I have an alpha female basenji and brought a newborn into our family. I was in the hospital for four days (my in laws stayed with dog and horse), when we came home, we had my Mom bring her new boyfriend. He was a great distraction, but also allowed me some alone time with Cricket. When they left, she noticed the baby in the bassinet and was a bit concerned.
She adapted to the baby, but I don't leave them alone just in case. Cricket is not nearly as jealous as she was, now that he drops food for her at the table, but she did get a bit jealous for a few weeks.
While I was pregnant, I was told that 'the test' was to play baby crying videos on YouTube. How the dog reacts will tell you how they will interact with the baby. Cricket beat the crap out of my phone when I tried… So not a great test! 🙂
Basenji Growth Plates
-
@beth314 - I will talk about one of my Basenjis that broke her leg climbing a gate in the house and hit the front leg, breaking both bones in the front leg... she had surgery at 4 1/2 months and had a plate put in to secure the break (this was back in 1992) and then two weeks later that growth plate closed on that leg. Another surgery to reopen the growth plate (and make sure if this is ever needed that you have a board certified orthopedic veterinarian) she recovered just fine, finished her Championship and also her Field Championship.... so injury regardless need to be seen by a certified Vet Orthopedic Vet!
That said, hikes should be fine for your pup.... When she is tired stop the hike.... she will tell you
-
I’ve been keeping my 5 month old to hikes 3 miles and under (our every other day hike is a 2 mile out and back with 1000 feet of elevation behind my house) at a 2.0 mph pace and off granite when possible, and he blows me away for stamina. I try to stay on bouncy pine needles. I can’t imagine it’s more dangerous than 2 miles on sidewalks.
He seems to love it, doesn’t show exhaustion or laying down, takes numerous sniff breaks, doesn’t limp, and his foot pads are fine. I much prefer it to dog parks and neighborhood walks. Maybe I’m messing up but I don’t I’m pushing him at all.
-
This made me feel a lot better.
-
@tanza said in Basenji Growth Plates:
When she is tired stop the hike.... she will tell you
I've heard about slings that you might opt for as a way to carry a pup the rest of the way when they get too tired.... maybe someone could offer a link or description?
-
White Mtns of NH is not trivial hiking (they did not bother with switchbacks; just straight up the mountain and straight down). I will wait on that sort of hiking for her. I'm beginning to age out of it myself.
She, like many dogs, will tolerate more pain than is good for her so I don't trust when she says she's reached a limit. Today was warm here in So Cal and clearly too hot for her paws. She went into my sling and was not happy about it but I am using a sling! She hates it! But it does help me as she's getting too heavy from me to carry for long.
I will do my best to keep her injury-free but there's always risk, I realize. My history is agility where growth plate closure is much discussed. But it's been a long time since participating in this sport.
I will read the article, @Jengosmonkey, so thanks for that.
-
@elbrant Slings abound on Amazon and on the net generally. I had one for Mku when he was a puppy and Kito then used it. Just google 'puppy slings'
Ideal for taking the pup out on walks before he has had his shots and can go walkies or on squirrel hunts. The older pack is not penalised by having a shorter walk or having to stay home until the puppy can come out too, and the pup gets to see people and other dogs and socialise.
Everyone wants to pet the pup in the sling !
-
I hike the belknaps/ossipees with my pup. Would never take him up a 4ker until like after 10 months. After all which are less than 5 miles?
-
@bill-t Awesome, Bill! Ya, in CA people laugh at the NH 4Ks ... until they try them. Then they cry. Lots of dogs on the trails, though. I'll PM you to see about a B hike!
-
@zande Yes, I use my sling a fair amount and bought it on Amazon before I even got my pup. She does not love it - too many lizards and rabbits to chase - but it saves my back.
-
@beth314 They do get too heavy, even for the sling !
