Re: New 1 yr old Basenji/Lab mix

Remembered this forum and wanted to pop in and give an update. Buddy is still doing great. As time went along, he began to show some of the more persnickety behavioral traits of some Basenji's . . . independent, aloof, tough to train sometimes.

He's still not fond of thunder, but doesn't tremble like he used to. He's about 90% on recall, though usually puts his own spin on it ("Buddy come" . . . looks at me, stalls for a second, then trots over).

He never chewed on anything, never peed on anything, no separation anxiety.

All in all, very happy with him, and he seems pretty happy with me. My very alpha cat (cody) passed a few months ago and buddy didn't even really seem to notice much, but I took the opportunity to spend some extra time with him and give him some extra treats. He naturally enjoyed that.

Hope y'all are doing well, and thanks again for the help.
Jon!

This is the BEST freakin' dog ever! Turns out that his great behavior was not a honeymoon–he grooms my cat, loves new people and other dogs. He is a 'sharing dog.' I don't see many who do this, but I have met a few who do the same thing: he will take his toys, and walk up to other dogs and offer it to them for tug of war. . . if he gets it, he'll run to be chased for a minute, then turn around and offer it up again. . . if they get it, he's like, "cool, i'll chase you" and if they get mouthy, he just trots away and says hi to me or another dog.

He still smiles with his entire face. He's learning all sorts of tricks--turns out he's extremely smart. Now if I can get him to figure out what to do with a frisbee . . . I swear, I've shown him over and over, treated him, etc. and he still just lets the frisbee bonk him in the head. . . oh well, fetch with toys and his Kong Wubba is fun.

Thanks again for all the help. I'll drop in some and keep y'all posted.:D

Jon

This just happened tonight for the 1st time. Very glad to see that the cat was the one that chose to jump up and plop down.:):):)

Cody the cat just jumped up and plopped down with Buddy for the 1st time! They are both looked at each other, sniffed noses, then went to sleep!

If you're wanting to introduce cats to Basenji's this forum has some great pointers. Thought there are times when a dog and a cat just won't work out no matter what you do.

Thanks y'all! Obedience training is going well also. Can't wait to get Buddy all set up as a therapy dog to take to the Children's hospital in town.

Jon

Oh, I just got it backwards–still a cool pup!

Oh yes, what a cute pix of the puppy rott! That's great that he's from Mary's pooch's line

I saw that link to Mary's site on another post I put on here. . . it's working great! I also got one of those 'gentle leader' leash things that has the nose strap, and while he's fussing a little, he's doing pretty well for his first day.

Now he has this thing about not being interested in his toys, but wants to play with all of the cats toys, including the little mice that if he eats em, will clog him up . . . sheesh, I'm gonna have to put catnip on HIS toys! (kidding)

Jon

Thanks for the feedback! So it sounds ok that the cat is doing this–cool. Any other thoughts welcomed--I've read some other posts that have been helpful as well.

He does get amped up and excited when Cody is taunting him (by running quickly across the living room, etc), but he usually immediately goes to the door and whines to go out--seems like he knows that there may be better play options (ie other dogs) outside.

Now to get him to stop this vocalizing by the door when he doesn't have to 'go.' And get him to come when called (when outside). Outside = "Cone of Deafness!"
Jon

Oh yeah, Cody is a very fit 15 lb cat–not fat at all . . . he's very fast, and very capable of knocking Buddy into tomorrow if it (God forbid) were to get rough . . . of course, Buddy is deceptively powerful for a 40 lb ten-month old, and one shake if he got C would do some damage.

Ok, so I've had buddy for 3 weeks, he's a 10 month old Basenji/Lab mix with a great personality: no food aggression, no toy aggression, and seemingly little or no aggression for my VERY alpha cat, Cody. I think he believes cats are just smaller dogs!

He's very laid back inside, and goes 9000 mph outside (we are working on recall–-eeeesssshhhh).

I followed a lot of rules about introducing Buddy to Cody and kept B crated at all times until C stopped being a sphere of fur at his sight, then kept him on his leash at all times until C was comfortable walking up to B to sniff his tail. B has stayed pretty laid back, but is very curious about C--he does not seem at all aggressive, he seems like he just wants to play; C however is not so sure--while C is MUCH better now and never really puffs up, he will do the normal 'boxing' thing if B gets too eager or surprises C.

Cody is now confident enough (or it could be pissed enough?) to hide behind things and run at Buddy--he's not puffed up at all, and he stops short and just sniffs noses. Sometimes, B will stand his ground a bit, and just stand up and sniff back (no hackles up, no growling, etc), but usually he just backs away and finds something else to play with.

I have had both of them in the same room most of the time with no trouble (other than B whimpering/vocalizing when it seems like he'd like to play with Cody -- he'll even get the rump-up/head down play pose)

Anyway, is it normal for an alpha cat to 'charge' like this? And how much should I allow it to happen before squirting Cody the cat with the water/vinegar solution? If they are just finding their pecking order, I'm cool to let em sort it out as long as I'm close; but if this is an unhealthy dynamic that's about to explode, I want to catch it soon.

Thanks!
Jon, Buddy and Cody

PS Buddy is lying down on my left, and Cody is currently laying down on my right. This is not uncommon. I think they may actually like each other--but don't want to let my guard down and find a hurt kitty (or an injured eye on the pup).

@thunderbird8588:

Her is a pic of my Dalmation, Amy that i had in the 80's. She was a lovely Dog and smiled a lot, to the point of making herself sneeze :D
I used to see people quickly draw their hands away from her when she smiled and they looked at me as if i was stupid when i told them she was smiling :D

AWWW! I love it! That's a happy grinnin doggie!
Warmly
Jon

I think somebody on this forum has a profile pix of their Basenji smiling. It can be a little intimidating to see a Pit bear their teeth, even when you know they're smiling!
Warmly
Jon

@Patty:

It sounds as though Buddy has a Lab temperament rather than a Basenjis and that would account for his being so laid back indoors. Re chewing his back feet - are you sure that he's not got a pain or injury? As you say you can check with the vet.

He is a very handsome boy.

Vet didn't see anything, but I'm gonna try the washing his paws and between his toes to see if it helps–if that doesn't help, vet said it could be an adjustment thing. He doesn't show any evidence of injury visibly, and no limp or anything.

Thanks!
Warmly
Jon

@Shannanigan:

I let him chew on dental bones and he loves to roll on his back and gnaw on them that way - occasionally he will get that "smile" that you describe as looking like a "snarl". Chris sometimes even encourages him to do it because he thinks it's cute…I think it'll just scare people so I try not to encourage it, lol.

We did a LOT of "no teeth" training with him as a pup, so we can take anything away from him without much fear of getting nipped or bitten. Since you weren't there to train Buddy, I'd ask someone who would know more about what to do if he's possibly resource guarding and doesn't want his chew toy or treat taken away.

He really shows no aggression at all with food, or having toys/raw hides taken from him, or given to him by hand. He's really great about that; that being said, I'm not gonna play with fire and make a habit of taking things from his mouth or from in front of him until I have a trainer work with him to assess his vibe.

Thanks!
Warmly
Jon

@DebraDownSouth:

Put the dog on a leash, the second (really nanosec) there is tension on the leash, STOP. Sometimes I stop and if the pull continues, I back up or reverse or change directions. In no time you have a dog who pays attention to leash tension and try to anticipate where you are going. My 8 yr old child who was tiny worked my 120 pound Rottweiler at obedience thanks to loose leash training.

I've been doing this by accident–I had no idea there was a technique that could be applied. I don't feel good at all with even soft pops (for the very reasons somebody talked about in an earlier response--why would he want to come to me, or be in a leash at all, if he has a negative association with it. He's already pretty dog-on good with it, I just think I'm going to be very patient and willing to let him take the time he needs to figure it out--I think even the soft pops have been slowing things down. I'm going to stick with just stopping and changing directions 100% now. Feels better for me too.

I've heard about 'clickers' but am not sure at all what it is--going to check it out when I've replied to to folks great responses.

Thanks again! :)
Warmly
Jon

@Quercus:

I would advise you against using leash pops, particularly while you are trying to bond with a somewhat confused dog. Think of it this way…if I was trying to get you to come towards me, and I said 'Jon, come here'...and you didn't, so I grabbed your shirt collar and yanked you towards me...would that make you want to be around me more, or less? Now, on the other hand, if I said 'Jon, come here and I will turn on the football game' (or give you a dollar, or whatever floats your boat)...would you want to be around me more, or less? You can only EARN your dog's trust as the leader, you can't demand it :)

Thank you thank you!! I'll avoid those now. He still trusts me a lot, and seems really comfortable with me, so that's good. I've been 95% using reward only techniques, but when jogging, I'll do a soft pop to pull him up, or back when teaching him to Heel (which he has pretty much mastered, so I don't think there will be an issue there–I always praise him and reach down and pet him when he does heal, even if I tugged him in a bit.

Again, many thanks. I am loving all the help! I'm sure I'll be on here often--I'll post some pictures from Thanksgiving when he gets to meet and play with a really good natured Lab out in the Tx Hill Country.

Warmly
Jon

I wondered about his nails, so went ahead and trimmed em (that I know how to do). Great suggestion for wiping his paws off. I have some wipes that I'll just spend extra time between his toes.

Folks at the shelter said that the previous owner had no problems with Buddy, and that he was fairly low key inside too–but that their other dog had an issue with Buddy that time didn't heal . . . I'm hoping it's not just honeymoon! But training should help get it under control if it is.

Thanks again!
Warmly
jon

I see that 'quick reply' doesn't have those advance options–There should be a pix now. Thanks!

As for the wrinkling his nose, no he's not doing it just with food or anything, in fact, he will sometimes just be belly up and mouthing at a toy or his raw hide. He seems happy (maybe he's doing one of those smiling things :D ).

I'm noticing now, that after we get done running at town lake, that when we get home, he doesn't want to get out of the car, I get him out with "Buddy Come! Then a treat, but pretty often, I have to tug him a bit to encourage movement, or give a small pop on the leash for him to listen--I'm hoping this is the right thing to do---I'm waiting to hear back from the trainer, but have been reading about establishing that I'm the pack leader, and the different levels of correction.

Thanks for any tips! I think some of this may be better under the 'Training' thread, so I'll go in there too and look around, but please let me know here if you've got tips, or already know of a thread over in the Training area--just post a link to it.

warmly
Jon

Thanks! He's one yr old, I'll try to insert a pix of Buddy and I right now . . . no luck, I have one on my desktop, but when I click the 'insert picture' icon at the top of this reply box, it asks for the URL (vs the location on my computer)?

I hope he stays like this! I've seen some stories on here of these guys staying the same, and some turning around. I think really good, consistent training will vastly improve my chances.

The 'snarl' isn't one of his vocalizations–he's silent when he does it--he just wrinkles his nose and his teeth show for a second or 2.

He also gnaws at his paws (usually rear paws) a little. No blood or anything, but seems a little odd. I'll ask the vet too.
Warmly
Jon

Hi, (I'll give a few details about Buddy, then ask my question: He's neutered, got a great vet exam report, etc)

I just rescued what seems to be a GREAT dog! I've had him for 2 days, and he's really laid back inside (sleeps, or just lays around), is playful outside, does great with kids, new people, and other dogs (really good with small dogs too). He has also been really good with cats. He met my gf's 16 yr old persian (he was on a leash) and backed up a little, then licked her (she actually allowed this). He's very interested in my VERY alpha 10 yr old cat, and my cat is warming up to him.

He's already crate trained, and seems house trained, does pretty well on a leash (though has slipped out of collar a few times, but just jogged around and let me put the collar back on him with no problem–I have the collar a bit tighter now).

So here's the question: He seems to be nothing like what I've read about Basenji's other than barkless, not much odor, and very curious about moving objects (although he is doing very well with learning 'leave it alone')--is his lethargy inside normal for a Basenji? I know he can be getting used to the new environment, and misses his old playmates at the shelter (and probably the people). I just don't want to miss anything. I will be getting obedience classes asap, and possibly seeing if he can pass Delta Society standards to get trained as a therapy dog (I do counseling in private practice).

Sometimes, he sort of snarls, but does not seem at all upset--no growling or aggressive behavior; it's a full, but brief, snarl when he's rolling around on the floor with his rawhide--just seems like nothing, but again, I don't want to miss any warning signs.

Thanks for reading this long post. If y'all have any advice for me, I'd love it! I'm sure the trainer will help a lot, but I'd love to have input from Basenji experts from the get-go. If I'm in for an abrupt turnaround in behavior, I'd like to know asap. I'm taking plenty of time with him in crate when my cat is around, and when he is not in crate, he's on leash until I can really trust em together (which I'm prepared for this to be months, or maybe never, but so far, he doesn't seem scared of cats, or aggressive with em, and will back away first; he and my cat sniffed noses today, and he tried to sniff the cats rear today (the cat was a bit surprised by that one and hid for a minute).

Warmly
Jon