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Basenji, I'm Overwhelmed…..HELP!!!

Behavioral Issues
  • tanzaT

    BAD IDEA… IMO... Electric Fences.... period

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    I think an electric fence used INSIDE a real fence to stop a climber is often a good option. But as the only fence… no. They learn they can run through it fast... but won't come back in. Other animals can get to them.

    Debra

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  • S

    This pup needs to gain confidence and you can do this by signing him up for a gentle basic obedience class.
    You 2 will learn to work together and it will tire him out. I can't tell you how much this will help you with your b…

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • B

    Once he has all his shots i will begin the classes.

    what about his crating?? he doesnt hate his crate, he'll go in it when the door is open its just when the door is closed and im leaving…crate games didnt really work because he will just stop going in the crate after i close the door once.....even with lots of treats.

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  • D

    Have you crated him in the same room when you are at home and just walking around and doing normal things for short periods of time? What does he do if he is in a crate and he can see you or if you are nearby and he can hear you but cannot see you?

    For example, my dogs are crated in the family room but it is an open area into the kitchen/dining area. I can put a crate where the dog can see me go from the couch to the kitchen area and back again.

    Has the breeder given you any suggestions for this problem? Are there any B owners nearby that you can meet and/or when your pup is a little older can play with their dogs? Where in Ontario Cananda are you located at?

    Charlie D and I first ever B rescue was a 2 year old female owner turn-in who could not be kept in an electric fence. She kept wanting to chase things and the owners turned up the voltage to a larger dog and supposedly she would get on her hind legs so the shock would not bother her as bad. She turned out to be a great lure courser though. Joee is presently #9 in ASFA all-time for Bs and won BOB as a Veteran at the ASFA II in CA in 1997.

    Jennifer

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  • B

    Try putting a ticking clock in the crate with him, it will sound like his mother's or another dogs hard beat and comforts them. I have a 6 week old basenji cross and this has helped. I also heat up a bean bag which you can make at home by just maybe a pillow like square with beans or rice inside that you can heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds, they like sleeping with something warm. Before you leave during the day, try playing with him and giving him a lot of time to empty his bladder so he doesn't go in the crate. He may not like the crate because dogs don't like going where they sleep. He may just be uncomfortable with the situation. Try leaving lots of fun toys with him… find the ones he likes best. My boy loves this long slinky stuffy like skunk without stuffing and his teething rings. Try and give him more running time so he's worn out while you're gone and at night. Also make sure for now you take away his water before you go for the day... You could also try some dog obedience classes to get you two connected. Hope everything goes a lot better. I've been going crazy about making sure my little boy has the best... don't worry :)

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  • tanzaT

    @basilboy7:

    Try putting a ticking clock in the crate with him, it will sound like his mother's or another dogs hard beat and comforts them. I have a 6 week old basenji cross and this has helped. I also heat up a bean bag which you can make at home by just maybe a pillow like square with beans or rice inside that you can heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds, they like sleeping with something warm. Before you leave during the day, try playing with him and giving him a lot of time to empty his bladder so he doesn't go in the crate. He may not like the crate because dogs don't like going where they sleep. He may just be uncomfortable with the situation. Try leaving lots of fun toys with him… find the ones he likes best. My boy loves this long slinky stuffy like skunk without stuffing and his teething rings. Try and give him more running time so he's worn out while you're gone and at night. Also make sure for now you take away his water before you go for the day... You could also try some dog obedience classes to get you two connected. Hope everything goes a lot better. I've been going crazy about making sure my little boy has the best... don't worry :)

    6 or 8wks? If only six weeks, way to young to have left the litter and even at 8wks, a bit young. I don't place my pups until at least 10wks

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • khanisK

    You asked about electric fences
    Please keep in mind they are TOTALLY DIFFERENT from an invisible fence
    Debra mentioned an electric fence.
    I have had these attached to my fence for over 15 years and the ONLY time there was an issue was when my crazy 1/2 AFs unplugged it and took off out the yard.
    I run it along the bottom of the fence all the way around, and then back along the top of the fence.
    The dogs learn quick to stay away from the fencing… and also do not dig in the yard [one dig near the fence cures them of that].

    Now, an invisible fence… a waste of your money.
    If you want to buy one, just get out some matches and burn your money.
    You will get more pleasure out of that....
    invisible fences do nothing for a bright dog, and allow any animal in the yard to attack/kill your dog.

    Hope things are getting better with your pup!

    Kathy Britton

    Khani's Basenjis

    Portland, Oregon

    ….."You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me!"

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Kathy, Duh moment. I said electric, meant invisible.

    I actually bought an electric fence kit before I got my first basenji to be prepared for having to install it. Was a waste of about $50 bucks as she never tried to climb my 6 ft fence. But I totally agree, you add it to a fence and not many dogs going to crawl over one!

    Debra

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  • B

    @tanza:

    6 or 8wks? If only six weeks, way to young to have left the litter and even at 8wks, a bit young. I don't place my pups until at least 10wks

    Sorry he is 8 weeks… that was just a typo.

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  • P

    In my experience a Basenji will brave an electric fence or any form of restraining fence if there is prey beyond it. I wonder what voltage fence you're using?

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  • tanzaT

    I have found that hot wires (not invisable fencing) works really well. Like Kathy said, line the top and bottom of the fence will keep most all Basenjis off them…. I always recommend voltage that is typically used for cattle or horses.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • D

    And then you have a Basenji pup like Nickie (short for Necromancer) who was determined to "kill" the wire no matter how much it shocked him (and it was a low level charge believe me). His litter mates would hit the wire around the garden once and then leave the area and not ever attempt to go thru it again. Nickie would attack it once a day. He would do the Basenji bow at it and then the pounce. It was so very funny, he was so special he went to live with my in laws. He never attempted to climb any fence, he just wanted into my flower garden and the fish pond.

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  • caseeno8C

    I have found the website http://www.dogstardaily.com/ to be very helpful in all training. The training textbook tab is where you want to go.

    Chris Battistelli

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  • Buddys PalB

    Hey noob! First welcome, and yes you are in the right place for information! MacPack has a good reply and tlish….I have had my boy Uzie for 3months now. He was crated at the breeder, then about 20 hours a day by the previous owner for the next 10 months. He is only crated at various time now, but he still baroos if left in for over 2hours. My mentioning this is just to let you know it is so wrong to keep him in that wire box for too long. It has taken me the 3months to help him overcome separation anxiety, counter-clockwise circles of anxiety, and then some. They need stimulation, stimulation, exertion with a running exercise, and then some for mental health. Can you actually have a doggy day care, or 'dog sitter' break up the day? I realize you go to work and school, so do you think you are doing right by having any dog????? esp a Basenji. Please do not crate him at night, this is at least the bonding time for you all as a 'pack' Please think through the scenario of the situation thoroughly. Maybe a cat for companionship? They do better alone as a species than a dog....(you said no matter how harsh...)

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  • Buddys PalB

    I just read through the entire previous 6 pages. I will tell you that he probably keeps on screeming all day. Uzie did per the previous owners' housemates…...NOT HEALTHY FOR HIM. poor Buddy.....

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Folks ignore Pottypuppy… spammer link to blog selling.

    Debra

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  • C

    Desperate for help with my biting basenji

    Behavioral Issues
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    M
    Hi - a few thoughts in case they are helpful, although ours doesn't bite. For biting: Figure out the reasons for biting first. if it is around toys/possessiveness - we gave him the toy on his bed and let him be there gnawing on his own. Then walked close by (not too close) and threw him something yummier in his view (eg a small piece of sausage that he can eat quickly) and walk away. Do this at random (though not too often) and have different people in your family do it. Soon she will associate your coming close to her and her favorite toy as something good. Progressively get closer (ie throw the sausage from closer), and then squat down, then touch on head briefly, then hand sausage to her, then move hand towards toy but don't touch it. By this time she will anticipate your coming to her when she has a toy as "yay, something more tasty coming my way". Evenutally, you should pick up the toy/bone hand her the sausage then hand back the toy/bone. Pretty soon she'll let you pick up her toy/bone without biting or thinking you are going to take it away. The key is to progress slowly in terms of distance etc, and mix up the treats (sausage, cheese, chicken). -if she does bite someone, then immediately isolate her in a basenji-proof room where she cant destroy things. And when letting her out, ask her to sit and be calm for a few seconds first so that she's not hysterical and she learns to watch and listen to you. There may be something else that one does for biting, so maybe others or a trainer would have good ideas. For pulling on walks, 2 things worked for us: A gentle leader - suggested by our trainer. This means she can't control her head (if they pull forward their head moves to the side like a horses halter) and so she won't be able to forge ahead. It will give your arm/shoulder immediate relief while you work on the rest. In the yard and on walks start rewarding with small treats every time she looks back at you/checks on you. At first she'll do it by chance, or if she is checking to see what you are doing, and sometimes it's a side glance. As soon as she does it - give big verbal praise and get her to come to you and give her a treat and lots of pets. She will begin to do this more often. initially treat every time she looks at you, and once she is good at it, then randomly. On walks you'll find her looking back and coming back to you more often, and as a corollary less pulling, which is a relief. We usually keep the leash in one hand and a handful of small, soft treats in the other - so you don't run out and have to keep going into your pocket to get treats. So, she'll come and nose your hand and you can pet some times, treat sometimes, etc. The one thing is to progress slowly, praise the right behavior and don't get impatient (count to 10, stop training or go do something else for a bit till you feel ready to try again). When doing the praise really have an excited voice and go overboard even! Our basenji really loves being praised. It takes more time perhaps than other methods, but it's long lasting because they see these behaviors as rewarding so you don't have to get into a battle of wills. And once they get the idea, they'll improve rapidly, even over one walk. Good luck!
  • Lisa67L

    I've discovered why basenjis unstuff furniture!

    Behavioral Issues
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    S
    I once bought a really expensive dog bed, brought it home and my boy pulled all the stuffing out of it and climbed inside the hole. I was laughing so hard. I've got a picture somewhere, just not digitized. He had great fun throwing and catching all the stuffing.
  • P

    Help! Not sure about a trainer to help with a kid-nipping basenji

    Behavioral Issues
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    Buddys PalB
    Wow! this is one of many, many threads that I have responded to and I am very interested in the outcome of Poopydog and the nipping. As I was going through the Thread, I really had to bypass any of the responses of those who enjoy attacking one another. I sure hope this behavior did not thwart our member who really needed help. The majority are replies to one another trying to impart important knowledge or experience to someone who did not ask for it in the first place. Don't try to sound important. Everyone is, just give happy good-hearted advice and let us just not dig into the other who has a different opinion. Just dig, digs, and more digs. Really getting old….........................I know you won't miss me, but this is just too much.................................................................
  • BarklessdogB

    Basenji's & Autism

    Behavioral Issues
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    MacPackM
    Great article. And I love the quote from another article : As a Dog World magazine article put it several years ago: "Modern basenjis are living antiquities that will make your home their jungle, your furniture their monkey bars, and every walk a safari."
  • CRHenn2C

    Help - My Basenji hates my boyfriend!

    Behavioral Issues
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    AndrewA
    I'm on the "boyfriends come and go, but you chose to bring this dog into your life, forever, not just as long as it was convenient" bandwagon. Maybe this is offensive or rude, but I can't see giving either of my girls up for ANYTHING. Callie has the most even temperment, and has never ever met a stranger. Lola can be snobbish about people, and she has to sometimes get to know them on her terms. Once they are friends, they are friends for life, but it is my responsibility to ensure that every person she meets is a good experience. I know she is scared of children, which has to do with her "breeder" not socializing her properly and allowing her to come home with me too early. So I never ever force her to meet children. Instead, when I know we will be somewhere where we will likely run into children, I take treats. Anytime little kids run up to her, I stand in front of Lola, and explain to the children she is scared of them. I instruct them how to politely introduce themselves to Lola, and I give them treats or kibble to let Lola eat out of their hands. Thus, I control Lola's interactions with children so they are always positive experiences, and she comes to associate "big scary monster children" with "yummy food and soft pats on the head". It is a slow process, and I have to respect that some children are too little to understand how to interact with her politely. In those cases, I hold Lola & tell the children she isn't feeling up to company at the moment. Each situation is unique, and there are just some children Lola doesn't feel comfy with, so I don't force the issue too much. I guess my long winded soapbox is to say, have patience, take baby steps, and do what's best for the being that you committed to caring for.
  • rnastoR

    I'm seeing double

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    QuercusQ
    I think that sounds perfect! You want the younger dog to be comfortable going new places without the older one; and you want the older one to still have some special one on one time with the humans…but there is no need to get carried away with having them do things separately! Dogs like to act as a pack :)