Skip to content

Help Please!!

Basenji Training
  • They are cute, not sure I see the Basenji, but still cute… and at their age, lots of energy... need lots of exercise.... period.... as with all dogs, a tired dog is a good dog. If they can expend the pent up energy, you will see different dogs for the most part

  • It also doesn't have to be physical exercise. Mental exercise will also help them burn excess energy. Using things like food dispensing toys for meals instead of feeding out of a bowl can really make a difference in their energy level.

  • Thank you all for your compliments on these dogs! :-) Tanza, they were listed as Basenji mixes so maybe that was incorrect? However after reading up on the breed they do exemplify many of the same behavioral traits. Yes we are thinking about getting an invisible fence which I said I would never do as I think those shock collars are inhumane but it's also inhumane to keep these animals inside sitting still. Since they are so smart they should catch on quickly at a low setting I hope. Lvoss, I will look into the dispensing toys which sounds like something they would love. I just fed them and the little one threw up because her "sister" wouldn't stop rough housing w/her!! I really need to get that under control.

  • I love them! they are so pretty!
    I can not belive how much your pups look like my dog. Mine is a mix too. Not sure with what. Adorable. I really wonder what kind they are. Kentucky came from a Kentucky shelter and is about 8-10 months old. here is a picture!
    attachment_p_146455_0_prettyboy.jpg

  • @mmp2011:

    Yes we are thinking about getting an invisible fence which I said I would never do as I think those shock collars are inhumane but it's also inhumane to keep these animals inside sitting still. Since they are so smart they should catch on quickly at a low setting I hope.

    I would not use invisible fence without a physical barrier as backup. The issue isn't the shock. (IMHO, it is far less inhumane than too much crate time) The issue is the fact that the fence doesn't prevent other dogs or people from accessing your dogs, and the fact that some dogs will learn to run through it. Proper conditioning is essential, and not everyone covers this step as well as they should. Bottom line, unless you live out in the country well away from hazards, I would not trust them inside invisible fence without your supervision.

  • Have to agree– invisible fences are horrible unless you are out there with them at all times. They learn to bolt through, then don't come back in.

  • Someone posted here recently having lost and later found their Basenji having run through an invisible fence because it was frightened by thunder.

  • We've had invisible fencing (the REAL Invisible Fence brand which included rigorous, mandatory professional training) for three dogs (rottie, dobie, basenji) in a rural area. Worked a charm for each one, and is still working for my B-Boy. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat if your circumstances were right. We reinstated it for Magnum when he was close to two years' old (we got him when he was a little over one, and he's almost 8 now). With two acres "fenced," once he learned the boundaries, he rarely tests them now, and steps back (or circles round, if he's running) to a safe area when he hears a warning chirp. He's chased many animals and turns back when he hears the chirp. Basenjis may be prey driven, but they don't like to be startled and shocked either. I believe his first thought is, "Go back to where I was" when he hears a chirp from the collar, prey be danged.

    Two acres of freedom versus a walk on a leash or circling a 1/4 acre fenced-in yard? Since he's always supervised and in a rural area, I think it's worth the risk. Just my opinion, of course.

  • You'd definitely need supervision with an invisible fence. Obviously from gbroxon's experience they work for her Basenji but I think you could expend a lot of money and find it just wouldn't work.

    Basenjis, in the main, do have incredible prey drive (I must admit it does seem latent in some) and if attractive prey was outside the fence not even a strong shock would stop them.

    Personally I'd find a way to check them out before investing more money.

    Lovely dogs and you're very brave to rescue two without experience, especially if they do have strong Basenji characteristics..

  • If you really want to be sure your dog responds appropriately to invisible fence, it is essential to "proof" it properly. After you have thoroughly conditioned the animal to the fence, you need to use very high value distractions or lures while you are present (but not visible) to observe behavior. It's the only way to be reasonably sure your dog will not bolt through the fence, and then you still have the problem of other dogs or people possibly trespassing and causing a problem, since there is nothing to keep them out.

    In the country, invisible fence can work well, although there is still the chance that the dog will learn to run through it. My friend uses it at her farm, and one of her three dogs (not Basenjis) will go through the fence if the temptation is strong enough.

Suggested Topics

  • Indoor Playpen? XXL Dog Crate??? Please Help

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    4k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I have used wire for about 40 years. A good quality wire is safe. Obviously if you have a strong dog who is determined to break out, you may need to go to the uber expensive crates that are almost solid metal. Few dogs need those. As Pat said, no top means no dog. They laugh at 6 feet, much less 40 inches. They can jump or climb easily. Plastic ones are more easily chewed unless the solid ones... which block view and air.
  • Peeing in the house…help!

    Basenji Training
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    7k Views
    P
    Me too, Pat - I swear by it.
  • Advice needed please

    Basenji Training
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    4k Views
    thunderbird8588T
    @Patty: Shelley - I agree that Howards' was the better reaction but as I said it's understandable that you were worried because of your previous experiences. I hope now by everyones' comments and advice that you now realise that this is no major problem? Malaika is a different baby and she's yours to shape into a lovely girl - the good thing is that you've seen the worst and have the knowledge to avoid it!! Talking about growling - here's a laugh, Adonis, our Fula Tri, was excelled in obedience competition but from the age he started to the age he died he accompanied all his obedience actions with a low growl saying "I'm only doing this because you want me to." He had the sweetest temperament with young and old, known and unknown and the growl never meant "I'm going to bite you." :D:D Adonis sounded a real character and what a name, no wonder he had big ideas ;)
  • Toilet training help!!

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    tanzaT
    If you are not consistant in potty training, you will never get success…. and when there is an accident in the house... roll up that newspaper and "hit" yourself over the head... because you have not paid attention to the needs of the dog... It is an ongoing training... not just for a few days, a few times outside... and when you go out...you do not come in till they go....
  • Please HELP with rescued basenji

    Basenji Training
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    5k Views
    Ninabeana26N
    My vet suggested not leaving any water for him as long as I am not gone longer than 3-4 hours. I stopped leaving water & it seemed at first to stop him from peeing but only for a short time. I feed him early enough in the day that he is out of his crate for several hours after eating. He isn't even crated daily because my sister is home from college right now & thus home during the day a lot. It's only when she has to go out that we crate. His crate being too big may be a possibility. It's a good size crate because I wanted him to have room since when I lived in FL he was crated for closer to 6 hours at any given time. Plus in FL he was still sleeping in his crate. I guess I could give a smaller one a try… As far as leaving him uncrated, we are working towards that. We leave him out if it's only like 30 minutes or so to try to see what he'll do. My goal is to eventually always leave him uncrated but right now I just don't trust him enough. We left him uncrated in my room one day & he ripped a huge chunk of the carpet out [down to the concrete!] So…yea. Haha.
  • Please Help! Crate training 5yo

    Basenji Training
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    4k Views
    ChristyRutherfordC
    I have a 5yo BRAT boy that I am working on crate training. He would "explode" and freak out when I would try it. I then got a carrier (more den like than the wire crate) and put it in his "room". The first week, I left the door open. Then I started giving him treats by it, then inside it. Now, the only place he gets the "high value" treats is in his crate. I have left him in there for a little bit and he didnt "explode"- so it is slowly working. But with our older B's it takes more time. Get a soft bed or comfy blanket for it and some great treats (turkey, cheese, something really good) and only let her have them in there. good luck