lola must really like you. She is NEVER that friendly with strangers."
    My standoffish, mistrusting little girl has become friendlier and more outgoing with strangers. I am so proud of her achievement.


  • Where are you located at in Ohio?

    Jennifer


  • Awesome, she must really feel comfortable and safe, to be able to become so trusting and outgoing. Nice work!


  • @dcmclcm4:

    Where are you located at in Ohio?

    Jennifer

    Broadview Heights


  • How wonderful πŸ™‚ I completely understand how you feel. I had a ****er that had a limited start in life and he actually dealt with fear aggression due to undersocialization. It was wonderful to see him develop past that and become the dog he was meant to be πŸ™‚

  • First Basenji's

    I am so happy for you and Lola as well. It is a good feeling to know that with patience and perseverance, a dog with a fear issue can and does learn to trust! Yeah!


  • You are right to be so proud of Lola - she has had to come a long way to get to trusting.


  • This is a great story. I do think b's and any dog can come out of their shell given love and kindness. YOU did GOOD!


  • I am in the Dayton, OH area. There is lure coursing in Sagamore Hills and I believe the next time is in September by the club LARK. You can go to www.asfa.org for information. I do not know if any Basenjis will be there though but I take my rescue Bs to lure coursing events for socializing.

    Jennifer


  • Thanks for all of the encouragement & kind words guys.

    @dcmclcm4:

    I am in the Dayton, OH area. There is lure coursing in Sagamore Hills and I believe the next time is in September by the club LARK. You can go to www.asfa.org for information. I do not know if any Basenjis will be there though but I take my rescue Bs to lure coursing events for socializing.

    Jennifer

    Thanks for letting me know Jennifer. I was actually just in Dayton last week. The women who co-bred my Callie's mom have a vet practice down there, and I took Callie in for their yearly exams and some health testing.


  • Andrew,

    Would this be Dr. Tracy Leonard? If so, I co-own a B with her. I believe the next OKIGO lure trial is being held in Columbus in September. Usually Dr. Tracy attends these. You can go to the website and check for this trial.

    Jennifer

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