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Crate Guilt

Basenji Training
  • tanzaT

    My Maggii broke her leg when we were all home… so accidents happen all the time.... since our home is set up with a doggy door for access to the back yard and we can gate off a room for the Basenjis, I do not crate when not home... however, they do sleep in their crates at night... or at least they did before becoming "elders"... who have completely different house rules..ggg

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • nobarkusN

    @Ann:

    More useful feedback! Thanks everyone. I'm feeling better.

    Oh Dan, you asked about our fence. We do have a safely fenced yard (including double gate system with a Basenji free zone - the BFZ - in the middle) but I still don't think I could leave her out there unattended for hours. I don't trust what's outside the fence. Too much barky unpredictable nonsense from surrounding dogs in the hood and an alley behind us filled with two and four-pawed activity. Alas, if I could only control the universe…

    How high is the fence Ann? The outsiders shouldn't be able to get in if it's high enough. I have dogs all around me but none attempt to get in. There's even 2 Pitbulls behind me and there's no attempt to get in. Buddy is perfectly fine in the back all day. I just bought him a dog house from COSTCO online and I put 2 thick towels folded up in there with a small water bowl. My first Basenji (1975-1992) lived outside its whole life with no problems. She was actually an excellent guard dog.
    How old is Noel?

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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  • wizardW

    I crated Gossy for about a month while I was at work (9 hours) but then she learned to open the crate door. So then I worked with her to be loose and not terribly destructive by leaving her loose for short periods (while I walked around the neighborhood), then took some vacation hours so I could come home after a half-day, then 6 hours and so on. This way she gradually got used to the idea of my being gone.
    In addition I did have to use piddle pads for awhile because she wasn't used to not going potty whenever she wanted. And of course I made sure she had interactive toys and treats/kibble to hunt for to keep her occupied and a frozen soup bone to chew on. (frozen ones last almost all day).
    She did initially chew on the couch (jsut a couple of small holes thankfully) but once I started leaving her with a thick soup bone, that stopped too. She generally goes to sleep in her crate when I leave (I know this because I returned once day for something I had forgotten) and sometimes will sit on the table next to the couch to look out the window. No destruction, no potty on the floor, and no retaliation when I get home. Success! - but it did take some time.

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  • KanangaK

    @wizard:

    She did initially chew on the couch (jsut a couple of small holes thankfully)

    That's exactly what I've dealt with. 2 small holes, one corner that has been slightly gnawed on. Problem is it's very random when he chews on these spots and he doesn't chew on anything new.

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  • wizardW

    Once a week I spread a little bit of mentholated rub on the area (it does stain it a little but once stained it doesn't get worse with continued use) and that keeps her away. A small amount is all that is needed - the smell is what gets them.

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  • snorky998S

    Thank goodness I'm past the "few small holes" phase:). Ok, Ok,….truth be known I graduated from a few small holes, to the the absolute gutting of a "few huge cushions":eek: {let the sounds of taps playing in the background let you know where that sleeper sofa is now}

    Seriously, I never crate now. The 2 are quite happy to live harmoniously (ie..sleeping) while I'm at work. Yes, I worry about them. No, I'd never leave them out side when I'm not at home (I also have a doggie door and a secure fenced yard)

    Crating was a part of the training process for us. But once graduated (with honors:D) to a new level, they were never crated again.

    I really think crating is a individual situational and lifestyle choice. There are exceptions, but what fits you and your dogs (if not excessive or abusive) is what's best for a happy family:)

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  • KanangaK

    I never really bothered with crate training since I got Kananga at an older age (just under 8 months) and I found that within a few weeks of having him, he was ok out in the open.

    Actually, strangely enough, lately he has been hanging out in his crate while I'm gone. I'll come home and he'll be laying in his crate. I keep it near a corner with the door open so he can use it if he wants. Recently he has decided to use it on his own, so I'm quite proud of him.

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  • KanangaK

    @wizard:

    Once a week I spread a little bit of mentholated rub on the area (it does stain it a little but once stained it doesn't get worse with continued use) and that keeps her away. A small amount is all that is needed - the smell is what gets them.

    I've used the Tea Tree Oil. I have to apply it every couple weeks it seems. :rolleyes:

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  • ComicDom1C

    Miranda and I have a gate on the bathroom that is off our bedroom. Roo's crate is also located in this bathroom which has a ceramic floor. Roo's food dish and water bowl live in this area as well. When we both leave the house, Bonzo our boston goes into her crate that is in the bedroom and Roo's dog bed is put in the bathroom along with plenty of toys to keep him busy. We started giving both dogs a couple of Chicken Chip treats when we go to leave and kennel them. This is worked out well for us because when we are getting ready to go, both dogs get walked, and as we come in the door we say kennel. They both run to their respective kennels and wait patiently for their treats.

    They have both gotten into the habit of going where they are supposed to because of this practice.

    Jason

    Get your Basenji Fanconi DNA tested today!

    https://secure.offa.org/dnatesting/index.html

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  • AnnA

    @nobarkus:

    How high is the fence Ann? The outsiders shouldn't be able to get in if it's high enough. I have dogs all around me but none attempt to get in. There's even 2 Pitbulls behind me and there's no attempt to get in. Buddy is perfectly fine in the back all day. I just bought him a dog house from COSTCO online and I put 2 thick towels folded up in there with a small water bowl. My first Basenji (1975-1992) lived outside its whole life with no problems. She was actually an excellent guard dog.
    How old is Noel?

    Hi Dan. Thanks for your feedback. Noel will be 5 in November. (I don't know how she spent her first 4 years.) Our fence is 6' so other dogs can't get in…it's her reaction to them that could cause problems. I'm sort of a hyper worrier since Noel has a weak front leg. It was badly broken in December and, when there's squirrel/dog activity around the yard or in the alley behind us, she forgets about her leg and goes into a full run and jump mode. It's great to see her fly over our 2' stone ledge and run the periphery of yard like a guard dog or chase a squirrel back to its tree, but if left outside alone all day there's the potential that she'll overdo it and tire out her leg to the point of pain. I know I'm sounding over-protective...The vet recommends plenty of exercise but in small doses to avoid the fatigue thing. (I'll be posting some queries soon in relation to this!)

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  • nobarkusN

    @Ann:

    Hi Dan. Thanks for your feedback. Noel will be 5 in November. (I don't know how she spent her first 4 years.) Our fence is 6' so other dogs can't get in…it's her reaction to them that could cause problems. I'm sort of a hyper worrier since Noel has a weak front leg. It was badly broken in December and, when there's squirrel/dog activity around the yard or in the alley behind us, she forgets about her leg and goes into a full run and jump mode. It's great to see her fly over our 2' stone ledge and run the periphery of yard like a guard dog or chase a squirrel back to its tree, but if left outside alone all day there's the potential that she'll overdo it and tire out her leg to the point of pain. I know I'm sounding over-protective...The vet recommends plenty of exercise but in small doses to avoid the fatigue thing. (I'll be posting some queries soon in relation to this!)

    OK Ann, now I see your dilemma here. This is a tuff one keeping a Basenji still or low activity especially when you're not there. The only other thing you could do is set up a kennel run or large dog pen to reduce the area. see this picture.
    http://www.seefido.com/html/dog_kennel_runs_pen_fence_.htm

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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    Diggs Crate?

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    Hey. I have my first Basenji and the diggs crate is great but I must admit it is heavy and bulky to take up and down the stairs. I had to buy an additional crate for travel because it was becoming too much. If you were looking for something to travel with I definitely wouldn’t recommend it especially because it is expensive. My puppy loves it though since he can see everything from it but you could get that from another crate.
  • DiegosMomD

    Pooping in crate!

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    Piggy only has problems pooping when she gets panicky too. For example if we leave her home in a crate and someone comes in the house but doesn't come down to see her or let her out she will do it. We can't put anything in her crate or she shreds it, we tried everything. For a while I was even buying fleece baby blankets at the dollar store and tossing them if she pooped. We gave up on that after a while. The mess was terrible, so I can relate to hours of cleanup… by the time you get her cleaned up and the crate. We did some desensitizing and left for short periods like I described before, and that helped a lot. My friend that has a B went to the vet about her anxiety, hers would cry incessantly, and they actually gave her meds, prozac I think, for it. I think she tried it, but didn't think it worked enough to do it. Sounded crazy to me. It hasn't happened in a while so we have been lucky. She has come to terms with her crate now and will once in a while go hang out in it by choice, so I know she doesn't hate it. Have you tried one of those snuggle buddy things? I wonder if you could find some way to protect it if Darwin had an accident. Best of luck and lots of patience!
  • Ninabeana26N

    Crate peeing!

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    mia only gets water when were there to watch her and take her out about 10-15 minutes later.. whenever shes taken out of the crate she goes straight outside.. and before we put her in we take her out again, whether thats 15 or 20 minutes or an hour. i've quickly learned that water goes RIGHT through them. so taking the water out of the cage should work! she has an occasional accident but not everyday.
  • Mark1491M

    Pooping in the crate

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    You might also try a small crate… if the crate is too large, then they can poop or pee in one part and still have a clean area in another...
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    I adopted my B and the foster parent that I picked her up from said she would pee in her crate at night if there was a blanket or any kind of bedding in there but is fine otherwise. When I adopted her we decided to leave her out at night and she also seems to be fine with that.