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Question to all Basenji Owners
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We have 2 BRAT rescue dogs. We NEVER let them out without a leash. We have a 6 ft chain link kennel that we put a wire roof on so they will not get out. We are VERY careful around the doors as we did have jonny get out 2 times and it was VERY DIFFICULT to catch him. The most scary hours of our dogs owning lives. They are VERY fast and very tricky.
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Everything stated here is so true. I too have 3 basenjis, but one is missing. My young girl Dot has climbed the fence and not returned. It has been three weeks of heartbreak and you do not want this to happen. We have about 1.5 acres fenced with 48 inch high fence with barbed wire at the top and Sofia will still get through. She has been on a leash or under close supervision since Dot's escape. My other firl Femi does not try to climb or get out a all. She is more food motivated and recalls extremely well! A fence is a must and still is not "safe."
Still searching….
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I have a 6 ft hight fence - buried 6 inches in the ground, 18" inside of the fence with field rock so footing is a bit uneven. That has kept mine in so far but would not consider a fence any shorter - and my B's are never out unless I'm out too because…...
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Our fence is 12ft privacy fence… ours are out when we are not home, via the doggy door... since it is a 12ft solid wood fence they can't climb it... and/or dig under it as also buried.... we are in a very old quiet neighborhood and set back from the street and we have about 1/4 of an acre, most of which in the backyard.... our neighbors are not close on either side, unlike many of the new neighborhoods that they build now days... and our gates are padlock from the inside...
If I lived in a newer development... I might have second thoughts about having them out when I am not home... especially when a lot of them have restrictions on types of fence, height of fence, etc....
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Our fence is 12ft privacy fence… ours are out when we are not home, via the doggy door... since it is a 12ft solid wood fence they can't climb it... and/or dig under it as also buried.... we are in a very old quiet neighborhood and set back from the street and we have about 1/4 of an acre, most of which in the backyard.... our neighbors are not close on either side, unlike many of the new neighborhoods that they build now days... and our gates are padlock from the inside...
If I lived in a newer development... I might have second thoughts about having them out when I am not home... especially when a lot of them have restrictions on types of fence, height of fence, etc....
You have a 12 ft high fence?? Don't think I've seen a wood fence that high. I leave Buddy in the back all day when I'm not home with a 6-1/2 ft fence no problem. I have chiken wire buried along the edge but he's not been digging. I walk him 30 minutes before leaving for the day. He doesn't even try to jump my 3 ft pickett fence in front.
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My first basenji was a digger, my second could jump (but thankfully rarely did), my current one is a runner; and my breeder has one that can clear a 6 foot fence without problem!
I have a fenced yard with the usual 4 foot backyard chainlink and I periodically make sure there are no holes - the only escapes (so far) were when I stupidly left the gate open (twice). I have a lot of landscaping in which critters come to nest and feed and that seems to keep my current basenji occupied but also gives me fits when I can't see her. I have trained mine to respond to a dog whistle (special treats just for this) and it has worked pretty well so far but I would never let mine go off-leash anywhere but my yard, the dog park, or for racing. Basenji prey instinct is very very strong and rarely do they quit chasing just because you call their name. They become so focused that nothing will deter them - not even a vehicle barreling down on them.
Diligence is very important with these guys - but don't let that scare you off - they have many great qualities. -
A Basenji will ALWAYS be looking for a way to run, run, run! They are hunters and the least chance to chase something will completely take them over, regardless of their training. Yes, keep them always on a leash, unless the fencing you are talking about is high, deep in the ground so they can't dig under it, and chain link is not a great idea because they will climb it - they also jump pretty high with the right motivation, like a squirrel, a rabbit, a bug, a butterfly, the wind blowing in that direction, a noise in the next county, etc., etc.. Also be really careful when you leave the house, a they will slip through your legs and be gone before you can react. This one I know from experience, and I about killed my old legs chasing her - thank God she unknowingly ran into a dead end corner where I could grab her up before she charged me trying to get past.
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We have a 1/2 acre lot fenced just with regular field fencing and have never had a problem, EXCEPT once when the fence was damaged. Keoki found the damage before we did. They – that is ours -- are always looking for an easy way out, but never try to break out even if there's a dog on the other side teasing them. They dig all over the yard looking for the mole, but never dig by the fence. Maybe mine aren't too bright, LOL.
That said, We NEVER EVER leave the house with them outside, on the off chance that they DO get out, I want to be home to bring them back -- though the one time that Keoki did get out that torn fence, they came right to the front door!
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I once heard, and I guess this might be especially important with our B's, that you should always, or at least occasionally, walk out and then after the walk, also walk in from the front door, that way the dog knows what his house looks on the front. Many dogs only see the backyard, so if they break out, they have no clue which one of the houses are theirs.
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Another thing I've done with mine, I use the patio door to get to the garage when we go for rides and the side door of the house when we go for walks (the front door is never used for anything). That way my dogs always head in a certain direction when "escaping" out a particular door. Although a trainer told me not to that (she insisted dogs need to be kept guessing), it has so far worked for me. Even when the two escapes happened, it was in the particular direction for that door.
