When you are dealing with something that an animal is afraid of, the best approach is to find his "comfort" distance from the thing that scares him. A busy street makes this a bit more difficult, as you have to find a way to give him that "distance". If you have a car, maybe transporting him to a less busy area might make a good start. Perhaps a side street, where he is comfortably away from busy traffic. You could then walk toward the busy street, pausing as soon as you see some sign of anxiety, and retracing your steps just little until he is in his "comfort zone" again. Gradually…...with the use of bribery and rewards......ask him to approach closer to the scary stuff. Liberally reward him for being there, then retreat. The idea is to not force, let him decide when he is ready. If he feels he can retreat at any time, he will have more confidence. This approach may take awhile, but is less likely to create a permanent aversion. (it works well with spooky horses).
Things I have learned from/since getting my Basenji…
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You've joined the rest of us suspended from those hooks!!
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Yep. that about covers it… oh and:
6. Its "mine". -
7. Sunlight is always more important.
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8. That food MUST be for me!!
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Yep, you're hooked!
I don't even get upset at chewed furniture anymore… I figure it will always be there to remind me of them! -
Basenji Wish List
Sunshine, full belly,
toys, treats, races with my friends
warm bed at night, bliss -
oooooh, that's lovely eee!
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Basenji Wish List
Sunshine, full belly,
toys, treats, races with my friends
warm bed at night, blissa haiku! yay!
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9- There unconditional love.
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Anything that falls on the floor is mine!
If I can take it from you-it's mine! -
12- Things on counter tops are there to help me keep mentally and physically fit by figuring out how to get up there and doing it.
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LOL, btw– We have not one but 2 people wanting this dog (she opens jars of stewed tomatoes, no breaking of the jar or lid) and eats them. She came out of puppymill-- bless her heart she is making up for lost time! Opens cabinets... LOL, yes we learn a lot about the world, and how insane we must appear to others to enjoy it!
Her foster Mom says she’s breaking records for jumping up and on things such as the kitchen table and counter, without really pushing herself too hard. She’s learning not to counter surf and hop up on tables. Apparently, she has an aversion to hydrangeas–she's twice taken hydrangeas out of a vase (without upsetting the vase) while leaving other flowers alone, even if the other flowers are right next to the hydrangeas. She's responsive to training when she is caught in the act. She’s moving along with house breaking. The new forever family will have to continue to work with her on this.
Her behavior is mostly good when someone is home, but all bets are off when no humans are around. She's a Houdini, escaping from two different crates. She can open cabinets, jars, just about anything. Tansy is a very smart girl and needs a home that is basenji experienced and will stay one step ahead of her or at least try!!! She’s doing best in her foster home by confining her and the resident basenjis to only a couple of rooms, using two stacked baby gates across the door. This is less than ideal as there are still many things for them to get into, which they completely have done.
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LOL, btw– We have not one but 2 people wanting this dog (she opens jars of stewed tomatoes, no breaking of the jar or lid) and eats them. She came out of puppymill-- bless her heart she is making up for lost time! Opens cabinets... LOL, yes we learn a lot about the world, and how insane we must appear to others to enjoy it!
She sounds like little genius dog…I love dogs with smarts and opinions
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Debra - she sounds like a sister or soul mate of my Bungwa - at 7 he is still the same!
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I thought hydraneas were poisonous to dogs?
