Necessity of crate training

Basenji Training

  • My husband and I also are home all day every day. We're not retired yet, but we both have home offices. We definitely find the crate a very valuable part of our strategy with our new puppy Zelda. She is 13 weeks. It's so great for housetraining. It's also great for things you take for granted now :) Shower time, important phone call time, etc.

    I use the crate as part of normal routine for the first 1 to 2 years. After that, with our lifestyle, it is much less "necessary", but it's still available to us for trips and so forth.

    Our family loves crates – including the basenji.

  • First Basenji's

    I too use the crate for our new puppy. At first I really didn't want to do it, but did so just because of what the people on this forum had to say. After about a week we started really using it more and more. I really like the calming effect of the crate and the fact that he can go with me anywhere I go and be/feel secure. I have noticed that Faro will get out of control some and the best way to calm him is to crate him. Now he actually likes it. At first he cried some but now he does great any time he is in the crate.


  • Crate training for any dog is mandatory, IMO (yes I know there are some that just can't be crated, but for the rest)… However, I never use the crate as punishment.. it is always a safe, good, quiet and most important "their" place.

    And they should be crated in a car too or restrained with a doggy seat belt. It is not safe for them or the humans to have them riding loose.

  • First Basenji's

    @tanza:

    Crate training for any dog is mandatory, IMO (yes I know there are some that just can't be crated, but for the rest)… However, I never use the crate as punishment.. it is always a safe, good, quiet and most important "their" place.

    And they should be crated in a car too or restrained with a doggy seat belt. It is not safe for them or the humans to have them riding loose.

    I know this may seem like a stupid question but I do have to ask. I said earlier that sometime my puppy will get a little wild and I will put him in the crate. it seems to help him calm himself. I don't consider this a punishment but maybe it is. Is there something else I should be doing in that instance? Thanks in advance. I am a newbie with this and love all the advice.


  • I would be willing to bet that when this happens, where he's wild and you crate him, he's actually overtired anyway.

    Our B has been like this since he was a small fry. He's like a toddler, he gets overtired, or overstimulated, then acts crazy. If we pick him up and hold him on our lap, he goes right to sleep.

    If he conks out or settles down when you crate him, he was probably tired or overstimulated to begin with.

    I don't think you're doing any harm at all.


  • I use Abby's crate when we leave…. lol, it is easier than picking up the WHOLE house. She is slow to get out of it when i do open it...slowly stretches as she is half way out than calmly walks out. I can tell she likes the down time also.
    You'll love having one around!


  • @McCannClan:

    I know this may seem like a stupid question but I do have to ask. I said earlier that sometime my puppy will get a little wild and I will put him in the crate. it seems to help him calm himself. I don't consider this a punishment but maybe it is. Is there something else I should be doing in that instance? Thanks in advance. I am a newbie with this and love all the advice.

    No, my comment was not directed to you in the situation that you are using it…. if you are calmly putting a "wired" puppy in the crate as down time with toys and/or chewies, nothing wrong with that, especially if it works. My comment was in general. Some people use it to punish a dog when they have an accident or get into something they shouldn't... that doesn't make the crate a happy place.


  • Thank you so much to everyone who answered/is answering. I am so glad I found this forum with so many knowledgeable basenji owners. Everytime I read an answer, I literally say to myself "of course!". And this is from someone who used to work in a field that required a great deal of natural logic skills! Yesterday, I had asked my sis, who owns a chow, about the riding in the car business. She too really nixed the idea of having a dog ride in the front seat of a car. She did think she had heard of a doggie seat belt, but I suppose that is only good if the dog doesn't want to try to escape. And since basenjis are the Houdinis of the dog world, I could see that being a lot more pain than training my basenji to travel in the back of a vehicle in a crate that he already loves and trusts.

    I have to say that I've never been much of a fan of newsgroups. Boy, are my feelings changing with this newsgroup! You folks are invaluable!

  • First Basenji's

    Thanks EskiLover that is exactly my logic and reasoning with Faro as well. And Tanza thanks for your efforts to reassure me. I really didn't think you meant my situation but always want to learn and grow and can never do that without clarifications. I think I might actually use our crate a little more as I would love to keep that confident happy puppy that always comes out of it. Thanks again everyone.


  • There's lots of great advice on this forum. No matter how long you've owned dogs, there's always room for more advice or info.


  • Lukris - my sentiments exactly!!

Suggested Topics

  • Crate training

    Basenji Training
    38
    0 Votes
    38 Posts
    4k Views
    elbrantE
    @sanjibasenji said in Crate training: I have much respect for that accumulated knowledge, but, not to sound rude, that does not make that person a certified or licensed trainer. I actually was offended by what you posted. You said you respect the knowledge, but disregard it because they aren't a "certified or licensed trainer"? These are well-intentioned breeders who volunteer to engage with others on the Forum in an attempt to educate and celebrate this amazing dog breed. They share their knowledge. You don't have to agree with them. Offer your opinion and move on. Please don't suggest that their opinion, experience, and education isn't valid because they aren't "certified" or "licensed". Your overall intent screams that you believe yourself to be better than the rest of us: "I'm a scientist with a PhD." Which puts the rest of us beneath you? In education and social stature? You couldn't know about anyone's socioeconomic status, educational achievements, or expertise on any subject. But you deemed to think it was appropriate to put us in our place. And that, was rude. Even the analogy you offered is an indication that you don't value anyone who doesn't have a degree. Frankly, if you are hearing conflicting opinions about the same piece of art, get a third opinion. The person with the degree may have just scraped by with a C+, while the person who devoted decades may have been under the tutelage of a Master Artist. And really, if you are planning to purchase such a prized piece of Art, shouldn't you educate yourself so you can make an intelligent decision instead of allowing others to tell you what to buy? As an aside: The original YouTube link remains, but we certainly do not need her entire catalog of videos. Sharing information is one thing, advertising for someone is another. I would hope that you understand that not everything you see online is true. Including claims to be an expert, certified, trained, Dr., etc., etc. Lots of people in the world are just selling a story.
  • Does crate training get better?

    Basenji Training
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    3k Views
    M
    I agree, but it does take time and patience for some dogs to understand. My basenji, Charlie knows now his crate is his “home”, but from 8 weeks to now at 12 weeks, focused first on making sure he felt safe in it. This meant a Charlie proofed area that ended in his crate if he wanted to be with me while I worked. We are now introducing away time, but as mentioned, it’s building up from a mere few seconds to hours.
  • Crate Training 8 week old Basenji

    Basenji Training
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    2k Views
    No one has replied
  • Crate

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    RedVelvetLynxR
    I have the same story as nobarkus - we moved our first puppy's crate around a few times. Even from a full backyard view to a shared front bay window view (had to make room for B #2), she's always been pretty good. I think as long as the pup understands crate = happy place, you'll be fine with wherever. I used & still use treats. And to my much appreciated surprise, my little crate hater boy has become the model crated B of the 2 - he was soooooo vocal during his first month, but now he just lounges - and now my female is the whiner. :p
  • Crate training a 5 year old

    Basenji Training
    23
    0 Votes
    23 Posts
    7k Views
    jonny b.J
    yes is it air conditioned and i run a fan in the room the kennels are in. that little turkey was trying to GET IN his kennel thru the same hole he chewed to get out of it. there was a part of his chew treat left and i wont let the boys walk around the house with them. they get gooey when they chew them. so he was trying to get in to get it. crazy guy. gotta love 'em.
  • Crate and potty training help

    Basenji Training
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    8k Views
    C
    Yes husbands can be a trial at times. When my Kalya was dying from lymphoma hubby said no dogs for awhile! Kalya left on tues. for the bridge, on sat. we got a Basenji/Aussie mix, who was gonna be put down, and then3 months later got Mata Hauri Samuel to co-own. Now hubby is going in sept to the BOCA to see the african exhibit and meet some friends. Said he would love to at least see a tri! ggggg Carole