Skip to content

Why is my 8 month old digging?

Behavioral Issues
  • Hi all. We recently adopted an 8 month old Basenji from a shelter. We brought him home a few days ago and he's lovely. But whenever we leave him alone outside, he digs. When we see him and come outside to tell him to stop, he'll run away and dig somewhere else. He's already dug a hole under our fence to get to our neighbor's yard, and they have a husky, which worries me. I don't want him to get hurt and I don't want him digging up our yard. We've already tried cutting access to the areas he likes to dig, but he finds new ones.

    We feed him, give him fresh water, play with him, but he still digs. Is it a showing of disrespect? Is it boredom? What can I do?

Suggested Topics

  • 9 months and suddenly scared of everything

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    6k Views
    ZandeZ
    @rugosa said in 9 months and suddenly scared of everything: They feel more confident when you exhibit confidence Very well put ! Quiet, firm, confidence - a Basenji reacts to voice, and if he/she senses uncertainty, that is what it will react to !
  • Hiperactive 16 month old B...

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    7k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @Muro-Pads said in Hiperactive 16 month old B...: He's 16 months old. I did hire a personal trainer, and accomplish basic training, basenji style with no immediate come, short stay and no heel what's so ever 😜 Lol. But now that you mention it, I haven't been paying much attention to brain stimulation. I will try that. Any games in mind? He won't fetch...not that I expect him to... Well, you should be able to get an immediate come in an enclosed area. Even if you use a 40 ft line and reel him in, it does help. And heeling... they can do it but it's more fun not to. :) My basenjis all played fetch, btw. I start out with them inside, tossing the toy up in the air, playing tug with it... get REALLY revved up...toss off bed. They get it, bring back. Happy reward, more play. Then I work to the hall way. And I had to admit, once outside, it's 20/80 on getting it back more than a time or 2. HOWEVER, I took a lunge whip, tied a toy to it, and can get them to chase it in circles til their tongues hang out. As for mind/senses use. Teach scent games. :) My daughter used peanut butter on treats and went in room, down hall, places in the house, eventually outside. She was 8 working with a rottweiler who has far less ability than our basenji. :) Here's a page with some tips http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/pets/dog-behavior/fun-nose-games-for-your-dog Dog toys that they have to manipulate to get the treat help. I have to admit mine never liked them unless they were so noisy you needed ear plugs. Favorite ever was a freaking heavy wigler milk jug which I could throw a few treats in, toss outside and let the dog knock it all over the yard getting the toy out. But not really that mind stimulating once they figure it out. I keep looking at this one but not sure how well Cara would go for it: http://www.amazon.com/TRIXIE-Pet-Products-Board-Level/dp/B0054Q9TMA/ref=pd_bxgy_199_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1226G4ZQN61BFCV4RSE9
  • 14 yrs old peeing

    Behavioral Issues
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    7k Views
    S
    Our Basenji had incontinence and sometimes there isn't anything you can do but we gave her probiotics and that helped tremendously. We used new chapter as it was water soluble and added it to her food. But in the end she had kidney failure so you should get her blood work checked.
  • Basenji meets Two year old

    Behavioral Issues
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    1k Views
    No one has replied
  • Do Basenjis behave better as they grow old?

    Behavioral Issues
    39
    0 Votes
    39 Posts
    20k Views
    A
    we don't have a problem with the trash, but we no curtians left as Chaos thinks they are her personal chew toys.
  • Agression towards my 3 year old

    Behavioral Issues
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    12k Views
    J
    It's scary with a toddler in the house. Even though Willie has gotten soooo much better, when I recently had little children in the house for a short visit, I kept him on a leash. You just can't watch them 100 percent of the time. Here's hoping the best for Buster.