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HELP! I LOVE her, but..

Behavioral Issues
  • N

    She's a terror! My Basenji/Maltese mix refuses to listen to any sort of command or name referral, she urinates on the carpet frequently (even after a stern NO! in the process and being taken to the wee wee pad), she has extreme separation anxiety (tears/rips bags, paper, shoes.. anything she can get her mouth on), digs into furniture and peoples' arms if she doesn't get enough attention, and gnaws on arms and hands. I absolutely love her and she is so incredibly affectionate and sweet.. but her behavioral skills are horrendous! I do work 5 days a week and live alone.. however, on my work days either my father or boyfriend will stop by to walk her and spend time with her.. and 2 out of the 5 days, she spends the whole day with my boyfriend! (who is VERY good with dogs and the stern voice/patience) What more can I do?!

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  • B

    Desperately need your help!

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    DebraDownSouthD
    Sudden behavior change at this age is almost always medical. I am glad you are now keeping him separated, but honestly you should have the first incident. After the first bite, most courts or judges would rule you knew he was a danger and he could not only have been seized, but you sued for significant damages. You are lucky no one is filing. Thyroid is the primary cause that I am aware of for sudden change. Yes, brain tumors are possible, but more likely thyroid. Some forms of epilepsy also can cause a dog to attack, but typically this is truly out of nowhere-- not like what you describe when a dog is told no about something. Pain can also do it.. sadly cancer had been found in similar situations of sudden growing aggression. The ENCOURAGING part is you had several months without problems... so again, look at the most simple... thyroid. Make sure you get a full panel, not just an in-house partial. In the meantime, understand you didn't cause this, and it may be fixable. If thyroid, it's inexpensive medication. But you won't know until you get tests runs. Hopefully those wanting him put down will feel better knowing you are acting to find out if there is a medical issue.
  • Lisa67L

    The love of fuzz?!

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    renaultf1R
    I have an extremely expensive long shearling coat (not short cropped shearling, but long fluffy shearling). The only way I can get out of the house with that coat is to carry it over my head and put it on outdoors. When any of my 4 basenjis see the coat, it is like they go into a whole other zone - they will even try to jump up in the air to get it when I'm carrying it over my head. I am not even slightly exaggerating. The basenjis have never seen which closet in the house the coat lives in - and I'm vigilant about that. My Ugg boots suffered the attack of basenjis so needed to be replaced with something "less appealing" this year. So I would say fluff loving is genetic…
  • P

    Help….What do I do...

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    QuercusQ
    I agree with Debra…dogs who feel it is okay to growl and snap at their owners to get their way should not be sleeping in the bed. Paulajean, you can work this out...just get some good advice from a good trainer...she is not a bad dog, you just need a way to communicate to her that you are the leader :) Check out Patricia McConnell's book "How to Be the Leader of the Pack (and have your dog love you for it)" you can google it and find it at several different vendors.
  • H

    Basenji Help!!

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    V
    Move the crates to different rooms. The female won't be able to see what's going on. Give the male his food first, then feed the female a little later. Don't let them out of the crates at the same time.
  • U

    Help!

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    U
    Thanks guys! I will be checking those books out!
  • cleopatraC

    Love this forum!

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    QuercusQ
    @nobarkus: Yes we've all been through it. Actually the word "Basenji" does not mean "bush dog" but "patience trainer". he, he…I like that a lot!