@zande I know that I’m lucky to have found him! I hope he feels that he lucked out, too. Actually, I don’t care very much what “mix” he is. I had just never heard of basenjis before my Vet mentioned it. He doesn’t have a long tail - it seems to have been clipped. The barking is only when he hears someone approach my apartment door or if someone comes in that he doesn’t know. I’m working on desensitizing him to the latter. He DOES make noises like the dog in the videos below make & he grooms himself quite a bit. He DOES NOT play with toys. Don’t know if that’s breed specific or just Jack! He also isn’t too active; he’d be happy to sit on my lap or with his face in my arm pit all day!
Running with Basenjis...at what age?
-
I have an 8 month old basenji that loves taking walks. Lately she has been trying to run on leash. Is she old enough to start running with me? I have read a lot of forums that differ in age requirements for running. If she is old enough, what is a safe distance that won't put too much strain on her joints/growth plates?
-
The issue is surface at her age. Road work on pavement is tough on dogs of any age. Breeders here will be able to address this better.
LOL however, on the leash... no pulling allowed!
http://www.clickerlessons.com/looseleash.htm -
@roffutt1 - I don't run, so not much help, but I would say build up slow, short distance at first... how far do you usually run? And have you talked to her breeder about this?
-
@tanza I haven't been running in awhile but I normally top out at three miles. I definitely won't try to run my basenji this far though. I was thinking about starting at a mile. I haven't talked to her breeder yet.
-
my basenji mix is 9 months. i started running 3 miles with her at 7 months. she doesn't need any recovery time but she pulls so much that sometimes my knees don't appreciate it, and that's what i have to gauge when i'm assessing whether to take her on a run or not.
-
As I suggested, work on the leash pulling!
it will make the running so much more enjoyable. -
And be sure to take poop bags with you and let her stop and poop - don't force her into a long run without breaks
-
Thank you all for your advice...I have been running 2 miles with her and working on her leash skills ...she is getting better about pulling. She is a very friendly basenji, she always want to say hi to everyone. !
-
My Basenjis are 6 and 3. We live in Florida and I usually run with them 1-2, sometimes 3 miles. My run is still just a trot for them, but I let them stop and sniff and potty whenever they need/want, and I just do squats while they do it :). On the 3-milers, I am sure to bring water or let them stop and drink at the beach which is the turn around point. I also wet them down before hand.
