Basenjis yodel for all kinds of reasons, and as mentioned some don't yodel very much or at all. But since he has, likely he will. In my experience a couple of things can trigger a yodel. Being very pleased about something, or being frustrated about something. Two of mine would definitely yodel when waiting impatiently for their dinner or treats. The frustration would build up, and then would come the yodel. Howling is another potential result of frustration! If you can record a yodel, sometimes playing it will set them off, but not always.
My girl’s 1 1/2 years and has yet to make any sound other than an occasional woof when she’s surprised
I have dogs from one line that are silent, and the other from a yodeler. The girl we have left from that line yodels at least 5 times a day. It seems to always be when she is happy, or knows she is going to be.
Sometimes we can get her to yodel again if we get her very excited and very happy. SOMETIMES
My only suggestion is to notice what meed he is in when he does yodel, and try to get that same mood to get him to yodel. Do this sparingly, they get bored so easily.
I suspect when you stop trying, he's just going to surprise you one day with the longest, prettiest yodel!
Many Basenji puppies yodel. But when dispersed from the litter, they cease to vocalise.
However, all is not lost in your case. To make him continue as a songster, YOU must learn to yodel. There is no other way. As long as he hears it, he will continue to do it.
So stop everything, listen and imitate.
Mku yodels every morning and we have a long conversation which he obviously understands even if I don't know what I am telling him.
Some of mine have, over the years, come back to yodelling. Keepurr was 12 when he suddenly found his voice again. It wasn't a bad attempt and he looked so surprised each time he did it but again, we conversed to his entire satisfaction.
But tell me the name of your pup (registered name), parents and date of birth so I can add him to the Basenji on-line pedigree database ?
Part of the fun of owning a basenji is never knowing what they're going to do.
I had one b boy who I taught to "speak" on command for a treat (it was a "woof"). I had several that were totally silent - I never heard their voices. I had one foster who would consistently sing along to the theme song of the TV show "MASH" (apparently, it was her prior owner's favorite show). It seems to help if the basenji is up on something high (stairs, back of the couch, etc.). I adopted my current b as an adult 2.5 yrs ago. The first time I heard him baroo was when my son and his wife (who had never met this b) arrived for a visit. The next time I heard his voice (besides occasional barks of warning or surprise) was last Memorial Day when taps played on TV (his voice was SO mournful!!!). The last time, we were at the dog park and a pack of dogs chased a chihuahua who screamed all the way to the entrance gate. I was able to call off my b not to join the chase, so he sat down and howled for 2 minutes straight (it was not a pretty sound). I wish I had thought to get a video of his performance.
Your pup is young (and VERY cute) - if he has already yodeled, then he will likely do it again. It is interesting to think that being vocal is genetic... :->
Yodel Once it starts, you can never turn it off .....
We lived on a h ill top and the main road was a mile away. I could hear him as I left the main road..
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As many have mentioned, some like to talk or sing to you. Others not so much.
As Zande says, you can usually get them going if you start. If you don't know what that sounds like you can just check out some YouTube videos. You should also be able to get them to talk for their dinner -- they get pretty excited about food.
@marcus
We have had 2 Basenjis. Love them to death. Both quiet as a mouse. They only occasionally grumble when irritated
I had one that would yodel sometimes but howl whenever I wanted him to. We had his little "howling song" that we sang. The first line was "baroo, baroo" and the rest was repetition. We could also get him to howl by saying "you're only a dog and that's all you'll ever be", which immediately triggered a howling session. I could pick him up and even hold him upside down and he would continue to howl!
Another Basenji would occasionally howl when my husband left for work, or in one case where we had wandered down the road to see our neighbours and she was left home. She started howling and our neighbours had never heard anything like it.....she had a very high pitched howl.
Nimbus is adorable. My 3 year old female was pretty quite until she was about 6 months old. She would whine at times in crate but when the grandkids would come over she would get so super excited she began her yodels. Definitely triggered by total joy.
All these replies are great!
The first time he yodeled I gave him a new bone and it was a bitter sweet moment we’re we were laughing and crying at the same time because he’s growing up!
He also yodeled for the breeder and wagged his tail more for her than I... they have a wonderful bond!
@brindledogs But please !!!! who is is breeder and what is his registered name so I can include such an adorable person as Nimbus in the database -
Take a look, it is possible that his parents are already there with photos !
I guess that those having a Basenji in an apartment or living in busy neighbourhoods might have problems with next-door neighbours. That yodelling of a Basenji can become quite a nuisance to your neighbours if you don't train him not to use it whenever it likes. Is basenji non-yodelling inherited from parents or a behaviour training matter? Some dogs can be trained to control their barking. Is it the same with basenji yodelling?
Yodelling usually isn't a problem. Howling can be, as can screaming! Basenjis are quiet dogs, but if they are upset they can certainly make a lot of noise, and sometimes people don't even realize it is a dog doing all that screaming! But a content Basenji is generally pretty quiet.
@eaglet A yodelling Basenji is a joy, not a nuisance - and the number of times, the duration of each, in a day is likely to be so minimal, I wouldn't worry. I get yodels first thing in the morning and when I am preparing food - that is when the 'great conversations' take place.
The thing which REALLY hurts the neighbours, even in a tiny rural village like this, is the Basenji habit of imitating a timber wolf at two in the morning when he (or she) wants sex !!!
When we had the 8-pack, the three boys were isolated in a kennel (actually a garden shed with lights, heat, bed boxes and a dog-door into the orchard) at the bottom of the garden while the 5 ladies were in season.
I installed a nursery alarm system so I could share the village's pain.
You would be incredibly lucky to have a Basenji yodel often enough to become a nuisance.
@brindledogs said in Need help yodeling!!!!:
He also yodeled for the breeder and wagged his tail more for her than I... they have a wonderful bond!
For sure that is a wonderful sign!
Zande's database is awesome and it would be awesome if you added his information.
@zande the breeder in Enfield nh Debbie
I'm sorry, I can't workfrom this, brindledogs, I need Nimbus' full registered name, parents and date of birth. Go to the pedigree website and you will find my email address and can email me privately so we can include him
