Running away

[A Former User]

Hello all,

I have decided for Basenji and i, probably like many, has concerns regarding his running away capabilities. I live in Germany, in an apartment, with a nice Terrace, facing a common Garden (means, it's not my private Graden). The Garden has a gate that it is not always closed.
I do not intend to let the dog be free in the garden, but hopefully in the Terrasse yes. It has a medium fence.
So, dear friends, what are your thoughts? Should I raise the fence?
in general, is Besenji really so delighted to run away? Also while playing in the park? Should I be prepared to have the dog always on the leash?

Thanks,

Meir

[tanza]

@mshilo - Hello and welcome. It is not that a Basenji is "delighted" to run away, it is because they are a sighthound and they are born with the instinct to hunt and follow game. Loose papers to a Basenji qualify as "game" to chase.

[A Former User]

Hallo Tanza and Thanks! good to be here!
Ja, i understand that this is their nature, and i am delighted for that. The hunting instinct and theirs intelligent attracts me from the first place. As it comes to papers, he (or she) can chase them in the apartment or outside as much as they want. i just worry they will run away or find something in the park to chase, which is totally ok, as long they plan to come back. I do not like to keep dogs on a leash all the time. especialy not in the parks.

Thanks, yours,

Meir

[DebraDownSouth]

You can use a long line, 20 feet or more, so the dog can exercise but still be in control

[A Former User]

This is an excellent idea!
Do not laugh at me, but I had this dream for many years, to come with my dog to travel, hiking in Nepal. Then to an Island in Thailand for few months I first wanted to go with my kid, but, unfortunately, I am still single, so I shifted my dream to a dog.
I wonder if I can bring Basenji with me, after let say, a year of training with a long line, training him to come back when I call.
What do you think?

[DebraDownSouth]

@mshilo said in Running away:

This is an excellent idea!
Do not laugh at me, but I had this dream for many years, to come with my dog to travel, hiking in Nepal. Then to an Island in Thailand for few months I first wanted to go with my kid, but, unfortunately, I am still single, so I shifted my dream to a dog.
I wonder if I can bring Basenji with me, after let say, a year of training with a long line, training him to come back when I call.
What do you think?

A dog off leash traveling, especially to other countries, mountains etc is a recipe for disaster. If something spooked the dog, or it went into hunt mode, how will you get it back? Where are the resources (people, family, rescues) to help put out food, traps, whatever? How long can you extend your stay. Even with a leash, you risk a fall or something, but at least you have more control.

But why not take a relatives child or children? Or find a hiking companion?