• unfortunately kipawa, we have about 40'' of snow piled up and the small pathways are iced. I have a litter box, which the breeder used…he poops in it everytime but has only hit the pad once out of about 6 times, I place him on the pad when I know he has to go, he promptly gets off and goes immediately after I take him off! I have the timing right but not the result...LOL.


  • Thanks tlish- I knew the yellow would really stand out against his black shiny coat. He met my 14 month old nephew and both did really well. Oakley didn't jump on him or mouth at all & gave a few kisses on the face- while Aidan didn't pull on him and was gentle, he even layed his face on Oakley's when he was napping and smiled a big grin…it was nice to see my two loves together.

    So, I am sure I will need a lot of advice in the next couple weeks so I am glad everyone is here, it makes it feel less overwhelming! You always know it will be a lot of work but don't really grasp it until they are here!


  • What a cute boy, have lots of fun with him


  • He is a gorgeous pup, love his face. Remember, he has just been "kidnapped" away from mom and family, in a strange place with no other pups or mom to snuggle with. But as everyone said, don't cave to every whimper, or he will be the boss right from day-1! Enjoy your baby!


  • Thanks for the advice MacPack, it's just good to know this is normal…I know it is but hearing it just makes me feel better.


  • What an absolute cutie-pie!

    How about if you put the pads in a box too?


  • Congratulations on finally having Oakley home with you.

    @Chealsie508:

    I have a litter box, which the breeder used…he poops in it everytime but has only hit the pad once out of about 6 times, I place him on the pad when I know he has to go, he promptly gets off and goes immediately after I take him off!

    Is there a reason you are using pads in conjunction with a litter box? I teach my pups to do both in the litter box. (They learn the poop part much faster than the pee part but they eventually get the idea.)


  • Thanks Debra, I have pads underneath the equine pine, and yodeldogs, I am not sure why I am using both- I guess in case he misses…he is 3/3 on the poops and getting a little better peeing, I put him in the litter box and he thinks it's a game to get away but he does have to go- I clearly am a newbie.LOL. you all would be staring and laughing in between handfuls of popcorn! So, I guess I will take away the pads and only use the litter box


  • Congratulations.. He is really cute. I love the black and white b,s. My next B will hopefully look just like Oakley… be patient... Don't freak out, ask away, no one knows more
    About basenjis than the people in this forum... And don't give in, if you do now at the beginning you will have problems for long time. he'll cry and eventually be quiet. Don't ever let him out until he calms down, and don't make a fuss about coming and going.....
    Enjoy!!!!


  • Thanks dmey…totally going through the feelings of being a parent, always worrying about doing the right thing and not making mistakes. But as my first B- i know i will make some


  • What a cutie!! My Boy cried the first night and on the way home, but overcame it when he got attention when he was quiet.


  • the night went much better than expected..
    however, today I feel like a failure! I am fully aware that it is only day two but I can't get Oakley to pee in his litterbox, nevermind his pad in front…he pees three inches from the pad! My timing isn't generally the problem, I know he has to go and I put him on the pad but he thinks its a game, gets off and immediately pees. If I catch him peeing next to the pad I pick him up and put him on the pad...he stops peeing then walks away to finish. On the upside he has been great with pooping. Also, a question to others- are basenjis good with their bones? My sister was over and he was chewing on a nylabone and for the first time I heard him growl at her...he doesn't do that with me...


  • Hate to say it… but I would have to say that is a sign of resource guarding, IMO. Certainly this is all new to him... and meeting other new people, but this could very easily lead to a problem. Try the trade.... when he is chewing the bone, have your sister do the "leave it" and at the same time offer another yummy treat in exchange....


  • thats what I was thinking…I was able to take it away without him growling, he just had his head down with a little pressure but made no attempts to growl or reach for it....it was the nylabones they can eat...he is fine with his food, treats and all other toys...but from now on I will have other people trade rather than stepping in if I don't need to I will have to really work on this as I don't want it to be an issue with my young nephew


  • Oh the joys of being a new parent!:rolleyes:


  • @Chealsie508:

    Oh the joys of being a new parent!:rolleyes:

    Of course I should have said that the first course is that you should talk to the breeder. They know the pups, they know what works….

    Beyond that, I would start making him work for food and treats... and while he may not do that with his food now, I would still work on taking it away while eating... (always with exchange for something better)... and if you want put your hand in the bowl when he is eating, you should be able to do that too.....


  • Ayo did that once when he was a puppy , with rawhide, and he did it one more time with a marrow bone. Here is what I did, it worked for me. I decided instantly that that was unacceptable and proceeded to remove it regardless of his growling, and then return it when he calmed down. Over and over, and then I would wait a while and do it again. I would do that all the time, every time he had something or I gave him something, every time I walk by him and he has something I take it away and then give it back, , teaching him leave it , in the process but if it wassomthing really tasty he wouldn t leave it I would take it away and then give it back. make him work for everything you give him, and make sure you are the first one in and out the door. Also. When you feed him, touch him, pet him while he is eating, and have the rest of your family do that also. .
    I am no expert, but this worked for me, he has never done at again, not even with the real bones or the raw meat , not even with other dogs!!!. i still do it whenever I remember, I give him something, then take it away.
    Its important to deal with that right away, when he is a young puppy…


  • I totally agree with Pat and Dmey. In my opinion it is essenttial that any one should be able to take food away from a dog of any sort. What happens if he/she has picked up some thing that is dangerous to eat? Mine have always been taught to give up anything I ask for and to be petted while they are eating. I think its especially important when small children are around. I find that when they are brought up in this way they seldom resource guard.


  • I always play with his food, put my hand in his bowl or pick it up, feed a couple kibbles by hand and he shows no signs of being bothered by it. Also, he was around my fourteen month old nephew again today and he does really well with him. They are both at the age where you have to teach them what "gentle" means so when Aidan accidentally pulled hard on his leash he was fine…and when Aidan was throwing around pots and pans and banging on them with a spatula he just watched him. He doesb't jump on him or mouth at all...the only thing is he licks his face and Aidan wipes his face and pushes him away. He seems very gentle and kind to him which makes me happy. We also had a great walk today...a natural at walking on a leash 😃


  • Oakley is very handsome, congratulations

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