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
    13 Posts
    11k Views
    P
    Dale Are you using Vetsulin insulin???? I had problems regulating my 13yo male. Come to find out, the FDA has warned vets to change dogs over to a different kind of insulin. Has something to do with the release time of the crystalline portion of the drug. We had the WORST time at first giving shots,( and I'm a certified phlebotomist and went thru nursing school) My boy was fine at the vets we they did it…..difference is he was up on the exam table. We got a table for Einstein, put a bath mat on it so he wouldn't slip around. Biggest thing that helped was getting BD needles, the ones that come from the vets are carp-ola, they have burrs etc...the only thing you have to do is change the number of units you use.(if your using Vetsulin U40 compared to U100 for human insulin and BD needles.) I can explain in further detail if you want. It did take both myself and my husband to get him used to the shots, be we had a very specific routine that we did not alter. Einstein knew that after he ate it was "time for his medicine" he would run over to his table and try to jump up there himself. If we were taking too long, he'd come get us. Freezed Dried Liver was used to get him on the table, then when he was done, given while he was still on the table. I made sure he could see the liver. When he was done and off the table, he got his (small) KONG filled with fat free cream cheese mixed with some tuna mmmmmmmm. My little puppy-cat loved tuna. Anyway, I went from crying during the shot, to smiling and laughing 'cause he was so funny trying to get on the table, and then doing his little dance when he got his kong. I really think the table helped... Please let me know if I can help any more, I can describe the contraption (sp) I built on top of his metal crate, so I could give the shot by myself when needed. He didn't seeem to mind getting the shots at all, I think he trusted and knew we would never do anything to hurt him, plus we made a HUGE DEAL out of telling him what a good boy he was....etc......people would have thought we were bananas LOL Good Luck PJ
  • Itching Basenji!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    7k Views
    nobarkusN
    It's most likely a yeast infection. They get it in the ears quite often. Buddy has a yeast infection right now on his stomach.
  • My Basenji, Polly,

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    6k Views
    B
    Polly is 9 this Christmas. Dec 14th to be exact!
  • 0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    tanzaT
    @massagemom3: I'm starting to think Sally needs testing. I potest the question, on how to test Sally. She squats LOW…... so I'm going to leave her in the kitchen and hold her off from peeing for awhile today, and get her excited to test her urine! hahahahaa..sorry but I can't think of anything else. hehehehe... I also think I'm going to check with the vet about testing her there as well. She won't eat very much, drinks a lot, and is shedding way too much, and I noticed her back legs shaking yesturday...not too bad but enought to notice. Good luck with your B..Keep us posted. Is Sally a mix? I seem to remember she might be? And how old is she? Again I would take her to the Vet, they can test immediately for sugar in the urine and/or blood… and also check her for UTI with a urine culture....
  • Sick Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    B
    An update on Ben's condition. He had his teeth cleaned this morning and the vet had to remove several teeth. A large tooth in the back of the mouth had a cavity that went all the way to the root. He never lost his appetite during the whole ordeal or seemed to have any sensetivity of his mouth. I hope this is the end of the suffering he was going through. He was a rescue dog so we don't have the previous owners records as to dental care he had in the past. You can be sure he will be monitored from here on out for any sign of tooth decay or tarter build up. Thanks to everyone who replyed to my inquiry on Basenji health.
  • 0 Votes
    14 Posts
    5k Views
    J
    I am so glad to know Rusty is on the road to improvement. Bet those hamburgers taste pretty good!!!