Hes 4 months So our puppy is teething that would explain all the bitting and chewing problems we have been having.

Thank You so much this explains alot I didn't even think about that he might be loosing teeth.

I know I haven't been on latley life can be crazy busy with 4 children, a puppy, and a husband

I have a question and I figured mabey someone her would know the answer. Today ouyr puppy, Guru, was chewing on paper (he loves to do this) and we noticed his gums werre bleeding. Is this normal? Why would his gums bleed? I figure he will probably have to go to the vet but I wanted to ask all of you wise Basenji owners

Thank You

@Vanessa626:

Chance is 50-50 when it comes to indoors vs. outdoors. Sometimes I have to pull him outside to get him to go potty and other times he just runs right up to the door waiting. Who knows what a Basenji is thinking :rolleyes:

How is Guru's potty training going? Any better? I found this Bissel steam cleaner from Target and it works great for picking up nasty puppy messes and it gets rid of the smell so they will not go back to the same spot. It was under 60 bucks! You might want to pick one up.
~Vanessa

I need that what was it called?

His newest thing ins sniffing the litter box and peeing just outside it:eek: Or he will poop on the futon in the living room. He just peed on a pillow my dd was laying on out there :mad: lucky it was a huge pillow and didnt get her head (it was at the opposite end). So he is outside for the moment. Off to go clean

Oh how scary. Our puppy just stares at the door (like hes thinking about it) the kids opened the front door today and I came into the room and he was just siiting under my desk staring at the door. He hates outside though and would rather stay in all day.

Here is how I see it. Puppies and dogs are a commitment just like a child. You need to commit to your puppy that you will love him no matter what and take care of him. What everyone is saying is soo true my B is a toddler looking to explore and investigate. It is my fault if he gets into something not his. Yes I will be one mad mommy but I am at fault. My children have learned that if they leave their toys out and Guru (our chews them up the toy goes in the trash. Guru doesnt get in trouble he saw something that looked like fun and wanted to play.

I also have a six month old and our puppy does great with him but I am right by my son everytime Guru is near him to make sure there are no problems and keep both puppy and baby safe from harm. I have spent the entire time since we got Guru training my children and him to be good and gentle with each other. I know it will take time but I am commited to Guru and he is a part of my family. Each person in my family has a part in taking care of Guru. My oldest who is six is teaching him tricks, my 5 year old helps feed him and makes sure he has water, my 3 year old gives him treats and puts him outside when we go places, my 6 month old has given him treats and pet him. Me and my husband clean up after him and do the major training and correction. Mabey you should try getting into a class to train your B.

I wouldnt leave the baby alone with the puppy until he is good with the baby just like I would never leave my 3 year old alone with the baby while I go potty. He might do something he shouldnt because he doesnt know what is okay and what is not.

I hope this doesnt offend you but that it helps you.

Thank You I can't wait to have some time to read it all

@Quercus:

Basically, my way of training (not that it is unusual) steers away from the older way of thinking that people must constantly let their dogs know they are in charge. We teach our dogs how we want them to behave gently, and set them up for success.

For instance if one of the dogs is doing something I don't want them to, I usually try to train a replacement behavior that is incompatible with the unwanted behavior. So, if the dogs are hovering around my preschooler as he is eating. I train them to sit on the couch and wait until he is done before they can get up.

I don't know…I guess I kind of have everything set up so they rarely get into trouble, they all have a nice strong "leave it" ..so I don't have go around saying "No....no....no....stop that" If they do have or do something they shouldn't I actually get up, and remove it.

If they need a correction, it is much more effective, IMO to grab their scruff and give them a little shake and growl. Though I rarely do this with my dogs, and I would hesitate to suggest anyone try that with their dog, if they don't know how they might react.

Does that answer your question? If you check out trainers such as Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson...some of those folks, those are the people I trust.

And, strangely...our Ivy always ate the hard plastic part of the binkie...so even if she just had it for a milisecond she would make the plastic part scratchy!

Yep Guru chews on the hard part even though I did once find it in his mouth like you would see in a babies mouth like he was sucking on it.

@Vanessa626:

When I met you and the kids they looked like they really enjoyed him. :o
We plan on signing up with Aila. We used her last year and she was great! I'll get her schedule soon and forward it to you. It will be evening classes most likely but we'll figure it out.
How bout those binki's. Any better?
Chance loves feet too! I will be sitting down and he will just nustle right up against me and fall asleep. Its quite funny at times. He will just lick my pants over and over. Who knew they tasted so good :rolleyes:

I am going to invest in a pee post. I don't know if it will work but heck…better than nothing. Right now Chance really likes going potty by our front door :eek: No matter how hard I try to get him to go further away from the house he just pulls and pulls right back to the same spot. Maybee this will help keep him in an area.

Well are binks are all gone the last one ds threw out of his car seat today when we went out to lunch so not a worry anymore lol. Pee post I've never heard of that.

I was thinknig an evening class as well I dont want to take the kiddos with me, Im not that crazy . So yeah send it to me

@Vanessa626:

Thats Great! How are the kids and Guru doing together?
BTW..thanks for the 411 on the collars at petsmart. It fits Chance purfect! He constantly scratches his neck though. I think it is because his "special spot" is right there. If you just touch it his foot goes crazy
We are going to be signing up for puppy school soon..you should too! Having another B in the class would be great!!! Double Trouble :rolleyes:

We plan on signing up for classes with Guru soon Im just not sure when let me know when you are and Ill seer if I can get in the same class That would be fun

The kids are doing great with Guru he seems to really love them. My oldest is teaching him fetch lol it is so fun to watch. My 3 year old thinks Guru is his playmate. Gurus safe place has become under my desk or at my feet. So I often have wet toes (he loves toes) hes trying to get them right now but I'm trying to hide them.

Oh and we are trying to train him to stay away from the diapers his newest curiousity (we cloth diaper) He loves to get the baby during diaper changes (Its almost like he is trying to give the baby a bath) Sammy just laughs and laughs. I moved my dipes so Guru cant get them anymore except when I leave one out (than I bonk myself in the head, lucky for me he hasnt ruined one yet.)

that is great to hear. He sounds just like one of my children fighting bed time. give it a week and he'll test you just dont give in I just got our B going poop in his box using tricks I use with my human kids LOL.