Skip to content

Senior Basenji help

Basenji Talk
  • We had to send our female to the Rainbow Bridge in October and now I am concerned my male is headed there soon. He whines and whimpers and has lost his interest in everything-hates walks now. Obssesive about food and treats. He is 14 but still looks pretty good except he is covered in lumps and bumps-all okay.

  • I just lost my boy yesterday, so I feel your pain. My problem was the reverse. My boy who was never a picky eater went off his food, a big red flag. Usually illness causes a decrease in interest in food. I am not sure what the reverse might indicate. I wish you the best of luck in sorting this out. It is so hard to lose them!

  • I think he has some Dogheimers. He is just unhappy and I feel guilty about thinking about it. Just wanted to vent. I am sorry you lost you furbaby-it is heart breaking I know

  • Have you had him checked by a Vet? There is medication for older dogs that may have what you refer to as "Dogheimers"

  • Reluctance to go for walks coupled with the whines and whimpers suggest he might be sore somewhere. In the course of trying to find the source of my guy's problems we took x-rays, which didn't enlighten us much but did reveal some arthritis in the spine and neck which had not been slowing him down, but I expect could have caused some discomfort.

  • He is going to be 15 and Does not do well on meds. Thanks!

  • Sometimes extreme hunger can be from hormones (thyroid even) or cancer.. At 15, not sure if knowing makes much difference. However, there are some meds to make him feel better and up to walking, which certainly would improve his quality of life.

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    P
    @ktiefen1 You would be correct!! Potty Training eventually came easy because ours is so treat motivated....lol. Basic obedience is a challenge for us......ahe is definitely her own girl....and please dont disturb her sleep. You could lose a limb. ::)))))
  • Help with Rescue Basenji Mixes

    Basenji Talk
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    5k Views
    eeeefarmE
    @lisafebre said in Help with Rescue Basenji Mixes: @eeeefarm i have tried the clicker but it scares him! So I make "kissy" noises as he comes in for a treat. That should work fine. Just be consistent with whatever you use, but you may need to adjust the timing. You should use your "marker" the same way you would a clicker, i.e. to mark the behaviour you are rewarding. So perhaps another sound or word (I tend to use "yes!") to use at the moment he does the behaviour (or an incremental move toward the behaviour) that you are trying to encourage. Remember that the click or marker word ends the behaviour and signals the reward. It does sound like you are making good progress. At some point as petting him becomes normalized you will want to phase out the treats and reserve them for whatever your next behaviour goal is, perhaps climbing into your lap so you can cuddle or pick him up. Again, go slow, don't restrain when he has come to you. When you reach the point where you can make the approach instead of him making it, and he doesn't shrink away, it will be time to go on to handling, picking him up, etc. at which point if you have initiated contact you change to releasing him when he is quiet, not if he attempts to leave. Key is don't ask for too much too fast, and if there is a difficult point go back to where he is comfortable and proceed again. You'll get there!
  • I have ''issues'' with my basenji, can you help ?

    Basenji Talk
    33
    0 Votes
    33 Posts
    21k Views
    YodelMaY
    Ladybasenji, where are you in Quebec? Montreal? We have a place in Gatineau (Aylmer sector) and one of my dogs might even be related to yours. You're experiences with your girl remind me so much of my first basenji, about 20 years ago–it gets easier, I swear! Let me know if you'd like help with Lady--they're nothing like labs and will never be "obedient" but there are tricks for training them : D
  • Help! Introducing first Basenji to adult cat.

    Basenji Talk
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    10k Views
    AnaA
    @krunzer: Oh welcome to you and your B baby! Where in Canada are you? If you have a puppy and a Cat I am hoping that with the puppy growing up with the kitty that all will be well. Would love to see pics of your B if you can post some! To answer your question, I am from Montreal! To update on my basenji baby and my cat, all is actually going better than expected!!! I am so happy! My cat sometimes even runs after him and they play fight. And when he bites just a little too hard, she smacks him. But I don't think she takes out her claws, because he doesn't yelp or cry when she does it. All in all, after all the fear I had about them not getting along is working out!!! I am really happy!!! But he has so much energy!! haha I tried attaching a picture of him!! Hope it worked!! [image: attachment_p_155565_0_431220_10150728531252247_506372246_11886537_459347846_n.jpg]
  • Need help, is a basenji right?

    Basenji Talk
    53
    0 Votes
    53 Posts
    25k Views
    jys1011J
    I, (name), take you, (Basenji), to be my pooch, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad regardless of the obstacles we may face together, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you till death do us part. BDawg-you said it better then I ever could :D it is a true marriage in every way, shape, & form. There isn't ANYTHING I wouldn't do or sacrifice for my two pooches. I told my DH that I would sooner give him up then my dogs :D :D I'd never leave my dogs no matter what. He told me we'd have a bitter battle over the…lol :D BTW-I know EXACTLY what you mean by that "bond" they trust you to protect them & take care of them & love them.
  • Basenji's on Wine Labels- Need your help

    Basenji Talk
    36
    0 Votes
    36 Posts
    12k Views
    MaxBooBooBearM
    I can't wait to get mine!