Basenji, I'm Overwhelmed…..HELP!!!

Behavioral Issues
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  • tanzaT

    @basilboy7:

    Try putting a ticking clock in the crate with him, it will sound like his mother's or another dogs hard beat and comforts them. I have a 6 week old basenji cross and this has helped. I also heat up a bean bag which you can make at home by just maybe a pillow like square with beans or rice inside that you can heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds, they like sleeping with something warm. Before you leave during the day, try playing with him and giving him a lot of time to empty his bladder so he doesn't go in the crate. He may not like the crate because dogs don't like going where they sleep. He may just be uncomfortable with the situation. Try leaving lots of fun toys with him… find the ones he likes best. My boy loves this long slinky stuffy like skunk without stuffing and his teething rings. Try and give him more running time so he's worn out while you're gone and at night. Also make sure for now you take away his water before you go for the day... You could also try some dog obedience classes to get you two connected. Hope everything goes a lot better. I've been going crazy about making sure my little boy has the best... don't worry :)

    6 or 8wks? If only six weeks, way to young to have left the litter and even at 8wks, a bit young. I don't place my pups until at least 10wks

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • khanisK

    You asked about electric fences
    Please keep in mind they are TOTALLY DIFFERENT from an invisible fence
    Debra mentioned an electric fence.
    I have had these attached to my fence for over 15 years and the ONLY time there was an issue was when my crazy 1/2 AFs unplugged it and took off out the yard.
    I run it along the bottom of the fence all the way around, and then back along the top of the fence.
    The dogs learn quick to stay away from the fencing… and also do not dig in the yard [one dig near the fence cures them of that].

    Now, an invisible fence… a waste of your money.
    If you want to buy one, just get out some matches and burn your money.
    You will get more pleasure out of that....
    invisible fences do nothing for a bright dog, and allow any animal in the yard to attack/kill your dog.

    Hope things are getting better with your pup!

    Kathy Britton

    Khani's Basenjis

    Portland, Oregon

    ….."You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me!"

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Kathy, Duh moment. I said electric, meant invisible.

    I actually bought an electric fence kit before I got my first basenji to be prepared for having to install it. Was a waste of about $50 bucks as she never tried to climb my 6 ft fence. But I totally agree, you add it to a fence and not many dogs going to crawl over one!

    Debra

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  • B

    @tanza:

    6 or 8wks? If only six weeks, way to young to have left the litter and even at 8wks, a bit young. I don't place my pups until at least 10wks

    Sorry he is 8 weeks… that was just a typo.

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  • P

    In my experience a Basenji will brave an electric fence or any form of restraining fence if there is prey beyond it. I wonder what voltage fence you're using?

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  • tanzaT

    I have found that hot wires (not invisable fencing) works really well. Like Kathy said, line the top and bottom of the fence will keep most all Basenjis off them…. I always recommend voltage that is typically used for cattle or horses.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • D

    And then you have a Basenji pup like Nickie (short for Necromancer) who was determined to "kill" the wire no matter how much it shocked him (and it was a low level charge believe me). His litter mates would hit the wire around the garden once and then leave the area and not ever attempt to go thru it again. Nickie would attack it once a day. He would do the Basenji bow at it and then the pounce. It was so very funny, he was so special he went to live with my in laws. He never attempted to climb any fence, he just wanted into my flower garden and the fish pond.

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  • caseeno8C

    I have found the website http://www.dogstardaily.com/ to be very helpful in all training. The training textbook tab is where you want to go.

    Chris Battistelli

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  • Buddys PalB
    First Basenji's

    Hey noob! First welcome, and yes you are in the right place for information! MacPack has a good reply and tlish….I have had my boy Uzie for 3months now. He was crated at the breeder, then about 20 hours a day by the previous owner for the next 10 months. He is only crated at various time now, but he still baroos if left in for over 2hours. My mentioning this is just to let you know it is so wrong to keep him in that wire box for too long. It has taken me the 3months to help him overcome separation anxiety, counter-clockwise circles of anxiety, and then some. They need stimulation, stimulation, exertion with a running exercise, and then some for mental health. Can you actually have a doggy day care, or 'dog sitter' break up the day? I realize you go to work and school, so do you think you are doing right by having any dog????? esp a Basenji. Please do not crate him at night, this is at least the bonding time for you all as a 'pack' Please think through the scenario of the situation thoroughly. Maybe a cat for companionship? They do better alone as a species than a dog....(you said no matter how harsh...)

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  • Buddys PalB
    First Basenji's

    I just read through the entire previous 6 pages. I will tell you that he probably keeps on screeming all day. Uzie did per the previous owners' housemates…...NOT HEALTHY FOR HIM. poor Buddy.....

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Folks ignore Pottypuppy… spammer link to blog selling.

    Debra

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    Desperate for help with my biting basenji

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    Hi - a few thoughts in case they are helpful, although ours doesn't bite. For biting: Figure out the reasons for biting first. if it is around toys/possessiveness - we gave him the toy on his bed and let him be there gnawing on his own. Then walked close by (not too close) and threw him something yummier in his view (eg a small piece of sausage that he can eat quickly) and walk away. Do this at random (though not too often) and have different people in your family do it. Soon she will associate your coming close to her and her favorite toy as something good. Progressively get closer (ie throw the sausage from closer), and then squat down, then touch on head briefly, then hand sausage to her, then move hand towards toy but don't touch it. By this time she will anticipate your coming to her when she has a toy as "yay, something more tasty coming my way". Evenutally, you should pick up the toy/bone hand her the sausage then hand back the toy/bone. Pretty soon she'll let you pick up her toy/bone without biting or thinking you are going to take it away. The key is to progress slowly in terms of distance etc, and mix up the treats (sausage, cheese, chicken). -if she does bite someone, then immediately isolate her in a basenji-proof room where she cant destroy things. And when letting her out, ask her to sit and be calm for a few seconds first so that she's not hysterical and she learns to watch and listen to you. There may be something else that one does for biting, so maybe others or a trainer would have good ideas. For pulling on walks, 2 things worked for us: A gentle leader - suggested by our trainer. This means she can't control her head (if they pull forward their head moves to the side like a horses halter) and so she won't be able to forge ahead. It will give your arm/shoulder immediate relief while you work on the rest. In the yard and on walks start rewarding with small treats every time she looks back at you/checks on you. At first she'll do it by chance, or if she is checking to see what you are doing, and sometimes it's a side glance. As soon as she does it - give big verbal praise and get her to come to you and give her a treat and lots of pets. She will begin to do this more often. initially treat every time she looks at you, and once she is good at it, then randomly. On walks you'll find her looking back and coming back to you more often, and as a corollary less pulling, which is a relief. We usually keep the leash in one hand and a handful of small, soft treats in the other - so you don't run out and have to keep going into your pocket to get treats. So, she'll come and nose your hand and you can pet some times, treat sometimes, etc. The one thing is to progress slowly, praise the right behavior and don't get impatient (count to 10, stop training or go do something else for a bit till you feel ready to try again). When doing the praise really have an excited voice and go overboard even! Our basenji really loves being praised. It takes more time perhaps than other methods, but it's long lasting because they see these behaviors as rewarding so you don't have to get into a battle of wills. And once they get the idea, they'll improve rapidly, even over one walk. Good luck!
  • D

    Bringing a 2nd (Male) Basenji into a Female Basenji's home, Any Advice of Thoughts?

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    Congratulations on the future new addition. Boy/girl is a good combination. As others have advised let them meet on neutral ground and take them for a long walk together. For every good interaction praise both inordinately. As Curlytails says don't rush it. Keep us posted, please and best wishes to you all.
  • J

    Basenjis that can't stand other basenjis

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    My previous males never had an opportunity to meet other basenjis (outside their breeder kennel) so don't know if the experience with my current female is "typical" or not. The first time she encountered another, it was a tri-color older female that was a real bitch and instantly got aggressive (now whenever they see each other its "hackles up"). The first time I took her to a lure coursing event, mine was friendly enough until a little blind female came up and bit her. The second time I took her to a LGRA event, a lady came up behind us (while mine was trying to potty) with her tricolor female and her dog attacked mine. So now hackles go up any time another female comes within shouting distance.
  • H

    Basenji Help!!

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    Move the crates to different rooms. The female won't be able to see what's going on. Give the male his food first, then feed the female a little later. Don't let them out of the crates at the same time.
  • kiyapapayaK

    The Alpha Theory and Basenji's

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    tanzaT
    Honestly, I think that all dogs require having someone in the leadership role, setting the rules, boundaries and gaining their respect… I also believe that all humans in the pack should be "above" the dog in that pack pecking order. I really don't think that it applies to just our Breed.... Even in Basenjis you have different personalities ranging from dominate, shy and everything in between...