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..
Great news Petra! I think Otis will turn out to be a great Basenji given patience and time. Some of the more difficult ones in the beginning turn out to be real winners. My first and third Basenjis were a bit of a challenge at first too but with patience turned out to be wonderful Basenjis for me. Keep us updated on his progress. We all learn from your situation and thank you for sharing it with us. 
Thanks guys..We are amazed, my husband and I, of how quickly he has bounced back from his neuter..no signs of slowing him downa t all, and his boo-boo looks really nice and clean. Our other males had difficulties and moody looks for days after the "ballchopping incident"..not Otis..
I finished reading the book, great information, will start implementing them asap, easy to do things yet so effective, or at least so it seems.
I did talk to the behaviorist my vet and lVoss recommended, sounds like a great person, but again, I go to her place, she doesn't come to ours..we will give it a go still, in a week.
We had an incident this morning where he stole my daughters lunch bag abd tore into her PBJ sandwis, I stopped him and he growled at me and tried (I guess) to graze my thumb area..he didn't get me, and as soon as he did it he got spooked..I stepped over him like the book recommended and he parked his butt on the floor..So essentially I was bigger than him..I calmly picked up the mauled sandwich, threw it in the trash and made another one for Sofia..meanwhile he sat behind me in sit-stay, until I let him outside.
Small steps.
Don't be afraid to ask if she can't come to your home, for a referral to a trainer who can work with both of you toward your goal and can come to your home. I know people in my area who work with both a behaviorist and a trainer in order to work through tough issues. Usually one will recommend the other depending on the issues being addressed.
Lisa, thanks for that advice. I will call ask her about that.
Usually there is some sort of consultation either by phone or email questionairre or sometimes in person to get a good feel for the household and your concerns. That may be a good time to address your concern about how to make things work with the household as a whole.
How is Mr. Otis doing?
He is doing pretty good, they all are right now..once our foster went to live with his foster/forever family we have calmed down alot… He seems to respect the kitchen as my domain and rarely enters it while I am cooking or uncooking ( I am 100% raw now), he lays in the dining room and sleeps, so close by but not in there.
We haven't had any fights in a week or so now and feeding is much calmer and more structured, he does his "leave it" extremely well and will not touch his food until he gets his go ahead word. So far so good. The trainer will come home to us for a much larger fee, so we have decided not to do that yet, but we'll see. His test results are not back yet from Dr Dodd's, but hope they will be in a day or two.
He is doing pretty good, they all are right now..once our foster went to live with his foster/forever family we have calmed down alot… He seems to respect the kitchen as my domain and rarely enters it while I am cooking or uncooking ( I am 100% raw now), he lays in the dining room and sleeps, so close by but not in there.
We haven't had any fights in a week or so now and feeding is much calmer and more structured, he does his "leave it" extremely well and will not touch his food until he gets his go ahead word. So far so good. The trainer will come home to us for a much larger fee, so we have decided not to do that yet, but we'll see. His test results are not back yet from Dr Dodd's, but hope they will be in a day or two.
Sounds like good progress is being made. Good job hanging in there and working with him. Maybe the neutering will make a difference too. Let us know his thyroid results.
I wish there was a way for Lukas to be unafraid around your Otis. Animals can sense fear and will sometimes take advantage of it. You know your son better than anyone…perhaps you will know a way to bolster his confidence with Otis.
Good to hear that Otis is improving - you are obviously doing the right things. I look forward to hearing more 'improvement' news.
Petra,
i'm glad to hear things are improving with Otis.
We got Otis results back from Dr DOdds and his thyroid is A OK..however today he attacked a friend of ours 6 yr old daughter and grazed her on her buttocks. I am feeling like this is the end of the road and that I am out of options..
We got Otis results back from Dr DOdds and his thyroid is A OK..however today he attacked a friend of ours 6 yr old daughter and grazed her on her buttocks. I am feeling like this is the end of the road and that I am out of options..
He just surprise attacked her from behind? Did she have any interaction with him at all before that?
Several times..her sister and her spend almost every friday at our house, so Otis knows her very well
He was laying on the dog quilt in the living room playing with a toy when she came through the living room to go outside..She was maybe 3-4 feet from him when he got up and just charged her, she turned and tried to run away and he got her on her buttocks.
It wasn't like a play attack but a mean I'm going to hurt you thing? Buddy has charged me from behind with a surprise bite but it's a rowdy play thing.
She has bite marks on her little butt..no this was far from play.
I didn't hear you saying anything like this until now…Is he having some pack order issues with Moses being in the household? What is Moses' maturity level? (Teenager, young adult, etc) Just wondering if something has been brewing between them under the surface.
The only dog bite I have ever received was a bonzai attack from behind as I was leaving the home. It was a West Highland Terrier that got me. I had been petting him not five minutes before he bit me. I never did figure out why he bit me. No growl, no warning...just bolted from across the room and got me. Maybe some of the experts can help explain it...
I'm so sorry you're having trouble with Otis.
@AJs:
I didn't hear you saying anything like this until now…Is he having some pack order issues with Moses being in the household? What is Moses' maturity level? (Teenager, young adult, etc) Just wondering if something has been brewing between them under the surface.
The only dog bite I have ever received was a bonzai attack from behind as I was leaving the home. It was a West Highland Terrier that got me. I had been petting him not five minutes before he bit me. I never did figure out why he bit me. No growl, no warning...just bolted from across the room and got me. Maybe some of the experts can help explain it...
I'm so sorry you're having trouble with Otis.
I was thinking about Moses as well. Seems Otis has had this biting thing escalate since Moses arrived. Not that Moses is fighting to be the alpha dog just that Otis feels threatened.
It would be a wise thing to keep him in his kennel at this point, that kind of bite is a serious thing. Was there any "noise" "warning" first? Or just straight up went for them? Where were the other dogs when this happened?
As far as I know it was very sudden, caught her off guard and freaked her rightfully out.
The other dogs were outside in the back yard enjoying the spring weather, Otis was outside as well, until he came in about 15 minutes before this incident..I had the door opened so they walked in and out as they pleased, the kids too.
Moses is 10 1/2 months and very non confrontational, will cower if Otis comes at him or if he has a bone/toy or is sleeping where Otis wants to sleep he will drop the bone/toy and get up and leave the spot for Otis…Otis dominates Moses very much..
