Anna
Posted : 12/13/2006 6:03:23 PM
hello, your pup is ablsolutely beautiful. I know what it's like to be a first time dog owner. there were always dogs in my family but as I was the youngest in a large family, I was never actually meant to be responsibe for the dogs (one dearly loved bitser and two deeply respected German Sheps with impeccable backgrounds) the point I'm making is that when I finaly got a pup of my own (a basenji!!!) I was like you, worried and nervy in spite of having spent Hours and Hours of research, that included ringing every person I heard of who had a basenji and using their experience to prepare myself. Like you I was convinced that my pup didn't really like me, aside from that he was a terror, probably eating his way through a room full of furniture, clothes etc. As well I had glandular fever, I had moved states, was suffering from depression and very very bad health, being self employed this meant absolute disaster. it meant coming home to a wrecked house when I barely had the energy to undress before bed. But. I never stopped loving my dog. Instead I made him my priority, I stopped trying to raise a perfect pup, I just fell in love with the pup I had and compromised along the way. Some of those dog obediance books seem to imply that unless your dog does x,y,z on demand, your dog is a demon. This is nonsense. One of the best techniques I learnt to use with Sam is distraction technique, if he had something, or was doing something innapropriate I would offer him something he liked in return and it worked all the time. Raising a basenji is very difficult, but I've now got a dog I would go to war for, he is a total babe. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't take all that text book stuff seriously, play tug with your dog if you want to, spend time having fun with your dog, that's more important than anything else, it's the most bonding, loving thing you can do with him, dogs just want to have fun, not be Hitlered about. However, it's good, fun and bonding to go through exercises with your pup like, sit, give me your paw, jump up, jump down, good boy! You are an exceptional dog and your mummy loves you very much! Stuff like that makes co-operation between you fun and loving, I still do this nearly every day with Sam (he is nearly 8 now) and he loves it, I hope this helps. just relax, have fun, play with him and tell him you love him, dogs know exactly what that means, if anything ever happens to him, your deepest regret will be "I wish I'd played with my beautiful dog more". Keep in Tibbie terriers are probably a little similar to basenjis in terms of independance, energy, single mindedness, they aren't gooey (and gooey is good) like spaniels. give your yummy puppy a good scratch on the head from me. good luck and love.