@jordandwilly - Thanks for clearing that up.... 9-5 is just fine, IMO.... I work and have always had to leave mine when I was at work, never an issue. That said, we were able to set up the house that access to the backyard (with 10 to 12' privacy fences) with a doggy door and a dog room in the house for them, Locks on the gates so there is NO access for anyone. Dogs sleep 90% of the day so being at work doesn't bother them... never have mine even when I had a litter in the house (And have been in the breed as owner/breeder for 35+ years). You can hire a dog walker to take them out mid day..which is a good solution. and give them a mid day meal depending on their age. I do not and never have used free feeding, period. Especially if you have more that one... you never know what/who is eating what. And you can set up camera's on line to watch them from "afar".... LOL. Keep in mind people that many of us need to work and have day jobs. The most important thing is the time you need to spend with them when you are home. Example would be, if you have young children and you work... when you get home you are going to spend your time with your human children... NO dog would be happy if left out... they need their time also because they are a family member and need as much time as a human child. Again in my opinion
Basenji Obsessed with Cleaning Feet?
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@debradownsouth Good idea, thanks! I-d just been towling them off, and it sure wasn't satisfactory to him
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Do you see any redness or pinkish color between his toes or on the back of his legs just above his paws? If so he could have a yeast infection especially if you live in a wet climate.
Our Basenji mix is prone to this condition because we live in a damp climate and he is constantly liking his paws during rainy season. I have been giving him a probiotic and plain yogurt daily and this has helped keep the condition under control but he does have flareups every so often. When that has happened and I can't get him to stop licking I slip on a pair of baby socks and secure with a piece of bandage tape. And the cone of shame helps as well.
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Apart from the possible yeast infection mentioned by Dreamskape, it's probably normal Basenji behaviour. They are pretty obsessive with cleanliness. Mine always has pristine feet (top and under). I would NOT recommend baby wipes. Firstly, they're coated with chemicals (artificial fragrance, etc) which sensitive breeds like basenjis don't need, and secondly, they're extremely bad for the environment and plumbing. Just keep towelling yr basenjis feet off with a cotton towel if they're wet or dirty. Enjoy the many quirks of the basenji as you get to know your pooch!
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This is perfectly normal Basenji behaviour ! They clean themselves (and each other). I have a photo somewhere of a line of five Basenjis in a conga-line, each cleaning the one in front. We've been for a particularly muddy walk as I recall.
Daily, I get two filthy dirty Basenjis into the car in the woods, sometimes they appear to be wearing Wellington boots. But the drive home takes only about 20 minutes and two beautifully clean Bs leap out.
Keep an eye out for inter-digital cysts - but feet cleaning is nothing to worry about.
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@debradownsouth
I do the same thing - I keep a canister of baby wipes @ the entrance of our house and I wipe her feet and butt before we enter our home. -
I hose my b-boy's feet off in the kitchen sink everytime he comes inside to help fight his allergic reactions to the grass/environment. He's quite used to it now.
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@pippi said in Basenji Obsessed with Cleaning Feet?:
I would NOT recommend baby wipes. Firstly, they're coated with chemicals (artificial fragrance, etc)
I should have said I use ONLY hypoallergenic wipes... no fragrance, no alcohol, etc. I've used baby wipes for my dogs -- Rotties, Chows, basenjis, samoyeds-- for 27 years, the same I used for my supersensitive baby.
Thanks, btw, it sent me on a quest for ratings. Sadly, since I'm in Israel, I have on found generic and Huggies. But it's nice to have an updated evaluation on them.
On "eco friendly"... I'll wait for the research. I know there was a lot of debate on cloth vs disposable diapers. I would need to see a study that the water usage, detergents, etc actually aren't worse on the environment than wipes, especially the faster biodegradable wipes.
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@dreamskape I haven't seen any, but it has been an exceptionally wet season. I'll keep an eye out. Thanks!
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Basenjis are very catlike in that they groom themselves and they like to be clean and their beds clean.
BRAT.com has a lot of excellent information about the breed and their quirks. Be sure to check it out. -
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