A good "safety" exercise to practice is a command that tells your dog treats are in the offing, and use it at irregular intervals when you are walking. Combine the command with a total release of pressure on the leash, preferably when your dog has firm tension on said leash. Then if something unexpected happens you have a built in reaction of the dog to look to you for a reward. This won't work if your dog is pursuing a major distraction, but should give you an edge if you have an equipment failure in otherwise neutral conditions. (you can carry this one step further by "accidentally" dropping the leash in a controlled area, or with a light line attached for safety, and practice until the dog turns to you when it feels a total release)
REWARD - Lost Basenji TEXAS
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Hope you find the little guy safe! The ninja hunter in him will keep him safe, I also hope you haven't been posting an update because your too busy playing with him like crazy
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Is everyone else on pins and needles about this poor little guy? Has anyone heard anything - did they find him yet?
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Thank you. My son went to all the shelters in Port Lavaca and Victoria etc - no luck - we have called and faxed many shelters and Vets Dexter's picture with in a 150 mile radius of Houston and Port Oconnor. After conducting a 4 day search on foot and car we are fairly sure someone must have him. I think they will not like him too much after he tears up all their toilet paper rolls! Hopefully someone will see him somewhere soon!
I just have to say this again as I did not see my post to this thread. I HOPE HE TEARS UP THE TOILET PAPER AND MORE! Maybe the people who have him will take him to a shelter so you will be reunited. HOPE SO! If not, my heart goes out to you, grieve if you have to, but dogs will adjust to any environment (this is intended to help your pain of loss) and if you do not get him back to your home and heart, keep in mind his love for you, what you did for him etc., but his desire to survive will sustain him. (I really hope he tears up the toilet paper daily….!)
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I hope Loraine is so busy cuddling her boy, she has forgotten to update us.. wishing so much for his safe return
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oh…I want some news!!! Praying all is happy in their hosehold again..
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DEXTER WAS FOUND THIS MORNING!!!! 20 days living in the swamp - he's weak - tick infested -can barely see - but he is alive. Thank you God. Vet checked him and he is going to make it. Boy I wish he could talk. What a story he'd tell us about snakes and alligators and how he used his hunting skills to live and eat in the swamp. Pretty amazing for a 9 month old puppy.
I did stop posting because it was breaking my heart. But now I get to give a joyous post! Yahooooooo. Thank you all for your true concern.
Lorraine -
Awesome! way to go lil guy!! Tough lil dude, glad he is back with you, im sure he and you are both overjoyed. glad hes back
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WOO HOO! I have been checking everyday to see if he was found - this is SUCH a miracle! I am SO happy for you and Dexter!!! Thank you for letting us all know - I know am I not the only one who was pulling for you - you had lots of love pouring your way!
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That's the best thing I've read all day.
Bet he's super happy to be in loving arms again! -
That is wonderful, hoping for a complete recovery. Hugs to you both.
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So so very excited..I can not even begin to understand your happiness right now..Good for Dexter to show how it is done even in extreme hardship..at such a young age. I am very happy for you both. :D:D
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Wonderful news! Surviving in that kind of environment is what Basenjis have done for centuries. Basenjis can live on mice and birds just like cats.
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I'm so happy to read this! I hope it can serve as inspiration to anyone who has a dog that goes on walkabout.
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So happy for you and Dexter!!! YAY!!!
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Hurray!
So glad to know that you are reunited…. hugs to you and your son (and roos to Dexter, lol) -
This is awesome news. Basenjis are tough little dogs.
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Thank goodness the breed has not had all of their natural talents bred out, those are what kept him alive until rescue. So very glad for all of you! Who managed to bring him home?
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Thank God indeed! It sure would be interesting to hear his story as he saw it-20 days! Geez, can't imagine, but what a great ending! Better than any Lassie story! (you should call the local news station-a human interest story (animal interest) for those that don't think that their dogs could be frightened by loud noises!) Please keep us updated on Dexter's progress. When you say he could hardly see, was it due to the tick infestation? Go bake him a welcome home chicken!
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Great idea, do consider calling you local paper or TV, good story to show next year to remind people to secure their pets before fireworks. I hope he is back to 'normal' soon, I imagine he is very happy to be home with good food, fresh water and lots of love.
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In the old book/movie, "Goodbye My Lady", the basenji was lost and living in a swamp when rescued by the boy. Dexter was re-enacting that role, perhaps!
