Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Neutering to reduce anxiety?

Neutering to reduce anxiety?

Behavioral Issues
  • Q

    @Kananga:

    Day 1 was an interesting test. I did not expect any results for at least a few weeks.

    I came home, nothing was moved, he had a big smile on his face, and he was extremely mellow when I was taking him outside. Normally he seems a bit distracted outside, but today he was just easy going. Actually got a bit vocal with me outside (few roos) which I have never had him do on a short walk.

    We'll see how the next few weeks go. :D

    Day one of what? The DAP?

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • K

    @Quercus:

    Day one of what? The DAP?

    Yep. It's been on for about 24 hours now.

    0
  • B

    wow, that Dap is something else. I will keep my fingers crossed that it keeps up.

    Petra

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

    0
  • A

    D'uh, music, of course. don't know why i didn't think of that. i've taught several control unleashed class and night one i recommend several cu compatable things, one of which is:

    http://www.throughadogsear.com/

    I have the book/cd combo and i assure my students that the cute basenjis on the cover had nothing (well, almost nothing) to do with me checking the book out from the library, which I later bought.

    0
  • P

    Kananga - glad that the DAP seems to be working. If you do decide to go with the CD.
    I checked and they are still available on crosskeysbooks.com - click Dogs-Dog Therapy CD page.

    0
  • Y

    While I agree with the reasons others have mentioned in favor of neutering, I am not convinced your dog's anxiety is hormone related. Personally I think continued use of the DAP along with some serious exercise to get rid of some of his tension would be the best route to take at this point. Another thing is to never make coming home or leaving home a big deal. I don't know how you handle either but many people make the mistake of "working the dog up" with a rousing goodbye or hello and this builds excitement or anxiety in a dog. If you are calm and give off good vibes the dog should pick up on this and it may help calm them also.

    Robyn Dubbert

    Sherwood Basenjis

    One thing that I have learned in life is to accept that things are not all black or all white. Life is shades of gray and just because someone sees a different shade of gray than you do, it doesn't mean their shade is right or wrong, its just different. ~ Robyn Dubbert

    0
  • T

    Good thoughts Robyn… and that is true... the less you make out of coming and/or going the more they will think it is not a big deal... Mine rarely would get out of bed in the morning when I left for work..gggg and if they did, they would then go beg Dad to put them back under the covers....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • K

    I'm pretty good about leaving. I simply walk out the door without saying anything. This morning I noticed he didn't even run to follow me out. Normally he was running to stop me, today that changed. I never heard him run after me.

    Coming home he's always fairly calm. I do tend to give him attention when I get home but its nothing over the top. He'll simply walk over to me and wait for me to pet him. Doesn't jump or show any hyperactivity.

    Perhaps I'll work on the coming home part. He does get plenty of exercise. He gets minimum about 45 mins worth of walking time on a daily basis. On top of that he'll get a 30-60mins walk at least a few times per week. He sleeps well and maintains a good weight.

    Oddly enough his stools appeared firmer today. I find it hard to believe the DAP is already taking effect within 48 hours. I expected a few weeks before any results.

    0
  • K

    I know its only day 2, but he is improving very well. (i'll wait another week and give you guys an update)

    I figured I should note this on the 2nd day though…

    His stools are increasingly firmer, his dander has reduced immensely to almost none now, he is much more vocal outdoors now (previously very quiet), destructive habits are non-existent still on day 2, and he is generally more relaxed.

    I'm quite amazed at the progress only on 2 days now. It has been aprox. 48 hours since I originally plugged the diffuser in.

    I can only hope things continue like this. I much appreciate the recommendations on the DAP. :D

    0
  • K

    Well, it's been about a week now. Not a single piece of furniture has been chewed on. And I still have that small tear in my couch near the top that is easy access for him to pull out the stuffing (until I get it repaired and sealed). He has not attempted to unstuff that part.

    It seems the DAP diffuser is working. Can't think of any other reason why his behavior would discontinue.

    0

47/47

26 May 2009, 14:17

Suggested Topics

  • Y

    Anti-anxiety medication for separation anxiety. 14 month male B.

    Behavioral Issues
    47 2 Mar 2021, 02:38
    2 Mar 2021, 02:38
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    3k Views
    Z
    @tanza it can work if you can set up your home to work with the pup... But if you can't ? (or find it easier not to)
  • D

    New dog aggression after neutering

    Behavioral Issues
    47 7 Feb 2018, 14:30
    7 Feb 2018, 14:30
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    10k Views
    D
    There are studies from 15 years ago about spaying at the wrong time during a cycle and ending up with a permanently aggressive female. But even with regular spay/neuters a great deal of hormonal change can cause many dogs to react. It is biological but still important to stay on top of behaviors so they don't become common. As for the fight...spayed, not spayed, neutered or not, it is not uncommon for dogs who have always been fine to have one fight and never get along again. There are some worrisome new research about reactive and fearful behaviors with neutered dogs. If anyone is interested, glad to share the links (too tired to fetch them tonight. Back to my normal backing up posts with links so that anyone wanting to read more can.)
  • J

    Anxiety & Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    47 28 Aug 2016, 22:36
    28 Aug 2016, 22:36
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    5k Views
    D
    Acepromazine is a drug I will never ever give to a dog again. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=570 I agree with Shirley, it seems very fearful. Sadly, that's often a trait you can work to help control, but it is something your dog simply may be born with. You can work on desensitizing to vet... by doing by, let them toss a treat, go home. Do it for quite a while. Ditto on muzzle.. do it at home for a few mins, take off and treat. Work on making both as unstressful as possible. But better to muzzle than have a bite incident.
  • K

    Kipawa and anxiety

    Behavioral Issues
    47 14 Jul 2011, 17:23
    14 Jul 2011, 17:23
    0 Votes
    27 Posts
    14k Views
    B
    Uzie will do the same thing as Kipawa-dead sleep, I move, he follows. I ignore him when he does this. I luckily have two other dogs in the house for distraction/companionship, but if I leave for a long period of time, he does better when not crated. Otherwise he baroos like, like, like the loneliest Basenji in the whole world! I usually throw some kibble all over the floor of one room and leave the house. Like I said, he only baroos when crated. But for you, maybe you can try the Kibble Throw. As for the car, maybe you can start the engine, turn it off, wait, then give praise and/or kibble and start it up again until you can leave it on for a minute or so. The calming spray may help too.
  • W

    Anxiety help

    Behavioral Issues
    47 6 Dec 2008, 22:41
    6 Dec 2008, 22:41
    0 Votes
    36 Posts
    9k Views
    R
    @sharronhurlbut: Re car rides, this is going to sound odd, but it does work for me and my 2 dogs. Even if you have walked your dogs before a car trip, I find the excitement of the "get into the car" and going makes there guts act up. So, here is what we do. We take the dogs a lot on vacation when we go by car. We walk the dogs in the am, feed and water. Get them into the car. Drive about 2 miles and stop and let them out to walk. Both always pee and poo when we stop. Once back in the car, they settle and are quiet. About a hr or so into the ride, they start to get "ACTIVE" again…we stop at a rest area, they go, and then they sleep the rest of the way. Could be the excitement of leaving home, the motion of the car or whatever, but these stops, even tho you want to get going...make the trip much easier on all involved. Give it a try. All you can lose is a bit of time... Sharron…I've had friends use that method as well...so I think you (and them) are on to something. Wizard...It is a tough road, separation anxiety. I never had much success with the DAP - spray or plug-in...and I used both for about half a year. I finally gave up on it. Although, my vet and the pet store I bought it at said they knew of people that had had success with it. Good for you for working with a behaviorist...they definitely will have better ideas about things to try. The second beastie was the golden ticket for Ruby though...and seriously, I've found that 2 b's are so much easier than one. So much so that I'm thinking of adding another either this year or next...and for that I might need my head examined.
  • C

    Music to help with anxiety

    Behavioral Issues
    47 22 Feb 2008, 14:21
    22 Feb 2008, 14:21
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    N
    Very neat that a B is on the cover. It sounds interesting too…