One thing about the AF's and raising litters…. from what I know and have heard over and over, one of the most important things is early socialization with the outside world..... Early and often....
New pup!
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How old? How big? Weight? All the Basenji/German Shepherd or Malinois mixes I've ever seen look like coyotes but they were most likely red & white mixes. Never seen a tri-shepherd mix before. Those are very big ears!
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@senjisilly Ive never seen any dog that looks like this haha. Shes unusual to me! Her weight is now almost 11 lbs. The shelter was unsure of age..they guesstimated between 2 and 3 months. I'll say based on her teeth (what she'll let me see of them) that theyre correct
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At 2-3 months and 11 lbs she should not be a large dog, whatever she is mixed with or if she's a mix. Regardless, you definitely need Basenji help. Start with The Basenji Club of America's "Basenji University". Pay close attention to "Your New Basenji Comes Home" and "Training Your Basenji": http://www.basenji.org/BasenjiU/Owner/Handbook/101Guide.html
Saw your other post here in the Basenji Forums and you should post some of those questions here (since you have an established audience). Food aggression should be addressed right away. I would not free feed but have specific meal times and always in the same area. Make her wait for her food, even if you need to have her leashed to start. You need to start getting her used to showing you her teeth cooperatively as well as getting her used to having her paws handled. This all takes a lot of repetitive efforts on your part. The teeth thing is a little tricky. Hope someone else can explain it. I know how to do it but explaining it, not so good. -
@jalex Is her tail curly? Are her front center toe pads connected? Hard to tell because of the foot hair but the center toe pad is connected, not two separate pads.0_1530322710219_toes (2).jpg
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@senjisilly i read in quite a few different places that looking at their teeth is an issue. She wont let me do anything actually but she does let me hold her. Its been a rough week. As with any dog/breed you need to be sure theyre a fit for your family and so far if she is a B I'm struggling to believe itll work out but we're trying! I appreciate the input and guidance, thank you!
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@jalex They are not for everyone. I knew what I was getting into before I got my first one and still there were surprises.
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@senjisilly tail is curled! It can do both actually. Her pad looks exactly like that but shes biting the heck out of me so i took a picture of it bc i cant look at it lol
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Our rescue had food issues and aggression was one of them. When I held him I would feed him until he figured out my hands gave food. I was eventually able to put my hand in his rush while he ate and give him food from my hand. It will take time but almost everything is possible.
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@jalex Grab her gently around the muzzle/nose (think your middle finger and thumb) and strongy say "No Bite!". Holding her around the nose like that is similar to what her mother would do to discipline her. Be gentle but firm, she will eventually learn.
BTW I think you may have a full bred Basenji pup who will eventually grow into those giant ears. Think of her as being in those awkward tween years. Many shelters mislabel Basenjis that aren't the more typical red & white coloring.
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@senjisilly i read in quite a few different places that looking at their teeth is an issue. She wont let me do anything actually but she does let me hold her. Its been a rough week. As with any dog/breed you need to be sure theyre a fit for your family and so far if she is a B I'm struggling to believe itll work out but we're trying! I appreciate the input and guidance, thank you!
She's a puppy. Her behaviors are puppy behavior... period. Puppies bite, they do what they can get away with. She is darling, she definitely looks very basenji. But if you really have doubts, contact basenji rescue and let them find her a home while she's still a puppy. Frankly, I suspect you are letting BASENJI close your vision. They have quirks, but overall no better or worse than most breeds. All dogs take patience and that you be at least as persistent as they are.
At her age, she doesn't get the option of "won't allow me to do anything." Without yelling, hitting or rough behavior, you really can turn it all around. Right now is the time she must learn you can check her teeth, look between her toes, check her ears, etc. At some point in life, it may be critical, so training her NOW is important. But it can also be relationship building and fun.
Mary has one of the easiest to follow sites. You just start working on training so that she comes to see you as the one to guide her. To entertain her by helping her use her brain. It will be okay.
Training on left, issues on right:
http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htmYou have a world of help here, you can do this.