I know our family dog growing up made several attempts to go off as the end grew near.
It was very sad. But I think there is something to that survival of the fittest thing- that animals accept their fate easier (and dare I saw with more pride) than we as humans do. I don't think they see death as this "terrible ending"…
Otis just nipped my son…
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Sorry to hear it is escalating. I too would be curious to hear what the behaviorist had to say about the new guarding of the kids shoes & toys (which seems really dangerous to me). And definitely have his thyroid checked - since they should be doing a full panel prior to surgery anyway. I think Pat might be onto something about him being a "wanna be" leader though - based on your description of how he behaves not only with Moses but with your other 2 dogs prior to Moses' arrival - particularly your other male dog.
Hopefully the neutering helps - it can't hurt - but as Pat said, maybe should have been done sooner, when the whole behavior originally started. Moses is still intact, right - are you planning on neutering him as well? I wonder if one is left intact if the problem might still continue (would the threat would still be there to the wanna be leader) - I don't know, maybe someone with more experience might be able to say.
Did you ever get the books Feisty Fido & How to be the Leader of the Pack - by Patricia McConnell? Those are both quick reads that have really great info about fighting and pack dynamics and control.
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I have yet to get a hold of the behaviorist but of course am awaiting that she get back with me. What wpuld she be able to see in my home? I mean, she would have to live here to see his unpredictability..it is sweet one minute/day and then not so sweet the next, new things seems to get him,going different days.
He is especially sweet with people coming into our home, likeyesterday we had a realtor come and he sat by her side for over an hour and would just nudge her every so often for a pet, very unlike how he was months ago with strangers.Yes hindsight is so much better then my current sight, but now I am here and have to work with what I got.
I will have the vet do a thyroid panel as well, could he already, this young, have issues?
I know it can take a while for the hormones to level out after a neuter, but we are ready for that..I just hope it helps even if just a little and then the training even more so..
Since Moses is part of foundations stock, neutering him is something we might do, but not yet, he has to grow up first and some of these grandes don't stop growing in height until they are two.Renault1 I did get "How to be a leader of the pac", but my life took over and I haven't started reading it yet..I will tonight though.
My last resort would be finding him a home, a home where he is the only dog, but I am not ready for that yet..no way. Then again, who's to say he would be better in that environment?
I hope I answered most queries, if not..let me know..I will keep you posted.
Again, thanks for all your help. -
A good behaviorist sees many things that the normal dog owner doesn't see. That is why typically they come to the home to observe the dogs. They don't always need to see something nasty happening to be able to figure out what is going on. I have never heard of taking a dog to a behaviorist, rather then they come to the home.
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I just dropped him off and they are doing a full thyroid panel as well.
Poor Otis was shaking, he did not like me leaving him there..I am pretty sure the one behaviorist we finally found only works from her environment. i.e you go to her, but I am not sure. She never asked/offered to come and see him in our home.
I had a hard time finding a behaviorist in the area, most were just glorified trainers in my opinion, but maybe I am wrong. the one we did find said unless he listens to everything you say he isn't trained well, and I of course countered that with_.."he is a basenji, I am ok with him not being like a lab/golden or what have you in obedience"..she said "all dogs even basenjis can be trained and not to listen to all I hear on my forum"_
He has his obedience down, very good actually, but maybe he needs more training.
As far as two males..I have always only had male dogs and two have been together before either one of them were neutered..none were basenjis of course so maybe that is the difference. -
As they say, it works till it doesn't. And just because it worked before, doesn't mean it will work now, especially if you have a "want a be" and I don't believe this really has anything to do with the breed of dog.
While I am NOT a behavorist and I am sure that each work in their own way, I honestly never heard of one that doesn't come to the home? I don't see how they can assess the dog unless they see that dog in the home it lives in?
Petra, are you in the Houston area? Looks to me like the ASPCA has behavorists at least according to their web site… but maybe someone like Andrea that does training can "pipe" in....
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Just a note here Petra on the vet doing the thyroid panel. It's not a full panel like Dr Dodds does. You can have his blood drawn and they can send it to Dr Dodds here in CA. Please see these instructions.
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTM -
Tanza..I was kind of surprised when we were there and she said..he seems really mellow now?..well yeah, he is at a strange place and odds are he will only lay down at my feet and try to sleep..what did you expect? They open in an hour and I will call as soon as they do, I did leave a message but …I haven't heard frm her yet.
Dan, I will see if they can send it to her instead, it shouldn't matter to the vet, right?
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Just a note here Petra on the vet doing the thyroid panel. It's not a full panel like Dr Dodds does. You can have his blood drawn and they can send it to Dr Dodds here in CA. Please see these instructions.
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTMThere are a number of labs that do the full panel, usually the office has the ones that they usually use, be to Hemopet or U of Mich, U of Davis, etc
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On the behaviorist vs trainer thing, you may need to work with both. I think you would really benefit from someone willing to come to your home and see the environment that Otis lives in and the other dogs and people in the household. There may be factors that aren't apparent in an outside the home consult. Also, you should be seeing someone on fairly regular basis at first to make sure this problem is being resolved. If it is not getting better then there may be need to alter the course action but that requires that there are regular "check ins" with the person you are working with.
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Try this website to see if you can find any trainers in your area. You can search by zip code. You can screen a bunch by email explaining the situation, what you want to accomplish, etc. I did this for a situation with my brother's dog and it worked well for him. Good luck finding someone, I'm sure it feels like a major challenge in itself just finding someone to work with. IMHO, if they aren't willing to come to your home, then they aren't the kind of trainer/behaviorist you need. I could understand an initial consult away from home or over the phone, but for evaluation of the dog it would need to be at home.
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Just got word from the Vet, he is out and doing really well..so I will be picking him up at 3:30 or so.
They have taken his bloodsamples and are sending them to Dr Dodd.. -
So glad Otis (and you) has made it through the blood test. I too hate leaving my beloved animals at the vet, but recognize the necessity of it. Good for you, Basenjimama - your Otis will thank you for it.
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So glad Otis (and you) has made it through the blood test. I too hate leaving my beloved animals at the vet, but recognize the necessity of it. Good for you, Basenjimama - your Otis will thank you for it.
I don't think Otis will be thanking her for it today - he was being neutered! :D;)
Sorry, this made me think of the Far Side cartoon where the 1 dog is in the car yelling happily to his dog friend in the yard - "I'm going to be tutored!" LOL
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yes, Otis is not a happy camper right now..
He was very happy to see me though, his little cinnamon bun wiggling like crazy.
They had me go back to the kennel are and get him as he had bit the crap out of one of the vet techs…not good. She was Ok, said it is part of the job, but I am feeling bad about it and it worries me.
I think I might have to find another behaviorist, one that actually works with you in your home..the vet told me about the only one he thought was worth a darn..Now he just ate a little, gave him his happy pill and hoping he goes to sleep.
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Always good to have a recommendation….. And please be careful around him (and the kids too) as obviously he will hurting for a while (most bounce back within a day or two)... he might be more willing to bite first and ask questions later.
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I know, I have actually had him in his crate in the livingroom, he seems fine in there..not even whining or crying.
I told the kiddos to give him space and they are very eager to comply, actually Lukas is very scared around him, something that I understand but hope to fix soon…
Otis is such a sweet dog..most of the time, like 98%, but it is when things goes wrong that leaves marks in your memory..if that makes sense.
I just ordered the other book you guys recommended..even came in Kindle version..yippee. -
Petra, I am sorry you are having these issues with Otis. Neutering will probably help eventually, once the hormones are out of his system. I know how much you love him, but you love your kids and husband too. I don't have any solutions other than looking for a good behavorist, this is one of those times you wish you could read his mind and know what his issues are…where is that lady on TV that is an animal communicator when you need her?????
At any rate, hopefully everyone can work on "mellow vibes" and Otis will heal quickly from his neuter.
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I do hope the neutering helps but as others have pointed out the effects of neutering may not be apparent for some time.
I have had some experience with behaviorists and know that some only work from their premises and not in your own. This always seems strange to me as I'm sure the family dynamics and the family home are all relevant in assessing behaviour. I do hope that you can find a suitable one. Many normally good natured dogs and especially Basenjis react to strange treatment at the vets. I would have thought it was par for the course for workers at a vets. If only we could educate our veterinarians and assistants on how to behave around a basenji!
Dr Ian Dunbar says dogs have teeth, they bite. After all Otis doesn't know how to say this is mine I aim to keep it except by his behaviour.
I sincerely pray that you will be able to resolve his problems and I'm sure with all the expert advice you've been given you could help him.
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Otis is doing really well today, he has been outside with the other dogs for most of the day enjoying our springlike weather.
I had to go retrieve a little r/w BRAT boy today, Riley, so nerves were running high in the house..i.e me..I had no idea as to how it would go with Otis and the other dogs either for that matter..
So far so good, they are having a ball, Riley is the same age as Otis and very domineering, Otis is taking it good and I am glad to see another dogs stand up to him.
Riley is only staying with us until saturday, I told BRAT I can get him, but I can not foster with 4 dogs in my home already, so we are meeting somebody about three hours north of Houston to transfer him to Dallas.I started reading the book, "How to be the leader of your Pack"..wow, what a great book, I highly recommend it..thanks guys for recommending it. I am determined not to give up on my sweet boy..he just need a stern hand and some guidance in life..
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Petra it is great to hear that today is a better day. I really think you will like the behaviorist that your vet recommended and they use basenji friendly techniques.
