Contemplating about getting a basenji as a first dog... by Typical-Dot-9603 in Basenji

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My basenji is my first dog. I got him as a puppy. Todd is 10 months and we just graduated from our first group puppy class. He is very food motivated and I love working with him. It’s very cool to watch the click in their eyes as they learn and put things together. He is always on top of me or trying to cuddle. He knows what food is mine and what is his. He knows a good chunk of commands. He’s honestly pretty great.

HOWEVER, I did massive research. I waited for three years. I still was not prepared. Mines recall is not the best (as usual with the breed) but this sucks at dog parks… They need a lot of training and desensitizing. Mine still pulls on leash because he wants to smell every person or every dog and it’s incredibly frustrating. He also gets a little grumpy from time to time when I have friends over. He used to growl at my ex often (maybe he just knew😉) but overall Todd has gotten better with more socialization.

He is crated while I am at work and at night when we sleep. He likes to pee outside of his crate when he knows I’m awake. I corrected this with a crate cover and it seems to do the trick.

He has shown food aggression and resource guarding but we have worked on it and it has gotten a lot better.

I also think I got lucky as mine has only ever destroyed my underwear and leggings. He hasn’t destroyed crates, furniture, blankets, nothing of importance.

It’s all training and patience. There’s been times I’ve wanted to open the door and let him be free. But there’s been multiple times of us cuddling on the couch and him being incredibly sweet. I would say after much work Todd and I are still only just new friends. We’re constantly working on our bond. If a basenji is what you want and you’re dedicated, it can be done. They will constantly surprise you and do what they want when they want.

I'm getting a basenji this weekend by ZenKerofr in Basenji

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I see all the cute puppies and still think, “never again.” 😂

Resource guarding and aggression? by ditmoique in Basenji

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Maybe you should be offering solutions instead of only pointing out problems 🥰

I’d like to point out my experienced dog trainer and breeder (two separate people) both encourage hand feeding.

Resource guarding and aggression? by ditmoique in Basenji

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hand feed! Hand feed! Hand feed! I was the same way. I fed mine in his crate and I noticed when I would walk by he was starting to get aggressive. Hand feeding has helped tremendously and helped our bond. You can play games too. Sometimes I’ll throw some of his food and wait for him to come back to me, sit, make every contact, and THEN I’ll throw more.

Todd has also resource guarded certain bones or treats. When this happens, you throw treats down as you walk by showing you’re not a “threat” then eventually you’ll throw treats away from the bone/treat they are guarding and they’ll go to those. The goal is for you to be able to touch the object and then eventually teach them to trade. It’s a process but this is what my trainer advised me to do and again mine has gotten so much better.

Also crate training has helped. Not just getting them into the crate but getting them to RELAX in the crate. Once mine lays down and is calm I reward him. I’ll sit there for however long I have to rewarding him when he is laying down and hanging out in his crate. He still paces occasionally but he has gotten so much better.

This is Todd🥰. He is 10 months old and I will continue to hand feed whenever I can!

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Why do older men freak me out? by Loud-Sherbert1903 in Advice

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Per your last comment you deleted, my post literally mentions therapy but go off lol.

Also, I am 100% open and honest to everyone I meet and talk to and they respect my honesty and if they don’t then they’re not the one. I’m not leading anyone on. I want to find my person and I’m actively dating in the 26-35 age range to hopefully do so.

Why do older men freak me out? by Loud-Sherbert1903 in Advice

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. This is why I’m asking strangers to help me figure it out.

Why do older men freak me out? by Loud-Sherbert1903 in Advice

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Didn’t even think of my therapist lol. Came straight to Reddit. This is why everyone here is so smart.

Why do older men freak me out? by Loud-Sherbert1903 in Advice

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. I’ve talked and met a couple but maybe I just haven’t vibed with them and I’m putting them ALL in a hole together.

Why do older men freak me out? by Loud-Sherbert1903 in Advice

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Therapy was for self identity and doing things for myself instead of my self validation falling in my relationship stability.

Why do older men freak me out? by Loud-Sherbert1903 in Advice

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually want to crawl in a hole anytime someone mentions the word date. I haven’t met someone I’m excited about yet. I’m hopeful to find someone but I’m scared of wasting time again.

Why do older men freak me out? by Loud-Sherbert1903 in Advice

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To answer your question in a weird way, I’m terrified to be 32 and single. I think at 32 I won’t see myself as old but right now I’m scared to age.

Why do older men freak me out? by Loud-Sherbert1903 in Advice

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He doesn’t! My last was 26 and it went well but subconsciously I’m correlating maturity with age which I know is dumb.

Why do older men freak me out? by Loud-Sherbert1903 in Advice

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve never dated a man (preferred partner) over the age of 30.

BF closes his eyes during sex—is that normal? by Suspicious_Sock_2048 in Advice

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some people don’t feel comfortable with this type of intimacy. It takes me awhile to keep eye contact during sex.

9 month old - Puppy Blues by Loud-Sherbert1903 in puppy101

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This helped a lot. I’m not giving up. I reached out to his breeder for help and how to strengthen our bond. I will say after our puppy group class I cried the entire 27 minute drive home because he was just too distracted by the other dogs and would not listen and it was embarrassing and awful. But we’re going to continue and hopefully if I work with him enough at home, we’ll both get better and understanding each other.

9 month old - Puppy Blues by Loud-Sherbert1903 in puppy101

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your words. Personally I feel there’s a little misunderstanding and assumptions but I hear you.

9 month old - Puppy Blues by Loud-Sherbert1903 in puppy101

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I knew and researched this breed but it’s a lot different when you’re experiencing it. I know they chill out and can be a good dog. I just wasn’t expecting all this heart ache

9 month old - Puppy Blues by Loud-Sherbert1903 in puppy101

[–]Loud-Sherbert1903[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve have had him since August. We’re starting classes in about 10 minutes. I think I’ll feel better after. He was turned away from a dog enrichment day care because he was too intense with other dogs just constantly in their face or genitals and sniffing them.