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  • KembeK

    Today I was in shock - my Kembe’s “claim to fame”after almost 14 years is that she has NEVER peed or pooped in my house until this morning. I am beside myself in disbelief. I have a doggie dog which she has always used - prior to the doggie door she would let me know when she had to go out - she would even wake me @ 2am if necessary. We have a summer home that doesn’t have a doggie door - I am vigilant about taking her out and she has NEVER had an accident there. This morning - right in front of me , she squatted and peed in the living room - I was stunned and horrified. Granted we had a snow storm last night but my husband went out about 3 am and shoveled her path and she had access to her door. Later in the day she did go out the doggie door to do her business and I praised her immensely. My Kembe who will be 14 years old on Jan 4th - I have noticed in the last month as the temperature here in New England has become very cold that she does not want to do her morning walk but wants to go later in the day when it warms up a bit. The cold and snow never bothered her before but now this may be an issue. Other than this - she is alert and active. I don’t know what to make of this incident today - please help - I welcome any comments and suggestions.

    D 1 Reply
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  • eeeefarmE

    Check for a UTI. Otherwise, she may have reached an age where she doesn't feel she wants to be uncomfortable, and she knows it is cold outside. For the next while I think I would take her out in the mornings rather than allow her to take the initiative via the doggie door.

    Different situation, but perhaps a relatable example, my Border Collie was absolutely obedient his whole life, until the age of 14, when he decided that remaining in the field with me on a down stay when the day was hot wasn't to his liking, and he opted to return to the shade by the house. I think that as they age dogs sometimes decide that their comfort is more important than obedience. Or it could just be the onset of senility.

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

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  • elbrantE

    Could this simply be a "stomach virus"? Has she had any changes to her diet (new treats or anything like that)? It's just a guess, but I don't think that your beloved did this out of vengence. I suspect she either ate something that didn't agree with her, or she just doesn't feel well. Give it some thought. I don't think that, at 14 years old, this is a new behavior.

    elbrant.net

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  • tanzaT

    Health check - UTI first thing... and at her advanced age, accidents happen...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • D

    @kembe For sure it could be a medical reason but also at 14 an accident might happen. Frankly at 14 I wouldn’t worry too much about accidents unless it’s a medical problem. I live in New England as well and the dogs hate the cold more as they get older, they usually get arthritis as well.

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  • KembeK

    Over the past 2 days we a major snow storm and received over 18 inches of snow where I live. So I carried her out @ about 3am last night to make sure she peed and also carried her out first thing in morning when she woke up to make sure there were no accidents. I encouraged her several times during the day to make sure she went out to do her business. So far, so good - I don’t know if the incident was a “freak accident” or if I need to keep an eye on her and remind her to go out due to her advanced age. I don’t consider to be old - I know her face is white, she has a few fatty lymphomas, and sleeps more than she use to - but she’s still acts like a puppy. I am also being observant for symptoms of a UTI- if necessary I will immediately take her to our vet. I want to thank you all of you for your comments, suggestions, and concerns. She is my baby and I only want the best for her.

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  • KembeK

    Hopefully she’s back to her old self - last night @ about 1am she jumped off our bed and I heard her go out the doggie door. She returned a few minutes later and I helped her back up onto the bed. Today she went out on her own several times. We only took a short walk because she was not happy about the snow. But she was happy to “smell her smells”,make her marks, and get some fresh air & exercise. Hopefully we don’t have any more incidents.🙏😊🐾🐕

    D tanzaT 2 Replies
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  • D

    @kembe Sounds like she has less control if she has to go out at 1am to pee. They do have less control when they get older.

    I kind of look at it that they are a pain when they are a puppy. Then challenging at 2-4. The golden years are 5-12 and then you have to cut them some slack in their old age.

    My first B was fastidiously clean like all B’s seem to be. But he had diabetes and when first diagnosed he had a few accidents, was not intentional though.

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  • tanzaT

    @kembe - After many years of having elders, get used to it... as it most likely will continue.... happens when they get old. My OJ at 16 would make it as far as the doggy door and go on the floor.... I think he thought he was "close enough"

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • KembeK

    @tanza
    I laughed @ “the close enough”! I know my dog is getting old - her face is white and her eyes are getting cloudy - but she will always be my baby. I have a hard time accepting the fact that she is getting older. I am going to have to remind and help her to go outside more often. I thank everyone on this forum for their kind words and comments.🙏🐕❤️🐾 BASENJI STRONG 💪

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    DebraDownSouthD
    First, yeah they do the flip and butt in face. I see it as invitation to play/chase mostly. Kind of shaking my head here over the rest. You already have a breed known for dominance and protectiveness of property/family with the Boerboel. Basenjis (I assume you mean 6.5 not 65 years old :) ) are not known for tolerating same sex. Sometimes they do, but not a sure bet. Plus, your Boerboel is still a puppy. By age 2 or 3, that compliance with the Basenji being alpha can go down the drain at a drop of a hat. That happens, and he hasn't killed the basenji... you have to keep 2 packs running, ensuring they never have contact. Then you bring in a mixed breed... which is all a Mastador is. No way on earth to know how much it will take after the lab side or the Mastiff. AND it's another male. So now you have potentially 3 dog aggressive male dogs, with 2 of them large enough to inhale the basenji. I am not sure about the breeders who placed the Boerboel, certainly not the owners letting you bring in the Mastador. I want my male dogs to have a chance of a peaceful, unstressful life. I think the chances in your home are already approaching really low numbers, and the Mastador is going to bring that closer to zero. The safety of that poor basenji is beyond precarious. I wouldn't want those 3 males in the most experienced of homes, one already fully ready to and experienced in running separate packs. I sincerely hope you reconsider the Mastador. And no, getting a female won't help. Until the Boerboel is fully mature and you have a handle on what your pack is, adding any dog is going to up the risk of issues.
  • Heinz57H

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    NemoN
    A way to do what Debra is suggesting in a game format is Crate Games, which you can get on DVD. You said this happens when you are getting ready to leave. Pay attention to exactly what you are doing before you leave and then see how your dog is reacting. You should be able to pick up on the cues that your dog is picking up on. You can try changing the pattern of how you get ready and potentially remove the cue to lessen the behavior until you can build the good associations others described. visit BCOA on Facebook. http://facebook.com/basenji.org
  • sabaS

    Weird Behavior ???

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    KipawaK
    @DebraDownSouth: Fran, there are times when I might mean to be condescending, but I assure you that it won't be "a little" or usually any question. That you could take my comment above as condescending… I can only suggest you may simply want to block my posts because it is entirely unlikely I will write 100 words to say what I said in under 20 because SOMEONE might see my observation as insulting. Now if I had said it condescending, such as: How could you THINK it could be that? Don't you think any dog living with females would already have reacted? How silly! The person threw out the idea of periods, which sometimes could be it .. and btw, pregnancy hormones set some dogs off… but it hit me he had lived with them too long for that to be probably. It wasn't an insult to the OP, just a response. People contradict my ideas daily on here, doesn't make them condescending or insulting. THEN, I could see it. I simply tossed out a quick response addressing that logically it probably wasn't that. If you read that as condescending instead of my own view, I am sorry. One helpful rule for forums is that you look at any post and see if there is another TONE than the one you ascribed. If there is, take the other. Like your post. I COULD think you are a jerk, not at all "friendly," addressing this here and hijacking the thread instead of sending me a private message. Instead, because I see you post a lot and like you :), I took it exactly at face value... you simply are expressing your view and trying to be helpful. So please remove any tones you might ascribe to the answer. The tone in my head is simply factual, that I am not responsible for your taking that as condescending and probably won't be able to stop you seeing other posts that way. Now if I actually say something you cannot take any way than as an insult, feel free to let me know. But the above... sorry, Fran, it was simply a logical observation. LOL, and in fact, let me now be "condescending" to my post. (I am joking while making a point.) SOMEONE (but it will be me, since it just hit me where I could easily be wrong...) could have responded to my post and said: Yeah, but dds, you are wrong because maybe she has an infection or urinary tract infection also with a period, that might do it. See? Debra, not a problem. Thank you.
  • KanangaK

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    KanangaK
    @LBRunyon: I have a supplementary question along these same lines . We got our BRAT Ricky two weeks ago ( YIPPEE!!!! ) He is WONDERFUL . The only problem we are having is that he WILL NOT potty in our fenced in yard . In fact , it seems he won't go within 1 block of our house . We walk in the am and pm . He is very particular about where he will go, though he sniffs every available surface . While the weather is nice , I really don't mind this . We would be walking anyway . But when the frigid cold hits , it would be nice to open the door and have him go out , do his business quickly , and return . We have tried waiting him out in hopes of praise and treats once he goes in the yard . But Mr. iron- bladder- steel- sphincter WON'T go in the yard. Are there any suggestions ?Oh , by the way, once we are out of the yard and down the street he goes after a few quick sniffs . I have to take my B outside no matter what. It's nice during the spring/summer/fall, but the midst of winter is just simply brutal. -20F with a nice wind (colder windchill) will make any B go quickly, but it's still painful for us humans.
  • youngandtiredY

    Strange behavior!!!

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    P
    I think you should go back to your vets especially as this has been happenig ever since the emergency surgery. It could just be coincidence I suppose, but if she were mine I'd want to check. As Pat says more information is needed before suggestions can be given.
  • spitfirekrl1S

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    jessi76J
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