@debradownsouth your post rings true and though I hate that this has to be the solution- unfortunately if I lock her in any sort of room she instantly scratches frantically at the carpet, ripping it from the tacks in 5-10 minutes. I’d love to give her free roam of my place- as I did my last place- but she’s not comfortable enough yet and will destroy the carpet and maybe the couch as well.
She is odd in the way she acts. She has plenty ability to get away from the kids and loud noises but does not move away from them. She will just give a short protest growl as they walk by.
Giving her treats in the crate doesn’t work. She’s still to frantic to even think about them while in there. She goes nicely into the crate and doesn’t have to be forced, but has now taken a step backwards since she got out the one time.
We go to the dog park frenquently and she gets long walks everyday as we live in a town that’s easily walk-able. I even have the 6 year old wall her.
The Prozac, thus far, has helped her to not be so frantic during the day when the kids are under toe.
Basenjis are hard (as we all know) and this is not my first by far.
Help please!
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@tony thank you for the advice!
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@donc We're doing everything else that was mentioned already, hopefully him feeding her (just him) this weekend will help
. Thank you for mentioning the fear stages, let's hope it goes by quickly! 
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A pocket with pieces of her favorite treat. The minute he walks in the door,and every time she makes eye contect and/or allows him to touch her. Does she have a favorite toy, in case she is one of those who is not food motivated, same process. Dont worry about over feeding, just cut back on regular portion during this process.
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@basenji_life Already good suggestions. Just to add, his reaction may be feeding the behaviour. When she doesn’t want him to pet her, then have him immediately ignore her.
My first two dogs didn’t like strangers, however they warmed quickly when ignored. The more a new person would try to pet them, the more they would be suspicious. It’s a little reverse psychology, I think often when someone is trying hard the dogs pick up on that but view it as suspicious or threatening.
I tell all visitors to ignore the dogs completely, then they become curious and before you know it they want attention. If they try to pet them, then they become suspicious and feel threatened.
Often with my dogs, they want to be petted but “their way” lol. Sometimes I will pet their back and they get all annoyed because they want their chest petting. Most times I don’t care but once in a while I will tell them go away then lol. Then I get the offended look lol.
Basenjis are very different and do have quirks!
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@dagodingo This is interesting! Thank you we'll try this!
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@joan-duszka Thanks for the advice
He'll give a treat every time he walks in! -
I agree with the ignore. You can do that and treats. When he walks in, without looking at her, drop a treat and keep moving. Maybe place hand palm up with a treat on it while on the sofa. Let her approach and get the treat. Add in "good girl" when she's comfortable with that. This way she isn't pressured to respond except in clearly positive (walks, feeding) situations, and she does the approach at other times.
He may have done something that startled her without realizing it. With patience she will get over it. Licking his hand to get his scent is great...maybe smear his palm with a little cream cheese or peanut butter (don't overdo it).
We need pictures, btw.
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@debradownsouth This morning he feed her himself by hand, however she only came and ate when he looked AWAY :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_closed_eyes: as mentioned so thank you! It's progress!
We went out with her today and did a few stops and we noticed she's reacting his way to all the men and she's fine with the women
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@basenji_life said in Help please!:
@debradownsouth This morning he feed her himself by hand, however she only came and ate when he looked AWAY :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_closed_eyes: as mentioned so thank you! It's progress!
We went out with her today and did a few stops and we noticed she's reacting his way to all the men and she's fine with the women
That's a big clue. Looking at her, particularly directly into her eyes, will likely be read as dominance or aggression and frightens her. When he does look in her direction it should be with unfocused eyes. Eventually when she relaxes with him you can teach eye contact. Clicker training is good for this.
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@basenji_life said in Help please!:
Oh and yesterday evening she started peeing on the sofa while looking straight at him... and she normally goes outside to pee... maybe she was upset that he was home?
Did you solve this issue? I had a dog who didnt like kids. Someone told me it could be because the previous owner had kids who scared the dog. So it could be a traumatic experience for the dog. And when kids were around, the dog would bark a lot always.
