Do Basenjis behave better as they grow old?

[prlaw1515]

Hi

I have a one year old male basenji. We live in a apartment and it's been really hard to train our basenji. I'd like to know if their behavior gets better as they are more mature; what can I do to stop him from chewing everything; and if they behave better of they get castrated.

Please any ideas? I do love him very much, he is absolutely gorgeous and kind

[lvoss]

As you get more experienced and learn more about training and learn to manage your dog's behavior, it gets better. As for is age going to solve the problems of chewing your stuff and getting into everything in the house, NO. My boy is 4 days shy of 12 years old and just finished decorating my kitchen in trash because the child safety lock broke on the cabinet it is in.

Are you in a training class with your basenji? I find mine behave better when we are either taking classes or actively competing. It seems we are a better team at those times and they are also getting plenty of mental stimulation.

[Kananga]

Ivoss sums it up quite well. They certainly tend to calm down as they get older, but bad behaviors don't magically disappear.

[JazzysMom]

Basenjis are known for their love of chewing things – toys, shoes, rungs of chairs, ink pens, CD cases -- If you have one that really loves to chew, you're most likely facing the next 12 - 17 yrs of keeping your things picked up!
PIA, perhaps, but a GREAT motivation for maintaining a tidy home! LOL

Just curious if you had researched the breed before you got one? Most sites/owners/breeders would have mentioned that most Basenjis take more dedication in training than many, many breeds. Patience, perseverance, patience, dedication, humor, patience......

[nobarkus]

Young one's are naturally more mischievous because like kids they're immature. Getting into garbage is going to happen at any age because there's the smell of food more than just wanting to get into to something. Dogs like people in that they all behave differently. Buddy, 1 year old is my 4th Basenji and he takes more work then my previous 3 as he likes to garb or chew things he shouldn't. He's come along way in 6 months. When I first got him I couldn't take my eye off him. Now I can go to the store and he's pretty good about being left along in the house but not all day. I let Buddy know with a firm "NO" that the chair and carpet are not his toys and when he goes for them, it's "NO" then I give him his toys or bones right away so he knows. It takes lots and lots of repetition.

[renaultf1]

My boy Brando turned 5 in October. If he wants attention, he'll chew things he shouldn't. The other day I was talking on the phone - all of a sudden the channels started changing - at first I thought something was wrong with cable - then I turned around and Brando had the remote in his mouth. Stupid Mom for leaving the remote where he could get it. :rolleyes:

[lvoss]

Getting into the trash is what Nicky did today. Yesterday he pulled papers off my desk and ripped them to shreds. He has also "tested" all the new bully pads for Rio's whelping pen for chew resistance as I was unpacking them. He does chew less than he did as a youngster but he still gets into plenty of trouble. For him household stress is a trigger for bad behavior so the rash shredded paper, counter surfing, etc is all in anticipation of the new puppy's arrival.

[nobarkus]

@lvoss:

Getting into the trash is what Nicky did today. Yesterday he pulled papers off my desk and ripped them to shreds. He has also "tested" all the new bully pads for Rio's whelping pen for chew resistance as I was unpacking them. He does chew less than he did as a youngster but he still gets into plenty of trouble. For him household stress is a trigger for bad behavior so the rash shredded paper, counter surfing, etc is all in anticipation of the new puppy's arrival.

Is Niky the one that's 12?

[tanza]

@prlaw1515:

Hi

I have a one year old male basenji. We live in a apartment and it's been really hard to train our basenji. I'd like to know if their behavior gets better as they are more mature; what can I do to stop him from chewing everything; and if they behave better of they get castrated.

Please any ideas? I do love him very much, he is absolutely gorgeous and kind

Also, unless you are breeding you are better off to have him neutered (at least mostly standard practice in the US).

[lvoss]

@nobarkus:

Is Niky the one that's 12?

Yes. He will be twelve in 4 days. He has always been the one to get into everything and loves shredding paper and climbing on the table and opening drawers, cabinets, etc. He is also the one that can open a standard fridge. I love him dearly but life is always interesting with him.

[nobarkus]

@lvoss:

Yes. He will be twelve in 4 days. He has always been the one to get into everything and loves shredding paper and climbing on the table and opening drawers, cabinets, etc. He is also the one that can open a standard fridge. I love him dearly but life is always interesting with him.

You have a challenge. Basenjis are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. My first Basenji never touched anything, my 2nd and 3rd were pretty good left in the house all day. Once in a great while something might get chewed. Now my new guy Buddy is the most work. I have to walk him much more than the others to keep his energy level in check as he'll get into things.

[Kananga]

@nobarkus:

You have a challenge. Basenjis are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. My first Basenji never touched anything, my 2nd and 3rd were pretty good left in the house all day. Once in a great while something might get chewed. Now my new guy Buddy is the most work. I have to walk him much more than the others to keep his energy level in check as he'll get into things.

That's probably one the key things keeping me from getting another Basenji right now. The unknown…. :o

My current Basenji is almost perfect. No counter surfing, furniture chewing has stopped, doesn't really get into anything, etc. I don't think I have the free-time currently to keep up with a Basenji that does the opposite of that.

[nobarkus]

@Kananga:

That's probably one the key things keeping me from getting another Basenji right now. The unknown…. :o

My current Basenji is almost perfect. No counter surfing, furniture chewing has stopped, doesn't really get into anything, etc. I don't think I have the free-time currently to keep up with a Basenji that does the opposite of that.

It can be exhausting! I have had 2 at one time but they weren't too bad. To have 2 like Buddy would be a lot of work. I love him and he's the friendliest and sweetest of them all but the most obnoxious.

[lvoss]

Each one is unique and comes with their own challenges and rewards. Though Nicky is a busy dog and has always been so, he is also truly devoted to me and is right there next to me when I am under the weather. Rally is in trouble much less only occassionally TPing the house but she is also much more demanding about getting attention, NOW! She hops in your lap and nudges the other dogs off or the lap top or the textbook or whatever you are doing other than giving her your undivided attention. Rio is a sweetheart, willing to have attention on your schedule as long as you are willing to allow her a space next to you but she hates to see the other dogs get in trouble and does her best to distract you when they are being naughty. Sophie is sort of between Rally and Nicky, more busy than her mom but not as busy an Nicky but also more demanding of attention. She is also an utter blast as an agility partner because she loves to work with you.

[renaultf1]

@lvoss:

Each one is unique and comes with their own challenges and rewards.

+1 - exactly right!

[Basenjimamma]

Otis has gotten better since we got him at 4 months..now he is almost 1 yrs old (in 20 days)..I expect it to not get better then this…a few stolen things off the counter, pens chewed up, kids toys stolen out of their rooms, pantry door opener..trash digger if he sees his way in and the like.....until he gets closer to two..if ever!!
But that is what you get when you get a B in your life...you never know..like a box of chocolate..and you better like the cherry cordials..because that might be the chocolate your B ends up being...eeekkk!!
If you really think it is bad..get a podengo... like a basenji but in grande size.....

[Kananga]

@Basenjimamma:

…a few stolen things off the counter

A few incidents or a few things? We all know Otis and his adventures of counter surfing.

[prlaw1515]

Thank you guys for all the good advice, I guess it's all about patience and love

[Lenora]

I'll agree that they get calmer as they get older. Abbey will be 6 Christmas Day. She doesn't need the crate when I'm gone. She's never bothered the toilet paper. Never poked her nose in the fridge when the door's open. Doesn't snack on shoes anymore. But I can't come home and drop my purse and coat on the chair or leave a book on the coffee table when I go to the other room. Just found fresh toothmarks on the legs of new dining chairs. Major losses this year have been my cell phone, 3 remotes, 2 doormats (doormats have 10 minute lifespan in our house), one alarm clock, a package of frozen shrimp, a bed pillow, one electric toothbrush, a jade plant, and the edge of the bedroom carpet going into the bathroom. No they never grow up. Never say never with a basenji because they're just waiting for you to let your guard down to prove you wrong. I've got to go now it's too quiet in the other room…..

[prlaw1515]

@JazzysMom:

Basenjis are known for their love of chewing things – toys, shoes, rungs of chairs, ink pens, CD cases -- If you have one that really loves to chew, you're most likely facing the next 12 - 17 yrs of keeping your things picked up!
PIA, perhaps, but a GREAT motivation for maintaining a tidy home! LOL

Just curious if you had researched the breed before you got one? Most sites/owners/breeders would have mentioned that most Basenjis take more dedication in training than many, many breeds. Patience, perseverance, patience, dedication, humor, patience......

My brother got the dog but he had to move to Vermont and can not take the dog with him right now, so my mother and I are taking care of Rocky. It's been a challenge but worth it, we love him!