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New puppy... Crate anxiety!

Basenji Training
  • Y

    @eeeefarm The crate is located right beside our bed (not facing us though, because I wanted to try parallel to the bed first. I will turn it to face us as a plan B if we really need to). Feeding outside of the crate is a good idea, I will keep that in mind - thank you! However......We just fed him dinner in his crate, this time with the door open, and he didn't pee right away! We made sure to immediately pick him up and put him on a pee pad and he peed on the pad which brought him a reward of course. Good call on giving him treats/food without closing the door. Baby steps for sure...

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  • ZandeZ

    I think the reason many Basenjis hate these Varikennels is that they restrict vision - the puppy can't see what is going on and feels vulnerable. I only ever used one when shipping a puppy (accompanied by its new owner) by air.

    Open wire crates allow the pup (or adult dog) to see around him/her.

    If only breeders would help in this respect. I took a wire cage to the breeder of my new puppy with the request he become accustomed to it. The crate was left, open, with the puppies from the age of about 6 weeks. The whole litter played in it, slept in it from time to time, were individually fed in it on occasions and I have a lovely photo, sent by the breeder, of my boy curled up on his own, fast asleep in the crate. Now all six puppies have benefitted from this early crate training, at least one breeder will repeat the exercise for all future litters !

    It doesn't involve the breeder in extra time, just a bit of extra space in the general play area. I always did it - so even if the puppy was taken away by car, a crate held no fears.

    In the present case, I suggest binning the Varikennel and getting a Basenji-sized wire folding crate that you can put away and get out at need. Put it at first where the puppy plays, leave it open, put toys in it and encourage him to come and go as he wants. You could even put all his toys in it so he has to go and collect them when he wants to play. Use it like a toy-box. Be patient, make going into the crate a game, get down on the floor with him and play, throwing his toys into it to get him to follow them. Don't shut it at first but then when he is used to going in and out you can shut it for short periods and eventually for longer if / when he actually goes to sleep in it. (make sure it has a lovely comfy blanket in it !).

    Also, PLEASE tell us his name and the names of his parents and date of birth so I can add him to the database of Basenji pedigrees on line - the address is in my signature block - so you can have fun seeing who his great great grandparents are

    Sally Wallis

    Zande Basenjis

    www.zandebasenjis.com

    https://pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com

    SKYPE zandeuk

    Y 1 Reply
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  • tanzaT

    I too only use wire crates, as noted by Zande, the Vari Kennel restricts vision... and using a wire crate, you can put the crate parallel to the bed if you want and still be able to reach down and comfort the pup. I cover part of the crate with a blanket to make it more of a den. You should have the pup checked for a UTI by taking a pee sample to the vet... many a young pup will get a minor UTI even from responsible breeders. Have you spoken to his breeder about the issues?

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • Y

    @zande @tanza that's awesome and good to know - we took your advice and bought him a wire crate to see how he would fare with the added visibility. And... ta-da! He would go in voluntarily to check out his toys, chew on his bully stick, nap, etc. I was able to shut the crate door during these times (I spent the day building up to this) and when it was time for bedtime he wasn't bothered WHATSOEVER. Not a peep! I want to shout at the rooftops in happiness! We are such proud parents :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_smiling_eyes: This was a complete change from the prior 2 nights where he was squealing at the top of his lungs throughout the entire night and the neighbours even banged on the wall 2 times in 1 night (we live in a condo).

    First vet appointment today so we will bring up the UTI check :) Our little boy is named Benji and here's a photo!

    alt text

    elbrantE 1 Reply
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  • ZandeZ

    That is wonderful news ! I couldn't be more pleased - and many thanks for sending his pedigree data for the base. He will be added later today and you can send photos (I can't get to the promised one so don't know if he is red/white or black/white) as he grows.

    Sally Wallis

    Zande Basenjis

    www.zandebasenjis.com

    https://pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com

    SKYPE zandeuk

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  • Y

    @zande We are very pleased as well! Sounds good - trying to figure out how to upload an image as the one I am uploading is showing as file too large. Once I get this sorted, you'll have a photo! Thanks again :)

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  • ZandeZ

    Just tell me Benji's color and he will be listed on the database before this evening !

    Sally Wallis

    Zande Basenjis

    www.zandebasenjis.com

    https://pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com

    SKYPE zandeuk

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  • ZandeZ

    For the database, I wouldn't dare take pics from the Forum - they insist on copyright staying with them and I don't pay to use the pics in the base. As and when, email me one privately to my email address (which is on the d/b)

    Sally Wallis

    Zande Basenjis

    www.zandebasenjis.com

    https://pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com

    SKYPE zandeuk

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  • Y

    @zande sounds good! we'll send over the pic shortly and he's a red and white boy. :)

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  • elbrantE

    @yaleezaforeva said in New puppy... Crate anxiety!:

    Our little boy is named Benji

    OMGosh! I'm in love!!

    elbrant.net

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    @yaleezaforeva said in More crate/separation anxiety issues. 12.5 week old puppy: @zande its a little harsh to suggest we're treating him like a toy that we're "putting in a cupboard when he's inconvenient for us." as mentioned, we're simply trying to get him comfortable with us being away as we'll eventually have to do so when going to work...during that time, we'll also be ensuring that his time apart isn't for a full 8 hour day, especially as a young puppy, and rather broken into at least two intervals with one of us coming home or a dog walker or a family member. as it stands, he also likes being in his crate overnight right beside our bed (safe space) so that doesn't seem to be an issue whatsoever.. plus we're simply just trying to understand what the best approach is for him to be left alone when we go back to work. we really appreciate your upfrontness and transparency about this...maybe you're suggesting the right approach...we're new at this and so we'll message you to discuss further! again, we appreciate you taking the time to provide advice. If you are home then trying to equal that to when you are gone will not work... IMO... they know when you are at home and when you are gone.... being in his crate at night next to the bed is totally different then in his crate (other for eating) if you are home and moving around. All of mine were/at crate trained... but if we were home, they are with us... I didn't have to crate them during the day as we set up the house with their own dog room... and that room was set up to remove anything important.... BE ADVISED however it if is their dog room and they destroy something, it is on the owner... ours also have access to the backyard via a doggy door, but we have a secure backyard with 12' fences. I will say that with our very first two Basenjis many years ago, they had a crate in the laundry room with a doggy door to outside. At the time we did not have baseboards and found that stripping the wall paper was a great past time.. LOL... and that is the way it was... as we gave them that area... results was to install baseboards... LOL... problem solved
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    He loves his new crate, even when i go outside ...

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    @dana-k actually Dana, I do not believe the trainers say that eventually, they come to like their 'safe place'. Mine now will stay and eat in his crate, when the door is open. If i try to close it, i see the look of a prisoner, and he definitely wants to get away. I would have felt the same, btw. Currently, when i go out i 'crate' him in my salon. Until now, no real damage was done, at least not different from the damage he tries to do (like eat the plants) when i am with him.
  • bunniculaB

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    I agree with Pat. Its best to put the crate in the bedroom where you sleep. It helps if the puppy can see you so they feel safe. In the old days, we used to use a windup alarm clock because the rhythmic ticking reminds the puppy of the mothers heart beat. Of course you do not want to put it in the kennel/crate, but you can put it on top or next to it so the puppy hears the sound. You might be surprised, but another thing that can work is music. I do not mean rock and roll (lol), but soothing soft music can help. You want to make sure the bottom of the crate, towel, pad, or whatever is on the bottom remains dry. A wet cushion, towel, or bottom of crate can put a basenji puppy in distress and will eventually cause them to scream. They do not want to be trapped in the crate if they have an accident.
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    Awww I think she just wants to be in the big bed with her mommy!
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