I applaud you for getting a rescue. There are tooooo many out there. For a first timer, an older one would be good, at least 18mos old or more where their personality is who they are at this age. Research all you can, and if you fill out an application and are denied, no not stop trying. I was denied by a Basenji rescue, and Uzie is my second where I found him right here 'free to good home' so we drove two days to pick him up and he is thriving without fenced in yards. (not for everyone as not everyone lives on 10 acres or more…I get this....!) but he has blossomed and doing well. So, don't give up!
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Basenji Puppy - Indoor Fence/Crate?
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So, My basenjis have always been pretty good about not chewing things they shouldn't (except for the occasional tissue paper-they all need to die apparently...) I haven't had any of the horror stories you sometimes hear. The way I did it was to keep a TON of bones around...All different kinds and anytime my pup was thinking about chewing something they shouldn't I stuff a bone in their mouth (gently of course, its more like "Here, have this!" you can't actually stuff anything in their mouths if they don't want it ;). When they were little we kept a pretty good eye on this, but it started to stick pretty quickly. It has seemed to work really well for me-I'm not yelling or getting angry, I'm replacing bad chewing with something good (Basenjis are pretty ok with that...)
Also, and you may know this already, but basenjis are crazy smart even as puppies and will do stuff (like chew bad things) to get your attention, especially if they feel you are ignoring them or not playing enough...basically you only get a break when they take a nap!
Oh, and if you were asking me, no I am definitely not a breeder, I can hardly keep up with my 2!
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@aprilk Bones do it for me too ! My kitchen gets to look like a scene from Graveyard Robbers. The butcher gives me a large rump bone every week - sometimes two. I remove all the fat (and render it down for dripping - wonderful to roast potatoes in !) then I saw the bones into several quite big but more manageable pieces.
Dogs get them fresh for a couple of hours the first day, slightly longer the second and then they get left around the kitchen until I have a blitz on the ones no longer in use and remove them to the bonfire where they burn and mix with the ash to form an excellent bonemeal rich compost.
Vet is always delighted at the condition of the dogs' teeth too !
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So funny! I just walked in my living room the other day and my kiddos had pulled out like nine different bones and placed them in a pile in the middle of the room....I think winter is starting to get to them!
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doodle's "bone yard" tends to run alongside the bed... right in my path to the lavatory!! -
@elbrant said in Basenji Puppy - Indoor Fence/Crate?:
doodle's "bone yard" tends to run alongside the bed... right in my path to the lavatory!!So, back in December I sprained my ankle really badly while walking Logan. Still hurt in February. Got an x-ray. Turns out I'd fractured it, but too late for a cast. Fast forward to yesterday... when I twisted it AGAIN! I stepped on a bone after getting up off the couch. Basenjis should come with a warning label.
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@JENGOSMonkey, Basenjis are like kids. They leave their stuff everywhere. Fortunately they don't usually play with Lego!
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@jengosmonkey I do hope you feel better!
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Yep! Willy also likes to pile all her things up in certain places, in front of the fridge seems to be the favorite!
As for a warning label - I agree, and all of could probably fill TOMES of pages listing them, which is why it is SO very very very important that anyone embarking on the adventure of LIFE WITH A BASENJI do their research and have a good understanding of exactly ( well, as exact as possible, they WILL definitely throw you a curve every now and then!) what to expect and be able to truly be committed to accepting their quirky little ways - ESPECIALLY if getting a puppy, who can be quite a daunting handful for at least the first 2 full years. But when the fit is right, there is nothing else like them, and the relationship built is truly a treasure to cherish for a lifetime! -
@hizbaby - You know why they pile things in front of the fridge?... because at the bottom it gives off heat... LOL. When we have litters I find the pups piled in front of the fridge!
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@aprilk said in Basenji Puppy - Indoor Fence/Crate?:
So, My basenjis have always been pretty good about not chewing things they shouldn't (except for the occasional tissue paper-they all need to die apparently...) I haven't had any of the horror stories you sometimes hear. The way I did it was to keep a TON of bones around...All different kinds and anytime my pup was thinking about chewing something they shouldn't I stuff a bone in their mouth (gently of course, its more like "Here, have this!" you can't actually stuff anything in their mouths if they don't want it ;). When they were little we kept a pretty good eye on this, but it started to stick pretty quickly. It has seemed to work really well for me-I'm not yelling or getting angry, I'm replacing bad chewing with something good (Basenjis are pretty ok with that...)
Also, and you may know this already, but basenjis are crazy smart even as puppies and will do stuff (like chew bad things) to get your attention, especially if they feel you are ignoring them or not playing enough...basically you only get a break when they take a nap!
Oh, and if you were asking me, no I am definitely not a breeder, I can hardly keep up with my 2!
Yeah he definitely seems like he is attention seeking at times even though we flood him with it lol Are bones ok even if he is a puppy? We have toy bones we give him when he starts chewing along with other toys yet he always seems to prefer human hands lol
@hizbaby said in Basenji Puppy - Indoor Fence/Crate?:
Yep! Willy also likes to pile all her things up in certain places, in front of the fridge seems to be the favorite!
As for a warning label - I agree, and all of could probably fill TOMES of pages listing them, which is why it is SO very very very important that anyone embarking on the adventure of LIFE WITH A BASENJI do their research and have a good understanding of exactly ( well, as exact as possible, they WILL definitely throw you a curve every now and then!) what to expect and be able to truly be committed to accepting their quirky little ways - ESPECIALLY if getting a puppy, who can be quite a daunting handful for at least the first 2 full years. But when the fit is right, there is nothing else like them, and the relationship built is truly a treasure to cherish for a lifetime!Yes I'm torn between enjoying him as a puppy and hoping he matures lol
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@cognition said in Basenji Puppy - Indoor Fence/Crate?:
I'm torn between enjoying him as a puppy and hoping he matures lol
You will miss the puppy as soon as he outgrows it. You will also remember it fondly, and every once in a while... you will get a glimpse of that puppy and he will melt your heart all over again.
