Posts made by NerdyDogOwner

Funny you mentioned amazon.

I JUST now found this one that just might fit my needs. But I think its too small.

I am considering getting Gizmo an Automatic Pet Feeder.

Why?

I find that giving him his meal in the morning before I leave results in him being in very need of going potty when I come home.. I feel his stomach, and it is pretty hard (pressure).

So if I could give him food a few hours after I leave, I think it would be better for him and his stomach.

These Automatic Pet Feeders, are not common here in Norway. Actually, I only found one! And it's a VERY cheep and plastic model. So I just might have to order from the USA.

But I would like to hear from people that actually have seen/used these.

Any feedback would be great, also if you know of any good deals (that ship overseas) I would also appreciate that!

PS
I am thinking of these electronic feeders, not Gravity Feeders where food just falls down continuously!

8 is hardly old, especially for a breed whose lifespan is around 15 years.

He is just middle aged. He is a grown man and sees no need to do childish things…;)

I actually didn't like that part. Gizmo too will instantly walk away if I PUSH him down to sit and lay like they did on the video. But if I I give a command he will sit there happily.

The whole bit seemed staged, just to use the "aloof" line. Still funny though.

Well, in any case, I'll take it!

I can picture my next Q&A about Gizmo.
"So what breed is that?"
"A Basenji."
"What are they used for?"
"Hunting LIONS!!"
"…."

Hm, "hunt lions?" In all my books it states they where used to hunt antelopes, not lions!

What a well done video. Applause to Animal Planet. Loved that they mentioned Fanconi, and making sure you use a reputable breeder.

Yeah, I was an wreck sitting in the waiting room for the results. All kinds of scenarios going through my head…testicular cancer or something...oh god.

Funny thing, Gizmo does not mind going to the vet. He actually happily enters the vet building. Gets a lot of attention from all the staff.
The thing he does hate is the wait. This is the only time I actually hear him make any sound. He will whimper and protest. Trying to pull his way in different directions, but the floor is so slippery to his feet he just "walks" on the spot...makes me laugh.

Well Gizmos vaccine appointment didn't quite go as planned. On our walk to the vet Gizmo urinated blood!

So the vet visit turned into urine testing and a 10 day antibiotics cure…the vaccine is postponed because you can't take the vac when on antibiotic, and then you have to wait some weeks after before the vac can be taken.

Thankfully it was nothing serious. Testes showed nothing abnormal.
Gizmo has had a foreskin/penis infection and despite me cleaning him regularly, it has most likely either gone up into his urinal tract, or some blood vessels in the foreskin or on the penis has burst and drops of blood come out.

My theory is Gizmo did this on purpose just to avoid the shot!

Sigh, still waiting for Gizmo to discover his voice…1y4m and still nothing. Only when I leave will he howl.

BTW, wasn't there someone with a Beagle/Basenji mix here, and they where going to try to film as he "barked"?

Well yes, just like any condition. The thing is people think because their dog cries and howls when then leave, then it's separation anx. Same if the dog is following them all over the place. Which it's not.

The panting is a dead giveaway. Dogs don't sweat, so if you see your dog panting and shaking like crazy when you come home, just picture a person shaking and sweating….you would know instantly that that person was breaking down.

Gizmo would be like that. He would be panting and shaking, whimpering and fast pacing back and forth not knowing what to do, when I entered the room after being away. He would claw and chew til his teeth bleed and paws bleed. Poop, vomit, urinate, destruction...you name it, he did it.

If you are interested then there are several good reads out on the internet to read on the subject. Books too, one that I liked, was I'll be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety. It's not a super book (actually it's more of a pamphlet than a book), but it does have some good general information on the condition and tips on how to battle it.

With Gizmo I had to end up using drugs. I had tried every Technique , and was getting nowhere. They helped to calm him down enough so the training took hold. But we are not 100% out of the clear yet. But it is far better now than it was in the beginning.

This isn't Separation Anxiety! People are way to quick to toss out the "Separation Anxiety" condition.

What is the state of your dog when you come home? Is she panting and shaking? No? Has she destroyed furniture, urinated, vomited, pooped, frantically scratching/chewing at the door until her paws bleed? No? Then it's not separation anxiety.

I have a Basenji with serious Separation Anxiety, and have been battling it for almost a year now! Trust me, what you have mentioned does not come close.

This sounds more like boredom, or protest that you have left her. Remove the bedding, have some safe toys available, like a stuffed KONG or something when you leave. You want her to enjoy that you are leaving. So only give the KONG when you leave and not when you are at home.

I am actually dreading this. Basenji's have such a undeserving bad rep, and I would hate to see it strengthened with a bad 101 video.

Gizmo is up for his 1 year vaccine, and I want to make sure he gets what is best for him.

I remember reading on these forums some people stating that Basenjis should not get "all in one" vaccines.

Is this true, if so why? And what should he be getting?

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Neutering is not an option for me, at least not yet. Here in Norway people usually don't neuter. Neutered dogs get humped by everything (females and males) when they enter the park, and the dog gets VERY stressed. I don't want to put him through that.

The treats is not a problem. I have never encountered a dog that bugged me for them, and like you (MacPack) mentioned, I too get Gizmo to jump up on the table in the park to distract and give treats.
I keep the treats in an airtight container, which might be why the dogs are not reacting to them. Actually, it's Gizmo that bugs others for treats..lol

I give Gizmo one chance to listen to me. If he still stands his ground we will always leave the park.

Today things went very well. I had with me some nice fresh chicken, and called him to me continually throughout the time in the park. And awarding him.

A HUGE German Shepard came to the park, and Gizmo was instantly nervous. And started growling etc. Both of them stood staring each other down.

I didn't yell "No!", but used my "Ah-Aah" voice in a strict manner. Gizmo reacted to me, and slowly backed away, and eventually came over. He was still nervous, and was watching the Shepard. So I made him work for his treats, going trough them with sit, shake etc.
And before I knew it, he was fully focused and paying attention to me. The Shepard was walking around us the whole time. When we stopped, he didn't react to the Shepard as strongly.
There was a short little growl, but they both moved on.

Gave me hope.

Gizmo does come to me when I call. He will only ignore if there is a dog he does not like.

As for saying "No!" when he growls, I don't think that's a good idea. The growl is a warning sign, and training your dog not to do that is removing that behavior, and you risk having a dog that will go straight to an attack instead. That was one of the first things they taught us at the puppy class.

Hehe, and I am pretty sure Tillo and Gizmo would get along fine. It's not like he is a monster or anything. It's just how to handle this behavior is what I am looking for.

He is still intact, and he is now about 1 year and 2-3 months.

After Gizmo was attacked by that German Shepard a while back, his behavior has changed dramatically when in the dog-park.

90% of the time things are fine. He plays, runs and has a great time. But whenever a dark dog that is similar to the size of a German Shepard shows up, he will growl and stand his ground, very dominantly.

Now I did some searching, and found out that after such an incident he has experienced, this growling is due to extreme fear. Apparently showing weakness is "death", so he has to show that he is not to be messed with. Sometimes when he is REALLY scarred foam will start around his mouth.
Sadly the articles I have read had little to no methods as to how to deal with it, except when on walks with a leash (in a nutshell they just said avoid other dogs).

So I have been using the "distraction technique", calling him away from the situation and trying to sooth him by rubbing his chest and talking calmly to him once I have him next to me. He will still growl, and lick his lips (nervous). And if it's very bad I will leave the park.

Gizmo being attacked is very well known incident in the park, and all the other owners have sympathy for Gizmo and understand his fear and reaction. And in most cases he will eventually calm down and accept the other dog. This pattern has been going on for several months, and I was hoping he would eventually get over it and realize there is nothing to fear.

At least that's what I thought, and that's what many other owners also said.

But the last 3 times Gizmo has become more brave, and has started to full out snap at them, and then attack the dogs instead of just standing his ground growling.
Yesterday a dog did not put up with his behavior, and fought back. A bit of blood was shed, nothing serious just a little scratch.

My distraction technique is no longer working, he will ignore me and focus 100% on the other dog. He will now deliberately follow after the dog, walk up close to him and growl. Eventually snapping at them, which will lead to a fight.

This is getting very annoying, embarrassing, and worrisome. My sweet Gizmo is becoming a problem dog. It's as if his fear is escalating into some serious domination and aggression.

Does anyone have any ideas?

@thunderbird8588:

Interesting video, i think any animal that shows potential could be considered a service animal, why just stick to Dogs ?

Maybe someone just might try for guide Apes! They are considered the most intelligent animals, so it wouldn't surprise me. :p