Happy New Year to everyone and their barooing buddies!
Three weeks ago, I adopted Ginger, a 3-1/2 year old Basenji mix from a local shelter. She is very sweet and smart and has all of the typical Basenji traits, other than she barks. She knows her commands, and will occasionally perform them when asked. We go out for daily walks and go the to local dog park once or twice a week (until she discovered that she could escape - searching for a new dog park). I have a cat that she barks at, but does not chase. Still, I keep the cat behind a closed door at all times to prevent a problem.
During the day while I am at work and at night, I put Ginger in a St. Bernard sized crate. She is not destructive, but I worry about her escaping the from yard or barking non-stop (there are other dogs in the neighborhood that do). My yard is surrounded by a 5 foot block wall with a small cast iron gate, but Ginger is a jumper. But, I am also worried that I am not giving her enough stimulation for her happiness by keeping her in a crate while I am at work.
I have considered taking her to Doggy Daycare - has anyone tried that for B's?
Second, any suggestions on the Ginger/Cat situation?
Third, suggestions on interactive dog toys? I have the Kong wooble food dispenser and a Nina Ottoson Dog Brick that we play with daily.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Happy New Year and welcome to the forum! Do you have some pictures of your dog that we could see? We all love to look at pictures here.
I have no information on you with the cat either than to introduce them and see how it goes. Maybe keep her on a leash and let kitty come out to investigate and see how she reacts….
The Kong Wobble and Nina Ottoson toys are great for mental stimulation. How long is she in her crate for? Do you have any chew things in there for her? (Bully sticks are really good and they can last fairly long as they are pretty tough, dogs love them and they are all natural.....don't go with rawhide)
Doggy daycare would be a good idea for you to try....or even a dog walker. I would imagine you have one in your area and they could stop by halfway thru the day so they can take her for a walk and it would be broken up for her. If she goes to the dog park and doesn't have issues with other dogs I don't see why doggy daycare would be an issue.....as long as someone is watching the dogs at all times. Some doggy daycares/kennels just put them all in a big room or pen and leave them for awhile. I don't believe this is good practice and would never allow my dogs to be in this type of situation.
Hopefully some of this information is helpful. Take care!
Seems to me that crating her when your at work is ok but at night as well, seems too much to me. Can't she sleep with you or be by your bed loose?
Dear Krunzer,
Thank you so much for the suggestions. During the day, she is in the crate for about 9 hours, at night, 6 hours. I hadn't heard of Bully Sticks, but will I will be getting some today. The dog walker is a great idea and yes, I am sure there are some in my area. I will put some pictures up in the next day or two, if she will ever sit still long enough for me to take any. The only time she is not in motion is when she is sleeping, it seems!
Hi Sharron,
The reason she is crated at night is because of the cat. Before getting Ginger, the cat's "territory" was my bedroom. I have thought about moving the cat to another bedroom and I may still do that. However, the cat (appropriately named "Cat") hates change and would become very hateful for the next few months.
Hi Sharron,
The reason she is crated at night is because of the cat. Before getting Ginger, the cat's "territory" was my bedroom. I have thought about moving the cat to another bedroom and I may still do that. However, the cat (appropriately named "Cat") hates change and would become very hateful for the next few months.
IMO, that is way to much crate time. I always tell people if you have to crate during the day, they should be loose at night.
Dear Krunzer,
I hadn't heard of Bully Sticks, but will I will be getting some today.
I think most folks have good luck with bully sticks, but I just received some for Christmas. I gave one to my B who later had explosive diarrhea. I went on-line and apparently this isn't as uncommon as one might think. So, I guess this is just a warning that not all dog's digestive systems are ready for the extra richness of bully sticks. As for crating at night - I agree with everyone else - day and night is too much. My dogs sleep on the bed and my B sleeps under the covers. Maybe if you could get yours to sleep under the covers with you, and out of sight of the cat, your cat might not feel so put out.
Hi All,
Thank you all for your comments, I'm thinking that I need to move the cat. I have tried to introduce them twice, both times Cat (12 lbs) charged and attempted to attack Ginger (40 lbs). Fortunately no contact was made, so Ginger is fine (and the cat too).
I have considered taking her to Doggy Daycare - has anyone tried that for B's?
Yes!
When we're in Spokane (during the summer), we've been taking Blaze to doggy day care for half a day 3 times a week. We are retired, so the reason we started taking Blaze to doggy day care was to get him socialized with other dogs, under supervision, and to get him to realize that life can go on without us around! It worked wonders for him!
Do your research and go check out the doggy day care centers personally.
I also think doggy daycare is a great idea….....if there is a good one that is well supervised in a convenient location for you. Assuming your dog is social (not dog aggressive) it can be a wonderful way to keep her out of trouble at home and to get her lots of play time and exercise, which is always a good thing for a Basenji. Too much crate time can be very hard on any dog, and particularly on this breed. If she is at daycare instead of shut in a crate all day, you then have the option of crating her at night should you find the cat unwilling to accept a nightly relocation. 
Hi all,
Just thought I would send an update. The cat has been moved to another bedroom and tonight is Ginger's first night out of the crate. I have looked into doggy daycare and there is a highly recommended one near my work. I have scheduled an interview for myself and Ginger and plan to take her two or three days a week (assuming I feel comfortable with the place). The bully sticks worked wonders and she does not seem to have any problems with them. Thank you all so much for your words of advice! You all helped me very much!
Regards,
Sheri
IMO, that is way to much crate time. I always tell people if you have to crate during the day, they should be loose at night.
I am on board with Pat here. I feel that is too much crate time and she should at least be able to be with you at night. We had to make a change with our senior (18 yr. old) female cat, and she adapted much better than we thought she would.
Glad to hear things are looking up, how did your night go??
Hi All.
Ginger is much happier. I don't get much sleep anymore - how can such a small dog take up so much space on the bed… : )
Hi All.
Ginger is much happier. I don't get much sleep anymore - how can such a small dog take up so much space on the bed… : )
Lots of Basenji owners ask themselves that question! You do get used to it. Such a small price to pay for having a happy hound.
I would also try the nylabones. Basenji's are avid chewers. My B loves the nylabones for powerful chewers. I have quite a few laying around so he can always have one to chew on if he wants. You may also want to think about baby proofing your home, and you could use baby gates to keep her in a specific place. I use baby gates to keep my B out of the kitchen and from going upstairs, because he will stand up on his hind legs and take things off of counters and tables and chew on them. I have already had to replace my smart phone lol. Good luck with your B. They are special dogs and reqire lots of attention. I agree with the others that she is spending too much time in the crate. I do crate him at night but he is not crated during the day. If I want to leave without him then I just make sure there is nothing on the table he can chew and put him in the living room and put up the gate so he can't get out. It would be a great idea to take her to doggy daycare. As for the cat situation i would keep them separated and introduce them only when you are in the room with them both and can supervise them. I hope this is helpful and congrats on your new B buddy! They are a special breed and they are very loving. Enjoy her and spoil her because she deserves it.
Good to hear tat problems are resolved. I think we all know the problems with Basenjis in bed but worth it to know that she is now out of the crate at night. I hope she enjoys the Doggie Daycare.
Isn't there a saying about Basenji's in bed?? Think it goes something like this…......
One basenji in a crate feels like,
at least two basenji's in a bed.......LOL!
No matter what size bed you have, the dogs always seem to end up with 3/4 of it!
