Endurance Question
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Here is something i have been wondering.
How long is 'too long' of a walk for our B?
The wife and i like to do a nightly walk around the neighbourhood and we notice that around the 2km mark she starts getting tired (or bored). She isn't quite as attentive on leash and she starts rubbing her head on the ground and wanting to just roll on her back and rub herself. Generally a quick tug on the leash and telling her "We are almost home" will get her moving, but yesterday my wife had to physically pick her up and carry her for a bit.
Is this a sign of something wrong? Hip problems etc or are we just taking her for too long of a walk? In the house and backyard she has quick spurts of energy, but that is usually followed by a quick nap on the couch.
Is this Normal B behaviour?
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I would also ask how old is she? None of my Basenjis would be anxious to get home after a couple of kilometers, unless it was a very hot (or very cold!) day, or perhaps in their teenage years. They can normally tire me out. Boredom could be a factor, but I think that is unlikely. If it isn't new behavior I wouldn't be particularly concerned, but if it is I would want to look into it further…..
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Looking back at your first posts, looks like around 4yrs? If that is the case and this is a new behavior, I would do some further looking… You might start with a full Thyroid panel. Your regular Vet can check her patellas... if you want to carry it a bit further, your Vet can do hip xrays and if you want a reading from OFA (www.offa.org) you would have to have then sent in…
If this has always been her behavior, then I would say it is just normal for her. Also, have you talked to her breeder? Is this normal for her bloodlines?
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2K should not be too long for an adult healthy basenji. My almost 15 year old girl and the slightly younger boys do a mile around the neighborhood or 1 mile each way to the dog park easily unless it is very hot.
Maybe she is bored and wants a break form the steady walk so she can sniff and roll for a bit before continuing home. Might carry a treat to get her motivated after her little break.
If this is new onset, would have her checked out for sure . -
Not sure where you live at but in my area it is in the 90s but not too humid but my dogs are not wanting to stay outside as long as they usually do.
Is your dog limping after the walk? Perhaps a back and neck x-ray is needed in addition to the above suggestions. It would show if there is any arthritis or spondlyosis though I would think 4 years old is young for this.
Jennifer
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2 km is quite a short walk. Is the walk boring? If she's not allowed to investigate as she goes along she could simply be bored. However this is foreign to my experience with Basenjis, even my oldies will walk further than that but when they've had enough they put the brakes on and we have to go home - much to the disgust of any younger ones with us.. Of course if it is as hot as in Jennifer's area that could be a reason too.
I would definitely get her checked out by your vet.
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So the Vet gave her the seal of approval. She did say that everything seems to be in order and her hips are fine. I definately think that it was a case of her being bored. We have switched things up and she knows now that once she does her business a few times the rest of the walk is for her. I try and keep the walk limited at 45 minutes to an hour since if I gave her free reign to sniff and say hello to everybody (people, dogs, cats, squirrels) we would be out there for awhile.
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So the Vet gave her the seal of approval. She did say that everything seems to be in order and her hips are fine. I definately think that it was a case of her being bored. We have switched things up and she knows now that once she does her business a few times the rest of the walk is for her. I try and keep the walk limited at 45 minutes to an hour since if I gave her free reign to sniff and say hello to everybody (people, dogs, cats, squirrels) we would be out there for awhile.
While your Vet might have given her "HIPS" the seal of approval… unless they are x-rayed and viewed by a board certified Othopedic vet.. you really would not know if there is a problem with hips....
