BIG problems with Jack…

[renaultf1]

@Barklessdog:

First I would try a Behavioralist, is Jack not worth the money to you?

A counseling could be free with some trainers or at least at a very minimal cost?

At least then you would have explored all your options, you owe that to Jack I believe. He deserves the best as deep down he is a great dog, but maybe not the best type of dog for your situation at this time.

Sorry, but I don't entirely agree here…Given the added money of a new baby and all those new expenses, it probably isn't a question about whether or not Jack is worth the money. Everyone has their own money realities and I don't think adding to their pressure anymore than they already feel it is going to do anyone any good. It doesn't seem that they are coming to the conclusion lightly about possibly re-homing Jack.

I agree that BRAT would be the best option if they can't keep him and agree that possibly there is someone they could see that could do some sort of low-cost initial consult...perhaps their vet could suggest someone.

At the same time, Tanza sounds right. It sounds like everyone has possibly lost confidence in Jack, and if he is picking up on those feelings, then maybe a new home would be best.

[Quercus]

@renaultf1:

Sorry, but I don't entirely agree here…Given the added money of a new baby and all those new expenses, it probably isn't a question about whether or not Jack is worth the money. Everyone has their own money realities and I don't think adding to their pressure anymore than they already feel it is going to do anyone any good. It doesn't seem that they are coming to the conclusion lightly about possibly re-homing Jack.

I agree that BRAT would be the best option if they can't keep him and agree that possibly there is someone they could see that could do some sort of low-cost initial consult...perhaps their vet could suggest someone.

At the same time, Tanza sounds right. It sounds like everyone has possibly lost confidence in Jack, and if he is picking up on those feelings, then maybe a new home would be best.

I have to agree. I think it is possible that Jack is behaving aggressively towards strangers BECAUSE of the baby…and may not be likely to hurt the baby...BUT...that is a risk that most normal people aren't willing to take. And if the Mom feels that her baby is at risk, then it is time to place the dog in a new home. It is a very personal, and difficult decision....and certainly not one to be made lightly, nor to be pressured into.

I have found there comes a time, particularly with cranky/dangerous dogs, that the parents just want some validation that it is okay to feel like their child is in danger, and it is okay to find a more suitable home for the dog....and IT IS OKAY! That doesn't make it any easier to actually do...but it is nothing to be ashamed about.

Jack needs BRAT...they will help find him a more suitable home, hopefully with lots of Basenji experience.

[JazzysMom]

Kira,
You may still want to just call around. I got lucky – the behaviorist that I'm seeing with Keoki is doing it FREE of charge. She's currently "retired" from doing behavior work herself with clients, because she is the administrator at the training center and at the vet clinic where I take the dogs. My vet asked her to evaluate Keoki, so she did, and then decided to take him on as a courtesy. {With one income, a kid in college, one planning to go to film $chool next year, two in braces, two with Diabetes, and the list goes on, I'm sure I couldn't have afforded the help otherwise - and not because Keoki isn't worth it to me, but because it simply ain't there!}

Consider making an appt w/your vet and ask if their office can recommend anyone. Call area behaviorists, explain your situation and maybe..just maybe one may take Jack on for a reduced rate/free/payments, etc.

That said, Our problems with Keoki did not put anyone in danger; my kids were not at risk. We have all the time in the world to work on his problems. The FIRST {second, and third} priority is keeping Aiden safe.

Contacting BRAT is a responsible choice. In fact, it may well be THE responsible choice. And it certainly doesn't minimize how much you love Jack. It may really show the depth of your love, as you seek a home where he can live in emotional peace.

Good luck; my heart really goes out to you.

[Barklessdog]

Sorry, but I don't entirely agree here…Given the added money of a new baby and all those new expenses, it probably isn't a question about whether or not Jack is worth the money

I'm not saying that, but I believe it does not hurt to at least investigate or look for professional help, before you write it off as too expensive. It could be a local basenji breeder or a Brat member that can evaluate & help?

ask your local vet or animal shelter for Behavioral trainers, explain your situation?

Also at the same time look for placing Jack so ether way you decide, you can weigh both options.

[Quercus]

@Barklessdog:

I'm not saying that, but I believe it does not hurt to at least investigate or look for professional help, before you write it off as too expensive. It could be a local basenji breeder or a Brat member that can evaluate & help?

ask your local vet or animal shelter for Behavioral trainers, explain your situation?

Also at the same time look for placing Jack so ether way you decide, you can weigh both options.

Speaking as someone who trains dogs professionally….if Jack's family came to me, and said 'our dog has bitten people, and we are really afraid he might bite our child'...I most likely would suggest rehoming. If the family is concerned that their children are in danger, most trainers and behaviorists will take them at their word, and suggest rehoming. To do otherwise is a pretty big liability both legally, financially, and ethically. Imagine if a trainer said 'oh, I don't think so, he is only aggressive to strangers' the owners then followed a training and behavioral mod program...and then the dog DID bite the child...the family could sue the trainer for far more than the trainer is worth. Not to mention the ethical burden for the trainer of assuming they knew what the dog was thinking, and having the child pay the price of the trainer's error.

[senji]

I think we all think of our pets as our kids until we have kids. I love my dog to death but I've said it before, really if it came down to saving my child or my dog there is NO question. Hopefully I could save both but that doesn't always work. I think it's hard, Jack was your baby before you had a baby.(I had a cat like that) It's OK to do what ever needs to be done for Aiden. When he's older maybe you could adopt from BRAT. When you're ready you can kind of do a "pay back" so to speak. That thought may help to ease your pain at least a little. Good luck, it will all work out it's just really hard right now.

[sharronhurlbut]

You might try to find an BRAT person who has rehomed many basenjis, and ask if they can come over and "watch" the dog interact with the family.
She/he might see something that your not able to see.
Re trying to get food from someone who is eating, we use a squirt bottle filled with water, and it works.
Only takes a few wet squirts to get the basenji to back off until folks get up from the table.
Once they have laid down, or behaved while we eat, they get a treat, a bit of our food left on the plate, when we get up and leave the table.
We never feed from the table…ever..
Hope you get a handle on this b's behavior.

[Capt_Jack_our_Basenji]

thanks. i didnt know a vet might be ablle to help us, IM DEFINATLY going to look into that THANKS!!!

[jys1011]

I'm so sorry things with Jack have not improved. You probably can't pick up on what's triggering his behavior but like Tanza mentioned there usually IS a reason but we don't speak "dog" so it's hard for us to tell what's wrong.

If you can't spend the money on a Behaviorist perhaps you can call your local ASPCA they usually have professionals on hand & someone may be willing to evaluate Jack without a cost.

Good luck to all of you!

[WBL]

It has been awhile how is Jack doing?

[Capt_Jack_our_Basenji]

WELL…Jack still has problems when people come over, even the people he is very use to. and its always completely random. So far he hasnt really bit anyone but he tried to bite a friend of ours. but its the one person who REALLY spends TONS of pet and treat time with Jack while shes here. and one day she was sitting on my bed and jack was sitting in front of her but facing me and she was petting him for a while then all the sudden i noticed his hackles up and before i could warn Melissa, Jack jumped up to bite her (he missed) but then he just sat back down like nothing happened...i have no idea why...im taking him to the vet in a few days so im going to discuss it with him and see what he suggests...im hoping for the best. THANKS for the concerns!!

[sharronhurlbut]

Do lte us know what the vet says.
How old is he again?

[Capt_Jack_our_Basenji]

he is five or six…dont know we rescued him and the shelter just guessed...

[sharronhurlbut]

I want to a training class that said dogs often need to be "retrained" at the age of 5-7…that is, taken back to a basic obedience class.
They get to that age, and think they should "move" up in the pack.
A gentle training class with a work to earn approch is recommended.
That is, you dog has to "do" something to get.
He has to sit to get a treat, sit to get on the couch...be invited to the bed, that type of thing,...he had to EARN the right to do the things he is getting for free now.
I know you have a new baby, and your tired and time is short...but its a way to keep this dog with you. So, my advice, is to give it a try.

[JazzysMom]

"our" behaviorist is having us wait for Keoki to make eye contact – however briefly right now -- before he gets anything from us. Eye contact for a cookie, for a lap, for dinner, etc. He makes eye contact, we say, "Yes!!!!" or "Good Boy!!!" with a big smile.
The idea is that he is NOT behaving for the reward, but for pleasing us. "Oh, when I make Mom happy, good things happen". When I don't, then Mom puts the cookie away, or doesn't pick me up, etc. He should learn to watch ME carefully for cues to desired behavior.

So far, well...its been a crazy week w/lots of people in and out, and me on the run a lot, so I haven't been able to implement this very well. Friday we are heading for my Mom's, which means the dogs will be confined a lot, which means this training will be delayed yet again.
But AFTER Thanksgiving, I'll be able to really give it a go. Even with as little work as I've had the chance to do, he is beginning to catch on....beginning.

[Quercus]

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[Capt_Jack_our_Basenji]

lol, sometimes jack STARES at me RIGHT in my eyes, kinda freaks me out…lol. but yes i make him give me eye contact for a sit and then he gets his biscut. BUT as soon as i give it to him a runs to the nearest rug to eat it...i should make him sit and stay...but he came to us not knowing any "tricks" so at least he sits and lays down on comand...

[JazzysMom]

Yeah…that Basenji stare. Not sure what other dogs may do it, but I know my dobie, corgis, yellow lab, golden retriever.... none of them did it.

The B's are soooo intense. They stare as if they are sure you can read their thoughts -- or maybe they are reading yours?

Hang in there with Jack. I have high hopes.

You know, Jazzy is very particular about people; there are a few -- she ADORES one of my sisters, my niece, and my dd's boyfriend -- that she likes well enough. Otherwise, she'd just as soon never have company, esp. kids, over. I often just crate her or keep her in the ex-pen when guests {esp. w/kids, but there is one adult woman that for whatever reason, Jazzy has hated since their first meeting!} We've had her since she was tiny, and she was well-socialized -- way better than Keoki was, and he'll let anyone in!

Just like people, they certainly all have their own little quirks.

[Basenji_Boy]

@Capt_Jack_our_Basenji:

So far he hasnt really bit anyone but he tried to bite a friend of ours. but its the one person who REALLY spends TONS of pet and treat time with Jack while shes here. and one day she was sitting on my bed and jack was sitting in front of her but facing me and she was petting him for a while then all the sudden i noticed his hackles up and before i could warn Melissa, Jack jumped up to bite her (he missed) but then he just sat back down like nothing happened

I know mine would be a little funny about any non household member in certain places of our house, especially our bedroom and most certainly the bed.
We had a close friend, our breeder friend actually get grumbled at by Max.
Max never growls at anyone usually, but because she walked back to our bedroom following my wife, he did it to her and he knows her well.
My wife told her, "Max never growls at anyone, let alone you?", she said he was defending the bedroom and her. He was just doing his job.;)

[BasenjiDiva]

It is interesting that how they decide who they like or dislike. I had to take Cory to the vet last week because she was limping. (Apparently bruised her foot while trying to get out of her crate while I was out running errands.) Both the vet who examined her and the tech are females. The tech is very obviously pregnant and Cory decided instantly that she disliked her. Her hair stood up and she was actually growling at her. Cory was threatening enough for them to ask me to muzzle her. This is the first encounter Cory has had with this tech and so there is no "history" between the two of them. It really took me by surprise because this is a dog who will patiently tolerate a 22 month old trying to straighten her tail.

Pat