Its Me Or The Dog…..

[sharronhurlbut]

I really don't think its a color issue, its a basenji issue.
I have 2 b's and they sleep with me.
One under the covers by the foot of the bed and one next to me.
The girl next to me does move more than the boy.
But we all do get a nights rest.
Sorry, but I think you are going to have to make her settle under the covers.
IMO, once the b's have been in bed with us, well nothing else will do.
Hopefully, others will have more helpful info.

[Vanessa]

Oah Sharron…. <sigh>I know...this is a tough one and for once she is winning this battle.
I was wondering...I watch Animal Planet and you never see any of the dog trainers training Basenji's. Do you think that the reason why is due to the fact that the trainer would loose? I think so. Wouldn't that be a sight to see....I would be laughing so hard.</sigh>

[sharronhurlbut]

I will tell you this. IMO, if this girl was tired when you all go to bed, she will be wanting to sleep.
My dogs are older, so they require less activity..but a pup the age of yours needs to be run until she drops and then p/u and run again.
I know how hard it is with all of us working and coming home tired, but for you to get some sleep, she needs to be very, very tired out.
Good luck.
Hugs.

[Kananga]

@sharronhurlbut:

I will tell you this. IMO, if this girl was tired when you all go to bed, she will be wanting to sleep.
My dogs are older, so they require less activity..but a pup the age of yours needs to be run until she drops and then p/u and run again.
I know how hard it is with all of us working and coming home tired, but for you to get some sleep, she needs to be very, very tired out.
Good luck.
Hugs.

+1

Exercise right before bed could make a world of difference. I notice with my B, if he doesn't get enough exercise at night, it takes him much longer to settle down before bedtime. He'll constantly move around. Other nights, he's out pretty quick. I've never had much issues with him sleeping next to me. Only thing I dislike is the 7am wake-up (paws in my face, sometime even slapping me) on the weekends. I find it useful during the week, but annoying on the weekends. He does not let me decide when it's time to get up. He'll even lay across my pillow right above my head to let me know it's time to get up.

And right now he's sitting next to my bedroom door letting me know it's bedtime. He tells me when to sleep…..

[renaultf1]

@sharronhurlbut:

I really don't think its a color issue, its a basenji issue.

@sharronhurlbut:

I will tell you this. IMO, if this girl was tired when you all go to bed, she will be wanting to sleep.

+1 & +2…I think regarding the color...it has way more to do with the general makeup of the dog. Trust me, if you ever met either of my 2 b's (and they are 4yo and both r/w), they would give a young dog a run for its money as far as trying patience, persistence, and general activity. But in my case, I KNEW what I was getting myself into...I wanted the high strung ones. In fact, and I've never said this here before, with Brando, I was somewhat afraid of bringing him home because he was so off the wall active, rough and was such a "wise a$$". When Pam & Sheila picked him for the match to Ruby, I was kind of like..."oh no, not that one." But the amazing thing is it has worked out really well (and in a much shorter time frame than I imagined...although when it was not going well, it felt like it was taking years), but it has taken me not giving in to him and being really consistent...because you give him an inch and he takes a mile (which doesn't mean he doesn't have a fun life...he just has some boundaries).

So I think Sharron's idea of making sure that she is plenty tired at bed time IMHO will do a world of good. As well, as not giving in to her...I know, easier said than done when they are so cute and know how to turn on the charm. Be strong!

[agilebasenji]

In my house it's the tri-ing dog that sleeps in his bed like he is suposed to. The red and the brindle think they must sleep in the bed.

[rnasto]

I would agree with the exercise thing. If she is too tired to care it will be easier to ease her into the routine. You might try some relaxing exercises as well. When we brought Indy home we would play till he was almost too tired to stand, turn the lights down really low, and I would rock him to sleep.

That would take about 15 minutes of humming and swaying back and forth with the tired b in my arms, but it worked wonders. We also have a large puppy stuffed animal in his crate. When he was little it was about 3x his size now it is about 1.5x his size. He snuggles with that when in the crate.

Thats all I've got. Indy was a terror for the first three nites and then he got into the routine and has been fine ever since. Sometimes now he will even ask to be put to bed.

[Vanessa]

Exercise does not change anything..yes they are tired but she will still not sleep anywhere but next to me. We take our dogs on 2+mile hikes all the time. Even let them loose in the tennis courts at night so they can chase each other to wear off any extra energy.

[jessi76]

exercise doesn't always have to be in the form of physical activity. Training the mind is just as exhausting as hiking or running. not to mention, it helps teach, and reinforce manners… so although hogging the bed will probably still happen, it should be easily resolved.

my dog hogs the bed too, but with one snap of my fingers and simply saying the word "kennel" he hops down and snuggles up in his crate (which has a queen sized comforter in it mind you, so it's VERY cozy). He also knows he's not allowed back up unless he is given the "ok". he will literally sit and wait by the bedside until he hears me say "okay". this took months of training, and we practice these skills daily so it's never forgotten.

[hdolbow]

i'm feeling your pain on this one. dan and i broke up a few months ago so i moved home and mia went from sleeping with rocky and maggie on the couch to sleeping in bed with me. if i'd go out at night, my mom, instead of crating her would let her sleep in bed with my parents. (because she cried and mom felt bad) then dad told mom he didnt want her in bed with them so mom would sleep in a spare bedroom just to keep her from crying in her crate! (typical grandmother.. she spoiled her rotten)

Now dan and i are trying to work things out so i brought mia with me last night to stay over and he keeps maggie and rocky in the laundry room with their beds and they are content with that, but Mia was NOT having it. she sat at the gate and cried for a good 2 hours. They aren't allowed in the bedroom because he got new furniture, so she has to get used to it i guess.. Only time will tell i suppose.. but uggh that crying.. its enough to make you wanna pull your hair out. im hoping when the 3 warm up to each other again she'll stop..