When you are dealing with something that an animal is afraid of, the best approach is to find his "comfort" distance from the thing that scares him. A busy street makes this a bit more difficult, as you have to find a way to give him that "distance". If you have a car, maybe transporting him to a less busy area might make a good start. Perhaps a side street, where he is comfortably away from busy traffic. You could then walk toward the busy street, pausing as soon as you see some sign of anxiety, and retracing your steps just little until he is in his "comfort zone" again. Gradually…...with the use of bribery and rewards......ask him to approach closer to the scary stuff. Liberally reward him for being there, then retreat. The idea is to not force, let him decide when he is ready. If he feels he can retreat at any time, he will have more confidence. This approach may take awhile, but is less likely to create a permanent aversion. (it works well with spooky horses).
Got to get that bunny!
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We were all outside this weekend, and Jack was on his little tie-line cable and a little bunny hopped out from under a bush to say hello.
Well, Jack saw it, and I expected him to go crazy, since the bunny was sitting out of reach, just watching us. And, sure enough Jack ran over to the end of his tie-line, not really straining or anything…..but his tail was wagging, and I can't be sure, but I thought I saw a puppy grin....
Is it possible that Jack wanted to play with the bunny? I always figured that he would just want to eat it, high prey drive and everything.
I have no desire to go out and get any small animals and see how they do together- I'm just curious about the tail wagging....
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Sometimes they wag as happiness or sometimes to release stress…
I hope it was the former!
Baby bunnies are the cutest! -
Oh- no- I don't think it was stress- he looked like he wanted to play! I expected him to want to eat the bunny:eek:
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As crazy as it sounds, if Jack is anything like Shango, he just wanted to play with the baby bunny.
Shango loves to chase things (rabbits, squirrels, ANYTHING that runs) but when they are babies, he seems to know. We've come across baby birds, rabbits, kittnens and puppies and his behavior changes! It's almost like he knows he can't play as rough with them! It's adorable. He's so paternal.
Jack probably just wanted to play!
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Don't forget that the most favorite game to play for most Basenji's is, guess what? Chase games! They love to chase other dogs, and BE chased too. That's the favorite activity for our boy at the dog park. If he can find another dog that understands how to play the 'chase game' he's in heaven! And heaven help you if want to get ahold of him around the house. If I step after him, he immediately darts away and looks back as if to say "come-n-get me" tail wagging the whole time!
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can't wait to be bale to get that back yard fenced in and he can chase the squirrel, birds and bunnies all over the place!
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I would have to say… given a chance, he would NOT play with the bunny... IMO... it would become "lunch".... and yes, many times tail wagging is not only "happiness"... mine will "wag" at the lure bags... and it is NOT for play... especially if there is a "real" skin in those bags....
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Thanks Pat- that was what I was wondering…..I knew he wasn't stressed out, but he looked so happy to see him....was wondering if it was "Oh, lets play!" or "Pass the mustard!"
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Thanks Pat- that was what I was wondering…..I knew he wasn't stressed out, but he looked so happy to see him....was wondering if it was "Oh, lets play!" or "Pass the mustard!"
I would bet "Pass the Mustard!"…. :eek:
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At our house it would be…."I wonder if you taste like chicken?"
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Don't forget that the most favorite game to play for most Basenji's is, guess what? Chase games! They love to chase other dogs, and BE chased too. That's the favorite activity for our boy at the dog park. If he can find another dog that understands how to play the 'chase game' he's in heaven! And heaven help you if want to get ahold of him around the house. If I step after him, he immediately darts away and looks back as if to say "come-n-get me" tail wagging the whole time!
That sounds just like my boy! He will grab something he knows he isn't supposed to have [i.e. a sock] & make sure that I see him then just start running through the house. If I don't chase him, he will drop it after he notices I am not chasing him. Haha. It cracks me up!
