She is not too old to train, but even saying that, she is a basenji, and no matter the age, a bored basenji will find things to entertain herself, often things we would prefer she not touch. A companion helps, but even so, given temptation a basenji will usually go for it. Think "baby-proof" your house with a baby who can climb, leap, dig and chew. As said above by others, toys which present a challenge will also help.
She is my heart and soul aside from Our 7 yr old daughter
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@kembe Thank you she’s very photogenic like I don’t get it but I was upset at her docked tail but she has the most beautiful markings especially on her face so thank you for saying she’s beautiful I love my Athena I call her my theen been the nickname I gave her but she’s she’s my everything along with you know my daughter but she’s my for a child
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@basenjimom2 her name is Athena I’m not sure where she got that name from but I gave her a middle name and well her last name is my married name but I thought she should have a proper full name but I thought that athena was proper for a boss son G do you know wisdom and all that but her middle name is Evelyn after my grandmother because she was adopted on the anniversary of my grandmother‘s passing this year of February 22 and she loves to cuddle with us us in bed in between or stealing his pillow and Chyna pushing them away but she does love to be hugged but it’s like picking up and you know her legs go you know around our necks and she loves it she’s a great dog she’s a really great dog the only thing that really bothers her is thunderstorms like I am not sure how to go about calming her with that am I know Benadryl works but I don’t want to drug the dog or is well with how ADHD the breed is that it might not workBut we love her immensely we never Yellit her we always love her we give her treats she’s always loved and specially by our daughter which there like two peas in a pod but right now with my lupus flare up she won’t leave my side and it’s it’s crazy it’s crazy how loving she is with us and I appreciate your feedback
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@savmah2012 said in She is my heart and soul aside from Our 7 yr old daughter:
her tail was also unfortunately docked
Why do you think her tail was docked? It doesn't look docked to me as I can see it in her photo. ?
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Cute little baby ! I have had a couple of Basenjis over the years (among many) who were afeared of thunderstorms and fireworks.
Rescue Remedy. A herbal, obtainable in health-food shops. It comes with a dropper in the lid. A dropper half full, into the side of the mouth (they are not keen on it !) about half an hour before the onset of firework bangs on Guy Fawkes Night works wonders. And if you have any warning at all of impending thunder - reach for the bottle !
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@savmah2012 - she is very cute and sweet looking.... not sure a Basenji or mix with Basenji.... but glad that she found you and a great home...
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@elbrant it was documented in the adoption forms that she was docked
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@tanza she always has like this smile on her face and she’s actually pure bred I have papers for her And thank you I absolutely adore her can’t wait to spend the rest of her little life with me
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@zande I forgot about fireworks those get her riled up to and I will look into that thank you
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Athena is a very pretty little girl. Love it that she will "dress up" with you. So glad you realize what a treasure you have in your family.
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@savmah2012 In the U.S., a docked tail typically means that all except for a few inches of the tail has been removed after birth. The remaining length of tail is typically less than 4-5", depending on the breed. And docking a Basenji, to my knowledge, is just not done. Perhaps the form was marked incorrectly? (shrug) It was just something I noticed in her photo...
She is cute as a button. I'm glad you two found each other.
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Athena is adorable. I love that she let you dress her up!
Rescue Remedy that Zande mentioned is good, also a Thunder shirt might help. Probably on Amazon
and it wraps the dog up without restricting moving, kind of like a big hug. They work for some, and not
for others. Doesn't hurt to try. Some dogs are more sensitive to loud noises (fireworks, thunder or what
have you), other's not so much. I live in the country in California and one day I took my youngest b (8.5 yrs)
for a walk with me to the mailbox. Walking back up the drive, it started thundering. Mr.T stopped and
looked up, it thundered again, he turned around and assumed walking home. No bother. Just curious
as to where the noise was coming from.
You never said how old your daughter is. Toddler or a bit older? Toddlers do need to be watched so they
do not pull ears, tail and such. Glad to read that your daughter and Athena have a good relationship right
now. That's very important. -
Athena hit the jackpot with you! Congratulations! She is so, so cute! And she sounds ilke she's settling in with your family.
My rescue b-mix just started to be scared during storms, he's been with us for 4 years. Just sits near us or under my desk while I'm working and shivers. Read online on an animal behavior site (unfortunately I don't recall the site) that you need to let them find their safe spot, it may not be a crate or somewhere that they usually might be very comfortable in.
You can try to behavior train them out of the fear by getting them acclimated by softly playing some thunder noise and slowly raise the volume, but it the dog starts reacting, lower the volume and start over--it seems like it takes a great deal of time to get them acclimated, but it sounded worth it.
