Hi there from jacksonville, fl! :D

[suzee]

@eeeefarm:

Welcome to the forum! Although I am also a brand new member, I've been "lurking" for awhile, and finally decided to jump in and join. I've had the privilege of being "owned" by 5 Basenjis over the past 45 years, and I like to think I have some insight into the breed's quirks.

As someone who has had three "previously enjoyed" Basenjis, the one tip I would like to pass along is that it can take awhile for the dog to understand that this relationship is indeed permanent. With a dog that has been through a few homes, there may be an uncertainty as to whether he is staying or soon moving on. With a dog that has had only one previous home, he may indeed think his "Mom" has left him temporarily and will soon return.

My current Basenji, Perry, took the longest of any of my three adoptees to recognize that this was his forever home. I would say it was at least six months before he was fully relaxed and sure that he was home for good. Although he was never difficult, per se, I felt a change…...sort of like he took a deep breath and relaxed......and after that he was definitely "at home".

Your boy looks like a wonderful Basenji from his picture. At ten years, he is likely quite laid back and should embrace the change better perhaps than a younger dog. It's great that you found each other.....but be warned, as I once told my husband when I convinced him our home needed a dog, "There is nothing like a Basenji"! They are positively addictive, and even if you have a little troublemaker, they spoil you for any other breed!

I've spent the past few days with my boy without leaving him alone. I didn't know how he'd react when I would have to go out/go back to work next week. I had someone come over today to pick up the dog food i bought (just switched him to blue buffalo because of his skin) and he thought I was giving him away to her. He just sat in between us while we were talking and his tail went down and little and he pouted. It was so sad. I reassured him he was staying with me! I helped the lady bring the stuff to her car and was only gone for a few minutes. When I came back, he acted like he had not seen me in years! Running in circles, jumping with joy and giving me kisses. He was one happy boy!!

It will certainly take time for him to settle in here and realize this is HIS home. But I think he's starting to come to that conclusion.

Here's a little video of me catching some of his spins on camera! http://www.facebook.com/v/10150729493940187

[sharronhurlbut]

You need to make your coming and goings very calm. I know you want to just love him up when you get home, but come in take him for a walk first, then love him up. If you keep the comings/goings as low key as possible, the dogs will be less stressed.
Glad you found your new love. He is lovely!

[eeeefarm]

@suzee:

I've spent the past few days with my boy without leaving him alone. I didn't know how he'd react when I would have to go out/go back to work next week.

You might want to experiment with leaving him for a few minutes, then a few more minutes, then half an hour, etc. to see how he manages. Do you plan to crate him or confine him in a room when you are gone? I find it is often a little while before they are confident that you are coming back, and even a dog that has previously had no issues can express separation anxiety if left totally alone when they are not used to it.

I like to leave Perry's roller ball and Kong in his crate with the door shut for awhile before we go out. Although we haven't crated him in years, seeing the treats builds his anticipation so that he is very happy when we give the treats just before we go out the door. This technique will also work well if you are planning to crate the dog.

[suzee]

@eeeefarm:

You might want to experiment with leaving him for a few minutes, then a few more minutes, then half an hour, etc. to see how he manages. Do you plan to crate him or confine him in a room when you are gone? I find it is often a little while before they are confident that you are coming back, and even a dog that has previously had no issues can express separation anxiety if left totally alone when they are not used to it.

I like to leave Perry's roller ball and Kong in his crate with the door shut for awhile before we go out. Although we haven't crated him in years, seeing the treats builds his anticipation so that he is very happy when we give the treats just before we go out the door. This technique will also work well if you are planning to crate the dog.

He had free run of his foster mom's house while she was at work and was very good about it. He is not house destructive at all so that helps a lot! Because of that, I will let him run the house while I'm gone.

Oh and progress!! Pepper (my black cat) and Congo ate breakfast together today! Pepper even spilled some of his on the ground and Congo patiently waited for me to get his breakfast and didn't make a move on Pepper. I was so proud of Congo!! He even sat when I told him to right next to Pepper and of course I gave him a treat!

Pepper has lots of places to climb up on and escape from Congo so leaving them together shouldn't be too bad. I haven't taught Congo how to use the balcony dog door yet because Pepper uses it as a time out and potty area (his litter box is out there). Once they get more comfortable with each other, Congo will have access to the screened in balcony.

[suzee]

@suzee:

He had free run of his foster mom's house while she was at work and was very good about it. He is not house destructive at all so that helps a lot! Because of that, I will let him run the house while I'm gone.

Oh and progress!! Pepper (my black cat) and Congo ate breakfast together today! Pepper even spilled some of his on the ground and Congo patiently waited for me to get his breakfast and didn't make a move on Pepper. I was so proud of Congo!! He even sat when I told him to right next to Pepper and of course I gave him a treat!

Pepper has lots of places to climb up on and escape from Congo so leaving them together shouldn't be too bad. I haven't taught Congo how to use the balcony dog door yet because Pepper uses it as a time out and potty area (his litter box is out there). Once they get more comfortable with each other, Congo will have access to the screened in balcony.

Oh and tomorrow I will be in and out a few times without him. I actually need to get stuff done and unfortunately I can't bring him with me everywhere I go. haha

[eeeefarm]

@suzee:

He had free run of his foster mom's house while she was at work and was very good about it. He is not house destructive at all so that helps a lot! Because of that, I will let him run the house while I'm gone.

That is very encouraging! Did he have canine company at her house? It can make a difference, and I really encourage you to try short separations before leaving for the day…..different surroundings can result in different behaviour. Hopefully all will be fine.....but best to prepare him for your absence.

I'm not trying to be alarmist here, but I find it is always the best policy to not assume the dog will be the same in a new home.

[eeeefarm]

@suzee:

Oh and tomorrow I will be in and out a few times without him. I actually need to get stuff done and unfortunately I can't bring him with me everywhere I go. haha

Excellent! I think his reaction will tell you everything you need to know…..oh, and I second Sharon's excellent advice.....don't make a fuss over him when leaving or returning. Be as casual as you can.

[MacPack]

Good food will help with the farts, too! Innova makes an Evo treat that is small, crumbly and evidently very yummy, any good food usually has treats that match the quality. If he isn't looking better in a month, you may have to let the vet check him. Thank you for adopting a 'senior" but as you see, a 10 year old can give you a run for your money! I hope you have many wonderful years with Congo.

[suzee]

@eeeefarm:

That is very encouraging! Did he have canine company at her house? It can make a difference, and I really encourage you to try short separations before leaving for the day…..different surroundings can result in different behaviour. Hopefully all will be fine.....but best to prepare him for your absence.

I'm not trying to be alarmist here, but I find it is always the best policy to not assume the dog will be the same in a new home.

The other Basenjis he lived with were locked in a room while he had free run of the house.

I will let y'all know how it goes tomorrow!

[suzee]

So today I had to do some errands and left Congo alone for about 20 mins tops. I come home and hear a dog's tags jingling but couldn't see the dog. In the back of my mind, I'm thinking "oh my God, he got out" and then I was like "no… how the heck could he??" I come upstairs and open the door. No Congo. WHAT. I'm panicking at this point. I look at the screened in balcony where the dog door leads which Congo didn't know how to use yet or so I thought. He taught himself how to use the dog door and got out there. There's a hole in the screen and he pulled back the screen on the side. He squeezed through the bars and jumped ONE story to the ground. Thankfully, he fell on the grass and was wandering around the stairs to our apt. He came as soon as I called him and I gave him a physical exam. He seems to be okay. Scared the **** out of me! I'm keeping a close eye on him to make sure there's no spinal bruising and will be taking him to the vet tomorrow to be sure of it.

I will be getting new screening for the balcony along with fencing that he can't jump over or squeeze through. Oi vey..

the damages...

and my boys with my roomie.

[eeeefarm]

Hi Suzee

Sorry to hear of Congo's little episode, but so glad he wasn't hurt! He probably was lonely and investigating the possibilities. I would try leaving for very brief periods and see how he handles it. Has he bonded with Pepper yet? That could help a whole lot, if he feels he has a friend. I would expect he will improve once he is sure you will be back soon. Good luck!

[Patty M]

I didn't actually laugh out loud, but close…. first, I am also glad to hear that Congo is not worse-for-the-wear.... (did anyone tell him that he's supposed to be old? :)).

And we humans ARE silly if we don't think that a basenji is waiting to learn a trick, especially if it involves escaping! I think that even if you invest in high dollar extra-thick screening, Congo will find an escape route off of the deck... perhaps you should keep him and Pepper confined until you can be sure?

On a positive note... he didn't jump off and scramble for FREEDOM!!!! It's a great sign that he was waiting for you when you got home... he must love his new home!

[MacPack]

Heavy duty screen, and perhaps chicken wire or 'hardware cloth' on the inside of the screen. Most basenjis go right through screen, in my experience! And like Patty says, he was there waiting for yu so that is great! Glad he is OK, they are tough critters.

[Rivermoon]

I agree that something more substantial than screening is needed…I'm glad that he's no worse for wear after his little jump. At least he hung around and waited for you!

I always make leaving the house a fun thing and coming home boring. Before I leave the house, my guys have to go to their "places" and they all get some treats. When I come home, they don't get greeted until I'm in and have my purse and whatever else I have with me put down. They love when I leave!

[Shaye's Mom]

@Rivermoon:

I always make leaving the house a fun thing and coming home boring. Before I leave the house, my guys have to go to their "places" and they all get some treats. When I come home, they don't get greeted until I'm in and have my purse and whatever else I have with me put down. They love when I leave!

This has always worked for us, as well. Whenever I pick up my keys or my purse, there are immediately two little beggars sitting facing the treat cabinet, with expectant eyes in their faces. They know my leaving means a special, long lasting treat. When I get home, they wag and jump sometimes, but I ignore them until I'm settled, and when all four (actually eight) feet are on the ground, I tell them how wonderful they are for being good girls. No treats then though, just glad to be home.

[sharronhurlbut]

Glad this ended well.