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Neutering to reduce anxiety?

Behavioral Issues
  • KanangaK

    Proof of the big smile (he only does this when he's had a long walk, so it's the first I've seen with no walk):

    It's strange, he is acting differently. But in a good way. :D

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  • QuercusQ

    @Kananga:

    Day 1 was an interesting test. I did not expect any results for at least a few weeks.

    I came home, nothing was moved, he had a big smile on his face, and he was extremely mellow when I was taking him outside. Normally he seems a bit distracted outside, but today he was just easy going. Actually got a bit vocal with me outside (few roos) which I have never had him do on a short walk.

    We'll see how the next few weeks go. :D

    Day one of what? The DAP?

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • KanangaK

    @Quercus:

    Day one of what? The DAP?

    Yep. It's been on for about 24 hours now.

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  • BasenjimammaB

    wow, that Dap is something else. I will keep my fingers crossed that it keeps up.

    Petra

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • agilebasenjiA

    D'uh, music, of course. don't know why i didn't think of that. i've taught several control unleashed class and night one i recommend several cu compatable things, one of which is:

    http://www.throughadogsear.com/

    I have the book/cd combo and i assure my students that the cute basenjis on the cover had nothing (well, almost nothing) to do with me checking the book out from the library, which I later bought.

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  • P

    Kananga - glad that the DAP seems to be working. If you do decide to go with the CD.
    I checked and they are still available on crosskeysbooks.com - click Dogs-Dog Therapy CD page.

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  • YodelDogsY

    While I agree with the reasons others have mentioned in favor of neutering, I am not convinced your dog's anxiety is hormone related. Personally I think continued use of the DAP along with some serious exercise to get rid of some of his tension would be the best route to take at this point. Another thing is to never make coming home or leaving home a big deal. I don't know how you handle either but many people make the mistake of "working the dog up" with a rousing goodbye or hello and this builds excitement or anxiety in a dog. If you are calm and give off good vibes the dog should pick up on this and it may help calm them also.

    Robyn Dubbert

    Sherwood Basenjis

    One thing that I have learned in life is to accept that things are not all black or all white. Life is shades of gray and just because someone sees a different shade of gray than you do, it doesn't mean their shade is right or wrong, its just different. ~ Robyn Dubbert

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  • tanzaT

    Good thoughts Robyn… and that is true... the less you make out of coming and/or going the more they will think it is not a big deal... Mine rarely would get out of bed in the morning when I left for work..gggg and if they did, they would then go beg Dad to put them back under the covers....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • KanangaK

    I'm pretty good about leaving. I simply walk out the door without saying anything. This morning I noticed he didn't even run to follow me out. Normally he was running to stop me, today that changed. I never heard him run after me.

    Coming home he's always fairly calm. I do tend to give him attention when I get home but its nothing over the top. He'll simply walk over to me and wait for me to pet him. Doesn't jump or show any hyperactivity.

    Perhaps I'll work on the coming home part. He does get plenty of exercise. He gets minimum about 45 mins worth of walking time on a daily basis. On top of that he'll get a 30-60mins walk at least a few times per week. He sleeps well and maintains a good weight.

    Oddly enough his stools appeared firmer today. I find it hard to believe the DAP is already taking effect within 48 hours. I expected a few weeks before any results.

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  • KanangaK

    I know its only day 2, but he is improving very well. (i'll wait another week and give you guys an update)

    I figured I should note this on the 2nd day though…

    His stools are increasingly firmer, his dander has reduced immensely to almost none now, he is much more vocal outdoors now (previously very quiet), destructive habits are non-existent still on day 2, and he is generally more relaxed.

    I'm quite amazed at the progress only on 2 days now. It has been aprox. 48 hours since I originally plugged the diffuser in.

    I can only hope things continue like this. I much appreciate the recommendations on the DAP. :D

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  • KanangaK

    Well, it's been about a week now. Not a single piece of furniture has been chewed on. And I still have that small tear in my couch near the top that is easy access for him to pull out the stuffing (until I get it repaired and sealed). He has not attempted to unstuff that part.

    It seems the DAP diffuser is working. Can't think of any other reason why his behavior would discontinue.

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  • B

    Is it time to neuter?

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    R
    If you live in the USA, vets are taught that castration cures about everything, and is routine for the dogs from six weeks of age. I do not agree. First off take him to an obedience school, and both you and him will learn more about each other. If you complete the novice training, you both will have something to start with as far as understanding. Keep trying.
  • K

    Help - Seperation Anxiety and Crate!

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    wizardW
    I had a foster male one time who had severe separation anxiety (his previous owners were retired during his whole life so they were always with him) and even having another dog around didn't help - they rarely played together. He was in his crate while I went to work - toys galore, special treats in a kong, calming sprays, etc. - and I did the "you must calm down before being let out of the crate" routine when I came home. My other dog was in a nearby crate so they could see and talk to each other. But he continued to try and chew his way out of the crate (I can't rebend the steel bars that he bent with his teeth and he was already 11 years old!). I tried to disappear for longer and longer periods of time to try and get him acclimated to being loose in the house but if I was gone more than 20 minutes he would start clawing at the doors trying to get out, he tore down the blinds on the patio doors, he toppled lamps trying to get out of the window. I spent money on a behaviorist - who told me to do exactly what I was doing (a waste of money she was) and after several months he started biting me if I tried to put him in the crate. He was wonderful as long as I was around but the biting became too serious an issue. I cried when I took him back to the breeder (he ended up living out his days at her kennel) but I think that there are just some dogs and people combinations that simply don't work. If after several months things don't improve (and proper training has to be a component) one needs to reconsider the situation. In this case KMac I think you are doing the right thing by seeking experienced help and things do sound better. In your case some of the problems are simply puppy behavior so maybe if you have the time and money an obedience class might be in order to help give him some structure. You might also try getting a bigger crate so he has more crate room or maybe an exercise pen so he can more around a bit more and chase his toys and release some energy.
  • KipawaK

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    Uzie will do the same thing as Kipawa-dead sleep, I move, he follows. I ignore him when he does this. I luckily have two other dogs in the house for distraction/companionship, but if I leave for a long period of time, he does better when not crated. Otherwise he baroos like, like, like the loneliest Basenji in the whole world! I usually throw some kibble all over the floor of one room and leave the house. Like I said, he only baroos when crated. But for you, maybe you can try the Kibble Throw. As for the car, maybe you can start the engine, turn it off, wait, then give praise and/or kibble and start it up again until you can leave it on for a minute or so. The calming spray may help too.
  • bcraigB

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    tanzaT
    Glad to hear that he is doing better….
  • LovingLolaL

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    There is a light at the end, but with some dogs it can be farther away. I had a boxer a few yrs ago that had it really bad, and after lots of crate training and patients she was able to stay in her crate. She would make such horrible noises she sounded like a fog horn. And she'd pee in her crate or poop in and then step all in. IMO, I don't thing Lola needs medication. It can be quite frustrating, but biggest thing is lots of patients to train her that you will be back and it is okay to hang out by herself. Also, since she is not destructive but is pooping when you leave, make sure she gets a good walk or play session where you know she has gone potty. I'd take out the treats, that gives something to put in that must come out. You can give simple treats or things that need worked on like a kong stuffed with soemthing tastey and frozen so it'll take work for her to eat it all. Here are some links with articles on seperation anxiety. http://www.wagntrain.com/SeparationAnx.htm http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/anxiety.html http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/separation_anxiety.html