A little bit of this and that


  • Problem #1::My b-boy has an issue, that I am trying to figure out…. When I am on the computer or sitting on a chair and my b-boy lays beside/infront of me, I "try" to rub his back with my foot, but when I touch him with my toe, he gives a "small", almost no growl and gets up and leaves...then, he is fine thereafter...

    I aquired him from my local humane society about 3 years ago, and brought him a LONG way from being agressive/possesive towards dogs/people etc, so I dont have any other concerns but this one.....

    Is there any way of getting him to let me rub his back with my feet? Maybe some corrective training with treats do the trick?
    -- I can do that to my cocker spaniel,and she loves it and will let me do it...but no way with this guy....


    Problem #2:: I feed my b-boy Purina Pro Plan Salmon and Rice, which is supposed to be "good" for the skin and digestive system. He has a little problem with his fur, that it doesnt stop shedding. It's been shedding since mid-may/june, and it has not let up since. I live in South Florida, so the winters are not a big factor on his coat. He has very silky, soft shiney fur, so it gives me an idea that he doesnt have any problems internally reacting.

    I give him Revolution, and he has NO reaction to it and has been on it for the past 3 yrs I have had him...

    I know there are Omega Fatty Acid pills that are very good for the coat, but they are semi-expensive but I dont have the funds available to get them....
    Any suggestions? like otc meds?

    ---B-boy walli


  • Have you had his Thyroid checked? Skin problems can be caused by Low Thyroid and it is a problem in our breed. You need to have the full panel done and not just in the blood work that your regular Vet would run. It needs to be sent out to a lab for the full panel to be done…. I would suggest that you try that first... but also, he could just be blowing coat.. and yes it can take a couple of months for it to all shed out...

    Still I would try having his Thyroid tested


  • Is it expensive?….and if he doesnt stop shedding by late september early-november, I will take him in....


  • I don't know many Basenjis that like being petted with feet (I know lots of other dogs that do)….I am not sure why you would train the dog to like it? If he doesn't like it, he doesn't...it certainly would be more rewarding for him for you to find some sort of bonding that he likes<shrug>

    Check the ingredient list in the food...it might have things that are supposed to be good for the skin, but if it has something that your dog is sensitive to, then it won't matter. Look for corn or soy...those are often culprits...

    And...Basenjis usually have one (or two) big sheds a year. Some years are worse than others, and some Bs shed worse than others. Maybe it is just cyclical?</shrug>


  • @Quercus:

    If he doesn't like it, he doesn't…

    Yes–that's what I was thinking...none of my Bs have ever liked to give kisses--my german shepherd mix I had a hard time stopping from giving too many kisses. I used to try getting them to give kisses for a treat--but then thought--why try to get them to do something they really don't care to do--especially when there are so many other important behaviors that I need to use treats for to encourage.... so now Zoey gets massages--because she just loves to be rubbed, and I let Tyler give me his very gentle "love bites" where he puts his mouth around my hands to show his affection. Actually--it's more like he opens his mouth and wants me to put my hand in--but absolutely no kisses!


  • I don't know many Basenjis that like being petted with feet (I know lots of other dogs that do)….I am not sure why you would train the dog to like it? If he doesn't like it, he doesn't...it certainly would be more rewarding for him for you to find some sort of bonding that he likes

    Funny our dogs dont like that either, they dont growl, but think about it- would you want someone rubbing your wonderful fur coat with their stinky sticky feet?

    Our dogs like to come up and sit on your feet and want to be petted with your hands. Maybe that's why they sit in our feet- It's them saying keep them away!


  • Our females gives us gentle little kisses when you come home. It's so sweet. The male sit on the rug- no shameless kissing for him- he is a very proud animal and is disgusted by her behavior.


  • @Barklessdog:

    Funny our dogs dont like that either, they dont growl, but think about it- would you want someone rubbing your wonderful fur coat with their stinky sticky feet?

    Our dogs like to come up and sit on your feet and want to be petted with your hands. Maybe that's why they sit in our feet- It's them saying keep them away!

    Ha! That's it! "i'll hold these things down so they don't put them on me!"

    I actually had a conversation with a friend and dog trainer years ago about petting dogs with feet. Turns out lots of people do this, and lots of dog love it! I laughed out loud at the expression my Bs would give me if I tried to rub my feet on them…they just aren't THAT kind of dog, I believe.... :)


  • @ItsaBushThang:

    Is it expensive?….and if he doesnt stop shedding by late september early-november, I will take him in....

    It is not really expensive… but should be part of general health check up for all Basenjis just as I believe yearly blood work should be....


  • @Barklessdog:

    Our females gives us gentle little kisses when you come home. It's so sweet. The male sit on the rug- no shameless kissing for him- he is a very proud animal and is disgusted by her behavior.

    Isn't licking around the lips (what we call "kisses") a submissive behavior in the pack? I think I've read that the lower level pack members lick around the leader's lips–something to do with the leader being in charge of the "kill"?? Maybe that's why a lot of Bs don't like "giving kisses"? Although Pepper was top dog in our house--she was very, very submissive to me and my boyfriend. Max (our B) on the other hand--was not.


  • regurgitation

    I also saw on a special where the pups lick mom's face which triggers a regurgitation reflex to feed the pups with wild dogs or wolves when they come back to the den.

    I like to think of it as kisses and not she wants me top regurgitate to feed her.


  • Actually our TOPAZ loves loves loves to give kisses :eek: when SHE wants to. My DH has taught her to give kisses on command when he puts his nose down next to her. She loves giving kisses when we come home after a long day & of course when we've eaten something YUMMY :D :D :D

    C3PO hardly ever gives kisses unless you have some kind of lotion he can lick off your face LOL :D :D

    I don't do the feet think so I can't give you any help with that :)


  • Oh well…guess I can stick with the hands-on technique....=P i tried. tho he doesnt quite mind when I play with his tail with my toe......oO weird dog. anyways, thanks everyone for commenting and sharing of thoughts..=]
    -b-boy walli


  • @Barklessdog:

    regurgitation

    I also saw on a special where the pups lick mom's face which triggers a regurgitation reflex to feed the pups with wild dogs or wolves when they come back to the den.

    I like to think of it as kisses and not she wants me top regurgitate to feed her.

    It is more like nudging the throat area then licking… Maggii's pups did that once to her and she was so pissed that it worked and she regurgated... :mad: It never happened again... Mickii on the other hand was happy to do it for her pups... yck.....


  • Sounds like that is his personality. No different than my beagle/dalmation mix who does not like to have his feet touched. If he doesn't like it, let him not like it. My cat does the same thing now that I think of it. She'll plop herself on my foot and as soon as I touch her with my other foot she takes off.

Suggested Topics

  • Bit Stranger

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    J
    Thanks everybody for the insight. Still can’t believe our sweet little dog that curls up with us, has it in him to bite somebody. The more I read, the more I believe that this is fear related founded or not. Our vet recommended a behaviorist, so we might go that route. We did already do some formal training, but that was just a Petsmart class. It was more for the benefit of our kids but he was in a unusual social environment and did so well....better than all the dogs In the class. We will keep working on this. Thanks! J
  • My dog bit me.

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    7k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    :::Note: I’m not a professional trainer, I have a degree in psychology and im a teacher; a dog is like a 2-4 year old. Every dog is different though, maybe I’ve just gotten lucky, but what I’ve been doing has been working for me; maybe it will for you.::: LOL, not luck... good common sense. We do basic training to get solid responses in controlled environments, which gives a good base for expanding it to other situations. Like eeeefarm, I don't thing animal aggressive dogs need to socialize with strange dogs. I keep them separated. For the unexpected, working at home on basic commands (Leave It!, "look at me" to focus on you and understand the other dog is off limits, solid 100 percent down-stay) can help you avoid your dog getting revved enough to bite. That means you have to stay on top of things, change directions if necessary, and be firm and loud in asking others to not approach with their dog. Training is wonderful bonding, and it exercises their brains. http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htm
  • Looking a little thin

    Behavioral Issues
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    1k Views
    No one has replied
  • Benny bit the neighbor!

    Behavioral Issues
    78
    0 Votes
    78 Posts
    23k Views
    BennyB
    Pet Land (pet store)
  • There was a little dog…

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    J
    Thanks for your replies. I guess in the spontanaity of the moment I did as I do with my other dogs, a no and then a quick taking the thing away since I'm boss and I'm the owner of everything ultimately. I do believe Rowdy was not being the bad growling type bite – he took his front teeth and nipped at my arm, pinching it, but it hurt! I will try to work on the "leave it" command, since I taught that to my mom's poodle and it worked well. Rowdy is smart and is finally getting some of the house rules down. Though he's sneaky when he isn't resting beside you and you forget to watch him... :)
  • Little pooper

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    MantisM
    I remember Caesar as a puppy would poop in the Petsmart every time we went until he was old enough to be fixed. Never pooped in the house. I thought it was because he was a little guy. When Cairo was a super pup and would go to petsmart, I took puppy pads with me. We would walk around in the store together. When I saw him start stressing, or sniffing, or whining, I would throw the pad down even if I looked like a crazy B mom. It worked every time!! I wouldnt fret too much until you are at an age that is beyond Abby being fixed. Some of that stuff is pure puppy…..