This is an old thread, but we'd love to hear updates. Still very fitting with our on-going issues with Mowgli's separation / confinement anxiety. Lola? Mldawson?

If I tried to pick up Sam and carry him away from a fight he would have a go at me. When he is worked up and I've tried to get him away he has bitten me. In every other respect he is a wonderful dog whom I love v much. I find it interesting that I haven't come across any other basenjis in this forum as aggressive as mine. Sam doesn't just growl or snap at other male dogs he actively pushes them and tries to goad them into fighting. I'm beginning to think that Sam is a particularly 'rambunctious' pup?

@LovingLola: Thanks. I didn't know that they should see an opthamologist regularly. Yes, it is highly recommended, IMO for all breeds, but especially for ours that have eye problems. Like I said, once I have a base line that shows no problems, I don't have a problem with going every two years when in their prime. And it is not all that expensive at least not in the Bay Area and believe me, we are pretty pricey on Vet things….

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

@LovingLola: Recently, we had a relative over who is afraid of dogs. We simply put the gate at our dining room entrance, so Lola was on the other side and had the run of most of the house. She sat at the gate, whining and screaming at us. I had a friend who was afraid of the dogs, so I put the baby gate up, Sugar took one look at the gate, sat down, yodeled and promptly sailed over it! Needless to say, I don't worry too much about her anymore!

Rascal has some serious stomach issues. The last time we fell off the wagon and didn't monitor her food intake well she developed pancreatitis. One piece of information our vet gave us, that I've begun to follow religiously, is to check the fat content in all of your treats and food. For a sensitive stomach it should be around 4-6 percent. Anything more is hard on the digestive tract. After checking most of the treats in the food aisle, and believe me I have, you'll see that the range falls anywhere from 4 up to 16 percent fat or more.

Also, what if she decides to go see what she can chew on while she waits for you to wake up and let her outside to pee. Oh, there are so many reasons I can think of not to let her free at night, and my Jenny is a pretty good basenji when compared to the descriptions of "typical". Lola is obviously comfortable with the crate, and trying to figure out how to manipulate you ("shaped your behavior" in clicker training lingo) into not crating or leaving her. @Quercus: I think she is just going thru an adjustment period. The most important part is to never let her out of her crate, or pay attention to her when she is screaming in her crate. It is a good sign that she is fussing when you leave, it means that she is bonding with you, and doesn't want you to leave. Keep in mind that it probably wasn't her choice to leave her last family…and she may have some separation anxiety because she is wondering where they went. But no matter how heart wrenching that is, you have to be firm on the rules of no attention when fussing, and not baby her. She will get used to your routine soon. Tell your co workers that all that noise is normal :) I feel your pain! Hang in there! IF you break down and let her out while fussing, you will be reinforcing the fussing behavior. Also you will be strengthening the behavior, thus making it more difficult to extinguish or change. AND if you wait longer and longer (and while the fussing escalates) before breaking down and giving in, you WILL increase the intensity of the fussing. Be strong, breathe deep, use earplugs if necessary, and RELAX. It helps to be cool and aloof about the situation.