Puppy and confined spaces

[JENGOSMonkey]

It's really not weird at all... for a Basenji. All three of mine are the same way. They don't like closed doors. Some doors stay closed anyway. Sorry. Others I cut them slack on. What's weird is that they'll scratch at a door and carry on about it till I open it, but they won't go in the other room. They just seem to want the option. I'd test it out. see if you can trust him. I understand you want him with you... buuuuuuut... most Basenjis aren't great cuddlers, Or they can be until they don't want to be anymore. I wouldn't let it bother you. Accept it and find a way to make a game out of it.

[Scagnetti]

I'm not sure I'm reading you right. If he has a problem when he is inside a room with a closed door, what I would do is take him into a room, close the door, and give him a high value reward. Then I'd do it 100 more times over the course of a few days/weeks depending on how reactive he is to being in a room when the door is closed. A lick mat after the door closes might be a good option as well.

[Lustopher]

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[senjisilly]

I use baby gates, the movable expandable type. The gates seem to make mine less anxious since they can see through them.

[tanza]

@lustopher - Are there others in the house on the other side of the closed door?

[elbrant]

@lustopher said in Puppy and confined spaces:

busy with a frozen kong

Don't forget to adjust your dogs food intake to balance out the number of calories. My girl gained far too much weight because I fed her a regular portion and failed to count the frozen kong, chew treats, dog bones, etc.

[tanza]

So not sure why you are closing doors off? Is there a reason she can't go into other rooms?

[JENGOSMonkey]

Based on recent experience with really little puppy guys, first thought that popped into my head was Puppy vs Power Cord. Ouch! This coming from a guy who use to stick his mom's bobby pins into electrical outlets at age three. "Hmmm. Wonder what that would do. Dunno. Better try it." For a three year old... Thirty seconds is more like an hour. In other words, trouble happens fast. :rolling_on_the_floor_laughing:

[Lustopher]

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[tanza]

@lustopher - Make sure you take treats with you to the Vet... have the staff give him some and the Vet also. And at home you need to get other strangers to come by the house.... so that he gets used to different people. Do you know how much socialization was done by the breeder?

[Lustopher]

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[tanza]

@lustopher - Sounds good, but I always recommend to let the pup come to them... if they are OK with sitting on the floor that is great, be at his level... and when he comes to them, treat time...pet time... but let the puppy come to them, do NOT reach for them...

[Lustopher]

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[eeeefarm]

@lustopher said in Puppy and confined spaces:

I am actually amazed, as the gates have no horizontal lines and are 66cm tall

If you didn't see him and it looks hard to climb, he probably just jumped it. A couple of feet is no big deal for a Basenji, even a young one. You will likely have to confine him to the crate or else get a higher fence. Five feet unclimbable does for most adults. Another thing that will work is to put a scat mat inside the fence....

[JENGOSMonkey]

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[elbrant]

@lustopher said in Puppy and confined spaces:

I really want to get him used to being left alone for 2-4 hours (there's always one of us home

Are you actually leaving him alone? If one of you is always home, then your exercise leans more to expecting him to leave you alone and entertain himself. That requires an entirely different approach.

If you want the pup to entertain himself, then ditch the cage inside the cage. Leave the crate in it's assigned location and put a comfy doggy bed in the room you will be working in. Allow the pup to choose where they will hang out while you are occupied doing other things, but do not isolate the pup in a different section of your home. Your dog will learn to just "chill" without the anxiety of wondering why they cannot be with you while you are home.

If you want the pup to be alone at home without supervision: consider putting baby gates up to block off the kitchen. This will be your pups designated area while you are gone. (Kitchen floors offer easier "oops" cleanup, plus it's typically where the pups water/food dishes are. So, the kitchen will satisfy two issues.) The next step is to get the pup used to being in that room while you are gone. Create a routine, let the pup watch you get your keys, put on your shoes, set up the baby gates, fill his water bowl, etc., etc. The pup will associate the actions with the idea that he will be alone. It provides him an outcome expectation and relieves stress. Then you actually both need to leave. Scruff his head, tell him you will be right back, and leave. Walk to the end of the sidewalk or street, start the car and drive around the block. But actually leave. Standing on the other side of the door won't work because your dog can hear and smell you. Do it over and over again for an afternoon. Your pup will get it and begin to understand that you come back.

Now you need to teach your pup what to watch for as an indication that he gets to go with you.... that's easy. If you pick up the leash, he gets to go. If you are not taking him, do not touch the leash.

I hope this makes life with your pup a little easier. :)

[Lustopher]

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[tanza]

@lustopher - Note with x-pens and especially for a Basenji as they say "put a lid on it"..... if you were still using a x-pen, put a top on it.... but since you have a new plan..... that seems to be working

[Lustopher]

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[elbrant]

@lustopher said in Puppy and confined spaces:

He was also a little distant too afterwards

Well, this part is his way of telling you that he isn't happy about what you did. The Basenji shun: Bad doggy dad! :grinning_squinting_face:

You will have to leave and return several times before he understands that you come back. I have found that if you do it several times on the same day, the pup will accept it faster. You don't have to walk him every time on training day, but having the afternoon off is critical. I wouldn't think it would be necessary to bribe him with the kong and bully stick each time either. But do make sure he has access to water with one of those bowls that bolt onto the cage wall.

He will get the idea. Keep practicing.