Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Just wondering - do dogs leave home to die?

Just wondering - do dogs leave home to die?

Behavioral Issues
  • Tayda_LennyT

    I'm thinking about this because of my friends dog that got hit by the car and returned home after several hours. I've talked to her since then and she said she thought that after he got hit, he probably wandered off to die somewhere, and then fell asleep for a while before waking up and limping home. Apparently he has a lot more bruises/scrapes than they originally thought and he has some tissue necrosis (death) which they are trying to take care of before resorting to surgery. I'm really hoping he pulls through this!

    Anyway, I have heard that cats will leave home and die away from their homes… wondering if dogs are known to do the same thing? What is the purpose of this behavior anyway?

    –--------------------------

    Michelle

    0
  • DukeD

    I've wondered the same thing. Why do they go off away from the home to die? I know that an animal never wants to appear weak even when injured in a hurd - it's like a death sentence by the others - I think because they get rid of the weak to keep the hurds strong for survival.

    Jill

    0
  • BDawgB

    I know our family dog growing up made several attempts to go off as the end grew near.
    It was very sad. But I think there is something to that survival of the fittest thing- that animals accept their fate easier (and dare I saw with more pride) than we as humans do. I don't think they see death as this "terrible ending"…

    Miles & Lexi's Mom

    www.stelladot.com/barrick

    0

Suggested Topics

  • MswinaM

    Dog Training

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    4k Views
    eeeefarmE
    What type of training are you interested in? Is this a housebreaking issue, obedience problem, or some behaviour you want to discourage? Since you have posted in behavioural problems, I assume you are having some difficulties with something. If you are more specific it might be easier to point you in the right direction, i.e. to an obedience trainer or an animal behaviourist.
  • S

    Lap dogs?

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    6k Views
    wizardW
    On the couch Gossy either justs sits on my lap or curls up next to me; on the recliner she prefers directly in my lap. On the other hand, if I'm on the couch in the evening Teddy will slowly climb up onto my lap as if he thinks I won't notice then he'll curl up leaning against my chest and go to sleep! If Gossy is already in my lap, he'll try to squeeze in between :)
  • Forever AmberF

    Yes my dog is friendly?

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    lvossL
    She was also unable to leave. It is not uncommon for dogs to growl or even snap at other dogs who are in their space when they are on a leash or tie out because they do not have the ability to leave. Also, alot of dogs are really rude and adult basenjis do not tolerate "rude" well. Many dogs rush up into other dogs' space which is very rude. So in the case of the Sheltie in the front yard, the provocation could very well have been the dog invading her personal space without her permission. The second incident could very well have been exactly what Pat said, her protecting her puppy pack member.
  • D

    Needs a home

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    10k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    LOL Arlene, some spammer hit it, I opened it and didn't notice the dates. Okay so any idea what happened?
  • torchsongT

    Growling at the dog park

    Behavioral Issues
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    9k Views
    torchsongT
    The treat issues haven't been too horrible. Most of the time the people who bring them quickly learn the downside of it and don't do it again. :) She's been doing a lot better, and I've been determining when it's okay to discipline and when not. If she's doing a "give me space" where three or four dogs are sniffing her at once, I hold back, but occasionally she's gone after just one dog and I put her down for that. Next thing you know she's just playing with the dog, chasing or whatever. So it seems to be working. She's gotten a lot better at coming on command as well, even from across the park. It's tough to break that ADD that most 'Senji's have :), but of late she's gotten really good at breaking away from what she's doing if I call her. Who knows…we may make a dog out of this "cat-dog" yet! :)
  • VanessaV

    Leave My Plants Alone!!!

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    soulmateS
    put large stones on the soil. this might help so they are not able to dig the plants out. I have the same with the cats. They dig in the plantspots and even peee in there which is almost deadly for every plant. Since we have the bigger rocks in there it is ok. NO one touches them anymore. Esther