Skip to content

Why Won’t My Basenji Poop for Me

Moved Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I have a 7 yo Basenji who is very attached to me and has lived with me since 9 weeks old. Lately, he refuses to poop when we go out for walks. He goes right away if my father or friends walk him. Since I live alone, it isn’t always possible to get someone else to take him out so he ends up just farting for hours. Changing or repeating locations or schedules seems to make no difference. Any advice?

  • Has something happened that makes him think you don't want him to poop? It's not unusual for Basenjis to be difficult about defecation, but this situation where the problem seems to be confined to you seems odd. Did he perhaps have an "accident" in the house that you chastised him for, or something of that nature? Alternatively, did something happen on a walk with you that frightened him just as he was "finding the right spot"?

    You could try matching him (use a paper match or similar to stimulate the anus) and perhaps get him back into the routine of pooping when you are walking him.

  • Basenjis can be kind of odd about pooping. Some are fine, although most seem to dislike rain so they don’t want to hang around and poop if it’s raining.

    Out of my three dogs, my latest one will not poop on a walk unless he knows we are headed back to the car. He will hold it until we turn around or he is sure that we are headed home. Kind of odd really, but they do have their quirks.

  • If this has only just started after all this time. I would think that somehow you've given him the message that you don't approve. Are you able to identify any incident?

  • How long last your walks?

  • I just have to say that I am glad to find out that Basenji's are ones to not poo on command. :) Mine can hold it and hold it and HOLD IT which I always found strange. Now I know it's "normal". He also likes to be discreet about it. They certainly are quirky but I wouldn't have any other breed!

    And just to comment on the rain - he's a not normal Basenji! That's when he walks the longest and farthest, I figure it somehow brings out the hunt instinct in him. I know any time it's pouring, I'm in for an hour walk. :umbrella_with_rain_drops: On a bright and sunny day, it's out the front door - survey the surroundings - back inside. Go figure!

  • Basenjis can also change their mind, even when they have "found the spot" and "assumed the position", if something distracting comes along. I have witnessed poop starting to appear, only to be sucked back inside because my dog spotted something disconcerting or interesting. Basenjis can be very frustrating at times! (usually when one is in a hurry to get things over with) :-)

  • @eeeefarm said in Why Won’t My Basenji Poop for Me:

    Basenjis can also change their mind, even when they have "found the spot" and "assumed the position", if something distracting comes along. I have witnessed poop starting to appear, only to be sucked back inside because my dog spotted something disconcerting or interesting. Basenjis can be very frustrating at times! (usually when one is in a hurry to get things over with) :-)

    It is a remarkable talent for sure!

  • You aren’t walking him far enough. He will go if you extend your walk. Also keep a treat in your pocket to reward him after he goes.

Suggested Topics

  • 0 Votes
    20 Posts
    3k Views
    A
    Fast and Sneaky great names for a pair‼️ Happy to read that all is well.
  • Freaking out at her own poop!

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    2k Views
    chenkeC
    Teki would act like that when her anal glands were bothering her or something like a hair’s stuck also
  • Age of your basenji?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    42
    2 Votes
    42 Posts
    12k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Yeah you told me about that before and I'm clueless, but I'll try it if I need to, lol. could be the noise of occasional thump, could be they can hear it even tho we can't. My chow would be drooling buckets before we got a mile away. I just had to keep towels down and take off and bag along the trip. But I took her for a 7 hr trip to atlanta and she threw up and threw up, then stopped. Never threw up again. :( on your back. I had been getting radiofrequency ablations in the US, and they really helped. But doctors here will only do them once or twice. I have had at least 6 on one side, 3 on the other. :( But it's miraculous pain relief when it is done right. Maybe your dog acupuncturists knows of a human one they'd recommend?
  • 0 Votes
    15 Posts
    5k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I am glad to hear of her improvement. Sometimes we live with dogs and don't see the changes they start so slow. It's good to make it a habit to actually inspect them monthly. I hope she keeps improving but as Sally said, too much weight gain isn't good.
  • My basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    2k Views
    nobarkusN
    @snorky998: Were you thinking of Vestibular syndrome, Dan? http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=8577&highlight=vestibular+syndrome That's it Snorky!! :D
  • Is it a Basenji???

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    7k Views
    MandyM
    I have gotten the comment of min doberman. lol…. could have been her spiked Harley collar.