My dogs are suffering from a severe case of "We have GOT to get out of this house and do SOMETHING!!" and it is resulting in both of them exhibiting such snarky behavior to one another and esp. from Jazz directed at Gypsy.
Keoki is being a huge PIA to both dogs, but mostly Jazzy.
Keoki is getting snotty about everything to everyone….

I need to get them out to run and play. My problem? The large loose dogs in my neighborhood are extremely problematic for us. I've had as many as four at a time, following, annoying, sometimes even growling at us. Animal control can't do a thing about it. And the few times I've mentioned {politely} to the other dog owners that it's a problem, they act like I'M the nutjob for containing my dogs in my yard. Not that I get much opportunity to talk to them -- most here just leave the dogs running loose while they go to work, etc. I don't even like walking my neighborhood any more w/out my dogs. Sad- it used to be a great neighborhood for walking. So, now I'm just avoiding getting out there -- rain, cold, and dogs is just too much for me right now.

I have tried driving them to a local wooded park to play, but even though it is leash required park, there are never fewer then 6 dogs off leash {even though there are TWO off-leash parks w/in five minutes of this place}. that drive mine nuts -- following, sniffing them, etc.---- so mine nearly strangle on the leashes, esp. Keoki, cuz he's more of a spaz anyway :rolleyes: .

I won't do off-leash parks w/my dogs, for multiple reasons.

The weather is too crappy for hikes right now.

Okay, I just had to vent; I love them to death.... but lately.... :eek: .

This week, I MUST find something to do with the two of them.

We are having that issue here with Querk and Ariel too. The giant back yard doesn't seem to be doing the trick (mainly because Querk doesn't want to be outside). But they drive us MAD with the continuous snark/playing. She could agitate a statue, I swear!!! And he gets so sick of it!

Yesterday, we took ours on a drive,,,,,,,we cracked the windows and all three were sniffing all the smells as we drove the back roads. This seemed to help a little with their cabin fever. Might want to give it a try.

A drive is a great idea. Then stop now and then and walk around a little, does'nt have to be a big walk, just a short bit for sniffing new smells. then back in the car and go to another small park, or even parking lot, repeat. They won't be tired, but they'll think they have been somewhere. I have done this and they seemed to like the variety.

Anne in Tampa

@luvsmy2bs:

Yesterday, we took ours on a drive,,,,,,,we cracked the windows and all three were sniffing all the smells as we drove the back roads. This seemed to help a little with their cabin fever. Might want to give it a try.

We did this a lot with Querk when he was a puppy. It did seem to help him use up some excess energy. Now all the dogs ride in their crates…so in our case, I don't think that would help them too much

We are lucky enough to have a park with trails close to the house.
Other dog walkers are out, but all dogs are leashed and its a great way for the b's and myself to get some exercise.
Sorry you don't have something like that at your place.

@sharronhurlbut:

We are lucky enough to have a park with trails close to the house.
Other dog walkers are out, but all dogs are leashed and its a great way for the b's and myself to get some exercise.
Sorry you don't have something like that at your place.

Aren't you in Silverdale?

What park are you speaking of? I'd be willing to make the drive – it's only about 30 minutes, give or take a few, from me.

Do you have any state or county parks nearby? All dogs would have to be leashed there and it would give your dogs some exercise and new smells to keep them occupied - even if you only went a short distance down the trails and then just turned around.
Also with the other neighborhood dogs - have you tried carrying a squirt bottle (maybe a super soaker) to get them to back off?

@wizard:

Do you have any state or county parks nearby? All dogs would have to be leashed there and it would give your dogs some exercise and new smells to keep them occupied - even if you only went a short distance down the trails and then just turned around.
Also with the other neighborhood dogs - have you tried carrying a squirt bottle (maybe a super soaker) to get them to back off?

Yeah, dogs would "have" to be leashed… that is exactly how it is SUPPOSED to be already. The woods next to my home are actually a county park in which dogs are required to be leashed -- never happens. And the park to which I have tried on a few occasions to take them is a leash-require county park.
Problem is, there's no enforcement whatsoever. There are just small signs.

Dog are required by county law to be contained on your own property,too. Never happens, not in this neighborhood.
We only have one active...or did they hire one more last year?.... animal control officer for the entire county, so enforcement of silly things like leash and/or containment laws are only acted on after something has happened -- like when a neighbors two dogs nearly killed our cat, in our yard, a few years ago. And even then, he only got a "reminder" of the law, although the animal control officer did write a report for us when we took the guy to court for vet bills {which we did win, but then he declared bankruptcy....}.

I've tried to talk to animal control about our neighborhood, but was told, "Unless the dogs have posed a specific danger and you feel they are vicious...." I'm not sure a water bottle would be effective for me. There's usually more than one dog following, and mine are spinning on their leashes... I don't know.

It is hard to teach them, esp. Keoki, to walk well on-leash when there are constant high-interest distractions.

Maybe I'll hear back from Sharron soon about the park in her area where people actually leash their dogs...

Geez, I sound whiney.
Must have been a long Basenji weekend. Apologies for that.

And thanks, BTW, for the "take 'em for a drive" suggestion. I may try that. I have a few errands to run this week, esp. that don't really involve leaving the car for more than seconds at a time, so maybe I'll bring them along.

Do you have any friends or relatives that have a fenced yard? I occasionally take Duke and Daisy to my nephews house to romp with his lazy boy dog, Homer in his fenced in yard. Everyone benefits. I spring for the pizza! See - we all get something out of our visit. Just another idea . . . we usually spend 2-3 hours to visit too.

@Duke:

Do you have any friends or relatives that have a fenced yard? I occasionally take Duke and Daisy to my nephews house to romp with his lazy boy dog, Homer in his fenced in yard. Everyone benefits. I spring for the pizza! See - we all get something out of our visit. Just another idea . . . we usually spend 2-3 hours to visit too.

I may be getting in touch with a friend of Sharrons….. so we'll see how that goes. I'm kind of excited about the possibility of an outlet for my "babies".

When we can't find a safe place to go off leash I take a long lead (25ft) and go to a school field after hours or some place where people dont usually go with their dogs. We run around & play & the lead makes sure I can't lose them.

This info is for those of you who are in the PNW, and is located in the Kitsap county area…
Howe Farm County Park

Size: 83 Acres

Region: South District

Description: Historic farm, walking trails. Park rules.

Directions: Take Hwy 16 to Sedgwick. Travel east on Sedgwick about three miles to Long Lake Road. Howe Farm is located on Long Lake Road between Mile Hill Drive and Sedgwick.

Commissioner Approved Off-Leash Dog Park

The off-leash dog area is under construction and will be officially open for public use in the Fall of 2007. Until then, all pets must be leashed. Thank you for your patience.

Lisa says this area is not well used, has lots of trails and dogs are to be kept on leashes unless they are in the off leash area.
I am going to check it out when the weather gets better.
A tired basenji is a wonderful dog indeed!
Laugh

Mine are getting crazy, too. And I have to keep them separate because of how viciously they can fight - I can, however, walk them together (they calm down with each other after a few minutes) and I can run them together. There is a park near me where I can run them off-leash, which is incredible for them. But there has been people snarking (Willie picks on my husband because he can) and many ornaments were eaten off the tree (he only gets chewy when he doesn't have enough excercise). Rosie is just jumping out of her skin. And it's all lack of excercise - the weather has been warmer here lately so I'm trying to squeeze in some runs - the light is the main problem (we live on the east end of Long Island). Holidays got in the way too, but now they're over, so hopefully for me and the dogs, I'll squeeze in a couple of good runs. They become such good dogs when they get to use up that basenji energy!

Here's another thing you might try - put up some temporary fencing in your yard and let them romp. I put up some rabbit fencing (not plastic) and tied it to trees (ground is way too frozen here in Minnesota) to keep EL D out of an area but it could just as easily work to keep him in - with supervision of course.

@wizard:

Here's another thing you might try - put up some temporary fencing in your yard and let them romp. I put up some rabbit fencing (not plastic) and tied it to trees (ground is way too frozen here in Minnesota) to keep EL D out of an area but it could just as easily work to keep him in - with supervision of course.

We have 1/2 acre that is mostly fenced for the dogs. The thing is this time of year in Washington, it is WET ground most of the time and if it's not wet it's chilly.
The dogs go out whenever they want, for however long they want but those times are very brief. They'll tear off running, make one lap around the yard and be back at the door wanting in by the fire. They are never out for more than five minutes.
The wet doesn't bother them as much when we are away from home.

When it's really cold here and they can't go for walks we play games like hide & seek treats, Roll around treat balls and chew toys to keep them busy.

Also training new tricks is fun.

Keep Away.

The wife and I find one or two favorite toys and play "Keep Away" with her. After a few rounds we let her have it (you have to let them "win" at some point), but then we whip out the second toy (so her attention's off the first one) and rotate it. She always wants the one she doesn't have (ain't that the way?).

After a good 15-20 minutes, if even that, she's well tuckered out and ready to chill out.

Yes, in winter they have their humans trained to entertain them - OR ELSE!!

We also hide squeaky toys under a blanket or fill toys with treats and bury it in their toy basket.

Also one game one dog loves the other hates!