Skip to content

Becoming a 2 basenji house...tips?

Basenji Talk
  • Currently have a 2 yr old basenji male and picking up a 9 week old basenji girl to join the family! Any tips or stories about the first few weeks with 2 basenjis at home together would be appreciated!

  • At the time I was bringing home an 8-week old basenji male into a house with an 8-year-old basenji female. The most practical advice I got was from the breeder. The breeder stated that I should introduce them (given the known issues I had in the past with my girl not permitting other dogs around her things) by walking in the door, setting the puppy down and immediately going over to my 8-year-old girl and greeting her in the normal manner. It helped that my good friend was at the house and keeping her occupied. My new puppy eventually found his way over to us and although she was startled to see him, she went to him, smelled him and then played with him.

    The bottom line is that her advice was to make the situation as nonchalant as possible. And it worked. They have become the best of friends... mostly :)

  • Be ready for the noise, it will sound like the puppy is being murdered.... remember the tips when you have a puppy and mouthing issues.... yelp loudly .... that is what the adult basenji is doing... teaching the pup manners... unless you see real reason that the pup is being hurt, don't let them work it out.

  • @tanza said in Becoming a 2 basenji house...tips?:

    unless you see real reason that the pup is being hurt, don't let them work it out.

    Pretty sure she meant DO let them work it out. :)

    Congrats on your new puppy!

  • My boy was so lonely we got him his half sister the next year. At first he thought cool something to play with. The first night he was like, shut it and let me go to sleep. The next day after being chewed on all night he looked at me like ok when is she going home? That night he was depressed like I get it she is never leaving. The next day we went to work and put them in a giant kennel together. We came home, she had. Bruise on her hip and they had worked it out. Best friends until the day they died. My current basenjis are litter mates, we got one and the breeder kept one. 5 years later out beagle died and we needed another dog for our basenji. I brought him home and hey looked at each other sniffed and curled up on the couch together. Basenjis are very pack oriented and would rather have a buddy then be alone. They are very easy to introduce new animals to. Good luck!

  • @Sass7656 said in Becoming a 2 basenji house...tips?:

    The next day we went to work and put them in a giant kennel together. We came home, she had. Bruise on her hip and they had worked it out. ... Basenjis are very pack oriented and would rather have a buddy then be alone. They are very easy to introduce new animals to. Good luck!<

    I am very glad you had a good experience. But anyone reading your post needs to know you lucked out. You could easily have come home to a dead puppy. Basenjis may or may not easily meet another dog.. it depends on the dog and on the dog they are meeting. Please never assume that your style of introduction is in any way a safe one or what any breeder or trainer would recommend. Locked in and having to "work it out" is a recipe for a disaster.

  • @DebraDownSouth - Thanks Debra, exactly what I meant

  • @Sass7656 - Many a Basenji would prefer to be only dogs..... and certainly I agree with crate training, I do not believe in leave 2 in one crate regardless of the size.... next to each other but in separate crates.... I agree with Debra, you could have just as easily come home to a disaster....

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji Life: Apartment vs House

    Basenji Talk
    6
    2 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    eeeefarmE
    I think ideally you have a yard, but of course also take the dog for walks. Having to go out immediately when you get up can be a nuisance and every Basenji I have had will "go pee" in the backyard, although getting them to defecate can be a different matter. And rainy days can be a problem. Yes, you can keep a Basenji in an apartment, but bear in mind if you have an issue with separation anxiety your neighbours may not be happy when you go out!
  • Receiving new Basenji puppy Monday 2/11/19

    Basenji Talk
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    4k Views
    RGK9RulerR
    @theoriginaldev your life as you know it will never be the same! Patience, consistency, a firm but gentle hand, with a sense of humor is what you are going to need for the duration of the life of your precious gift. WELCOME home little one!! :)
  • Anyone have tips on how to get a Basenji to stop chewing?

    Basenji Talk
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    9k Views
    MacPackM
    I buy 12 inch 'sticks, thick ones, and then toss the last 2 inches to prevent the 3 am barf. My guys are older and the sticks last for several days. They would be too expensive if they ate them in an hour!
  • Basenji Song-Moon Over Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Oh Barklessdog, you are a brave person. I must now stand with you in insane-solidarity and admit I bought it too. It is awful but when you get the line "we couldn't say goodbye so we took him home" part, you know you got to help support the woman. lol
  • Have you seen these 2 Basenjis?!!

    Basenji Talk
    29
    0 Votes
    29 Posts
    10k Views
    L
    Nemo's on to something. A good B&W could pull that off without an accomplice though.
  • Dominance between 2 Basenjis

    Basenji Talk
    31
    0 Votes
    31 Posts
    10k Views
    MantisM
    at the dog park occasionally you will see a dog fight in the larger breeds, they typically play rougher…..more chomping action vs. basenji boxing.... the typical dog park protocol is pulling them apart, or the safe route is the bucket of water....total distraction! can you imagine doing that with basenjis.....screams like little girls!! LOL