Skip to content

Why is my 8 month old digging?

Behavioral Issues
  • Hi all. We recently adopted an 8 month old Basenji from a shelter. We brought him home a few days ago and he's lovely. But whenever we leave him alone outside, he digs. When we see him and come outside to tell him to stop, he'll run away and dig somewhere else. He's already dug a hole under our fence to get to our neighbor's yard, and they have a husky, which worries me. I don't want him to get hurt and I don't want him digging up our yard. We've already tried cutting access to the areas he likes to dig, but he finds new ones.

    We feed him, give him fresh water, play with him, but he still digs. Is it a showing of disrespect? Is it boredom? What can I do?

1/1

12 May 2014, 23:57

Suggested Topics

  • 0 Votes
    19 Posts
    2k Views
    @elbrant In the rutting season, any female is fair game - even neutered boys ! Basenji males don't discriminate at 'their time of year'. The rest of the year though their instincts quieten but if the female was in season at a different time of year they might show less interest. In a normal season season, yes, they would probably show more than a passing interest - just checking, you know !
  • 0 Votes
    14 Posts
    5k Views
    Oh NO! I am sorry about your wedding ring, but it sounds like things are improving. That's pretty high for a crate, but we paid about $150 for the airline crates to move here (I use wire crates at home).. so they'll just be stored or sold.
  • 0 Votes
    16 Posts
    6k Views
    Good for you for being proactive about the situation!
  • Old dog, old tricks

    Behavioral Issues 25 Nov 2010, 20:42
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    Hi Jay, welcome! Did you have your dog posted on Craig's List? I'm grateful that you found our website, and that you are looking for solutions for Trey. Giving him away before addressing his behavior just pushes his issues onto someone else, who doesn't love him like your family does. If Trey hasn't been to the doctor, you may be able to find some low-cost vet options. When the economy gets tough and we all pinch pennies. It's easy to overlook checkups for our dogs, especially when the Dr says, "let's run some tests." :eek: That has $$$ all of it, you know? In Tampa, because the vet offices are slow, they are running great specials to keep busy. Maybe you (or your wife) can call around to find someone who will give Trey a good check up without costing an arm and a leg… I'm glad to hear that your daughter is in 4th grade (versus 4 years old), because she's at an age where she can respect Trey's boundaries. I don't think a basenji would simply chomp on someone without sometime of forwarning... unless he's sleeping, and wakes up grouchy? :confused: If that's the case, as long as everyone knows, I don't see her in imminent danger. Hopefully you or your wife can spend some time reading up on the quirks of a basenji. It's one thing to visit a basenji, and another to live with them. :) Like Anne said, the basenji breed is very smart and common training methods with other dogs don't necessarily work. Does Trey get along with your lab? Are they bonding? It is a lot of change for everyone in the house, including the dog.... mutual respect and love will go a long way. :) I hope it's a happy home for all, even if times are tough. I hope we can help you out!:)
  • 0 Votes
    81 Posts
    41k Views
    I'm a cheerleader for you and Tango! Please let us know what is going on, and remember, that we all have wonderful basenjis on our laps… I'm getting ready to go to bed, but here is my girl, all cuddled up in a cat-like curl, waiting for me to carry her to bed... and we live in FLORIDA? Too cute. :) Thank you for believing in Tango. He is new to this thing called life, and at the end of the day, all he wants to do is please you. I sincerely believe that basenjis are sensitive to our moods, and when they get scared/tense/mad and react, and then WE react... they react back. I'm so grateful that you didn't toss Tango into the basenji orphanage... I believe that he will be come the most loyal B there ever is! :)
  • 5 mth old biting kids

    Behavioral Issues 7 Nov 2008, 02:33
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    4k Views
    And also you need to train your kid´s to handle he pup it has to respect all humans.But yes they can play quite roughly although I didn´t start the rough playing until I was certain with the on/off button.Now we can play really rough and all I need to say is stop and he quits immediately my youngest son who´s 9 yrs old has the total respect from both my dogs.If screaming and water doesn´t help then making nipping unpleasant is worth a try but only by an adult if they nipped my hand I pushed not hard but deeper in the mouth and kept it there when they stopped and tried to lick I praised them.