IMO it is a myth that Basenjis cannot have good manners on a walk. Yes, great if you can do off leash, but when circumstances dictate that a leash is necessary then walking calmly without a lot of drama and pulling should be achievable. Personally I do not like long lines or flex leashes. Or allowing dogs to eat whatever they find on the ground, which can in some cases earn you a trip to the vet or worse. Like most dogs, Basenjis are not overly discriminant about what they will ingest. A short leash and being observant can protect them from unwelcome outcomes. Mental exercise will also go a long way with any dog. But one should have a definite opinion about who is running the show, and it should not be the dog....they are quite willing to take up the position should you abdicate.
Jack has a couple issues…
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My new puppy, Jack, keeps peeing inside. I know, he's a puppy, and that's what they do! But just the other day, he jumped up onto my mom, peed, then jumped down.
Jack keeps biting, no matter what. I don't know what I should do… Help!
He is very smart, for he knows sit, shake, lay, and his name. So, I don't know what his problem is...
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How old is Jack? Cricket is 13 weeks, and while we still have the odd accident, we have more accident free days than not.
Hanging bells on the doorknob of the out door has helped a lot! And we made her go out after every activity change. We played for a while, she went out, we napped, she went out, etc.
As for biting, we are still working on that. We stop playing with her or remove her from the bed/couch. We yelp, and we also spray her with water. She is getting better with me because I am consistent. With husband, she is about the same. He is not consistent.
The other two things that have helped is exercise and wild salmon oil in her food. The exercise has kept her in a more learning frame of mind and the oil in her food has helped her with the dry/static conditions we are experiencing, so she doesn't bite us out of frustration.
Hope this helps! -
I agree with Knipper - out to pee after rest, eating, play and if required, even more frequent than that (depending on Jack's age). I found that structured pee time led to success. This means I went out with Kipawa (as opposed to him just going on his own) and gave him tons of praise and sometimes a treat right after he peed. This reinforced that peeing outside was a great thing to do.
Also, do you have a word that you use to let him know it is time to pee? I use 'hurry hurry', which his breeders used.As for peeing on your Mom, I am thinking that Jack was excited and then the flood gates just opened. A few months back, Kipawa peed right when I put his food down onto the floor - a big excitement time for him. If you make sure he is well 'drained' consistently, peeing on your Mom might be a thing of the past.
Also, you might want to rule out a bladder or kidney infection. Can you drop off a sample at your vet's office?
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Congratulations on your new pup, how old is he and how long have you had him ?
I can't realy add anything about toilet training, the advise you have been given is spot on. We have had our pup less than a week and are toilet training him, he's pretty good at going outside and sometimes goes to the back door to be let out. We still of course have a few accidents in the house, mostly when we forget to take him out.
He's not too bad for biteing as he has another Basenji to bite. However last year when we just had Malaika we found her very bitey. Again i can't realy add anything except to say use toys as a distraction and be careful if you yelp about pitch as it can sometimes whip them up worse. -
Well, he is exactly 3 months today, we've had him since Jan. 23rd, 2011.
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And the key to potty training is…. outside, outside and outside... and when he has an accident in the house... it is your fault... take that newspaper, roll up, and hit yourself on the head and repeat... I must not forget, I must not forget.................. because in the end... any accident in the house is your fault... not the pups
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Hi Basenji Luv… first, welcome to the forum, and more importantly, welcome to BASENJI life !
As you are learning.... first, basenjis aren't vindictive. He doesn't pee to get you mad, he pees because 1) he had to, or 2), he thinks he should. At his young age, if your mom realizes he's ready to go, she can interrupt his behavior with a loud "Uh Uh!"... or whatever noise she wants.... as long as she's willing to scoop him up, bring him outside, and reinforce, "go potty"... and then when he does, HIGH PRAISES!!!!My husband wakes up before the world (4:00 am), and when the house is so quiet, he has trained the dogs to react to the sound of a ziploc bag opening. HELLO? Is that a stupid dog???? No, they know that if they hear that sound, there are rewards for the asking. Don't think that because he's little, he's not thinking... trust me, he is.
With that in mind, positive reinforcement for good behavior. When he squats outside of the pee-zone... scoop him up, bring him to the right place, and reiterate your magic phrase (i.e. "go potty"), until he tries to squat.
As for the nipping... there are 2 thoughts. First, if he bites you and you react loudly with an "OUCH!!!".... he may think you are a big squeaky toy, and bite again. (That's my girl!). If, when you react, he backs off, then he knows he hurt you and should back off with biting again.
If he thinks... "Cool, big squeaky toy!"... then you need to move him away from you. Don't make eye contact, don't encourage love. Be cold, if you can. This will send to him the message that good dogs don't bite.
(But they do go to heaven
:)).Hope this helps!
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Welcome and i reiterate the advice you've already been given here.
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Hello all! This is my first post. I had an excellent breeder who started very early with my Basenji "Scarlett" at litter box training…Basenjis seem to take very well to it at a young age. When pups are real young the distance they can handle when they need to go is just a few feet. So litter box training can be key to success with house breaking! Use all the steps you would use for regular potty training but instead of going out use the box. How many times has a dog peed or pooped on the floor as your preparing to get leashes on or a coat and shoes. Later on in life they will progress to naturally growing out of the box method and you can take the boxes away (one in each room when there young), With no box they will let you know they need to go. My girl will walk over to the door sit down and look at me patiently when she needs to go...no training or bells needed! Plus having them litter box trained works well if you must crate them for an extended amount of time...if you get a big enough crate you can fit a box inside. BTW, never use regular litter as for cats, use an all natural non-treated pellet that can be found at any feed store.
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While I guess it's okay to use a litter box, sorry have had dogs for about 40 yrs, never used one and never needed one… even with basenjis.
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Well litter box training is a good option when your an apartment living city dweller…like I said it is not ideal but there isn't always one way to raise a basenji. I do not have 40 years of having dogs but I am always open to new ideas and techniques. My girl Scarlett doesn't use the box often now but she has one in her crate at all times and uses it when necessary!
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Hello all! This is my first post. I had an excellent breeder who started very early with my Basenji "Scarlett" at litter box training…
Hi Walter - I believe Scarlett is Kipawa's sister, right?
The litter training worked well for us in the beginning as well. As Kipawa's bladder got bigger and stronger, we gradually did away with the litter box. Sure, we had some accidents, but we gave Kipawa free access to the secure back yard, and he picked up using outside quite quickly.
Great to have you here - I look forward to hearing more 'Scarlett' stories!
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Hello Fran,
Yes Scarlett is Kipawa's little sister…I will post some pics of her soon. I am so glad to be able to chat with someone who has a litter mate of my girl. I must say that Therese is awesome! BTW, Kipawa was originally our first choice but Scarlett's personality was more of a match and we are so happy...she makes us smile and laugh all the time, I know he does the same for you!
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Walter, hopefully we will see you in August at the EBC specality.
Re housebreaking, routine, and good clean up keep the dog from "re" peeing in one spot. -
Hello Sharon,
We have a great routine with Scarlett…I can't remember the last time there was an accident in the house. I take her out at all the usual times needed (wake up, play, eat, etc.). She learned on her own to sit in front of the door (back to door and facing us) of whatever room me and my gf are in and give us the look...she trained us well in when she needs to go!
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Yes, Walter, its all about learning to "talk" to your pet. Once you have that, it does get easier. Course, Bryan and Laurie do a great job with their puppy's.
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You'd need a huge litter box to keep a male B from missing the box and hitting the wall or floor around the box…unless you are talking about an enclosed one with a single entrance... Do they make them that big? My male is 28lbs and when he cuts loose on the sofa...it's a 4' line buy the time he's done. He likes to get ALL the cushions in one sitting.
