B In Need of Company


  • My puppy is about 7 months old and whenever I put him in his crate and leave the room, he automatically starts howling, screaming, and whyning for reasons unknown to me. It's only when I put him in his crate and not when the rest of my family does so. Any help as to how to get him more used to being away from me without whyning would be greatly appreciated.

    attachment_t_1738_0_img_0004.jpg


  • There are quite a few threads about crate screaming. He is going through a time of adjustment. He wants to be with you. The only thing you can do is give him plenty to do in his crate, never let him out when he is crying, and don't give him any sort of attention when he is crying.

    How about you just have the other members of your family put him in his crate for now?


  • I found that my little Cairo (6months) would need to go to bed at 9pm every night and Caesar (6yrs) would stay up for a few hours alone with me. Cairo's kennel is in the living room so he could see us and would cry and cry….

    I put a comforter over the kennel and he quieted down immediately. He must have related it to a den. Try putting a blanket on the kennel when it is time to go to bed to establish it is quiet time and give your basenji a nylabone or treat that takes a while to eat. It should distract him a bit until he settles past that tantrum point.

    I use my kennel for a time out spot as well and learned early on that you shouldnt acknowledge the bad behavior by taking them out when they are crying. They need to learn that they must be quiet before let out of the kennel or they will train you to let them out.

    If you want to train him into the kennel it is only fair that you have a schedule so he knows he is going in because of the schedule, not for punishment.

    It sounds like he is your baby which is why he cries to you. Just establish a schedule for him and he will get used to it.

    If he is screaming like he is going to die, well that may mean you need to try something else, this is just for the LET ME OUT cries.

    These are just my experiences. I hope they help a bit. Keep us posted! :)


  • It's deffinately a let me out cry and He only cries when I'm not in the room. He sleeps in his crate in my room and is quiet to go to sleep, it's just during the day if I put him in for 2 hours or so. Sometimes I have tried to just put him in for about 30 minutes and he can whine for about 2-3 hours. I've been told to put him in for about 3.5 hour increments and he can whine the whole time. He is getting a little better, but really slowly. I was wondering other things to ease the pain of being away from me. He has a comphy bed he likes and 3 or 4 toys and a watter bottle. I have managed to learn when he just wants out as opposed to when he has to go to the bathroom and usually he just wants out.


  • @etzbseder:

    It's deffinately a let me out cry and He only cries when I'm not in the room. He sleeps in his crate in my room and is quiet to go to sleep, it's just during the day if I put him in for 2 hours or so. Sometimes I have tried to just put him in for about 30 minutes and he can whine for about 2-3 hours. I've been told to put him in for about 3.5 hour increments and he can whine the whole time. He is getting a little better, but really slowly. I was wondering other things to ease the pain of being away from me. He has a comphy bed he likes and 3 or 4 toys and a watter bottle. I have managed to learn when he just wants out as opposed to when he has to go to the bathroom and usually he just wants out.

    Why is it necessary to crate him when you are at home? I would think that when you are home that he could be loose with you? Obviously he wants to be with you? Do you crate him when you go out? And does he scream when you go out?


  • I am crating him some while I'm home so that I can crate him when I leave without him whyning and howling. Once I know he will be quiet, I won't crate him when I'm there. Yeah, he whines when I leave, I can hear him from outside when I get back if it's not a long time. (The window's open)


  • Myself - I would not crate when I'm home because dogs knows I'm home and it certainly doesn't make sense to put them or myself thru the anxiety while I'm home. I only crate when I leave the house. The ritual/routine is I turn on the radio to my favorite music station with volume at a level that will cut outside noise and keep them calm when I'm gone. In a quiet-calm voice say "bye Duke, bye Daisy" and out the door. No fussing. When I come home, same thing . . . quiet & calm voice say hi and open the crate when they are calm and happy to see me. Then we go outside.

    Also, when they go in their crate, they get a chewy for something to do. Otherwise - (Daisy) will nip away at her blankie and I have shredded fabric everywhere.

    Works for me!


  • you may want to look at some of the suggestions for seperation anxiety…...that might help.


  • He's trying to train YOU. Don't fall for it!

    He must think you are a push over.

    Make going to his crate a positive experience. Always give him a treat AFTER he goes in his crate.

    I just have say crate and my dog runs to her crate!

    Basenji's will DO just about ANYTHING for the right bribe!

    Basenji's do not know the word "No" but they do know food.


  • They are like babies

    Sometimes you just have to tough it out and let them cry


  • Ahhh, so cute! Like I said before when they're sleeping they're the best~


  • @Barklessdog:

    They are like babies

    Sometimes you just have to tough it out and let them cry

    Cute pic! But ftr, most people don't let babies cry it out anymore :) That method has pretty much been debunked as the best way to "train" them….they need to find a way to calm themselves, not exhaust themselves!

    Sometimes it IS best to let a puppy cry and whine...but if it is hysterical screaming, letting it go on will not fix the problem.

Suggested Topics

  • Desperately need your help!

    Moved Behavioral Issues
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Sudden behavior change at this age is almost always medical. I am glad you are now keeping him separated, but honestly you should have the first incident. After the first bite, most courts or judges would rule you knew he was a danger and he could not only have been seized, but you sued for significant damages. You are lucky no one is filing. Thyroid is the primary cause that I am aware of for sudden change. Yes, brain tumors are possible, but more likely thyroid. Some forms of epilepsy also can cause a dog to attack, but typically this is truly out of nowhere-- not like what you describe when a dog is told no about something. Pain can also do it.. sadly cancer had been found in similar situations of sudden growing aggression. The ENCOURAGING part is you had several months without problems... so again, look at the most simple... thyroid. Make sure you get a full panel, not just an in-house partial. In the meantime, understand you didn't cause this, and it may be fixable. If thyroid, it's inexpensive medication. But you won't know until you get tests runs. Hopefully those wanting him put down will feel better knowing you are acting to find out if there is a medical issue.
  • Need help ASAP

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    @dmcarty: Since they are so young I would assume it is each trying to figure out where they fit in the scheme of things and you may be overreacting. I will however tell you that the one breed of dogs that my basenjis have never liked is ****zu. LOL ….. you know it is all about the hair!
  • Need Home for Basenji

    Behavioral Issues
    113
    0 Votes
    113 Posts
    49k Views
    nomrbddgsN
    Do you have elder care down there? We have a sort of day care up here for seniors, depending on where you live, you have can supported care.
  • Confidence Needed…

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    RivermoonR
    I did all the right things with Apache when I got him too…took him to outside malls, parks, the beach..had people of all shapes and sizes meet him and was going to handling class after handling class. Everything was going fine. The fourth show we were ever in we got excused from the ring because he became a bucking bronco on the table every time the judge came toward us. The judge tried 3 different times. I was so frazzled by his actions and couldn't get him under control, so we got excused. Later that day he stood fine on the table for some of the breeders. I have no idea what set him off, if it was the judge or the fact that I had had him to the vets the week before the show and they took a skin scrape while he was on the table. To be on the safe side, I never put him on the table at the vet's again...they had to examine him on the floor. Luckily they were more then willing to do that. I wasn't going to take any chances putting him back in the ring anytime soon, especially since I was so nervous. At handling classes and at home we did what you're doing. He would go up on the table and be fed treats. I would put him on the table at home and just treat him for being up there. We gradually had people in class and at home start going over him all the while treating him. On top of all that, I also had/have a problem with noise sensitivity. Some boys threw a huge firecracker right next to the dogs at handling class one day and since then Apache startles at sudden noises. Almost three months passed before I entered him in another show. This one was inside too, something we had never done. I held him out the first day because the noise really had him jumpy, so we just sat there all day getting him used to it. The second day I decided we were going in. I was the only class dog entered, so there would be no points..but that was fine...I needed to see if he would stand still for the judge. I was more nervous then I'd ever been and it will be a show I always remember for the simple fact that he was REALLY good on the table. Every once in a while he would still get a little fussy, either getting up onto or while on the table.....but would settle down quickly and let the judges go over him. Anyways, it took a while, but I finished him.:D So, hang in there!
  • B does NOT stand for Beaver!

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    snorky998S
    My mom had a wood chewer (Rottie pup). The breeder suggested making a cayenne pepper paste with a small amount of water and then apply it to the wood. It worked great and didn't stain the furniture. Just be sure to scrub your hands and nails after working with the paste.
  • Into of the third b

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    L
    Thanks for the info! Yes we just got over the rain for the most part,,,,,,,thank goodness! What part of Maryland are you from? My aunt lives in Cumberland and the last time we were there we went to Rahobath beach (not sure of the spelling). We had a great time except for the DC traffic – we here in Southeastern Ohio are NOT use to that type of traffic! It was funny once my cousin (from Cumberland) came in town for a visit and we were going down one of our main drags on a Sat. morning and I said "Man,,I cant believe this traffic,,,,,its awful!" and she laughed and said I didnt know what traffic was! Well ,,,,,,,,,she was right,,,,,,,I couldnt imagine dealing with the DC traffic every day. About the furbabies though,,,,,,,they seem to be getting familiar with each other. Only a few minor scuffles today over a rawhide I forgot to get out of the backyard . Also, the marking has seemed to end-- we were a little worried. Lastly, the eating in there crates thing has worked out except our Bella (1st BRAT dog) has been dealing with some seperation issues again after we left her for the weekend to drive to Missouri to get Wrigley. Anyway, hopefully we will be one big happy family! One last thing, kudos to you and your wife for fostering so many dogs. My husband and I are considering volunteering for BRAT after this spring. My son is a senior and I am afraid as we get closer to the spring things will get crazy around here with all of his senior stuff.