Basenji, I'm Overwhelmed…..HELP!!!

[DexterDex]

@Basenji_noob:

I have stopped crating him at night. It seems to be working better but while he's in the crate during the day does he ever stop screeching? He's screeching when I leave and screeching when i get back. please tell me he doesnt do that all day and also please tell me that he'll grow out of the screeching stage when my girlfriend and I aren't around.

It's not just going to stop by itself. He could get used to it with time, like many have said, and doing things to make the crate a funner place for him will help also. You've just got to put in the effort. Then again, as also said, some don't ever like it apparently… You never know till you give it a good try though. There are many great ideas in the thread so far...

[Maya]

Is he your only dog?

When I crate mine I always try to put another one in with them so they are not alone. If you have another friendly dog that could be company for him that would probably help a lot.

Also, how big is the crate? Does he have space to move around, play with his toys, a seperate area to pee on and one to sleep on? I think Maya's baby crate was about 4ft so she had plenty of room and didnt feel claustrophobic in it. She will now happily sleep (alone when necessary) in a smaller crate with no problems.

[Basenji_noob]

Thanks to everyone to who has commented and helped my girldfriend and I with our Basenji pup situation. I am gonna start feeding him in his crate and I will try these crate games to see if this helps. Also I bought a kong with some peanut butter flavoured Kong paste, that will be his crate only toy for when I leave for work.

Any pointers on how to begin over again with crate training? Can I put the crate in another room to do this or should i begin with where it is now(which is in my bedroom, beside my bed.).

If anyone has any more suggestions please keep them coming.

Again, everyone has been a big help and thank you all very much!!

[dcmclcm4]

What type and size of crate are you using? Some dogs like a wire crate so they can see out while others like a travel crate which makes it darker.

Jennifer

[DexterDex]

Well when I started with the kong, his crate was moved to another room, but it was really just because it was in the way where it was before; I'm really not sure if that had anything to do with the improvement however. It may or may not have. Many people say to leave the crate where you and your family will be for the most part of the day so that he may go in and out of it to get treats/toys as he pleases, but I didn't do that. I put his crate into a room that we never go into unless it's to crate him and it wasn't a problem at all. My reason for doing that is because sometimes I crate him while guests are over or because I need to do something in the living room and I can't let him around and if his crate were where he could see me he would not want to stay in it and would cry, but in the other room he didn't even know I was home so it was ok with him. I think that with all the other steps you are taking/plan to take, you can probably leave the crate wherever you choose. Good luck, I'll be hoping for you!

[Basenji_noob]

im using a wire crate for medium size dogs. 2ft x 3ft x 21/2ft. The kong and kong paste failed. He had no interest in it whatsoever. Frozen oatmeal in the kong also didnt work at all. I moved his crate into the living room and he seems to kinda like hanging out in there. My issue with this is that we cant put him in there while we are at home to shower or anything because if he can hear us he's screeching. The crate retraining isnt going so well. He likes his crate but will only like it on his own terms. High value treats dont seem to interest him when its having to do with going in the crate. He can hold his bladder throughout the night however he gets quite restless in the morning hours but still doesnt get up or whine just moving around to get comfortable, which i understand is not a problem just annoying.

Since i have gotten buddy my stomach has been in knots to the point where i cant eat, i feel sick to my stomach all day and have trouble sleeping. I realize this is not a B problem but was wondering if anyone can relate to my situation. Im not sure if this has anything to do with buddy specifically but im having trouble getting back to my usual self. This issue has only came to light since getting my buddy. Anyone understand or relate to this….

[nomrbddgs]

My personal thoughts are 1) DON'T TAKE THIS PERSONALLY!! You are stressing too much over the crate issue which is why your stomach is in knots. Have your tried an x-pen? Sometimes it also makes a difference, as Jennifer stated, between a wire crate and a plastic crate. You will need to crate train him for the car, or if you go away, however, so I would keep trying with the crate.

Back to square one. Feed him in the crate. Start with the door open and then slowly adjust it so the door is closed, then locked. Then, after eating, or while he is in the middle of eating, take him outside for a potty break and put him back in for a couple of minutes. I have one girl who will scream, throw herself, do a Linda Blair exorcist routine, poop, throw it, etc while crated in my house. However, in the car, or in a hotel room, she is not bad. In the hotel room, when I leave she settles down and is quiet. Most dogs, in my experience, will settle down after 10-15 min of you being gone and are quiet, then, when they hear you, they start back up again. So you may think they are screaming the whole time, when they are actually not.

Sometimes toys, foods work, sometimes they don't. I had to ride it out with my youngest boy. He's a year now and he's just settling into a crate routine. If I say crate, he will go in and be quiet, but it took about a year.

There are no magic bullets. Some people are also great at crate training, some people are not so good. I'm not the greatest, but persistence is my key. Also, take him for rides in the car, in the crate. IMO this helps also.

[tanza]

I didn't go back and read all, but have you talked to Buddy's breeder? What was the situation he was in before you got him?

And another consideration, considering your level of stress over this situation is that maybe it would be best to return the pup to the breeder. Perhaps this is not the best breed of dog for you. Remember, animals pick up on their human's emotions…. and if you are that stressed out, believe me, they know it.

[sharronhurlbut]

If you can give this basenji a LOT of exercise, he will be too tired to cause much trouble in the house/crate.
That might help with both of your stress.

[DexterDex]

The fact that he gets "restless" in the morning after making him hold it all night isn't surprising, he is still really young to be holding it for a long time. I wouldn't be surprised if he has an accident eventually if he has to hold it all night. Maybe with time he will eventually learn if you are persistent and keep offering treats and toys in his crate, or maybe it would just be better for you to do the ex pen/baby gate him into a certain area?

[Patty M]

Arlene and Sharron have some really great advice… would you consider a second dog? I know that sounds like adding fuel to the fire, but since basenjis are very social, sometimes they just need another b....

Keep the faith! Things will work out~ you are a new owner, he's a new pup. As long as you don't give up on him, you'll become family!
Patty

[jnack777]

I agree this breed you can not leave in the crate at all times. They will make things harded on you they are very stubborn and do not forget! I am also new ti basenji breed i have had mine for a year she is great but we did a lot of head butting in t beginning. She now understands that I AM the leader. She is crated only when we are not home and I reward her with a long walk when she does get out. I do only crate her for a 4 to 5 hours a day but she can do up to 12 if needed in an emergency. You need to make sure that she respects you and not treats you as her toy. Also do you socialize your pup? Most Pet supply store or training centers offer a doggie social either free or for a fee of 10 dollars if you are crating your dog for 8-10 hours maybe you should consider doggie day care its about 40 bucks a week ( that is in CT

[Basenji_noob]

Quick update for everyone following Buddy's situation…..Im taking him on alot of long walks and lots of play time and he has gotten better.
He's pretty good at holding his potty over night which is impressive because of his age and the odd night he does need to get out he lets us know and im up and out the door.
I am having trouble with his crating situation. Against my wishes but for my sanity he is sleeping with us. I was leaving him in the bedroom during the day but he seems to be getting in more trouble by the day. I tried the crate games but it's not working no matter how high my level of patience. I feed him in the crate now too but it doesnt stop him from peeing in it. The only time he does his buisness in the house is in his crate when we are gone. Does this mean the crate is too big??? Is putting him in his crate and leaving a bad idea?? I ask because he knows we are leaving and puts up a fight to either get out of the crate or the bedroom?? will he grow to accept the crate? is this a puppy phase?? I would give him the run of the whole house if he wasnt like this. Please tell me he grows out of this.

Also he's having difficulties with us not being in his sight. I've tried the sneaking out of the room and then letting him know im still here but he cant wait for long periods. Is this a puppy thing aswell, that maybe he will grow out of or something he needs to be taught some other way??

I would like to again thank everybody for their input!! Some ideas have really worked out well, others not so much but maybe i need a different approach because all dogs are different.

[tanza]

So, why at night is he not with you? Why are you having to sneak out of a room? If you are home, he should be with the family….

[Basenji_noob]

nono he IS with us at night…..the second I get home he's either hanging out with me or hanging out with my Girlfriend or getting walked and playing. I was reading this basenji website and found this Peek-a-boo game for separation anxiety. Not working. http://basenjicompanions.org/tips/fear/peekaboo.html

I just find it hard to do anything around the house because he's always with me but sometimes he's just in my way(if that makes any sense). and if im in another room and he cant see me he starts his whinning routine which is equally annoying than being in my way. Just wondering if B's get a lil more independent and if there's anything I can do to help him with his indepedence?

Another question, does anyone use electric dog fences with their B's? Good or Bad idea?? If Good, then at what age do you start??

[tanza]

BAD IDEA… IMO... Electric Fences.... period

[DebraDownSouth]

I think an electric fence used INSIDE a real fence to stop a climber is often a good option. But as the only fence… no. They learn they can run through it fast... but won't come back in. Other animals can get to them.

[sharronhurlbut]

This pup needs to gain confidence and you can do this by signing him up for a gentle basic obedience class.
You 2 will learn to work together and it will tire him out. I can't tell you how much this will help you with your b…

[Basenji_noob]

Once he has all his shots i will begin the classes.

what about his crating?? he doesnt hate his crate, he'll go in it when the door is open its just when the door is closed and im leaving…crate games didnt really work because he will just stop going in the crate after i close the door once.....even with lots of treats.

[dcmclcm4]

Have you crated him in the same room when you are at home and just walking around and doing normal things for short periods of time? What does he do if he is in a crate and he can see you or if you are nearby and he can hear you but cannot see you?

For example, my dogs are crated in the family room but it is an open area into the kitchen/dining area. I can put a crate where the dog can see me go from the couch to the kitchen area and back again.

Has the breeder given you any suggestions for this problem? Are there any B owners nearby that you can meet and/or when your pup is a little older can play with their dogs? Where in Ontario Cananda are you located at?

Charlie D and I first ever B rescue was a 2 year old female owner turn-in who could not be kept in an electric fence. She kept wanting to chase things and the owners turned up the voltage to a larger dog and supposedly she would get on her hind legs so the shock would not bother her as bad. She turned out to be a great lure courser though. Joee is presently #9 in ASFA all-time for Bs and won BOB as a Veteran at the ASFA II in CA in 1997.

Jennifer