Skip to content

Stop giving food if basenji seem like he is getting used to crate?

Moved Basenji Feeding
  • My 1 1/2 year male appears to be behaving better when we put him in the crate. We have been giving him a kong filled with kibbles and yogurt to ease separation anxiety. Should we start to give him less and less so it is not addictive and we are not reliant on using that to help keep him in the crate without too much pushback?

  • Why in the world would you change what is working?

  • I never crated Fred, or any of my dogs so I don’t have any experience...but If you have something that’s working, continue with it.

  • Agree you should keep doing what you're doing. The kibbles and yogurt in a kong are a great idea. This combo will keep a dog occupied for a while and they are usually ready for a nap after the hard work of getting a snack. :winking_face:

    In the context of observing that your dog is behaving better, It may be that your guy is just maturing. We've always been able to stop crating when the dog is about two years old. Seems like a magical age when they can be left alone and not be bored or disturbed or whatever. You can of course keep crating but you will likely have the option of not doing that shortly.

  • Someone told me, a long time ago, that with any other breed, food should not be used to get a desired behavior once it's learned. But with basenjis, it's ok to use food - all the time.
    My dogs are ok in a crate but to get them in it, I throw a couple of pieces of dry puppy food. I will be doing this as long as they live. It works!

    Keep up with the food - it works!

  • There's a consensus! I will continue as now. Thanks to all.

  • I occasionally throw a couple of treats in Binti's crate so when she comes by, the crate has magically provided food! She loves her crate now! Food works!

  • You can also FREEZE the kong. Makes it last much longer. :)

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji and food problem suggestions

    Basenji Feeding
    27
    0 Votes
    27 Posts
    22k Views
    R
    We tried Purina Pro Plan food on our 3 rescues. Even though we gave this to them a little at a time to blend in over several weeks, they ALL had very runny stools and it would not stop. In fact, the more Pro Plan they got the more trips to the yard. Gave it up, and no more problems. This was Pro Plan dry and wet. Same results either way.
  • Food switching

    Basenji Feeding
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    7k Views
    C
    @Varanus: So I have Yoshi on Canidae All Life Stages right now, and I don't think it's the food for him. He's doing better on it than on the lower-meat-content Three Dog Bakery food I was using, but it isn't making him as happy and healthy as it could. For various reasons, I don't think I can do a raw diet right now, so I'm interested in kibble recommendations. I'm willing to spend money to get good food for him to thrive on, but I'm also not made of cash. Recommendations? B's are funny about there food, I only feed dry food and use Wellness brand, which has been good for my B's, Try a newpaper under the bowl so it wond shift around, that may help. If he hungry enough he will eventually eat. Good luck.
  • Food Time

    Basenji Feeding
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    6k Views
    Robin_n_JackR
    Jack will paw at his water bowl, tip it over, grab and run with it into the living room, throw it around the kitchen…. And not only when it's empty- if he decides he wants fresh water, he'll knock water all over the kitchen floor.:mad:
  • What should i be feeding my basenji?

    Basenji Feeding
    38
    0 Votes
    38 Posts
    19k Views
    T
    I feed www.vetschoice.com The food I like is the Holistic Health Extension Little Bites and you can order it online and have it shipped directly to you.
  • Homemade food…

    Basenji Feeding
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    6k Views
    youngandtiredY
    I have now switched from Blue Buffalo food to Merricks wet and dry. The Blue Buffalo was hard to get, I had to buy it out of town. I get Merricks locally, and Sahara absoutely eats it better than all the rest. She is a picky eater and doesn't have a big appetite, but man oh man is she waiting when it is meal time now. She cleans her dish, a new thing for her. I am very happy, I use the dry also with about 1/4 cup of wet mixed in. I add alittle warm water to the dry (it makes it's own gravy) heat the wet alittle and add to the dry. Yes, I know Sahara is spoiled b/c I heat her wet food but what the heck, she is worth it, only takes a few seconds. Merricks is pricey $2 per can but I make it last for about 4-5 meals. Anyways, if you read the can and bag of the dry you will see what I mean, it is very good dog food and the family that has the company has been in business for 3 decades.
  • What Do You Feed Your Basenji

    Basenji Feeding
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    4k Views
    abby_basenjiA
    I feed abby Hills science diet puppy small bites and some times hills puppy in a can mixed with dry.