Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. This is my pack from a few years ago. My Jenna (who is in the back near Santa) passed over the bridge a few months ago at age 17. Just hadn't been able to get Mr.T (tri boy) and Zak (who is in front) back to see Santa.
Is your pup housebroken, going potty outside? Have you thought about just leaving the dog out of the crate? Provide lots of toys during that time. Most cases, dogs usually just curl up and go to sleep. Some can be destructive. Pillows and such should be put up and out of the way if that is the case. You have a web cam, you can watch and see what he does while you're not at home. Just a thought.
@Kembe I have been down this road. My girl Jenna was 17 when she crossed the bridge 2 years ago. She was never fully diagnosed with CCD, but she had all the symptoms. She would pee and poo anywhere, and everywhere. She did use the dog door to the garage. She had gotten stuck behind my washer at one point. I could never figure out how or why she did that. She had to go past them to go outside to the backyard; but some where she hung a right and ended up behind the washer. I had found a box that fit between the washer and the wall, so she never had that problem again. One night she had a seizure just before I got home from work. At that time, I had 2 basenji boys, and I believe one of them attacked her because he did not know what what going on. I came home to find her on the floor in the middle of the room and not able to get up. There was some blood, but could not find any real wounds from the so called attack. I got her cleaned up as best as I could. She could not stand on her own without me bracing her. I laid her down on her bed, and got her food bowl for her since she hadn't eaten since breakfast but she didn't want it. I put a blanket over her. She was resting and doing ok before I went to bed. I was going to call the make the decision to have her put to sleep, but she chose to go on her own terms and was gone by morning when I got up. I felt so bad, that I was not right there beside her. NOW, my 16 year old Zak is pacing, gets stuck in and behind things. He's not been officially diagnosed either. I have him on Senilife, Joy CBD for dogs, and he get Heart Health (Amazon). He still looks forward to eating. Doesn't like to walk that far anymore. We have a meet up for Basenji's on the last Sunday of every month down at Point Isabel (across from San Francisco, CA). He can't walk like he used to for that, so I bought him a stroller. He tolerates it, but still wants to get out and walk some. But his walk is like a turtle at best, and is too slow, so I put him in the stroller until we get over to where we usually stop and gab some and all the while, the b's are running. Since Zak is deaf, I do have to keep an eye on him as he does and will wonder off, and not know where he is. He also has peeing accidents in the house, so he has a belly band for that, I can change and wash them. He has lost weight, went from a large belly band down to a med, and I thought it was really going to be too small for him, but its not and it doesn't fall or come off. He also got stuck behind my dryer very early Saturday morning, it woke me up, him screaming and howling all at the same time. I got that side blocked off now too. I don't know what type of natural medication you bought. Senilife does help and takes time. Am not 100% sure if that or the CBD oil are working. He also gets some mobility chews. I mix the Senilife and CBD oil in with his food in the moring, and the heart health in his evening meal. He will eat, and walk over to check out Mr.T (basenji) bowls or see if there is any food in the cats bowls. He will go back to his bowl and eat some more and do the walk about to other bowls again. I have to watch Mr.T as he will eat Zak's food if I am not in the room or paying attention. He drinks alot of water, so the water bowl has to be constantly filled.
You may want to block off rooms or under tables as best as you can, so she doesn't get stuck too badly. Its the pitts watching your pup get old and forget things and places. Jenna was my first dog that I ever experienced this with. I've had plenty of dogs, but most were gone by the age of 14 and never had dementia. Now, I'm dealing with it with another dog. I am just hoping that Mr.T will be ok. Jenna came from a reputable breeder, Zak was a rescue from a backyard breeder. Mr.T is from a reputable breeder in Arizona, but he was re homed to me from his original owners after they got transferred to Brazil for their job and couldn't take him,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,he's got his own set of problems............Valley Fever.
I may have not been of much help, but I have been down this road, and am traveling it again. If you are on Facebook there is a Canine Cognitive Dysfunction group that you can ask to join. Lots of really good help and different ideas on medications to ask your vet about.
Don't hesitate to ask questions. We're all here to help as best as we can, but the best place is to talk to your vet. Some vet's are not very knowledgeable about CCD, and if your vet will not give out meds, find a NEW VET.....ASAP. Wishing you all the best for you and your pup.
Be careful with those trainers at Petsmart. They are only employee's. given basic instructors for training a dog. A basenji DOES NOT fall into the category. They don't like a heavy hand and being jerked around. Petsmart will tell you a choke chain (collar) or a prong collar. Walk away. They both cause more harm than good, especially a choke chain, they can ruin the dogs trachea. Search YouTube for dog training your basenji. Have you talked to your breeder and see what they recommend? Yeah, you don't want Lily (my very first basenji was a black and white named MzLili) to be eating any poop! I've never had that problem, except mine love the cat tootsie rolls (as we call them). Still yucky. Good luck. Yes, 10 months is still considered a puppy. You are going to have to show her that you are boss. I have a tri boy who is now 8 yrs old, and he was rehomed to me at 1 1/2yrs of age. People had no idea of how to handle him, and the only way I got him was that their job transferred them to Brazil, and they decided to rehome him. He tried to rough shod me, and i wouldn't put up with it. He now know who's the boss........but I still have to be careful, as he WILL bite! This my Mr.T
Love the name! He looks kind of like my Mr.T (only T doesn't have any white on his nose). From one tri owner to another, your basenji is very handsome................just don't tell T know I told you that! Its an older photo, but T is very much the spitting image of this photo even now.
As most have said "nobody knows your dog better than you". I totally relate. I have a 16 year 2.5 month old basenji named Zak. Zak has CCD (canine cognitive dysfunction = aka doggie alzheimer's). He paces, he circles, he has fallen down and took his time in getting up. He wears a belly band as he will pee anywhere and everywhere. I have no stairs, so that's not a problem. He hasn't had any seizures or at least non that I have seen anyways, because I still work. He does sleep alot. But, he loves to eat. He haslost alot of weight and drinks alot of water. I have him on SeniLife, Animal Essential Heart Health, and Joy Organic CBD oil. I feed him Purina Pro Plan Bright Minds for seniors. It promotes alertness, and mental sharpness. I also belong to a CCD support group on Facebook which members are going through the same thing, or just the start of this journey, and some have had ended their journey. Lots of love and support and things to ask your vet. Zak is totally deaf. I think he can hear some VERY loud noises, but not me talking to him. I am questioning myself as to the quality of life that Zak has. Sometimes he gets off the couch when I get home from work, only because he see's Mr.T (10 year old basenji) get up, and goes to the door. He looks forward to his meals. Doesn't seem to be in pain, but I know his time is coming. I've had him since he was 4 months old, and its hard to see him like this. My 17 year old female had CCD really bad, and one night just before I got home from work, I believe she had a seizure, and T attacked her. I got her cleaned up as best I could, as she hates water with a passion. She didn't want her dinner. So, I put her on her bed, and covered her up. She was ok when I went to bed, but had passed before I got up in the morning. It hurt that I wasn't their to comfort her during her time. She was also deaf, so talking wouldn't have helped, but just giving her some soothing pats and scritches I think could have helped. I don't know. If you are on Facebook, go to the Canine Cognitive Dysfunction group. You will have to join, but oh so worth the help and love and information.............everybody is very supportive as they are all going through the same thing. Only you know your dog the best. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.......including your vet. Virtual hugs to you, its not easy. But he is family and you treat them like family til their last breath.
I have a basenji that was ruler of the house before he came to me. Don't know alot about his background. What I found out was, I couldn't touch his feet, or tail. Apparently the people never did that to him when he was a puppy. He came to me at 2 and is now 9. He can and still will bite, if provoked. My adult son likes to play with him and sometimes the dog gets riled up, and he's growling, baring teeth. I have to tell him in a "stern voice" NO TEETH! May have to repeat it a few times, but he backs down. He knows he's not going to be hurt. Son has now adopted that NO TEETH, and by golly the dog is listening to him! Doesn't work for all dogs. Stop having you son playing with him. Have him do some small training instead............like sit (give a treat.........good), down (treat). Reward for good behavior. Right now tug would seem kind of pushing the button on wanting to bite something (or someone). I would (for now) hold off on that. Long walks. Does someone ride a bike....maybe adult son? Take dog on the bike run!. They have leashes that attach to the bike, so your hands are free, and won't let dog go another way to have you fall down. I had one many years ago for my basenji and it was great! A tired basenji is a good basenji as they don't get into trouble! That's a good thing.
Lots of very good information for you italeigha. My 2nd basenji tried to climb my fence in the backyard. Not a privacy fence, it was wire....strong wire, and it had just enough give in the tension that when Dannii got 2 feet off the ground, the fence would sway. He didn't like that one bit. No door's are to be opened, unless the dog is already on a leash. They do and will bolt, unless you get them very young and teach them to "sit and stay" when the door is opened. I couldn't do that with my Dannii as he was already 1 1/2 when I got him. He was an escape artist extraordinaire. Where there was an inch, he would try to find a way out. We couldn't leave the dog park, until "he" was ready to go; which could last a good 3 hours of him non stop running, chasing, playing. Then he crashed in the car and at home. The saying "a tired basenji is a good basenji" is the motto for this breed. When they are tired, they can't get into trouble. I rescued a 4 month old basenji pup and I thought for sure my son was going to kill the dog within the first few months. Zak chewed out the butt of some very expensive jeans that my son had, and carelessly left on the floor (son's fault), son was ticked off and called Zak all kinds of names and such. I just told son that if he treasured anything, anything at all, to pick it up off the floor and put it behind closed doors. Dannii, passed from cancer, Zak was 7 when Mr.T (tri boy) came to me through a rehome. His owners got transferred to Brazil for their job and couldn't take the dog with them. I had just paid off (what I thought was leather and found out it wasn't) a sofa. Mr.T promptly chewed up the arm's, backs and what have you of that sofa! Its the dog couch now and have plans to get rid of it soon. Zak just turned 16 on Nov. 30th. and Mr.T will be 9 on the 23rd of this month. Zak has slight Canine Cognitive Dysfuntion (doggie Alzheimer's). It can get really bad, but so far he's holding his own. Dog's, no matter what breed they are; is a life long commitment. If you can"t commit to the dog's entire life, don't get a dog or any animal. Dog's, cat's. birds, I don't care what it is, you don't take it to the pound just because its too old now to play anymore. Zak is semi deaf, he startles easily (has beginnings of cataracts). He will be with me until the day he dies. Yes, I get upset with him as he has a tendency to walk right in front of me, and can't get out of the way fast enough. I'm not going to get rid of him just because of that. Do lots of research on the breed. If you have a yard, NEVER use the invisible fence. They see something across the street or where ever, they will "take the hit" to go after what ever it was that they decided to chase, then they can't get back into the yard. Those fences do not keep other animals (dog, coyotes, and such) out of your yard, and you dog will be a sitting (running duck) for them to chase and kill. Pawla asked some very good questions. You and your husband should sit down and talk them all out before you commit to any dog, but especially a basenji. They are NOT what most people expect, and so alot of those dogs end up in BRAT or at shelters through no fault of their own. My Dannii was my heart dog and I loved that dog like there was no tomorrow. He was the first dog EVER in my entire life (I'm 74) that has ever come down with cancer. Broke my heart. He could be a pain in the *aa, a houdini, a goofball, a cuddler, a bed and body warmer. He could infuriate me to no end. But I wouldn't have traded him or any of my basenji's for all the money in the world! Do your research. These dogs are not for the faint of heart, and in my opinion only, not a good first time dog (if you've never had a dog before). They are not out to please you, YOU need to please them, and that's why we all become "slaves" as our basenji's train us very well!
How about sending us all of pic of Finn? I am pretty sure we wold all love to see him. You said your in Napa. Is that as in California or another state? We have a Basenji meet up the last Sunday of every month at Point Isabel (Richmond area). Just google Point Isabel and you will see the area. At one time (its been a few years) we had a total of 22 basenji's. What a sight that was to see them all running! On average, we have around 8 to 14 now.
@roux He is very adorable! Enjoy him. He will be into everything as he grows, so you value something, put it waaaaay up high or behind closed doors!! Enjoy the fun, frustration and tears and laughter through out Roux's life!! I would love to have a puppy again.........not
Please keep supervising your dogs with the cat. The cat at some point "may" go after the bird, so please be careful. Many years ago, I've had parrots, cats and dogs (not basenji's), and all 3 got along just great. However, the cats were kittens, and still a bit scared of the birds. The birds ruled the house. I no longer have any birds, but do have 4 cats and 2 basenji's. My 3rd basenji died a few months ago at the age of 17. Cats and the dogs do get along. My youngest dog right now is 8 years old, and for some reason he is starting to do a low growl and kind of charge (run at) the cats. I just yell at him to "leave it". The cats are adult and can stand up for themselves. Your cat is still very young. It will accept your dogs as long as you make sure that there is no "king of the castle" type of response from them. Supervision. When my female was alive, she would go after anything, her prey drive was that strong. At one time, she had gotten loose outside (long story) and she ended up killing a baby goat, a feral cat (wild) and a dozen chickens ALL in one day!! I had to introduce her to the cats while she was on a leash held very tightly, and I have had to use a basket muzzle a few times. I had her in a room with the cats and door closed, so the other 2 dogs could not interfere. It took a long time (several months) for her to accept the cats as "family". So it can be done. Sounds like you are doing a good job, just keep up the supervision, and Please do not let the dogs and cat eat off of the same plate anymore!! That is only asking for trouble somewhere down the road.
My female b had a real strong prey drive. I live in the country and I have cats. At that time, I had 4 cats, and 3 b's. Jenna was the worst as she would lunge and try to bite. We found 2 feral kittens (brother and sister), nursed them back to health. They were shut up in my room in a crate (litter box, food, water and bedroom door closed). As the kittens got a tad older and was playing and moving around. I brought Jenna in on a leash and closed the bedroom door so the other 2 b's could not come in. They had no problem with the cats. I also had a basket muzzle on Jenna. On a leash, I would let her sniff the kittens. If she tried to lunge (which she did), I would correct her, by saying "no". It took time and lots of patience. Eventually I was able to take the muzzle off but she was still on the leash. She finally learned that these cats were "different" than the "outside" cats (feral). She finally accepted the kittens.
You can put the pup in a crate, and bring the cats over to sniff and smell through the door. You can put the pup on a leash but have a basket muzzle (not the soft muzzles the vets use) and have the pup with a one on one with ONE cat, at a time. Its going to take time and lots of patience, but both will survive. You got to make sure that the cats have a "safe place" to get to if the pup starts to chase. I had one cat that the dogs didn't care for. If she was laying down, the dogs were fine with her. If she got up to move or do something, they would move real quick towards her, and if she ran, the chase was on. She always had a safe place up and out of the way of the b's. Good luck. It will work out, the cats will put the pup in its place and a few years down the road, hopefully they will all be the best of friends!
Where is your basenji puppy coming from? A breeder in Arizona or somewhere else? Please be aware of Valley Fever in Arizona. You may or may not have heard of it, but can be devastating to dog's! My Mr.T's breeder is in Tuscon, Az. She sold a pup to some people and they eventually moved here to Ca; not knowing that the basenji had come down with valley fever. Their job transferred them to Brazil, and they were planning on taking the pup with them since they would be working out of doors, but found out........NO dogs! So, they rehomed him to me. My vet here in northern Ca found the valley fever from a blood test. He is on medication for the rest of his life (he's 8 now, was 1.5 when I got him) and he's doing good. Digging in the dirt, and those wind storms that you guys get down there, will carry the fungus. No vaccine again valley fever as of yet. Be diligent in not letting him or her dig in the dirt, and keep them out of the wind storms! I hope you are up for a whole lot of fun and adventure with your new pup! She/he will almost drive you insane at times, but so worth it in the end........if you don't kill him/her first! jk. When you get him or her, you got to post photos so we can all see him or her. Good luck.
Don't know what he's mixed with, but he IS gorgeous! Beautiful markings, love that brindle coloring.
Oh my, that face! You can almost see the gears turning in that head of hers! She's like a basenji mix to me, but what do I know? At any rate, enjoy her. The mischievousness is going to come out sooner or later, and you will have your hands full.
She is adorable.
Marti
Welcome Aury. Simba is very adorable. Just keep in mind "a tired basenji; is a good basenji". Meaning, they can not get into any trouble. Long, long walks and lots and lots of play time.
Do you have windows that let in sunlight? Basenji's are sun seekers, and will follow sunbeams from window to window if necessary. I live in a house, I don't really get sunbeams through my windows, except for the storm door. Once in awhile if it is warm enough I will open the door to the porch (storm door is closed and locked), so the pups can sunbathe. However, usually its one of the dang cats that will lay out there. Do they go in the yard to sunbathe? Nope, not unless its truly warm and if I happen to be in the backyard. Every basenji is different. My guys would rather be out and about, not stuck in a backyard. Basenji's do great in an apartment, as long as they get in long walks several times a day. Nobody likes to be cooped up inside. Especially a basenji who loves the sunbeams!!!
Thank you eeeefarm for the link to resize!!
Ok. This is at Cannon Beach, Oregon. Red and White is Zak and he was 13.5 and Mr.T (tri) was 6. T likes to wade in the water on "his" terms! Zak however has never ever gotten in a mud puddle, let alone the ocean, so this was first for him. You can tell by the look on his face that he was NOT happy!! But we had fun!!!
She's beautiful. Sure does look part basenji to me. Not sure what she could be mixed with, but if you truly want to know, there are several different DNA test's that you can do. Enjoy her and keep her busy with all kinds of activities. A tired basenji, is a GOOD basenji!! They don't get themselves into trouble.....chewing, etc. Lots of long walks. Dog parks are nice, if you think she is socialized enough to be around other dogs (hope you got her fixed).
