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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?

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    @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 !
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    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.
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    @Muro-Pads said in Hiperactive 16 month old B...: He's 16 months old. I did hire a personal trainer, and accomplish basic training, basenji style with no immediate come, short stay and no heel what's so ever 😜 Lol. But now that you mention it, I haven't been paying much attention to brain stimulation. I will try that. Any games in mind? He won't fetch...not that I expect him to... Well, you should be able to get an immediate come in an enclosed area. Even if you use a 40 ft line and reel him in, it does help. And heeling... they can do it but it's more fun not to. :) My basenjis all played fetch, btw. I start out with them inside, tossing the toy up in the air, playing tug with it... get REALLY revved up...toss off bed. They get it, bring back. Happy reward, more play. Then I work to the hall way. And I had to admit, once outside, it's 20/80 on getting it back more than a time or 2. HOWEVER, I took a lunge whip, tied a toy to it, and can get them to chase it in circles til their tongues hang out. As for mind/senses use. Teach scent games. :) My daughter used peanut butter on treats and went in room, down hall, places in the house, eventually outside. She was 8 working with a rottweiler who has far less ability than our basenji. :) Here's a page with some tips http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/pets/dog-behavior/fun-nose-games-for-your-dog Dog toys that they have to manipulate to get the treat help. I have to admit mine never liked them unless they were so noisy you needed ear plugs. Favorite ever was a freaking heavy wigler milk jug which I could throw a few treats in, toss outside and let the dog knock it all over the yard getting the toy out. But not really that mind stimulating once they figure it out. I keep looking at this one but not sure how well Cara would go for it: http://www.amazon.com/TRIXIE-Pet-Products-Board-Level/dp/B0054Q9TMA/ref=pd_bxgy_199_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1226G4ZQN61BFCV4RSE9
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    Yes, like humans older dogs can go a bit senile but there is no need to woryy - take her to the vet and he should be able to help her. Jewel (my senior) isn't quite as bad as that but she does get a bit muddled - she'll go to her water bowl and stand by it wondering why she went there. Occasionally when she's outside she'll do much the same forgetting and I have to go get her and remind her what she was going to do in the first place.