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Crate Guilt

Basenji Training
  • nobarkusN

    @Ann:

    More useful feedback! Thanks everyone. I'm feeling better.

    Oh Dan, you asked about our fence. We do have a safely fenced yard (including double gate system with a Basenji free zone - the BFZ - in the middle) but I still don't think I could leave her out there unattended for hours. I don't trust what's outside the fence. Too much barky unpredictable nonsense from surrounding dogs in the hood and an alley behind us filled with two and four-pawed activity. Alas, if I could only control the universe…

    How high is the fence Ann? The outsiders shouldn't be able to get in if it's high enough. I have dogs all around me but none attempt to get in. There's even 2 Pitbulls behind me and there's no attempt to get in. Buddy is perfectly fine in the back all day. I just bought him a dog house from COSTCO online and I put 2 thick towels folded up in there with a small water bowl. My first Basenji (1975-1992) lived outside its whole life with no problems. She was actually an excellent guard dog.
    How old is Noel?

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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  • wizardW

    I crated Gossy for about a month while I was at work (9 hours) but then she learned to open the crate door. So then I worked with her to be loose and not terribly destructive by leaving her loose for short periods (while I walked around the neighborhood), then took some vacation hours so I could come home after a half-day, then 6 hours and so on. This way she gradually got used to the idea of my being gone.
    In addition I did have to use piddle pads for awhile because she wasn't used to not going potty whenever she wanted. And of course I made sure she had interactive toys and treats/kibble to hunt for to keep her occupied and a frozen soup bone to chew on. (frozen ones last almost all day).
    She did initially chew on the couch (jsut a couple of small holes thankfully) but once I started leaving her with a thick soup bone, that stopped too. She generally goes to sleep in her crate when I leave (I know this because I returned once day for something I had forgotten) and sometimes will sit on the table next to the couch to look out the window. No destruction, no potty on the floor, and no retaliation when I get home. Success! - but it did take some time.

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  • KanangaK

    @wizard:

    She did initially chew on the couch (jsut a couple of small holes thankfully)

    That's exactly what I've dealt with. 2 small holes, one corner that has been slightly gnawed on. Problem is it's very random when he chews on these spots and he doesn't chew on anything new.

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  • wizardW

    Once a week I spread a little bit of mentholated rub on the area (it does stain it a little but once stained it doesn't get worse with continued use) and that keeps her away. A small amount is all that is needed - the smell is what gets them.

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  • snorky998S

    Thank goodness I'm past the "few small holes" phase:). Ok, Ok,….truth be known I graduated from a few small holes, to the the absolute gutting of a "few huge cushions":eek: {let the sounds of taps playing in the background let you know where that sleeper sofa is now}

    Seriously, I never crate now. The 2 are quite happy to live harmoniously (ie..sleeping) while I'm at work. Yes, I worry about them. No, I'd never leave them out side when I'm not at home (I also have a doggie door and a secure fenced yard)

    Crating was a part of the training process for us. But once graduated (with honors:D) to a new level, they were never crated again.

    I really think crating is a individual situational and lifestyle choice. There are exceptions, but what fits you and your dogs (if not excessive or abusive) is what's best for a happy family:)

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  • KanangaK

    I never really bothered with crate training since I got Kananga at an older age (just under 8 months) and I found that within a few weeks of having him, he was ok out in the open.

    Actually, strangely enough, lately he has been hanging out in his crate while I'm gone. I'll come home and he'll be laying in his crate. I keep it near a corner with the door open so he can use it if he wants. Recently he has decided to use it on his own, so I'm quite proud of him.

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  • KanangaK

    @wizard:

    Once a week I spread a little bit of mentholated rub on the area (it does stain it a little but once stained it doesn't get worse with continued use) and that keeps her away. A small amount is all that is needed - the smell is what gets them.

    I've used the Tea Tree Oil. I have to apply it every couple weeks it seems. :rolleyes:

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  • ComicDom1C

    Miranda and I have a gate on the bathroom that is off our bedroom. Roo's crate is also located in this bathroom which has a ceramic floor. Roo's food dish and water bowl live in this area as well. When we both leave the house, Bonzo our boston goes into her crate that is in the bedroom and Roo's dog bed is put in the bathroom along with plenty of toys to keep him busy. We started giving both dogs a couple of Chicken Chip treats when we go to leave and kennel them. This is worked out well for us because when we are getting ready to go, both dogs get walked, and as we come in the door we say kennel. They both run to their respective kennels and wait patiently for their treats.

    They have both gotten into the habit of going where they are supposed to because of this practice.

    Jason

    Get your Basenji Fanconi DNA tested today!

    https://secure.offa.org/dnatesting/index.html

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  • AnnA

    @nobarkus:

    How high is the fence Ann? The outsiders shouldn't be able to get in if it's high enough. I have dogs all around me but none attempt to get in. There's even 2 Pitbulls behind me and there's no attempt to get in. Buddy is perfectly fine in the back all day. I just bought him a dog house from COSTCO online and I put 2 thick towels folded up in there with a small water bowl. My first Basenji (1975-1992) lived outside its whole life with no problems. She was actually an excellent guard dog.
    How old is Noel?

    Hi Dan. Thanks for your feedback. Noel will be 5 in November. (I don't know how she spent her first 4 years.) Our fence is 6' so other dogs can't get in…it's her reaction to them that could cause problems. I'm sort of a hyper worrier since Noel has a weak front leg. It was badly broken in December and, when there's squirrel/dog activity around the yard or in the alley behind us, she forgets about her leg and goes into a full run and jump mode. It's great to see her fly over our 2' stone ledge and run the periphery of yard like a guard dog or chase a squirrel back to its tree, but if left outside alone all day there's the potential that she'll overdo it and tire out her leg to the point of pain. I know I'm sounding over-protective...The vet recommends plenty of exercise but in small doses to avoid the fatigue thing. (I'll be posting some queries soon in relation to this!)

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  • nobarkusN

    @Ann:

    Hi Dan. Thanks for your feedback. Noel will be 5 in November. (I don't know how she spent her first 4 years.) Our fence is 6' so other dogs can't get in…it's her reaction to them that could cause problems. I'm sort of a hyper worrier since Noel has a weak front leg. It was badly broken in December and, when there's squirrel/dog activity around the yard or in the alley behind us, she forgets about her leg and goes into a full run and jump mode. It's great to see her fly over our 2' stone ledge and run the periphery of yard like a guard dog or chase a squirrel back to its tree, but if left outside alone all day there's the potential that she'll overdo it and tire out her leg to the point of pain. I know I'm sounding over-protective...The vet recommends plenty of exercise but in small doses to avoid the fatigue thing. (I'll be posting some queries soon in relation to this!)

    OK Ann, now I see your dilemma here. This is a tuff one keeping a Basenji still or low activity especially when you're not there. The only other thing you could do is set up a kennel run or large dog pen to reduce the area. see this picture.
    http://www.seefido.com/html/dog_kennel_runs_pen_fence_.htm

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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    @sanjibasenji said in Crate training: I have much respect for that accumulated knowledge, but, not to sound rude, that does not make that person a certified or licensed trainer. I actually was offended by what you posted. You said you respect the knowledge, but disregard it because they aren't a "certified or licensed trainer"? These are well-intentioned breeders who volunteer to engage with others on the Forum in an attempt to educate and celebrate this amazing dog breed. They share their knowledge. You don't have to agree with them. Offer your opinion and move on. Please don't suggest that their opinion, experience, and education isn't valid because they aren't "certified" or "licensed". Your overall intent screams that you believe yourself to be better than the rest of us: "I'm a scientist with a PhD." Which puts the rest of us beneath you? In education and social stature? You couldn't know about anyone's socioeconomic status, educational achievements, or expertise on any subject. But you deemed to think it was appropriate to put us in our place. And that, was rude. Even the analogy you offered is an indication that you don't value anyone who doesn't have a degree. Frankly, if you are hearing conflicting opinions about the same piece of art, get a third opinion. The person with the degree may have just scraped by with a C+, while the person who devoted decades may have been under the tutelage of a Master Artist. And really, if you are planning to purchase such a prized piece of Art, shouldn't you educate yourself so you can make an intelligent decision instead of allowing others to tell you what to buy? As an aside: The original YouTube link remains, but we certainly do not need her entire catalog of videos. Sharing information is one thing, advertising for someone is another. I would hope that you understand that not everything you see online is true. Including claims to be an expert, certified, trained, Dr., etc., etc. Lots of people in the world are just selling a story.
  • dmeyD

    Crate size?

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    I think I will buy a wire crate also. LIked that the plastic ones are more "den" like , but like you said I can just put a blanket at night… Thanks
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    Thanks for the link, Ivoss! And thanks for the wire suggestions, as well guys. Chris is actually a plumber, so we have a surplus of PVC lying around! I'm sure that's going to be Chris' next favorite project; once it gets going I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes. :) Any ideas on what the maximum space between pipes would be? We don't want him wriggling and squeezing his way through. This might really help for while I'm away!
  • J

    Pooping in crate - why?

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    Congrats… Now you have a happy Basenji and a tree smack dab in front of your front door!!! LOL What we do for these little beasties...:rolleyes:
  • ComicDom1C

    Is your crate safe? What are your thoughts?

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    Robin_n_JackR
    We have a plastic crate…I think it is a vari kennel, but can't be sure- but it is at least that type. We had a wire crate in the beginning, but it was too big, he had enough room to make a messs and get away from it, so he got the point where he would go to the bathroom in his crate, and then lay down on the other side. So, we got the smaller crate. He doesn't mind going in his crate when I leave for work, but it is not his favorite place to be. He doesn't usually go in there without being asked to, but he doesn't try to escape. It was funny, when my parents were here, he got to stay out all day with them while I was at work, and then he was sleeping in bed with us. After the second day of this, at about 9:00pm, he got up from the couch, trotted over to his crate and lied down inside, with a huge heavy sigh, and took a nap. I think we were wearing him out.
  • dashD

    Home alone-but not in the crate

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    She-Ra was one of those "Mall Pet Store" basenji's so even as a pup she'd gotten accustomed to eliminating where she ate, so crate training was really not much of a success. However, using pee-pads, if you're going to be gone, isn't a hard thing to train them to use (spray with bitter apple spray though…She-Ra LOVES to chew up the pee-pads!). We've also used "baby gates" with success to keep her out of danger rooms (kitchen, etc.). While Basenji's are natural climbers, Target sells a nice one that she's not been able to handle. Finally, just "Puppy-proof" your home and leave plenty of toys and chews around. Every now and then you'll come home to an accident, but for the most part she's quite content to have the run of (most of) the house.