The Art of Basenjis in the Rain

[eeeefarm]

I've always found going for a walk until successful usually works. But for some reason not all Basenjis figure out that action brings return to the house! My boy Perry hated rain while leashed, but off leash he didn't have a problem rambling around the farm. Winter cold weather was more of an issue. The solution was to take him into the hay barn and let him run around until he did his business. Cold feet were a huge problem outside, so if I had to walk in cold weather boots were essential.

[Zande]

@eeeefarm said in The Art of Basenjis in the Rain:

I've always found going for a walk until successful usually works.

Unless you have a pack that realises that you will turn for home as soon as they have done what you are walking them for !

Donner knew darned well why he was on a lead, being walked down the lane alongside the garden. All kinds of excitingly different smells in the grass verges. He would hang on until absolutely bursting rather than 'go' and have to head for home.

Donner was my first Basenji. Numbers increased and Marvin and I walked two each along the country lanes. Later as the pack seriously grew in size it had to make do with the woods - driven there by car - or the garden. There is a picture on my own (long neglected but still containing articles and pieces) website of me walking 7 on leads. Eight proved too much, even for me.

[tanza]

@italeigha - My Basenjis that live at home or pups that I placed couldn't care less about the rain when it is things like coursing, hunting, etc... very happy to get wet! Walks in the rain for something like camping/backpacking really will not bother them.... !

[NancySS]

@italeigha Binti will wear her raincoat and go for walks in light rain...but NO dice if it is pouring.

[bernadette]

Miss Bliss finds water falling from the sky abhorrent.
When forced out for the (pre-pandemic) walk before work and it was raining,
she was very quick about her business. Well, at least the pee part.
Sometimes that we enough for her before she'd turn around and head for home.
We are now in week four since she was hit and broke her right front leg.
She went four days in a row twice without pooping until we went to the vets.
Not constipated, just stubborn. She is becoming a very good patient.
T
he last two days she has done her business easily and quickly.
She is escorted out when she says it is time.
You all know what I'm saying.
Back to the ladies amateur golf.
Stay safe out there
B

[elbrant]

@nancyss said in The Art of Basenjis in the Rain:

NO dice if it is pouring

I feel the same way!!

[christineo]

Maybe trying getting out just before the rain starts. With her coat on, she can transition from dry to wet. Hopefully the rain starts lightly. My B is fine when it starts to rain, it’s like he doesn’t notice it the change
Or doesn’t care. But when he can see the sky falling outside already; he’s not having it.

[sanjibasenji]

Sanji swimming

[JENGOSMonkey]

@sanjibasenji If I could upvote your video a hundred times I would! That's incredible. Great training! I'm curious about the life vest... any info about the brand and size? Also, remind me... how old is Sanji and what is his weight?

Also, if you have time, I'd be really be interested in a somewhat detailed description of how he was trained to be comfortable in water and what was involved in getting him to jump into the water voluntarily. To me, this video is right up there with Ellie telling me that she's not a bloody Jack Russel.

[Kembe]

@sanjibasenji
Wow! I’m impressed. My B has the same life jacket but would never go into the water voluntarily. We have a summer camp on a lake in the Berkshires - she loves the pontoon boat but does NOT like the water. She would watch the geese and ducks and I know she wanted to jump in after them - but would never do it. That is a GREAT video - thanks for sharing!️

[eeeefarm]

My girl Lady would jump off our dock in pursuit of water skiers. Didn't change her opinion of rain, however!

[sanjibasenji]

@jengosmonkey
It was I think extra small vest, not mine but the facility's. Going again tonight, so I'll get more detail as I want to buy one myself.

Sanji will be 4 months in a few days, 12 lbs. Actually, he wasn't trained to be comfortable in water per se, at least regarding swimming. I just decided to take him for lessons. He didn't really volunteer, he had to jump in to return to me and the ramp. But he did voluntarily get on the floating platform the second time, so I guess he knew what was coming. I don't know if he hated it or not. I don't think he loved it, but he's just a puppy. I do think he'll get used to it. We'll see this summer if I can coax him into the local swimming reservoir.

What we did do right away was get him used to being showered in our large kitchen sink, mostly his legs. I explained that above. Love a lick pad for that, and nail clipping.

[chenke]

@sanjibasenji I just saw this! Awesome! Go Sanji! Zulu doesn’t really hate the rain but he did walk into my brother’s pond yesterday. Of course I didn’t have my camera ugh

[sanjibasenji]

@chenke Go Zulu! That's even better if he went in voluntarily! Zulu is truly Sanji's BIG brother!

[Annie]

@sirronsunflowergirl No one can possibly beat that️

[italeigha]

@bernadette Oh, I am so sorry to hear that! Blessings for a quick recovery!

[sanjibasenji]

@jengosmonkey
Hi, here's a photo of the life vest. It was an extra small I think. [https://photos.app.goo.gl/zvMEU6ZyRYjMzcAo8](link url)

[Kembe]

@jengomonkey
I have the same Outward Hound life jacket too and I think I have a medium - which would fit an ADULT basenji. Use the size chart - most important measurement for the correct fit is the girth (widest part of the rib cage).

https://outwardhound.com/dog-gear/life-jackets-and-swimming-supplies-for-dogs.html

[JENGOSMonkey]

@sanjibasenji & @Kembe Thanks you! I like that style. keeps the snout out of the water and has a hefty grab handle across the back. I will measure and order one.

[sanjibasenji]

@kembe

Definitely he will not fit the extra small for much longer. Thanks for the info.