Those muttlucks look wonderful! There are lots of good websites that will show jackets and fleeces for your B. I wouldn't think feeding needs to change when it gets really cold unless he spends lots of time outdoors - some basenjis actually love the snow, so they say, although mine would not. Once the plows come through and you have running or walking room, his exercise doesn't have to suffer either. I lived in Vermont for a few years and our dogs (not basenjis then) managed just fine, both the longhaired ones and the sleek great dane. Basenjis have a lot less body weight, though, so a good warm fleece or fleece lined jacket would be in order. It gets real obvious when they're cold - they stop moving, shiver a lot, and try to get picked up! Of course mine does that at 55 degrees.
It's my first day!
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Petland SAYS that they fed them NutraMAX puppy food which is a relatively pricey dog food. They gave us a free bag of NutraMAX with the pups. I initially thought their bout of diarrhea was from the food, perhaps it was something different than what they were used to getting. (my fault, I forgot to ask when we were there
)I have always fed Eukanuba or Hills Science Diet to my dogs in the past, so when we noticed the runny poops, I went and got some Eukanuba. (I had a toy fox terrier with a sensitive tummy that this worked good for). Now, whether or not they REALLY fed them what they say they did, I seriously doubt. But, in any case, they are eating good now, and poopin' good now too.
Petland STINKS! Don't ever go there for anything!! Grrrrr :mad:
~Beth
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Awesome jys1011!!
Thanks for the links and the suggestions!! Geez, I'm so glad I found you guys!!!
~Beth
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my dog had horrid diarrhea on nutromax as a pup. once i got him on a premium food, he was fine. read the ingredients of Eukanuba, and I'm not a huge fan of hills SD either, but to each their own, and if your dogs are doing well on it, that's GREAT!
I'm sorry petland has been terrible, but on the upside, those 2 pups are lucky you found them!
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welcome to the site!!
check the threads already started on baby gate suggestions. basenjis are creative and can climb over most gates!!
puppy pads have worked well for me with my puppy. he is 11 weeks old and now stays at home in a large wire kennel with my 5 yr old. he can hold it all night without going (by choice), no messes in the kennel. i go home at lunch to let them play in the yard….but they can hold it.
my guess is it is just them being used to going in a crate. try to train them to the grass and associate going with the feel of grass once they are a bit older.
the puppy pads and an open area should break them of the cage pooping mentality.
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I also got my B from a pet store, not Petland though. The people there were great. Before I bought my baby they showed me the breed in an animal book so I could read up on what they are like. They also told me what to feed her, I still visit the girls there, they wanted a recent picture of Sahara to put into their photobook. When I get another B I will not buy from a petstore, b/c I now know about puppy mills, which was new to me. I will buy from a breeder, one that is highly known. I paid $1,200 for Sahara which I think was too much. What got me was those pitiful eyes, and that curly tail, besides she licked me when I picked her up. I would not take any amount of money for her now, besides my hubby would kill me. We love her so much!!! Be patient with the housebreaking, Sahara did the same thing when I would leave her but in time she started holding it till I came home. Of course 8-9 hrs. is really too long to expect them to hold their bladder. Do you use the stuff to clean the crate that gets rid of the smell. They have it at most pet stores, it comes in a white bottle with red lettering, it's called Miracle ? Just keep in mind that it is hard to train a dog when you aren't there to take them out all the time. It is very important that u take them out when you get home, off and on during the night and before bed. You can also cut down on the water available after 7:00pm. Just stick in there, and in time they will get the idea, good luck. You will not regret getting these babies, they are the most loving dogs I have ever seen. Welcome to the forum!!!!
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Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome!
I by no means expected them to hold their little bladders for the whole time. I just needed some guidance on teaching them that the crate is not where to go potty even when they aren't locked inside them! I'm excited at the prospect of gating them in the kitchen though! Thanks so much to those who supplied suggestions on what to use and where to find them.
This site is truly an amazing resource. Thanks again! Missi and Cooper appreciate it too I'm sure!
The sales girls at Petland were very sweet, although their job is pretty easy seeing as how the puppies pretty much sell themselves. It's the motive of the petstore and how they get the pups (mills and whatnot) that I don't agree with. :mad:
I'm not sure they even care much about the animals there. It's very irritating. I've never been an advocate of buying any type of animal at a petstore (especially petland), but then again, they need good loving homes too! I used to raise reptiles, and the same goes for them. Pet store employees are generally not very knowledgable in the animals that they sell, and the health and quality of the animals is usually not good.
I'm just thankful to have my babies now, and I look forward to being a part of the chaos that is Basenji!
~Beth
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Beth i know at petland of Cleveland hieghts they feed nutro my vet had me put my b on soild gold and she loves it! my breeders name was Bobby Harris in little rock I know for a fact that she is not a good breeder and her parents are brother and sister from a few litters before her. I can tell you something though i will never have any other dog than a Basenji and a Vizsla thats what i have now and what i will always have have fun Shannon
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You might also want to try puppy litter. It is compressed pellets and you work with the puppies to use it like kitty litter. If you were to blockade your kitchen off and have the litter box - that might make your clean up easier. I am set to take private messages (I think) so if you want to email me any litter information I might be able to shed some light on things to look for and any history I might be aware of.
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Welcome to the Forum, Beth, Missi & Cooper.
I've read this whole thread - you've gotten some great advice! I have one more extremely helpful tidbit.
You might invest in the Basenji Owner's Manual from the Evergreen Basenji Club. Here is the link: http://www.evergreenbasenjiclub.org/
I bought this last year when after I got Duke, who's a Basenji-terrier mix. I only wish I had it when he was a young puppy. The advice and training tips given in the manual for this cute little stubborn breed is invaluable. We have just adopted another Basenji-mix who is now 12 weeks old. I got the manual out last week. I am following the age-based training guide with pleasure this time around with my young puppy. It only costs, I think $9 or $10. I highly suggest you check it out on the website.
Much luck to you and your roomy with Missi & Cooper. I'm so glad that they have such wonderful caring Basenji slaves.
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Hey thanks! A Basenji owner's manual is exactly what I've been looking for. The more I learn about these amazing creatures, the more I realize that everything I've ever known about dogs and puppy training is pretty much useless! These guys have rules of their own! I will send for my copy right away.
I really appreciate all of the help I've received from everyone here so far. It's already proven extremely helpful. No help like that from those with "on the job" experience!
I look forward to sharing my experiences with Missi and Cooper as well. Thanks again!
~Beth
